The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 102

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 102

Chapter Title: The Ebony Knight Order's Renown

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The reputation of the Ebony Knight Order had now been completely renewed.

So many people coveted their black uniforms that nobles in the capital started ordering black longcoats to wear.

Come winter, there were jokes that all you could see were people in black longcoats.

Yet amid that flock of crows, the Ebony Knight Order's uniforms were a deep black entirely different from the rest.

Since no one could perfectly replicate the details or design, the more fakes that appeared, the higher the true ones' value soared.

The Ebony Knights who couldn't wear their longcoats were constantly mobbed by crowds urging them to share tales of their exploits.

"You got the workshop master's message, right?"

Nina's light tone made Rorokomo drop his merchant's facade.

"Yes. I'm looking forward to whatever Poko has in store this time. We've had so many requests to sell puresteel."

"Couldn't we divert the lower-purity stuff outward? It feels a bit off hogging it all ourselves. Though Young Master will decide, of course."

Poko had poured endless effort into refining puresteel, producing purity levels incomparable to when Nina first suggested it.

The Rubaenu Ducal Family had entered the dawn of an unprecedented golden age.

Rorokomo sometimes got chills thinking the man behind these achievements was still a young duke in his twenties.

'And.'

He glanced at Nina.

Nina la Del.

Now, no one on the continent hadn't heard her name.

From the barren northern islands to the southern Arakil.

In these three years, her features had matured even further, blooming into greater beauty. Gazing at her was like beholding a lily carved from jade.

'Of course, once she starts moving and talking, not so much.'

Nina's personality hadn't changed a bit in three years.

People inevitably changed upon gaining great power, so her staying the same was almost unnatural.

Her twin pigtails remained as well.

They'd become her trademark; anything less felt disappointing now.

Even more women were tying their hair in twin pigtails to imitate her.

The number of women entering knighthoods had surged, boosting female ratios even in the Ebony Knight Order.

Considering Nina had once been its sole woman, it was a monumental advance.

Silver Hawk, Continent's Greatest Sword, Ruler of Winter, Spirit Queen, Sword Emperor, Terror of Enemies, Belak Butcher.

The epithets for her were countless, each underscoring her fame.

Her fief, the Del Barony, was mostly lakes and marshes, and a new aquatic plant for black uniform material had been discovered there.

With the Rubaenu Ducal Family buying it all up, she'd earned gold rivaling any count's.

Continent's Top Baroness.

That was Nina's other nickname.

As Adrian predicted three years ago, the Rubaenu Ducal Family was hailed as the empire's best in every field.

Merchants seeking luxuries headed first to Silver Lake Manor, not the imperial palace, or so the rumors went.

Watching water cascade from the beautiful crystal fountain, Rorokomo thought the tales weren't exaggerated.

The Rubaenu Duke's Silver Lake Manor was famed for pioneering new horizons in estate gardens—all thanks to Mimina's efforts.

Nina turned her gaze from the garden.

"How's Mimina doing?"

Worry clouded Rorokomo's face at the question.

"Her due date's approaching. She's resting as much as possible, but it's her first, so I'm concerned."

"Kiril's there. She'll manage."

"True. We have the apothecary master."

Kiril had fully returned to pharmaceutical research, with no shortage of disciples under her.

Randell continued plant studies, recruiting more aides than true pupils.

Their researches were separate but closely collaborative, yielding endless marvels.

Warnings had come repeatedly from the Isle of Sages.

Don't misuse the sages' wisdom. Return Taruk. We'll make you pay if this continues.

The Rubaenu Duke didn't even snort.

The same went for the temple.

We'll dispatch priests to Violet Forest. Let us investigate. Why do you keep blocking us?

Rumors swirled that their wealth stemmed from pacts with corrupt spirits.

But the Rubaenu Ducal Family had grown far faster, higher, and grander than their foes anticipated.

Gossip lagged two or three steps behind.

"Mm, the baby's gonna be cute."

Rorokomo smiled at Nina's words.

"You like children?"

"No."

He paused at her firm reply, but Nina grinned.

"But it's Rorokomo and Mimina's kid. Of course it'll be cute."

Meaning, whatever her usual tastes, theirs would be adorable by default.

"That's an honor."

Rorokomo laughed.

The two passed through an elegant colonnade of Akara marble toward the manor's conference room.

Poko was already inside.

"Captain."

"Pavilion Master."

"Guildmaster."

They exchanged greetings all around before Nina asked,

"You made even better puresteel? How's that possible?"

It was already plenty good.

Excitement flushed Poko's face.

"Nothing will top this masterpiece. I may never extract such prime material again."

She drew a rectangular ingot from her bosom.

Rorokomo and Nina's eyes widened.

"It's transparent."

"Like it's made of ice."

As Poko turned the ingot this way and that, it sparkled in rainbow hues like a diamond.

"Heavens. This is metal?"

Poko pulled a hammer from her pocket and lightly struck it.

Clink clink.

A clear, pure tone rang out, like well-fired porcelain.

"Truly beautiful."

Rorokomo admired it. To a merchant's eye, it was priceless.

Then the door opened, and Adrian and Lui entered.

Adrian had changed over three years too. Hard to pinpoint how, but his build was more solid, his face more masculine.

His scholarly features were so captivating no one could look away, drawing stacks of marriage proposals daily—enough in a year to fill crates.

Rumors abounded of lovelorn ladies taking to their beds.

Adrian brushed his slightly overgrown bangs to the side; it was time for a trim.

"Everyone here?"

"Kiril and Randell-sha are still..."

Rorokomo's face darkened as he spoke, and Lui sighed.

"Can't be helped with those two."

Once immersed in research, they rarely stopped.

Adrian said,

"Workshop head, report."

Poko stepped forward, placing the puresteel on the table. She explained its new purity level, then added sheepishly,

"But I don't know how we achieved such high purity. We're reexamining every process, but..."

"So this is likely the only finished piece."

"Yes."

Adrian eyed the puresteel before saying,

"Bestow it on the Captain."

"Pardon? On me?"

Nina's eyes rounded, and Poko beamed.

"If it's to become Sword Emperor Nina's weapon, the puresteel will rejoice."

"Uh-uh."

Nina blinked a moment, then grinned.

"I'll gladly accept such a fine gift."

She crossed her arms in an X, bowing thanks to Adrian.

Lui, whose long sleeves suited him perfectly, smiled faintly as he glanced at his documents.

"Then we'll confirm attendance at this year's Imperial Grand Ball."

Rorokomo's face lit up.

"Finally attending."

"Yes, since the Saintess will appear."

"Saintess?"

"Saintess?"

"Huh? Why's the Saintess coming out already?"

The last came from Nina, drawing all eyes.

She fumbled, flustered.

"I mean, I thought she'd debut on the temple holiday or something..."

"Debuting on the temple festival would be ideal, but the grand ball draws the biggest crowds."

Lui explained, and Nina slumped her shoulders.

"Fair point."

But her mind raced.

'Huh? By my knowledge, the Saintess shouldn't appear until next year?'