The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 112

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 112

Chapter Title: Infiltrating the Sage's Tower

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“Are they discussing whatever issues they deem important at the moment? And then acting based on the meeting's outcome?”

“Yeah.”

“That's how the Isle of Sages wields its influence. The agenda for this大会 sounded intriguing, though.”

“How did you even find that out?”

“I snuck in with the supply cart, remember? Changed my clothes right then.”

“Your clothes?”

At Nina's question, Jack nodded and explained.

“People develop a certain familiarity with us. But what makes them think of our status? Turns out it's the clothes. When I dressed like a commoner hauling carts, they treated me like one of their own.”

“So you switched to a robe?”

“Exactly. Once I looked like a sage, they assumed I was one they knew. So I asked around a bit.”

“Jack... you're amazing.”

“I always welcome praise. Feel free to give more.”

Nina lavished him with compliments—“You're incredible, a genius. How do you even think of that? A true expert.”—while Randell watched with an intrigued expression.

“So, ultimately, clothing determines how they perceive you as a different person?”

“Yes. They're not really recognizing me anyway.”

“From a social perspective, the influence of attire—”

“Randell, that's enough. So, security tightens even more on the day of the大会?”

“Since everyone gathers in the conference hall, the castle itself empties out.”

“Not everyone attends. Some are too obsessed with their research.”

“Even accounting for that, it's still the perfect opportunity.”

Nina flashed a satisfied smile. “Then it's finally time to infiltrate.”

Life on this island was utterly exhausting.

No, a larger island might be tolerable, but circling this one took less than half a day.

“I'll handle the magical barriers.”

“The sages seem to put all their faith in magic. No physical traps or alarms.”

They disdain primitive methods, it seems.

“It's that idiotic arrogance of theirs.”

“Then let's rest now and move at dusk.”

Nina nodded.

The group checked their tools and discussed infiltration tactics as they passed the time.

As the sun set, they donned black stealth outfits and set out.

There was no need to worry about scaling the low castle walls.

They emerged into the garden via the secret passage Jack had found. Nina marveled at the desolate garden.

“This is a garden?”

“Sages have no interest in maintaining castles. The only plant that grows well here is the 'Tree of Origins.'”

“Tree of Origins?”

“They say it was brought from Yara. It's growing out back.”

“Then it's incredibly old.”

“It is.”

“This garden is desolation incarnate. 'Wasteland Garden' suits it better.”

Vines had overgrown wildly, concealing the passage they'd used.

Or perhaps that's what they were for from the start.

“This secret passage is ridiculously makeshift.”

Nina whispered. It looked more like a sewer grate than a secret passage.

“They have almost no defenses against outside intruders.”

“Who'd think to rob the Isle of Sages?”

“Us.”

Nina grinned.

A check with North Wind revealed no one nearby, so the three slipped through the shadows deeper inside.

The Sage's Castle consisted of three buildings, and Randell's mentor had worked in the second one.

“Now the problem is getting up there...”

Jack handed Nina a rope with a grappling hook. She gripped it, swung it a few times, and hurled it.

With tremendous force bolstered by North Wind, the hook latched perfectly onto the fifth-floor railing.

Clank clank.

After a few test tugs, the lightweight Nina scaled the wall effortlessly.

Moments later, the securely fastened rope dangled down, and the other two climbed to the fifth floor.

“Hold on.”

Randell pulled out a small orb the size of a cherry. As it glimmered faintly, a blue wave spread around the window and faded.

“Now it's safe to open.”

Like three mice slipping into a kitchen for cheese, they filed inside one after another.

“Where's your mentor's workshop?”

“This way.”

Nina swept the hallway with North Wind to check for presences, and the three stepped into the corridor.

Following Randell's lead, they walked, pausing whenever Nina hissed, “Shh, someone's coming,” then Jack would duck into a side room.

The door to his mentor's workshop was locked, but Jack picked it open with a wire in seconds.

Randell dispelled the magic again, and they entered.

“It's just as I left it.”

“Why didn't they clean it up?”

Nina shook her head at the chaotic lab that looked like a total mess.

“Usually, the successor inherits the workshop. So in this case...”

Randell shrugged. Nina said,

“We might not get the workshop, but let's at least take the research materials.”

She rolled up her sleeves. Jack muttered,

“With you two, no place is safe from a heist.”

Who hurls a grappling hook to the fifth floor, anyway?

While rummaging through bookshelves, Nina groaned.

“What script is this?”

“Yaran.”

“Ugh, good lord. I can't read this. How are we supposed to find anything? At least give me common script...”

Yaran, of all things.

“What? You can read it, Jack?”

“A little.”

“Unbelievable. I'm the illiterate brute here. Knights are just strong and dumb.”

“Knowing your ignorance is wisdom.”

“Sure, but it doesn't help right now...”

Nina sighed and sifted through stacks of books and parchments.

“I'll look for anything I can read.”

“Nina.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for coming with me.”

It was a rare, sincere 'thanks' without his glasses, making Nina smile unwittingly.

“No problem.”

As the other two searched research materials, Nina wandered in search of familiar script when she felt North Wind whispering.

Hm?

She looked up and slowly scanned the surroundings.

Then frost faintly coated a candlestick that caught her eye. Nina approached and pulled it without thinking.

Rumble.

The floor shook with a groan. Jack shouted in alarm.

“What did you do?”

“Huh? I just pulled the candlestick.”

“Can't you warn us before pulling things like that?”

“I didn't expect it to even move!”

“Then why pull it?!”

“Both of you, calm down. Doesn't seem like a trap.”

Randell soothed them and pointed to the floor.

“Looks like this opens.”

“Wait.”

Jack approached, tapped and inspected the floor, then rolled up the carpet. A downward passage appeared.

“This is the fifth floor, right?”

Nina squinted. Jack rubbed his chin.

“The gap between rooms on the fourth floor must be wide. Not a huge area. How'd you find it?”

“The spirit told me.”

“Of course.”

Jack sighed and turned to Randell.

“Shall we go down? Looks too narrow for two.”

Randell nodded grimly and descended the narrow ladder.

He let out a breath.

“Everything important is here.”

“Good. Let's pack it up.”

Randell carefully loaded the research materials into the backpack Jack lowered.

Then something poked Nina's butt. She spun and swung her dagger reflexively.

“What?”

Startled, Jack assumed a defensive stance.

“No, something poked my butt...”

Thud. A worn notebook half the size of a palm fell to the floor. Nina squinted at her wrist.

North Wind glimmered faintly within the Winter crest.

Wasn't that a bit much?

She picked up the clearly guilty notebook and flipped it open.

“Guess I just bumped it while moving.”

“Gave me a scare.”

“Yeah... Hm...”

The notebook was filled with scribbles and ramblings.

But entries were dated.

“Ah.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Nina waved it off and pocketed the notebook.

Randell climbed back up with the heavy backpack. They closed the floor hatch, reset the candlestick, and returned to their hideout.

“It was way too easy to rob.”

“Tell me about it.”

As Randell unpacked the materials, Nina tugged his sleeve.

“Randell.”

“What?”

“Come outside for a sec. Got something to show you.”

She dragged him out of the house and pulled out the notebook.

“Here. Found this earlier.”

“What is it?”

“A diary? It even mentions the day they brought you.”