The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 115

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 115

Chapter Title: Belak Onslaught

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The fleeing people were so frantic that they didn't even notice the cold wind pushing at their backs or the gusts carrying the frogs.

Even the Belak frogs simply flying by looked as if they were leaping to attack.

Nina didn't slow her pace as she pushed back the Belaks.

"Hiyah!"

Every time the short spear in her hand spun around, the number of Belaks rapidly dwindled. They were aware of an invisible enemy, but they weren't high enough grade to catch it.

Unable to see, they shot their tongues in all directions, but Nina wasn't the type to get hit by blind attacks.

She swiftly dealt with the mountain of Belaks and turned her gaze to the top-grade one.

It looked like magic attacks were still ongoing. The rooster hoisted its massive body into the air with its wings, spinning around as it scattered poison.

"Hmm..."

Dealing with that one too might be a bit much.

'No clothes on me. And poison brings back bad memories.'

"Nana! Nana!!"

Turning at the voice, she saw Jack shouting this way and that, so Nina approached him.

"Who's Nana?"

"Argh, you startled me. Should I call you by your real name then?"

Nina spoke to Jack, who was grumbling in the wrong direction.

"Over here, over here."

"Can't see you, so I don't know."

Jack said sullenly and called out to Randell.

Randell, who had safely levitated the ship away from the coastline with magic, ran over and dispelled the magic on Nina.

"What do we do now?"

Jack asked, and Nina grinned as she replied.

"You said earlier that you got no credit for any of this."

"Right."

"But doesn't that feel like we're at a loss?"

"What can we do about it."

"These people here—they're magic tool artisans, right? Don't we need them for the Tower of Mages? The land's contaminated by Belaks and dangerous, so why not suggest evacuating to the Rubaenu Ducal Territory for now?"

It's safe from Belaks there, and the only place that would accept unfamiliar refugees is the Rubaenu Ducal Territory, right?

Isn't it?

"Hoo..."

Jack flashed a wicked smile.

"If we contact the Romi Merchant Company, they'll whip up transport in no time."

Besides, the 'friendly Jack' who saved their lives was practically the leader of the group right now. They might listen if he persuaded them.

"Even taking just some of them would be a success."

"It would."

Having a foundation for any technology versus starting completely from scratch was a different matter entirely. Salvaging even one person would be a huge boon to the Rubaenu Ducal Territory.

The Tower of Mages would benefit too, of course.

"But if the journey takes too long, won't problems arise?"

"Just say the great mage from the Isle of Sages, Randell, heard the news and opened that space portal earlier out of love for his fellow countrymen."

Nina said proudly.

Jack was impressed.

"That's good. Fellow countrymen."

It was a word that could make even unfamiliar lands feel affectionate.

How about it? As Nina turned to ask Randell, she closed her mouth.

Randell was staring at the Sage Castle, where flashes of light and explosions indicated a battle with the rooster Belak.

He seemed torn between the urge to rush over and the reluctance to go, unsure what to do.

"Randell, it's fine. It won't be totally destroyed. There's no way they can't handle one A-grade Belak. We've taken care of all the low-grade ones in the village."

Rather than words of comfort, it was just stating facts.

But in times like these, such cold truths were what sank in.

Randell tore his eyes from the castle and looked at the village.

"I know. No, I just never thought we'd be able to save the people..."

All his memories with his master were from the lower village. The villagers had been kind even to him as a young apprentice, which felt strangely off back then.

The feeling of being treated kindly and with respect, without curses or fists flying.

It had felt so strange that he hadn't wanted to come to the village often, but unlike other mages, his master had diligently taken him around the lower village.

To the point of hearing snide remarks about when he ever did research.

Thinking back, it seemed like an effort to expose him to ordinary people and broaden his experiences.

'He was amazing.'

Randell thought. Things he hadn't remembered were now coming back one by one.

His master's considerations and words resurfaced. The lid he'd kept shut on painful or betraying memories had opened.

Those small memories had all turned into good ones, supporting him now.

He hadn't been betrayed by someone precious. He had been properly loved.

If he'd thrown the notebook into the sea and ended it there, he'd have lost them forever.

"Thank you, Nina."

As he expressed his gratitude, she waved it off like it was nothing.

"No need. Let's hurry. The people will be anxious. If we're not careful, the targets might shift to the folks floating out at sea."

At Nina's words, Jack and Randell sobered up and quickened their steps.

Kiril exhaled pipe smoke with a look of disbelief and said,

"You relocated the entire Isle of Sages population intact?"

"Nah, not everyone."

Nina waved her hand. Kiril shook her head, thinking of the recent commotion.

"I heard the Isle of Sages is on the brink of total collapse."

"It's been thriving from Yara until now—how could the island of the Sages crumble to a single top-grade Belak? Doesn't make sense."

"They say without artisans, construction, experiment tools, and furniture-making are all tough. They're clamoring to send them back."

"We can't force people who don't want to go. Tell someone from the Isle of Sages to come persuade them."

Nina sighed, resting her hand on her cheek and tilting her head.

Kiril chuckled.

Having lived on the insular Isle of Sages and now settled in the dazzling Rubaenu Ducal Territory, they probably didn't want to go back.

Of course, some might prefer their homeland, but returning wasn't easy, and going back to Belak-contaminated land was hard. Those who'd lost family there especially wouldn't want to.

Above all, the welcoming atmosphere that embraced outsiders played a big role.

Randell had even offered to buy their goods at 1.5 times the price.

Still, a few wanted to return, and they weren't stopping them—just letting them go as they pleased.

The core personnel were staying anyway.

"And you found new Taruk materials too."

"Yeah. They say it's way more efficient than the old ones—about three times faster at gathering mana."

"Maybe I should make some new ones."

"Do it. There's plenty of material. That's why Randell's ditching 'Taruk' and just calling them pendulums."

"That guy's really opening a whole new chapter."

Youth is great, Kiril thought, shaking her head.

"No, Kiril, you're young too."

"True. But when else would I act my age if not now?"

Kiril said nonchalantly and took a drag from her pipe.

Nina muttered, "Kiril always seems like she could pull off anything as long as there are people younger than her."

Kiril chuckled, set down her pipe, and opened the sideboard to hand over a pouch.

"Here, the stuff we talked about."

"Ooh, this is it."

Nina opened the pouch. It was filled with round candies.

"Can't vouch for the taste."

"Everything you make tastes awful anyway. Horrifyingly so."

They were sugar candies for when rapid spirit use drained one's energy—sugar for quick carbs, herbs to restore vitality.

"Five at a time is the limit. Don't overdo it; the herbs are pretty potent."

Nina nodded at Kiril's warning.

With the Saintess appearing, who knew what might happen in the capital? This was what she'd asked Kiril for.

The green candies looked scary enough; the taste was probably terrifying too.

'But it's a lump of sugar, so it'll be sweet at least?'

A harmony of sweet and bitter? Or would the sweet amplify the bitterness?

'No desire to find out right now. Really.'

Nina pocketed the pouch and stood.

"Nina."

"Yes."

"Be careful."

Uncharacteristic words from Kiril made Nina's eyes widen. Kiril squinted and said,

"It's your first time at the Grand Ball."

"Got it."

"Humans are the most troublesome. Corpses are preferable—no words, always honest."

At Kiril's words, Nina vowed, "I'll be careful," and left the room.