The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 118

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 118

Chapter Title: Belak Onslaught

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Reflexively, people dropped to the floor as if collapsing to sit, and a massive manta-ray-like creature whooshed right over their heads.

Nina leaped toward the creature and smashed her fist into Belak.

Clang-!

It didn't sound like hitting a living thing—it was more like pounding on iron.

“Kuek!”

Belak, slammed into the ground, flapped its fin-like wings desperately, trying to get up. Nina followed up with a kick, sending it flying all the way to the opposite wall, where it got impaled on a candelabra.

“Kwaaa-.”

Belak flopped around a few times but couldn't free itself from the wall-mounted candelabra.

'My fist stings.'

Nina clicked her tongue.

Her body couldn't keep up with her strength.

Paradiv groaned. As the prince, this was the first time he'd seen a Belak up close.

Terror made his body shrink back instinctively. It was the primal fear one feels upon spotting a shark in deep water.

“Kel, Shallo. Stay here.”

With that, Nina broke into a run.

“Raja!”

At her shout, Raja grabbed his weapon and dashed over swiftly, positioning himself at her side. He didn't forget to glance back at Shallo with a smug 'Jealous?' look on his face.

Nina took a sword from him and tossed the other two.

Kel caught both swords precariously—one for himself and one for Shallo—then handed one over.

With practiced motions, they sheathed their swords in their scabbards and exchanged a glance. Kel turned first.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but may we relocate? It's difficult to protect you properly here.”

Seeing the knights move in perfect unison brought a wave of relief. Thanks to them, Paradiv regained his composure.

“Until the Lily Knight Order arrives, I leave it to you.”

Kel flashed a bright smile.

“Of course, it's our honor.”

The few nobles who had lingered in bewilderment alternated glances between this group and the entrance.

Their hearts raced, but they had no idea what to do.

The ballroom entrance was jammed with fleeing people, turning the hallway into utter chaos. Naph, flustered, chimed in.

“Another Belak? W-what if that one escapes?”

Shallo dashed lightly to the wall, sliced the impaled Belak clean in half, then returned.

“It's fine now. More importantly, people are going to get crushed like that.”

She pointed toward the entrance. Paradiv turned to the two.

“Will you help me? We need to assist with the evacuation.”

“As you wish.”

Kel replied politely, while Shallo merely lowered her gaze slightly.

“Everyone, stay calm! We have the Ebony Knight Order and Sword Emperor Nina with us! Rushing outside blindly might expose you to Belak attacks instead.”

Paradiv bellowed, steeling his voice from the diaphragm. His words made the panicking crowd hesitate.

As he ordered the guards to calm the confused masses and escort the injured out separately—

“Look! Sword Emperor Nina's fighting the Belak!”

Someone shouted from the balcony, and those still in the hall surged toward it.

“Whoa-!!”

“It's flying through the sky!”

“Silver Falcon!”

“Continent's Greatest Sword!”

The cheers rang out, and Paradiv pressed a hand to his forehead.

Shallo scowled even more, while Kel let out a small sigh.

“Whoa! It's the Lily Knight Order!”

“The princess is leading the knights!”

“Wow, the Temple Knight Order!”

“It's the Saintess!”

“Saintess? For real?”

Naph fidgeted, dying to see outside, but the two in black uniforms didn't budge.

Naph poked Paradiv repeatedly.

“Shouldn't we go out if Big Sis Viarentil's here?”

“No, we wait.”

At Paradiv's words, Naph clamped his mouth shut and stared at the two standing like statues.

Kel thought Shallo must be curious too but was holding it in well. He quietly envied Raja himself.

'Real combat teaming up with the Captain. Lucky. When do I get a shot?'

But Raja, actually teamed up with Nina, was sweating bullets, his back soaked.

“Those bastards—are they insane?”

He growled, and Nina landed lightly on the ground with a cold expression.

Scattered across the garden were Belaks pierced by arrows.

Of the dozen or so flying manta rays that had appeared, Nina had taken out half.

Amid the chaos, the Lily Knight Order and Temple Knight Order arrived, and Nina swallowed a sigh of 'Finally.'

She figured she could leave the rest to the Lily Knights, but Princess Viarentil ordered a volley.

An indiscriminate barrage.

Not even bows—crossbows, fired openly. Raja's vision went dark for a moment.

Can't dodge that.

But Nina blocked his path, deflecting every quarrel with her spirits.

A B-rank wouldn't die to crossbows. Still, after the initial hits, the Saintess appeared.

She, in her pure white veil, chanted a brief hymn, and the Belaks shrieked as they dissolved.

Noticing the stares, the Saintess removed her veil and smiled sweetly.

Jet-black hair and a seductive face.

It wasn't the Fiona she knew.

'Huh? That's the Saintess?'

Nina was baffled.

Who are you?

'The Fiona I know has platinum hair, a petite build, like a little bird...'

Nina stared too openly at the Saintess, prompting a burly man to subtly step between them.

His face was hidden by a helmet, but he was likely the Temple Knight Order Captain.

'Beetle.'

Temple knights were unmistakable even from afar. They were the only ones clad in plate armor.

Normally, plate armor was heavy and cumbersome—against fast, strong Belaks, it was just a steel coffin that left wearers flailing to their deaths.

But the Temple Knights used special forging techniques to make their plate light and sturdy.

'Like our uniforms, they've got their own secrets.'

Nina, sword still drawn, spoke up.

“How can you fire crossbows with people around?”

“I figured Sword Emperor Nina could easily dodge that much.”

Princess Viarentil replied in her clear, resonant voice. Her attire and beauty remained overwhelmingly glamorous.

Nina responded with a tone teetering between courtesy and rudeness.

“I might manage alone, but my comrades were with me too.”

“I was solely focused on taking down the Belaks quickly to minimize casualties. And the Ebony Knight Order's uniforms are renowned for defense.”

She showed no intention of apologizing, even on pain of death.

Right, those in high places don't apologize to their inferiors. That's the way of the world.

“I should have arrived sooner. My apologies.”

The Saintess interjected then. A Temple Knight Order member escorted her forward as she extended her hand.

She glided forward with elegant steps.

Her long, pristine white robe was embroidered with gold thread, and a lace-trimmed veil draped over her head.

'Good grief.'

The veil was so long it trailed behind her.

Showing up to a battlefield like this?

Nina smirked crookedly, then shook her head and straightened up. This was one thing; that was another.

Still holding her sword, Nina raised it upright before her, then performed a simplified salute by slashing it diagonally downward.

“Ebony Knight Order Captain Nina Randel.”

“Saintess Lucrezia.”

The Saintess greeted gracefully, elbows tucked to her sides as she spread her arms wide.

'So who the hell is that?'

Where's the Saintess Fiona I know?

Nina brushed back her bangs. Her mind was a mess.

“I didn't expect to find you here. I heard the Rubaenu Duke was heading to the Brevan Ducal House today.”

Nina bowed slightly at Princess Viarentil's words.

“Others are handling today's escort duties, so I came to enjoy the ball personally.”

“I see. I wish I'd known. Hopefully my foolish little brother didn't embarrass himself.”

“I had a pleasant time with Prince Paradiv.”

“I hope a pleasant time with me comes soon too.”

Princess Viarentil ordered her knights to rescue people and tend to the wounded.

The Saintess purified the Belak corpses, guarded by Temple Knights behind her.

Nina watched silently. Raja approached her, sword still drawn.

With the Captain unsheathed—and no order to stand down—he couldn't sheathe his either.

“Are you alright?”

“Perfectly.”

Nina replied, recalling the earlier exchange between Prince Paradiv and the Saintess.