The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 41

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: The Castle's Makeover

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No one knows the exact location of the Bright Iron, but recalling the story from the novel—and according to the treasure map-like chart that Poko possesses—it lies quite deep inside.

We'll probably clash with Belak over and over.

'It seems like it'll take a long time. I need something else. Instead of just waiting endlessly for the Young Master to return, I should do something productive in the meantime...'

Nina pondered deeply, then slapped her knee.

'All right. When he gets back, I'll show him a castle transformed beyond recognition. Yeah, that's what I'll do.'

Nina jumped to her feet and opened the window of the captain's office, gazing up at the castle.

"You're the first person to ask the Great Sage for cleaning help."

Randell said to her with an incredulous look on his face.

Even indoors, his blond hair gleamed brightly.

Something in the test tube on his desk was changing colors.

The corner room had windows on both sides, providing excellent natural light, which made the liquid in the test tube shimmer like melted jewels.

"No cleaning magic?"

She was sure she'd used it before.

Under Nina's scrutiny, Randell tilted his head as if thinking for a moment before asking,

"Answer one of my questions, and I'll hear yours out."

"You'll do the cleaning?"

Randell flashed a grin at her words. As he slowly reached to remove his glasses—no, his lenses—Nina tensed up.

He grasped his glasses with both hands, as if about to take them off, then adjusted them back and looked up at her.

"The time we bumped into each other and my glasses fell, you put them right back on me. Why?"

"Because there's no refraction in the lenses."

A look of surprise crossed his face at Nina's answer. She continued,

"So I knew they weren't prescription. There must be a reason you're wearing them. I figured you'd hate it if they got knocked off."

Randell fumbled with his glasses, looking flustered. He clearly hadn't expected that response.

Only then did Nina remember anew that he had lived his life confined to the Isle of Sages, a narrow human enclave.

'He really lacks social skills.'

Nina slammed her hand on the desk with a bang. Randell looked up.

"So, now you'll use the cleaning magic?"

Randell let out a small chuckle.

"Of course I will."

The Great Sage's cleaning magic was incredible. It melted away even the grime in every nook and cranny in one go.

Honestly, she hadn't imagined such a huge difference.

She had cleaned diligently herself, but removing the layers of stains, dust, and sticky buildup accumulated over the years was impossible.

Once the veil of filth was stripped away, Black Shield Castle looked utterly refreshed.

The wooden shutters gleamed so brightly that no one could miss the change at a glance.

"This is the first time I've cast such a massive spell. I never thought the first large-scale magic of my life would be cleaning magic."

Nina's conscience pricked slightly at Randell's exhausted words.

"Thank you so much."

Nina expressed her genuine gratitude.

The servants around them squealed in delight, exclaiming how amazing it was.

Randell said with a puzzled expression,

"I never imagined I'd get thanks for something like this."

"The value of magic is determined by people. I don't believe there's such a thing as grand and mighty magic versus small and trivial magic."

Randell smiled brightly at Nina's words.

"I prefer botany over my own magic anyway."

Nina laughed and replied, "Botany is greater," at which point light seemed to pour from Randell's eyes.

"You really think so too, Lady Nina?"

Oh no, she thought, but since he'd already cast the cleaning magic, Nina graciously listened to his botany lecture.

The servants marveled at the spotless castle and followed Nina's instructions.

From the castle storeroom came relics of bygone eras—ornaments that had become unique due to their age—and Nina arranged them tastefully.

She also rearranged the existing furniture.

And she didn't neglect the proxy duties.

At first, she had to run to Jin and ask, "Where the hell is the Waits region?" but now she was fairly familiar with the ducal territory's geography.

'But isn't the workload insane?'

While handling documents, Nina realized one thing.

'Adrian was managing the entire ducal territory personally. The vassals are sending him even the pettiest details? And he and Sir Lui handled all this?'

No wonder he spent every day buried in paperwork.

She wanted to tear her hair out. The vassals here were hereditary officials appointed by the duke to manage castles.

They weren't feudal lords granted land, but administrators in a vague position between ordinary officials and vassals due to their hereditary nature.

Each house had designated castles for their regional managers, so you could tell which house's regional administrator it was by the castle.

Except for places like the Kota house with their special duties.

'I thought he wouldn't leave regional vassals involved in internal strife alone, but did he really kill them all?'

She needed to start recruiting talent as soon as possible.

'No replies yet.'

Sighing as she thought of promising administrative candidates, Nina's mind turned back to Adrian amid the hectic day of knight order duties, proxy duke work, and castle reorganization.

'Hurry back so I can show you the changed castle.'

In the early hours when she could bear it no longer, she called for North Wind.

Adrian flung open the window. Cold night air flowed into the old building.

The sky was a deep velvet black, and the stars twinkled strangely brightly.

It was a night with a strong wind blowing. Not a single cloud in the sky.

Nothing but stars upon stars.

A quiet night without a moon.

The fortress at the edge of Violet Forest was worn but maintained enough to have the necessary supplies.

In truth, "fortress" was a grand name; it was just a single-story wooden building surrounded by stone walls.

He was tired, but sleep wouldn't come.

In a daze, he simply leaned on the windowsill, staring at the sky.

Things had wrapped up as he wanted.

He had seized the advantage, forcing Poko's group into a subservient position.

In exchange for cooperating, Adrian extracted maximum gains from them.

It hadn't taken long for him to grasp their situation fully.

Craftsmen who had only worked in workshops, never properly negotiating outside, were easy prey not worth a single bite.

Considering their momentum in getting here, treating them reasonably rather than oppressing them would make them easier to handle.

Without exchanging many words, Adrian realized they couldn't easily return to the Karak Workshop.

They had lost most of the craftsmen they brought from Karak to reefs, cliffs, and Belak's attacks.

They knew the Bright Iron processing method, but recreating it was another matter entirely. As Adrian pointed out each gap, Poko's face hardened. Adrian didn't miss the openings, pretending to accommodate their plight while securing his benefits.

In the end, Poko handed over most rights to the ducal family yet felt grateful to Adrian.

'Because he doesn't work for profit.'

No one can beat cunning wielded for gain.

But to do that, you must fully understand the opponent. Understanding means empathizing.

Yet you must ruthlessly calculate only your own gains and losses.

'I'm tired.'

Not physical, but mental fatigue. The moment he thought 'I'm worn out,' Nina came to mind, and he smiled.

'So I seek Nina at times like this.'

Just thinking of her greatly improved his mood. With a touch of joy, he pictured her sparkling eyes.

Brown or gold, it made no difference to him. The soul leaping like flame within was always the same.

Nina gave him something he'd never experienced before. She returned what he thought he'd never have again.

'I miss her.'

At that moment, a piercingly cold wind blew, and he tilted his head.

'The weather for winds like this is long past.'

Winter had been a season of suffering, but not after Nina. Jin had said she "likes snow like a dog."

The season of white breath and rosy cheeks was always...

"Nina."

The name slipped from his lips unwittingly, and

"Yes, Young Master."

Adrian wondered for a moment if he'd misheard.