The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 49

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 49

Chapter Title: Jack's Introduction

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Nina called out to him softly, and he quickly pulled his hand away from the railing ornament and turned to her.

"Um, ahem. I came with a message for the Duke."

Nina's eyebrow arched crookedly. She recognized the man immediately.

"You're a spy."

"Something like that."

He let out a "hehe" and bowed obsequiously.

"You provoked us on purpose just now, didn't you?"

"No, we'd gone through all the trouble of working hard to get here, but you two looked so cozy."

"We weren't being particularly cozy. More importantly..."

Without any warning or preparatory motion, Nina swung her dagger.

The man dodged reflexively and gave a wry smile as he pressed his hand to his cheek.

Blood trickled from the shallow cut.

"If I'd judged you an enemy, you'd be dead."

"I figured you'd at least notice there was no killing intent."

"That's got nothing to do with this. So, what now?"

Nina's question meant, So, you're introducing yourself now?

She had sensed several presences coming and going inside the castle but ignored them.

Because she had realized they were Adrian's spies.

She thought they were mutually pretending not to notice each other, so what was the intent in revealing himself now?

"You seemed like someone I had to introduce myself to."

The man grinned.

"Let's talk inside."

Adrian, now fully dressed, approached from near the balcony and spoke.

The man unhesitatingly stepped inside without a second thought. He scanned the room, observing every detail.

"Why'd you come?"

At Adrian's question, the man straightened his shoulders and smiled as he replied.

"The boss is dead."

"How?"

"Looks like there's a monster inside the temple."

The man's smile deepened. Adrian muttered, "I see," and tapped the table with his fingers.

"I'm right here."

Nina raised her hand.

Was it okay for the knight order captain to listen in on a conversation between a spymaster and the duke?

The man turned to her and said, "You're not someone with a presence we can ignore."

Ah, this guy.

He doesn't smile at all.

His face was smiling, but she could feel the anger. If it weren't for Nina, probably no one could tell.

Nina, accustomed to Adrian, was sensitive to emotions and noticed right away.

The man said to Adrian.

"I know the master isn't thrilled about it, but I figured it's time to get acquainted with the captain."

At Adrian's awkward glance, Nina covered her eyes with the back of her hand and laughed.

"If you don't want to show it, we can pretend I didn't see."

Adrian sighed and opened his mouth.

"Nina, this is Jack. Jack, you already know."

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

Nina asked the grinning Jack.

"So, you're the next boss?"

"You're direct. Yes."

"I thought that's why you introduced yourself."

"Are you angry?"

"Yes."

"The reason is...?"

"You beat dogs that don't listen to their master."

If he'd revealed himself without Adrian's permission, he deserved a beating. No, he needed one.

"There are no bad dogs in the world."

"Then you're a bad person."

"Can't deny that."

Jack shook his head and glanced at Adrian.

"Will you forgive me, master?"

"Nina."

"Can't I hit him just once?"

"You already slashed him with a knife."

Jack floundered in panic. He knew well about Nina's monstrous strength. Even one hit would mean weeks in bed.

"Well, that's true."

Nina spun the dagger in her hand before neatly sheathing it in the scabbard on her belt.

Nina smiled brightly and said.

"Shall we start over from the beginning?"

Jack rolled his eyes and slipped out, closing the balcony door. Adrian couldn't help but chuckle softly.

It was amusing how compliant Jack was being, and ridiculous that they were restarting.

Nina stood with her arms crossed and said.

"Hurry up."

"Alright then."

Adrian cleared his throat and looked at Nina with a serious face.

"Nina, there's someone I want to introduce you to."

"Oh? Who?"

"You know I have spies working for me, right? Probably every noble does, but the ducal house runs a larger operation. I want to introduce you to their leader."

"Is there a need to increase the risk?"

Secrets only have value when few know them. Did they really need to add someone who knew the secret? At her words, Adrian whispered.

"It's useless if Nina doesn't know."

"Adrian knows what makes my heart race."

Nina grinned and bowed her head.

"If the young master says so, I'll gladly make your acquaintance."

"Jack, come in."

"Yes, yes, it's Jack."

"No sincerity. Shall we do it again?"

At Nina's words, Jack closed the balcony door again, then opened it and entered solemnly.

"It's an honor to meet you. Ebony Blade, a single ray of light in the darkness, glory of Rubaenu, Sword Emperor Nina la Del."

"Ah, I like that introduction."

"Figured you would."

As their whispering ended, Nina pretended the previous conversation never happened and smiled softly.

"The pleasure is mine. Shadow of Rubaenu, black bird that carries the darkness, the one that swallows endlessly."

Jack grinned, relaxed his posture, and they exchanged greetings before he reported again on the temple and the previous leader's death.

Nina recalled the temple's final boss. If they poked at it carelessly, wouldn't the ducal family become a target?

As she pondered what advice to give, Adrian spoke.

"Stop digging deeper and halt all operations. If there's something in the temple, no need to pursue it right now."

Jack bowed his head and withdrew. As the balcony door closed, Nina turned to Adrian.

"Because of the temple's heretics?"

Adrian nodded. An agent sent by the temple had destroyed the barrier.

It was a massive scandal for the temple as well, and they had scrambled desperately to cover it up.

It would have been better if the ducal family had responded more sharply, but instead, they used the incident to try to kill Adrian, and then the plague made protests impossible.

By the time Adrian had subdued the internal factions, the matter had fizzled out.

So there really is something there.

"It's fine."

At Nina's words, Adrian smiled. She continued brightly.

"I'll win."

"No matter who the enemy is."

Adrian repeated her words. Nina grinned. He nodded with a gentle expression.

"I'm not worried."

"Then we're good."

Nina hugged Adrian once and said.

"I'll be off now."

"Alright."

Adrian lightly grasped Nina's twin tails as she turned away. Her hair slipped smoothly from his hand as she walked.

He didn't tell her to "use the road" as she headed to the balcony because he knew she wasn't returning to her room.

He stared at his hand, which retained only a smooth texture, then clenched it into a fist.

Nina, who had jumped down from the balcony, soon spotted Jack standing in the garden.

"Knew you'd come."

At Jack's words, Nina pulled out some ointment from her pocket.

"For your cheek."

"Is that your only business?"

"My condolences."

At Nina's serious face, Jack said lowly.

"Our deaths go unnoticed by anyone. I don't think they warrant mourning, nor do we need it, but..."

"It's for the living."

At Nina's words, Jack retorted, "Do I look like someone who needs mourning?"

"Whether you need it or not, you deserve it."

"Then I'll accept."

"Here."

Nina held out a white flower. She had picked it on the way. Jack's eyes widened at the unexpected flower, then he sighed.

"Now I know why the master couldn't let you go."

Why he hadn't given up on the dead for two years.

"I didn't live carelessly enough to be discarded. I'm an indispensable talent."

At Nina's words, Jack snorted and tossed the flower into the bushes.

"I received it well."

"You're welcome."

He's really good at saying he'll just take the sentiment, Nina thought, then asked.

"So, what's your real name?"

Jack replied politely, "That's crossing the line."

Nina said, "Then I apologize," and turned away first.

It was a one-sided gesture of I trust you. Jack smiled lightly and melted into the shadows as if vanishing.