The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 55

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: The Ebensel Tournament

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"Tournament?"

Nina looked up from washing sweat off her face at the well. When Jin handed her a towel, she roughly wiped away the water.

"What kind of tournament?"

"You really don't know?"

Jin asked in surprise instead, and Nina nodded.

"The Ebensel Tournament, to select the empire's finest knight order."

Nina still stared at him with a 'What's that?' look, so Jin clicked his tongue.

"Any official knight order from the empire or kingdoms can participate. There are team and individual events."

"Oh, I think I've heard something like that before."

She vaguely recalled the maids gossiping about it once. Something about the Rubaenu family no longer participating in the tournament?

"Of course you've heard. Everyone has."

It was the most popular event in the empire!

Knight orders were unrivaled in popularity across the empire, and the pinnacle was the imperial tournament hosted by the Ebensel royal family.

With rankings assigned, everyone went wild for it.

"Plus, the winning knight order gets a red flag background with gold embroidery."

They permitted the use of red flags and gold embroidery, reserved for the royals.

"That's it?"

"That's it? Seriously?"

Jin squinted, and Nina chuckled lightly.

"Don't they give anything better?"

"They do."

"What?"

"A thousand large gold coins."

"!!"

Nina's eyes gleamed. Jin rambled on about how "It's not about the money, it's the honor—" but it fell on deaf ears.

'A thousand large gold coins.'

One large gold coin could sustain a commoner for three months.

That would put out all her immediate fires.

"When is it? How do we join?"

"Once every five years. Still a long way off."

"Too bad."

Nina sighed. What good was it if she couldn't earn money right now?

"You really..."

As Jin started to scold her, Nina hurriedly stepped away from the well.

"Shallo, what's up?"

Shallo, peeking from the edge, blushed and approached. Jin instantly switched to his loyal vice-captain face.

"Could I ask for a spar?"

"Of course."

Ambitious kids are great, Nina thought with a smile.

As they headed to the training grounds, Nina asked,

"How many for the Ebensel Tournament team event?"

Jin replied politely.

"Five members."

"Perfect."

Nina nodded. The Ebony Knight Order members, sprawled exhausted from grueling training, spotted her and struggled to their feet.

The quickest were Kel and Laza. Shallo was, as usual, fine and walking around.

"I've decided who's going."

Nina grinned. Jin swallowed a sigh and bowed his head.

"Of course you have."

Nina giggled, elbowed Jin's side playfully, and called out cheerfully to Shallo.

A moment later, Shallo collapsed with a thud after the spar. Nina twirled her wooden sword and said,

"Shallo, watch this."

Nina caught her breath and assumed the starting stance. Then she perfectly replicated the attack sequence Shallo had just shown.

Shallo's eyes bulged. Jin bit his lip to keep his jaw from dropping. The other knights gaped.

The footwork, sword path, swing form, posture—everything matched perfectly.

"See what I mean? That's the mistake."

Shallo nodded blankly at Nina's words.

"Fix that, and it'll be much better. Good job, Shallo."

Nina ruffled his hair and returned the wooden sword to its rack.

Once she left, the knights flopped back down and shouted.

"Whoa, what was that? Did you see? Crazy, our captain's insane, right?"

"Not human. Seriously, it was like watching Shallo himself."

"Gave me chills. Full-body goosebumps. Look."

"How? We weren't just observing from the side—we were sparring!"

"Our captain really isn't human... Something... something... Wow..."

"Amazing..."

Shallo muttered, eyes sparkling like stars. Jin wanted to join in praising her but, alas, he was the vice-captain.

"Don't just lie there. Clean up and line up."

Maintaining discipline was his job.

But inwardly, he thought,

'I'll have to ask her to show me like that someday.'

Nina headed straight to Adrian's study.

"Young Master, accepting audiences?"

Adrian smirked and beckoned her in.

"What's this 'audience' talk?"

Nina shrugged at his question.

"You seem busy lately."

Adrian propped his chin.

"Aren't you the busy one, Nina?"

Her eyes widened, then she laughed and approached.

"Haven't played much lately, huh?"

"You're busy."

"Because you are, Young Master."

"You gave Poco those transparency fruits?"

"Yeah, he said he needed more heat to melt the namcheol."

"Should rename them. Dried, you can't tell what they originally looked like."

"They're white, so how about White Bombs?"

"Sounds good."

Then came a knock, followed by the door bursting open without pause.

Only one person besides Nina did that.

"Kiril?"

Nina turned, and Kiril said to her,

"Come here a sec."

Nina glanced at Adrian, who nodded permission. She circled the desk, gave him a quick hug, then trotted after Kiril.

Adrian closed his eyes, staring at the shut door.

Kiril briefly explained to Nina.

"Take him out for some fresh air."

Him?

Nina tilted her head, then realized it was Randell.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"He's just buried in research. What if he breaks? People need fresh air sometimes."

Kiril clicked her tongue.

"If he breaks like that, it'll be a disaster. Gotta oil the gears to keep 'em running long."

"He's not a tool..."

"And you're good at that stuff, right?"

Nina blinked. "That stuff?"

"Yeah."

"What stuff?"

"Winning people over."

"Uh... thanks...?"

"Not a compliment, no need. Anyway, take him out."

Nina nodded.

How hard could it be?

The lab was a chaotic mess, far from its former order.

'Wow... No wonder Kiril wants him out.'

Nina cautiously called,

"Randell-sir?"

After a few tries, Randell looked up startled and stood.

"What is it? Kiril's not here right now..."

"No, I came to see you, Randell-sir."

"Me?"

"Yeah. Don't you feel cooped up from all the research? Want to head to the town below the castle together?"

Randell blinked in surprise. He nearly asked, 'Did you get the duke's permission?'

"Sounds good."

He answered quickly instead.

"Great. Change clothes and meet at the entrance in thirty minutes."

Randell nodded.

Starting stance (the first non-attacking posture taken before sparring).