The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 59

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 59

Chapter Title: The Snow Knight's Dance

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Mimina watched the scene as if in a dream.

Every time a gleaming sword flashed through the grass, people burst into flames, collapsing into charred husks in an instant.

The stench of burning flesh filled the air.

Yet those movements were more beautiful than any dance Mimina had ever seen.

Screams, pleas, and curses filled the air, but their numbers dwindled in the blink of an eye.

Arrows flew and even crossbows were fired, but not a single one touched the woman who had saved her.

Her twin braids dance like long sleeves, Mimina thought.

Spinning and whipping, then swiftly reversing direction.

Tears kept streaming down, blurring her vision, but all she could see was that beautiful dance.

When everything had vanished and the woman approached again, Mimina realized she must be the Snow Knight from the legends.

Her sparkling, beautiful silver hair and elegant features.

One of the seven heroes from the old tales her mother used to tell.

The spring itself had been a dance of fire, yet it somehow felt that way.

"Excuse me."

Her voice rang out clear and bright. The Snow Knight, bringing clothes, helped Mimina slip into her outer garment. Mimina dressed in a daze.

The slender woman easily scooped her up.

"Bury your face in my shoulder. Don't look at anything. You're safe now. It's all over."

Mimina clung to her neck and began to sob. The Snow Knight soothed her with the gentlest voice she could muster as they descended the mountain.

Spotting the One-Horned Horse at the mountain's edge, Mimina realized,

I'm dead.

She must have danced until she collapsed from exhaustion and died. How else could she see both the Snow Knight and a One-Horned Horse at once?

Rorokomo said he sent her.

Maybe the one who died first had sent the Snow Knight out of consideration for her.

Mimina mounted the One-Horned Horse, clinging tightly to the Snow Knight as she whispered softly,

"Where are we going now?"

"I'll take you to Rorokomo."

Mimina nodded and buried her face in the woman's back. Suddenly, everything blurred into swift motion.

Riding the One-Horned Horse was nothing like a regular horse. The smooth gait made Mimina drowsy. Feeling her arms slacken, the Snow Knight grabbed them firmly.

"Don't fall asleep. Just hold on a little longer."

"But I'm so sleepy... and tired."

Thinking her a fairy sent by Rorokomo made words flow easily. The woman gripped her arms tighter, as if startled.

"I know. But if you sleep, you'll fall off."

"What happens if I fall?"

Would she wander in eternal darkness forever?

"You'd get badly hurt. One-Horned Horses don't jostle much, but they're faster than regular horses."

Nina put strength into her voice, wondering why the girl on her back was so nonchalant.

Of course, she understood the mental exhaustion.

Should I have put her in front? Then I could tell her to lean on me and hold her securely.

Tsking at her mistake, Nina gripped Mimina's loosening arms tightly.

Thankfully, the cabin wasn't far.

The One-Horned Horse raced there in moments, depositing them before the rundown shack. Astonishingly, Rorokomo sat at the entrance, draped in a thin sheet.

Spotting Nina return, he jumped to his feet.

No, Kiril. Isn't that medicine too overpowered?

Even so, wasn't that a bit much?

Nina helped Mimina dismount. The moment her feet touched the ground, Mimina sprinted straight at Rorokomo.

"Ah, wait—ugh..."

Rorokomo toppled spectacularly, and Mimina jolted upright in surprise.

"Rorokomo, are you okay? My goodness—no, this isn't a dream? I'm not dead?"

Swallowing his pain, Rorokomo forced a smile at Mimina's ramblings.

"It's neither a dream nor the afterlife. Mimina, I'm just glad you're safe."

Tears welled up in Mimina's eyes and spilled down. She collapsed to her knees, clutching the edge of Rorokomo's sheet ever so carefully, and began to weep.

"You're... you're alive. I thought... Rorokomo... sob, ugh."

Rorokomo gently pulled her shoulder closer, and this time she hugged him carefully.

Nina watched the two embrace and cry from a distance. Only after they calmed did they turn to thank her.

"Thank you so much. I don't even know what else to say... truly, thank you."

Nina waved it off. Mimina clasped her hands against her right side and bent one knee slightly.

"I haven't even introduced myself to my lifesaver. I'm Mimina."

"Nina Randell."

Nina placed a hand over her left breast in response.

Mimina looked up at Nina with wet eyes and beamed.

"Thank you so much. We both would have died without you."

"It's Kiril's medicine that's amazing, more than me. Let's not talk out here—come inside. Bold words from someone who's not even the homeowner."

Supported by Nina, Rorokomo added,

"The owner left to stay at his brother's nearby."

"So we chased out the host."

Amazed at how effortlessly she supported him, Rorokomo marveled. The room inside was lit brightly by the still-glowing seed crystals.

Mimina quickly tidied a sleeping spot and helped Rorokomo lie down. Nina checked his condition.

"I'm no doctor, so I can't say for sure, but you should rest a few more days. Get some good sleep tonight. I'll stand watch outside, just in case."

"No, stay inside with..."

Mimina started to rise, but Nina politely declined.

They probably had things to discuss alone, and her standing guard outside would let them rest easy.

As Nina stepped out, Mimina's tension melted, and she slumped beside Rorokomo.

"I really thought I was dead... I showed such an ugly side to our savior..."

"Just being alive is enough for me."

"Yeah."

They'd lost their luggage, horse, and cart—back to square one—but having survived meant they'd gained everything.

Mimina, having danced nonstop, soon reached her physical limit and fell asleep. Rorokomo, perhaps due to the medicine, couldn't sleep.

Or maybe it was suspicion.

Gazing at the low, dim ceiling, he sank into thought.

How had someone from the Rubaenu Ducal Family appeared so quickly to save him?

Had they been watching?

Or were even the bandits a trap?

Torn by various thoughts, Rorokomo squeezed his eyes shut.

His mind wouldn't turn properly.

Soon fever rose again, pulling him into delirious sleep.

Occasionally, something cool touched his cheek and forehead, bringing relief. Sweet liquid seeped into his parched, burning throat.

Not just fever—he shivered with chills at times. He even cried out from the cold.

And then everything grew peaceful.

When he opened his eyes, Mimina at his bedside was the first thing he saw.

"Rorokomo! Are you okay? You're lucid?"

He nodded at her words. As he tried to sit up, she helped him.

She called out toward the door.

"Da-Nina, Rorokomo's awake!"

Da-Nina.

In the Blekka tongue, it translated to "teacher"—an honorific for someone respected.

The door opened, and Nina entered. Seeing Rorokomo, she sighed in relief.

"You had a high fever all night; I was preparing to fetch a doctor. Glad you're awake. How do you feel?"

"I'm fine."

His head felt refreshingly clear. Nina nodded.

"I brought your luggage and horse from outside. They were all intact in the bandits' den."

Rorokomo looked up in surprise. Backlit, her expression was hard to see, but he could tell she was smiling.

"Then I wish you a safe journey ahead. I can't stay away from my territory too long, so I'll head back."

Staying long in another territory is awkward anyway.

Mimina wanted to ask her to stay a moment longer but held back. She had helped them more than enough.

Asking more would be shameless.

Mimina clasped her hands to her right side and briefly bent one knee.

"May your path be peaceful, benefactor."

Nina smiled faintly. "Take care of yourselves," she said brightly, turning to leave. From behind, Rorokomo called out to stop her.