The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 62

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 62

Chapter Title: Rainy Etiquette and Starsteel Swords

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The captain's office was so quiet that the sound of rain pouring outside could be heard clearly.

The scent of rain mingled with the cold, damp air permeating the castle. Since it was built of stone, the smell of moss seeping from the walls was also strong.

Listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the stone walls, Jin muttered.

"To think they'd switch to etiquette practice just because it's raining and we can't train."

"Still, you finished early, Jin."

"Vivian said she'd check on me separately. She wanted to look at the others first."

"Well, you're the vice-captain, after all."

Vivian was someone who placed great importance on etiquette. She probably didn't want to reprimand someone of high status in front of the lower ranks.

She valued the dignity of superiors.

"You really have it good. How'd you finish so quickly?"

Jin sighed, and Nina laughed.

"Want me to check it for you?"

"Really? You'd probably be better than Vivian."

Jin perked up and sat straight. Nina wagged her finger, gesturing for him to stand. As he rose from his seat, he cleared his throat unnecessarily.

Nina looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Why are you tensing up like that? Just stand naturally. It's the same as basic sword stance. Put strength only where needed and relax the rest."

"Easy for you to say."

"Huh? It's not easy at all. That's why we practice until we're puking. But you've practiced that much—why isn't it sticking?"

Nina poked at Jin's posture here and there, and he immediately felt much more comfortable than before.

For some reason, he tensed up in front of Vivian, but he was at ease with Nina, so his movements became natural.

"Do I really have to do this?"

Grumbling though he was, Jin managed a fairly decent bow.

It wasn't yet up to ducal or royal standards, but it would pass even in the imperial capital.

"You're not like a merchant's second son anymore—you're like a baron's."

"When do I level up to viscount's son?"

Sighing though he was, Jin didn't hate the praise and grinned. Nina snorted a laugh and added,

"Now that you're looking to date, you need this stuff. You'll have to marry a noblewoman, right?"

"Ugh."

It was the kind of reaction you'd expect from a pubescent boy, so Nina raised an eyebrow.

"What? Why?"

"No, dating... I mean, I'm not really there yet?"

Jin stammered awkwardly. Nina chuckled "Heh heh."

"What, noble ladies intimidate you? Embarrassed? Come on, act like the blockhead you are."

"Enough, seriously!"

Jin waved his hands and squinted, so Nina stopped teasing and laughed.

"Maybe I should start dating."

"What?"

Jin whipped around to look at her in surprise. She shrugged.

"There might be some decent guys in the capital."

"You... but, but you..."

Jin stammered before blurting out,

"Any guy who dates you has my pity."

"What are you talking about? He'd be dating the most lovable person in the world."

"Yeah, really pitiful."

Jin shook his head, and Nina kicked his shin. Normally, with his greaves on, he wouldn't have blinked, but post-etiquette class left him defenseless. Tears welled up as he hopped around.

It was Nina's precise control to deal maximum impact without breaking or cracking bone.

"Serves you right, you brat."

Muttering, Nina walked to the window. Opening it made the rain sound even clearer.

With no eaves, a few drops hit the sill and fell inside. Nina took a deep breath of the rain-scented air, glanced back at Jin, and asked,

"Want to see something fun?"

"Can't see with these tears."

"Here, watch."

Ignoring him, Nina drew her sword. Jin wore a whatever face.

Her sword snaked through the rain like a serpent, swift and curving. While Jin squinted, wondering 'How does a straight sword bend like that?', Nina sheathed it.

"Ta-da."

She showed him the blade.

It was spotless.

Not a single raindrop.

She had slashed through the downpour, dodging every drop. Jin groaned.

"You really..."

"Dying and coming back has its perks."

Nina joked, twirling her sword playfully before slotting it home with a click. Jin squinted.

"Don't even joke about that."

Nina blinked, then clasped her hands in mock repentance.

"I'll be careful."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Back to bows?"

Jin sighed dramatically but took position diligently.

Their practice continued until the candle burned out. The next day, Jin beamed when Vivian praised him with "It's precarious, but not bad."

The rains signaling early summer's start dragged on.

By the time they stopped, etiquette practice was over, and the heat began.

Poko gazed at the completed sword. Holding back tears, he heard sobs from elsewhere.

One artisan who'd toiled alongside him wept, then others followed one by one. Yet their faces shone with joy as they stared at the sword Poko held aloft.

Starsteel.

With properties utterly unlike iron, forging it had been grueling, but it was finally done.

It resembled glass or silver. Translucent enough to see through faintly, yet gleaming brightly like silver.

The legend of starlight dwelling within fit perfectly.

From scabbard to hilt, all was black. The hilt was adorned after the Ebony Knight Order's symbol, the black falcon. Poko wrapped it in soft leather and cradled it preciously as he requested an audience with the duke.

Approval came swiftly. Poko placed the sword before Adrian. Without him and Knight Order Captain Nina's aid, it never would have been completed.

Special forges and fuel were needed for extreme heat. Fortunately, Poko had designs for special kilns to purify impurities post-heating.

He was confident it surpassed his ancestors' blades.

Adrian slowly drew the sword. The radiant blade looked sharp enough to chill the air.

Its beauty drew involuntary admiration. Calling a spirit, the blade blackened in an instant.

Poko gasped in surprise.

From blade to hilt, all turned black. Adrian swung it lightly.

That single motion revealed its excellence.

"Splendid."

Adrian smiled faintly and asked,

"How long to make another?"

"Now that we've succeeded once, it'll be faster next time."

"Prioritize swords for knights heading to the capital."

"Understood."

Poko glanced cautiously at the black blade and asked,

"Does calling a spirit change the original color?"

"No. Seems a property of the starsteel. Even without the spirit now, it hasn't reverted."

Adrian answered, eyeing the obsidian-shining blade. Poko took the liberty of examining it closely from Adrian. Aside from the color shift, nothing seemed changed.

Its effects would show against Belak or in battle.

With another spirit user, Poko swiftly completed a second sword.

Rumors of Adrian's blade had spread, so when presenting to Nina, several artisans followed Poko to observe.

Jin and Ebony Knight Order members were among the onlookers.

"This is embarrassing."

Muttering, Nina chanted dramatically for show.

Frost patterns etched the blade like on a windowpane, growing more translucent, resembling delicate glasswork.

The artisans exclaimed in awe. Nina continued brightly.

Flames raced along the blade and vanished. No patterns formed, but faint gold shimmered, shifting from gold to crimson like rippling sunset hues.

'Flashy.'

Nina clicked her tongue. It suited the Sun spirit perfectly. Good thing it didn't burst with light on drawing.

Swinging it traced a beautiful golden arc.

"Beautiful..."

Poko murmured unwittingly. Witnessing his creation perfected in a sword master's hand shook him to the core.

Jin crossed his arms, face serious, watching. Nina sheathed the sword.

Like Adrian's, scabbard and hilt were all black. Ebony Knight Order members unified in black from scabbard to hilt.

"Thank you. It's an amazing sword—makes my hands itch to use it."

Nina laughed, clasping her hands in the Lengsi Kingdom's gesture of gratitude.

Poko bowed in return.

"No, thank you for opening my eyes today."