The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 65

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 65

Chapter Title: Randell's Departure

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Randell gazed at her sparkling golden eyes.

Not a simple yellow, but a beautiful golden hue like honey basking in the midday sun.

Randell took a deep breath and slowly began sorting through his emotions.

He carefully examined the colors as he separated the exploding tangle of threads one by one.

"If I stay, the Isle of Sages might think poorly of it and put pressure on this side."

Randell was surprised that he could speak so calmly despite the intense boiling within him.

"Ah......"

Nina opened her mouth and then grinned with overflowing fighting spirit.

"Tell them to come at us."

At that statement, which went beyond self-confidence into arrogance, Randell was stunned before suddenly bursting into laughter.

The weight on his heart hadn't completely vanished, but it had become much lighter.

"I'll go and come back."

Nina stared at him intently before nodding her head.

"Got it, Randell. But if I don't hear from you for a while, I'll come storming in."

"Good."

He said that, and Nina revealed that she was heading to the capital.

"If things go well, we might meet in the capital."

Randell said that and slipped his hand into his pocket. His fingertips brushed against the glasses.

He pulled his hand out again, took a deep breath, put it back in to take out the glasses and offer them to Nina, but failed.

"When I come back......"

Nina smiled at his words.

"Take as much time as you need. And you don't have to throw them away, right? Your master made them for you."

"Thank you, Nina."

He leaned down and whispered very softly. Nina looked up and smiled.

"You're welcome."

It's a dream.

Nina knew it.

The Adrian she knew wasn't like this, didn't wear such expressions.

Flames raged everywhere. Breathing was difficult due to the smoke.

"Knight Nina."

She turned her head at the call, and Adrian swiftly severed her arm in one stroke.

For a moment, seeing her right arm fall to the ground, she couldn't comprehend the situation. Then agony came surging in.

Her dream self gritted her teeth to stifle the scream but couldn't hold out and fell to her knees.

"Shh, it's okay, Nina."

His voice was firm like steel, smooth and cold.

Looking up through her tear-blurred vision, his face was utterly different from the present.

Nina liked his shadowed eyes.

But eyes like these......

Overwhelmed by bewilderment, Nina stared intently at his eyes.

She had never once wished for eyes that seemed completely devoured by darkness.

Dry and desolate eyes.

He shoved her arm into her mouth. She felt the hard texture of the leather bracelet. She tried to push it away with her left arm, but pain robbed her of strength.

"Bear with it a little."

His sword—the black obsidian blade—pierced straight into her thigh, and Nina let out a scream.

"Now it's done."

He spoke in an indifferent tone and withdrew the sword. As he pulled out the arm, saliva trailed long behind it.

Adrian took out a cloth and tightly bound her arm and thigh, performing emergency measures to staunch the bleeding.

"Why, why......"

What spilled from Nina's mouth was not resentment, but simply a question seeking the reason.

Even in the dream, Nina thought it was just like her.

"Nina."

He grasped her collapsed chin and lifted it.

She could see his eyes, filled with pain, meeting hers.

Eyes unable to cry.

"Sorry."

He apologized softly. He left her there, stood up, and departed just like that. Growing smaller and smaller... until he finally vanished.

"Your Excellency!"

Screaming, Nina opened her eyes.

"Huh......?"

She covered her mouth with both hands, then opened it.

'Your Excellency?'

What kind of crazy dream is this?

Nina flopped back down.

Because the bed felt unfamiliar?

The first night in the townhouse?

'This place is a bit eerie.'

Still, such a dream.

Nina flopped back onto the bed. She'd never even imagined an Adrian like that.

Unconsciously, she stroked her right arm and, for no reason, touched her thigh as well.

With him stabbing her, her getting wounded, wearing that face.

'Really a crazy dream.'

A crazy dream, yet too vivid. It was as clear as dreaming of something she'd actually experienced.

'Precognitive dream....... No, that's probably going too far.'

What reason would Adrian have to attack her?

'I was too tired today, that's why?'

Nina recalled that morning. At dawn, the group had arrived in the capital.

The ducal family's townhouse they saw upon arrival was large, spacious, and desolate.

Nina laughed openly at the sight, only to get poked in the side by Jin.

"It's not bad though?"

"We put in the effort."

Mimina, who had come out to greet them, smiled sweetly in response to Nina's words.

She had her tawny hair tied up and greeted them elegantly in Blaka traditional attire.

"Welcome back, Master."

As Adrian dismounted, Mimina continued.

"Lorokomo should have come to greet you, but something urgent came up today."

"Understood."

Adrian replied curtly, then looked at the townhouse and added.

"You've done well."

"Not at all."

The people Mimina had brought carried the luggage and guided the group inside. After unpacking and settling in, Nina went to check on the knight order members.

This time, she had brought only five elite-selected members.

Among the new recruits were Kel, Sharo, and Raja. Then there were Pan and Hayden, original Ebony Knight Order members—a total of five.

Everyone was thrilled to receive the longcoats symbolizing the elites. Raja checked his appearance in the mirror multiple times, and Kel tidied his hair.

Pan and Hayden, pleased to be acknowledged, subtly conveyed their disappointment to Jin with remarks like, 'I thought you wouldn't select any original Ebony Knight Order members.'

When Jin told Nina about it, she just grinned.

Pan had orange hair roughly grown to shoulder length, worn in a half-tie. He wielded a two-handed longsword as his weapon, and a mischievous glint showed on his face when he smiled.

Hayden was the complete opposite—a taciturn, monk-like impression. His dark teal hair was cut short, and he carried two short spears on his back.

"Everyone unpacked?"

As Nina peeked her head in and asked, the group in the knights' waiting room on the first floor of the townhouse rose en masse.

With everyone wearing black coats, they had a certain imposing presence.

"Fast."

Kel smiled brightly as Nina expressed admiration.

"You have to move quickly in unfamiliar places."

Raja pouted, and Sharo remained silent as always. Pan added as if in continuation.

"The training is ingrained in our bodies."

Nina alternated glances between them and chuckled softly.

"Sharo, assign positions for the soldiers and report to me. For the rotation......"

If the five coordinated well, she'd let them decide themselves, but for now, it was better if she did it, so Nina set the order.

"Why Knight Sharo?"

Nina answered Pan's question nonchalantly.

"Because Sharo has the best wide-field vision."

Though inwardly thinking there might be friction between the new and veteran members, Nina didn't let it show.

Pan replied, "Understood," but his expression didn't seem fully convinced.

But if he didn't voice his dissatisfaction, there was no need for Nina to worry about his expression.

Nina surveyed the townhouse.

The four-story building actually didn't have many areas that needed guarding.

It wasn't wide open on all sides like a castle, nor did it have a large garden.

'Good.'

Nina checked the key points and headed downstairs. Mimina's people were handling their shares decently, but they were still short on servants.

'When will Viscount Chara's house blow up?'

She hoped it would happen while she was in the capital, if possible......

At that moment, she saw Lorokomo entering through the entrance.