The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 82

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 82

Chapter Title: The Sage's Tears

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Everyone insisted unanimously that his research was important.

"Why did you take off your glasses?"

"Hasn't your judgment gotten clouded?"

"You seem selfish now."

"Put your glasses back on and think it over."

"Where did you put your glasses?"

Randell was dumbfounded.

Whether he wore glasses or not, his judgment was his own. As he refused more and more firmly, they eventually convened a council of sages.

"I thought that would settle the matter cleanly."

Randell was one of the seven sages.

To set aside his research and use Taruka for someone else's? It was absurd.

"But it didn't turn out that way."

Randell nodded at Nina's words.

"They said we all had to use my Taruka fairly. As if I were... public property."

"That's ridiculous!"

Nina's eyes widened as she shouted. Seeing that, he felt a melting relief wash over him.

Yes, these were the words he wanted to hear.

In a situation where everyone called him selfish, he had agonized over it many times.

Am I really in the wrong?

Does everyone saying so make me the bad one?

He missed Nina.

He wanted to hear her take on it.

Do others just endure situations like this?

When he quietly put on the glasses, all unpleasant emotions vanished. He thought the council's decision might be acceptable too.

Let's all get along nicely. He had plenty of Taruka, so they could share without fighting.

For everyone's balance and progress.

With the glasses on, he could think that way. But then...

His time with Nina would fade too.

That intense joy and delight grew dim. As emotions blurred, even memories became stained.

Did those things with Nina really happen?

Or did I imagine them alone?

Such doubts lingered in his mind every day.

His master cherished him.

That's why he gave him the glasses, right?

The answer he reached with them on might be correct.

But.

But.

Nina.

That vivid laughter, the surging joy, sorrow, anger...

Above all, he couldn't let Nina's light fade within him.

So he grabbed the glasses with both hands and shattered them. Chaos erupted.

When they demanded he fetch spares, he was incredulous.

As he shouted in fury and protested, the council confiscated his Taruk.

They said he should cool off and sent him to Avesa in the capital.

Avesa's research on increasing Taruka had shown results, drawing great interest from the Isle of Sages.

Without Taruk, Randell couldn't cast spells. But he could supply Taruka for Avesa.

Using that superficial excuse, Divan—one of the seven sages—sent him to the capital.

"It might be best to get away from the Isle of Sages for now."

She whispered that to Randell.

"I find the whole situation laughable. People act like if something vanishes that's not even theirs, they've been robbed of their own."

Divan spoke self-mockingly and slipped him into the group heading to the capital.

Stripped of his Taruk, Randell pondered deeply on the way to the capital.

Am I lacking patience?

Can't I share?

Am I selfish?

Is exploding in anger the problem?

If everyone's saying it, maybe the issue is with me.

"That's why I said you were in the capital. I thought we might run into each other."

I missed you so much, Nina.

Swallowing the rest, Randell whispered. Nina cried out, "Right!"

"I thought I saw you, Randell, and was chasing after. Did you pass through the square by any chance? That day when Belak appeared and caused a commotion."

Randell blinked.

"Maybe I did..."

"You had the hood on, so I only glimpsed you, but it was you after all. If Benzel hadn't stopped me, we would've met."

"You recognized me?"

"Of course."

Nina crossed her arms. Randell smiled.

"I was chasing Avesa back then too. Her research looked like human experiments. I was tailing her for evidence."

"So that's what led to tonight's mess. Charging in without Taruk, oblivious to the danger. What if you'd been badly hurt?"

Randell smiled again at her worried tilt of the head and scolding tone.

"Yeah, that could've been disastrous. But that bastard said..."

Randell swallowed hard.

"That my master brought me to the Isle of Sages from the start to use my Taruka. Made me easy to handle with the glasses—"

He bit his lip, about to continue, when her hand pressed against his chest.

Surprised, he looked at her. Nina said softly,

"You don't have to say it. I get the gist."

"......Uh......"

Randell's tall frame slumped. His forehead rested on her shoulder.

His hands gripped her shoulders, trembling.

Nina reached out and patted his head.

"They're all awful."

Her voice and tone, like soothing a child, nearly made him laugh. But what came out was a sob.

She didn't console him with "It's okay."

It's not okay.

How could it be okay when it's not?

If you're hurt, in pain, wounded, sad, suffering... what else but to cry?

Better to let emotions out.

Her touch was tender enough to accept his torment and pain, her shoulder steady and firm. Randell broke down crying.

Hearing those words then, he thought he'd die right there.

In that alley, killed by that person.

Without ever truly living his life.

What flashed in his mind was Nina.

If only I could meet her one more time.

I want to see her.

I want to see her.

I want to see her.

Yet Nina appeared before him. Like the curtain rising, the protagonist entering—like the start of every story.

After crying himself out, Randell lifted his head. Nina averted her gaze slightly and handed him a handkerchief. He quickly wiped his face with it.

She'd get mad if he said he looked like a hamster rubbing its face with both paws.

"First time I've cried like this. I feel completely drained."

As he whispered weakly, Nina smirked and said, "Pardon me," before leaning down and scooping him up effortlessly.

"?!"

Princess-carried, he burst into laughter as she started walking. She safely deposited him on the bed.

Randell was still laughing. After crying his fill, he could finally laugh properly.

"Come on, hurry. Take off your clothes and shoes."

"Wait, wait, Nina! Oh my god."

Randell giggled, trying to stop her. Once he was in comfortable clothes, she forced him to lie down.

Half exasperated, half amused, Randell said,

"First time anyone's picked me up like this too."

"Lucky you. You must be exhausted—go to sleep."

Nina sat on the edge of the bed, patting him.

"I'll stay until you fall asleep."

Until you fall asleep.

Randell mulled over those words, implying a temporary stay.

Was it because she was his first and only friend that he felt this way?

Where would she go once he slept?

Such thoughts melted away, warm and fuzzy like rough sugar dissolving in a hot teacup, as she began stroking his hair.

And sleep came.