The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 86

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 86

Chapter Title: The Captain's Portraits

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Benzel flushed crimson all the way up to his neck in an instant. His entire face burned hot.

Thank goodness it was dark.

The Rubaenu Duke had arrived with his escorts, though no one knew exactly when.

"Again?"

Nina let out a slight chuckle at his words.

"This rotten scoundrel was harassing this young lady here. I stepped in and challenged him to a duel for the sake of her honor."

This was the result.

Nina prodded the fallen man at her feet with her toe, as if touching something filthy.

"Are you hurt anywhere, my lady?"

The petite lady with brown hair nodded at Nina's question.

Tear stains lingered on her cheeks, but her sparkling eyes were fixed on Nina.

"I'll escort you back to your companions."

The lady quickly placed her hand on Nina's proffered arm.

As the two disappeared from view, Adrian lightly rubbed his forehead and called out to Jin.

"Vice-Captain."

"Y-Yes."

Jin dragged the sprawled man to one side, roused him, and began issuing a stern warning.

The man, who had been furious at first, instantly deflated upon realizing who he was dealing with. Afterward, Jin commanded, "Faint again," and struck him.

One solid hit, and the man slumped limply once more.

It was such a familiar sight that Benzel felt disconcerted.

Adrian turned to him.

"Is the conversation over?"

"Yes. Thank you for your gracious treatment, Your Grace."

"Next time, you should send a letter first."

Benzel bowed his head at the implication to make contact ahead of time.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Over there, Nina was handing the lady back to her group. As Nina leaned down to kiss the back of the lady's hand, a squeal like "Kyaa!" seemed to echo.

Nina soon returned with light steps.

"I'm back, Your Grace."

She shot Benzel a look that said, "What, you're still here?" Then she deftly nudged Jin aside and reclaimed her spot before asking,

"Where are Kel and Pan?"

"They stayed upstairs."

"Both of them are really popular."

"They're good at behaving themselves."

Benzel felt a pang of exclusion amid their banter. Before the group departed, Nina glanced back at him and gave a small wave. Benzel placed a hand over his heart in salute.

With that, it felt like everything had been neatly wrapped up, and Benzel's mood improved.

At that moment, the man they had dealt with earlier let out a groan, apparently regaining consciousness. Benzel decided to give him one more warning.

-I failed. It's impossible. I can't do it.

-It's okay. I'll help you.

-Really?

-Yes, because you called me. But ... since I can't ... my help is ... to ... is ....

The voices cut off.

Hard to hear.

It feels like something important is being discussed.

-It's not easy .... That's why ......

-It's fine.

Am I the one responding?

It sounds like my voice.

-If we can meet again once more ......

"Huh?"

Her eyes snapped open, and a dazed voice leaked from her throat.

Nina blankly pushed herself up and scratched her cheek.

'What kind of dream was that?'

She had never had a dream like this before. Dreams usually came with visuals, but this one was just voices echoing in a sea of light.

A very peculiar dream.

'And wasn't that the original novel's title?'

It seemed like a conversation between herself and someone else, but she couldn't tell who the other person was.

'No idea ......'

If it was important, she'd remember it.

Nina thought that as she crawled out of bed and opened the window.

'Nice weather.'

She grinned.

It was the day Sir Lui was coming.

The Ebony Knight Order was enjoying a rare full holiday for everyone.

Adrian had said, "I've put up with it long enough, so stop following me," and Nina had decided to comply.

Since it wasn't a formal ball, they were given two days off, and the knights were relishing their holiday for once.

Kel watched as Shallo diligently browsed the small portraits in the market.

"Did you want that one?"

At his question, Shallo glanced at him and gave a small nod.

For once, Shallo had initiated by quietly expressing a desire to visit the market.

Kel had gladly offered to guide her, and Raja had tagged along like an extra.

Raja muttered under his breath.

"Hey, no way all these are portraits of our captain, right?"

"Seems like it ......"

They were selling the captain's portraits like some kind of holy icons.

Kel eyed the portraits with a troubled expression. Sizes varied from tiny lockets to palm-sized ones, and the quality was crude.

All you could make out was black attire, silver hair, and twin tails.

Shallo leaned in so close it was like she was getting sucked in, meticulously inspecting a small locket portrait before selecting one.

The two men peeked at her choice.

"Ah, this one's pretty similar."

"Yeah, captures the vibe."

Shallo nodded in satisfaction and snapped the locket shut.

The shopkeeper, having overheard their conversation, widened his eyes and asked,

"No way—you're members of the Ebony Knight Order?"

Shallo clamped her mouth shut like a clam, and Raja scratched his head.

The affable Kel stepped forward with a smile.

"Yes, that's right. Seeing portraits of the captain is quite the novelty—"

"Hey!! These guys are Ebony Knight Order members!!"

"......novelty."

Kel trailed off amid the unexpected commotion.

"What? Ebony Knights?"

"Whoa, they're tall!"

"So handsome!"

"Real Ebony Knights? Where are the black uniforms? Did the captain really take on 100-to-1?"

"Forget that—didn't he slice through thousands of Belak in one stroke?"

"Heard he rescued a lady from a vile noble."

"Such fine figures."

"Hey, what's your name? How old are you?"

"I've got a daughter, you see."

Shallo began backing away hesitantly. Seeing her shoulders tremble faintly, Kel grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close.

"Sorry, we have to get going. Raja, pay up."

"What? Why me—hey!"

As Kel started running off with Shallo in tow, Raja spat a curse under his breath and flicked a small silver coin.

The shopkeeper snatched it nimbly, and Raja bolted through the crowd to catch up.

Pinkish, beige, and light purple hair streaked across the square.

The thick crowd made it easy to shake off pursuers.

"Ah, damn it! You just bolt like that?"

"I bolted with Shallo. Haha."

Kel laughed as he raised the hand still holding her high before letting go. Shallo turned to Raja.

"Money ......"

"Forget it. It's nothing. Buy me a beer—running made me thirsty."

Shallo's eyes blinked rapidly. She nodded, and the three headed into a nearby pub.

Shallo was to place the order, so she approached the counter hesitantly.

It was obvious this was her first time in a place like this, leaving Kel feeling like he was setting a baby duckling afloat.

Raja squinted at him.

"Ease up. She's all grown up."

"Yeah, I know, but ......"

Shallo placed the order at the counter and returned to the table, taking a seat.

"Thank you both."

Kel grinned and replied to her polite thanks, "No big deal—we're comrades."

Raja eyed the locket now hanging around her neck.

"That said, our captain's impressive and all, but I never expected portraits of him to be sold."

"Talisman."

Shallo looked up.

"What?"

As Raja stared at her, Shallo opened the locket and said,

"Said it's sold as a talisman to ward off Belak. The maid told me."

"......Wonder what the temple would say."

Kel muttered, at a loss for words, while Raja snorted.

"Who cares what the temple says. Everyone knows the deal between us and them."

Just then, the beer arrived. Shallo patted her coin pouch and said,

"Order some snacks too. I'll pay."

It was unusually bold and sociable for her, so the two didn't hesitate to order some cheap side dishes.