The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 90

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 90

Chapter Title: A Ravenous Recovery

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Nina now grasped the cup with her own hand and finished all the sugar water. She let out a "Phew—" and then collapsed fully into Adrian's arms.

"I think I can walk on my own legs now, but... may I keep relying on you a bit longer, Young Master?"

"As much as you want."

Adrian gave a glance to the butler and turned on his heel.

The butler hushed the kitchen maids and urged the cook to prepare the food.

Waiting in the dining room, the food arrived quickly. It was egg dishes and toast that could be made fast.

The servers ran back and forth several times carrying food. The cook, who had hastily turned up the stove, was flustered.

"Still more?"

"You're eating alone, right?"

"Keep going?"

This repeated a few times, but eventually, he rolled up his sleeves and got seriously to work cooking.

Finally, when the server said, "That should be enough now," the cook added dessert.

Nina contentedly ate about half a plate of the apple pie that came as dessert.

Randell's eyes widened round.

He couldn't believe where all that food was going in her small body, even seeing it with his own eyes.

While Nina ate, Adrian waited silently. Only after she had her after-meal dessert and let out a satisfied "Phew—" did he finally speak.

"So, what exactly happened?"

"Well—"

Nina recounted the explosion in Randell's room, how she had touched the orb, and how it suddenly began to glow.

"Why did you pick it up?"

"I thought it would be fine. I had no idea it would react with my spirit sigil. By the way, it really disintegrated, right?"

"Yeah."

The unpleasant aura was nowhere to be felt anymore. Above all, that final death cry would have been clearly heard by anyone nearby.

"The spirit moved even though you didn't intend it to?"

"That's what I said. It even took someone else's energy without permission."

Nina looked at her arm. The spirit sigil that had glowed so brightly had now settled down as if nothing had happened.

'And...'

And she had heard a strange voice. The voice from her dream.

She couldn't talk about that.

She didn't even know what it was herself, so it was hard to put into words.

"Has that ever happened before?"

Randell asked with a serious face, and Nina shook her head.

"No, you know spirits only lend their power when they want to. This is the first time something like this has happened."

"Since they're opposing forces, maybe the contact forced a manifestation."

Randell muttered, staring at the sigil on her wrist.

"Does using spirits always leave you like this?"

"It consumes energy, basically. But cases like this, where it's used so suddenly and in such large amounts, are rare. I know my limits."

So normally it's fine, Nina reassured him. But Randell turned to Adrian.

"Then isn't this forced manifestation more dangerous?"

"That's what I think too."

Randell nodded deeply at Adrian's words.

"According to Abesa's research findings, the energy used by spirit mages, our Taruka, and life force all stem from the same source."

Randell turned his gaze to Nina.

"So, doesn't extreme energy depletion mean drawing on life force?"

"But today I was just hungry. I recovered after eating. Sure, energy was consumed, but..."

It felt a bit different.

Nina said that and fell into thought. At her words, Adrian traced the table with his fingertip.

Randell caught a glimpse of the bizarre sight where a faint shadow followed his gesture.

Adrian spoke.

"Using spirits doesn't make you hungry."

"Yeah, that's right."

Nina nodded too. In fact, hunger and energy depletion were separate issues.

This was the first time they had happened simultaneously.

"Even when I collapsed growing those plants, it wasn't like this."

She had taken Kiril's medicine, not complained of hunger.

Nina and Adrian's eyes met. Randell tilted his head.

"So this is a special case?"

"Yeah. Normally, Abesa's research is probably right. Using up energy might draw on life force? But this time, it didn't."

"Replenished with food instead? How is that possible?"

It seems possible because my body is a special one made by the spirits...

Nina pondered the lengthy explanation for a moment, humming "Hmm—."

"It wasn't power I chose to use; it was forced. Spirits have minds of their own, after all."

Nina propped her chin on her hand.

Her stomach wasn't just full now; it felt perfectly satisfied. Roughly estimating, she must have eaten about ten servings by herself.

'Seriously, I get why Kiril wanted to dissect me.'

Randell's expression turned serious.

He stood from his seat.

"I should go organize things and finish the research as quickly as possible."

"It would be great if you could make the box in the shortest time possible."

"I think so too, Your Grace. I'll do my best."

Randell replied to Adrian like that and hurried off. Nina asked in bewilderment.

"We don't need the box anymore, do we?"

"No, we need it more than ever now."

"Why?"

"We couldn't destroy the fragments until now. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. That's why we went through all that trouble putting up barriers... Ah."

Nina closed her mouth.

She let out a sigh.

"Am I a target again?"

"Yes. So we only sealed it well; we need proof that we actually destroyed the fragment."

Adrian said that and narrowed his eyes sharply, warning Nina.

"Don't even think about testing that power again, just in case."

"I won't. I don't like dying or getting hurt either."

Besides, Saintess Fiona would appear if she just waited a little longer. Why ruin her own body?

"Why does that sound so unconvincing?"

Nina giggled at Adrian's words and replied.

"Because I don't care about getting wet or burned when it comes to you, Young Master."

"Please do care."

Adrian looked at Nina as he said that.

"I don't think I could bear it twice."

You disappearing.

You being gone.

This world ending.

Nina looked at Adrian.

Shallo's words came to mind.

"That's why I'm angry."

If Adrian treated himself carelessly, Nina would be furious and heartbroken too.

Even if it was for her sake.

Nina obediently placed both hands over her chest and said.

"I'll treasure myself as much as you treasure me, Young Master."

"Good."

Adrian nodded.

If so, she would never get hurt, sick, or neglect even a single hair on her head.

Nina, having made this new resolve, looked around the dining room. Her eyes met a server standing behind her, who approached politely.

"Did you call for me?"

'No, I was just looking around to see if anyone was there... Now there's always people around. They must have brought a lot from the Charra Viscountcy. What?'

Would the mansion run properly if they fired so many?

Nina thought that as she asked them to clear the plates, and the server withdrew. There must be separate servants for clearing dishes.

Nina whispered.

"How many did you bring from the Charra Viscountcy?"

"Almost all of them."

Adrian whispered back lowly. Nina's eyes widened in surprise.

"Almost all? How?"

Adrian tilted his head and answered.

"Annual salary."

Nina nodded deeply.

"I see. Money, money is the best."

Adrian chuckled softly.

"That must be a big factor, but their sense of betrayal was huge too."