The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 93

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 93

Chapter Title: Farewell to the Capital

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It was just the tedious repetition of going back and forth to the courtroom.

In the end, through the Emperor's mediation, a settlement was reached: Avesa admitted to being the culprit in the recent missing persons murder case, but the Isle of Sages would bear no responsibility.

It was a truly half-baked conclusion, and on top of that, the capital guard had quite a hard time dealing with people who rushed in wondering if their missing family, acquaintances, relatives, and so on had been killed by Avesa.

Lui confirmed the situation and sent condolence gifts to the capital guard in the name of the Rubaenu Ducal Family.

Gradually, the ducal family's notoriety was washing away bit by bit from all directions, and rumors subtly shifted to portray them as 'an attractive villain on our side.'

'Adrian doesn't seem to have any intention of abandoning his villain role.'

Benzel spoke up in response to Nina's words.

"But the Grand Ball is still ahead, isn't it?"

"I'm not attending."

"What?"

The Grand Ball was the highlight of the Imperial Ball season. Nobles from every territory came to the capital just to attend it at least.

As a result, high society was in a frenzy for two days before and after the Grand Ball.

It was the time when the most banquets, balls, and tea times were held.

Benzel's bewilderment at Nina's declaration was perfectly natural.

"I just don't see a reason to attend. This year, the capital has had more than enough incidents already."

Nina shook her head.

Moreover, more and more people were clinging to her at balls, so she wanted a break.

She didn't dislike being surrounded by people, but rest was necessary.

"That's a shame."

Benzel muttered, and Nina suddenly asked something that piqued her curiosity.

"By the way, what does the Princess say about us meeting like this?"

Benzel's pale brown eyes looked straight at Nina.

"She said exchanges between knights are welcome."

"Oh."

Benzel took Nina's curt exclamation as admiration and smiled faintly.

"Her misunderstandings about Lady Nina have cleared up a lot, and she says she wants to meet you separately. If Lady Nina were to meet the Princess..."

"No chance this year."

At Nina's words, Benzel looked disappointed and said, "I see."

"I wanted to exchange with the other knights too. Especially with Sir Jin, the Red Bear."

Nina couldn't help but laugh. Jin despised the nickname 'Red Bear' that had been attached to him.

"A bear, of all things? A bear?"

He grumbled, but others found it fitting.

As Nina's fame grew day by day after defeating Belak, duel challenges didn't decrease—instead, they increased.

Nina mercilessly distributed them to the other Ebony Knights.

"If they can't beat these guys, they can't beat me anyway."

Everyone was stunned at her open proxy dueling, but as the new knights defeated challengers one after another, opinions shifted.

They realized the Ebony Knight Order's prowess wasn't carried by Nina alone.

Moreover, the other Ebony Knights unanimously said in their own words,

"You challenged the Captain with this level of skill?"

Which only boosted Nina's reputation further.

The elites who had come to the capital with her each earned nicknames.

Jin's 'Red Bear' was one of them.

His massive build and red hair were eye-catching, and the way he lightly swung his huge flail left a deep impression on people.

Plus, as the Vice-Captain of the Ebony Knight Order.

Tall with broad shoulders, standing in a black longcoat was enough to make hearts flutter.

And when he occasionally chatted with Nina alone, his playful grin only increased his popularity.

Benzel regretted not sparring with Jin, who had a similar physique.

Just then, Pan approached from the side. He strode over with his long legs, stopping at a proper distance.

His orange hair was always half-tied back, and his twin swords were strapped to his back.

"Captain, it's about time to get ready."

"Got it."

As Nina replied, Pan subtly stepped back a pace. Benzel turned to her, and Nina said,

"I should head off to prepare to head down."

"Understood."

Benzel rose from his seat. He called a servant to escort him, and Nina saw him off.

Once he was gone, Pan stepped forward and said,

"Good timing?"

"Yeah, perfect. Why does he always drag out the chit-chat after sparring?"

Nina shook her head, and Pan chuckled.

"To hear the Captain's wisdom, of course."

"I tried talking about useless stuff instead of swordsmanship, but it didn't work. That's just how he's built... tsk tsk."

As Nina sighed, Pan considered joking, 'Isn't he smitten with the Captain?' but held back.

Pan and Hayden had been Ebony Knights from the old days, so they knew Nina's past well.

Unlike the new recruits who idolized her, they didn't feel that way—and they knew it.

'That's why I have to be more careful.'

Of course, they thought she was amazing and respected her, but having watched her since they were squadmates as kids made it feel different.

Still, they weren't as close to her as Jin or Lui.

Back then, she had been one of the elites, and they hadn't.

He liked her, but it felt like standing outside the circle, unable to enter from either side.

The Captain would always extend a hand to him if needed, but asking for one felt awkward after knowing her so long from childhood.

'Not just simple admiration or affection.'

Pan treated Nina with exceedingly complex emotions. Hiding such inner thoughts cleanly was one of his specialties, though.

As usual, he spoke with a relaxed smile.

"Sir Benzel probably doesn't have many people he can casually talk to, given his personality."

"The Lily Knight Order Captain must have a warehouse full of people who'd listen to him."

Pan shrugged at Nina's words.

"That's exactly the problem."

"No one he can talk to casually?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm a comfortable presence for him? Who knows."

Nina thought of Princess Viarentil. Benzel had seemed like a typical court knight with a pretty face at first glance, but he was surprisingly straightforward and rigid.

His loyalty to his liege, Viarentil, was unwavering.

Unlike his playful looks, he was an exemplary model student.

'Well, that's why Princess Viarentil keeps him around.'

She seemed the type to demand absolute loyalty from those around her.

The stories Nina told or things overheard at the mansion would all flow to the Princess, so she showed and spoke accordingly, keeping that in mind.

The Princess would know it too.

'The only one clueless is the person himself.'

Nina stretched languidly.

"Anyway, the capital stint is finally over. I'm looking forward to Silver Lake Castle after so long."

Pan smiled faintly, bowed at the waist, and said,

"And His Grace is really calling for you."

As Nina turned to Pan, he added,

"He said to bring the Captain."

"My Young Master indeed."

He rescued me from Benzel at the perfect timing.

The townhouse was bustling with servants packing luggage.

They were taking back more than they had brought. There were things requested that could only be bought in the capital, and gifts purchased as well.

Like the 'pipe cleaning tool set' Kiril had asked for.

Randell had filled wagons with magic-related items, saying they'd be hard to get back home.

She worried the steward might object, but Lui generously approved most of it.

Rorokomo reported that his dental medicine was selling so well he planned to market it not just to nobles but lower classes too.

"I need to scout a suitable workshop site in the territory."

Rorokomo submitted such reports.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but not all issues were resolved.

'The real talk hasn't even started yet.'

Weaving through the busy staff who still bowed to her politely, Nina entered Adrian's study.

Lui stood by his desk, papers passing between them.

"You called?"

Nina crossed her arms in greeting and nodded to Lui as well.

Nina said with an uneasy expression.

"You're not planning to assign me something, are you? I'm plenty busy with Ebony Knight Order duties as is."

"You do it well but complain excessively."

Lui smiled faintly. Her paperwork skills had already proven themselves while briefly acting as Adrian's proxy.

"That was only because I had nothing else to do..."

Regretting showing off her skills, Nina pouted as Adrian looked up from his papers.

"No need to worry. I'm not assigning you anything."

"As expected of my Young Master."

Nina rubbed her hands playfully.

"Did you tell Sir Benzel you're skipping the Grand Ball?"

"Yes, and I sent a letter to Prince Paradiv too."

"Will he make a move?"

Adrian asked offhandedly, and Lui answered first.

"Not yet, I think."