Chapter 24
24
The room given to Nina was a large room right next to Adrian's.
There was a door connecting to his room, but it was always locked, so there was no use for it.
Nina changed her clothes and sent the North Wind to scout out Adrian.
"Duke."
Nina called him in a whisper from the edge of the private training grounds.
Adrian, who was swinging his sword, turned his head.
"Your Grace?"
"Um... today, as Knight Commander Nina La Dell, I have something to report?"
"Why is your voice going up at the end?"
"I see. Knight Commander Nina La Dell. I have returned. I have something to report, Your Grace."
Nina made a salute by crossing her arms in front of her body and spoke politely.
Adrian nodded slightly and then began to swing his sword again.
A clean, efficient movement.
It felt like she was finally seeing Adrian's swordsmanship skills properly.
'Still, I'd be stronger, though?'
Thinking that, Nina reported that she had finished collecting useful plants and brought the Unicorn herd.
"Unicorns?"
Adrian stopped swinging his sword. He dropped the Iron sword, which he had made heavy for training, as if throwing it away.
"Yes, that's why it took so long."
As she shrugged her shoulders as if she had done something insignificant, Adrian frowned and then sighed.
"Nina La Dell."
"Yes."
He smiled as if he couldn't help it.
"You're the only one who always breaks my expectations."
"Because I'm Young Master's Nina."
When Nina smiled brightly with her hands clasped together, Adrian beckoned. It meant to come closer, so Nina trotted over.
"You've worked hard. Should I give you something as a reward?"
He asked, leaning his upper body slightly. His eyes looked bright pink in the daytime sunlight.
When Nina spread her arms and said with a triumphant face, "Hug me," he paused, leaning down. Nina quietly lowered her arms and put them behind her back, asking.
"Um, or should we do something else?"
"No, I'm all sweaty right now."
Nina didn't mind, but Adrian seemed to care...
"Then hug me properly after you shower later."
At Nina's words, Adrian hesitated for a moment with a look that said he didn't know what to say, then nodded.
"Anything else?"
"Um, I'm going to send the report to Bluestone Island first."
At those words, Adrian stood askew for a moment.
"Why there?"
"Kirill said he could use one more person to research medicine. That's the only place where people like that gather. Maybe one person will be tempted to come."
At Nina's words, Adrian fell into thought. While waiting for him to think enough, Nina thought of the male protagonist in the novel.
Bluestone Island.
It was named that because it was made of blue stones, but in fact, its nickname was more famous.
Island of Sages.
Sages who emit light from their staffs, do things that defy the laws of physics, and observe the heavens to predict the future.
And above all, they were the ones who did the most research in this land.
The male protagonist, Randel, was also a Sage.
Moreover, he was one of the only seven Archsages.
Like the research fanatics they were, they hardly paid attention to outside affairs. The only time they paid attention to outside affairs was when they foresaw a great disaster coming to the world.
So 'news from the Sages' became a word that meant bad news.
'But this kind of plant research is Randel's main field.'
Didn't the actual female lead's meeting with him begin when she sent plants to Bluestone Island?
"Okay. Even if no one comes after seeing the report, they'll give us an objective judgment."
When Nina asked, "Objective judgment?" at Adrian's words, he smiled gently.
"I mean, they won't say nonsense like 'Demon Seed from the Violet Forest' or 'Fruit of the Corrupted Spirit' after seeing the plants we grew."
"Heup."
I didn't even think of that!
I just thought it would be good if we ate well and lived well.
'Well, there wasn't any of that in the original story...'
Ah. The female lead was a Saintess.
How could they say that the plants found by the Saintess were corrupted Spirits or whatever?
'Should I have asked the temple first? I didn't know there would be such a blind spot...'
When she frowned, Adrian asked, "Why?"
"I just remembered after hearing Young Master's words. Shouldn't we tell the temple in advance?"
"Not in this situation."
Nina nodded at Adrian's words.
"Well, if my Young Master says so..."
Adrian picked up the Iron sword he had thrown and put it back in its place. It seemed like he should end today's training with this.
"Again?"
At his words asking if she had more to say, Nina asked.
"When is the Exchange Tournament? I need to reclaim the land quickly."
"In two weeks."
"Ah, before planting."
That was a relief. Nina nodded.
"We need to sow the wheat quickly."
Adrian smiled lightly at Nina's words, which confidently guaranteed that she would win the Exchange Tournament.
With his tall height, he strode forward, and Nina followed him one step behind. Then, without looking back, his pace slowed slightly.
-Stand side by side.
That's what it meant, so Nina smiled and trotted to stand next to him.
"But Young Master, Young Master."
He gestured for her to speak.
"I think I'm stronger than Young Master?"
"So?"
"If the temple invades, I'll hold Young Master and run away, so don't worry."
Adrian burst out laughing.
"Please do so when the time comes, Knight Commander."
"Don't worry."
Nina, who confidently added, asked slyly.
"But Young Master, I'm stronger, but aren't you upset or anything?"
"I've been thinking about this for a while, but how about thinking about the other person a little before asking questions?"
"Hey, between Young Master and me."
Adrian reached out and let one of her pigtails flow through his fingers.
"Why should I be angry?"
"Um. Just? Pride issue?"
"Nina La Dell."
"Yes."
"You are my Knight Commander and my sword."
"That's right."
"What's wrong with my sword being the strongest?"
I see, Nina nodded. Adrian enjoyed the smooth flow of her hair and whispered.
"I already told you that you are special to me."
The reason why superiors fear the power of their subordinates is because they worry that the other person will commit insubordination someday.
That's why they want their subordinates to expend their strength against each other.
There was no need for such a premise between Nina and him. But she asked such a question?
Slightly annoyed, he pulled her hair slightly.
She willingly followed as he pulled. She didn't even make a face that she was displeased or puzzled.
Adrian was sometimes afraid at times like this.
When Nina acted like she would do everything he wanted.
At times like that, it was hard to suppress the impulse in his heart.
How much can you do?
How much can you endure?
The impulse to push like that.
He didn't know where the impulse came from or where it would flow.
However, she was too precious to act on impulse.
Adrian let go of the hand that was holding her hair.
"Let's go in."
"Yes."
Nina smiled brightly with an innocent face that didn't know anything about his inner thoughts.
