A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“…”

“…”

What is it?

Why did you come?

I looked at Seo-ryeon, who was sitting opposite me, elegantly sipping tea.

Seo-ryeon, aside from commenting that the tea was delicious, had remained silent, content with drinking her tea.

The bodyguard standing directly behind her stared ahead with an unnecessarily serious expression, so I idly twirled my teacup, waiting for Seo-ryeon to speak.

“Did my sudden visit surprise you?”

Seo-ryeon finally spoke as the tea cooled from hot to lukewarm. Pondering her unexpected question, I replied with a carefully chosen answer.

“I never thought I’d have the chance to meet Seo-ryeon young lady this way.”

How was it in the original work again?

She was on the side of the alliance leader’s revenge until she fell for Mok-kyeong, right?

But with the general having been imprisoned, it seemed they were simply living a peaceful life far from thoughts of vengeance.

Then why approach me?

Seo-ryeon had only a minor role, making it hard to guess her intention.

It was surely a bothersome matter, but why me?

Because I’m a supreme martial artist?

Or because I’m a colored-eyed person?

…Could she have feelings for me?

Considering her established tastes, though, wouldn’t that be unlikely?

She definitely favored looks like Mok-kyeong’s, which she’d explicitly stated in the original.

But she seemed uninterested in Mok-kyeong.

“I thought we’d meet again.”

It got a bit busy outside.

I ignored the heat seeping through the wall and stared intently at Seo-ryeon’s face, trying to discern her intent.

“We weren’t that close before.”

“Why not start becoming closer now?”

Could she actually have feelings for me?

I looked at Seo-ryeon with suspicion as she, seemingly deciding the time was right, began explaining her purpose in a gentle voice.

“I want to hear about the Western Regions.”

“Pardon?”

“Aga…ssi…”

The bodyguard cast an exasperated glance at Seo-ryeon’s back, as though ready to sigh. Perhaps unable to speak due to her being his employer, his sole option seemed to be resigned sighs.

It reminded me of when some superior would spout nonsense without cause.

“I’m very interested in the Western Regions.”

“Ah…is that so?”

…This is hard to follow.

Her sudden visit and request for a story were odd enough, but her bright-eyed curiosity suggested she wasn’t making excuses.

“Seo-ryeon young miss, the Martial Alliance Leader is worried. We should return soon…”

“But it’s rare to hear about the Western Regions from a colored-eyed person fluent in the Han language.”

Her words weren’t inaccurate.

The daughter of a highly regarded Martial Alliance Leader wouldn’t realistically travel to the Western Regions.

If she were kidnapped or harmed, the Martial Alliance would undoubtedly declare an emergency.

Given her prominent position as the daughter of the Alliance Leader, such concerns weren’t unfounded. As someone who oversaw the orthodox factions, her family’s safety needed meticulous protection.

Especially as the favored daughter of the Alliance Leader, the fact that she moved with only one bodyguard was already a reluctant compromise to her wishes.

And yet, her lone bodyguard endured the extra burden.

Still, he must be earning plenty, right?

“I can tell you about the Western Regions, but it won’t be that exciting.”

“Still, I’d like to hear it. I can’t go there myself, so your story is my only way to learn about the world beyond Central Plains.”

Though I’m no street entertainer sharing tales, and with the upcoming departure from the Martial Alliance, I had little time to spare for storytelling…

“I’m busy, so I can’t share for long. Is that okay?”

“Yes, even a little would be fine.”

Seo-ryeon’s eyes sparkled.

They brimmed with anticipation.

I smirked at her childlike enthusiasm, different from Hye-ryeong’s, and began my story.

“…”

“What was it?”

“I have no idea.”

Seo-ryeon returned home looking satisfied.

I decided to tell her about Greek and Roman mythology, which she enjoyed visibly.

Given her positive response, I found myself enjoying sharing the story. Before I knew it, evening had arrived.

Were it not for the bodyguard’s subtle hint, I might have continued narrating for longer.

“Her visit genuinely seems to stem from a desire to hear stories, which makes this even more perplexing.”

Seo-ryeon’s visit was inexplicable.

After all, our interactions were limited to a brief encounter in the mountains and another at the Martial Alliance. Why had she come?

Was it because I dueled her father?

Or because I was a colored-eyed person?

…I should ask her next time.

“I was feeling uneasy.”

“Why uneasy? Do I seem like someone who craves power?”

It wasn’t my intention to involve myself with Seo-ryeon. She came to me suddenly.

I’m no lecherous villain lusting after every woman, nor do I need more women in my life.

Having more would just be bothersome.

Besides, with concerns about the Demon Sect’s response to my actions and possible changes in the Yunnam Dan family’s secret cave, I have little room to notice women.

“Still, an increase in women around you would naturally make me uneasy.”

“There’s only one, so you don’t have to worry.”

“…Fine, let it be.”

“What?”

What do you mean?

When I stared at Hye-ryeong after her murmured comment, she smiled sheepishly as if to imply she hadn’t said anything and hugged me from behind.

“Uncle is so capable that women approaching him wouldn’t be strange.”

“But… I’m not swayed by lust, even if I do enjoy fine dining.”

If lust had taken hold of me, I would have distanced myself from the influence of sects like the Demon Sect and lived carefree somewhere untouched.

“Still, I’ll keep an eye out.”

“You don’t need to worry.”

“My, you were quite the scoundrel for a while.”

“That’s unfair.”

Among other things, I wasn’t that kind of rogue.

Certainly, I had been composed for someone of my age due to my experiences on the battlefield, where every possible kind of horror occurred.

Though our knights were disciplined, the places visited by unruly bands left devastation that could only be described as horrific.

“Uncle looks upset.”

“Old memories surfaced.”

“Battlefield?”

“Yes.”

I let my mind wander unintentionally.

To clear away the hellish images in my mind, I blankly stared out the window. Hye-rying then came around and placed her hands on my neck.

“Uncle, could you relax for a moment?”

Instead of answering, she pulled my head, enveloping me in the darkness and softness she provided.

An indescribably pleasant scent surrounded me.

Could she be using sandalwood oil?

Choosing not to escape her embrace, I stayed within her arms for a while.

“This trick was something my mother used to suggest — it helps men when their mood is heavy.”

“She certainly knows men well.”

Indeed, the effect was remarkable.

As I buried myself in her soft bosom, the battlefield images in my mind began to fade.

We remained like that for some time. She gently played with my hair while I rested quietly against her chest.

Progress was neither sought nor withdrawn; this contact felt sufficient for now.

Or…

Creak.

The sound of the door opening caught my attention.

“…I’ll, I’ll come back in a bit.”

The door slammed shut.

“She seems quite flustered.”

“More than just ‘quite.’”

Hadn’t she fled with a completely red face? Given her inexperience with women, she likely panicked upon seeing our position and hurried away.

“Would you like to rest a bit longer, Uncle?”

“It might get awkward if we keep going on like this.”

“You can do this whenever you want, so just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

“Uncle and I should finalize our relationship.”

“Yes.”

“There’s no one else who’d take care of you this way, so you’ll regret it if you let me go!”

This felt like the happiest she’s been recently. Smiling as she waved her arms around, I gently stroked her hair, a smile on my lips.

“I’ll have to work hard to not let that happen.”

Hye-ryong beamed at my words.

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