A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“Whinny!”

“Good boy~”

Apparently, Hye-ryeong really liked the horse as she fed it hay with her own hands and laughed joyfully. It was slightly smaller in size, but perhaps that’s why she liked it more.

I watched Hye-ryeong play with the horse, then turned my attention to the old horse that nudged my back with its nose.

“Haven’t you eaten recently?”

“Whinny!”

“Ah, you want to run, huh? Just wait a moment. We’ll leave once we’re ready.”

What a smart horse.

The steed calmed down immediately, seeming to understand my words. Maybe it’s because he’s old, but it listens well.

“…So this is how big horses can get.”

Mok-kyeong observed the half-blood horse, Fengyun, and commented. Even someone as inexperienced with horses as her could tell that this half-blood horse was a rare sight in the Central Plains, an impressive steed indeed.

Well, it was only natural; the difference in size is significant.

Even the horse given to Hye-ryeong, Jinhyang, was only a little bigger than a pony. Though its build might not be ideal for combat, this wasn’t a problem since it wouldn’t be used for that. Besides, Jinhyang had been well-trained and followed people well.

It also had a friendly demeanor, so Hye-ryeong and the horse seemed to pair well.

“Mister, when are we leaving?”

“We’ll be leaving soon, so everyone should prepare. Secure the luggage to the side of the saddle.”

A tranquil week had passed in the town, and today, we were setting off back towards the Martial Alliance.

I had already taught Hye-ryeong some basic horsemanship and adjusted to Fengyun’s rhythm. When I signaled that I was about to leave, Fengyun neighed eagerly, showing its excitement.

Apparently, running is what horses love the most.

“Uncle, I’m ready!”

“Eun-gong, I’ve finished… as well.”

Mok-kyeong looked at me awkwardly before bowing her head. I noticed her cheeks turning red.

Apparently, she was embarrassed about riding in front of me. But she’s injured, and it wouldn’t do to let a patient ride alone.

I stroked Fengyun’s mane while checking the state of the saddle and bridle, and finally inspected the equipment secured to its chest.

That’s sufficient.

Shall we go?

Leaping lightly, I mounted Fengyun and extended my hand behind me to Mok-kyeong.

“Here, take my hand.”

“Ye-yes! Yes…”

Mok-kyeong took my hand and climbed on ahead of me.

With the weight of two people, Fengyun neighed in complaint, but I soothed it by stroking its mane.

“Alright, let’s go. Yi-a!”

The world beside me blurred.

The fastest method of travel in a world without cars or motorcycles.

“Ahh! Uncle, this is too fast!”

“Whoa whoa, Fengyun. Let’s slow down a bit.”

I adjusted our speed to match the pace of Hye-ryeong’s horse as we galloped down the Gwan Road. Riding a horse was refreshing.

This is why people go crazy over horses.

The sound of hoofbeats ringing in my ears, the wind rushing through my body, and the blurred edges of my vision triggered a familiar sensation, reminding me of my old horse, Carrot. That guy could run just like this one.

“Fast, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t get this for nothing. A half-blood horse is of a different caliber than the horses of the Central Plains.”

Of course, this horse is half again larger than the one Hye-ryeong rides.

Although there is the issue of it eating more feed, even with that consideration, it’s still an excellent steed.

For a 10-year-old horse, its body is sturdy and it hasn’t been sick. He’s obedient to me, so he’s suitable as a military horse. It might be a bit difficult to teach him how to use ki due to his age…

But he’ll probably learn eventually.

The meditation techniques for horses aren’t that complicated. It’s best to start at a young age, but often older horses were taught and used, so it’s not impossible to use him.

It also doesn’t seem necessary to add armor to this horse.

If it did exist, it would be good…

“Eun-gong, did you see this scenery every day?”

“Yes. It’s just people ahead instead of the view.”

The tense faces of soldiers, holding shields and spears, bracing for cavalry charges. Someone shouting, my comrades and I, armed with lances tucked under our arms, ready to make a charge.

It was a sight I could no longer see, one I didn’t want to see again.

Though, it might have been a strikingly intense scene that artists would love, but for me, it was nothing more than the opening to a new hell.

But why do I feel like I might have to return there someday?

“Eun-gong, your expression is not good.”

“Just reminiscing about old times.”

“Must have been bad memories.”

“…Definitely not good ones.”

The romance was long trampled by hooves, leaving only the corpses pierced by lances.

“That’s why I live so busy.”

So no Cavalry Corps arises.

If that can’t be avoided, then I make sure the war doesn’t drag on.

That was the goal I had set.

If all fails…

“…Eun-gong is truly an incredible person.”

“Incredible? Pfft.”

“How many people in this world would teach someone who isn’t their disciple for free? You’re a benefactor I could never fully repay in my lifetime. And…”

Mok-kyeong stopped, bowing her head deeply before falling silent.

An extended silence persisted. Then, breaking the quiet came a voice from beside us.

“Uncle, what did you say to make Mok-kyeong act like this?”

“Just telling some old stories.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Hye-ryeong looked back and forth between me and Mok-kyeong with a peculiar look. Though it only took her a few days of riding practice, she seems quite skilled.

It took me a whole month.

She might have a natural talent for riding.

Perhaps I should teach her advanced riding techniques later.

As I marveled at Hye-ryeong’s newfound talent, she smiled brightly as if sensing my admiration.

It was a peaceful journey.

————

“The flight art was fast, but this horse makes it faster and more comfortable!”

“People didn’t domesticate horses for nothing since ancient times.”

Fast and convenient.

That alone was worth humans raising horses.

“Whinny!”

It must be from running all day, but it’s eating a lot. I thought it would last for four days, but at this rate, it might finish all of it in two.

“Don’t eat too much. You’ll get diarrhea.”

“Horses really enjoy eating hay.”

“They also like carrots and apples. They’re just expensive…”

It’s difficult to provide all the fruit and vegetables needed to maintain such a large body. Even a wealthy person would find it a struggle to afford those daily treats for a horse.

“Let this one eat as it pleases… Let’s have our meal.”

“Yes.”

“Okay!”

We gathered around the small fire and began cutting up the golden roasted rabbit meat. Though it wasn’t large enough for us to eat our fill, the mantou bread brought from the nearby village paired well, and we had enough to satisfy our appetites.

“Yum, that was good!”

“…Today’s meal was excellent once again.”

We immediately tidied up the surroundings and spread out our blankets. Although we traveled by horse today, staying balanced on the constantly shaking horseback was no easy feat.

“…Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since we’ve been here.”

“That’s right! We passed here the first time we went to the Martial Alliance!”

Wasn’t this where we first met Seo-ryeon?

I looked at the gently flowing stream, just as it was before. Though due to the season, the wind blowing from the water was starting to feel distinctly colder.

“I wasn’t around for this story.”

“I passed through here shortly before meeting you.”

Now that I think about it, for what reason did Seo-ryeon approach me? It’s not like we met a few times and suddenly felt mutual admiration, and she doesn’t have any connection to Mok-kyeong either.

All the original stories that should have existed were twisted or erased due to my involvement. Thus, it’s hard for me to figure out Seo-ryeon’s intentions.

She doesn’t seem dangerous, but her actions diverge from what she originally would have done. It’s hard not to worry about someone who behaves outside the original storyline. When I return, it would be wise to observe Seo-ryeon’s actions.

If she shows up out of the blue again asking me to tell her stories, perhaps we can have a casual conversation to probe her while telling tales…

“…Uncle.”

“At this hour, who could it be…”

“Ah, what a coincidence…”

…What’s going on?

A coincidence?

Or was it intentional?

My mind gets all tangled up, and my thoughts stop.

“Miss Seo-ryeon, what brings you to this place at this hour?”

“I’m just out for a stroll.”

“Young lady, the Head will scold you if you wander out here at night…!”

“But I got lost.”

“You never listen to me, do you?”

Seo-ryeon and her bodyguard were quarreling.

Even if someone speaks, the tiger still comes.

With the arrival of the person to watch out for, I sighed.

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