A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“This is my first time enjoying a boat ride alone.”

“It’s my first time as well.”

Getting a chance to leisurely drift along in such a small boat isn’t something that happens often.

The only boat I’ve ever been on was a slave ship, and that was both my first and last experience.

Thinking back, not a single slave from that ship survived, did they? Even my survival feels almost miraculous, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there were no other survivors besides myself.

If only one or two had made it out alive, it would’ve been better.

What a waste—it was for nothing that we were freed just to drown. Such bad luck.

“Great Hero Wi, I didn’t realize this was your first time as well.”

Is it really that surprising?

“I haven’t had much interest in these kinds of activities.”

“I see. What are your thoughts on your first experience of leisurely boating?”

“It’s quite peaceful and enjoyable.”

Experiencing the tranquility of drifting slowly isn’t something you get to do easily.

After all, boats are usually meant for crossing over to some destination. Leisurely boating purely for enjoyment is, in a strange way, almost unfamiliar.

“I’m glad to hear that Great Hero Wi enjoys it.”

Sighing in relief, Seo-ryeon turned her head gently and looked outside the boat. Many people could be seen passing along both sides of the river.

You could see ordinary couples, martial artists, and bodyguards alike.

…Bodyguards have it tough, don’t they?

I never expected that their attempts to guard discreetly while in disguise would feel so pitiful.

“I once heard it said that if you’re in a couple, you should try enjoying a boat ride on this river running through the vast plains of Wuhuan.”

“Have you tried it with someone else?”

“Funny you ask—it so happens the person right before my eyes right now is my first partner.”

“It’s my first time, too.”

“Well then, let’s start fresh.”

Seo-ryeon laughed softly, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at me.

“Come to think of it, I am the one who tried to seize your father’s position as Alliance Leader, am I not? Does that not bother you?”

“Hmm… Even though my father did step down from his position as Martial Alliance Leader, it didn’t bother me. He always complained about how being the leader was far too busy.”

… That’s right. With all the affairs to manage across the Central Plains, there’s hardly ever a moment to rest.

Though it commands immense authority and respect, it doesn’t seem very appealing when you consider how one would be buried in paperwork all day.

The quality of life would likely be neglected here, and there wouldn’t be much time to enjoy leisurely pastimes.

“That’s a relief to hear.”

“Great Hero Wi, you’re thoughtful. I only ever marveled during your battle with my father, but I had no idea you were also worrying about me.”

“If brushing shoulders is enough to form a connection, then certainly, the many times our paths have crossed justify my concern about someone I have a connection with. Isn’t that reasonable?”

“Does it work that way…?”

We exchanged meaningless pleasantries while floating along the river.

Not just our bodies, but also our minds seemed to float along with the current, and I felt like I was truly grasping the meaning of the word ‘tranquil’.

If every day could be like this, how wonderful it would be.

“Great Hero Wi always seems to be looking far into the distance.”

“The world won’t let me rest, so it can’t be helped.”

It’s partly self-inflicted, but if I ever stop, the world would surely collapse into chaos. How could I not think about the future?

Ultimately, all I’ve done since arriving here has been laying down foundations for a better future.

In a way, even this leisurely boat ride might just be a moment to catch my breath before a greater purpose.

“Sometimes, I wonder what it’s like to live the lifestyle of a wanderer like Great Hero Wi—traveling across the Central Plains, day and night, repelling evildoers. Though it mustn’t be exactly like the tales of chivalry one hears, right?”

“We see plenty of unpleasant sights.”

To put it bluntly, it’s not exactly a pleasant life. My sword is always pointed at enemies, and every time, I wonder if it’ll be me or them who gets cut down this time.

If you want to live happily, the best course of action is to avoid having blood on your hands. Once you stain yourself, it tends to keep happening.

Until the stench of blood becomes all too familiar to me.

“Still… someone has to do it, and I’m that someone.”

“Your words just now sounded very much like a true hero’s.”

“Hero…”

“Oh, we’re almost arriving.”

Already?

But I suppose it’s normal to spend about half an hour.

As the boat stopped at the dock, I stood up, and Seo-ryeon did the same. Right as we were about to disembark, the boat rocked, causing her body to sway.

Without hesitation, I reached out to support her back to prevent her from falling.

Though unintentional, our bodies ended up quite close.

I quickly spoke to defuse the situation.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes…”

“Let’s get off.”

I helped her disembark onto the shoreline. I could feel people’s gazes on us.

For a while, we walked silently toward a more secluded area.

“Great Hero Wi, thank you for catching me before I fell.”

“It’s nothing. It’s only natural.”

Thinking about it, as a martial artist, she should never lose her balance like this—perhaps she did it on purpose?

While I silently suspected this, I gave an appropriate response, and Seo-ryeon smiled faintly.

“Great Hero Wi is very kind.”

“Isn’t this just something anyone would do?”

“Most martial artists aren’t very considerate. They either talk nonstop about martial arts, boast endlessly, or express their feelings too openly, creating discomfort.”

That’s true in broad strokes.

“What can you expect from young and impulsive people?”

“Great Hero Wi is young too, right?”

“I am impulsive, yes.”

In ways that involve taking lives.

“You seem fairly composed for someone who says that.”

Composed…is that it?

After I’ve killed more than a thousand people, it feels strange to be called composed.

Maybe I shouldn’t be hearing that.

“Great Hero Wi, did I upset you?”

“No, I’ve just never heard that before, so I find it curious.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might end up disliking me.”

“Even if you say that, it’s not easy to change how I feel.”

“That’s disappointing. Shall we move on to the next spot, then?”

Where is she planning to take me this time?

“Where are we going now?”

“Great Hero Wi, how well do you know the history of the Central Plains?”

What’s with the sudden question?

As if to answer my unspoken query, Seo-ryeon immediately began her explanation.

“I know a little.”

“For a long time, there’s been a very famous watchtower in Wuhuan. It’s said to have been built in the Wu Dynasty by Sun Quan. From atop the watchtower, you can enjoy a stunning view of Wuhuan.”

“Is it allowed to climb such a tower?”

A watchtower is a military installation after all.

But is it okay to visit it freely?

“In ancient times, it was indeed used as a watchtower, but the city of Wuhuan has expanded so much that it’s now considered a scenic spot.”

The city has grown too large for the tower to be useful as a watchtower anymore.

“A famous watchtower… fascinating. It’s amazing that a building once created for military purposes has become a tourist attraction.”

“Then, let’s go see this fascinating tower? Yellow Crane Tower is famously a place couples should visit at least once.”

I nodded in agreement at her words.

The Yellow Crane Tower.

It wouldn’t hurt to visit it once.

After all, I had decided to follow Seo-ryeon’s lead today.

So, I followed her lead and headed in the direction of the Yellow Crane Tower.

“Quite luxurious for a watchtower.”

“The Martial Alliance renovated and expanded the Yellow Crane Tower when they acquired it.”

To think I’d get to see a five-story building like this.

I looked up at the tower standing prominently in the middle of the city, marveling at it. The tower, covered in orange tiles, still exuded its original authority despite the passage of time.

“With a tower like this placed along the outer perimeter, it would be possible to monitor far-off areas.”

“I heard it was strategically important in the past. Now, with the times changing, it’s become a scenic spot visited by those who come to Wuhuan.”

“That’s how things go, isn’t it?”

We began climbing the Yellow Crane Tower, step by step.

With each floor we ascended—first, second, third—the view of Wuhuan seemed to shrink more and more.

Finally, reaching the top, we positioned ourselves by the railing and looked out over Wuhuan.

“When I feel constrained, I like to climb up the Yellow Crane Tower and look out over Wuhuan.”

“That makes sense.”

Standing atop a high-ground watchtower and overlooking Wuhuan certainly had that effect. I looked at Seo-ryeon’s profile as she leaned on the railing, gazing out.

A smile devoid of any pretense or hidden motives.

“Great Hero Wi, perhaps freedom and love are not necessarily incompatible.”

“Did something make you change your mind all of a sudden?”

“Hmm~”

She trailed off ambiguously before turning her head to look up at me.

“What do you think, Great Hero Wi?”

“I know that it’s not an either-or matter.”

“True. People ultimately make the choices, whether to aim for both at once or just one at a time. It’s quite a difficult question.”

“Whichever choice one makes, it’s best to choose based on what feels right. Whether it’s truly right or wrong is hard to say, but people can’t always be correct in their judgments, can they?”

The sky gradually deepened into hues of crimson.

Her allotted time was running out.

She silently watched the setting sun for a while, then turned with sudden resolve.

“How about we go down and enjoy our last meal?”

“That sounds good.”

“And once we’re done eating… please give me your answer to my proposal.”

The tremor in her voice was unmistakable.

I nodded in response to her request.

“Of course.”

We headed toward what might be our final meal together.

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