A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel

“One day… one day…”

One day.

A somewhat ambiguous span of time—long if you think about it, short on the other hand.

What did Seo-ryeon plan to show me in just one day? I looked into her eyes, trying to read her intentions.

But all I could see in them was pure longing.

Maybe she was more desperate than she let on with words?

“How about it? One day shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Can we start as early as tomorrow?”

“Yes. Thank you for making the time.”

If you can pull off a stubborn bull’s horn in one go, it’s best to wrap things up quickly rather than leave loose threads hanging. It’s better to settle things decisively.

And…what could possibly be accomplished in just a day? Besides, I did have questions to ask.

“Well, then I’ll head back.”

“I’ll escort you.”

“It’s fine.”

Seo-ryeon left with her bodyguard. Not long after, a pair of arms wrapped around my neck, and a soft pressure came down on my shoulder from behind.

“Uncle! You’re really going to do it, huh?!”

“Leaving things half-hearted is worse. There’s no need to pretend unnecessarily.”

“You’re just too kind, Uncle.”

From the confidence radiating in Hye-ryeong’s voice, it was clear she’d overheard every word of my conversation with Seo-ryeon. She must have been glad that I’d said it outright.

Maybe her previous fussing behind the door had been less fury and more joy?

“So, how long do you plan to stay like this?”

“I dunno~”

Hye-ryeong responded vaguely, tightening her arms around my neck. It wasn’t uncomfortable to breathe, but the warmth of her breath on my ear was ticklish.

“Hye-ryeong, Mok-kyeong is watching, you know.”

“Oh, o-oh, I’m fine…”

What exactly is fine?

I chuckled, watching Mok-kyeong turn red with embarrassment.

Looking at her now, I see there’s a rather cute side to her. There’s no resistance to such displays of affection at all.

“…Eun-gong.”

“What is it?”

“You really intend to accept this, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“…Eun-gong, you’re a sinful person.”

Saying that made me feel like a despicable guy. I gently patted Mok-kyeong on the shoulder.

“I’ve committed my fair share of sins. I wonder when I can atone for them.”

“…But I believe Eun-gong is qualified. Isn’t there a saying, ‘heroes have a weakness for beauty’?”

I heard that earlier, didn’t I?

“Heroes have a weakness for beauty.”

“You don’t seem particularly interested in that sort of thing, Uncle. Most men go all googly-eyed at women.”

“I’m not some playboy. I merely distinguish between what needs immediate action and what can wait.”

“…Indeed, that’s true.”

Hmm?

Her reaction seems a bit off.

Glancing at Mok-kyeong, I saw her blush while avoiding my gaze. Why was she acting like that?

…Oh.

Is that it?

“Miss Mok-kyeong, why the expression?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I-I simply think you’re very healthy, Eun-gong.”

Thinking about it, we’ve been traveling together for months, so there’s no way she could’ve missed it. I decided not to point it out and turned my gaze aside instead.

“Will you do it with me too, Uncle?”

“Of course.”

“Hehe. I’ll be waiting~”

Only then did Hye-ryeong release her grip on my neck and trot out of the room. All that was left was Mok-kyeong, who looked at me awkwardly with a self-conscious expression. I patted her shoulder again and said:

“Why so embarrassed about something so natural? It’s a normal occurrence, so don’t worry about it.”

“…Yes.”

—

“Great Hero Wi, have you been well?”

“It’s only been two days.”

“Hehe, that’s just a common greeting.”

Ah, quite dressed up, aren’t we. This must be what passes for a noblewoman’s battle attire.

Even though she has a veil covering her face.

I can’t help but wonder if I’m underdressed compared to how well-prepared Seo-ryeon is. Seeing her so meticulously prepared makes me realize how serious she is about this.

“Great Hero Wi looks like a noble gentleman when dressed up.”

“Not even close…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Guess it was just polite flattery.

My face isn’t exactly what one might call aristocratic. My features are too bold, my jawline too square. But back when I wore a knight’s uniform, I thought I looked pretty decent. I’m at least tall, and not so intimidating that I make children cry.

Some of the men around me looked like bandits, not knights.

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

“Perhaps we could take a full lap around the city and figure things out as we go?”

“A full lap… very well.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Didn’t you see much of the city when you were here before?”

“Hmm… but I always had attendants following me.”

I could hear the tinge of bitterness in Seo-ryeon’s voice.

The attendants.

Thinking about it,

“Where are the bodyguards you usually travel with?”

“Today, they’ve been left behind. Normally it’d be unthinkable, but since you’re here, Great Hero Wi, I trust you to protect me should anything happen.”

“Then I shall take care of Miss Seo-ryeon today.”

…But, is someone watching us from over there?

I caught sight of a bodyguard seated in a tree nearby, watching us carefully. They must’ve come to keep an eye on how we’d spend our day.

This must be frustrating for them.

Imagine how stressful it must be living with that constant watchfulness while eating a single spoonful of rice.

“Shall we go then?”

“Let’s.”

Seo-ryeon began walking, matching her pace with mine.

But the height difference between us was around one and a half cheok, so I had to shorten my steps.

Even if it’s my first time playing knight to a lady, I at least know it’s polite to adjust one’s pace to keep in step.

“At this time, the market should be opening up. Let’s go have a look there.”

“Understood.”

We left the Martial Alliance compound, catching people’s curious gazes.

As soon as we crossed the gates of the Martial Alliance, Seo-ryeon sighed softly to herself.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been able to leave like this so casually…”

“It seems you don’t usually get out much.”

“When I try to go out, I have to bring along at least four bodyguards, procedures get complicated, and news always reaches my father anyway. That’s why I tend to avoid leaving unless absolutely necessary.”

While the Martial Alliance is expansive, it’s not infinite like the outside world. Her frustration was palpable. No matter how vast the Martial Alliance headquarters may be, staying inside it for years means there’s bound to be territory one hasn’t explored.

It’s understandable that someone in their teens or early twenties might yearn to break free.

“Surely it is inconvenient.”

“Right? Logically, I understand it necessary, but emotionally, it’s hard to suppress my frustration.”

It’s strange for an adult to be restricted from freely moving about, I suppose. She’s in a politically sensitive position, so there must be compelling reasons.

What if the leader of the alliance was held hostage through their daughter? That’d create quite the conundrum. In the worst case, it could even force the leader’s resignation.

The righteous factions wouldn’t want such a scenario.

Which means Seo-ryeon choosing to be with me today makes perfect sense.

A bodyguard in front of an apex martial artist would be like a candle in front of a windstorm.

“It’s surprising how much freer I feel without the bodyguards.”

“Hmm.”

The market was coming into view. As the crowd thickened, we closed the distance between us.

Close enough to reach out and hold hands if we wanted to. But I had no intention of holding hands — I was just walking forward.

We chatted casually, and I don’t know how long we strolled through the bustling square before Seo-ryeon suddenly asked me a question.

“Great Hero Wi, how did you meet Miss Im?”

“Miss Im?”

I belatedly realized who ‘Im’ was when she referred to Hye-ryeong as ‘Im.’

“Yes. Watching you two, it seems like you have a special relationship, so I was curious.”

“Let’s talk about that somewhere more comfortable. I believe there should be a good inn nearby.”

“Ah, I know just the place!”

I followed Miss Seo-ryeon to a teahouse. It was the first place besides an inn where we could sit and pass the time, so I surveyed the teahouse curiously.

It had a good structure for hiding… sure enough, someone was hiding in the corner.

I casually nodded to a bodyguard pretending to play a game of Go while watching us, making sure we kept out of sight, as Seo-ryeon wished.

“The owner here used to be renowned for his tea skills in the royal palace. His teas are exceptional.”

“Truly remarkable.”

“It’s been a long time, Miss.”

“Hello, Master Kwon. You may speak casually with me.”

“Hahaha, how can I? I owe the flourishing of my business to the advice you’ve given.”

“Oh, it was just a few words from me.”

“Huhuhu, you’re as humble as ever. Would it be alright if I brought out the regular tea we prepare for you?”

“Yes. Great Hero Wi, is there any tea you prefer specifically?”

“I’ll take the same.”

“I shall bring you the finest tea shortly.”

The teahouse owner, an old man, disappeared, and Seo-ryeon and I were left facing each other.

“You mentioned curiosity about my meeting with Miss Im?”

“Yes. Everyone around me is either married or betrothed for political reasons.”

Though you’re technically doing something similar by trying to politically marry me.

Whatever…

“I met Miss Im—err, she found me, on the beach. That’s accurate.”

I began recounting the memory of my first meeting with Hye-ryong.

---