A Medieval Knight in a Martial Arts Novel – Chapter 136

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…”

“…”

What was this?

Why was she here?

I looked at Seo-ryun, who was sitting across from me, gracefully sipping her tea.

She hadn’t said a word besides commenting on the tea’s quality.

Her bodyguard, standing behind her, stared straight ahead with an unnecessarily serious expression. I swirled the tea in my cup, waiting for her to speak.

“Did I surprise you?”

Seo-ryun finally spoke after the tea had cooled. I considered how to respond and offered a neutral answer.

“I didn’t expect to have a private audience with you, Seo-ryun.”

What had happened in the original story?

She had fallen for Mokgyeong after he avenged her father.

But with Commander Seo imprisoned, there was no need for revenge.

So, why was she approaching me?

Her role in the original story had been minor, so it was difficult to guess her motives.

This was definitely going to be troublesome, but why me?

Because I was a transcendent expert?

Or because I was a Westerner?

…Had she fallen for me?

That seemed unlikely, considering her…specific taste in men.

She had clearly stated her preference for men like Mokgyeong in the original story.

But she hadn’t shown any interest in him in this reality.

“I thought we would meet again.”

Things were getting heated behind me.

I tried to ignore the rising temperature and stared at Seo-ryun, trying to decipher her intentions.

“I don’t believe we’re that close.”

“We can become closer.”

Had she really fallen for me?

I looked at her, puzzled by her cryptic response.

Seo-ryun, sensing the timing was right, finally stated her purpose, her voice soft and gentle.

“Tell me about the West.”

“Excuse me?”

“My lady…”

Her bodyguard looked at the back of her head, his expression a mixture of exasperation and resignation. He couldn’t contradict his master, so sighing was his only recourse.

He probably felt like a soldier listening to his superior’s nonsensical ramblings.

“I’m…very interested in the West.”

“Ah…I see.”

…This was strange.

Suddenly visiting me and asking about the West. But her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity, so it wasn’t just an excuse.

“Lady Seo-ryun? The Alliance Leader is worried. We should return…”

“But it’s a rare opportunity to hear about the West from a Westerner who speaks fluent Mandarin.”

…She wasn’t wrong.

The daughter of the Martial Alliance Leader couldn’t travel to the West.

If she were kidnapped or harmed, it would cause a crisis in the Martial Alliance.

As the daughter of such a prominent figure, her safety was paramount. Even having a single bodyguard was a compromise.

Which meant the bodyguard was suffering.

Though he was probably well-compensated.

“I can tell you about the West, but…it’s not a particularly interesting story.”

“I still want to hear it. Since I can’t visit the West myself, your stories are my only connection to the outside world.”

I wasn’t a storyteller, and I had to leave the Martial Alliance soon, so I didn’t have much time…

“I can’t speak for long. I have other matters to attend to. Is that alright?”

“Yes, even a little is fine.”

Seo-ryun’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

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

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“Mister, what was that about?”

“I’m not sure myself.”

Seo-ryun had returned home, seemingly satisfied.

I had decided to tell her about Greek and Roman mythology, and she had been delighted.

Her enthusiastic reaction had made the storytelling enjoyable, and I hadn’t realized how much time had passed until it was almost dinner time.

If her bodyguard hadn’t interrupted, I would have continued.

“It seems like she genuinely wanted to hear stories, which is even more confusing.”

Seo-ryun’s visit was baffling.

We had only met twice, once in the mountains and once at the Martial Alliance, so I hadn’t expected any further interactions.

What was her motive?

Because I had dueled her father?

Or because I was a Westerner?

…I would have to ask her next time.

“I was worried.”

“Worried about what? Do I look like someone who craves power?”

She was the one who had approached me. I had no desire to get involved with her.

I wasn’t a sex-crazed maniac. I had no need for more women in my life.

It would only complicate things.

I was already preoccupied with the Demonic Cult’s reaction to my actions and the potential complications at the Yunnan Pill Valley’s secret chamber. I had no time for romance.

“I can’t help but feel anxious when women approach you.”

“It’s just one woman.”

“…Never mind.”

“What?”

What did she mean, never mind?

I looked at Hye-ryeong, who simply smiled awkwardly and hugged me from behind.

“…You’re an attractive man, so it’s natural for women to be drawn to you.”

“That may be true, but…I’m not easily swayed by lust.”

If I were driven by lust, I would be living a life of luxury, far from the reach of the Demonic Cult.

Even a peak expert could easily find a comfortable position in the Central Plains.

“I thought you were…impotent.”

“That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

Impotent? Seriously?

Though, I was admittedly more reserved than most men my age.

That was due to my experiences on the battlefield.

The battlefield was a constant cycle of horrific tragedies.

While my knightly order had maintained strict discipline, other units, reduced to bands of marauders…the things they did were indescribable.

“Mister, your expression is dark.”

“I was just remembering something.”

“The battlefield?”

“Yes.”

I shouldn’t have thought about it.

I stared out the window, trying to erase the horrific images from my mind. Hye-ryeong released me and stepped in front of me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Mister, can you relax for a moment?”

She pulled me closer without waiting for an answer. My vision darkened, and a soft, warm sensation enveloped my face.

A pleasant fragrance filled my senses.

Did she use perfume?

I didn’t resist, allowing myself to be held.

“My mother used to say that this helps men when they’re feeling down.”

“…She seems to know a lot about men.”

It was certainly effective.

The warmth of her embrace eased the turmoil in my mind.

We remained like that for a while. Hye-ryeong gently stroked my hair, and I rested my head against her chest.

We didn’t move closer, nor did we pull away.

Perhaps this level of intimacy was enough for now.

Or perhaps…

Creak.

The door opened, and I looked up, meeting the newcomer’s gaze.

“I-I’ll come back later…”

The door slammed shut.

“He seemed flustered.”

“More than flustered.”

His face had been bright red as he fled. He was probably a sheltered young man, inexperienced with women, and our…intimate embrace had startled him.

“Mister, do you want to rest a bit longer?”

“…This is getting a bit awkward.”

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

“Thank you.”

“We’re…together, after all.”

“…Yes, we are.”

“I’m the only woman who does this for you, so you’ll regret it if you let me go!”

She seemed to be in a particularly good mood. I smiled and stroked her hair.

“I’ll make sure I don’t.”

She beamed at my words.

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