Chapter 130
Chapter 130
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.32 – The Knight is Reinforcing (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rustle.
Lee Han sat in the wooden gazebo he had built himself and read the newspaper.
He occasionally sipped the lemonade Leira had made, or...
"Here, have some."
"...I can feed myself."
"Whaaat?"
"......I'll just eat it myself."
Unable to resist her innocent gaze, he accepted the lemon tart from her.
It was the first time in his life being fed by a woman—a luxury he wondered if he even deserved.
Still...
'...It's delicious.'
Was it his imagination, or did it taste better than any tart he'd ever had?
"Would you like more?"
"Sure..."
It was a temptation hard to refuse, and Lee Han enjoyed the unexpected treat once again.
Even so, he didn't take his eyes off the newspaper.
'...Things are getting interesting.'
Though unintentional, he was one of the few people closely involved in the major events unfolding in the kingdom.
Thus, he knew most of the background behind the kingdom's chaos and hot topics.
For example...
Rustle.
"...That golden boy's got great photo appeal."
A photo of the golden spoon prince dominated the entire front page.
Mobilizing the 1st and 2nd Knight Orders under his command as Knight Commander had clearly drawn massive attention.
"Hmm, he'll do fine, right?"
Honestly, he had no faith in him.
Lee Han's philosophy was that once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel—anyone could talk big, after all.
What mattered were actions and results.
In that sense...
'If he delivers results, I'll cut my nagging from twice to once.'
He kept his expectations modest, with just a sliver of anticipation.
Rustle.
As he turned the pages, news about people connected to him or those he roughly knew appeared.
To summarize the highlights:
'The owner of the capital's trendsetting salon is Grand Duke Lionel's youngest son?!', 'Has the Mercenary Union's king decided on a successor?', 'The lady of the Guinevere family is in a relationship?!' And so on.
Somehow, they were all acquaintances.
And...
...Even the next-door chick, dubbed a saint of the magic world, who was muttering to herself while nibbling on tarts over there.
"Tch, I could feed you too, I could do it really well, I'm confident I'd be great at it..."
"......"
Hmm... All these big shots flocking here just to see that girl?
Sniff!
'Do these bastards have nothing better to do?'
Lee Han started seeing the Magic Tower heir, the Sultan, and the like as idle rich playboys with too much time and money.
Pathetic, really.
Was it because trouble always came on market days, or because he'd left the house empty for so long?
Clatter.
"Master!"
With familiar faces visiting one after another, Lee Han personally felt his home growing lively.
Ding-a-ling!
A woman riding an antique bicycle—evoking the quaint simplicity of a classic French film—called out to him energetically.
She was fresh and vibrant yet somehow endearing, her pure charm the kind that would make anyone on the street turn back with affection.
She evoked memories of that first love from school days, perfectly complemented by a straw hat, white sundress, sandals, and a picnic basket—straight out of a pictorial spread that would draw gasps of admiration.
"...Thought she was shooting a photoshoot."
Not just him—the possessed chick sitting right beside him whispered the same thought.
Her hydrangea-like blue hair fluttering as she rode the bicycle did resemble a movie scene...
But agreement aside, one ridiculous thing stood out.
'Does this girl even intend to hide her identity?'
It wasn't just his imagination; she seemed even less inclined to hide it than Tae-chang.
Or maybe she was just innocently straightforward and clumsy.
'...All three?'
As Lee Han shrugged, the woman, now at the entrance, hopped off her bike and ran over with all her might.
Like a loyal dog greeting its long-missed owner.
"Haa, haaa! Ha, have you been well, Master—!"
"Catch your breath first, Bearcub."
"Y-Yes? I'm f-fine, haa, haaa...!"
"...Doesn't look fine at all."
Bearcub—no, Levi—must have rushed here on her bicycle from the marquis's estate.
After hearing he was back...
"You rode all the way here in that outfit on a bike?"
With great difficulty.
Swallowing those trailing words, he voiced his concern, and she...
"Ah!"
Realizing her disheveled lady-like(?) appearance, she covered her mouth.
"S-Sorry, I must look a mess! I-It just so happened that His Excellency gave me the day off today, and I was thinking of going on a picnic alone since I can't stand staying still..."
"I see."
"Th-This outfit wasn't my choice either! The m-maids prepared it, and I couldn't very well refuse to wear it..."
"Got it."
"...Master?"
"Got it."
"??"
"...Sorry. Guess I'm getting old."
"Huh?"
"Sigh, menopause...?"
Was he getting emotional in his old age?
Listening to his disciple's chatter, Lee Han felt a lump in his throat.
Remembering the girl from their first meeting—always timid, anxious, desperately struggling for others' approval.
But now...
'The kid's got some leisure.'
Her complexion brimmed with vitality.
Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her clothes were neat and tidy.
Proof of good care—and that the marquis had kept his promise.
It touched him deeply.
Like watching a swan who once didn't know how to use its wings realize it had them and take flight with powerful beats.
And for the one who helped spread those wings...
'Worth all the effort.'
...It was overwhelming.
Lee Han's heart swelled with joy at his disciple's positive change.
...It was summer.
Though an awkward air lingered from holding back that surge of emotion earlier, Levi soon chirped away like a lark, recounting her recent life.
Almost boastfully.
"Lately, His Excellency's been teaching me archery. Even if it's nominal, I've received the Tristan name, so he said it's best to master the basics. I'm practicing hard too."
"Th-Thankfully, it's not official yet. Probably in a few days at the formal banquet... Um, Master, could you be my partner then?"
"Ah! Tr-try this panini. I-I made it myself."
Lee Han listened attentively to every word.
Offering advice where he could, saying no when needed, and expressing gratitude sincerely.
"And also...!"
She had so much to say that even after an hour, it showed no signs of stopping—but Lee Han wasn't annoyed.
On the contrary, seeing her so free-spirited was far more pleasant and heartwarming.
Probably like the pride one feels for a much younger sister.
While listening to her for a while like that...
"Um, Levi..."
"Huh? Lady Irene? When did you get here?"
"...I'm invisible, huh? They say late-learned thievery is the scariest!"
"S-Sorry...! I-I didn't mean to ignore you, it just happened..."
"...Whatever. I get it—enjoy it while it lasts."
"......"
The sulky chick pecked sharply at the innocent Bearcub, who fidgeted and bowed her head deeply.
What was this?
'Why are these girls bickering with an old man like me around?'
Go find some handsome guys instead, kids?
Lee Han wasn't born yesterday.
He knew the two harbored affection, admiration, or a mix of emotions toward him.
But to him, it seemed like mere youthful folly—like playing with fire.
Just that much, and once they matured, they'd look back embarrassed, wondering why they ever liked an old guy like him...
'Sigh, self-assessing like this feels kinda sad.'
Yet Lee Han didn't change his view.
His gaze was too jaded to see the world purely.
He held no belief or hope that affection would last forever; their goodwill seemed like lotus flowers blooming and fading swiftly in summer.
Drying up and vanishing into emptiness one day...
"-I think the knight will always be cool. And great men are loved no matter how time passes. In that sense, they have good taste in men."
"......"
"Hehe, just saying."
"D-Did you learn mind-reading or something?"
"No, your expression's just easy to read!"
"...Where'd you hear that from?"
The princess, the maid...
They claimed no mind-reading, but it sure seemed like they had it.
Lee Han let out a hollow chuckle.
"Do you think my view's too shallow?"
Since his thoughts were exposed anyway, he asked outright, and Leira...
"Hmm, more like you're undervaluing yourself, Sir Knight. You're plenty cool."
"......"
"I hope one day you love yourself more. You deserve to be proud."
"...You always overrate me, miss."
"I'm just saying what's true."
"......"
"Hehe, you're embarrassed!"
"...More drinks, please."
"Yesss!"
...Lee Han bowed his head, meeting her smile.
A sudden thought...
'No matter how strong I get, I could never win against this one...'
He instinctively knew he stood no chance against a woman offering such radiant affection.
...However.
'Losing wouldn't feel bad.'
If he even wanted to lose, was he the weird one?
The man quietly vowed not to act ashamed in front of her, at least.
"-Feels like I picked the wrong day to visit."
"Y-Yeah."
The black-haired young man scratched his head awkwardly—a rare sight.
He'd come to pay respects, but...
'...I'm oblivious.'
The reincarnator lingered awkwardly by the fence, and soon after, the knight—who had noticed him long ago—came to fetch him.