It was a grandfather with an odd atmosphere, like an immortal with no connection to the world, or a very learned scholar.

Wearing a shirt the color of his beard, like a darkened one soaked in water, this thought naturally came to mind the moment I saw it.

‘Wow, can he walk around cleanly in that?’

Judging by the gloss, it seemed like the kind of material that would all be ruined if you washed it vigorously in water.

‘So, do you throw it away after wearing it once? It’s a garment that can’t be handled unless you’re a very rich family!’

Therefore, the conclusion I came to was one.

I don’t know who, but a rich old man!

Whether he was startled by the sudden appearance of the grandfather or not, the man aimed his weapon at him with trembling hands and shouted.

“Go your way, it has nothing to do with you!!”

But the grandfather did not leave. On the contrary, he flapped the fan he had been holding and took one step, one step towards me.

“On a slippery day, what is this doing? It doesn’t look like the young lady is a martial artist either.”

I felt that now was the opportunity. I hugged Baekho again and screamed desperately.

“Save me! Save me! I swear to the sky, I’m innocent! I’ve lived only as kindly as a giving tree!! But suddenly I’m being attacked by a stranger and it’s a horrible death? My life can’t be like that!”

“You, you wench!”

Like a gosling discovering a stranger, he quacked at me, and the man glared at me. I shouted.

“Don’t you dare say wench! Such a retrogressive person. Don’t you know the trend is daughters?!”

Perhaps the provocation was too strong, or maybe killing me was the goal.

He charged straight at me.

“You bstard!!”

It was at that moment. The grandfather, who had come close at some point, intervened between me and the man.

And then he swung his fan like a ghost and slapped the man’s arm.

“Ugh!”

The man’s arm stiffened like a wooden log, and the short sword fell with a clanging sound. I opened my mouth wide.

Pressing the blood vessels of the body to paralyze that part of the muscles, a pinpoint strike! Something only a person who has reached a high level in martial arts and is familiar with the blood vessels can do!

‘Wow, I thought he was an extraordinary old man, but he really was a master!’

The man ground his teeth and glared at me, then, supporting his arm that wouldn’t move, he ran away.

Watching me until the very end, the grandfather who did not lower his guard, only let out a sigh after the man completely disappeared.

“Phew, at least he withdrew obediently.”

At that moment, one of the grandfather’s fan ribs broke and rolled on the ground. I bowed my head.

“Thank you, Grandfather. I’m alive thanks to you.”

“……Grandfather.”

At his meaningful mutter, I flinched. Was the term “grandfather” too familiar?

‘Then what should I call him? Old man? Master? I have to know something.’

Having lived in my narrow social circle, I was at a loss for words when faced with someone of a different age and status.

The grandfather chuckled and then flapped his fan back to himself and asked.

“Why were you threatened in this alley, young lady? What grudge have you incurred?”

A grudge. That was an unfair thing to say. I protested with my hands out.

“I really don’t know. It’s my first time going out of Sega. I didn’t even have a chance to incur a grudge.”

At my answer, the grandfather frowned.

“Sega? You were a martial artist? But there’s no sign that you’ve trained at all.”

You really have a good eye. I respectfully introduced myself.

“Yes, I’m Sibi working in Danmok Sega. I’m accompanying Lord Danmokbi, who is participating in the Nonmilitary Tournament.”

“Sibi?”

His wrinkled eyes turned towards my hem. It was too fancy a dress for a mere Sibi to wear. Realizing my attire belatedly, I smiled awkwardly and replied.

“Oh, this is what Lord Danmokbi bought for me to wear beautifully when attending the Nonmilitary Tournament. Was the big trouble because of this?”

Saying so, I felt my thoughts become clear. I bowed my head with an embarrassed expression.

‘Yes. That man earlier seemed to know who I was. He didn’t ask for money or valuables and swung his knife right away.’

Then there was only one cause. His goal from the beginning was my life.
And what reason would there be to target me, a mere squabbler?

“It must be the work of the Branch Master Danmok.”

I had thought that the Branch Master could try to get rid of me, but I never thought he would act so hastily.

“There must be followers who secretly followed me here. Or perhaps Danmokbi was annoyed that he said he would go north with me alone.”

The more I thought about it, the more credible my reasoning seemed.

And coincidentally, the old man I met for the first time today seemed to have the same thought. Grandfather stroked his beard, subtly showing an uncomfortable expression.

“Hmm, even if you are serving the young master, you’re not family, so you shouldn’t accept it so easily. If you had asked your parents, this mishap would not have happened.”

Although it was a polite scolding, I smirked.