The men who had been harassing the woman turned their heads toward me, their eyes narrowing.

"Who the hell are you?"

"You know this girl or something?"

"Not particularly."

"Hah! Then don’t butt in and get lost."

One of them sneered, looking me up and down.

"Hey, boss, this guy’s got a pretty face. Doesn’t look like much of a man to me."

They all burst into laughter at their own joke.

Honestly, this was ridiculous.

Their lines were so stereotypically thuggish that I felt second-hand embarrassment just listening to them.@@novelbin@@

I let out a sigh and put on my most patient smile—

Hoping that, maybe, they’d just walk away if I didn’t push the issue.

"This is a warning. If you stop now and leave quietly, it’ll be in your best interest."

"What? Hah!"

One of them took a step closer.

"Trying to sound tough, huh? You think you’re a man just because you lower your voice like that? This is all your fault, you know that?"

The two behind him suddenly drew their swords.

"And the best you could come up with is a sword?"

"Damn right it is. Real steel, kid. And you’re gonna pay for mouthing off. Go ahead, call the guards if you want—let’s see whose side they take."

I exhaled.

"…I’ll pray for you."

Because the moment they drew their weapons—

They had already lost.

And then, the reason they could never win stepped forward.

"Hey."

Airen unsheathed her blade and strode toward them.

"Come at me all at once. This is a waste of time."

"Hah? Look at this, boss! A pretty lady carrying a sword?"

"Guess she’s this little lordling’s bodyguard? What, still clinging to some long-dead noble bloodline? The Empire fell years ago, kid. Bloodlines don’t mean shit anymore! The only thing that matters on these streets is strength!"

I ignored the thug’s ranting and turned to Airen.

"Let’s just get this over with. I’m starting to get annoyed."

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