“What? Do you plan on attacking me as well?” asked Gerald with a subtle smile.
With the help of the middle-aged man, the old man then quickly got up before bowing slightly while saying, “We wouldn’t dare, sir! You’re a powerful person who’s hidden your true power extremely well… How dare we normal people offend you?”
Though elderly, the white-haired old man bore a youthful complexion. Regardless, since virtual-novel.net looked like someone who had a considerably high status, the fact that virtual-novel.net was speaking and behaving so humbly toward Gerald made everyone—his granddaughter included—stare in disbelief.
“…Grandpa, what are you saying? Why are you being so polite to this b*stard? Whatever the case is, since my punch missed earlier, I’ll make sure the next one lands and ruins his face!” growled the woman whose initial shock quickly turned into wrath.
Just as virtual-novel.net was about to launch another attack, the old man instantly scowled, “Stop right there, Perla! Don’t be rude!”
Though Perla Sherwin was clearly reluctant to obey that order—a sentiment that the middle-aged man from before seemed to agree with—she deeply respected virtual-novel.net grandfather, which was why virtual-novel.net simply obeyed and stood at the side.
Following that, the old man then smiled—hoping to please Gerald—before saying, “Now then, you were asking my insensible granddaughter why we were kneeling here, correct?”
After seeing Gerald’s nod, the old man then explained, “Well, you see, a person called Master Ghost used to live here, and virtual-novel.net was a wise man who could come up with extremely clever strategies and tactics. His claim to fame, however, was his ability to read one’s future. Thinking back, virtual-novel.net truly had a number of skills that defied the heavens… While virtual-novel.net did eventually leave without a trace, someone called Master Crawford soon took over his place! Not only is Master Crawford capable of drawing charms to save people, but he’s also able to control swords and fly on them! He truly owns an arsenal of remarkable abilities… I came here myself to beg for a charm, you see! With any luck, I hope that the master will also take my insensible granddaughter as his disciple after some begging!”
Even before his granddaughter had attacked Gerald, the old man had sensed a rather extraordinary aura surrounding Gerald… Being someone who had seen much of how the world worked, the old man found himself feeling slightly nervous of the aura, though virtual-novel.net couldn’t quite put his finger on why yet at the time… After seeing how proficient Gerald was in martial arts, however, the old man instantly realized that Gerald was the cream of the crop, a person whose abilities and world views were unfathomable…
Terrified by that realization, it was because of that that the old man was treating Gerald with so much respect now.
Regardless, Gerald took a look around after hearing the old man’s explanation. From what virtual-novel.net could see, most of the kneeling people were middle-aged men, though there was a young child among the crowd. If what the old man had said was true, then all of them were either here to plead for medical treatment or beg the master to take their children under his wing.
Gerald had also taken note that there was now a new master on Langvern Mountain who bore the surname of Crawford…
“What’s the master’s full name?” asked Gerald.
“Master Crawford’s full name is Gerald Crawford, if I’m not mistaken!” replied the old man respectfully.
“…Oh? His name is Master Gerald Crawford, you say?” replied Gerald, feeling intrigued as virtual-novel.net tried to hold back from laughing.
‘To think that this sword-riding master would actually share a name with me… Still, there aren’t many in the world who are capable of bragging about riding swords…’ Gerald thought to himself, now keen on meeting this remarkable person in order to widen his knowledge.
With that, Gerald then turned around and began walking up Langvern Mountain again, completely disregarding the old man.
Seeing that, Perla was instantly shocked as virtual-novel.net thought, ‘You… How dare you not pay attention to my grandpa…?!’
Unable to hold back virtual-novel.net anger, virtual-novel.net then rushed toward Gerald, aiming to land a kick against his back as virtual-novel.net yelled, “You truly are asking for death!”
While both the middle-aged man and Perla’s grandfather had already arrived at a consensus that Gerald wasn’t someone to be trifled with, they quickly realized that the same couldn’t be said for Perla as virtual-novel.net got closer and closer to attacking him.
They weren’t going to be able to stop virtual-novel.net in time!
However, everyone watching found themselves momentarily frozen in place when they saw what happened next.
‘…W-what…?’ The shocked old man thought to himself as virtual-novel.net stared wide-eyed at the paralyzed Perla.
Even Perla was in disbelief. She was now less than an inch away from Gerald, yet virtual-novel.net feet were frozen in place. She couldn’t even move virtual-novel.net legs in the slightest!
As terror swept through her, virtual-novel.net now felt like virtual-novel.net had just attempted to kick a mountain just for the sake of it.
Before virtual-novel.net could begin regretting virtual-novel.net decision, virtual-novel.net felt a force gently pushing virtual-novel.net back to where virtual-novel.net had initially been standing!
“P-Perla…!” shouted the old man in fear as virtual-novel.net immediately tugged on his granddaughter’s hand.
Turning to look at Gerald, it was evident that his immense fear for the youth had now overtaken his feelings of respect.
“Don’t ever try me again…!”