In the slums, inside the dilapidated stolen goods warehouse.
After Shendu turned the tide with absolute strength, Felt still hadn't recovered from the shock. She stood frozen in place, like a soulless puppet.
After standing there blankly for a few seconds, Felt finally snapped back to her senses. She threw herself onto the unconscious Old Man Rom and burst into loud sobs, apologizing over and over again.
With Elsa no longer a threat, Emilia finally let out a sigh of relief. However, when she thought about Shendu's unfathomable strength, she couldn't help growing curious about her origins.
Come to think of it, Emilia had never heard of another silver-haired girl like herself within the kingdom, nor had she received any related news.
Yet Shendu seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Her identity was incredibly mysterious, giving people an unfathomable feeling.
"Um, Sister Shendu, may I ask where exactly you come from?"
Emilia asked politely. There was not the slightest hint of suspicion in her eyes—only a desire to know where this girl had come from.
"I come from a very distant place. I'm a traveler. The outskirts of the Kingdom of Lugunica are the first place I arrived."
By now, Shendu had already gathered the basic information about this world and understood that the district she was in fell under the rule of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica.
"But as a traveler... isn't your strength a bit too overwhelming?"
"You defeated that assassin so easily in just a few moves."
Emilia deeply understood the gap between herself and Shendu. The opponent she had struggled against had been defeated in merely two exchanges—and even hunted down by beasts summoned by Shendu.
That kind of power was no simple matter. Perhaps only the noble supporting her could reach such a level.
After saying this, Emilia's intense curiosity was fully stirred. She couldn't help but continue asking.
"It's nothing. Traveling everywhere means encountering plenty of dangers. With strength, you can go anywhere."
"Oh, and I forgot to mention—I'm also an archmage. Close combat is only part of my abilities. What I truly excel at is magic."
Shendu spoke unhurriedly, her crimson eyes filled with calm certainty.
When she revealed her identity as a traveler, Emilia's face lit up. If Shendu was a traveler, then she likely wouldn't be returning anytime soon.
Wouldn't that mean she could invite her into her own camp to accompany her in the Royal Selection? That didn't seem like a bad idea at all.
Moreover, Shendu's performance just now had been remarkable—silver hair as beautiful as her own, a low-key and quiet personality, yet possessing overwhelming strength. Having someone like an older sister by her side didn't seem so bad.
Unknowingly, Emilia had already made up her mind. After regaining her composure, her gaze shifted toward the corner, where she noticed the unconscious Natsuki Subaru and the bloodstains still left on his clothes.
"Right, Sister Shendu. How is your servant? He seemed to have taken a blade for you earlier."
Emilia pointed at Natsuki Subaru, still unaware of his condition.
Given the Bowel Hunter Elsa's cruelty, he was likely either dead or on the verge of death. There didn't seem to be any other possibility.
"I've already healed him. A mere fatal wound is nothing serious."
Shendu replied indifferently as she stepped forward and kicked the motionless Natsuki Subaru.
Bang!
With that kick, the Natsuki Subaru who had been unconscious and snoring was jolted awake.
"Ah! I'm not dead?"
After waking up, Natsuki Subaru hurriedly checked his abdomen. Finding himself completely unharmed—aside from his torn clothes—he looked utterly incredulous.
"Stop clowning around, Natsuki Subaru. Stay quietly to the side while I check on Old Man Rom."
"Yes, Lady Shendu."
Shendu shot him a glare. Natsuki Subaru's expression stiffened. With an awkward smile, he retreated to the side and resumed playing the role of a background character.
...
Felt, who had been crying bitterly, naturally overheard the conversation between Shendu and Emilia. Upon learning that Shendu could save Old Man Rom, she immediately knelt on both knees as Shendu approached and pleaded.
"Lady Shendu, please save Grandpa Rom. As long as you can save him, I'm willing to become your servant—anything!"
Tears filled Felt's eyes as she endlessly blamed herself for stealing that insignia and causing her grandfather to suffer such severe injuries.
Since childhood, Old Man Rom had depended on her for company and had always protected her without ever causing harm. He was one of the few sources of warmth Felt had ever known.
"Stand up. I promise you. It's only a minor injury—let me handle it."
Shendu's composed expression showed not the slightest pressure. She stepped forward, gently patted Felt's head, moved her aside, and examined Old Man Rom's wound.
A vicious gash ran across Old Man Rom's abdomen, blood still flowing steadily from it, leaving his face pale as paper.
"It's just excessive blood loss. Not too troublesome."
As soon as she said this, Emilia and Felt both let out sighs of relief. At the same time, they were extremely curious how Shendu would treat him, so they hurried closer and watched quietly.
Shendu seemed aware of their curiosity and did not keep them in suspense. She gently raised her right hand and placed it above Old Man Rom's abdomen.
At once, the distinctive green magic of the Horse Talisman flowed into the wound. In the blink of an eye, the injury healed rapidly, leaving not even the faintest scar.
Emilia watched in admiration. Even if she tried to heal someone, it wouldn't be nearly that fast.
What an incredible girl. If only I could persuade her to stay...
Emilia thought silently, her favorability toward Shendu steadily increasing.
[Ding~ Emilia's favorability +10. Current favorability: 80.]
After Shendu healed Old Man Rom, Emilia's favorability rose once more, signaling that the half-elf girl had developed an even greater interest in her.
"Huh? Wasn't I already dead?"
After being treated by Shendu, Old Man Rom's fingers twitched slightly. Then he opened his eyes and sat up from the dusty floor.
"No. You weren't dead. I saved you."
Shendu's blood-red eyes were devoid of emotion as she spoke expressionlessly.
"Thank you, little girl!"
Old Man Rom looked at Shendu gratefully, his eyes brimming with the joy of surviving disaster.
"Little girl..."
Shendu murmured those words, glancing down at the gothic lolita dress she was wearing. Another personality within her seemed to be roaring wildly.
Becoming Shendu in this form wasn't my choice either. Unfortunately, my system is completely unreasonable. I have no choice but to complete this world's mission in this appearance.