"Of course. As long as you're willing to trust me, I will nurture you properly and help you achieve your true wish."
Shendu reached out and stroked Felt's dirty hair, not minding her grimy appearance in the slightest.
Her words seemed to carry a certain magic. After hearing them, Felt's mind echoed with every sentence. Countless possibilities flashed before her eyes, and she grew excited, no longer feeling lost or aimless.
Facing someone as powerful as Shendu, Felt trusted her deeply. Not only was she strong, but she also had no airs about her. Unlike nobles, she felt more like a gentle older sister.
[Ding~ Felt's favorability toward the host +70. Current favorability: 70.]
As expected, Felt was still too young. Shendu had merely painted a grand picture, and she had already chosen to believe it, sparing her any further persuasion.
"That's wonderful, Lady Shendu! Please become my big sister! I'll do my very best—I won't disappoint you!"
Felt pressed herself close, hugging her tightly without the slightest intention of letting go, causing a subtle flicker to pass through Shendu's crimson eyes.
Felt truly was a beautiful girl. Though young, she had a strong personality.
If this had been before her transmigration, Shendu would have happily enjoyed being close to such a pretty girl.
But now that she was playing the role of Shendu, she could only suppress those impulses for the time being.
Reluctantly but gently, Shendu pushed Felt away. She turned to look at Old Man Rom, whose expression was complicated, and offered him a graceful smile.
"Old Man Rom, I'll be taking Felt with me. You don't mind, do you? I promise she'll live a better life in the future."
Meeting Old Man Rom's eyes, Shendu walked over slowly and made her assurance with elegance.
"Not at all. Felt has always been extraordinary. To receive the world's Divine Protection means she is destined for something greater. If you can take care of her, you'll have done this old man a great favor."
Hearing that Shendu was willing to guide Felt, Old Man Rom finally relaxed. After experiencing a brush with death, he had made up his mind not to continue living such a dangerous life.
After today, the stolen goods warehouse in the slums would close for good. He wished to spend his remaining years in peace, free from further trouble.
Old Man Rom was indeed a wise giant elder—able to take things up and put them down. Though reluctant, he did not cling stubbornly.
"Waaah... Grandpa, you're the best!"
Felt threw herself into Old Man Rom's arms once more, tears of joy and excitement streaming down her face.
Watching such a touching scene, Natsuki Subaru—who had practically faded into the background—was so moved that he burst into tears as well, snot and tears flying everywhere, earning a look of disgust from Shendu.
"Wah... This is so moving. My first day in another world and I get to witness something like this."
Natsuki Subaru was extremely emotional. Though the other world was not as wonderful as he had imagined, at least moments like this made it worthwhile.
"Natsuki Subaru. Although you were more of a hindrance this time, you did at least save me once."
"Strength, speed, enhanced vision, or rapid regeneration. Choose one of these four to use from now on."
After Natsuki Subaru had cried enough, Shendu looked at him with a faint smile. Letting the original protagonist choose an ability seemed like an interesting idea.
As for what he would select, she was rather curious.
"Ah! Is this it? The reward for recognizing me as the protagonist?"
Having not experienced death this time, Natsuki Subaru was still his usual goofy self. After thinking carefully for a moment, he fixed Shendu with a determined gaze.
Faced with the silver-haired girl's offer, he pondered for a long while before finally making up his mind.
...
"Lady Shendu, please grant me the power of speed!"
After much deliberation, Natsuki Subaru slapped his fist into his palm, finally settling on his choice.
"Very well. As you wish. You shall gain speed comparable to Felt's Divine Protection of Wind."
Shendu smiled faintly. Under the astonished gazes of Emilia and Felt, pale violet magic gathered in her delicate hand. She walked up to Natsuki Subaru and placed her palm directly on his head.
In an instant, her immense magic surged into his body. Once he felt the new power, he dashed forward—turning into a blur that vanished in the blink of an eye.
Emilia, Felt, and Old Man Rom stared in stunned silence, their estimation of Shendu rising even higher.
"Is that a Divine Protection? How can Sister Shendu possess such power?"
Emilia felt her worldview shatter. Things far beyond her understanding left her deeply confused.
According to legend, only the world itself could bestow Divine Protections. Yet Shendu had defied that rule, granting her servant—who had possessed no combat ability at all—power surpassing Felt's.
The longer Emilia stayed by Shendu's side, the more she felt that the girl carried countless secrets. Perhaps if she kept her close, one day she would uncover them all.
After granting Natsuki Subaru the power of the Rabbit Talisman, Shendu walked over to Old Man Rom. Glancing at the dilapidated surroundings, she struck up a casual conversation, feeling that simply leaving would be inappropriate.
"Old Man Rom, do you plan to remain in the slums?"
Shendu asked curiously, wanting to know what the giant elder intended to do next.
"Yes. But I'll close the stolen goods warehouse and live peacefully from now on."
Old Man Rom had grown weary of the day's events and decided to wash his hands of it all.
"Very good, Old Man Rom. You have not disappointed me. In that case, I shall give you wealth beyond measure. Rebuild the slums into a paradise."
Shendu smiled confidently. Her heeled boot tapped lightly against the ground. In an instant, a golden magic circle formed beneath her feet, and the earth throughout the slums began to tremble.
The shaking lasted for about a minute. The three onlookers were filled with confusion, unable to understand what she had done or why she had spoken such strange words.
Just as they were about to ask, Shendu gently brushed aside the soil at her feet. Beneath the thin layer of dirt lay an enormous quantity of gold coins.
The sheer amount left even Old Man Rom—who had seen his fair share of money—speechless.
"Lady Shendu... this is..."
Old Man Rom struggled to articulate his thoughts, overwhelmed by disbelief at the sight of so much gold appearing so casually.
"At a depth of ten meters beneath the slums, there are high-purity gold coins. Use this money to recruit and build your forces. I want you to rely on your prestige to gather those living on the edge of starvation and establish your own power."
"And you need not worry about the kingdom causing trouble. I will leave subordinates behind to assist you."
A faint smile curved Shendu's lips as she calmly laid out her plans.
Old Man Rom, dizzy from the shock, found himself unable to refuse and nodded in agreement to this bold and unprecedented scheme.