"However, there is a sense of discord about you. Could you tell me why?"
Suddenly, Puck turned to look at Shendu, confusion written across his small face as if something puzzled him greatly.
"Discord?"
At his words, Shendu's heart skipped a beat. She immediately guessed that this spirit might have sensed something about her secret.
"What do you mean?"
She feigned ignorance, hoping to brush it off.
"The color of your soul doesn't match your body. You should understand what I'm referring to."
As a high-ranking spirit, Puck smiled mysteriously, looking completely confident.
Despite his small appearance, this spirit was clearly sharp-witted, not a fool. This half-threatening approach suggested he wanted something from her.
"Keep this a secret, and I can agree to do something for you."
Realizing Puck had something to ask of her, Shendu raised a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture, staring at the spirit as she chose to compromise slightly.
"Tell me, from the very first moment you saw Lia, what did you feel?"
Faced with her agreement, Puck asked with a faint smile.
"Cute. Kind-hearted. Extremely gentle toward others."
Unable to guess what Puck was getting at, Shendu answered honestly.
When she first arrived in this world, she too had been ostracized by passersby in the kingdom because of her silver hair. If she had been treated that way, then Emilia, as a half-elf, must have suffered even greater discrimination.
"Yes. There is no better silver-haired half-elf in this world than her. She is this world's greatest blessing."
Puck spoke with heartfelt emotion. Shendu grew even more confused, convinced that the spirit was leading up to some request.
Seeing that Puck still intended to drag things out, Shendu grabbed him off her shoulder with one hand, lifted him up with both hands, and fixed him with her crimson eyes.
"Stop being cryptic. What exactly do you want me to do?"
She shot him an impatient look, clearly running out of patience.
"Don't rush. What I'm asking is simple. After five in the evening, I basically fall into a state of slumber. No matter how strong I am, I can't manifest during that time. You know that."
Shendu nodded silently, waiting for him to continue.
"Lia is inherently kind. But in this world, kind people cannot survive."
Puck sighed softly, deeply emotional.
This world thrived on the law of the jungle—the strong grew stronger, the weak grew weaker. Kindness held little value here and could even become a burden.
"So you want me to act as a bodyguard and protect Emilia's safety?"
Understanding Puck's intention, Shendu was not particularly surprised. What puzzled her, however, was something else entirely.
He clearly knew her secret, yet he still entrusted Emilia to her protection. That alone was strange.
"Yes. You're the only one I truly trust. Please, I must ask you to agree."
Puck gazed at Shendu with sincere eyes, his face filled with expectation.
"Why? Surely you don't have to trust me of all people."
Shendu found it odd. Shouldn't discovering her secret have made him drive her away? Why was he instead asking her to protect Emilia?
...
"There are three reasons. Listen carefully."
Puck floated upward, cleared his throat with one tiny paw, and began listing his reasons.
Shendu watched him with curiosity, wanting to see what this spirit would say.
"First, as a mage, you don't need incantations. You can cast magic instantly, can't you?"
Emilia had already told Puck—while he was in his sleeping state—about how Shendu had instantly annihilated three hundred bandits, and even wiped out thousands more by other means. That level of power was terrifying.
"That's right."
Shendu was slightly puzzled. She did not know how her magic differed from the magic of this world.
"Most mages in this world require chants. Only high-tier mages can cast spells instantly. And you're even stronger than they are."
Puck spoke firmly, fully acknowledging her strength.
"Second, you're a traveler. You have no deep ties to this country. And you've never discriminated against Lia."
"Third, you're decisive in killing. When facing bandits, you didn't hesitate to strike. That's why I can trust you."
"Speaking of high-tier mages, isn't the lord of this noble territory Roswaal? Do you not find him trustworthy?"
Shendu was somewhat surprised. It seemed this spirit truly could read people well.
"That's right. I don't trust him. If there were any other force willing to support Lia, I would never have chosen him."
Puck's tone turned serious. Whether it was Roswaal or his two maids, Puck did not particularly like them.
"I'm honored by your trust. I accept your request."
"Hehe. I'll be counting on you to look after Lia from now on."
In the end, Shendu agreed without hesitation. A joyful expression appeared on Puck's face. Finding such a capable enforcer made him feel truly fortunate.
Not far away, under Puck's half-threatening, half-pleading persuasion, Shendu had ultimately agreed. In any case, it did not seem to conflict much with her own mission.
Nearby, once the glowing particles surrounding Emilia gradually disappeared, she opened her blue-violet eyes and exhaled a long breath.
Just as she relaxed, she heard voices drifting from a distance. Curiosity stirred within her, and she slowly walked toward them.
"Puck, Sister Shendu, what are you talking about?"
Emilia approached and asked curiously. Their private conversation sparked nothing more than simple curiosity.
"Nothing much. This young lady has agreed to protect you. She's very reliable. From now on, try to seek her help whenever you can."
Puck pointed at Shendu as he explained his thoughts to Emilia.
"What? That would be troubling someone else. Besides, Sister Shendu would protect me even without you saying so."
Emilia's cheeks flushed as she responded in a slightly huffy tone. Yet the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. Clearly, she did not dislike Shendu's protection.
Seeing his daughter's expression, Puck's round little face showed satisfaction.
It was obvious that although Emilia was genuinely happy, she was still a bit tsundere, too shy to express her feelings straightforwardly.