NOVEL NEXT Ch. 11
“What’s your name?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where do you live?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why did you come into this forest? Don’t you know there are monsters here?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you know anything?”
“I don’t know.”
…
In the middle of the white, snow-covered forest, a patch of ground had been cleared.
The four members of Blue Falcon sat in a circle around Rozelite, who sat primly with her hands clutching the hem of her skirt, head bowed uneasily. She repeated exactly as the Slime had told her: no matter the question, just answer with ignorance.
Having rarely told lies in her life, she suddenly felt like she had become a bad child after spewing so many falsehoods in one sitting…
“Ahhh… The world is so full of deception. What a cold, merciless place. The only warmth… is the Slime in my belly.”
In contrast, the four adventurers looked helpless. They had hoped to learn something about the girl—her identity, her situation, her intentions—so they could plan their next move. Instead…
This wasn’t just ignorance. If there was a word for it… it was stupid.
Rozelite: “Ababa…”
“Looks like she has amnesia,” Thomas muttered, stroking his chin.
Kate grinned.
“Maybe she was traveling with her family outside town and got attacked by monsters. Her parents died, she barely escaped, and the trauma made her lose her memory?”
“You’re just making stuff up now,” Thomas rolled his eyes.
“In any case, we can’t just leave her here.”
He squatted down so his gaze was level with hers. His rugged features softened into a reassuring smile.
“Little one, I know you’re scared, but don’t worry. We’ll protect you.”
“R-really?”
Rozelite blinked her wide eyes.
“Mister Uncle, can you help me find Father?”
“U-uncle…”
Thomas’ face froze.
He was only twenty-five.
“Too much talking!”
Russell scolded her through Mental Link. Words like that aren’t good for party unity!
“Do you still remember where your father is?”
Winnie suddenly asked.
Her arms were crossed, her eyes holding a peculiar sharpness.
“I don’t remember.”
Rozelite shook her head again.
“I see.”
Winnie didn’t press further. She turned to look at Thomas.
The others followed her gaze. As captain, it was his call.
Thomas stood and gave his order.
“Winnie, you’ll escort the girl back to Ato City and settle her through the Adventurer’s Guild. If the Guild refuses, take the cost out of my account. Chris, Kate, you’re with me—we continue the subjugation mission.”
“Yes!” ×3
…
Soon after, Winnie took Rozelite’s hand, and the two of them set off together.
On the other side, watching them leave, Kate smirked.
“Captain, you noticed it too, right?”
“Mm.”
Thomas nodded.
No words had been exchanged, but years of camaraderie had given the team a silent understanding.
“So you noticed Winnie volunteered, and that’s why you sent her?”
Kate asked.
“There are many reasons. But yes, Winnie is the best choice.”
Thomas crossed his arms, his ironlike muscles taut.
First: the girl might have amnesia, but his gut told him she was probably noble.
Despite Winnie’s resentment toward the aristocracy, she had the most experience dealing with them.
Second: Chris and Kate’s skills in scouting and intelligence were essential for the subjugation. Pulling one of them away could compromise the mission.
Third: Winnie herself had volunteered.
“Tsk tsk. As expected of our captain. A brute with brains,” Kate chuckled.
At a glance, Thomas’ massive frame, his greatsword strapped to his back, gave him the air of a brute. But he was the one who had recruited them, led them from E-rank all the way to S-rank. He was no simple-minded thug.
“Alright, enough,” Thomas’ voice cut through Kate’s musings.
“The girl’s Winnie’s problem now. For us, it’s back to work. Safe, efficient completion—that’s how professionals do it.”
“Yes!”
…
Meanwhile.
With Winnie leading, Rozelite walked down a recently cleared path toward the forest’s edge.
Winnie said nothing, just held the girl’s hand and led the way.
Her silence piqued Russell’s curiosity. From earlier conversations, Winnie seemed to despise nobles. Odd… considering her full name was Winnie Charlotte.
Charlotte. Even back on Earth, Russell knew enough: common folk didn’t have surnames. Only nobles, even ruined ones, clung to their family names. And Charlotte sounded like a house of pedigree.
That wasn’t all.
Winnie’s skill list included one that shone far brighter than the others: Sword Saint’s Blessing Lv. 8.
Just the name made Russell itch with envy.
“If only I could steal that…”
As if hearing his thoughts, Winnie stopped abruptly.
She spoke aloud, almost like muttering to herself.
“Your acting was good—you fooled the captain and the others. But it won’t work on me. Want to know why? Because we’ve met before. You might not remember. You might never have cared. But I know you. Seventh Princess, Rozelite Othinus…”
“What exactly are you planning?”