The Slime Doesn't Die from Mana Transfer

“By the way, big sis—”

“Don’t call me that. Just call me Winnie.”

“Then, Miss Winnie… back at the city gate, why did you help me like that?”

Rozelite asked, her curiosity genuine.

This wasn’t Russell’s influence. She really wanted to know.

On the road, Winnie had told her she wanted nothing to do with nobles. No matter what Rozelite planned to do, it had nothing to do with her.

Yet, at the city gate, Winnie had stood up to the Alexander for her sake. That didn’t make sense. Whether helping her or opposing nobles, Winnie had no reason to do so.

“Well…” Winnie’s lips curled into a smile.

“Because right now, I’m an adventurer.”

“An adventurer?”

Rozelite blinked.

“Our captain always says: to finish a commission safely and efficiently—that’s the mark of a professional.”

That’s right. Not nobles, who preach lofty ideals while scheming in secret. But adventurers, who accept a commission and see it through, safely and efficiently.

That was the life Winnie sought.

Neither she nor Russell noticed that her simple answer planted a small seed in Rozelite’s heart. Given light and soil, it would surely take root and grow.

Ato City was far from prosperous.

The cobblestone streets felt empty. The few vendors lounged in chairs, too lazy to hawk their wares. Pedestrians were scarce. Those who passed did so quickly, hardly anyone lingered.

This was, after all, a border town. Unlike the fertile and pleasant southern lands, Ato had neither arable fields nor trade routes.

In history, its value was as a fortress.

But now, with the Great Barrier erected and war a thing of the past, its purpose had faded.

Even so, a fortress town, though diminished, still had its core institutions: lord’s manor, Adventurer’s Guild, church, granary, and more. Facilities meant, in a sense, to sustain the garrison stationed here.

Winnie led Rozelite to the Adventurer’s Guild.

The Guild wasn’t just a place to post jobs. It was half an official institution, with branches across towns large and small.

For example, when Blue Falcon came to execute their extermination mission, headquarters in the capital had dispatched orders to the Ato branch to assist and provide logistics.

The Ato branch wasn’t large. Just a stone building near the town’s center. If not for the gilded lettering above the door, one might mistake it for a tavern.

Creak—

Winnie pushed open the door and brought Rozelite inside.

In the corners of the hall sat a few men drinking and chatting. They spared the newcomers only a glance before resuming their cups and boasts.

With Ato’s small population and no nearby villages, commissions were rare. Naturally, few adventurers could make a living here.

That was why the capital had sent reinforcements for the current mission.

“Miss Winnie, has the commission been completed?”

The receptionist greeted them warmly.

Winnie shook her head.

Seeing the confusion on the woman’s face, Winnie pointed at the girl behind her.

“We found this child in the forest.”

“Huh?”

The receptionist’s eyes widened.

Dieppe Forest bordered the Great Barrier. It was the northernmost stretch of woodland in the whole kingdom. The only nearby town was Ato.

With Ato’s tiny population, news of any missing person spread fast. And lately, there’d been no such cases.

So where had this girl come from? Out of the ground?

“Could you… explain the situation?” the receptionist asked hesitantly.

“Nothing much to explain. We found her in the forest.”

Winnie had no interest in spinning a story.

The more you explain, the more holes there are. Holes must be patched with lies. Lies are holes themselves. Layer after layer, and it all collapses into a loop of self-contradiction.

“Doesn’t the Guild have an obligation to provide shelter to civilians harmed by monsters?”

Winnie crossed her arms, her voice sharp.

“Miss Winnie, you’re putting us in a difficult spot.”

The receptionist pressed her lips.

“Yes, by our rules, we should provide shelter, but only after confirming their identity. We must ensure she’s a legitimate subject of the kingdom. So, little one, can you give us some information about yourself?”

Winnie stayed silent.

Rozelite shook her head.

“I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember?”

“Mhm. I feel like I’ve forgotten a lot of things.”

She gave the same line as before.

But the receptionist wasn’t convinced.

No missing persons in Ato. And now, an amnesiac stranger appearing out of nowhere?

What if she was lying? What if she was a spy from beyond the Barrier?

If they took her in, and trouble followed, who would be held responsible?

The chance might be slim, but who would risk it? This was work, not a gamble with one’s life.

The standoff dragged.

Rozelite grew anxious.

Her identity wasn’t shameful. Maybe it was time to reveal herself.

Winnie was trustworthy. The Guild couldn’t possibly be her kidnappers.

If she revealed she was the Seventh Princess, surely the Guild would report it up the chain. Then she’d get the help she needed to return to the capital.

As she steeled herself to speak, Russell’s voice echoed in her mind.

“This is going to hurt. Bear with it.”

“What—”

She froze.

Then pain tore through her body, her organs convulsing as if ripped apart.

“Pwah!”

She vomited blood, her strength vanishing. She collapsed to the floor, vision darkening.

[Symbiosis Lv4]—Deactivated!

With Russell pulling back the tendrils that had been patching her wounds, Rozelite’s true condition was laid bare.

The [Severe Injury] status wasn’t just for show. Russell hadn’t been joking—without his support, she’d have died already.

Blood quickly stained the guildhall floor.

The receptionist’s heart lurched. Forget questions of identity—if this girl died in the Adventurer’s Guild, it would be her job on the line.

“Quick! Get her to a doctor, now!”