Must protect. Both Ivy and Sora.
I wonder if the liquid parts of the failed potions are affecting Sora in any way. Maybe it'll become a little bit tougher? I got the impression that broken slimes are so fragile they'd have max HP in the single digits if this were a game. Less than 5, even.
For all the oppressive atmosphere and danger in the first few chapters, I'm kind of relieved at how relatively peaceful this has become. Snakes are still dangerous, but she knows how to catch them safely.