Amber clung to Mio’s neck, refusing to let go. Mio carried her down the sun-drenched streets, the breeze brushing their cheeks. She pushed back her hood, revealing silver hair as she soaked in the afternoon warmth. Amber looked about five or six—a Beastkin child with unusually pale skin and cat-like ears peeking through chestnut hair. Mio didn’t mind the weight.

Back at the inn, Mio asked the front desk if she could keep a slave in her room. The proprietress—a freed slave herself—warmly handed Amber two biscuits. "As long as you don’t damage anything, it’s fine," she smiled. Mio settled Amber on her bed and sank into thought.

*That was reckless!*

Though the old woman’s plea played a part, the real reason was simple: Mio had fallen for Amber’s adorable face on sight. She hadn’t even considered what "Child of the Forest" truly meant. But now that she’d bought her, responsibility settled in. Mio looked up. Amber nibbled the biscuit with intense focus, utterly endearing.

Suddenly, nothing seemed impossible.

*Bang!* The door flew open. Aimee strode in, sword at her hip, skewers in one hand and a wine flask in the other. Her lean, muscular frame defied her carnivorous habits, golden hair and striking features making noblewomen envious.

"Welcome back!" Mio stood politely.

"Whoa!" Aimee pointed a skewer at the bed. "Mio, what *is* this adorable creature? It’s criminally cute! Auntie wants cuddles!" She reached out, but Amber darted behind Mio, peering out with wide, wary eyes. A jolt shot through Aimee. She scooped Amber up instantly, nuzzling her cheeks. Mio could only smile wryly.

At lunch, the trio drew stares—two teenage swordswomen and a rare pale Beastkin child. The innkeeper, thrilled by the sudden crowd, begged them to work there until she spotted their Hamodia Swordsmen insignia. She dropped the idea immediately.

Weapons stored, they set out to buy Amber clothes. The textile district in Annon’s northwest corner bustled with silks and cottons from the south. Garments ranged from copper-bit rags to ten-gold-coin finery. Mio held Amber’s hand tightly while Aimee scanned the crowd like a bodyguard. High above, a drone watched the city.

"We’re being followed," Mio murmured.

"Assassins?" Aimee grinned fearlessly. "My unarmed combat’s rusty. Perfect practice."

"Not assassins." Mio zoomed in on the drone’s feed. Four "Unknown" threats lingered nearby—non-humans. "Beastkin," she confirmed, spotting ears under hoods via infrared.

"Beastkin?" Aimee blinked. "Bold of them in Imperial territory. Alert the guards? They’d love slave-hunting bonuses."

At the word "slave," Amber’s hand trembled slightly. She didn’t understand Imperial tongue, but the term haunted her.

"Let’s watch for now," Mio squeezed her hand. "They haven’t attacked. Enjoy shopping. Oh—skewers over there?"

"*Yes!*" Aimee lunged toward the stall.

Most shopkeepers adored Amber despite Imperial prejudice. Women cooed, offering sweets. After haggling, Mio bought outfits, a hooded cloak to hide Amber’s ears, and a sleeping bag. With her pale skin and covered ears, few would guess her Beastkin heritage.

Back at the inn, Mio planted motion sensors synced to her drone. Dawn came peacefully. As their shabby gray horse clopped past Annon’s gates, Mio severed the sensor link—it dissolved into mud.

High above, the drone scanned the road. Four Beastkin darted through the left-side forest, leaping between trees with subsonic growls. Three broke cover, closing in on the carriage. Mio triggered the drone’s missile.

The projectile dropped, rocket igniting. Mio covered Amber’s ears. The blast ripped through the forest, snapping branches. Smoke cleared to reveal a flattened clearing. Three Beastkin lay dazed in the crater, clothes shredded by the shockwave.

"What happened?" Aimee poked her head out.

"Dealt with our trackers," Mio hopped down. "They’re alive. I’ll extract intel."

"Be quick." Aimee took the reins, settling Amber on her lap.

Mio stepped into the wreckage—uprooted trees, burning debris. The Beastkin groaned, alive only because the missile had veered off-target. She crouched before a gray-haired one and yanked his hood down. Gray ears sprang free.

"Hey." She poked his shoulder. "Still breathing?"

He tensed to attack. Mio frowned—Beastkin healed fast. Her Punisher Combat Pistol flashed out. *Bang!* A shot tore through his uninjured leg. He howled.

"Look at you, full of energy." She pressed the barrel to his temple. "Talk. Why follow us since yesterday?"

He clenched his jaw. Mio sighed. *Bang!* Dumdum rounds shredded his other thigh.

"Filthy human! Kill me!" he spat.

"Gladly." Mio aimed at his head.

"Wait!"

The fourth tracker emerged. She lowered her hood, revealing pointed cat ears—a beautiful woman with sun-kissed skin. "I’m Talasha. I speak Imperial."

"Good. First step." Mio nodded. "Talk in the carriage. Or fight. I’ll annihilate you either way."

Talasha dropped her shortsword. "I accept talks."

"Talasha-*sama*! Don’t trust human lies!" the wounded Beastkin yelled. Mio kicked his jaw shut.

"Wise choice. This way."

Aimee watched Talasha warily, sword within reach. At the sight of her, Amber burrowed deeper into Aimee’s arms, making her giggle.

Cramped in the carriage, Mio cut to the chase. "Why track and attack us, Talasha?"

"I can’t say why," Talasha’s eyes locked on Amber. "Sell me your slave. I’ll pay triple. Please—"

"Are you her mother?" Mio interrupted.

"M-mother?" Talasha’s face flushed crimson. "I’m not even married yet!"

*She has a cute side too.* Mio relaxed slightly. "A relative, then?"

"No."

"Honesty helps negotiations. But you’re neither mother nor kin. I won’t hand Amber over."

"Triple the price! Quadruple!"

"It’s not about coin." Mio shook her head. "Someone entrusted her to me. Children aren’t livestock to trade. I won’t abandon her. You’re unfit to protect her."

Talasha’s eyes welled up.

"Leave," Mio said firmly. "If you want her just because she’s a ‘Child of the Forest,’ I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take her."

"Child of the Forest..." Talasha whispered. "Did Elder Sian tell you?"

"I don’t know her name. An old woman guarded this child until her last breath. I’ll do the same."

"I’m sorry." Talasha bowed her head. "Farewell."

She stumbled out, dazed.

"Watch your step!" Mio called.

"*Meow—yelp!*"

A thud. Mio and Aimee rushed out. Talasha lay face-first in the dirt, having missed the carriage step. Mio helped her up; Aimee dabbed her bloody nose with a handkerchief. Sniffling, Talasha thanked them, casting one last longing look at Amber before vanishing into the trees.

"Letting her go was safe?" Mio asked.

"Eh, better neutral than enemies." Aimee grinned. "But wow, Mio—you were *cool* back there. Even the Grand Captain doesn’t radiate that aura."

Mio chuckled weakly. She’d just recycled tactics from her past life.

Handing Amber to a stranger was absolutely out of the question. She decided to bide her time and watch how things unfolded.