Li Ke had never been much of a tough guy. When Bai Ye cut his wrist and let him feel his life slipping away, he spilled everything he knew.

He told her where the slaves had come from, who was backing the operation, and how many nobles had taken part in the auctions, among other things.

What reassured Bai Ye a little was that the conspiracy was smaller than she’d expected. The highest-ranking nobles involved were only two marquises, and both of them were already lying here.

It seemed that dealing with this wouldn’t be too much trouble for An Jieli. She had more than enough skill to handle it.

Bai Ye had gotten what she wanted, so she summoned a little of her magic and knocked Li Si unconscious too. She also stopped his bleeding while she was at it.

Bai Ye had no intention of letting him die now. Like all the nobles lying here, he would face the full force of imperial law.

The letter Bai Ye had ordered the middle-aged man to deliver that morning already explained what had happened here. If all went as expected, An Jieli would probably send someone over in two days.

Bai Ye’s black magic was strong enough to keep the nobles here unconscious for five whole days and nights. They wouldn’t have a chance to escape.

Only then could Bai Ye leave in peace and go take care of her own business.

“An Jieli’s going to have her hands full for a while…”

Bai Ye walked over to Yilisi and spoke to her softly.

“I’ll open the cage for you in a moment. Don’t be afraid.”

“…Mm.”

Yilisi answered slowly, her voice barely audible. Bai Ye didn’t mind. She knew how timid and frightened Yilisi was, so she didn’t rush her.

“That’s it. Good girl.”

Bai Ye didn’t say anything else. She gathered magic in her hand and crushed the metal lock on the cage in one go.

The lock shattered with a shrill metallic snap. Yilisi seemed startled by the sound, and her small, fragile body shivered.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s over now.”

Bai Ye opened the cage and held out her hand to Yilisi.

“Come on. You can come out now.”

Yilisi hesitated, as if she couldn’t quite believe it. But when she saw Bai Ye’s gentle, sincere smile, she finally understood that this wasn’t a dream. She really could leave the cage!

“Come on. Take my hand.”

Bai Ye’s voice was so gentle, and her movements so careful, as if she were handling a piece of delicate porcelain.

She knew Yilisi felt terribly unsafe, so she did everything she could not to startle her.

“Th-thank you…”

Yilisi carefully reached out her soft little hand and took Bai Ye’s.

For some reason, the moment her hand met Bai Ye’s, a warm current flowed through her. The unease and despair in her heart slowly began to fade, and Yilisi felt a little of that long-lost warmth return.

“How are you feeling? Are you hurt?”

Yilisi was shorter than Bai Ye. Even standing straight, she only came up to about Bai Ye’s shoulder. She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, and her thin, frail frame and overly pale skin made her seem a little sickly.

Perhaps Bai Ye saw in Yilisi a reflection of her former self—the self who had once been abandoned. The girl’s fragile, melancholy appearance struck a deep chord in her.

Though she’d only just met the fragile girl, Bai Ye found herself treating her with all the tenderness she could muster.

“Is anything bothering you? If you don’t feel well, you have to tell me, okay?”

Bai Ye really was a very gentle person, but today she seemed almost too gentle.

After all, Yilisi looked so much like… so much like Bai Ye herself, back when she’d been thrown out and left lying in the snow…

“Your clothes are so torn. You must be freezing.”

The auction house was underground, and night had already fallen. It really was cold. Bai Ye quickly took a spare robe from her spatial ring and draped it over Yilisi’s shoulders.

“Wear mine for now. Once it’s light tomorrow, I’ll take you to buy some clothes.”

Bai Ye held Yilisi’s hand and felt how cold it was. She cupped it between both of her own.

“Haa… haa… Is that any better?”

“Mm…”

Wrapped in the robe and feeling Bai Ye’s concern, Yilisi felt warmth spread through her.

At last, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. All the emotions she’d kept bottled up burst forth, and she threw herself into Bai Ye’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Wah… I-I was so scared. I was so scared…”

Tears ran down Yilisi’s delicate, pale cheeks and soaked into Bai Ye’s clothes.

But Bai Ye didn’t mind. She held Yilisi close and let her tears soak through her clothes.

“It’s okay. It’s all over now.”

Bai Ye gently stroked Yilisi’s head, comforting her in the softest voice.

Bai Ye had once known the despair of being all alone. She knew Yilisi needed to let it all out. Once she’d cried her heart out and the grief and despair began to fade, she’d be able to return to herself.

“I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Yilisi cried for a long time. Several months had passed since she was kidnapped.

She’d thought she’d spend the rest of her life locked in a dark cage, used as an outlet for other people’s desires. She’d already given up hope for the future.

But she’d never imagined that the silver-haired girl before her would save her from that despair.

The girl was like a knight from a fairy tale, appearing at her side when she was at her most hopeless and helpless.

“Thank you… Thank you for saving me…”

It took a long while for Yilisi to calm down.

Tears still glimmered in her eyes, but the gloom and despair had completely faded. Her expression was no longer blank and lifeless. She’d come alive again.

“Don’t cry. It’s all right now. No one’s going to hurt you anymore.”

Bai Ye reached out and gently wiped the tears from the corner of Yilisi’s eye.

“Where’s your home? How did those men bring you here?”

This was an important question. Bai Ye needed to know what Yilisi had been through and whether she still had somewhere to return to.

Only after learning the answers could she decide what to do for Yilisi.

“My home is in Nokan Territory. I was kidnapped by human traffickers.”

At the thought, the tears in Yilisi’s eyes seemed to tremble again.

“I’ve been gone for so long… Mom and Dad must be so worried…”

From Yilisi’s words, Bai Ye could be sure that she had a home to return to.

In that case, Bai Ye didn’t need to find some other way to look after her. She just had to take her home.

“Nokan Territory? What a coincidence. It’s on my way, too.”

Bai Ye smiled warmly as she stroked Yilisi’s head.

“How about I take you home?”

“R-really?”

Hope filled Yilisi’s eyes. Of course she wanted someone to take her home, but she also knew the silver-haired girl had no obligation to do so.

After all, Yilisi was already grateful that Bai Ye had rescued her. She didn’t dare ask for anything more.

“Of course. If you’ll let me take you, I’ll make sure you get home safe and sound.”

“I-I will!”

“All right.” Bai Ye smiled and took Yilisi’s hand. “But it’s too late to leave tonight. We’ll set out first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Th-thank you… What should I call you…?”

“Just call me Bai Ye.”

Night had grown late, but thankfully, places like inns were still open.

Bai Ye took Yilisi away from the red-light district and checked them into an inn.

The innkeeper did find it strange that two girls had come looking for a room in the middle of the night, but he was running a business and didn’t ask too many questions.

He quickly finished the paperwork and showed them to a room upstairs.

“These are your rooms. They’re right next to each other.”

The innkeeper rubbed his sleepy eyes. It was late, and he was tired too.

“The bedding’s all fresh, and there’s a shower and hot water in the rooms. I’ll leave you to it.”

Yawning, the innkeeper left the two guests and headed downstairs. It was about time to close up, and once he’d taken care of everything, he could go to bed too.

“Go get some sleep. I’ll take you home tomorrow.”

At Bai Ye’s words, Yilisi didn’t move. Instead, she clutched her sleeve and spoke in a trembling voice.

“I-I don’t want to sleep by myself…”

“Oh? Why not?”

“…I’m scared.”

Bai Ye froze for a moment. She knew Yilisi felt unsafe, but she hadn’t realized the girl couldn’t even sleep on her own.

“Do you want to sleep with me, then?”

Yilisi looked a little embarrassed at the question, but she still nodded.

“…Mm.”

Bai Ye gave a wry smile. She’d only asked on a whim, never expecting Yilisi to actually want to share a room with her.

She wasn’t sure whether this was a good idea. The thought of sleeping with Yilisi made her feel a little guilty. But when she saw the hope in the girl’s eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.

Oh well. She’d turned into a girl herself, so it shouldn’t matter.

“All right, then.”

In the end, Bai Ye decided to stay with Yilisi for the night. The girl was still fragile after being rescued, and Bai Ye wanted to do whatever she could to give her what she needed.

She led Yilisi into the room and flicked the switch by the door, turning on the lights.

This world didn’t have electricity, but people didn’t need candles for light, either. They used transparent crystals that glowed when infused with magic.

Set into lamps, these crystals looked just like electric lights.

The crystal lamps brightened the room. Bai Ye hoped that might help Yilisi feel a little safer.

“Go take a bath first. You’re all sticky.”

“C-could we take one together?”

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid to bathe by yourself?”

“…Mm.”

Yilisi’s voice was barely audible. Even she thought she was useless, unable to wash herself on her own.

“It’s okay. I’ll wait outside the door.”

“Really?”

“Really. I won’t lie to you.”

Bai Ye gave Yilisi’s nose a gentle tap.

“Tell me, Yilisi can take a bath by herself, right?”

Maybe Yilisi didn’t want to seem so helpless, or maybe Bai Ye’s encouragement had helped her feel safe.

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.

“Mm!”