Ayame: Can You Take Me In?; Escalating Further

Chiyo turned around.

Ayame was struggling to climb up from the ground. The wound on her hind leg was still bleeding, and the pain made her tremble.

Ayame (grown up)

She raised her head and looked at the man before her.

Moonlight fell across him, outlining the figure in black robes as though he had stepped out of a painting.

His white hair drifted softly in the wind. His crimson eyes were calm as still water, yet unfathomably deep.

Ayame's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

She could not explain what that feeling was.

It was as if something had struck her chest, yet also as if something had taken root in her heart.

"My lord?"

Her voice was hoarse and tearful, but she tried hard not to sound so timid.

Chiyo glanced at her.

"Chiyo."

Ayame froze.

Chiyo...

She seemed to have heard that name somewhere before.

"Th... thank you for saving me, my lord..."

She lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer.

"My name is Ayame... I'm from the Demon Wolf Tribe..."

When she mentioned the Demon Wolf Tribe, her voice clearly caught in her throat.

Chiyo said nothing.

The Demon Wolf Tribe?

Shouldn't that tribe have been in the northeastern region?

Seeing Ayame's state, he immediately understood roughly what had happened.

He merely looked at the wound on her hind leg. After a moment of silence, he took a small porcelain bottle from his robes and tossed it over.

"Apply it."

Ayame hurriedly caught the bottle, fumbling as she opened it and poured the medicinal powder onto her wound.

The moment the powder entered the wound, a cool sensation spread through her body, and the pain visibly faded.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at Chiyo.

"This..."

Chiyo had already turned away and