"..."
After Andrei finished speaking, the three people present fell into an eerie silence. Alina wore the strangest expression of them all.
After all, she was more or less the first companion Griseo had met and protected.
Although Alina did not know which person Andrei meant by "Tyrant," she guessed that he was probably someone similar to Griseo's Mister Knight.
Only then did she realize that she had still underestimated the little one. And severely so...
"Flash Strike..."
"Whew, forget it. Let's discuss how we'll move next and go meet up with Yelena."
After letting out another breath, Talulah spread the map across the table and changed the subject.
"Mm... I think... if we're going to meet... Yelena... we should take... this route..."
Clearly, Talulah's change of subject was successful. Everyone quickly turned their attention to the map.
"..."
After quickening her pace back to the warehouse, Griseo turned around and shut the door directly, cutting off the gazes and colors outside.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so flustered?"
Although Griseo's little face still showed little expression, Lois and the others could see her slight panic.
"Mm..."
Hearing her friends' voices and seeing the concern in their eyes, Griseo gradually relaxed and slowly walked over to them.
Then, without a word, she threw herself into Alyona's arms.
"?"
That only made everyone present even more confused.
Alyona reached out and gently patted Griseo's back, silently comforting her.
"Are you all right? Did something happen outside?"
After comforting her for a while and seeing that Griseo still did not react, Alyona asked softly in her hoarse voice.
This was the first time Alyona had seen Griseo like this, and she began to wonder whether the girl in her arms had suffered some kind of grievance outside.
At the same time, she felt a little guilty... If she had known this would happen, she would have followed Griseo out just now.
Although Alyona knew she was weak, she could at least stand in front of Griseo when it came to some small matters.
"I'm fine..."
However, to everyone's surprise, when Griseo raised her head again, her entire aura had changed drastically. Her violet eyes, once gleaming with light, had become somewhat dim, filled with complicated emotions.
P.S.: I noticed a small problem. How should I put it? I've quit both of these games for a while now. The major settings and such can be looked up, but the minor details really can't be found. If there are any small inaccuracies, feel free to point them out normally, and I'll correct them.
Of course, if someone starts insulting me, then don't blame my bad temper.
Come on, urge me to update.
I'm opening another portal. I refuse to believe this.
Painting and Reconnaissance Results
"I'm fine..."
However, to everyone's surprise, when Griseo raised her head again, her entire aura had changed drastically. Her violet eyes, once gleaming with light, had become somewhat dim, filled with complicated emotions.
"?"
The three people who had already been worried about Griseo were left dumbfounded by the little girl's sudden change.
Something was wrong... All three of them felt that something was very wrong.
"Uh, little Griseo, are you really all right?"
After swallowing, Lois asked quietly in an uncertain tone.
"Me? Nothing happened... Don't worry about me." Hearing that, Griseo lifted her little head and softly looked at Lois with eyes filled with complicated emotions.
"Did little Griseo... imitate someone again?"
Leos, standing to the side, seemed to recall something and spoke uncertainly.
Hearing that, Lois remembered as well. She narrowed her eyes and asked curiously, "Right, imitation... So who is little Griseo imitating this time?"
"I don't know... Maybe she met someone outside. Besides, we still haven't figured out the conditions for the little one to imitate people." As he spoke, Leos gently shook his head.
"Then what do we do? She's obviously not normal right now."
"Wait, I suppose. What else can we do..."
"..."
While the two Yeti Squad members discussed Griseo's condition, Alyona remained silent, staring blankly at the little girl in her arms, who gave her both a strange and familiar feeling.
"Is... something wrong? Alyona, don't worry about me. Or do you want to obtain something from me..."
After saying that, Griseo lowered her head and softly gazed directly at the girl holding her with her complicated, confused eyes.
Finally, after meeting Griseo's gaze and seeing the emotions within it... Alyona realized something. Then she asked uncertainly, "...Griseo... are you imitating me?"
"?"
At Alyona's words, a trace of confusion flashed through Griseo's eyes, but she did not answer the question.
The two Yeti Squad members, who had been arguing intensely just moments ago, also turned to look over.
After observing carefully for a while, Lois revealed an understanding expression and said softly, "So that's it. The little one is imitating Alyona... You scared me. I thought she had imitated someone bad."
"But seriously, I'm even more curious now. What exactly are the requirements for little Griseo to imitate someone? Contact? That can't be right. The little one never touched Big Daddy. How strange."
Rubbing his chin, Leos spoke thoughtfully.
"..."
After that, Griseo stopped speaking and buried her little head in Alyona's arms again.
Seeing the little girl like this, Alyona's face showed a hint of helplessness, and she began stroking Griseo's back again.
"Mm..."
After resting for a while and letting the colors staining her fade away, Griseo raised her head again and looked at Alyona. "Your color is very beautiful... Can I use it to paint?"
"Yes."
Almost without thinking, Alyona nodded and agreed.
Although Alyona still did not understand what exactly the colors Griseo spoke of were, she had agreed before. She was not someone who liked going back on her word.
After receiving an affirmative answer, Griseo withdrew from the girl's embrace, stood up, and walked to the side.
As usual, she took out her easel, drawing paper, paints, and other tools... then began to paint, immersing herself in it.
After finishing this painting, Griseo still planned to give it to the owner who had provided the color. It would also serve as thanks for helping her escape those murky colors.
If she were the real "Griseo," she definitely would not dislike—or perhaps would not care about—being stained by that kind of color. But Griseo herself did mind it somewhat...
She could accept actively staining herself with those murky colors for certain reasons, but she did not want to be passively stained by them.
After Griseo began painting, Alyona stood up and walked over to watch. This was the first time she had ever seen someone paint so formally in front of her.
At the same time, she became curious about what kind of painting the little girl would create with her "color"...
Lois and the other Yeti Squad member were no exception. They both watched Griseo paint with curious eyes.
Reunion Movement Camp—
"Since we've decided on the route and plan, let's begin moving. The faster we act, the lower the risk." After finalizing the plan, Talulah stood up and looked sternly at the others.
"Mm, I... will gather... people."
After nodding lightly, Patriot stood and walked out of the tent.
"I'll go make preparations too."
After nodding to Talulah and Alina, Andrei followed Big Daddy out of the tent.
Only after watching the two leave did Talulah turn to her close friend beside her and mutter quietly, "I want to go too."
"It seems there's no chance this time. Patriot has decided to personally bring Yelena and the others back. And someone has to remain in the camp to protect everyone else, doesn't she?"
Seeing Talulah like this, Alina could not help but laugh softly. Then she continued, "All right, go rally everyone too."
"Okay, I'm going."
Returning Alina's words with a helpless smile, Talulah walked outside as well.
The instant she stepped out of the tent, the Dragon Girl put away the smile in her eyes and regained the bearing and presence of a leader.
"..."
Noticing this, a trace of amusement flashed through Alina's eyes.
Then, she began organizing the things on the table for Talulah.
"It's snowing again..."
Sakura stopped walking, raised her hand to catch a snowflake drifting down from the sky, and spoke softly.
After investigating for some time, combined with the information from Griseo's side, she could now almost confirm that the enemy had not arrived yet... More precisely, they had not yet entered the range of this vast forest.
If they had entered, there was no way Sakura would have failed to notice.
So there was nothing she could do but wait for now. She also had to prepare for the possibility that the enemy and the reinforcements sent by the Reunion Movement might run into each other.
However, it was not a major problem. To Sakura, it was only somewhat troublesome, nowhere near difficult to handle.
P.S.: Urge me more, and there will be bonus chapters.
I originally planned to repay the reward after the story was put behind a paywall, but I need to rush to get it published this week. Tsk. No more slacking off.
Let me recommend a friend's book again.
Xiali, race: Gaia, combat experience: ∞ years.
Although she was nominally on the same level as Doctor Kal'tsit, she always seemed to hang around Rhodes Island's cafeteria...
For some reason, Miss Xiali and Doctor Kal'tsit always looked like an old married couple, and they liked picking up children everywhere to raise.
Talulah of the royal bloodline, Chen, Lungmen officer Hoshiguma, a young woman from the Sarkaz, even Amiya, the leader of Rhodes Island—they were all picked up by her.
Come to think of it, perhaps it is just my imagination, but these children always seem a little too affectionate toward Miss Xiali...
Additionally, according to a Sarkaz vampire woman who wished to remain anonymous, even Doctor Kal'tsit herself seemed to have been raised single-handedly by Miss Xiali...
Hiss... Doesn't that mean they're from different generations—Aah, Doctor Kal'tsit, I really didn't mean to say your girlfriend was old—sjgldvjeuwfpdcw!
Gray Monster
At this moment, the mine warehouse was utterly silent. No one spoke, and no one conversed. Only the sound of a brush dipping into paint and gliding across paper remained.
"..."
Alyona, who had been standing behind Griseo and attentively watching her paint, had at some point widened her beautiful light-green eyes.
As someone born and raised on the Ursus Snowfield, this was Alyona's first time seeing such vivid and dazzling colors...
Yet whether it was Griseo's extraordinary painting skill or those gorgeous colors, both gave Alyona a fresh and shocking feeling. She felt that this sensation was wonderful.
The two Yeti Squad members seated not far away were not so shocked by the dazzling colors as Alyona, a child, was.
But they still marveled inwardly at Griseo's exceptional painting skill, which did not match her age at all.
Before you continue