In the Ark, Starting as Griseo

As time passed, Griseo's hands finally slowed, and the painting neared its end.

However, just as she was about to add the final stroke, the little girl paused. After a moment of thought, she added the last touch of color.

"Done..."

After finishing, Griseo first admired her work intently before setting down her palette and brushes.

Yet, just emerging from her artistic immersion, the little girl hadn't yet noticed the abnormality of the person watching her paint from behind.

Confirming there were no issues, Griseo took the painting off the easel and hopped down from her stool.

But, as the little girl turned to walk over to Alyona and hand her the painting, she finally realized her companion's strange state.

"Huh?"

Griseo extended her small hand and gently waved it in front of Alyona's eyes, but it was clearly useless... she remained staring straight ahead in a daze, as if fixated on something.

"What's wrong? What are you looking at, Alyona?"

At this moment, Leos noticed Griseo's actions and sensed the abnormality.

"I don't know... maybe it's because she saw my painting?"

Hearing this, Griseo tilted her head to look at the two Yetis, shaking her head slightly as she spoke uncertainly.

Although Griseo hadn't expected Alyona to be so quickly affected by the painting, she wasn't too worried at the moment... because she could feel that the painting in her hands wasn't particularly powerful.

This was proven by the fact that if the painting had been potent, the two Yetis who had been watching Griseo paint alongside Alyona would have been instantly affected as well.

(VI)

Sulfur

2

Liu

Ling

0

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ii

Daughter, Moreover, sometimes a person's color, or rather, their power, can truly influence the outcome of a painting.

If everyone here were as strong as Master Qian, Griseo would hesitate to paint freely, because in such a situation, a painting could inadvertently cause a major disaster.

It was like in "Griseo's" memories, when she had painted a picture for Kalpas, and that painting had had a significant impact, even leading to the destruction of a city district in internal strife.

However, Griseo felt that paintings of that magnitude would only occur if she were to paint for the transformed versions of other characters; under normal circumstances, it shouldn't reach that level.

Even if there were still some influence, it wouldn't cause too much chaos.

"Will little Griseo be affected by your painting? Why is Alyona just frozen in place? Are we going to turn into that too!"

Listening to the little girl's uncertain words, Lois covered her head, exclaiming with a touch of "terror."

"Probably not?"

In response to Lois's question, a hint of doubt flickered in Griseo's eyes as she tilted her head slightly and said softly.

Seeing Griseo's adorable expression, Leos smiled helplessly and teased, "If only your words carried even a sliver of certainty, little Griseo, I'd believe you."

"Alyona will be fine, she's just temporarily affected... she should recover soon."

Saying this, Griseo placed the painting back on the easel and walked over to Alyona to wait.

"Ah..."

Not long after, under the gaze of the three, Alyona finally moved. She let out a startled cry and instinctively took a step back.

"It's okay, I'm here."

Noticing Alyona's movement, Griseo, prepared, stepped forward and gently embraced the girl to comfort her.

Although Griseo didn't know what Alyona had seen... after all, she had painted it, so she would take responsibility for any issues.

"Little Griseo, behind you!"

"Holy crap, the paint... the painting came to life!"

And just as Griseo was comforting her companion, the two Yetis sitting not far away suddenly stood up, shouting warnings and exclamations.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing their warning, the little girl quickly turned her head, and what met her eyes were vibrant colors continuously pouring out of the painting...

Then, those dazzling colors fell to the ground, merging together to manifest a large, obese, and ferocious-looking gray monster.

"Holy shit!"

"What the hell is that thing!"

The moment the monster materialized, it startled everyone except Griseo. Even the two Yetis swore out loud, and Alyona, being held, instinctively took a small step back.

"..."

However, Griseo remained expressionless from beginning to end, calmly watching the monster before her without any fear.

Of course, she did have other emotions, such as confusion.

At this moment, confusion was almost overflowing from the little loli's violet eyes.

She had no idea why a painting that didn't look very strong could suddenly materialize a monster.

And even if its strength was sufficient to materialize something, it should have appeared when Griseo finished the painting.

Just then, Alyona, who had been held in Griseo's arms, spoke softly and tremblingly in her ear, "Griseo... can you make it disappear?"

"Okay."

Sensing the tremor in Alyona's voice, Griseo quickly took out her paintbrush and gently tapped the painting.

Instantly, both the spilled colors on the ground and the gray, terrifying monster were drawn back into the painting... becoming a part of the picture.

"There, it's gone now."

ps: I had something to do this afternoon, so this update is a bit late. There will be another one tonight. I'll do my best to write it. Hurry me along, I'll work overtime tonight.

I was frozen today, running back in the rain without an umbrella.

Chapter 49: Interrogation

"There, it's gone now."

After sending the materialized monster back into the painting, Griseo softly comforted Alyona behind her.

She then added an apology, "Sorry... I didn't expect something like this to happen."

"It's okay... I'm fine. Sorry, can you hold me for a bit?"

After hearing Griseo's words, Alyona responded softly and then hugged the little loli in front of her.

"..."

Although Griseo didn't quite understand why Alyona was apologizing, she still opened her arms and let herself be hugged.

Then, the little loli felt Alyona's body tremble. While she still showed no expression, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

This was the first time Griseo's painting had scared someone... For a moment, she felt at a loss, unsure of what to do.

"...Don't be scared, I'm here."

Finally, Griseo raised one of her arms and gently petted Alyona's fluffy little head, continuing to comfort her softly.

"I think we should give them some space."

"I agree."

Seeing the scene, the two Yetis exchanged glances and whispered to each other.

After reaching a consensus, they quickly walked towards the warehouse door, leaving the space for the two little ones.

"???)"

Watching the two Yetis suddenly leave, Griseo's eyes showed a hint of confusion along with her panic.

"I'm really fine, Griseo, don't treat me like a child."

After calming down for a while, Alyona felt the touch on her head and shook her head, pushing away Griseo's small hand.

"Really?"

Griseo didn't mind her hand being pushed away and asked Alyona softly.

"Yes, I'm not fragile. I just saw something that happened before... Is this the ability of your paintings, Griseo? It's truly magical."

As she spoke, Alyona curved her lips into a smile, wanting to put Griseo at ease.

Hearing this, the little loli seemed to guess the situation. She turned and walked towards the easel, intending to discard the painting that her master disliked.

"Griseo, are you going to destroy it?"

Seeing Griseo take the painting from the easel and prepare to tear it up, Alyona asked.

Upon hearing Alyona's words, Griseo paused with the painting in her hand and then nodded gently. "Yes, because Alyona doesn't like it."

Even though this painting had reached the point where it could materialize things, Griseo didn't mind destroying it if Alyona disliked it.

After all, she didn't lack a monster like this for a guard...

As for Alyona, Griseo would naturally draw her a new one, and... she'd draw a not-ugly one.

After hearing the little loli's words, Alyona's light green eyes flickered slightly, and then she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Leave it, Griseo. I'm not scared."

"……"

Hearing this, although Griseo didn't speak, her violet eyes, fixed on Alyona, clearly conveyed the message: You're lying.

"I'm serious!"

Sensing Griseo's skepticism, Alyona suddenly bristled and retorted.

However, after staring at the little loli for a long time, Alyona finally relented, her hoarse voice whispering, "But, no matter how scared you are, you still need to overcome it. For me, that's already in the past. That person is already dead… so it's fine."

"…Alright then."

Seeing Alyona's increasingly resolute gaze, Griseo finally let go of the painting in her hands and handed it over.

Since her companion felt confident enough to overcome this fear, the little loli had nothing more to say. This was, in a way, a good thing.

After all, in Griseo's memories, there truly was someone who could overcome their fears and live peacefully alongside them.

"Mhm, thank you. This is the first gift I've received in such a long time, I'll cherish it."

After taking the painting handed to her, Alyona's light green eyes flickered, and she offered Griseo a brilliant smile.

Since yesterday, Alyona had repeatedly marveled at her own good fortune in her heart. She had met an angel… and everything from now on would be completely different.

Meanwhile, in the woods surrounding the mine—

"Hm?"

Sakura, who was resting and scouting from a treetop, sensed something and suddenly raised her head, looking into the distance.

She felt a considerable commotion. Even if someone was deliberately trying to suppress it, the noise was still quite loud to her ears…

"……"

Then, Sakura quieted her breathing, lowered her body, and silently concealed herself in the tree, calmly observing what was below.

"Creak—creak—"