However, in a sense, this matter was not yet over for her...
From Griseo's understanding of Talulah and the others, they would probably come to her later to fish for information and try to ask something out of her.
After all, they had gained nothing from Sakura when it came to information. There was simply too much they did not know.
"...!"
Since she could not move around recklessly, Griseo's little mind had been wandering nonstop. As she thought and thought, she remembered something—something very important.
That was, if she remembered correctly, the group of mercenaries from the Americas led by W were supposed to come and join up with the Reunion Movement this month.
And among that group of mercenaries... there seemed to be Mudrock as well!
Griseo immediately perked up and secretly began thinking about how to poach people from Rhodes Island ahead of time. Not just Mudrock—she wanted Big Bob and the others to stay too.
But Griseo also knew this would not be easy. After all, she remembered that Mudrock had left the Reunion Movement in the game because their ideals did not align.
But as for exactly what ideals they disagreed on, the little girl had no memory of it at all...
It seemed that once they arrived later, she would need to observe carefully.
PS: Updates may not be frequent these next few days because I'm pushing for a recommendation. If I update too much, my average subscriptions won't rise. But I can start adding extra chapters on Friday.
And tomorrow's update will be earlier too. I'll try to post it in the morning. Tomorrow is important, so I hope subscriptions will be higher. Please.
Paintings and Food
"Mm... huh?"
While Griseo had been lost in her thoughts, Alyona rubbed her eyes and slowly woke up.
She turned her head in confusion, her little face blank as she looked at the little girl beside her.
"Good morning... Alyona."
Noticing that Alyona had woken up, Griseo quickly pulled her thoughts back and greeted her calmly.
"Morning...!"
Alyona answered instinctively, while also noticing what position she was currently in.
Though she was startled again, compared to before... her reaction was not as strong. Her ears merely reddened slightly as she slowly released the arms wrapped around Griseo.
"Mm, let's get up later and go eat together."
Seeing Alyona looking so cute, Griseo reached out like an older sister and gently patted her head. Little did she know that she herself looked incredibly adorable too.
This time, though, since both of them were lying down, the little girl did not need to stand on tiptoe to pat her head like before.
"Okay."
Feeling the touch on top of her head, Alyona not only did not resist, but even lowered her head slightly to make it easier for Griseo.
"It's nice and warm under the blanket. Alyona, lie down a little longer..."
After withdrawing her hand, Griseo leaned close to her companion's ear and whispered softly.
After saying that, she gently lifted a corner of the blanket, carefully slipped out of the warm bed, and stood on the mattress in her thin clothes.
Then, without even needing Griseo to call for him, the huge Mr. Wolf appeared beside her, holding the little white dress from before.
"Thank you, Mr. Wolf."
Taking the clothes from Mr. Wolf, Griseo softly thanked him. Then she prepared to change.
Noticing that the little girl intended to change clothes, Mr. Wolf vanished at once and returned to the world of paintings.
Alyona, who was lying on the bed, also blushed and buried her little head beneath the blanket.
Griseo did not pay much attention to either of their reactions. She quickly changed into the clean outfit in her hands, then took small steps to carefully move to the edge of the bed, preparing to climb down.
But the instant the little girl was about to get down, Mr. Wolf appeared again and supported his beloved princess, helping her land steadily on the ground.
This time, Mr. Wolf did not hurry to disappear. He first took out a little white painter's cap and placed it on his princess's head, then carefully gathered the clothes she had just taken off from the bed.
"Mm, since... I've changed back into these clothes, Mister Knight should come back too."
Barefoot in her white dress, Griseo summoned her paintbrush and lightly spun in place. With a smile in her eyes, she spoke to Mr. Wolf before her.
Then azure light burst forth, and the enormous Mr. Wolf with his red body and gold trim quickly transformed back into the Azure Knight who protected the princess.
"..."
Hearing the movement outside and assuming Griseo had finished changing, Alyona quietly poked out her face, which had turned red from holding her breath.
But when she opened her eyes, all she saw were brilliant colors and their source nearby. She froze slightly, a trace of amazement flashing through her pale green eyes.
Since they had not known each other for very long, this was Alyona's first time seeing Griseo in a white dress. Paired with the pure white painter's cap... it perfectly brought out her innocence and purity.
"Mm... welcome back, Mister Knight."
Looking at the Azure Knight who had returned, a faint smile appeared in Griseo's eyes. Then, with a thought, she spoke softly.
"..."
In response to his princess's welcome, Mister Knight gracefully returned the gesture with a bow. Only then did he take the changed clothes and disappear.
"Alyona...?"
After her Mister Knight disappeared, Griseo looked again at Alyona, who was showing a crimson little face and seemed somewhat absentminded.
"I'm getting up right now!"
Noticing Griseo's gaze, Alyona jolted, snapped back to her senses, and suddenly sat up... so fast that she nearly tore open her wound.
"???)!"
Faced with her companion's sudden huge movement, the little girl was completely stunned.
After coming back to herself, she calmly said, "Mm, be more careful... you're still injured, and it would be bad if you caught a cold."
"I know..."
Although Alyona nodded after hearing Griseo's reminder, she did not choose to lie back down. Instead, she began changing and getting dressed at incredible speed.
"???)?"
Watching Alyona listen without really listening, Griseo did not know what to say for a moment.
And in the brief time she hesitated, Alyona had already changed clothes at lightning speed, left the warm bed, and sat to one side to put on her shoes.
"Mm... it seems Alyona is the bad child Mama Aponia talked about. You don't cherish your body at all."
As she spoke, helplessness flashed through Griseo's large violet eyes, and she walked toward her companion.
"Mm?"
Alyona had already put on her shoes and was ready. Hearing Griseo's words, she tilted her head in confusion.
Clearly, she had not yet understood what the little girl meant.
"..."
This time, Griseo did not speak again. She simply walked expressionlessly to Alyona's side, took someone's icy little hand, and silently covered it with her own.
"?"
This left Alyona utterly confused, completely unable to understand what was happening.
But feeling the warmth and softness around her hand, she did not dare move recklessly either.
Fortunately, the little white bear did not move. Otherwise, Griseo might have tried the method she had thought of before but never actually put into practice.
For example, imitating—or perhaps being stained by—the color of Aponia in Griseo's memories, then properly educating a child who did not take care of her own body.
After Alyona's body had warmed up, Griseo took her through a simple wash and then left the tent.
After all, the two of them had dawdled in the tent for quite a while, and both were hungry. It was time to go out and find something to eat.
By the campfire—
"It's about time, isn't it? Shouldn't we wake Griseo and the others?"
While eating her simple breakfast, Alina seemed to remember something. She paused and turned to the person beside her.
Hearing Alina's words, Talulah also paused mid-meal. A hint of helplessness flashed through her eyes as she said:
"Don't rush. We don't need to talk about the other child, but Griseo hasn't rested well these past few days. Let her sleep a little longer."
"Mm... that is true. Then let those two little ones sleep a while longer." After thinking for a moment, Alina nodded gently, agreeing with her close friend.
Just after their conversation ended, a small disturbance arose nearby, drawing both of their gazes in that direction.
Then they saw two little figures, one tall and one short, walking toward them hand in hand.
"Good morning... Talulah, Sister Alina."
Noticing that Talulah and Alina had seen her, Griseo instinctively quickened her pace and spoke with an expressionless little face.
"Good morning, little one. How did Alyona sleep last night?"
"Good morning, little Griseo, Alyona. Come eat breakfast with us. You must both be hungry, right?"
In response to the little girl's greeting, both Talulah and Alina smiled and answered gently.
"Mm, we both slept well. It was nice and warm under the blankets..."
Faced with someone's question, Griseo naturally answered truthfully and obediently, as a good child should.
"I slept well too."
Alyona, however, was different. Though she also answered normally, there was no emotion in her voice. Together with her hoarse tone, she seemed even colder.
Moreover, the lively, shy expression she had worn in the tent vanished the instant she stepped outside... leaving only endless coldness and distance.
"As long as you slept well, that's fine. Come eat, you two. Don't just stand around in this freezing weather."
As she spoke, Alina offered the two little ones a gentle smile.
"That's right, come over." Talulah nodded as well, then stood and gently pulled both little ones over beside the fire.
Both Alina and Talulah had actually noticed the coldness, distance, and even wariness Alyona showed toward them.
But neither of them cared much, or rather, they considered it normal. After all, on this cannibalistic snowfield, it would be truly strange not to know how to disguise oneself or maintain some vigilance.
To put it more dramatically, without strength, if someone could not disguise themselves and had no vigilance... this land might have swallowed them without mercy long ago.
As Griseo sat to one side and quietly ate from a small bowl, Talulah and Alina occasionally glanced at her, both looking as though they wanted to say something but could not bring themselves to do so.
Even after a night had passed, there were still things they were very curious about. And now, the only one who could answer their questions was Griseo, this one little child.
Yet neither of them had figured out how to begin... especially with Alyona sitting beside them.
But Griseo, who had been watched the whole time, finally could not bear it any longer and spoke first. "Oh, right, there's something else I haven't given Talulah..."
From the very beginning, the little girl had noticed Talulah's gaze and intentions, waiting for them to ask. But who would have thought that even after she finished eating, no question had come.
That was why Griseo ultimately could not hold it in any longer and spoke first.
However, what she wanted to tell Talulah was not about Sakura, but about something else—something she had nearly forgotten.
"What is it?"
Upon hearing Griseo's words, Talulah temporarily set aside her hesitation and asked curiously.
Alina, who sat beside her, also had a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. She perked up and listened quietly.
"It's... the second painting I drew that night." As she spoke, Griseo blinked her large violet eyes.
"Which night... oh, that night!"
Talulah did not understand at first, but once she did, she not only remembered what had happened that night, but also recalled what Sakura had said last night. She then asked curiously:
"So why did you draw so many paintings that night, little one?"
"Because I saw a snake... and sealed it inside a painting." Griseo's expression turned serious as she said this.
"...?!"
Before you continue