Someone on Rhodes Island, Turning into Griseo at the Start

However, this matter wasn't over for her in a sense…

Based on Griseo's understanding of Talulah and the others, she figured they'd come to her later to try and pry some information out of her.

After all, they hadn't gained any advantage from Sakura in terms of information; they knew next to nothing.

"…!"

Since she couldn't move around freely, Griseo's little mind was constantly racing with thoughts. As she was thinking, she remembered something, something very important.

That was, if she remembered correctly, the American… W and her group of mercenaries were supposed to meet up with Reunion this month.

And, among this group of mercenaries… there was Mudrock!

Griseo's spirits instantly lifted, and she secretly began thinking about how to poach Rhodes Island's members ahead of time. Not just Mudrock, but Big Bob and the others too. The little loli wanted them to stay.

However, Griseo knew this wouldn't be easy. She remembered that in the game, Mudrock left Reunion because of a difference in ideals.

But, she had no recollection of what specific ideals caused the disagreement…

It seemed that once they arrived, she would need to observe carefully.

ps: Updates might be infrequent these days as I'm trying to get a recommendation. If I update too much, the average subscription count won't go up. However, I'll be able to add more chapters starting Friday.

Also, the update tomorrow will be earlier. I'll try to get it out in the morning. Tomorrow is quite important, and I hope for a higher subscription rate. Thank you.

Chapter 62: Painting and Food (2-in-1)

"Mmm… Huh?"

Just as Griseo was lost in thought, Alyona rubbed her eyes and slowly woke up.

She dazedly turned her head, her small expression a bit confused as she looked at the little loli beside her.

"Good morning… Alyona."

Upon noticing Alyona waking up, Griseo quickly snapped out of her thoughts and greeted her calmly.

"Morn…!"

Alyona instinctively replied, simultaneously noticing her current posture.

However, while she was startled again, her reaction wasn't as extreme as before. Her ear tips just turned slightly red as she slowly released her arms that were holding Griseo.

"Hmm, let's get up and go eat together later."

Seeing Alyona's adorable reaction, Griseo, like an older sister, reached out and gently patted her head. Unbeknownst to her, she herself looked incredibly cute.

This time, since both of them were lying down, the little loli didn't need to stand on tiptoe to pat her head like before.

"Okay."

After feeling the touch on her head, Alyona didn't resist. Instead, she slightly lowered her head to make it easier for Griseo.

"It's warm in the blankets. Alyona, lie down a bit longer…"

After retracting her hand, Griseo leaned close to her companion's ear and whispered.

With that, she gently lifted a corner of the blanket and carefully left the warm embrace of the covers, standing on the bed in her light clothing.

Then, without needing Griseo to call, the giant Mr. Wolf appeared beside her, holding the set of white little dresses from before.

"Thank you, Mr. Wolf."

Taking the clothes from Mr. Wolf, Griseo thanked him softly. Then, she prepared to change.

Noticing the little loli's intention to change, Mr. Wolf promptly disappeared, returning to the world of the painting.

Alyona, still lying on the bed, hid her small face in the blankets, her cheeks flushed.

Griseo paid little attention to their actions and quickly changed into the clean clothes in her hands. Then, she moved carefully on her small feet to the edge of the bed, preparing to get down.

But just as the little loli was about to descend, Mr. Wolf reappeared and steadied his dear princess, allowing her to land safely on the ground.

This time, Mr. Wolf didn't rush to disappear. He first took out a small white painter's hat and placed it on his princess before carefully collecting the clothes she had just changed out of.

"Hmm, since… the clothes are changed back, Mister Knight can come back too."

Griseo, wearing the white dress and barefoot, conjured her paintbrush and spun lightly on the spot, saying to Mr. Wolf with a smile in her eyes.

Then, a burst of azure color erupted, and the giant Mr. Wolf with red and gold trim quickly transformed back into the azure knight guarding the princess.

"…"

Noticing the commotion outside and thinking Griseo had finished changing, Alyona quietly revealed her flushed little face, which she had been hiding.

However, when she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a riot of colors and the source of those colors beside her. She was slightly stunned, a hint of amazement flashing in her light green eyes.

Since they hadn't known each other for very long, this was the first time Alyona had seen Griseo in a white dress. Paired with the pure white painter's hat… it perfectly accentuated her innocence and purity.

"Mmm… Welcome back, Mister Knight."

Griseo's eyes glinted with a smile as she looked at the transformed azure knight. Then, with a thought, she softly said.

"…"

In response to his princess's welcome, the Knight elegantly returned a bow. Then, holding the discarded clothes, he vanished.

"Alyona...?"

After Mister Knight disappeared, Griseo turned her gaze back to Alyona, who was currently blushing and seemed a bit lost in thought.

"I'm getting up now!"

Sensing Griseo's gaze, Alyona jolted, snapped back to reality, and abruptly sat up... so fast she almost reopened her wound.

"???)!"

The little loli was stunned by her companion's sudden, large movement.

After a moment, she calmly said, "Be careful... you're still injured, and it wouldn't be good if you caught a cold."

"Got it..."

Alyona nodded at Griseo's reminder. However, she didn't lie back down. Instead, she quickly began to change her clothes.

"???)?"

Watching Alyona, who heard but didn't entirely listen, Griseo didn't know what to say.

In the short time she hesitated, Alyona had already changed at lightning speed... got out of the warm covers, and was sitting to the side, putting on her shoes.

"Hmm... it seems Alyona is the 'naughty child' Aponia's mother mentioned, not taking care of herself at all."

As she spoke, a hint of helplessness flashed in Griseo's violet eyes, and she walked towards her companion.

"Hmm?"

Alyona, who had already put on her shoes and was ready, tilted her head in confusion at Griseo's words.

Clearly, she hadn't caught on yet and didn't understand what the little loli was talking about.

"..."

This time, Griseo didn't speak again. She walked expressionlessly to Alyona's side, took her partner's cold little hand, and silently cupped it with her own.

"?"

This completely bewildered Alyona, who had no idea what was happening.

However, feeling the warmth and softness of her hand, she didn't dare to move.

Fortunately, the little white bear didn't move around. Otherwise, Griseo might have had to try a method she had thought of before but hadn't acted upon.

For example, imitating or absorbing the colors of Aponia from "Griseo's" memories to properly educate a child who didn't take care of herself.

After Alyona's body warmed up, Griseo took her to wash up simply and then left the tent.

After all, they had been dawdling in the tent for a long time, and both were hungry. It was time to go out and find something to eat.

By the campfire in the camp—

"It's about time, shouldn't we wake Griseo and the others?"

Alina, eating her simple breakfast, paused her movements as if remembering something. She turned her head and asked the person beside her.

Hearing Alina's words, Talulah's eating paused. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes as she said, "Don't rush. As for the other child, no need to mention it, but Griseo hasn't been resting well these past few days. Let her sleep a little longer."

"Mmm... that's true. Then let those two little ones sleep a bit longer." After a moment of thought, Alina nodded gently, agreeing with her close friend.

Meanwhile, not long after the two stopped talking, a small commotion occurred nearby, drawing their attention.

Then, they saw two figures, one tall and one short, walking towards them hand in hand.

"Good morning... Talulah, Sister Alina."

Noticing Talulah and Alina looking at them, Griseo instinctively quickened her pace, her little face expressionless.

"Good morning, little one. How did Alyona sleep last night?"

"Good morning, little Griseo, Alyona. Come and have breakfast with us. You must be hungry."

In response to the little loli's greeting, both Talulah and Alina smiled and replied gently.

"Mmm, we slept very well. It was warm under the covers..."

As a good child, Griseo naturally answered truthfully and obediently when asked.

"Me too, I slept very well."

However, Alyona was different. Although she answered the question normally, her tone lacked emotion, and combined with her hoarse voice, it sounded even colder.

Furthermore, the lively and shy expression she had in the tent vanished the moment she left it... replaced by endless coldness and distance.

"It's good that you're rested. Come and eat, you two. Don't just stand around in this cold weather."

As Alina spoke, she gave the two children a gentle smile.

"Yes, come over quickly." Hearing this, Talulah nodded, then stood up and gently pulled both of them towards the campfire.

Both Alina and Talulah had actually noticed the child Alyona's indifference, distance, and even wariness towards them.

However, neither of them paid much mind to it, or rather, they considered it normal in their eyes. After all, in this man-eating wilderness, not having some pretense or not being on guard would be truly strange.

To put it more dramatically, without strength, without the ability to feign and be cautious... one might have already been mercilessly devoured by this land.

Afterward, as Griseo sat to the side, quietly eating from her small bowl, Talulah and the other would occasionally cast glances at her, looking as if they had something to say but couldn't bring themselves to speak.

Even after a night had passed, some things still piqued their curiosity, and now, Griseo was the only child who could answer their questions.

Yet, neither of them had figured out how to start the conversation... not to mention, Alyona was sitting right there beside them.

However, Griseo, who had been constantly watched, finally couldn't hold back and spoke first in front of them, "Oh, right, there's still one more thing I haven't given to Talrua..."

From the very beginning, the little loli had noticed Talulah's gaze and intentions, and had been waiting for them to ask. But who knew that by waiting, they'd finish their meal without any questions arising.

This led to Griseo eventually being unable to hold back and speaking first.

However, what she wanted to tell Talulah wasn't about Sakura, but about something else, something she had almost forgotten.

"What thing?"

Talulah, who had been hesitating, set aside her inner turmoil upon hearing Griseo's words and asked curiously.

Beside her, Alina's eyes also flashed with a hint of curiosity, and she too perked up, listening quietly.

"It's... the second painting I drew that night," Griseo said, blinking her violet eyes.

"That night... Oh, that night!"

Talulah didn't react at first, but once she did, she not only recalled what happened that night but also remembered what Sakura had said last night, and then asked curiously:

"So, little one, why did you draw so many paintings that night?"

"Because I saw a snake... and then I sealed it within the painting." As she said this, Griseo's small face became serious.

"...?!"