In other matters, Little White Bear was a steadfast member of Griseo's faction, but when it came to this, she still leaned slightly toward Talulah and the others.
After all, Alyona was one of those who knew about Griseo's traits, and she had also seen how miserable Griseo became when she was affected.
So Little White Bear naturally did not want the companions she cared about to be tainted by dirty colors through contact with all sorts of questionable people.
"???)?"
The moment Griseo heard Alyona agree, a trace of panic and confusion flashed through her large violet eyes, and a huge question mark slowly appeared above her little head.
It was as if she simply could not believe her companion had suddenly "betrayed" her.
"..."
After noticing Griseo's gaze, Alyona's light green eyes flickered with a trace of guilt.
But even so, this time she did not soften under the little girl's stare...
"Heh~ All right, little Griseo, stop staring at Alyona like that."
;#
Seeing Griseo look so adorable, Alina finally could not help but laugh softly before saying gently,
"Why don't you two little ones stay with me today? I can introduce you to some new friends and take you to learn some things together. How does that sound?"
"..."
Alina's sudden suggestion left the two little ones somewhat dazed, especially Alyona, who had been directly named.
"I'm fine with it..."
Once Alyona understood what Alina meant, she answered almost without hesitation.
After speaking, she did not forget to turn and look at Griseo beside her, waiting for her answer.
Alyona did not dislike things such as studying and making friends, but she could hardly be called enthusiastic or proactive about them.
"Mm, I don't mind either."
After hearing that, Griseo thought for a moment before agreeing as well.
However, Griseo had not agreed because she truly wanted to attend lessons or make new friends, but because she wanted Alyona to study and make friends.
The little girl knew her too well. If she said she would not go, then Little White Bear probably would not go either.
"Good~ Then it's settled. Neither of you is allowed to sneak away later, okay?" After hearing the two little ones' answers, Alina smiled gently and said happily.
"Mm..."
Not long after, once everyone had chatted around the campfire for a while longer, breakfast finally came to an end, and they all returned to their busy work.
Talulah went off to make plans for receiving the guests and arranging their accommodations, while Griseo and Alyona both kept their promise and obediently stayed by Alina's side.
PS: I'm exhausted. I originally wanted to write during the day, but I stayed up way too late yesterday, so I couldn't get any writing done today. I could barely study, either. Really can't stay up that late...
Good night, everyone...
Chapter 67: The Arrival of the Mercenaries
Thus, Griseo and Alyona spent the entire morning with Alina, and even now, close to lunchtime, they were still inside the tent.
There was no need to worry about lunch, since someone would bring them food.
;
"Mm..."
Although Griseo knew everyone was doing this for her own good, she really wanted to go outside and take a look.
She even began to regret it a little, regretting that she had gone and found herself a "guardian" to whom she had told so many things.
However, Griseo was not completely unaware of what was happening outside. She even knew that the Sarkaz mercenaries had arrived, and Talulah was currently negotiating with them.
As for how the little girl knew, naturally, it was because she had sent her attendant out... That way, even though she could not see for herself, she could learn about the situation outside through her companion.
Even so, Griseo was still terribly bored...
She wanted to draw, but she also understood that once she entered her drawing state, she would completely immerse herself in her own world and ignore everything else.
Normally, that would not have been a problem, but now that she had a new companion, the little girl did not want to become so absorbed in painting that she directly neglected Alyona.
So under these circumstances, Griseo could only decide to finish lunch quickly and then take a short nap.
As for going to find the Sarkaz Big Girl, it seemed that would have to be put off for now.
After all, so many people were watching Griseo closely now. It could even be said that they were keeping strict guard over her. So even if she wanted to go, she would have to wait until later for a chance to slip through the cracks.
Not long after lunch was delivered, Griseo indeed finished eating quickly, just as she had planned. Then, before Alyona, she climbed onto the bed and prepared to take a nap.
The little girl's good sleeping habits soon brought a tide of drowsiness over her, and mist gathered in her violet eyes...
Elsewhere—
"Tell me. Where are they?"
At that moment, a man dressed entirely in black, his face hidden behind a heavy gas mask with several tubes extending behind him, looked at the thin infected person sprawled on the ground before him and asked in a deep voice.
His voice carried undisguised arrogance, along with a trace of contempt and disdain that he concealed very well.
"I... Hah... I don't know!"
The infected person on the ground was breathing heavily in pain and panic as he shouted his answer.
"Is that so? Continue... until you get their whereabouts."
After hearing that answer, the strange man in black gave the order, then turned away without sparing another glance for the infected person lying on the ground.
"Ah! Don't... Help... Aah!"
Not long after, once they had obtained the information they wanted, one of them approached the man in black and reported in an extremely respectful tone,
"My lord, we have obtained the target's location. What should we do next?"
"Dispose of the trash, then we'll pursue them."
After hearing the report, the red light behind the man's mask flickered. No, he should have been called an Elite Guard. He waved his hand carelessly and gave the order.
;?
"Yes, my lord."
"If these are the terms you, Talulah, are offering, then we accept. Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
After continuous negotiations, both Talulah's side and the Sarkaz mercenaries were fairly satisfied with the result.
Thus, this sizable group of Sarkaz mercenaries joined the Reunion Movement and settled down near the camp.
However, Sarkaz mercenaries generally operated in squads, so their encampments were somewhat scattered, though they were not too far apart overall.
By the campfire—
While warming herself by the fire, Talulah glanced toward where the mercenaries had settled and sighed.
"With this, the Reunion Movement has gained quite a few more people."
"Quite a few more, indeed, but we should still be careful." Hearing that, Yelena looked up at Talulah and spoke in an icy voice.
"Yeah, Big Sis is right. They're Sarkaz mercenaries, after all."
"I remember that a very small number of squads have rather poor reputations. We really should keep a closer eye on them."
"Right, especially little Griseo... Still, without the little one eating with us, it feels like something's missing."
"Yeah, without the little one, it's a whole lot more boring."
After Yelena spoke, the Yetis also voiced their thoughts one after another. Quite a few of them even began missing Griseo, who was "forced" to remain in the tent.
"Mm, we really do need to be careful. There are indeed quite a few mercenaries among them with vile personalities."
After hearing the Yetis' words, Talulah nodded lightly.
Just then, someone hurriedly rushed toward the campfire—more precisely, toward Talulah and the others.
"B-Bad news! A large group of people is approaching the camp. Their equipment looks extremely sophisticated... They don't look friendly."
After stopping, the newcomer raised his head and spoke anxiously to Talulah and Yelena.
"What?!"
Upon hearing that, Talulah and Yelena both sprang to their feet almost instantly, their expressions turning grave.
"Quick, have everyone stay on alert!" After getting up, Yelena immediately ordered the Yetis beside her.
Talulah also looked at the infected person who had come to report and said, "Lead the way. I'll take a look."
"Yes!"
In almost an instant, everyone began moving to fulfill their respective duties, while Talulah and Yelena followed the messenger and hurried toward the direction from which the enemies were advancing.
At that moment, Talulah and Yelena both hoped there would not be anyone too troublesome among the attackers. They also hoped Patriot, who was out of camp, would return quickly...
Otherwise, with so many enemies and elite forces among them, the Reunion Movement might suffer heavy losses this time.
By the time the two of them arrived, the enemy had already drawn very close. And upon seeing the leader, the person wearing a heavy gas mask, both Talulah and Yelena's expressions became incomparably grave.
Because they both recognized him: one of the Emperor's Blades, a highly troublesome Elite Guard.
PS: Looking at the time, it seems about the same as yesterday... It's almost eleven. I guess I won't be able to finish before twelve, and I think I might get stuck on the next chapter... After all, I'm really not good at writing battles.
I'll try to spend more time polishing and revising it so it turns out better. There shouldn't be any problems. Give me some encouragement.
Chapter 68: Chaos and Awakening
At that moment, the outskirts of the Reunion Movement camp had descended into chaos. Countless people were fighting one another, and at the center of the chaos was the silver-haired Dragon Girl battling an Elite Guard.
However, Talulah was no longer the person she had once been. Her combat skills and strength had both improved greatly, so she could be said to have held a steady advantage in this battle.
@;
What displeased Talulah was that, even now, the Elite Guard fighting her was still loudly telling the infected people around them about her identity as a duke's daughter.
';
Although the Dragon Girl herself had long stopped caring about that identity, the Elite Guard's widespread declarations still shook the resolve of many infected people.
Talulah no longer wanted to continue fighting this Elite Guard, so the sword in her hand grew several degrees sharper, while the flames winding around her body became even more scorching.
Meanwhile, Yelena had secretly begun organizing a retreat. There were still many children and injured people in the camp, and besides the Elite Guards, this attack also included a considerable number of troops.
But clearly, the enemy had come prepared. It was already too late to do that now...
Because at some unknown point, another Elite Guard leading troops had appeared behind the Reunion Movement camp, directly cutting off everyone's retreat.
After sealing off their rear, the other Elite Guard did not remain idle. Holding a curved blade, he crossed through the camp, his target aimed directly at Talulah.
"Hah... Little Griseo, Alyona! Wake up, quickly!"
The tent flap was suddenly thrown open, and Alina rushed inside with an anxious expression, calling out to the two little ones who were still asleep on the bed.
Drawn by the commotion outside, Alina had gone out to investigate. The moment she understood what was happening, her mind went blank, and she rushed straight back from outside.
"Mm..."
Hearing Alina's voice, Griseo's eyelashes trembled slightly. Then she slowly opened her still-confused eyes and turned to look at the little deer standing inside the tent.
Before you continue