In the Ark, I Became Griseo

Alyona, sitting nearby, quickly stood up and hurried to Griseo's side. Her light green eyes subconsciously scanned Griseo's small body, checking her current condition.

"Mmm... No, and there's nothing else going on over there, so I came back," Griseo replied, looking up at Alina and gently shaking her little head.

"It's good that you're okay. Little Griseo, you were a big help again this time," Alina said, slowly letting out a sigh of relief after hearing Griseo's words.

However, before Alina could relax for long, her sharp and sensitive senses quickly noticed that Griseo's emotions were slightly off.

Just as she was about to ask something, Griseo acted first...

"..."

Griseo walked forward and threw herself into Alina's arms, hugging her tightly without moving. She then closed her big eyes, her expression a mixture of complex emotions.

"Big sister is here... Don't worry, it's okay now~"

Although Alina didn't know what had just happened, it didn't stop her from gently comforting the "frightened" adorable child in her arms.

At this moment, listening to Alina's gentle words and feeling the warmth emanating from her, the effects Griseo had previously experienced began to slowly fade.

Alyona, standing to the side, already understood Griseo's current condition through her observations. After all, she had seen her companion in this state before at the mine.

So, upon understanding, Alyona gently tugged on Alina's sleeve and whispered to her, "It's probably because there were too many people outside, and Griseo was influenced by them..."

"...Okay, I understand."

After hearing Alyona's quiet explanation, Alina was slightly stunned for a moment before reacting and nodding gently. Then, she hugged the little one in her arms and carefully walked towards the tent not far behind them.

Although Alina was a little curious as to why Alyona knew this, she also knew it wasn't the time to ask. The priority now was to move Griseo to a place where no one else was, allowing the little one to rest alone for a while.

After taking Griseo back to the tent, Alina continued to comfort her softly. Finally, after obtaining the little loli's consent and giving her a few more instructions, Alina left her alone in the quiet tent. She then went out to continue taking care of the wounded.

In fact, Alina and the children she was currently caring for, along with the wounded, should have evacuated the camp earlier. However, they were first blocked by enemies who had ambushed them from behind, forcing them to retreat back to the camp. Then, during their second attempt to break through and evacuate, before they could even leave, they saw that all the enemies behind them had been wiped out by the Crimson Tyrant...

Subsequently, seeing such a powerful Tyrant going to the front to provide support, coupled with the one-sided situation on the battlefield, everyone temporarily abandoned the idea of evacuating. After all, there were many children and elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people in this group. Unless absolutely necessary, no one wanted to retreat in such a hurry.

Finally, with the help of the Azure Knight and the Crimson Tyrant, Talulah quickly dealt with and suppressed all the enemies. However, as the Tyrant was about to finish off the last few enemies, Talulah stopped him.

The Dragon Girl did this for a very simple reason: she intended to keep a few survivors alive to "friendly" interrogate them for information. After all, being directly attacked at the newly relocated camp this time was quite unexpected. This was something Talulah had never encountered during her trial in that painting. Although she knew Griseo was involved, making the situation not entirely the same, it still served as a wake-up call, making her more cautious. At the same time, it made her yearn for more power, wanting to quickly become stronger. Because no normal person likes to always hide behind others, and Talulah was no exception, especially now that she was one of the leaders of Reunion. In this situation, she could not and would not be content to just hide behind Griseo, a child, and be protected...

ps: I've calculated that next, I'll write about the daily life with the mercenaries, then lay some groundwork for Serpent, and then we can start a new volume. If I rush there now, I should still be able to catch up and witness the spectacle of Dad Cat and Little Fire Dragon...

So exciting, let's get this "stubborn" bad woman going!

Chapter 71: The Current Situation and Shadows

This sudden attack, apart from some casualties, did not result in significant losses for Reunion overall, thanks to Griseo's help. The mercenary group also suffered almost no damage. If there was any problem, it was that a few infected individuals from Reunion, influenced by the words of that Elite Guard earlier, became hesitant and began to question Talulah. However, for Talulah, who had now transformed, this was not a major issue, and she naturally had ways to handle it. She would no longer, as she had in the past, simply let these infected individuals who wanted to leave go, even foolishly providing them with supplies. Since they had made their choice before, they would naturally have to pay a price if they wanted to back out now.

?

Talulah had already decided to relocate their base of operations and had ordered the members of Reunion to rest. Once they had recuperated, she planned to lead everyone to move. This place was no longer safe, as the enemy had already found them. Staying here would only lead to constant harassment from the enemy...

With two Elite Guards missing here, and given their importance and special nature, it's possible higher-ups might send other Elite Guards to investigate.

Given Reunion's current situation, encountering Elite Guards again would still be very troublesome. If caught off guard, even Griseo might not be able to guarantee zero casualties.

Therefore, for safety, Talulah is urgently organizing personnel for another relocation. However, discussions about the relocation plan and encampment locations will definitely need to be held with others.

And at this moment, Talulah is discussing the next arrangements with Patriot, Yelena, and others who have already returned.

"Mmm..."

Griseo, alone in the tent, finally calmed down after sitting for a while.

A hint of dejection flashed in her beautiful violet eyes.

This was the second time Griseo had faced a situation like that. To be honest, if she hadn't run fast just now, she might have already been "colored" by someone else.

Indeed, she really wasn't suited to be in crowds. One wrong move and she could become someone else's color.

"..."

Suddenly, Griseo seemed to think of something, slowly stood up from the bed. With a thought, a painting of a knight fighting a "monster" appeared in her small hand.

This painting was the one the little loli had just drawn on the chaotic battlefield, sealing two Elite Guards, crudely named "Elite Guard."

The scene was too chaotic earlier, and Griseo was a bit affected, so she left in a hurry. This caused her to forget to hand over the painting to her Talulah.

As for why she wanted to hand it over to Talulah, it was naturally because the little loli had no use for it herself. All she could do was keep it or destroy it directly.

So, rather than keeping it with her, Griseo felt it would be more useful if given to Talulah.

Whether it was to be destroyed directly to increase prestige or deter enemies, or used as a bargaining chip, it would be a good choice, at least more useful than keeping it in the little loli's own hands.

However, Griseo was now struggling with how to give the painting in her hand to Talulah.

To be honest, the little loli actually wanted to go out and take a look, but she didn't want to go through what just happened...

After all, if she accidentally got some "bad color" at that time, it would definitely cause trouble for Talulah, Yelena, and the others.

After much deliberation, Griseo still chose to leave the tent and deliver the painting herself, and also to see what the situation was outside.

Hmm... it was definitely not because she wanted to see the mercenary group, definitely not.

"???)?"

However, when Griseo lifted the tent flap and saw the person standing at the entrance, gazing at her with shallow green eyes filled with worry, a question mark slowly appeared on her little head.

Clearly, the little loli hadn't expected or noticed that someone was standing outside the tent, waiting for her.

"Feeling better?"

Seeing the blue-haired little loli emerge from the tent, Alyona asked softly.

"I'm fine now. Alyona, have you been waiting at the door the whole time?" Griseo shook her little head slightly.

"No... I just got here." As she said this, Alyona turned her head slightly, avoiding eye contact, and a trace of imperceptible guilt flashed in her shallow green eyes.

Griseo, with her keen senses, noticed this fleeting guilt but didn't intend to expose it. She simply asked calmly:

"Um... I'm planning to go out. Do you want to come, Alyona?"

"You just weren't feeling well... and you want to go out now?"

Upon hearing Griseo's words, Alyona frowned slightly and said in her hoarse voice.

"Yes, I just remembered something important and need to go find Talulah now." Seeing Alyona's disapproving expression, Griseo explained softly.

Then, as if remembering something, the little loli added: "If you're worried, Alyona, you can come with me. I'll protect you."

After speaking, Griseo stared intently at the little white bear in front of her with her sparkling, beautiful eyes, waiting for her answer.

"...Okay."

Alyona, who had wanted to say more, swallowed her words after meeting the little loli's gaze and agreed.

Then, Griseo happily pulled Alyona along, leaving the tent with Alina on her back, to find Talulah and observe the current situation in the camp.

Hedley, sitting by the campfire near his tent, turned to the two comrades beside him and asked:

"That little girl from before, did you figure out what race she is?"

As a Sarkaz mercenary with extensive combat experience, Hedley considered himself knowledgeable, but what he saw after meeting up with Reunion today exceeded his expectations.

In his life, he had never seen Originium Arts like Griseo's, where the summoned entity was not only powerful but could even pull people into a painting...

"No, I couldn't see any racial characteristics on the child at all. And her shadow..."

Upon hearing Hedley's question, the black-haired female mercenary with sharp horns on her head, sitting beside him, finally broke her deep contemplation and spoke.

But she paused when she got to the latter part, as if organizing her thoughts.

ps: Sleepy, looks like it's going past 12 tonight. I'll try to hurry. Keep pushing.

Chapter 72: Chilling and Curious

"No, there are absolutely no racial characteristics visible on that child. And, her shadow..."

After hearing Hedley's words, Ines, who had been sitting to the side with a thoughtful expression, spoke up.

But when she got to the latter part, she paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts.

"Her shadow gives me a very terrifying and complex feeling, it's downright chilling. Moreover, I couldn't see through her at all."

As her voice fell, the black-haired girl, Ines, narrowed her golden eyes, her expression complicated after a long time.

"She gave you that kind of feeling? Then it seems this child is more dangerous than she appears." Hearing this, Hedley raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression somewhat surprised.

He had originally thought Griseo's performance was already impressive enough, but he hadn't expected her to give his comrade Ines such a feeling.

Under these circumstances, Hedley couldn't help but slightly raise his estimation of the little loli.

One had to know, Ines's Originium Arts were very special; she could observe others' shadows to glimpse into their hearts...

'

And this time, not only was she unable to peek, but she had actually frightened herself.

"So, W, what do you think?"

With that, Hedley turned his gaze to the other side, towards the silver-haired, red-horned mercenary girl who was lost in thought.

"Hearing Hedley, W slowly turned her head, her expression indifferent as she said, "Oh, you're talking about that child? Talulah and the others seem to attach great importance to her."

"And, although there was some distance, that child doesn't seem to be an Infected... A non-Infected so young, mixed among a group of Infected, how interesting~"

As she spoke the latter part, the indifference on W's face disappeared, replaced by excitement in her golden eyes and a playful smile on her lips.

"..."

Seeing W like this, Ines knew what her comrade was planning without even needing to think.

Although she knew the possibility of stopping her was slim... as a friend, she felt it was necessary to remind her, just to go through the motions.