In Arknights, I'm Griseo at the Start

Griseo's latest painting was different from her usual work. The overall tone of the piece was somber, with only a single warm light emanating from the center.

Beneath this soft glow was a pink figure wearing a black crown, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

Within the elongated, pitch-black shadow cast by this gentle figure, a demon reached out, trying to chase after the figure before them, but forever unable to catch up, ensnared by numerous chains.

"..."

To be honest, after carefully examining her painting, Griseo began to reconsider whether she should give it away.

Although the little girl had always been looking for an opportunity to prank W before.

But feeling the lingering emotions within her heart and looking at the finished artwork, she found herself hesitating for the first time in a long while...

After all, if it turned out to be exactly as she imagined, Griseo felt she would be too wicked, and it would be too cruel to W.

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

As Griseo wrestled with her thoughts, Alyona, sitting beside her, furrowed her brow slightly and asked softly.

"Nothing's bothering me, it's just some lingering colors... I was just taking a moment."

Hearing Alyona's words, Griseo quickly snapped out of her thoughts and gently shook her little head in response.

"As long as you're not uncomfortable, it's almost time... Let's tidy up and go eat." As she spoke, a hint of helplessness flashed in Alyona's eyes, then, as if remembering something, she added.

"Just like you told me, Griseo, good children eat on time."

"Okay, I'll pack up then."

Griseo had no objections to her friend's words and agreed almost without thinking.

After all, the painting had taken quite some time... The sky was already growing dark, and it was indeed time for dinner.

With that, Griseo swiftly put away her painting tools and the artwork itself into her spatial storage.

She also temporarily set aside the matter of whether or not to give the painting away and happily went to eat with her friend.

However, when one's heart softens, there will always be someone to help them harden it.

For example... Griseo, at this very moment.

If before, the little girl had felt a bit soft-hearted due to knowing W's past and sensing the sadness through the colors, then now, Griseo felt her heart was as hard as stone, and she only wanted to be a "cruel" bad child.

The reason for this, of course, was that during dinner, Griseo received another prank from W, and in one careless moment, she even knocked over her own food, splashing it all over herself.

W's actions completely solidified the little girl's wavering resolve, and she decided to give a proper "gift" in return.

However, as it was getting late, and Alina and the others would be watching over them at night, Griseo decided to deliver the gift to W tomorrow.

The next day—

Griseo woke up as usual, had breakfast with Alyona, and then chatted with Talulah and the others by the campfire.

Only when everyone went about their own business and no one was closely watching the little girl did she begin her plan.

Today, Griseo had set two goals for herself. The first was to deliver the painting to W, and the second was to approach Mudrock.

However, this time, she couldn't act alone.

Alyona, knowing the painting's effect, had been keeping a close eye on Griseo's every move since this morning, preventing her from sneaking off.

In the end, having no other choice, and since it wasn't a major issue, Griseo brought her worried friend along.

After all, her friend was someone she had to dote on.

This time, Griseo wasn't wandering around like a headless chicken as she had yesterday. Instead, she directly took Alyona and headed straight for their target, walking towards W's tent.

However, this operation encountered a problem right from the start. Upon arriving, Griseo and Alyona couldn't find W anywhere.

After asking Ines, they discovered that W had gone out on a mission with her notoriously brutal and efficient squad... so the two of them had completely missed their chance.

Finally, after some deliberation, Griseo turned her gaze back to Ines, who was sitting by the campfire not far away.

"So, what did you need W for?" Noticing Griseo's gaze, Ines gently looked up again, her expression calm as she inquired.

And it wasn't just her; Hedley, sitting beside her, also looked up, curiously observing Griseo and Alyona.

After all, for them, it was a rare occurrence for someone to come looking for W.

"I have something I want to give to Double Double..."

Upon hearing this, Griseo organized her words slightly and stated the purpose of her visit.

"What is it?"

After hearing Griseo's reply, Ines instinctively asked.

This time, the little girl didn't rush to answer. Instead, she took out the painting she had drawn yesterday from her spatial storage before continuing:

"This is it... a painting I made. Could you please give it to W for me?"

"..."

When Ines saw Griseo suddenly produce a painting out of thin air, she was momentarily stunned, clearly completely taken by surprise.

Not only that, but when Griseo said she wanted to give something to W, Ines's first thought was explosives...

ps: An accident ultimately happened. I only wrote this much in three hours, and I wasn't slacking off at all in the middle. I've revised it back and forth and I'm still not very satisfied.

Sigh, stayed up late again. Good night, everyone.

Chapter 81: Another Method

"A painting...?"

After snapping back to reality, Ines raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of strangeness in her eyes.

After all, she clearly remembered what this little loli had done on the first day she arrived...

She had heard of the Ursus Elite Guards before. Although she hadn't faced them directly, she had seen Talulah and the others fighting them that day.

And yet, that kind of "monster" was easily dragged into a painting by Griseo that day.

So, if anyone were to say that the little loli's paintings were harmless, Ines would be the first to disagree.

However, Ines had a pretty good guess as to Griseo's intentions. She figured that the painting the little one held now probably wasn't as powerful as the previous one, but it would still have some effect.

And the reason she was delivering this painting this time was likely to "get back" at W a little.

Hedley, standing beside her, had pretty much the same thought as Ines.

"Sister should have seen it yesterday. I painted this after I went back," Griseo said softly, looking up at Ines.

The little loli didn't believe that Ines, who was so perceptive and skilled at reconnaissance, wouldn't have noticed her interaction with W yesterday, or the change in her colors.

"I did see it, but..." After hearing Griseo's explanation, Ines's expression became thoughtful, and she continued, "I have another question. If you can answer it to my satisfaction, little sister, I'll help you deliver the painting to W."

If it were anyone else, Ines wouldn't have asked so directly, but would have chosen to probe carefully.

However, from their brief interaction, she realized that the little loli in front of her was surprisingly honest. That's why she abandoned her usual habit and decided to ask directly.

"Hmm... What question?"

Griseo tilted her little head slightly at the question, looking at Ines with a puzzled expression.

"..."

Aliona, who had been standing by the side the whole time, couldn't help but want to cover her face. Although she had noticed it before, this time she was once again directly witnessing how easily her partner could be tricked and how honest she was...

However, she wasn't in a hurry to stop her now. Firstly, she wanted to know what the woman in front of her wanted to ask, and secondly, Griseo hadn't refused, and she was also aware of her strength.

"I want to know, what special effect does this painting in your hand have?"

Looking at the cute little figure tilting her head, Ines narrowed her golden eyes and said softly.

Although Ines and W often bickered and acted like rivals, they were also comrades who had saved each other's lives. In critical moments, they would still stand by each other.

Therefore, Ines still needed to confirm the power of this "gift" from Griseo.

"I don't know..."

Griseo answered this question very frankly, without any hesitation.

After all, the little loli genuinely didn't know the effect of this painting. The only thing she knew was that this painting wouldn't affect anyone else.

As for how she knew this? It was simply because Griseo had experience painting, and Aliona hadn't been affected by the painting at all, so she concluded it.

Moreover, if it could affect others, Griseo probably wouldn't have given it away. Even if she did, she definitely wouldn't have done it through someone else like this.

Otherwise, if it accidentally caused a large-scale effect, it would truly be troublesome...

"...I honestly don't know whether to praise your honesty or not, little one." Faced with Griseo's frank and straightforward words, Ines finally couldn't help but rub her forehead.

"Pfft." Hedley, standing beside them, couldn't help but chuckle at their interaction.

After a moment, having finished laughing, Hedley composed himself and said seriously, "Little one, you don't even know the painting's ability, and you're running around giving it to people? I remember your painting abilities are quite strong. It would be bad if you caused accidental injuries."

"Mmm... It won't. The power contained in this painting isn't very strong. It can't even affect others."

Griseo tilted her little head slightly, blinked her beautiful violet eyes, and explained earnestly.

"This painting was made with W's colors... that's why I want to give it to her..."

To be honest, the little loli was already starting to regret it. Dealing with intelligent people was truly troublesome. She shouldn't have hesitated when she discovered W wasn't around; she should have just left...

However, a significant reason Griseo chose to have Ines deliver it after some deliberation was that she didn't want to interact with W directly again.

To the little loli, that was truly a disaster...

"W's colors..."

Hearing this, Ines murmured softly, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

She could immediately grasp the keywords in Griseo's words and connect all the dots.

Ines felt that if her guess was correct, the color Griseo mentioned should be the reason why she looked so much like W yesterday.

However, what exactly did the color Griseo spoke of refer to? In Ines's opinion, that remained to be verified for the time being.

"Alright, Griseo, since that person isn't here, let's leave. It's best to deliver the gift in person. Besides, don't you have someone else you want to find?"

As both sides fell silent, Alyona gently squeezed Griseo's small hand and then, in a hoarse voice, gently suggested.

After listening for a while, the little white bear roughly understood the concerns and intentions of Ines and the other person. But precisely because of that, she felt there was no need to stay any longer.

Setting aside whether the woman named W would actually receive this painting if it were handed over to them, Alyona felt that if they continued to stay, Griseo would simply spill all her secrets.

"Mmm... Alyona is right, it really needs to be delivered in person." Hearing her companion's words, Griseo slightly turned her face and nodded in agreement.

"However, there's another way..."

As the little loli's voice faded, the giant Azure Knight appeared silently beside her. At the same time, the gazes of the surrounding mercenaries were instantly focused here.

Even Ines and Hedley tensed up the moment the Azure Knight appeared, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons.

After all, the strength of this Azure Knight was evident to all...

ps: Ever since I got this darn braces, my mouth hasn't been good for a single day. Even with orthodontic wax, it's still chafed. So annoying...

Chapter 82: Can We Get Acquainted?

However, under the mercenaries' watchful eyes, the Azure Knight remained motionless after its appearance. It simply stood silently beside its princess, awaiting her command.

"Alyona is right, so I won't trouble you, big sister," Griseo said to Ines after her Knight appeared.

After speaking, the little loli turned her gaze to the Azure Knight and softly requested:

"Please, Mister Knight... I'll trouble you to wait here and help me deliver this painting to W."

Actually, did the little loli not consider the concerns Alyona had thought of?

She didn't care about Ines and the other person trying to pry information out of her, but she was also afraid that after entrusting the painting, W might not see it at all.