I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

As she spoke, Greta rubbed her half-open, sleepy violet eyes and sat up.

"Hmm, it's almost time, it's almost time for breakfast." Talulah nodded gently and reached out to pat Gretchen's head again.

"By the way, I'm also planning to go and have a chat with Alina later. Gretchen, thank you for the painting."

"Hmm...it seems it did have some effect."

"No, it's not just some help. It really helped a lot." Talulah was quite helpless and even a little amused after hearing the little girl's words.

After all, what she considered such a powerful effect was described by Gretsch as merely some minor, superficial benefits.

The dream is gone... none of this has happened in reality, but Talulah's thoughts have become more mature and moderate.

At this moment, Talulah, the fighter who has abandoned her naive ideas, has returned. She will treat reality as a new life, give up illusions, start fighting, and lead the Reunion Movement forward.

"..."

Listening to Talulah's words and seeing the mature aura that had grown in her overnight.

Gretchen blinked her big eyes and began to seriously consider the consequences of being discovered drawing on her face.

After thinking for a while, the little girl concluded that at most she would get a scolding, and Alina might even protect her.

Upon reaching this conclusion, the person quickly felt relieved...

Then, as if remembering something, Gretchen opened her system panel and glanced at Mebius's unlock progress.

Hmm... 48%, this progress is much higher than she expected, but it's not too surprising.

You must understand that the painting Gretchen created last night affected more than just the black snake on Talulah's body; it affected her entire consciousness. Anyone connected to her is ultimately implicated…

Greta's power in drawing is so overwhelming, especially

It was painted using the black snake's own colors, so its influence on the black snake will only be stronger.

Previously, Gretchen thought that "Gretchen" couldn't kill the Black Serpent. This didn't mean that she really couldn't kill it, but rather that she had no way or no chance to kill it.

Although she knew that Talulah was possessed by the black snake and could see some differences, she had never seen the black snake.

In this situation, Gretchen's painting could influence the Black Serpent, but it couldn't capture him in the painting and seal him inside.

So yesterday was really a coincidence. By sheer chance, the black snake got caught and surfaced, and the little girl took advantage of the situation.

However, Gretchen doesn't plan to tell Talulah the good news for now. The reason is that she hasn't finished plucking the snake scales yet, and also... she's going to sleep.

This body's sleep schedule is just too good. I was so engrossed in painting last night that I didn't even realize it. Now, I'm just feeling incredibly sleepy.

"Gresh, didn't you go to bed quite early yesterday? Why do you look so sleepy this morning?" Talulah asked curiously, watching Gresh relax and about to lie back down on the bed.

"Hmm... because I painted two more pictures last night and didn't sleep." As soon as she finished speaking, Gretchen collapsed back onto the bed.

"Hmm? Why did you suddenly draw two more pictures? Also, children shouldn't stay up late, especially not all night!"

"Ugh... Mmm, Tarua Anan..."

Listening to Talulah's teachings, Gretchen responded softly a few times before closing her eyes again.

P.S.: I didn't understand Black Serpent's abilities well, but he doesn't have any more opportunities to appear in the later outlines, so I plan to just let him leave the stage this time.

I'm so sleepy I feel like I'm even sleepier than Greta. Goodnight everyone.

Chapter 23 The Deer and the Dragon

"You."

Looking at the little one sleeping soundly again beside her, Talulah smiled helplessly. After gently covering Gretchen with the blanket, she carefully got out of bed.

Talulah, feeling conflicted yet happy, was completely unaware that something was amiss with her.

She plans to freshen up a bit, then go out for breakfast and, while she's at it, find Alina to discuss the upcoming situation and plans.

However, before Talulah could even begin washing up, someone came looking for her first.

"Talulah, are you awake?"

Alina's gentle voice came from outside the tent, causing Talulah to stop what she was doing and quickly walk towards the door.

If she were meeting someone else, she might pay more attention to her appearance and ask them to wait outside for a while.

However, it was Alina who came to find Talulah. She didn't care much about her image when it came to her close friend with whom she lived.

After all, what haven't they seen together? They've even slept together before...

Alina, who was outside the door, called out once and then waited quietly without saying another word.

Because she knew Talulah's habits, she knew that her best friend had definitely heard that shout.

"Shh, Gretchen is still sleeping, good morning~"

Talulah gently lifted the tent flap, poked her head out, and whispered to Alina in front of her.

"Um……?"

After hearing Talulah's words, Alina, who was about to say something, fell silent after looking up and seeing someone's face. Then, with a strange expression, she silently swallowed back all the words she wanted to say.

Seeing her best friend suddenly stop talking and her expression become indescribable, Talulah asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

"...Pfft, haha...I'm sorry."

Talulah's blank expression, coupled with the cute doodles on her face, made Alina, who had been trying hard to hold back, burst out laughing.

"???"

Alina's smile only made the dragon girl more confused. She subconsciously touched her face, but couldn't figure it out.

However, her ominous premonition grew stronger and stronger...

Finally, under the watchful, smiling gaze of her best friend, Talulah turned and went back to her tent to look in the mirror. Alina followed cautiously inside.

……

"!"

After seeing her "makeup" in the mirror, Talulah's expression twisted for a moment... but it quickly turned into endless helplessness.

What could they do? The little girl had agreed to stay herself, and she had even helped them a lot; they couldn't just kick her out...

And they're so cute, I can only forgive them...

"Haha~"

Seeing Talulah's expression, Alina chuckled softly.

Then, to avoid waking the little one, she leaned close to her best friend's ear and whispered, "Looks like you two had a pretty good time last night~"

"Ugh... it's not pleasant to be so close!"

Feeling the warm breath on her ear, Talulah's body tensed up instinctively. She then turned around and carefully pushed away the person next to her.

"Is that so? I always feel... Talulah, your temperament has changed a lot. Although your appearance hasn't changed, you seem to have matured a lot."

The little deer, undeterred by being pushed away, grabbed Talulah's wrist and used the momentum to get closer again, then squinted and whispered.

Although Talulah remained the same when facing her, somewhat dazed and amusing... Alina still keenly sensed the subtle changes in her close friend.

"...As expected of you."

note

Looking at Alina's face so close to hers and her inquisitive blue eyes, feeling the warmth of her breath, Talulah blushed slightly and sighed helplessly.

"This isn't the place to talk, the little one is still sleeping. I'll wash up and then we'll talk outside..."

"Good~"

After receiving the answer she wanted, Alina slowly released Talulah and stepped aside.

"..."

After watching Alina leave, Talulah secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around and went to wash up.

……

Fortunately, the paint Gretchen used to paint Talulah's face last night was just ordinary paint, and it washed off easily.

Otherwise, someone would definitely shake the little guy who was fast asleep in bed quite hard.

Finally, after glancing at Gretchen, who was fast asleep on the bed, Talulah and Alina left the tent together.

----------------

"So, what exactly happened between you and Gretchen last night?" As they walked, Alina couldn't contain her curiosity and asked.

After noticing Talulah's changes, Xiaolu had some guesses. However, guesses are just guesses, and she still hoped to get answers from her best friend to confirm her guesses.

"I've experienced it all... The magic of the painting you described is truly something else entirely," Talulah said softly, her expression a mixture of emotions.

"Heh~ It seems you've been through those things, Talulah. No wonder you suddenly seemed so mature overnight." Alina chuckled again, her laughter melodious and gentle.

"Humph."

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces and smiles beside her, Talulah was momentarily dazed. When she came to her senses, she let out a soft hum, but unconsciously, the corners of her lips still curled up.

'It's so good that you're still here.'

"In that case, Talulah, do you have any new plans or arrangements?" After confirming Talulah's current situation with a few words, Alina asked with a smile.

Hearing Alina's gentle inquiry, Talulah nodded softly, then invited, "There are some, so after Alina finishes breakfast, do you have time to talk about them?"

"Oh, I see. But I still have to teach the children to read today..."

Seeing the expectation in her best friend's eyes, Alina smiled slightly and then said softly.

However, before she could finish speaking, Talulah interrupted her.

"Alright then, let's talk again next time."

After she finished speaking, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed in the dragon girl's eyes, like that of a child who hadn't received candy.

"Pfft, I haven't finished speaking yet. Talulah, do you really not want to talk to me? Although I have to teach the children today, I can ask someone else to help me out."

"!"

"Okay, stop making that face, let's go."

P.S.: Group number: 686963942

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