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

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

In one of the tents at the camp—

"We've been talking for so long! Little Gretchen didn't even have breakfast, did she?"

As if remembering something, Alina frowned slightly and stopped talking about the previous topic.

"That seems to be the case. Is the little guy still sleeping? We should definitely wake him up." Talulah nodded gently upon hearing this, and then said softly.

"Let's end our chat here for today. We've covered quite a bit. Now let's organize our thoughts." With that, Alina stood up from her stool and stretched.

After stretching her stiff body, she continued softly, "I'll go call little Gretchen to eat. If she sleeps too much during the day, she won't be able to sleep at night."

“Go ahead, I’ll take another look at the next steps. I wonder how things are going with Yelena. After this operation, whether it’s successful or not, we’ll have to change our base again.”

After giving Alina a slight nod, Talulah turned her gaze back to the map on the table.

"Yes, don't worry, trust Yelena..."

Looking at Talulah's serious expression, Alina showed a hint of helplessness and relief before turning and leaving the tent.

Although she had experienced it firsthand and knew how amazing it was, looking at Talulah now, she still couldn't help but marvel at how powerful little Gretsch was.

?;

……

Alina gently lifted the curtain of Talulah's tent and peeked out... but a quick glance revealed that she didn't see the person who should have been there.

"..."

Frowning, Alina stopped trying to be discreet and quickly walked inside.

But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't see that familiar little figure in the tent.

Then, as her gaze swept over the neatly made bed once more, Alina noticed the drawing paper placed on the blanket.

[If Sister Tarua can't find Gretchen... don't worry, I'm fine, I'm safe. And I'm very capable...]

?

Upon seeing what was written on the paper, Alina frowned even more deeply, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart.

Finally, she squeezed the drawing paper in her hand, quickly turned around and left, going back to find Talulah.

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

As time passed, the sky over the snowfield grew increasingly dark, and the wind gradually intensified, beginning to obstruct the view.

"Phew, it's been so long, Alina and the others should have seen my message by now..." Gretchen stopped in her tracks after exhaling a breath of hot air and muttered to herself.

Actually, Gretchen could have left Alina and the others without leaving them anything, and secretly gone and secretly returned...

However, she didn't want the two of them to worry too much and waste their time looking for her, so she left a "note" in the end.

Moreover, now Greta Thunberg

I'm actually quite glad I left the note.

Because before she came, she had never imagined that the Yeti team's destination would be so far away... She had been following behind for several hours and still hadn't reached their destination.

At this point, Gretchen couldn't possibly turn back halfway; she had no choice but to continue following along.

but……

"Mr. Wolf..."

At Gretchen's call, the large and handsome wolf appeared. After giving an elegant bow, he scooped the little girl into his arms and shielded her from the wind and snow as they continued on their way.

P.S.: Due to some reasons, I won't have time to work late tonight, but don't worry, I'll remember.

I also saw someone mention a bounty. I'll open one a week before it goes live, which should be around the beginning of next month.

Goodnight.

Chapter 26 Worries

After traveling for several more hours, and as darkness fell, the Yeti team finally entered a forest and stopped.

They began to rest and recuperate in the woods, preparing for the next move.

"..."

Gretchen, who was following far behind, changed direction and bypassed the Yeti team when she saw the vast forest and towering mountains in the distance, and entered the forest from another direction.

The little girl figured that if she wasn't mistaken, they were now close to the Yeti team's target. Or rather, the target was very likely in the forest right in front of them.

Based on past experience, Gretchen thinks there might be a mine nearby... a mine that enslaves infected people to collect raw materials.

However, there is no concrete evidence yet, which is why she bypassed the Yeti team and went to investigate first.

……

Night fell completely, and the already dim forest became utterly dark... cold, dark, and silent.

However, this situation, which would be an obstacle for others, actually made it easier for Gretchen and her wolf to hide.

Furthermore, since Mr. Wolf floats and moves, and the little girl is held in his arms, the two of them are practically ghosts moving silently through the forest.

After traveling an unknown distance, Gretchen saw a glimmer of light in the distance through the dark woods…

"Mr. Wolf, put me down..."

After gently rubbing her eyes, which had adjusted to the darkness, Greta whispered to the wolf who was holding her.

"..."

Upon hearing his little princess's request, Mr. Wolf did not hesitate. He gently placed the person in his arms on the ground and then helped the little girl straighten her clothes, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Thank you, Mr. Wolf. You can go back now. I'll walk the rest of the way on my own." After letting Mr. Wolf straighten her clothes, Greta thanked him softly.

This time, after hearing Gretchen's words, Mr. Wolf did not disappear immediately, but paused for a moment... appearing somewhat hesitant.

As if sensing Mr. Wolf's concerns, Gretchen blinked her big eyes and said seriously, "If there is any danger, Mr. Wolf, please come out and protect me then."

"..."

This time, Mr. Wolf lightly tapped his enormous wolf head before disappearing into thin air, leaving Greta standing alone.

After watching Mr. Wolf disappear, Gretchen turned around and looked again at the faint light coming through the dark woods in the distance.

To be honest, the environment and atmosphere in the woods are somewhat eerie to the average person; a gust of cold wind can even make you shiver.

However, Gretchen was no ordinary person; she was neither afraid nor affected by the darkness and cold of the forest.

After gently shaking off the snowflakes, she resumed her steps and walked forward.

……

She carefully walked to the edge of the woods, stopped, and hid behind a large tree... looking out.

The first thing that caught the little girl's violet eyes was a few houses and buildings with lights on, and a few patrolling guards. Then came... a huge mine entrance guarded by personnel.

"..."

She hardly needed to look any further to know that her previous guess had been confirmed: this was indeed a mine...

As for the mines on the snowfield, it's almost a no-brainer to know that the miners working inside are definitely infected... Even if they weren't infected at first, they would become infected after working in the raw stone mines for a few days.

After her idea was confirmed, Gretchen, who was hiding behind the tree, slowly clenched her small fists, and her mood became unpleasant.

However, despite clenching her fists repeatedly, she ultimately did not make a move.

Because Gretchen hadn't forgotten the purpose and reason for this operation. She needed to know exactly what the Yeti Squad's objective was before offering her assistance.

After all, Gretchen had no idea what the current situation was in the mine, how many people were stationed there, or whether there were any reinforcements.

If you disrupt the Yeti team's plans due to your own impulsiveness, or accidentally affect the Yeti team hiding nearby, then it would be a loss.

"call……"

Thinking it over, Gretchen withdrew her gaze and sat down against the tree.

The snow was already as thick as half of the little girl's body, and with her sitting there, she was almost completely hidden. From a distance, only the pair of red wolf ears on the hood remained standing upright.

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

On the other side of the woods—

"In a moment, remember to stick to the plan. This time, our main focus is reconnaissance, so be careful not to be discovered."

"If you encounter danger, remember..."

A signal must be sent.

Looking at her teammates, Yelena gave them serious and earnest instructions.

Although, there will inevitably be casualties when fighting or carrying out missions.

However, whether from the perspective of the eldest sister or the captain, Yelena hoped that none of those who came with her would be missing...

Don't worry, big sister.

"We've been through so many missions together, we know the procedures very well!"

"Understood. We'll retreat immediately after gathering the information."

"Okay, let's split up then. When the time comes, whether you've collected anything or not, meet up at the designated place."

After taking a deep look at the familiar faces in front of her, Yelena waved her hand and turned to walk in the direction she had decided on earlier.

Watching their eldest sister's retreating figure, everyone started to move around, those who needed to follow followed, and those who needed to disperse dispersed.

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

Integrated sports camps —

"It's getting dark, and we still haven't found little Gretchen. Could she have run off outside the camp?" Alina paced anxiously inside the tent before turning to Talulah and saying.

“I think so… but Alina, you don’t need to be too anxious. That little guy is more capable than we imagined in some ways.”

Seeing Alina's anxiety, Talulah put down what she was holding, walked to her side, and patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"Besides, Alina, didn't you also say that little Gretsch has a knight protecting him? Although I don't know his exact strength, judging from your description, he should have no problem dealing with ordinary dangers."

"I know...I know all of this, it's just..."

Alina knew everything Talulah had just said, but the thought of her own child... possibly encountering something outside made her uncontrollably anxious.