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

"Shh-"

However, Alina hadn't gone very far when she stopped...

Because at that moment, a delicately crafted katana, sheathed in its sheath, was positioned across her chest, blocking her path.

"It's time to talk."

P.S.: I originally wanted to write a 4000-word chapter, but I only managed 3000 after writing for a long time. I've been working too hard these past few days, and I still have a low-grade fever and feel dizzy and lightheaded.

There should be another update tonight, but that one should only have 2000 words. Please urge them on.

Chapter 59 Warming the Bed?

After watching Alina leave, Gretchen slowly climbed into bed and slipped into the cold blankets.

After all, this bit of cold is nothing to her... She can easily warm up the bed first.

But it's different with Alyona; it takes a long time for her to warm up and get her body and the bed warm.

"Hmm... let me warm you up first, Alyona can come up later." With that, Gretchen peeked out from under the thick blankets with her fluffy little head.

"...Okay~"

Upon hearing Gretsch's words, Alyona was slightly taken aback, but after realizing what she meant, she nodded gently and gave her a bright smile.

To be honest, every word and action of the little girl was so unexpected by Alyona, even catching her off guard and leaving her helpless.

However, she didn't dislike this feeling, because she could sense the emotion and sincerity within it...

“Hmm, Mr. Wolf.”

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Gretchen softly called out to her loyal companion.

"?"

Alyona looked at Mr. Wolf, who had suddenly appeared by her bedside, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, and then looked at Gretsch with a questioning gaze.

“I suddenly remembered, Alyona, you don’t seem to have any pajamas yet. I’ll ask Mr. Wolf to get you a set.”

Lying on the bed with only her head peeking out, Gretchen blinked her big violet eyes and explained to her friend.

"Ah this..."

Clearly, Alyona had once again failed to follow the little girl's train of thought. She racked her brains but could never have imagined that the reason Mr. Wolf had been summoned again was to get her pajamas.

While Alyona was still in a state of surprise, Mr. Wolf had already taken out a suitable nightgown and elegantly handed it to her.

Looking at the pajamas in front of her, which looked to be of excellent quality, Alyona hesitated, but after meeting Gretsch's beautiful, expectant eyes, she reached out and picked them up.

"……Thanks."

"Well, as long as you like it."

As she spoke, Gretchen slowly tucked her cute little head back under the covers, and finally mumbled, "It's all warm inside now, Gretchen won't peek."

"Good~"

Watching the little blue-haired cutie slowly shrink back, Alyona's heart softened, and her voice unconsciously softened as she spoke.

She was always wary and cold towards others... but for some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to be harsh with Gretchen.

Logically speaking, even if the little girl was her savior, Alyona shouldn't have let her guard down so much...

This is a conclusion she drew from her own bloody experience after living in this cruel snowfield for so long.

However, Gretsch seemed to possess a peculiar magic that attracted Alyona, making her want to get close, touch, relax, and even trust him.

"..."

Thinking it over, Alyona quickly changed into her pajamas without a care in the world... and then, feeling the chill in the air, walked toward the bed.

The reason she acted so quickly was because she didn't want Gretchen to suffocate from staying in the blankets.

However, the reality was completely opposite to what Alyona thought. At this moment, Gray, who was completely cooped up in bed, was watching the show through Sakura's eyes.

To be honest, if she hadn't been contacted suddenly... the little girl wouldn't have even noticed that Sakura had entered the Reunion camp and stopped Alina.

————————————————————

"Isn't it inappropriate for you to barge in like this?"

After being stopped, Alina subconsciously looked to her side, and the first thing she saw was the mask on Sakura's face, followed by her conspicuous long "rabbit ears".

"There are just some things I need to discuss with you. I'm not particularly interested in this place." Sakura's calm voice and the sheathing of her katana were the responses to Alina's words.

"So... does Miss Sakura want to come and pick up little Gretchen?"

As she watched the knife in front of her being sheathed, a complex look flashed in Alina's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she asked Sakura in a low voice.

However, Sakura did not answer Alina's question directly, but instead said softly, "Let's call over a few of your officers first."

“…Then I’ll go over and call them, but Miss Sakura, you…”

"I will be waiting for you here."

"it is good."

Upon hearing this, Alina said nothing more, took a deep look at Sakura, and then ran towards the campfire.

After all, Carters had already said that, so she didn't have much to worry about.

Moreover, Alina felt that if Sakura really had any ulterior motives, it would be easier to stop her by calling everyone over, especially the Patriots.

Although she had never witnessed the Patriots' terrifying power firsthand, she had heard rumors about it.

Moreover, there's a saying in Ursus that "three Wendigos can conquer a small town," so you can imagine how powerful Patriot, a purebred Wendigo, is.

However, at this moment, Alina had no idea that even though she had tried her best to overestimate Sakura, she had still seriously underestimated her.

"..."

Watching Alina's departing figure, a hint of helplessness flashed in her azure eyes beneath the cherry blossom mask. Having been used to interacting with the deer as Gretsch, she almost couldn't hold back her emotions just now.

Fortunately, she didn't ruin her image in the end. She still needs to adapt more, especially in front of familiar people.

……

After running all the way to the campfire, Alina successfully attracted the attention of a group of people. Both Talulah and the Yetis looked at her, who was panting a little.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"

As she spoke, Talulah stood up and walked towards Alina, gently helping her up.

"Phew—I need to trouble Talulah, Yelena, and Patriot to come over. We can discuss what it is as we go."

After taking a deep breath, Alina looked up at the Patriots and the others and said.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Talulah didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded gently to Yelena and the others.

Then, Yelena and her father exchanged a glance and stood up.

Then, led by Alina, the group left, leaving behind a group of bewildered yeti looking at each other.

……

"What exactly happened? Can you tell us now?" After walking a distance alongside Alina, Talulah finally asked her question again.

Upon hearing this, Alina gave a wry smile.

Then he explained softly:

"...Little Gretchen's older sister Sakura has come looking for us; she's inside the tent."

P.S.: I was careless; my head hurt terribly, and my fever came back...

I'm going to bed now. Goodnight everyone, and please be careful.

Oh, and about the group chat... I can only say that creating a group is too much of a hassle, and I don't plan to create another one right now... Let me take a break. Then, I'll recommend a book.

Chapter 60 Sakura's Bargaining Chip (Two chapters combined)

"...Little Gretchen's Sakura sister has come looking for us; she's over there in the tent."

After Alina finished speaking, the other three people present were stunned.

"What? That Carter came directly to us?"

After realizing what was happening, Talulah asked in shock.

Although Patriot and Yelena did not speak, they both continued to look at Alina, waiting for her answer.

“Yes, I just remembered I had some things to finish, so after settling the little one in, I left to take care of them.” Alina paused, then continued:

"However, I hadn't gone far from the tent when I was stopped. Before we could even exchange a few words, Miss Sakura told me to go and call you all over."

"Ah... what an unwelcome guest. Let's go and meet him. Let's see what we have to talk about." After a moment of silence, Talulah's eyes flickered, and she rubbed her temples helplessly.

Just then, the patriot, who had remained silent until now, spoke up and gave instructions to the three people beside him:

“Her strength is not weak. If she makes a move later, you should all be careful.”

Patriot has not forgotten the sharp sword energy that stung him even from a great distance during the day.

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, all three nodded and wrote down Patriot's words.

……

Sakura, who was standing quietly waiting, had already adjusted her mindset and was fully prepared to face the next few familiar faces.

She was even prepared for a possible fight... Although she wanted to talk peacefully, who could be sure that a conflict wouldn't happen?

Take Patriot for example. Sakura thinks he might give this "intruder" a hard time, but of course, the premise of this hard time should be that no innocent people are harmed.

Otherwise, if a battle breaks out, the aftershocks alone could kill many of the infected in the Reunion camp.

……

A short while later, four familiar figures came into Sakura's view, but she did not rush to speak, but simply watched the people in front of her quietly.

As Sakura gazed at the four people, the four of them simultaneously scrutinized and examined her.

"It's so late. I wonder what brings this young lady into our camp?" After observing Sakura for a while, Talulah tentatively spoke up.

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I’ve come here to talk to you about Gretchen. So, let’s find a quiet place…” Sakura explained softly after hearing Talulah’s words.