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

However, for her, this matter is not over in a sense...

Based on Gretchen's understanding of Talulah and the others, she figured she'd come back to Talulah later to try and get some more information out of her.

After all, Talulah and her group didn't gain any advantage in terms of information on Sakura's side; they knew very little about it.

"...!"

Because she couldn't move around, Gretchen's little mind was constantly racing with thoughts. As she was thinking, she remembered something, something very important.

That is, if she remembers correctly, the mercenaries from the Americas...w and their group should be coming to meet up with the Reunion Movement this month.

Furthermore, it seems that Mudrock is among this group of mercenaries!

It's fair to say that Gretchen suddenly perked up and secretly began thinking about how to poach Rhodes Island's members in advance, not only Mudrock but also Big Bob and the others, and she also wanted the little girl to stay.

However, Greta knew this wouldn't be so easy. She remembered that in the game, Mudrock had left the Reunion Movement due to ideological differences.

However, the little girl had absolutely no recollection of the specific reason for their ideological differences...

It seems she'll need to observe the situation carefully once the others arrive later.

P.S.: I might not be able to update as much these next few days because I'm currently working on getting a recommendation, and if I update too much, my average daily subscriptions won't go up. However, I can start adding more updates starting Friday.

I'll update earlier tomorrow, try to post it in the morning. Tomorrow is important, so I hope for high subscription rates. Thank you.

Chapter 62 Painting and Food (2-in-1)

"Ugh...hmm?"

Just as Gretchen was lost in thought, Alyona rubbed her eyes and slowly came to her senses.

She turned her head in confusion, looking at the little girl beside her with a bewildered expression.

Good morning... Alyona.

Upon noticing that Alyona had woken up, Gretchen quickly pulled herself together and greeted her calmly.

"morning……!"

Upon hearing this, Alyona subconsciously replied, while simultaneously noticing that she was now...

The action.

However, although she was startled again, her reaction was not as strong as before. Her ears turned slightly red, and she slowly loosened her grip on Gretchen.

"Hmm, let's get up and go eat together in a bit."

Seeing Alyona's adorable appearance, Gretsch, like an older sister, reached out and gently patted her head. Little did she know, she herself looked incredibly cute.

However, since both of them were lying down this time, the little girl didn't need to tiptoe to touch her head like before.

"it is good."

Upon noticing the touch on her head, Alyona not only did not resist, but even lowered her head slightly to make it easier for Gretsch to move.

"It's warm in the blankets, Alyona, lie here a little longer..."

After withdrawing her hand, Gretchen whispered in her partner's ear.

After she finished speaking, she gently lifted a corner of the quilt, carefully left the warm bed, and stood on the bed wearing only thin clothes.

Then, without Gretsch even having to call out, the giant wolf appeared beside her, holding the white dress she had been wearing earlier.

"Thank you, Mr. Wolf."

Gretchen took the clothes from Mr. Wolf and thanked him softly. Then she prepared to change.

After noticing the little girl's intention to change her clothes, Mr. Wolf disappeared and returned to the world of the painting.

Alyona, lying in bed, blushed and tucked her head under the covers.

Greta didn't pay much attention to their actions, quickly changing into the clean clothes she had in her hands. Then, she took small steps and carefully moved to the bedside, intending to get off.

But just as the little girl was about to get down, Mr. Wolf reappeared and caught his beloved princess, allowing her to land steadily on the ground.

This time, Mr. Wolf did not rush to disappear. He first took out a white painter's hat, put it on his princess, and then carefully put away the clothes that had just been changed from the bed.

"Well, since... you've changed your clothes back, then Mr. Knight, please come back too."

Wearing a white dress and barefoot, Gretchen conjured a paintbrush, twirled lightly in place, and spoke to the wolf in front of her with a smile in her eyes.

Then, a burst of azure color erupted, and the giant wolf with red and gold trim quickly transformed back into the Azure Knight guarding the princess.

"..."

Noticing the commotion outside, Alyona, assuming Gretchen had already changed her clothes, quietly revealed her flushed face.

However, when she opened her eyes, what greeted her was a dazzling array of colors and the source of those colors. She was slightly taken aback, and a hint of amazement flashed in her light green eyes.

Because they hadn't known each other for very long, this was the first time Alyona had seen Gretchen in a white dress. Combined with the pure white painter's hat... it perfectly accentuated her innocence and purity.

"Hmm... Welcome back, Mr. Knight."

Looking at the Azure Knight who had returned to normal, a smile flashed in Gretchen's eyes. Then, with a thought, she said softly.

"..."

The knight returned the princess's greeting with elegant movements. Then, he took the clothes he had changed out of and disappeared.

"Alyona...?"

After her knight disappeared, Gretchen turned her gaze back to Alyona, whose face was flushed and who seemed a little lost in thought.

"I'll get up right now!"

Upon noticing Gretchen's gaze, Alyona jolted awake, snapped back to her senses, and abruptly sat up... so fast that she almost reopened her wound.

“???)!”

The little girl was completely stunned by her friend's sudden big move.

After realizing what was happening, she said calmly, "Well, be careful... you're still injured, and it wouldn't be good if you caught a cold."

"understood……"

After hearing Gretsch's instructions, Alyona nodded, but instead of lying down again, she quickly began changing and dressing.

“???)?”

Looking at Alyona, who seemed to have listened but not quite, Gretchen was at a loss for words.

In the short moment she hesitated, Alyona had already changed her clothes at lightning speed... left the warm bed, and sat down to change her shoes.

"Hmm...it seems that Alyona is the bad child that Aponia's mother was talking about, she doesn't cherish her body at all."

As she spoke, a hint of helplessness flashed in Gretchen's large violet eyes, and then she walked towards her companions.

"Ok?"

At this moment, Alyona, who had already put on her shoes and was ready, tilted her head and showed a hint of confusion after hearing Gretsch's words.

Clearly, she hadn't realized what the little girl was saying.

"..."

This time, Gretchen didn't speak again. She simply walked expressionlessly to Alyona's side, took her cold little hand, and silently warmed it with her own.

"?"

This left Alyona completely bewildered, utterly clueless about the situation.

However, feeling the warmth and softness in her hands, she didn't dare to move at all.

Fortunately, the little white bear didn't move around, otherwise Gretchen might have had to try a method she had thought of before but hadn't actually implemented.

For example, they could imitate or even become tainted by the colors of Aponia from Gretchen's memories, and then use that to properly educate children who don't cherish their bodies.

Subsequently, on Alyona's side

After she warmed up, Gretchen helped her with a quick wash and then they left the tent.

After all, the two of them had been lingering in the tent for quite a while, and they were both hungry. It was time to go out and find something to eat.

————————————————————

campfire at the campsite—

"It's almost time, shouldn't we wake Gretchen and the others up?"

Alina, who was eating her simple breakfast, seemed to remember something, paused her actions, turned to look at the person next to her and asked.

After Alina stopped speaking, Talulah paused in her eating, then a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes as she said:

"Don't worry, the other child goes without saying, but Gretchen hasn't been getting enough rest these past few days, let her sleep a little longer."

"Hmm...that's true. Let those two little ones sleep a little longer then." After thinking for a moment, Alina nodded gently, agreeing with her best friend's suggestion.

……

Not long after the two stopped talking, a small commotion broke out nearby, causing them to look in that direction.

Then, I saw two little ones, one tall and one short, holding hands and walking towards me.

"Good morning... Tarua, Alina."

Upon noticing that Talulah and the other woman had seen her, Gretchen instinctively quickened her pace, while speaking with a blank expression on her face.

Good morning, little one. How did you sleep last night, Alyona?

"Good morning, Gretchen and Alyona. Come and have breakfast with us. You must be hungry."

Both Talulah and Alina smiled and responded gently to the little girl's greeting.

"Yes, I rested very well, and the blankets were so warm and cozy..."

When faced with other people's questions, as a good child, Gretchen would naturally answer truthfully and obediently.

"Me too, I've had a good rest."

However, Alyona was different. Although she answered the questions normally, her tone was devoid of emotion, and coupled with her hoarse voice, she seemed even more indifferent.

Moreover, her lively and shy expression inside the tent vanished the moment she left... leaving only endless indifference and alienation.

"It's good that you've rested. You two come and eat. Don't just stand there in this cold weather."

As she spoke, Alina gave the two little ones a gentle smile.

"Yes, come here quickly." Hearing this, Talulah nodded, then stood up and gently pulled the two little ones to the fireside.