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

"So, what does Talulah want to do with this painting?" Gretsch asked, raising her head slightly to look at Talulah.

After the little girl asked the question, Alina slowly shifted her gaze to her best friend, waiting for her answer.

"What should we do? Aren't they locked up inside?"

Talulah was taken aback by the question and then asked in confusion.

Clearly, Talulah didn't know that the seal inside could be broken simply by tearing up the painting, because the little girl had completely forgotten to mention it...

"Hmm, Tarua can just tear up or burn this painting. That way, the thing sealed inside the painting will also be destroyed."

Upon hearing this, Gretchen blinked her large violet eyes gently and then explained calmly.

"He is truly special... Although his entire consciousness is sealed within, no one can guarantee that he won't return. Unless..."

When Talulah heard Gretsch mention "all consciousness," a flash of surprise crossed her eyes before she continued, "Unless Ursus changes and people awaken."

"At that time, Ursus will kill Him, and the awakened people will cast aside the foolish ruler."

At this point, Talulah's tone became forceful, and her eyes were filled with unparalleled determination and sharpness.

The strength, resolve, awareness, and thoughts Talulah possesses at this moment all stem from the blood and sacrifice she endured in the dream world she painted...

This time, she will not repeat the same mistakes. She will firmly lead everyone forward to change this "corrupted" country.

"..."

Listening to Talulah's words and feeling her determination and will, Gretchen didn't say anything, but simply watched the dragon girl who seemed to be shining with light at this moment.

Meanwhile, Alina, who was standing to the side, had a gentle smile on her lips, and a hint of relief flashed in her eyes.

As for Alyona, she was still quietly eating... Although she heard everyone's conversation, she didn't say a word from beginning to end, nor did she want to.

Although she had already suffered hardship and faced scorn and injustice because of her status as an infected person, what Talulah said and the goals of the Reunion Movement were still too far away for her as a child.

Alyona didn't want to think too much about it; she only wanted to, and intended to, follow Gretsch's actions, just like the "deal" or agreement they had made at the beginning.

……

"So, how will Tarua be handled?"

After waiting a little while, I saw

After Talulah calmed down, Gretsch asked again in a low voice.

The little girl had been curious for a long time about how Tarua would deal with the black snake. She wanted to know if the dragon girl would temporarily let the black snake go and put the painting away, just like in the story.

Or tear it apart, causing the black snake's consciousness sealed within the painting to dissipate directly.

However, for Gretchen, there was not much difference between the two methods.

After all, even if Talulah hadn't destroyed the painting, the black snake's consciousness within it would never have been able to escape unless the little girl released it willingly.

"Destroy it. There's no point in keeping this rotten painting, is there?"

As she spoke, Talulah picked up the painting that was on her lap. After examining it for a moment, a blazing flame shot out from her hand and engulfed the painting.

Upon hearing Talulah's reply, Gretchen's expression remained unchanged, showing no surprise as she calmly said, "Well, as long as Talulah is happy."

Then, under the watchful eyes of the four people... the exquisite yet decaying painting slowly burned as the flames licked at it.

Just as the fire reached the eyes of the black snake in the painting, a chilling voice suddenly rang in their ears.

"I've actually been tricked..."

"But even so, you can't kill a snake. As long as there are still people who believe in my ideas, I will make a comeback one day!"

Then, as the black snake finished speaking... the painting in Talulah's hand burned out, turning into ashes that were swept away by the cold wind and drifted into the distance.

"..."

After hearing Black Serpent's sudden harsh words, Gretchen's small face remained expressionless, but a strange glint flashed in her eyes.

Honestly, the little girl really didn't expect... that the Black Serpent could still utter such harsh words at the last moment. As expected of Him, right?

Talulah watched the ashes in her hand dissipate without a trace in the cold wind before turning her gaze away.

Then she stood up solemnly, gently hugged Gretchen who was sitting beside her, and said softly:

"...Really, thank you so much."

Gretchen did not flinch from Talulah's embrace; she simply let Talulah hold her.

After briefly sensing the "fiery" color emanating from the dragon girl, the little girl said seriously, "Then... Tarua, you have to keep your word."

"Of course, believe me, I can do it!"

"Ah."

……

Finally, as everyone around the campfire was about to leave, and Talulah and Alyona were about to get busy, they belatedly realized that they seemed to have forgotten something...

;

After being distracted by the Black Snake incident, neither of them remembered to ask Gretsch about her sister Sakura.

The two little ones had already left and gone home...

“Oh no…we seem to have forgotten to ask Miss Sakura.” A hint of helplessness flashed across Alina’s face before she looked at Talulah and said.

"It's alright, the little guy won't run away. We can ask again at noon." Hearing this, Talulah gently shook her head and smiled at her best friend.

It's clear that the Dragon Girl is in a very good mood, as her tail is swaying slightly behind her.

"Heh~ that's right, alright, let's go." Alina couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at Talulah, who was in a very good mood.

"Ah."

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

"..."

"Have you forgotten something?"

Alyona tilted her head slightly, looking at Gretchen who had suddenly stopped and seemed to be thinking about something, and said softly.

Hearing this, Greta nodded her head slightly and explained softly, "Well... it's not that important. Let's go back quickly, it's still quite cold outside."

Like the two people by the campfire, the little girl only realized about Sakura's matter belatedly...

However, since this matter is neither a big deal nor a small one, both sides have remembered it, but they have tacitly agreed not to contact each other.

"it is good."

After glancing at Gretchen a few more times to make sure she was alright, Alyona nodded. She then let the little girl hold her hand and continued walking forward.

P.S.: This is terrifying. I'll have to update earlier starting tomorrow... Before I knew it, I was back to that awful routine. And I hope these next few days pass quickly; I don't feel like writing any more long chapters.

I had such a writer's block today; I revised the Black Serpent part so many times.

That's all for now, everyone. I'll give them a heads-up.

Chapter 64 The Departure of Möbius

After breakfast, Gretchen took Alyona back to the tent. It was still quite cold outside, and a large number of infected people had just joined, making the situation somewhat chaotic.

Alina originally wanted Alyona to try interacting with the children in the Reunion Movement camp, but due to various reasons, this attempt has not yet been made.

However, Xiao Lu wasn't in a hurry about this. After all, the camp relocation was imminent and they were quite busy, so this kind of thing could be dealt with after the relocation was stable.

Therefore, under these circumstances, Alyona did not go to pick her up at all from the moment she arrived at the camp.

The children involved in the Touch Integration Movement stayed with Gretchen throughout the entire process.

Greta wasn't opposed to this at all; after all, she didn't dislike having someone like Kosmo by her side, and on the contrary, she quite liked it.

But no matter how closely they stick together, there are still times when they have to separate, like right now...

After spending several hours in the tent with Alyona, Gretsch suddenly remembered something. She explained the reason to her companions and left the knight behind to protect her before leaving the tent.

This thing that the little girl suddenly remembered... is actually quite important in a sense.

The matter concerns the arrangements for Möbius. It's getting late, and it's time to send him out.

No matter how capable Mebius is, or how comprehensive her previous knowledge is, she still has to learn about and understand the various kinds of knowledge in this world from scratch, since they are not from the same world.

All of this takes time, but for Gretsch, treating Oripathy is an urgent matter.

You know, Reunion is a pure infected organization... This little girl dares to say that she's probably the only non-infected person in this whole camp.

Even setting aside the benefit to all infected individuals, just considering the few that Gretchen cares about, in her view, they all need to receive treatment as soon as possible.

Of course, the little girl didn't plan to rush out now and release her Aunt Möbius back onto the cold, snowy plains. That would be incredibly unfair and detrimental to the snakes.

So, Gretchen is now planning to go to Talulah and ask her for some "seed money".

However, given the current situation of the Reunion Movement, the money they need is just enough for Mebius to eat after leaving the snowfield... As for the rest of the funds, Snake will have to earn them himself.

After all, the little girl is now completely broke. What? No pockets? That's alright, she's penniless anyway.

Having an idea, Gretchen naturally put it into action. However, it was clear that Talulah was indeed very busy today, as she finally found a busy dragon girl after asking many people.

Seeing Talulah busy, Gretchen didn't rush forward, but just stood aside and watched from a distance.

Although she was a little anxious about "releasing" Mebius, she wasn't in a rush... so the little girl remained very calm and well-behaved.

However, this wait lasted until almost noon... It was only just before lunchtime that Talulah was finally freed from all sorts of messy things.

"I'm done with my work for now. Sorry to have kept you waiting, little one."

After finishing her business, Talulah put away her serious expression, slowly walked to Gretsch's side, and gave her a smile.

Long before, the Dragon Girl had noticed the little guy who had been secretly observing her from a short distance away.

Even halfway through, Talulah took a moment to ask what was going on, but Gretsch refused and pushed her back to work.

"Well, it didn't take long."

As she spoke, Gretchen shook her little head, and the little blue ahoge on her head swayed along with it.

Upon hearing this, Talulah bent down, pinched the little girl's cheek with a helpless expression, and said:

"So, little one, what brings you here? And where are your friends?"

“Hmm… Tarua, I need some start-up capital, not too much. Alyona is still in the tent. I left her some paintbrushes and paper, and I also asked Mr. Knight to leave some for her.”

In response to Talulah's question, Gretchen gently raised her head and answered earnestly.