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

Although Ines and W often bicker and act like sworn enemies, they are also comrades-in-arms who have risked their lives for each other, and will always side with each other in crucial moments.

Therefore, Ines would still like to confirm the power of this "gift" from Gretchen.

"do not know……"

Greta answered this question very decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

After all, the little girl genuinely didn't know the effect of the painting. The only thing she knew was that the painting wouldn't affect anyone else.

As for how they knew this, the answer is that Gretchen had already gained experience in painting it, and Alyona was completely unaffected by the painting, so they made that conclusion.

Furthermore, if it would affect others, Gretchen probably wouldn't have given the painting away in the first place. Even if she were to give it away, it certainly wouldn't have gone through someone else's hands like it has now.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong and causes a large-scale impact, then it really will be...

This is troublesome...

"...I'm actually not sure whether I should praise you for being honest, little one." Faced with Gretchen's candid and straightforward words, Ines finally couldn't help but rub her forehead.

"Pfft." Hedley, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud at the interaction between the two.

After a while, Hedley composed himself and said seriously, "Little friend, you don't even know your drawing skills, yet you come here to give it to someone? I remember you're quite good at drawing; it wouldn't be good if you accidentally hurt someone."

"Hmm... No, this painting doesn't contain much power; it can't even affect others."

Greta tilted her head slightly, blinked her beautiful violet eyes, and then began to explain earnestly.

"This painting is done with bright, vibrant colors...that's why I'm giving it to her..."

To be honest, the little girl is starting to regret it now. Dealing with smart people is really troublesome. She shouldn't have hesitated when she realized W wasn't there; she should have just left...

However, after some deliberation, Gretsch's decision to have Ines pass on the item was not without reason; she simply didn't want to have any more direct contact with W.

To the little girl, that was truly a disaster...

"The color of w..."

Upon hearing this, Ines whispered softly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

She grasped the key words in Gretchen's words immediately and connected everything together.

Ines thought that if she wasn't mistaken, the color the little girl in front of her was talking about must be the reason why she had become so similar to W yesterday.

However, what exactly does Gretsch mean by the color? In Ines believes that this remains to be verified for the time being.

"Alright, Gretchen, since that person isn't here, let's leave. It's best to deliver the gift in person. Besides, don't you still have someone else you want to see?"

Just as both sides fell silent, Alyona gently squeezed Gretsch's small hand and then gently suggested in a hoarse voice.

After listening for a while, the little white bear roughly understood Ines and the other person's concerns and intentions. But precisely because of this, she felt there was no need to stay any longer.

Putting aside whether handing the painting over to them will actually allow them to meet the woman named W, Alyona felt that if they stayed any longer, Gretsch would soon reveal all her secrets.

“Hmm… Alyona is right, it really should be delivered personally.” After hearing her partner’s words, Gretchen turned her head slightly and nodded in agreement.

"However, there is another way..."

As the little girl finished speaking, a massive, azure knight silently appeared beside her. At the same time, all the surrounding mercenaries' eyes were immediately drawn to this spot.

Even Ines and Hadley tensed up the moment the Azure Knight appeared, instinctively moving their hands to their weapons.

After all, the strength of this azure-blue knight is undeniable...

P.S.: Ever since I got these lousy braces, my mouth hasn't been healthy for a single day. Even with orthodontic wax, it still gets chafed again. It's so annoying...

Chapter 82 Can we get to know each other?

However, under the mercenaries' watchful eyes, the azure-blue knight remained motionless after appearing. He simply stood silently beside his princess, awaiting her command.

“Alyona is right, so I won’t trouble you, sister.” Gretsch said to Ines after her knight came out.

After speaking, the little girl turned her gaze to the azure-blue knight and softly requested:

"Thank you, Sir Knight... Please wait here and then give this painting to Dabliu for me."

In fact, how could the little girl not have thought of the concerns that Alyona could think of?

She didn't care about Ines and the other woman's small talk, but she was also afraid that after entrusting the painting to them, W herself might never see it.

After all, Gretchen had witnessed the relationship between W and the two people in front of her in the game, especially since Ines was a tsundere who was all talk and no action...

They might have just agreed to it and accepted the painting, but then destroyed it after leaving, all to protect W.

That little girl really had nowhere to cry... She didn't want to get her hands dirty again and have to repaint a whole new picture.

As for why Gretchen didn't just use Mr. Knight to deliver the painting from the beginning... well, that's because she was afraid W would blow up her own partner.

If it were her personally, no matter how angry W was, he wouldn't go so far as to harm her. But it's a different story with a summon like Mr. Knight; someone would definitely not hold back when they start attacking.

Furthermore, the Knight's previously displayed formidable strength and inability to speak could very well lead to misunderstandings.

"..."

Upon receiving the order from his little princess, the azure-blue knight first gave an elegant bow, and then gently took the painting from Gretsch's hands.

"..."

It wasn't until Gretsch's words that Ines and Hadley understood why the little girl in front of them had summoned the knight.

While feeling somewhat amused and exasperated, I also became secretly on guard.

If before they both thought Gretchen's painting wasn't too problematic, at most a minor prank, now they both feel that the painting has some issues.

otherwise

If that's the case, why would you summon such a powerful weapon just to deliver a small painting...?

"Hmm... it's true that gifts should be delivered directly to the recipient..."

Gretchen wasn't particularly concerned about the two men's thoughts and wariness. After greeting the knight, she turned to Ines and said:

"The knight will leave after giving the painting to Dabliu... Sorry to bother you, sister."

After speaking, Gretchen looked at Alyona beside her and said softly, "Let's go."

"Um……"

Upon hearing this, Alyona showed a hint of helplessness in her eyes before nodding gently.

After saying goodbye to Ines and Hadley, Gretchen left, leaving the silent, azure-clad knight holding the painting behind.

……

By now, Gretchen felt that delivering the painting to W was mostly complete. All she had to do was wait for someone to return from their mission and accept the painting.

What? You're asking what to do if W doesn't accept it?

Of course, the knight should just slap her face!

To be honest, the little girl never liked to play pranks or tease others.

But she made an exception here, which means that in a way, W is really quite impressive...

?

————————————————————

After leaving Ines, Gretchen led Alyona through the mercenary camp, searching for Mudrock.

Thanks to Alyona's presence, Gretsch didn't feel particularly uncomfortable during this operation.

If, suddenly, you sense a tendency for the dye to appear, the little girl can gently hug her friend to calm down a bit. It's quite effective.

Finally, after receiving a lot of attention, the two little ones found their target, the Sarkaz girl Mudrock, in a corner of the mercenary encampment.

"found it."

Gretsch stood at a distance, watching the massive figure sitting by the campfire, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.

"...?"

However, unlike Gretchen's joy at finding someone, Alyona slowly revealed a look of confusion, a big question mark appearing above her head.

"Gresh, didn't you say you were looking for a female mercenary with a really pretty face?" After recovering from her daze, Alyona turned to the little girl beside her and asked in a hoarse voice.

“Yes, she’s the female mercenary with the really nice color…” Upon hearing this, Gretchen turned to her puzzled companion and explained.

"...You call that a female mercenary?"

Looking at the tall, heavily armored Mudrock sitting there, Alyona couldn't help but frown.

It's not that I don't believe my little girl's words, it's just that no matter how I look at her, Little White Bear can't see that Mud Rock, wearing heavy protective clothing, looks any like a woman.

"Yes, Alyona, trust me, I can't be wrong."

As she spoke, Gretchen gently nodded her little head, then turned her gaze to the mudstone sitting in the distance, or rather, to the colors surrounding her.

It was a brown color with a faint golden sheen, the brown of earth... giving the little girl a sense of weight and security, which she liked very much.

However, before the two little ones could even get over, Mudrock's gaze fell upon them first. After all, the two little ones, so out of place here, were quite conspicuous standing there.

Moreover, many of her companions around her were whispering among themselves, making it difficult for her not to notice.

"..."

After suddenly meeting Mudrock's gaze, Gretchen no longer hesitated and gently took her companion's hand, walking towards that direction.

Upon seeing the two little ones walking towards them, Mudrock's companions, who were sitting next to him, all stopped their discussion and watched them curiously.

Finally, when she was only about two meters away from her target, Gretchen stopped, raised her head, and looked intently at Mudrock, who was wearing a protective suit:

"Sister, your colors are beautiful... My name is Gretchen, and I'm a painter. May I get to know you?"

P.S.: I don't think invisible braces are that cheap; they're still quite expensive. Here, they start at 2 and peak at around 4. In that case, it's better to save money. Besides, the braces I'm wearing now cost over 1. I have to say, dental clinics definitely make money.

?'

Give it a push.

Chapter 83 Sister Mudrock, your color is so beautiful...

"Sister, your colors are beautiful... My name is Gretchen, and I'm a painter. May I get to know you?"

"..."

Looking at the blue-haired little girl in front of him and listening to her words, Mud Rock was completely stunned.

Because Mudrock never expected that the little girl in front of him, who already had quite a few rumors among mercenaries, would actually come looking for him.