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

Even before the little girl started using other people's colors and drawing, Alina knew that this painting had an owner, just like the one she and Talulah possessed.

“???)?”

"How did Sister Alina know?"

Gretchen was taken aback by what she heard, and a look of confusion appeared in her large violet eyes.

"Well, that's because I know you so well, of course." Alina said with a smile, then reached out and gently patted Gretsch's head.

"However, today is a bit special. So, can your sister come with you to meet your new friend?"

Hearing Alina's gentle words, Gretchen was slightly taken aback, then gently nodded her little head and said, "Okay... Sister Mudrock is a very good person."

Although Gretchen was somewhat surprised by Alina's guess and gentle attitude, she nodded in agreement without hesitation.

The little girl knew that Alina cared about her. Besides, she would be very happy to have someone with her.

Moreover, having someone with her when necessary can reduce the influence of other colors on her.

"Really? Then I'll have to get to know you properly."

Seeing Gretchen agree almost without thinking, Alina's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, and then she gently patted her little head again.

To be honest, Gretchen nodded so quickly that Alina was momentarily suspicious—was the child truly trusting her, or simply naive…?

……

After Gretchen put away the finished painting, she took Alina to find Mudrock.

In fact, if it were anyone else, Gretchen wouldn't have agreed to bring Alina along so readily; she would have hesitated for at least a little while.

However, this time we're going to meet the Sarkaz lady, so it's not a big problem.

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

campfire near the tent —

"How boring. Do you have any potatoes left? Give me two." Sitting by the campfire, W casually glanced at Hedley and asked, idly wiping the dagger in his hand.

Hearing this, Hedley was taken aback for a moment, then said helplessly, "You're not going to carve it for fun again, are you... Here you go."

“After all, there’s nothing fun to be had, is there? You won’t let me go find that little guy.” As he spoke, W caught the potato that Hedley threw to him and started playing with it.

Actually, W had tried to come and see Gretchen this morning, and you could even say she was a little anxious.

However, her operation failed due to the obstruction of Ines and Hedley, as well as the watchful eyes of the Yeti, Talulah, and Alina.

Although W is very concerned about Theresa's affairs, she knows that she needs to be patient and wait until others lower their guard before taking action.

Otherwise, it might cause trouble. She herself isn't afraid, but it would involve Ines and the others.

However, W will definitely not give up on this matter.

?;'|

"You should probably tone it down a bit these next few days. It seems they know about how you bullied those kids in private," Hedley said helplessly, listening to W's words.

"Yes, yes, yes, you're so long-winded, Hedley."

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

the other side--

"So, little Greta, how did you come to know Mudstone?"

It wasn't until they entered the area where the Sarkaz mercenaries were stationed that Alina suddenly realized that her child's new friend might be a Sarkaz mercenary.

"Um... because I saw that Mudrock's color was really beautiful before, so I remembered it. Then I made friends with her..." Faced with Alina's probing question, Gretchen hesitated for a moment before explaining.

"Sigh, I know you're very strong, little Gretchen, so I won't say anything, but..."

"Take good care of yourself, okay? And don't believe everything others say." Alina sighed softly and gently reminded her.

Alina, who knew Gretchen was very powerful, was not actually most worried about the little girl's safety, but rather that she was afraid that she would be deceived and taken advantage of.

Because the little girl acted so innocently in front of Alina and the others. So innocently that they felt anyone could kidnap their child.

"Yeah, don't worry, Alina, I'll take good care of myself. And I won't trust others so easily. Besides, not everyone's color looks good..."

After listening to Alina's instructions, Gretchen agreed earnestly and explained in a low voice.

"It doesn't matter if the color looks good, people can't stay the same... Pay more attention."

"it is good."

Finally, the two walked and talked, and it took them quite a while to reach the place where Mudrock was stationed.

?;"

Upon arrival, Gretchen spotted the mudstone at a glance and then pulled Alina toward it.

……

Mudrock had noticed Gretchen and her companion earlier, so she stood up to greet them as they approached.

"Good morning, Sister Mudrock..."

"Good morning, Gretchen. What brings you here today?"

"...?"

Alina, standing to the side, looked at the large man called "Mudrock Sister" by Gretsch in front of her and listened to his deep voice. Suddenly, she fell silent, a big question mark slowly appearing above her head.

P.S.: Today's update could have been earlier, but a friend asked me to log into the game for him, and then I was transported back to another world... Please give me some votes.

Also, I have so many European readers, it's awful.

Chapter 93 Drawings and Hugs

"The painting we agreed on is finished, so I'm looking for you today, Sister Mudrock," Gretchen said, looking up at Mudrock as she answered her question.

After answering, the little girl turned to Alina beside her and introduced her, "This is Alina. She came along because she was a little worried about me."

"So that's it..."

Upon hearing this, Niyan nodded slightly, then looked at Alina to the side.

She had actually heard about the conflict between Gretchen and W recently, so she wasn't surprised that someone would follow the little girl. In fact, she was quite supportive of it.

After all, W's reputation... is quite "famous" among their mercenaries.

After noticing Mudrock's gaze, Alina quickly regained her composure and spoke in a gentle and polite tone:

“Ah, sorry, I was just spacing out. My name is Alina, and I am currently one of the child’s guardians. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Mudrock.”

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Alina." After hearing Alina's introduction, Mudrock nodded again and replied.

"My painting is quite special. If Sister Mudrock doesn't have time right now, please don't look at it yet. You can open it when you have time."

Just as the two were talking, Greta took out the painting she had finished earlier from her spatial storage and handed it to her.

At this moment, the painting is completely covered up, making it impossible for anyone to see what's inside.

"okay, I get it."

Looking at the painting handed to him, Ni Yan was slightly taken aback, then nodded seriously and solemnly accepted it.

After carefully placing the gift aside, Mud Rock rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small clay figurine, which he then handed to the little girl.

"Here, consider this a gift exchange."

"Eh...???"

Gretchen was momentarily stunned when she saw the small clay figurine handed to her.

But after she realized what was happening, her eyes lit up, and she happily accepted the gift, saying very sincerely, "Thank you, Sister Niyan, I really like this gift."

"As long as you like it."

Looking at Gretchen standing happily in front of him, Mudrock responded softly, hesitated for a moment, and then placed his hand on the little girl's fluffy head again, gently rubbing it.

"..."

Alina, standing to the side, didn't say anything about the harmonious interaction between the two; she simply watched quietly.

Although she still doesn't understand the origin of the nickname "Sister Mud Rock," her initial impression of Mud Rock is quite good.

If we exclude the possibility of it being a disguise, Alina has to admit that her Gretchen has a very good eye for people... or rather, she has a very good eye for color.

……

After chatting with Mudrock for a while, it was almost lunchtime, so Gretsch had to go back. But before leaving, she gave him a serious look and gave him some instructions:

"Then Alina and I will head back first. If Mudrock has any questions about the painting... you can come find me."

Mudrock nodded seriously at Gretchen's instructions and replied, "Okay, I will... No need to worry."

"Um... Goodbye, Mudrock Sister."

————————————————————

"What does Sister Alina think of Sister Mudrock?"

On the way back, Gretchen suddenly looked up at Alina beside her and asked.

"Speaking of this, I..."

I've been wanting to ask this for a while now. Is Mudstone really a woman?

Upon hearing Gretchen's question, Alina didn't rush to answer. Instead, she asked a question that had been on her mind for a long time.

Heaven knows how long Xiaolu had been holding this question in; even after leaving Niyan, she still hadn't figured out how to bring it up. This was just a convenient opportunity.

"Yes...and Sister Mudrock is also very pretty."

Upon hearing this question, a smile flickered in Gretchen's eyes, and she explained.

Actually, Gretchen had noticed before that Alina seemed to have something on her mind, but she didn't say anything, so the little girl didn't ask.

Now that she knew what it was about, Gretchen was both amused and exasperated. She had initially thought it was some serious problem... but it turned out that Alina was simply preoccupied with the gender of Mudrock.

"So, little Gretchen, have you seen what it looks like under the mudstone protective suit?" Upon hearing this, a hint of curiosity flashed in Alina's eyes, and she asked in a low voice.

"Hmm... We met when we first met, and we even hugged."

After hearing Alina's question, Gretchen made no attempt to hide anything and told her everything that had happened last time.

"hug?"