“Little miss, you…
eh?” Originally, Muelsyse had only noticed a small child walking barefoot through the streets in light clothing and wanted to ask if she needed any help.
After all, while Trimounts had relatively good public security, nothing was absolute.
Miss Elf would never underestimate human malice.
However, as she approached, Muelsyse discovered something so astonishing that the words she intended to say abruptly stopped.
That was…
She realized that the blue-haired little cutie before her had absolutely no Originium around her!
Not even the Originium Dust that should naturally exist in the air!!
It was as if she were a gigantic purifier, pushing away all manner of airborne particles and creating a clean, uncontaminated environment around herself.
Th-This was simply refreshing!
Comforting!
Incredibly pleasant!!!
Muelsyse swore upon her race that no laboratory she had ever worked in was as clean as standing beside this little girl!
“꒪꒫꒪)…?” Because of Muelsyse’s sudden emotional shift, when Griseo turned around after hearing the voice, she was met with a pair of sparkling eyes staring directly at her.
The excitement and enthusiasm filling those eyes made her instinctively take a step backward.
Only after retreating did the little Loli finally get a clear look at the newcomer and realize that she was someone familiar.
Muelsyse—the director of Rhine Lab’s Ecological Section.
A rare Elf with an energetic personality.
And also the most difficult member of Rhine Lab’s Trio to deal with…
Come to think of it, if she hadn’t run into Muelsyse today, Griseo might have forgotten that Trimounts was also home to Rhine Lab’s headquarters.
She wondered how far the story had progressed.
Had Little Fiery Dragon Ifrit already been brought back to Rhine Lab by Saria and subjected to human experimentation under the guise of treatment?
After briefly recalling what she knew about Muelsyse and Rhine Lab, Griseo tilted her head.
“Um…
is there something you need?” “Ah…
haha, I just saw you walking around without shoes and wanted to ask if there was anything you needed help with.” Recovering from her thoughts, Muelsyse awkwardly looked away.
“Mm…
I’m doing fine right now.
There’s nothing I need help with.” Hearing this, Griseo gently shook her head.
Although she really wanted to believe that Muelsyse had approached her solely because she thought a child needed help…
The look in your eyes is practically screaming that you’ve discovered a treasure, okay?
Tone it down a little, will you꒪꒫꒪)!
As the one with more information, Griseo wasn’t stupid.
She could roughly guess why Muelsyse’s attitude was so strange.
It was probably because she was exceptionally clean.
Protected by the System and personally mindful of such things, Griseo never allowed potentially floating Originium Dust to approach her.
“Uh…
even so, are your feet really okay?
Walking around barefoot all the time makes it easy to get hurt.” As she spoke, Muelsyse’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Griseo’s bare, snow-white feet.
“If you don’t mind, would you like to come sit in that café with me?
I can check them over.
Big Sister will even buy you some cake!” Although the water Elf’s words carried a somewhat suspiciously enticing tone, what she said wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
After all, in this world, stepping on an active Originium fragment and getting cut wasn’t impossible.
While the Infected inspired fear in many people, it couldn’t be denied that Originium had become deeply integrated into every aspect of Terran life.
“…” After hearing Muelsyse’s proposal, Griseo didn’t answer.
Instead, she quietly took another step backward.
“Eh?
I shouldn’t look that scary, should I…?
Big Sister isn’t a bad person.” Noticing Griseo retreat again, the excitement and curiosity in Muelsyse’s eyes faded, replaced by a trace of dejection.
At the same time, she realized her behavior might have frightened the child and quickly took several steps back to increase the distance between them.
“But꒪꒫꒪)…
Aunt Mobius said that Elves with long ears aren’t good people.” Looking at Muelsyse after she voluntarily stepped back, Griseo blinked her beautiful eyes and spoke each word carefully.
“…?” That statement immediately caused a question mark to appear above Muelsyse’s head.
A moment later, it transformed into a visible vein of irritation.
“Who said that?!
That’s blatant slander!
Elves are clearly adorable, kind, and beautiful creatures!” Mobius, was it?
Muelsyse remembered that name now.
She’d better not run into her someday!
‘That’s right, that’s right!
Elves are adorable, kind, and beautiful creatures!’ At the side, the invisible Fairy Ely quietly chimed in.
‘But…
Elves and fairies aren’t the same thing, are they?’ ‘Oh my, Griseo, don’t worry about such tiny details~’ ‘…’ While Fairy Ely and Griseo secretly conversed, Muelsyse gradually calmed down.
With a helpless but serious expression, she spoke again.
“Alright, enough about that.
I really do need to check whether you’ve been hurt.” “Sorry about this.” Noticing the numerous gazes being directed their way, both openly and secretly, Miss Water Elf put aside her playful mood.
She stepped forward again, draped her coat over Griseo’s shoulders, then gently lifted her into her arms and carried her into the nearby café before setting her down.
“Phew…
carrying people really should be left to Saria.” Only after putting Griseo down did Muelsyse let out a breath and mutter the name of her friend.
“…” As for Griseo herself, from the moment Muelsyse had suddenly picked her up, her little brain had completely stopped functioning.
Processor Not Responding.jpg The only thing left was Fairy Ely, whom nobody else could see or hear, continuously cheering and making delighted noises nearby.
“Why did you suddenly freeze up?
Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly realized how pretty I am?
Mm, excellent taste!” Looking at the blue-haired little Loli staring blankly at her after being put down, Muelsyse leaned closer with a grin.
“Alright then, let Big Sister take a look and see whether you’ve been hurt.” After teasing the child enough, Muelsyse crouched down and prepared to inspect Griseo’s feet.
If there were no injuries, she’d clean them up and then take her to buy a pair of shoes afterward.
“꒪꒫꒪)!” ★ ★ ★ T/N: If you spot mistranslation, do tell me!
★ ★ ★ Shilling time!