After learning from Fairy Ely about Griseo’s tendency to pick up other people’s colors, Alina couldn’t help widening her eyes in surprise.
“If Little Griseo picks up other people’s colors so easily, wouldn’t she be very easily influenced by others?” As a teacher in the Reunion Movement responsible for educating and caring for children, the little deer’s professional instincts immediately kicked in.
Subconsciously, she began worrying about the growth and development of this good child who had saved her.
[Don’t worry, Alina doesn’t need to be overly concerned.
Just give Griseo a little time alone, and she’ll return to being that blank sheet of paper again~] Hearing Alina’s worried words, Fairy Ely answered with a bright smile.
[Of course, besides that method, she can also transfer those colors onto a canvas.] [So if Little Griseo comes to ask later whether she can paint using your colors, please don’t refuse, okay?
There might even be an unexpected surprise~] “Okay, I understand.” Hearing that, Alina blinked softly before revealing a smile.
To the little deer, Fairy Ely’s request was merely a trivial matter compared to them saving her life, so she had no reason to refuse.
Especially since the color Griseo currently carried was her own, and it might even have been picked up while saving her.
That gave her even less reason to say no.
Besides, Alina was very curious about what her color looked like through Griseo’s eyes.
“…” Because Alina wasn’t particularly strong, the color she had left on Griseo faded away quickly while Griseo stayed in the small kitchen at the back.
Then, together with Knight, who was carrying a tray of tea, she returned to the reception room.
Before the little loli could give any instructions, the gentlemanly Azure Knight had already stepped forward and placed the tea from the tray before the guest, making a gesture inviting her to drink.
“Ah, thank you.” Alina had already seen Knight earlier when he went to prepare the tea.
However, with Fairy Ely’s unusual existence already before her, she hadn’t been too surprised.
Even so, when Azure Knight approached her now, she couldn’t help taking a few extra glances…
He really was a perfect match for Little Griseo.
Whether it was their colors or something else…
it was practically like a knight and princess from a storybook.
So was he a creation or a machine?
Noticing Alina’s attention toward Knight, Griseo, who had already returned to her blank-paper state while sitting across from her, tilted her head slightly and asked in a gentle childish voice, “Mm…
Does Mama Alina like Knight too?
꒪꒫꒪)” “Pfft…
cough cough!” Alina, who had been drinking tea, nearly choked the moment she heard that.
The sudden remark startled Fairy Ely into hurrying over to pat her back.
“Cough…
M-Mama?!” Recovering herself, the little deer immediately voiced her shock.
“Why are you calling me that, Little Griseo?” With all due respect, although she admitted she wasn’t exactly young anymore, she definitely wasn’t old enough to be called someone’s mother, right!?
If Talulah heard this, she’d laugh at her for sure!
“Because Mama Alina is Mama Alina…” Faced with Alina’s question, Griseo blinked her beautiful eyes innocently and looked at her.
“…” Looking at the innocent little loli staring back at her, Alina found herself at a loss for words.
After a moment, she sighed and tried negotiating.
“I’m not that old yet.
Could Little Griseo call me big sister instead?” “A lot of children over there call me that.” “Mm…
Okay, no problem, Mama Alina.
꒪꒫꒪)” Hearing that, Griseo nodded seriously.
“…” “Forget it.
You can call me whatever makes you happy, Little Griseo.” In the end, Alina simply smiled helplessly and stopped arguing with a child over forms of address.
What she didn’t know was that somewhere in another world, a certain person with the codename Raven shared exactly the same minor frustration.
After chatting a little longer about various topics, the little deer politely expressed her wish to return home to Griseo and Fairy Ely.
As expected, Griseo had no objections.
If anything, the fact that Alina had patiently sat here chatting with her and the System for so long was already surprising enough.
Of course, the necessary procedures still had to be followed…
“Mm, does Mama Alina really have to go back?” “Yes.
There’s someone very important waiting for me at home, along with many children.
If they suddenly can’t find me, they’ll be very worried.” As the serious exchange concluded, a voice audible only to the System and Griseo quietly rang out.
『Mission Established!』 『Mission Content: Safely escort Alina back to the Reunion Movement camp (Time Limit: Before the end of today).』 『Mission Reward: 20,000 Credits, 2 Character Supply Cards.』 Having successfully tricked—scratch that—accepted her first commissioned mission exactly as planned, Griseo’s already beautiful eyes sparkled even brighter.
If she completed both missions today, she’d immediately have three Supply Cards.
Although that was still some distance from a ten-pull, the progress was pretty encouraging, wasn’t it?
“If this is Mama Alina’s wish, then let’s set off…
I’ll make sure to bring you back safely.” In an excellent mood, Griseo looked at Alina with a serious expression as she spoke.
“Then I’ll be troubling you, Little Griseo.
Thank you.” “…It’s no trouble.” Watching the big one and the small one stand up and prepare to leave, Fairy Ely suddenly seemed to think of something.
She floated between them and looked at Alina.
[Wait, wait.
Although a cute fairy like me and Griseo are definitely good people, Alina trusts others a little too easily.] [You completely believed only our side of the story.] “…” Hearing Fairy Ely’s sudden remark, Alina didn’t rush to respond.
Instead, she looked at her curiously and quietly waited for what came next.
The reason she chose to trust Griseo and the others was actually very simple.
First, this place really was miraculous.
Second, she didn’t think people capable of casually saving her life would have any interest in a nobody like her.
And finally, she hadn’t sensed any malice from Little Griseo and the others.
[So, doesn’t the adorable Alina want to open the door and take a look?
The streets of Trimounts are very lively, you know~] Knowing Alina was waiting for her explanation, Fairy Ely got straight to the point.
“Mm…” Well, now she’d done it.
It would’ve been fine if Fairy Ely hadn’t mentioned it, but now Alina’s curiosity had been stirred again.
Columbia…
She had never even left Ursus before.
While the little deer was still hesitating, Griseo—knowing the System wanted to increase their credibility—immediately played along.
She gently took Alina’s hand and led her toward the door.
Being pulled along, Alina finally stopped struggling internally and followed the little loli’s lead, raising her hand to push open the shop door.
Then, just like when Griseo had opened it before, brilliant sunlight and a bustling street full of exotic charm appeared before Alina’s blue eyes.
She froze slightly.
“…” However, faced with such a scene, Alina didn’t stare for long.
She quickly withdrew her gaze and smiled at Griseo.
“It really is lively outside.” “But we should get going.” The outside world was indeed bustling and beautiful.
But Alina understood clearly that it didn’t belong to her…
Compared to this place, she wanted far more to return to the home where everyone was waiting for her—even if it was filled with biting cold winds.