"Growl~"
Just as a little girl lowered her head in disappointment, her stomach let out another untimely growl.
"Are you hungry? We only have fruit right now, but it should fill your stomach a bit. Once we get back, I'll find you something else to eat. Also, are your feet cold? Do you need me to carry you?" Alina bent down and gently patted the little girl's head, her voice soft and comforting.
"Don't worry, if you have nowhere else to go, you can come back with me."
After saying this, Alina took a few fruits from her supplies and handed them to the adorable little girl in front of her.
"…Thank you, ..Warm."
Griseo stared at the fruit in front of her for a moment before accepting it and thanking Alina earnestly. She knew how scarce supplies were here; many people had starved to death.
"No need, you're injured… and I'm not cold."
Griseo gently shook her head, refusing Alina's offer after taking the fruit.
It wasn't necessary. For a MANTIS, this temperature and chill were at most just cool and slightly cold, not enough to freeze anyone. Besides, Alina was injured.
"Oh, you're not cold? My injury… isn't very serious. It'll be fine once it's bandaged."
Hearing this, Alina was a bit surprised but relaxed when she glanced at Griseo's still white and unfrostbitten legs and bare feet.
"By the way, my name is Alina. What's yours, little sister? And why do you keep calling me Warm?"
Feeling reassured, Alina introduced herself simply and voiced a question that had been on her mind. She had noticed that the cute little girl in front of her kept calling her "Warm One."
"My name is Griseo… because you're warm."
Looking at Alina and the warm yellow color surrounding her, Griseo blinked her violet eyes and explained calmly.
"Heh~ Griseo… it's a nice name."
Alina chuckled softly and extended her hand to Griseo again, inviting her, "So, Griseo, will you come back with me?"
[Ding, task triggered]
[Task: Protect Alina and ensure her safe return to camp]
[Reward: Exclusive weapon for Griseo (Elysian Astra), complete set of painting tools]
As soon as Alina invited her, a mechanical voice sounded in Griseo's head. She was initially stunned, but then her eyes lit up when she noticed the second reward. At that moment, the exclusive weapon didn't seem as important.
"What is it?"
Seeing the suddenly energetic little girl in front of her, Alina asked in confusion.
"Nothing… I will protect you," Griseo answered seriously, looking at Alina.
Griseo wanted to protect Alina not just because of the task, but because she liked the warm color of the person in front of her—it made her feel comfortable…
So, even without the task, she would still protect Alina. Besides, she had nowhere else to go and needed a safe place to figure out her current situation.
"Hehe~ Then I'll be relying on you, little Griseo. Let's go."
"Mm…"
Now that everything was settled, Alina didn't plan to stay any longer. Who knew if there would be another group of people trying to take her supplies?
Alina was kind, but not naive… She wouldn't assume the best of everyone, especially after what had just happened…
Of course, Alina didn't underestimate Griseo… After all, the previous knight and other details indicated that this little girl was not ordinary.
---
On the way back to the camp, Griseo was exceptionally well-behaved, quietly letting Alina lead her while they carefully kept a low profile.
As they neared their destination, although Griseo's face remained calm, her heart fluttered with emotion.
Through various details and the system confirming her suspicions, Griseo had realized she was a transformed transmigrator.
And she could transform into other characters besides Griseo, but they needed to be unlocked by completing tasks or under certain conditions.
Though affected by Griseo's memories, making her a quiet and emotionless little girl, she couldn't help but feel excited about meeting the characters from her previous game (crossed out).
…
"Alina!"
As they approached the camp and prepared to greet the guards, a slightly anxious voice rang out.
"What happened? Why are you so flustered?"
Seeing the dragon girl rushing towards her, Alina asked in confusion.
"Alina, I'm so glad you're okay! No… wait, you're injured!" Tallulah, who had rushed to Alina, first sighed in relief but then became worried upon seeing the bloodstains on Alina.
"We encountered some trouble, but it's nothing serious. I'll explain later." Alina shook her head gently and glanced at Griseo, giving Tallulah a meaningful look.
"?"
Only then did Tallulah notice the blue-haired little girl beside her beloved friend. One look made her frown…
No matter how she looked at her, this little girl gave off a strong sense of incongruity… like a naive princess appearing in a slum.
For one, her clothing didn't seem cheap, even if Alina didn't notice it. Having been with the Deathless Black Snake for so long, Tallulah could tell that Griseo's white dress was made of expensive fabric.
Not to mention, Griseo exuded an innocent and pure aura that couldn't be hidden…
"Alina, who is this child?"
With a belly full of questions, Tallulah looked to her friend for answers.
"This child is…"
But before Alina could explain, Griseo's almost flat voice interrupted her.
"Mom…"
"?"
"???"