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

Then, with mixed feelings, Himer went to the restroom, skillfully entered a stall, closed the door, took out the letter from her pocket, opened it, and began to read.

[Tsk tsk tsk, how pathetic, kind Miss Hermer~]

It must be unpleasant to think you're doing something righteous and saving others, only to find out in the end that it was all a lie and that you were an accomplice.

Poor Ifrit!

Just reading the first paragraph made Himer clench his fists, and his expression turned very ugly as if a sore spot had been hit.

"Alright, I'm not going to waste any more time. Let's get straight to the point: Miss Himeru, would you like to collaborate?"

Oh, right, I almost forgot. To prevent you, naive Miss Himeru, from pinning your hopes on that ridiculous method, I must remind you.

[During the experiment, if Ifrit is suddenly paralyzed and loses consciousness and control of her body, there is a 90% chance that her Originium Arts will go out of control and go berserk!]

If Miss Himer isn't worried about losing such a test subject due to her severely deteriorating health, then she might as well take the gamble.

"!"

After reading through another long passage, Hermer's pupils shrank slightly, his face filled with horror and disbelief.

But there's no way around it; after all, no one would remain calm if an outsider guessed their thoughts in advance and gave them a "warning."

"call--"

After taking a short while to compose herself, Himer continued reading.

However, I think the kind-hearted Miss Himer wouldn't be willing to gamble with someone's life.

Now that you're restricted from all sides and besieged, the best solution for saving the innocent child Ifrit is to cooperate with me.

Of course, cooperation is all about mutual consent. If Ms. Himer is interested, please come to xxxxxxxx at 2 PM this afternoon to discuss the details.

——【Snake Lord】

"..."

After reading the entire letter, Himer fell into complete silence, not even noticing when her nails dug into her flesh.

Himer had to admit that every letter the Serpent Lord sent, though not particularly well-written and seemingly just casual conversation, was actually a dagger aimed at her sore spots, perfectly capturing her attention.

"2 PM...?"

P.S.: So sleepy, another all-nighter. It's proven that being unable to concentrate really makes writing incredibly inefficient; I kept getting distracted and wanting to slack off. Time for bed, everyone. Goodnight zzz.

Chapter 124 Gretsch's Announcement

Ursus Snowfield, the temporary base of the Reunion Movement—

"I'm back... Why are you sitting here alone, lost in thought?"

Having just returned from outside the encampment, the little polar bear Alyona, dressed in a thick cotton coat, walked to the campfire and asked the little girl sitting alone in a thin dress.

“???)?”

Having just finished her conversation with Mebius and Bianca, Gretchen, who was lost in thought, felt a slight twitch in the ahoge on her head before turning her head to look.

After recognizing the person who had approached, she spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Welcome back... Alyona, what brings you back today?"

So early?

“I had already mastered what we were training on today, so I was allowed to come back first.” As she spoke, Alyona sat down next to Gretsch with a smile.

"Hmm... Alyona is very capable."

Upon hearing this, Gretchen gently nodded her head, then gave a serious thumbs-up to the person next to her.

"Heh, I'm nothing special. I can't even protect the people I want to protect with this little bit of strength..." Faced with the little girl's praise, Alyona shook her head slightly and said with a wry smile.

After hearing Alyona's self-deprecating words, Gretchen reached out her warm little hands, cupped Alyona's cold face, and encouraged her, "No, I believe Alyona can do it... I will always be with you."

"……Um!"

Feeling the warmth on her face, Alyona was slightly taken aback, then gently rubbed Gretsch's little hand and nodded with a smile.

"..."

Seeing her friends laughing happily because of her words, Gretchen remained silent, instead thinking about what gifts she should bring back for them and everyone else when she went to Möbius to make purchases.

From the little girl's perspective, since they were already there... buying food was the same as buying food anyway, so she might as well bring some gifts for everyone. After all, many things were still scarce on this snowy plain.

……

After lunch, Gretchen did not go back to take a nap with Alyona as usual, but instead took Talulah and Alina to their tent.

"Little one, what's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?" After returning to the tent, Talulah, who had been holding back all the way, asked with curiosity.

Alina, standing to the side, also cast a curious glance at Gretsch, waiting for her answer.

Upon hearing this, Gretchen looked up at her two "guardians" with a serious expression and said:

"Well, there's something I wanted to tell you guys, Tarua. I'll be leaving the camp for half a day this afternoon..."

"!"×2

Both Talulah and Alina were slightly taken aback by the words coming from the little girl in front of them.

"Ahem... Can you tell us why, Gretchen?"

A moment later, it was Little Deer who reacted first, bending down and asking softly.

"Hmm...can I tell you when we get back, Alina?" Gretchen didn't answer directly when Alina asked gently, but instead asked in a low voice first.

"Is there any danger? If I can't guarantee your safety, I won't allow you to act alone!" After hearing Gretsch's words, Talulah raised her eyebrows slightly, immediately grasping the key point.

"Don't worry about my safety, because Sakura-neechan is with me." Gretsch said, gently shaking her little head. As she shook her head, the tuft of hair on her head swayed along with it.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Talulah and Alina exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

"Since Miss Sakura is protecting us, Talulah and I won't say anything. So, is Gretsch coming back tonight, or at some other time?"

Alina reached out and gently touched Gretsch's head, asking softly.

I'll be back tonight.

Gretchen gently rubbed Alina's palm and answered softly.

"Then come back soon, and be careful, little one." Talulah, standing to the side, still couldn't help but add a word of advice.

"Ok!"

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

After speaking with Talulah and Alina, Gretsch slowly walked away from their tent and headed towards the campfire.

As for why she went there... well, it's because the little girl guessed that there must be another "idiot" waiting for her there.

"Alyona really didn't go to rest..."

Upon arriving at the campfire, Gretchen saw her familiar companion and spoke to her calmly.

"...Because I want to wait for Gretchen to come with me."

Upon hearing this, a hint of guilt flashed in Alyona's light green eyes before she answered seriously.

"Well……"

With her friend saying this, Gretchen was now in a difficult position.

The little girl hadn't figured out how to tell Alyona that she had to go out this afternoon and wouldn't be able to keep her company during her afternoon nap...

"What's wrong? Did you run into a problem?"

Seeing the conflicted look in Gretchen's eyes, Alyona asked with some concern.

Actually, she had been worried ever since the little girl finished eating, told her to go back and rest, and then left alone with Talulah and Alina.

I even kept wondering if something had happened... though I never came to a conclusion about it.

"Yes, we've encountered a problem." Gretchen nodded gently in response to her friend's question.

"what is the problem?"

Upon seeing Gretchen's "admission," Alyona's face turned serious.

"I can't nap with Alyona today..."

"what?"

……

Alyona, who had initially thought there was some serious problem, lost her seriousness and surprise after Gretsch's explanation, replaced by a look of bewilderment and amusement.

After a moment, she began to give her instructions in a helpless tone.

"You must be careful when you go out and protect yourself."

"Well, I will."

"When will Gretchen leave?"

After receiving Gretsch's assurance, Alyona seemed to suddenly remember something and asked again.

"I'll leave after I take Alyona back to sleep."

"it is good."

Then, the two little ones went back to their tent one after the other.

After watching Alyona lie down, Gretchen said goodbye and left the tent.

Without lingering at the encampment, she dashed outside, simultaneously contacting the others in her mind.

P.S.: It's been a long time since I wrote about little lolis, I've gotten rusty. This chapter took me ages to write. And then there's some bad news: only one update today. I'll update earlier tomorrow (I've been quite busy these past few days).

Chapter 125 The Arrival of the Little Loli

On the deserted path through the snowy forests of Ursus, Gray was being held in the arms of her knight as she contacted the others.

"So, which lady has time to switch seats with me?"

To prevent this procuring mission from becoming a one-way trip, Gretchen must summon someone to act as an anchor point before leaving, making it easier for her to return.

'I can do it, Miss Gretchen~'