While Michelle was gone, Gertrude had a lot to think about. She was supposedly a Great One to these goblins, whatever that meant, and she needed to negotiate with a mediator sent by a king. While it was a lot to take in, there were some things that hadn’t changed. The sweet children, goblins or not, still needed her and were terrified she might abandon them.

Just sitting here wasn’t doing anything, and she had finally obtained everything she needed to make a pie, so Gertrude got to work. Everything was a slight overstatement. She was missing some of the cosmetic things she would usually add, but she was sure it would turn out fine. How she missed her extracts and syrups.

She started with the crust, then moved onto the filling. With each step she was surprised by how close it looked to her original. Could it be that magic making the pie itself look pleasant to her? It certainly wasn’t anything to complain about, so she kept going.

Making the pie took hours, but Michelle had still not returned. Gertrude decided to take this opportunity to assure the children instead.

“I only have one pie, but I am sure you can all share it since you are such sweet children,” she told them, “I don’t care if you are goblins. Just keep in mind, this pie is special.”

“Special how?” Gabby asked.

“My mother always taught me that a pie is the best way for a grandma to show her love.”

The children looked at each other and eagerly approached the steaming pie. Gertrude helped them divide it equally. While there was only one, it was quite a large pie so there was enough for everyone.

“It’s amazing!” Gubby told her with a grin.

“I love it,” Gabby agreed.

Gobby was too busy eating to say anything but nodded vigorously. All of the other children gave their praise as well, making Gertrude feel warm inside. Yes, this was it. Even if she had been brought here against her will, this was a feeling she had sorely missed. Every single one of them was dear to her now, and she couldn't imagine leaving them.

Michelle did not return before night fell, and Gertrude decided it was best to go to bed. Unfortunately, her dreamshad a rather unwelcome visitor.

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“Are you enjoying Zenyx?” Isekai asked.

“I am,” Gertrude told him. She found no reason to lie to him, even if the whole situation was annoying.

“What if I were to tell you I found a way to bring you home with the help of the spirit of the past, Historia?”

“I would refuse,” Gertrude replied immediately.

Isekai winced. “I thought you might,” he muttered, “Hey, sorry about earlier. Some of the other spirits found out what I did and they… explained some things. I was out of line.”

“Thank you,” Gertrude said, pleasantly surprised. She hadn’t expected him to apologize.

Isekai gave her another uncertain bow and disappeared, causing Gertrude to wake up to the morning rays.

Breakfast was as relaxed and comfortable as it always was/ Gertrude made food from the precious ingredients the goblins brought her, and they all ate together. The children all looked much happier today, and she felt as if an invisible wall that had stood between them had vanished.

After breakfast, Michelle arrived with interesting news.

“What did you do?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Gertrude questioned back.

Michelle looked at the happy goblins around her. “The goblins I met outside of your dome still looked cute. Did something happen?”

“It was the pie!” Gabby told her with confidence.

“A pie is the best way to show Grandma’s love,” Gubby agreed.

Gertrude smiled. She was glad she had finally gotten them to call her grandma instead of Great Mother.

“Grandma’s love?” Michelle repeated, “It seems we have much to talk about. First, I will explain my side of things.”

And so Michelle explained to Gertrude about the significance of a Great One, and how they had come to meet. She also went into detail about what she found out from the mercenaries and the aftereffects that had kept her away the day before.

The one who had hired the mercenaries was a greedy viscount who was very set in his belief that Gertrude was a terrible monster in disguise. He had already been captured and put into questioning of his own, but Michelle was certain he would no longer be a problem.

The king was more than happy to befriend Gertrude. Having a friendly Great One on the side of their kingdom would mean a lot, even if she didn’t actually do anything. Apparently it would be seen as a major feat. Naturally, that meant the kingdom would protect her and the goblins she was connected to.

“I hate to ask this after everything that happened, but what are you?” Michelle asked, “You have an accent I have never heard, and your mannerisms are unlike any I have seen.”

It was an uncomfortable question, but one she had been expecting. Since Michelle had been so forthcoming, Gertrude explained everything in turn. She told her about her husband’s death, Isekai’s rude summons, and appearing alone in the forest where the goblins found her. She even explained her theory about pleasant things.

“This would all make sense if it was the work of a spirit,” Michelle agreed, seeming relieved, “Thank you. I will have to head back soon. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Gertrude looked around at her beloved goblins. “The only thing I could ask for is more ingredients. If my apple pie really is that strong, I may need to make more someday.”

“I am sure the king will agree to that,” Michelle told her with a smile.

As she watched her new friend leave, Gertrude was happy. It was a bit sad she would never be able to see her children and grandchildren from Earth again, but she did not have much life to live there. Here, her life was full of children who loved her and many possibilities.

Of course, everything changes when she meets her beloved grandson in this world, but that is another story.