What to do! What to do!
That demon seems unable to accept my essence!
Pastel felt slightly wronged, but thinking about the past of the Craft clan, which built an academy in the holy land of the Sky Island, made it somewhat understandable.
I didn’t look into it too deeply because it felt too unsettling, but I can only imagine the wicked deeds committed during the conquest of the Demon Realm. Civilian massacres must have been a given.
But on the other hand, it just felt unfair.
Ugh, I didn’t do anything.
No matter how kindly I live, I feel it’s useless because of my clan’s notoriety.
Is this the sin that Governor Pastel must bear? If I had just spent my days eating meals prepared by the Demon Lord at home, I wouldn’t have to feel this way. There is a price to power, after all.
However, feeling wronged was one thing, and being born with the name Craft and debating it was another; so Pastel just let out a frustrated scream.
Aaaaah!
What to do! What to do!
“Even if you say that, I can’t accept it.”
The demon who was having a friendly conversation with Ellie frowned.
The young demon who ruined the atmosphere answered.
“It’s literal.”
But everyone here except me is a demon, so the titles are really confusing.
How about we just distinguish the gentleman who cannot accept things separately?
So, I’ll call that person…
Penguin.
The Penguin said, “Everyone pretends not to know, but you know, right? That Craft shouldn’t be here.”
A strange silence fell. Slowly, one by one, gazes glanced at Pastel before looking away. It felt as if the peace that was just there was an implicit avoidance.
“I don’t want to oppose the Demon Lord’s first decision, but that doesn’t mean that anyone deep inside would truly be pleased with that judgment. Isn’t that right?”
The Penguin surveyed the crowd.
“Or do you think that my unease came from the fact that the Demon Lord hasn’t revealed themselves?”
He rubbed the split oval table.
Aaaaah!
Mr. Penguin, what’s wrong!
These statements are way too reasonable!
If Mr. Penguin had unleashed a wrathful breath by opening his beak, many would have contradicted him.
But if you only speak such a cold logic, everyone freezes solid!
What to do about this atmosphere!
Pastel felt suffocated in the harsh Antarctic environment. Come to think of it, cherry blossoms don’t grow in Antarctica.
Ellie looked bewildered. It seemed unfamiliar to her, considering it was an abrupt situation with someone she usually played chess with closely.
“Redmond, why is it suddenly like this? The Demon Lord’s absence is for security reasons. I explained that there are plans for cooperating with Craft.”
Oh dear.
Mr. Penguin has a name too.
An unexpected fact.
Oh dear me.
Pastel pondered hard.
But I think I prefer Penguin.
Wobbling and flapping around.
After careful consideration, Pastel decided to continue calling him Mr. Penguin.
The Penguin said, “No, Your Highness. It’s not sudden. We need to address what needs to be addressed. It’s also because the Demon Lord is not here that we can address these things. Perhaps this is also a consideration from the Demon Lord.”
Ugh, like that?
What kind of traps am I stepping into?
Ellie frowned.
“Are you saying we should argue about the Demon Lord’s judgment now? As you said, it’s the first decision!”
If Ellie had not been unaware that Craft had created a fake Demon Lord to quickly resume the Demon Realm’s railroad project, she might have nodded along to the sound logic.
Pastel swallowed nervously.
“Your Highness is correct.”
The Penguin smiled.
“But what time is it? Is it during the Great War? Even then, it would be the same. Those who have studied history or are interested know that our terrible defeats in war were because we could not persuade the Demon Lord.”
Ellie’s face stiffened.
“Back then, Lord Craft openly provoked. He exploded even the holy land of the Sky Island, which had been preserved for academic research, to expand the academy. If you have complaints, try retaking the Sky Island within the time limit.”
Oh dear.
“The Demon Lord said knowingly that it was wrong but had to walk into a trap. What happened afterward? We attempted to retake the Sky Island, and after the great battle, the Demon Lord perished, and we effectively lost. Of course, that was inevitable. We had to carry out landing operations at the spots Craft had already prepared.”
Pastel quietly shrank back.
Not even a glimpse of the piles of stones in the holy land while attending the academy.
Does that mean that the ancestors had already successfully set a trap and still deliberately destroyed the holy land as a ceremony?
Ugh.
Pastel wanted to hide in a mouse hole in the corner of the room. Yet, the mouse friend would probably click its tongue and tell her to come out.
“What time is it now? The Great War is over, and we have learned many things. Don’t be bound by religion. Don’t obey authority. Wrong is wrong.”
Ellie crossed her arms.
“So you intend to oppose?”
“Yes. There is no place for Craft here.”
“Redmond, are you serious?”
“What cannot be accepted and what can be accepted must be distinguished.”
A fist struck the round table. Cracks formed, making noise.
“I cannot accept granting a national economic project like railway construction to the Craft clan exclusively.”
Ellie wrinkled her face in annoyance.
“So you want to do this now—”
“I’m sorry!”
As the voices began to rise, Pastel squeezed her eyes shut and stepped forward.
Ellie! Mr. Penguin! You look like you were close; please don’t fight because of me!
“It’s all my fault! I apologize!”
Pastel bowed deeply, her pink hair spilling down and filling her view.
“Uh?”
The Penguin seemed perplexed. The tension in his clenched fist relaxed as he thought a moment before speaking.
“Even if the Viscount has apologized, it doesn’t erase what happened.”
Aaaaah!
Mr. Penguin…!
Pastel staggered closer and plopped down on her knees.
“Still, you have to go home knowing this…?”
“Mr. Penguin! I’m really sorry! I don’t know how to apologize for this regret! Please blame me for being unable to say anything but sorry!”
Pastel sobbed with a pitiful face. The fateful position set at the moment of her birth felt mournful, and the inability to find a solution made her want to cry.
“I’m sorry! Mr. Penguin!”
She clutched the Penguin’s legs, repeatedly saying how sorry she was.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“No, not to this extent.”
The Penguin looked flustered. Then he began to survey the surroundings. There were curious glances coming their way.
“Please, don’t.”
He hurriedly tried to lift the girl up.
“I’m sorry!”
The girl clung to his legs. When her body lifted but wouldn’t drop, she let go.
“Waaah! I’m sorry!”
Her tear-streaked face shone with tears that began to fall.
“Really, please don’t.”
The Penguin fidgeted.
Even so, the questioning gaze of why one should have to endure such an apology from a child focused on him.
One of them spoke.
“Your words were sound, but isn’t it too much to a child who has done nothing wrong?”
“I didn’t wish for this.”
Ellie slowly approached.
“Well, that’s true. You probably just wanted to make her kneel and apologize for the sins your clan has committed in front of the public stage, declaring she would live her life repenting, right?”
Pastel’s pink eyes widened. In an instant, tears flooded her eyes, and her sobs grew louder.
“Waaah! I’m sorry!”
Tears fell in drops.
A tongue clicked in disapproval.
“The collective punishment on a child not yet an adult is excessive. Moreover, she has not even yet seen the benefits of the Craft clan, only experiencing the tragic situation.”
“That’s—”
“Tsk, tsk. You should distinguish between situations and circumstances when you speak. That was nasty.”
The Penguin was at a loss for how to respond.
“Pastel, come here.”
Ellie helped the girl up. She took her to a corner, handed her a handkerchief, and patted her back.
“What a terrible person. Get her a cup of green tea.”
It wasn’t long before Pastel calmed down.
As she wiped her tears and drank the green tea, the bitter taste brought her back to her senses.
“Ugh, it’s bad.”
Her slightly red nose scrunched up.
“Isn’t there sugar?”
“Why would you put sugar in green tea?”
Ellie grimaced.
Is that so?
Pastel placed the teacup down and looked around.
Mr. Penguin was surrounded by people, making excuses in real-time.
—Not just disgraceful for demons, what are you doing to a child?
—That’s not what I wanted.
—Was it really nice for the girl to bow and apologize? I never expected that from someone like you.
—That’s not it.
—Stop making excuses and apologize as an adult. You’re embarrassing me.
Pastel rubbed her eyes. The redness around them was teary.
She had cried so much that it was embarrassing for having felt wronged for no reason.
Mr. Penguin, having finished talking with everyone, walked over slowly. With weary eyes, he hesitated, then finally spoke.
“I think my words were a bit harsh.”
Huh.
What a genuinely kind demon.
The Penguin turned back and sat in his place at the round table. Then he stared blankly at the ceiling with tired eyes.
The demons once again gathered around Princess Elishita. They rejoiced at the news of the Demon Lord’s discovery, enjoying the warm atmosphere until just before the meeting.
Wow!
Everyone here seems like good people!
It doesn’t seem like there are moderately bad demons!
