“I guess they have no intention of coming. Let’s just do it among ourselves.”
As the envoy who said they would come to clarify the assassination of the eldest son of the Belmont family failed to arrive, Elly began the meeting.
Pastel sat down next to the princess. Her brazen attitude was such that one could mistake her for a demon if it weren’t for her pink hair.
“Seriously, it’s more conspicuous for me to be standing alone.”
The meeting continued in a harmonious atmosphere, revisiting the main event, the news of the Demon Lord’s discovery.
“It’s a shame that the Demon Lord ultimately does not reveal themselves. Unless it’s that type who can’t grasp the situation, they should show their face to us.”
A demon glanced at Mr. Penguin and expressed a similar disappointment to the slumped figure of Mr. Penguin.
“Huh, is that so?”
The Demon Lord flinched.
Perhaps it was courtesy to reveal their identity rather than hide behind their pink hair!
“As I said, for security reasons, they plan to go into hiding for a while. Since the Demon Lord is not yet a fully matured adult, they should refrain from public activities, and internal activities must also be approached with caution.”
That’s right, that’s right!
Aside from etiquette, this might actually be correct!
Pastel actively nodded her head.
Nod, nod! Nod, nod!
As the extremely conspicuous pink-haired girl nodded, everyone shifted their gaze before quickly looking away.
“Regardless of suspicion, it is a time that requires caution.”
Mr. Penguin said in his slumped state.
“Before I came here, I heard directly from Duke Nastasha that Viscount Craft was appointed to the governorship due to secretly being given the mission to track down the Demon Lord.”
The previously ignored gazes turned back to the girl who wanted to be left alone.
Aah!
Mr. Penguin! Stop talking!
Everyone was avoiding mentioning me, so why is Mr. Penguin the only one poking at me!
“The governorship wasn’t due to that; it was thanks to the power struggles in the central political sphere. Tracking down the Demon Lord seems to be a wild assumption on Duke Nastasha’s part.”
Elly, who had provided such clarification, was also glancing subtly.
If there were a spy here to report the identity of the Demon Lord, wouldn’t this one be the most suspicious? Those were the kind of looks directed at her.
Elly! Don’t give that kind of look while knowing I’m a fake Demon Lord!
Pastel had long forgotten that she had recently spoken, “Whoa! If I report this, I could take them all down?!”
Her fingers were twitching.
“Well, well. I did receive an imperial order to track down the Demon Lord.”
Elly’s expression changed to one of shock.
“Uh? Is it true? What? Why didn’t you tell me?” That was the look on her face.
Oh!
Thinking back, she realized she had forgotten.
Or maybe the imperial order to track down the Demon Lord had subconsciously kept her from revealing the secret to the demons?
Huh, maybe that’s really it!
Yeah, yeah!
Pastel was just someone who knew how to distinguish between public and private matters!
Recognizing her own competence, Pastel regained her confidence. She stopped her fidgeting fingers and began to speak.
“It’s not particularly secretive. When the Demon Realm Company lends out soldiers, it will eventually all be revealed.”
It could be considered information that was confidential to a degree, like a media embargo.
It’s more like maintaining secrecy just long enough to launch a rush before the Demon Lord can respond.
But then, what was Duke Nastasha doing by giving hints to the demons through speculation or investigation?
A scheming republican.
Ahhh!
“What is this!”
The meeting hall suddenly became chaotic. The murmuring grew louder, and people exchanged glances. Some called their subordinates to send urgent news.
“Hahaha.”
Pastel awkwardly laughed at the excessive reaction.
“If I report it, would all of you be taken down?”
But that wouldn’t happen!
Hahaha!
The commotion faded. Conversations and movements halted, leaving only the sound of intake breaths.
Phew, everyone seems to have calmed down!
Pastel felt proud of her eloquence. After all, misunderstandings-free communication is something someone popular like me would excel at, right?
“But I already know the identity of the Demon Lord. Even before receiving the imperial order.”
She pointed at herself.
“We get along so well that we confuse each other when looking in the mirror.”
It’s really confusing.
Looking in the mirror, one would think, “Huh, wouldn’t she turn purple?” Such a wild thought grew.
“Of course, you may suspect me. I acknowledge that it’s a rational, logical, and objective judgment.”
Pastel pointed at Mr. Penguin, whose gaze had intensified.
“But that’s why you should trust me.”
Her hand gestures gracefully returned to point at herself.
“I didn’t report any of you.”
Her hand pointed to the window.
“I didn’t secretly bring an army.”
Her hand pointed to her hair.
“And I didn’t hide my intentions.”
Pastel smiled innocently.
“Please judge rationally, logically, and objectively. I am on your side, as I was aware of the chance to take you all down but did nothing.”
Oh yeah.
It seems I’m good at marketing myself.
At this level, there shouldn’t be anyone who wouldn’t be swayed!
Silence passed.
Elly splashed water on her face. Her expression became complicated, and after a swift judgment, she opened her mouth.
“That’s right. I was planning to mention the imperial order later, but in the end, Craft blurted it out.”
Oh!
Elly pretended to know something she didn’t.
Pastel’s heart raced at how amazing this princess would handle the situation.
“The Demon Lord has another purpose for this meeting. Since everyone is suspicious of Craft, as I just mentioned, it was to create an opportunity to eliminate suspicion.”
Elly pointed at Pastel.
“It seems the current attitude of Craft gives rise to a foreboding sense of dread, but you don’t need to worry. Everything is going according to the Demon Lord’s plan.”
Oh really?
Is that so?
Did I set such a plan?!
The Demon Lord Pastel is incredible.
Is purple actually more competent than pink?
“I hope through this opportunity, we can erase suspicion and build trust in the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord was worried that they might be doubted regarding their potential since they cannot reveal themselves.”
Silence spread through the meeting hall.
—I’m glad to hear those worries. Even if there were doubts about potential, from today on, such feelings will surely disappear.
—It’s not that I thought that, but there are indeed those who worry about whether the Demon Lord is being swayed by Craft. However, now, there will be no reason to doubt!
—If someone who isn’t even an adult could devise such schemes, I wonder what will happen in the future. The future of the Demon Realm looks bright! Hahaha!
The Demon Lord Pastel is so smart!
She proved her potential without even showing herself!
Or is it rather impressive that Elly concocted all this on the spot?!
At that moment, Mr. Penguin, who had curiously been playing alone, stepped forward.
“What I was worried about is this.”
Aah!
Mr. Penguin!
Stop worrying!
“I feel blessed to glimpse the Demon Lord’s profound insight, and it warms my heart for the bright future of the Demon Realm.”
But perhaps recalling the earlier criticism, Mr. Penguin’s introduction became somewhat lengthy.
“The Demon Lord’s unilateral decisions are perilous. The outcomes may not be bad, but we cannot judge solely based on results. It’s an undeniable fact that you have overestimated Viscount Craft and devised a risky plan.”
Mr. Penguin spoke passionately.
“What era are we in? We must revisit the lessons from the Great War.”
Elly, who was listening, took a sip of green tea. With a nonchalant look in her eyes, she glanced at Mr. Penguin and bluntly said,
“So are you saying the Demon Lord is wrong? Given how far the Demon Lord has gone, would anyone doubt their potential?”
Huh.
How dare anyone question the might of the highest authority?
Mr. Penguin was taken aback.
“I’m not saying the Demon Lord is wrong. I affirm the Demon Lord’s potential but oppose this mode of decision-making. It’s a matter of systems. The Demon Lord is excellent, but the decision-making system is flawed.”
“Ah! That’s not it! What I mean is that the Demon Lord shouldn’t act unilaterally because they lack the potential!”
One demon rose in anger.
“I have never harbored such foolish thoughts, so I cannot sympathize with that! How could you doubt His Majesty the Demon Lord!”
“That is not the point. Please listen.”
Mr. Penguin tried to explain deeply.
Elly clicked her tongue as if to block him.
“After the Demon Lord has gone this far, to doubt them. Redmond, I’m disappointed.”
“Princess! Please just listen for a moment. I bear no ill will.”
Elly ignored him and looked around the meeting hall.
“Surely, no one agrees with that statement, right? If there is, I will personally relay your opinions to the Demon Lord.”
She declared that she would inform the highest authority.
Suddenly, everyone became of one mind.
—No, there are certainly those who agree?
—I may have been close with Redmond, but I never shared such thoughts with him. Hmph! Perhaps it’s time to distance ourselves a bit!
—Redmond! How could you doubt the Demon Lord! I will vehemently oppose such a flawed attitude!
—That’s right! That’s wrong! Redmond, you should learn respect and etiquette!
—Yes! Yes! Learn the respect due to the highest authority! Even Pastel agrees!
Mr. Penguin was sweating bullets.
“Well, that’s how it is.”
Elly wore a satisfied smile.
“Still, since it’s a meeting, one differing opinion might be a healthy occurrence. Should any misleading remarks be corrected, there would be no need to inform the Demon Lord.”
Mr. Penguin bowed his head deeply.
“I shall correct myself….”
His exhausted body slumped into the chair.
Wow!
Pastel, who had quietly stayed still, sparkled her eyes.
I somehow feel like I fit in well with this culture!
Is this destiny?!
Maybe the Demon Lord is my true calling!
