Pastel hummed as she moved the highest quality cotton cloth to the hold. A new piece of cloth was placed atop the stacked cotton.
“Master! Master!”
She flapped her arms.
“The hold is full! Completely full! The hold is full! That means it’s full!”
Wow wow.
“Master! Master!”
『…I hear you.』
The demon replied casually, holding his forehead and contemplating alone.
『How did it come to this? I shouldn’t have suggested smuggling from the beginning. But was there any other way to afford the cost of magic stone meals? Sustainable big profits are impossible in a short time.』
The demon sighed.
『It would have been easier if the Craft family was intact, but why would I wish for someone like Craft to be intact? How did it turn out like this…?』
“Master! Master! The hold! The hold!”
Pastel pointed at the demon.
The demon turned around and was perplexed.
Ah, damn it.
“The hold! Hurry! Hurry! The hold!”
The demon, looking unsure of the intent, opened his mouth.
『Full?』
“That’s right! Correct! Correct!”
Pastel cheered.
“The hold is full!”
Oh yeah.
She spun around joyfully. The entire view was filled with smuggled goods.
“Wow!”
The storage of the Academy Skywhale was entirely full.
“The next smuggling should be done with a larger airship! Aja aja! Go Pastel!”
『Don’t start planning for the next one already…』
The demon murmured in a drained tone.
Pastel tugged at the demon’s arm and ran.
“Let’s go! Let’s go!”
She dashed through the airship corridor and reached the control room.
With a serious expression, she grasped the round wooden steering wheel.
“Captain Pastel declares departure!”
She turned the wheel vigorously.
“Urah! Urah! Urah!”
The steering wheel spun rapidly.
Spin spin spin.
The demon watched and then turned to operate the device in front of the steering wheel.
Gears turned, and small magic circles illuminated. As the magic stones triggered a chain reaction, the airship slowly began to rise.
“Urah! Urah! Urah!”
Pastel spun the steering wheel mindlessly.
Spin spin spin.
The demon briefly examined the compass and map. Then, he adjusted direction, height, and speed with precise operations.
『Hmm, everything is set.』
The airship began to navigate through the skies.
Captain Pastel removed her hands from the steering wheel.
She wiped her forehead with her sleeve.
“Phew, that was tough.”
Is this the responsibility of a captain?
What an enormous physical toll just to set sail.
The demon turned to her.
『Well, it’s not functioning anyway, but that’s an emergency steering wheel, so don’t play around with it too much. If it breaks, it’ll be problematic in emergencies.』
“Yes.”
Captain Pastel replied, half-listening.
Charismatic captains never listen to their crew!
Pastel decided to remain faithful to her duties as captain.
I won’t obey the demon.
I’ll turn it again next time.
#
Pastel leaned against the rail and peered through a telescope. A pirate airship floated in the sky beyond.
Looking closely at the pirate ship, she saw a pirate watching them through a telescope.
It had been a few hours since the pirate ship appeared. During that time, the pirate ship had been hovering at a distance, continuously observing them.
After a few hours of shouting and trembling, Pastel was now tired and merely stared vacantly at the pirate ship.
It felt like her gaze met that of the pirate holding the telescope.
Hello there, pirates.
After watching them some more, she lowered the telescope.
“What do they want?”
The demon, wearing an apron, stirred milk cream in a bowl with a spatula while glancing at the pirate ship.
『They’re likely cautious. Your presence is troubling them, so they’re keeping an eye on us to see what their intentions are.』
“What if they call in other pirate ships to raid us together?”
『Let me see the telescope.』
The demon set down the cream bowl and took the telescope.
『Looks like they’re just being casually watchful. It’s not a pre-battle demeanor.』
“What if it’s a trap? Since I killed some pirates, they’re here for a thorough retaliation.”
Ugh.
The harsh reality struck.
『You have a tendency to underestimate your appearance. Half of your life runs smoothly because of how you look.』
Eh.
Wasn’t it because of my smart brain?
Shock.
『It’s rare to hear someone like you bring a force just because a kid hit them. Especially when they’ve made the first move. Asking for reinforcements would just leave them a target for mockery among fellow pirates.』
The demon lowered the telescope.
『But since anything could happen, let’s have today’s meal on deck. I plan on making a simple coconut cream pie. If you want something else, let me know, and I’ll make it for you…』
The demon tried to take back the telescope but noticed Pastel with whipped cream smeared all over her mouth, a spatula hanging from her mouth. Cream powder was sprinkled all over.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“When did I eat it?”
Her words came out mumbled, her mouth full.
“Wow wow! Master! The whipped cream is super delicious! It’s soft and sweet! Your cooking skills are the best!”
The demon looked at the cream that was supposed to be used for pie, then looked up at the sky.
『Well, eat a lot. We can always make it again…』
He seemed to ponder how life had turned out this way.
After a while, Pastel finished her meal and returned to the rail. She looked through the telescope again.
“Just as you said, Master, they kept their guard up and then left. There was no need to be afraid!”
Oh yeah.
Let’s head straight to the Demon Realm!
But perhaps luck wasn’t on her side because after sailing for a while, she discovered something unexpected.
A pirate ship was chasing them while the airship fled.
Oh?
That airship looks familiar.
Upon observing closely, it was the airship she had seen at the Academy docking station. It belonged to the Academy.
Oh no.
“Master! Master! I’m a good victim! We need to help! Help is urgent!”
Pastel stuttered.
Her hands trembled.
Oh no, pirates.
My life is headed toward danger to save someone.
The demon watched the chase with disinterest.
“Ignore them.”
What did you say?
“It’s more shameless to ask a kid for rescue. Don’t needlessly put yourself at risk. Your life is long.”
Eh?
What devilish advice!
Pastel was in a mental turmoil.
Should I run away? People are in danger, but is that okay?
Surviving the mansion and instincts to act in battle flickered to life.
But pirates are indeed scary.
I didn’t particularly do anything wrong…
Conscience prickled.
Is this life’s dilemma?
Oh no.
Life is so hard, Pastel…
How should I act when the life ahead denies yet the conscience affirms?
What should I trust and what should I do?
In fact, she didn’t need to ponder.
The airship, which had merely been an observation target, came rushing in at full speed.
Eh.
The distance closed rapidly.
『Even if they adjust their speed, we’ll collide anyway. Hold onto the railing tightly.』
Moments later, the two airships collided at an angle with a deafening bang. The impact hit the airship and shook it.
“Ahhh!”
Pastel clung tightly to the railing. Her body was pushed and she felt herself fly.
“We’re off!”
After the shock subsided, Pastel rolled across the deck, her pink hair tangled.
Ugh.
『Are you okay?』
“Yes.”
The demon transformed into a magic sword.
『That’s a relief. Get ready for battle.』
Pastel grabbed the sword and awkwardly got to her feet.
Life is so hard.
From the other airship, a wizard rushed out in haste. There was only him, no one else.
A shield-wielding wizard hurriedly crossed over to their side.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“Pr-Professor?!”
Horace, the professor.
The one primarily in charge of semester reports.
She had run into him several times while inquiring about semester reports before departure.
“Viscount Pastel? Are you alone?”
The flustered Horace looked around anxiously.
“I’m alone. What about you, Professor?”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Just then, the airship shook again.
“Yikes!”
The pirate ship arrived. A wooden plank was laid across the railing. The pirates pulled out their weapons and stepped across the plank.
“Tch.”
Horace pulled out his staff. A shield was handed to Pastel.
“Provide cover! Just hold them off!”
“Yes, yes!”
Pastel stood in front of Horace with the shield and magic sword.
Cover?
How does one provide cover?
Blank thoughts flowed through her mind.
Do I just kill them all?
It felt right and wrong at the same time.
In that instant, the professor swung his staff.
“16 strokes.”
Flames flickered. They split and multiplied into 16 projectiles.
The staff pointed sharply at the pirates.
Countless fire projectiles flew, striking the pirate ship and exploding in flames as they collided with the pirates. A pirate crossing the plank fell to the ground. Screams rang out.
In the meantime, the staff drew a rune and stopped.
“16 strokes.”
New fire projectiles raced forth. The wooden plank exploded, and the pirates were pushed back to their ship.
Eh.
Pastel realized.
Ah.
Wizards are broken.
Just then, several pirates leaned against the pirate ship’s railing and pulled out firearms.
The professor shouted with a pale face.
“Cover!”
Ah.
Even one bullet can kill.
The gunfire rang out in rapid succession.
Metal bullets sliced through the air.
Pastel raised her shield. With swift movements, she angled the shield against every bullet’s trajectory. The metal bullets ricocheted, creating sparks.
“Oh! I managed to block all of them?! We’ve definitely won!”
The professor exclaimed in amazement.
As if realizing this was no ordinary blocking, the pirates hesitated, and then retreated back to their ship.
Pastel’s mouth fell open. She looked back at Horace.
Is this what having automatic rifles means?
Such admiration~.
Horace wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Normally, a few display of magic would drive them away easily, but it was a close call this time. Thank you, Pastel.”
“I didn’t do anything!”
Wow.
This is what it means to have automatic rifles?
Experiencing combat, she now felt the reality.
At that moment, the demon quietly spoke up.
『Hmm, this professor seems suspicious. It’s quite dangerous for a mage who is not a grand mage to travel alone, isn’t it? What’s in the Demon Realm?』
Huh.
The demon is being unnecessarily suspicious.
But obedient disciples decide to heed their master’s words.
“Professor, you’re going to the Demon Realm, right? Can we attach our airship and travel together?”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Of course! But what’s your purpose in the Demon Realm? Isn’t it dangerous to go alone?”
Horace paused at the casual inquiry and a subtle tension crossed his face.
“I’m visiting for research purposes to ensure the smooth academic endeavors of the students. A professor cannot be hindered by danger in pursuit of education.”
Huh.
That sounds familiar for an official purpose.
Oh?
Pastel tilted her head.
Horace’s pupils quivered slightly.
Oh dear.
That’s super suspicious.
“Okay.”
Pastel nodded. Then she quickly turned her body.
“Professor, let me check out your airship!”
Her footsteps echoed as she dashed.
Wow!
“Wait! Pastel! Wait! I have something to discuss!”
Ignoring the hurriedly pursuing professor, she rushed to the professor’s airship. She sped through the inner deck and arrived at the hold.
“Urah!”
She swung open the hold door.
What greeted her was a hold filled to the brim with contraband.
Oh no.
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
Oh no.
Contraband…!
An evil crime…!
The professor, panting, followed her in.
“Uh, uh, it’s a misunderstanding! Not at all! I just happened to pick them up on the way! I picked them up!”
“How do you accidentally pick things up in the sky?!”
Pastel, feeling cornered, shouted.
“I never dreamed of getting involved in such an evil act! Professor! As a righteous student council member, I cannot condone smuggling! Absolutely! Never!”
She raised one arm dramatically.
“Down with smuggling! Down with smuggling!”
The entirely unrelated student council will step in!
“No, no! Just wait a moment! It’s a total misunderstanding! I can explain! Just give me a moment!”
“Okay, go ahead, you evil criminal!”
“Listen! I really picked it up…!”
Horace, sweating as he explained, hesitated. It seemed his intelligent brain, capable of being a professor, was formulating an immense possibility.
He gave Pastel a peculiar look.
“But why are you alone?”
“Down with smuggling! Down with smuggling-.”
Oh no.
Pastel took a deep breath.
The strange look intensified.
“Uh, well…”
Pastel awkwardly whistled.
Horace’s expression changed as he started to run.
“I’m curious about your airship! Let me take a quick look!”
Her footsteps echoed as he dashed past her.
Oh no.
“Wait up! Professor! Professor! I have something to say!”
Pastel clung to him, but he ignored her and continued running straight towards Pastel’s hold.
The hold swung open.
What greeted him was a hold packed with smuggled goods.
Oh no.
Horace looked back at Pastel.
“You…?”
Pastel awkwardly whistled.
“Oh, I just picked it up on the way.”
It was the truth.
It was placed on a cloud.
Horace’s gaze changed.
“This isn’t your first time, is it?”
Oh no, I’ve been completely caught.
Is this the brain of a professor?
Oh no.
Scholar Pastel can’t keep up!
Horace approached with a bright smile.
“I’ve done this a few times myself!”
Eh?
What did you say?
Horace grabbed Pastel’s shoulders.
“This is a divine fate bestowed upon us!”
His eyes sparkled.
“If the student council and the professor unite, we can become gods of smuggling!”
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Oh no.
Can I really become a god of smuggling?
Her heart raced.
The demon’s voice echoed in her ears.
『What in the world is he suggesting to that kid?』
