―One gold coin…
The host repeated Craft’s bid amount as if confirming the scheduled amount.
The gentlemen and ladies from the Imperial Bank were in despair, their heads in their hands.
Someone from the mid-level rushed towards the company direction, their face flushed with anger.
In an instant, Count Makenas was seized by the collar.
―Count Makenas! What is the meaning of this? Isn’t this a far cry from what we discussed! Do you think it’s acceptable to forfeit the bid at zero gold?!
―Why are you behaving in such an unbecoming manner?
The Count twisted the mid-level’s hand, releasing his collar. He then leisurely glanced around the banquet hall. Meeting the gaze of the gentlemen and ladies, he casually remarked.
―There’s no rule saying that writing down zero gold is prohibited, is there?
The mid-level was infuriated.
―That’s not common sense! Our Imperial Bank will respond sternly to this matter! Do you really think that it’s reasonable for a Trading Guild that owns railway rights to be awarded a bid for an inconsequential sum in a proper auction?! Collusion is generally deemed invalid!
Count Makenas adjusted his appearance after being grabbed by the collar. Meeting the mid-level’s gaze, a crooked smile appeared on his lips.
―Can you handle this?
The mid-level froze.
In the tense silence, a small sound of footsteps echoed leisurely. The mid-level remained stiff as he slowly inhaled.
―Collusion? That’s a misunderstanding.
Pink hair swayed dramatically. The approaching girl wore a somewhat aggrieved expression.
―I didn’t expect this outcome at all. I half-heartedly wrote down my bid, thinking there was no way it would actually be awarded. It’s truly an astonishing coincidence.
Her pink eyes scanned the gentlemen and ladies. Her gaze smiled softly.
―You all think so too, right?
No objections could be heard.
The personnel from the Imperial Bank averted their gazes and bowed their heads. The mid-level, left alone, began to show signs of distress, cold sweat trickling down.
The girl appeared somewhat apologetic.
―But even if all of this is a coincidence, it’s still valid…
Gold coins were pulled from her pocket. The girl gently unfolded the mid-level’s trembling hand and placed the coins into it.
―Advance payment.
The mid-level’s hand unwillingly folded around the coins. His expression became one of despair.
The girl smiled brightly and turned away.
―Enjoy the banquet. I’ll get scolded if I have too much fun.
Her footsteps headed toward the exit of the banquet hall.
No one could speak until the pink afterimage completely disappeared.
#
“To drink or not to drink, that is the question~.”
Pastel hopped around the garden outside the banquet hall. Each time she bounced like a rabbit, her pink hair swayed.
A silver-haired girl quietly followed behind.
Pastel twirled around and pointed at her friend.
“Elcia! Should I drink it? Or should I not?”
Elcia tilted her head.
“What?”
“The wine!”
Pastel pointed at the wine bottle casually placed on the garden table. There were also simple cheese and biscuits.
“Wow! Wow!”
An arrangement that one should not overlook if they’re rebellious!
But a completely good Pastel would have to endure and pass it by.
Gulp.
Shouldn’t I, a completely good Pastel, just pass it by?
No way.
Why am I a completely good Pastel?
Should I transform into a not-so-good Pastel starting today?
“Is it spoiled?”
Elcia picked up the wine bottle. Pouring it into a glass, she took a sip.
Oh wow, what a straightforward action.
Elcia tilted her head.
“It’s not spoiled.”
Pastel was somewhat dumbfounded.
Is this really the case?
Could it be that Elcia is a bad girl?
Though last time during the property appraisal meeting, Melissa and Ellie had no qualms about drinking either.
Gulp.
If that’s the case, is everyone except me a bad girl?
“Was I the only one being good?!”
Her pink eyes grew wide in shock.
No wonder I’ve been stuck in so many unfair situations!
This place was one where good and evil had reversed…!
“No wonder! No wonder!”
I haven’t done anything wrong, but it feels so unfair!
Pastel finally realized.
She was a completely good Pastel, but the world was wrong. A pink girl bravely standing against the wrong world. This pinkity pink was her!
“What’s ‘no wonder’?”
Elcia tilted her head. Pouring more wine into her glass, she freely offered it.
“Whoa!”
Pastel jumped back in surprise, taking a step away. She spread her palms and guarded against the wine glass.
“I’m not going to fall for such temptations! The only way to prove purity in this wrong world is to embody untainted morality! That is the mission of one born pink!”
Go go!
Elcia looked puzzled.
“What are you talking about?”
The wine glass was thrust forward.
“Whoa!”
Pastel immediately recoiled.
“You! You’re doing this to taint my heart! I didn’t see that coming!”
Betrayal…!
If I had just accepted the wine, it would have led to a super ultra-whatever effect that would have ruined my heart!
Look at that wine right now!
It’s completely purple!
Purple itself!
Pastel pointed at her friend.
“You’re completely a demon!”
No wonder her hair was silver!
One could realize without mentioning that wicked beings approach disguised as normal!
“I’m definitely not drinking!”
She shook her head vigorously. Her slightly tied pink hair waved.
“I will absolutely not drink!”
Elcia tilted her head. She finished her own glass in one go, then drank the wine she was going to offer Pastel instead.
“Suit yourself.”
Wow!
“Victory for Pastel!”
Hooray! Hooray!
Pastel bounced up and down. Her pink hair danced.
Then part of her hair got accidentally dunked into the wine glass.
Plop.
“Ah.”
Elcia stared at the pink thread floating in the purple liquid. Her expression turned blank.
“Ah?!”
Pastel was shocked into silence.
“My hair…!”
As she hurriedly pulled it out, the hair appeared limp, stained purple. Drops of wine dripped off.
Ugh!
“It turned purple!”
Waaaaah!
Pastel’s face turned to a pout.
To think her one in a lifetime opportunity would be wasted like this.
The moment of corruption should be witnessed by the demon lord, it would surely be thrilling…!
A familiar presence approached.
“Ah, there you are. Has the auction already ended? I see you managed to slip away quickly before the banquet.”
The demon lord approached.
“Demon lord!”
Pastel dashed over. Her pouty face displayed her wet hair.
“Look at this!”
Waaaaah!
Wine droplets fell.
“How did this happen?”
The demon’s brow narrowed.
“Did you drink it?”
“Of course not! A completely good Pastel wouldn’t do something bad like that!”
It’s the truth!
“Hmm.”
The demon scrutinized her. After observing Pastel’s state, perhaps believing she didn’t appear drunk, she seemed to have trusted her.
“Wait. It’s best to clean that up before it gets sticky.”
The demon appeared to reach for a handkerchief from her pocket.
Pastel watched and then eyed her wet hair.
Sticky?
Sweet.
Sugary.
Her pink eyes turned dreamy.
She placed her hair in her mouth.
Nibble.
Mmm.
The demon, now pulling out the handkerchief, paused. Her red eyes showed confusion.
“Why are you eating that?”
Mmm.
Pastel ignored her and savored the taste, her expression gradually shifting to a pout.
Bitter.
So bitter.
“Completely bitter!”
The taste tortured her tongue.
“Yuck!”
Pastel hurriedly spat out her hair. It was clean in several ways, but it revealed her hair was now even more soaked.
“Demon lord, you trickster! There’s no sweetness or stickiness! It’s completely disgusting!”
Why eat this?
Even though coffee or tea may taste bad, they boost productivity through awakening effects, but this doesn’t even have a good taste, and it drags productivity down!
Wine, my friend!
I’m sorry, but you must be removed from my friend list!
Though I’ve never considered you a friend!
“Why are you eating that?”
The demon looked bewildered. After hesitating, she wiped the drool-soaked hair with her handkerchief.
Pastel clutched her head.
“This tasteless thing is unacceptable! As the great Pastel, I must issue a decree! From now on, all wines on Sky Island must be as sweet as grape juice or else banned from sale!”
“Don’t plan any ridiculous shenanigans.”
“Then! Let’s narrow it down so that at least the members of the Student Council can’t drink it!”
Right, right!
Such tasteless decreases in productivity are unacceptable as the great Pastel!
If they’re my subordinates, they must focus on work without distractions!
“If this drinking becomes habitual, they won’t even realize they’re intoxicated and will work while conversing with inanimate objects, living in a state of disarray!”
Absolutely, absolutely unacceptable!
The demon looked at her strangely.
“That’s your usual state.”
Gulp.
Now that I think about it, that does seem accurate.
“Really?”
The demon looked at her suspiciously.
Pastel suddenly felt wronged.
“No way!”
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
“Whatever the content, it’s not true! Passing clouds, my friend! Witness my innocence!”
“Hoho. Thanks to that cloud friend, your reliability has significantly dropped. You picked the wrong witness.”
“No way!”
Thud.
Pastel slumped down in despair.
From a few steps away, Elcia was still looking down at her wine glass.
A strand of pink hair floated in the purple liquid. A hair that had not been rescued.
The hair greeted her.
―Hello!
Elcia’s eyes widened slightly.
In a tipsy state, she deliberated seriously and then replied softly.
“Hello.”
