A big problem! A huge problem!
Passtel’s biggest life crisis!
There are moderately bad demon folk who terrorize the righteous Craft Guild’s railway under the orders of an evil Demon King, but that’s not the issue right now!
In the end, it would just result in massive opportunity costs and Passtel’s heart-stirring sparkly experiences, and since it’s possible to somehow navigate through by cooperating with the good demon folk, it’s not that big of a deal!
It’s like saying only the workload has increased?
Ugh! I don’t want that either!
Anyway, that’s how it is!
So, a problem that is a million times harder, ten million times more complicated, and a billion times whatever has arisen!
Specifically…
Elli is sulking.
Gasp.
Elli slammed the round table, drawing attention. The declaration of the end of the meeting followed.
“Let’s smoothly cooperate with Craft and secure the railway to prevent disruptions in the development project. Everyone praises the Demon King’s outstanding foresight and incredible qualities in words, but I’m well aware that everyone still remains wary of Craft. Still, let’s put aside our doubts and work together for the future of the Demon Realm. Meeting dismissed.”
The attendees rose from their seats and dispersed.
“Oh dear. If only they wouldn’t be a nuisance, everything would be fine.”
“Don’t be too harsh on our fellow demons. It’s just a difference in thinking.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Elli, who had mediated the bad feelings, also stood up.
Passtel whistled and followed Elli. She slyly outpaced Elli and waved her arms about to draw attention, randomly making a sound like “pupu~!”
Meanwhile, Elli didn’t spare a glance at the overly noticeable pink girl. It was a completely conscious action. Or perhaps her sulking heart reached its peak, manifesting in her subconscious.
Ugh!
She’s really sulking!
After Nathaniel, the evil henchman of the Demon King, visited and left, the meeting was resumed.
The railway terror was an issue involving the Craft Guild, so unlike before, Passtel actively participated and submitted her opinions, but there was something that kept bothering her…
Normally, it was a habit for Elli to subtly observe Passtel while keeping watch, but she didn’t even glance at her.
Even Passtel, who had shifted into work mode, felt a chilling sign as the typical attention one would feel as a popular person had vanished.
It felt like a situation where the halo dissolved.
Oh dear.
Is Elli sulking?
No way.
There’s no way Elli, who is usually so cool, so chic, and so focused on her work, would sulk~.
She wouldn’t sulk just because of one purple handkerchief~.
When I asked what the handkerchief meant, she straightforwardly replied, “You don’t need to know,” so there’s no way she could be sulking~
Gasp.
Looking back, it definitely makes sense she would sulk.
A popular Passtel saying such cold words only to me?
It’s totally a fighting challenge.
No, no! But still!
Even the hint that she didn’t need to know is already doing her best as a friend!
Even though Passtel, who has now attained the title of Governor of Sky Island, is my friend, it’s far too much to explain all confidential matters to the princess of the Demon Realm Federation…!
Objectively, just giving a hint is an extremely risky favor! The situation isn’t complicated enough that you can’t figure it out just from a hint!
I must take it a step further!
Passtel: Handkerchief? The handkerchief is clearly an order for the Knight Corps to deploy! I just said in the meeting that there are no hidden troops, but there are actually some! As the governor, if I learned about a meeting where dangerous individuals would gather, it’s common sense to prepare surprise forces!
Elli: I see! I was expecting that!
Passtel: That’s right, Elli! I knew you’d figure it out! Look! I have so many handkerchiefs in my pocket! So stuffed! Pink! Red! Blue! All mean different things! Among these, the purple one is the color of corruption, so I decided on a secret maneuver! Since I threw it to the henchmen of the fleeing Demon King rather than the gathering of good demons, you don’t need to worry too much now!
Isn’t that a bit too much to betray one’s duties?
If you are going to explain it this much because we are friends, then it would be appropriate to resign from your governorship!
What do you think power is, mixing public duties with personal relationships?
Unacceptable!
But it’s a bit permissible for the popular Passtel, so just a hint to a friend…
Hehehe.
So, so.
Elli sulking is perplexing.
I’ve done my best for our friendship.
You know, right?
But but.
On one hand, I can understand.
Even if objectively that’s the case, it’s not like people’s hearts split neatly in two.
Passtel prepared handkerchiefs? It’s as expected, but experiencing it for real makes it hard to suppress my resentment.
Like that.
Gasp.
Passtel felt a pang in her heart.
This seems a bit much.
She peeked beside Elli, who was walking with a heavy gait.
“Elli, are you sulking?”
“What?”
Elli was startled. She looked genuinely perplexed as if she never expected it.
“No.”
She replied like that and walked on calmly. Her behavior seemed natural, as if she really wasn’t sulking.
But even when Passtel continued to hover in front, making sounds like “lalalala,” Elli didn’t even spare a glance, just muttering about the tasks she had to handle next as she walked.
Here, the popular Passtel was able to diagnose better than Elli herself.
Ugh!
This is unconscious sulking!
She’s occupied with her workload but her heart remains in a sulky state, unconsciously expressing it!
Even if she denies it, she’s definitely sulking!
Eventually, considering Elli’s characteristics, she would eventually loosen up as she attended to her duties, and that’s why she might be mistakenly conscious denying it, but Passtel felt a lump in her heart.
Something feels wrong.
Clearly, Passtel was supposed to be a popular person who brought healing to everyone from the beginning, yet when did spending time together become a perplexing situation?
It feels like something is very much off. Is there something wrong with my usual behavior or attitude?
Passtel pondered, groaning.
I don’t know.
Ugh.
Is this the clash between public and private?
It’s the biggest crisis in the life of a popular figure.
If this continues, I might have to give up my title of popularity.
I should consult the Demon Lord.
“Contact Count McKenna and ask for cooperation. No, since we need to go to the Demon Realm anyway, it would be good to meet. Passtel? Are you listening?”
“Uh? What did you say?”
Elli sighed heavily. After all that, Passtel was not listening, and it seemed like a frustrated reaction.
But Passtel understood. This was simply Elli’s earlier hurt feelings coming out now.
Ugh, a sulking Elli is scary.
Passtel hurriedly replied.
“Uh-huh! Got it! Elli is smart!”
Elli looked at her suspiciously.
“What did you understand?”
Gasp.
That seems like a difficult question.
Passtel averted her gaze.
A young man was seen approaching from the other end of the corridor.
Mr. Penguin.
Oh! The Penguin walks!
Oh dear.
Thinking again, penguins can walk!
Shock.
“You haven’t left yet. That’s a relief.”
Elli frowned slightly.
“Redmond, today’s meeting was too uncooperative. I’ve mentioned cooperating with Craft to you before, so what’s going on?”
Mr. Penguin looked awkward.
“Everyone came in with a positive mindset regarding whatever opinions the princess, who achieved results in seeking out the Demon King, would present, so I represented a different opinion deliberately.”
“That did seem a bit excessive. It was convenient for me, though.”
“The era has changed, and everyone has changed, but…”
Mr. Penguin adjusted his dress shirt with his hand and smiled bitterly.
“When legends and myths approached reality, everyone seems confused about how to behave. When lost, worship becomes a convenient choice.”
“Indeed.”
Mr. Penguin looked at Passtel.
“Viscount Craft, um. What title do you prefer?”
Huh? Title?
Passtel thought, her pink eyes sparkling. She raised one arm high.
“Please call me His Excellency the Great Governor Passtel!”
“You can just call her Viscount Passtel. She prefers Passtel over Craft.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“Viscount Passtel, regarding what occurred in the meeting, I’d like to apologize and have a brief conversation over there. How does that sound?”
Tilting her head.
“Sure!”
Passtel followed Mr. Penguin closely. Elli followed too, but kept her distance as if implying for them to talk.
The corridor lost its previous order as demons exited. Sunlight streamed in through the arranged windows, creating a consistent pattern.
“As I mentioned to the princess, most of what was said in the meeting isn’t my true feelings. I’m human too, so I don’t have no feelings of hatred towards the Craft family, but I can distinguish between the past and the future.”
“I see.”
Passtel’s heart became complicated.
So Mr. Penguin does have some feelings of hatred toward me.
Since I heard these words in a comfortable setting away from the public eye, it felt even more piercing.
“What should I do to get along well with everyone?”
Should I apologize in the middle of the Demon Realm Plaza like Elli joked about?
Ugh.
Mr. Penguin stopped walking and looked out the window. The nearby guards were stopping passing demons, having confirmed the ruckus caused by radical demons.
“The golden time has passed.”
Ugh.
“We’re almost there. Let’s talk in there.”
He gestured toward a secret room.
“That? Do we need soundproofing too?”
A surprised Elli questioned from a distance.
“It’s awkward to apologize in front of the princess.”
“Words are.”
Elli chuckled.
Passtel entered the soundproof chamber alone with Mr. Penguin. As he manipulated the door, the magic circle lit up, completing the soundproofing.
What kind of thing would they hide even from the princess to discuss?
It didn’t seem like a simple apology.
There must be some enormous secret concealed.
Could it be, could it?
An adult’s way of apologizing?
Golden shiny.
Gasp.
The righteous Governor Passtel does not take bribes!
Ugh!
If I was unaware, considering the effort put in, I should reluctantly accept, but I really hope this doesn’t become a recurring thing!
Passtel was ready to receive the apology.
Mr. Penguin moved his hand. It wasn’t a check from his pocket, but he placed his hand over his chest and bowed lightly.
“May I formally introduce myself? I am Redmond, tasked with identifying the Demon King in the Demon Realm under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Oh?
“You can communicate with His Majesty through me from now on.”
Mr. Penguin smiled kindly.
Then his smile faded, replaced by a questioning gaze.
“However, there’s something troubling from what you said in the meeting earlier. You seemed to know the identity of the Demon King even before His Majesty summoned you. What’s going on? An explanation is required, Governor Passtel.”
Passtel was able to react belatedly.
Ugh!
Long live His Majesty the Great Emperor who oversees all!
Loyal subject Passtel harbors no disloyal feelings!
Please believe me……!
