『No way.』
Red Eyes stared resolutely.
“Eek.”
Pastel made a sad face, tightly hugging her hands and looking up at the Demon Lord.
“Demon Lord.”
『What can’t be done, can’t be done.』
The Suited Demon spoke in a cold voice and turned away, a laundry basket in hand.
Is the dream of smuggling fading away like this?
Pastel followed the Demon Lord closely.
“Demon Lord.”
The Demon Lord walked on with no response. A damp towel swayed in the laundry basket.
Wow wow.
So cold.
Maybe it’s because of the formal attire; I could feel the cool demeanor of a working adult.
Is this what it feels like to be thrown into the cold reality as a child?
Still following closely.
“Demon Lord, just once, please.”
My seniors do this to let new students win at arm wrestling.
Could the Demon Lord be the same?
But the Demon seemed to feel a sense of déjà vu, snickering softly.
Then, with determined steps, opened the laundry room door and briskly walked over to the water. A sound of water splashing followed.
The Suited Demon mercilessly began washing towels, ignoring Pastel.
Water splashing.
Soap sudsing.
The stick thudding.
Towels being cleaned.
In no time at all, the skilled hands finished washing ten towels.
『Hah, next is the blanket.』
The Demon wiped their forehead with a coat sleeve.
Eek.
Pastel’s hands trembled.
Ugh ugh.
This attitude is just too cold.
Demon Lord, we never had such a cold relationship.
What on earth has changed so much about smuggling?
Ugh.
Pastel felt the future darkening.
What will I eat if I can’t smuggle?
What dream should I have if I can’t become the god of smuggling?
Grumble.
Suddenly, her stomach growled.
Eek.
The Demon jolted and turned. A glint of pity flickered in their once cold and cruel eyes.
Eek.
That’s it!
Pastel slumped down. She weakly hugged her empty stomach.
“Demon Lord, that’s right. Pure justice comes before hunger. I, Pastel, will starve for the greater good.”
Sniff.
The Demon hesitated while packing the laundry basket.
“I’d rather be a hungry martyr than a well-fed pig.”
Sniff sniff.
The Demon sighed heavily.
『Young Craft.』
“Yes.”
『Your performance is lacking.』
Ugh.
Pastel made a sad face.
“Oh, Demon Lord. Just once, please! Objectively, we don’t have ways to make money either. Requests or research won’t gather enough gold bars to eat three meals a day.”
『Well…』
The Demon frowned and pressed their temple.
『Hah, why is your situation so bad?』
Oh?
The Demon bent down and raised a finger.
『Really just once. There won’t be another chance. After this, you must find a way.』
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Of course! I believe in you, Demon Lord! You’ll find a solution even in this dire situation! You can make me a well-fed Pastel!”
Go go!
『No, you need to look for it too.』
The first time is tough.
The second time isn’t so bad.
Then what about the third time?
Oh yeah.
『Hah, fine. But hurry up. You’re getting mud on your clothes.』
“Oh, yes.”
#
Look at this refreshing sky.
How about the sky whale gliding through the clouds?
“This is the earthly paradise!”
The flying airship soared through the sky. Pink hair fluttered in the breeze from the railing.
『Hmm.』
The Demon surveyed the sky road ahead.
『Is that a flying creature?』
“What could possibly make delivery impossible?”
It must be a serious issue if a light dragon can’t be delivered.
『The masters of this world are not humans but nature itself. The sky routes change continuously depending on nature’s whims.』
The Demon stepped forward with a large cloth.
『Before meeting the school of fish, wrap the fins in this cloth.』
School of fish?
Pastel tilted her head and followed the Demon. She leapt toward the left and right of the whale-shaped airship.
Barely climbing onto the fluttering fins.
『The airship mimics a sky whale, but it’s not perfect. The fins aren’t smooth and have many gaps. If something gets stuck, it easily breaks.』
The white cloth was tied up to wrap around the fins, showing skillful craftsmanship.
“Wow, Demon Lord!”
Pastel quickly shook her head while speaking. Her pink hair danced.
“No, Master! You’re amazing! You look like a sailor!”
『Remember this knot well. There are knots that come undone easily and knots that don’t. You must tie it so that it doesn’t come undone.』
“Oh! I think I can do it!”
『Give it a try.』
Pastel received the rope and fiddled with a part of the cloth.
“Like this like this.”
She created a knot but felt it wasn’t right, so she tied it again.
“Like this like this.”
This time she tugged, thinking it was coming undone, and secretly peeked at the other knot, giving it her all.
One knot was completed.
It felt taut when pulled.
Wow wow.
Am I really doing well?
Is there a talent for sailing in me?
The Demon approached with the remaining cloth. Behind her were dozens of knotted fins.
Red Eyes looked down at Pastel’s knot.
『Well done.』
Proud.
『Now for the opposite fin. We must hurry.』
“Yes, Master!”
Pastel dashed off. She positioned herself on the opposite fin and, with a serious face, began to tie the knot.
Her nimble fingers danced around the rope and cloth.
“Like this like this.”
One was completed.
Wow, twice as fast as before.
Small hands darted around energetically.
“Like this like this.”
Another was completed.
Eek.
Already two!
My skills have at least doubled.
Am I a genius at sailing?
The Demon approached.
A sharp gaze scrutinized Pastel’s results.
『Good job.』
Hehe.
Behind the Demon were dozens of knots.
“Is the preparation complete now?”
『Correct.』
“Wow wow.”
Already?
“With your and my power combined, it’s so easy!”
Pastel blushed.
“It seems like the synergy between mentor and student is great!”
She flung her arms around according to her mood.
Wow wow.
The Demon alternately looked at the knots he’d tied and Pastel’s knots.
『…Alright.』
The Demon silently placed the cloth on the deck and stepped out.
Pastel leaned on the railing and gazed beyond the sky.
“What’s a school of fish?”
It can’t be the kind of school I know.
The Demon pointed with a finger beyond.
『That.』
A blue wave surged through the clouds.
Streamlined marine creatures with white bellies and blue backs.
A collective consciousness and chain action.
The mass of creatures covered the sky.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“It’s mackerel!”
What is that?
『It’s a sky mackerel.』
The sky was covered with mackerel. Sunlight reflected on countless scales. The shadow of the waves colored the atmosphere.
『You need to be outside to deal with the airship’s fin in case it breaks. Hide in the railing and hold on tightly. They’re coming.』
Eek!
Pastel fixed her gaze on a mackerel flying toward her.
Its fishy eyes were clearly lifeless.
Its shimmering fins.
But wait, the size?
Our friend is larger than my face!
Eek?
A monster mackerel.
Eek!
She ducked behind the railing. Immediately, the school of mackerel collided with the airship. A shockwave erupted.
The airship wobbled. A sound like hail falling echoed from all directions.
Wow wow.
Pastel trembled behind the railing.
Shiver shiver.
“Friends, don’t do this!”
I don’t remember, but we used to get along. Friends shouldn’t act like this.
After a while, the thunderous sound subsided.
『The school of fish has adapted to the airship. They’ll move while leaving space. You can poke your head out now.』
Phew.
Pastel held her racing heart steady. Calming herself, she peeked out.
A mackerel flew right in front of her. Its streamlined body twisted direction swiftly.
The fin slapped her cheek.
“Eck!”
Pastel fell flat.
Oh no.
『Are you okay?』
“No…”
Mackerels are terrifying.
“I won’t eat mackerel dishes for a while.”
『Get a grip. When you settle down, look up. You’ll see a spectacle you can’t usually see.』
Rubbing her surely red cheeks, she lifted her head.
A school of fish covered her entire field of vision.
Just like the sea water embracing a submarine, the school of fish flowed around the airship.
“Wow.”
Pastel’s mouth hung open.
Sunlight shimmered along the blue current.
The airship was dazed in color.
This was the sea of the sky.
“I-I changed my mind.”
『Hmm?』
“I want to eat mackerel dishes now.”
Nom nom.
The Demon chuckled softly.
『Do as you wish.』
Hehe.
Pastel cautiously got up. Realizing the school of fish was keeping a safe distance from the airship, she fully stood up.
Looking around.
All fish.
“Wow, it feels like under the sea.”
Whoosh whoosh.
Wow.
“But it doesn’t seem as dangerous as I thought?”
Though the collision was intense, I wonder if it’s enough to stop delivery.
『What’s dangerous is the environment. There it is.』
Pastel turned her head.
Behind the school of fish, a certain airship was visible. Just like here, it was surrounded by fish.
Sailors on that airship were bustling about. Nets flapped as they grabbed mackerels.
Oh, fishermen?
Hidden at the prow of the airship was a skull motif peeking out.
Eh.
『The proper way to chase away a pirate ship is by cannon fire. Close combat inevitably leads to casualties.』
One of the pirates spotted Pastel’s airship.
『The school of fish conceals the view and makes it easier for the pirate ship to approach. There’s a high chance that cannon fire will fail, being surrounded by fish.』
The pirate ship moved closer.
『Many pirates are also out for fishing, so the chances of meeting a pirate ship increased significantly.』
Eek!
The pirate ship approached. The school of fish that obstructed their view parted.
“Friends, don’t leave me, please!”
A wooden plank was laid over the railing.
This is bad.
Pastel drew her sword.
“Hey hey! We’re not here to fight!”
A young man walked across the plank, raising both hands in a surrendering gesture. A rapier swayed at his waist.
Eek?
『Hmm, is it okay?』
What do you mean?
The man stepped onto the airship. Still with his hands raised, he backed away from Pastel.
His eyes scrutinized Pastel.
“Are you the girl who killed Morris?”
Morris?
“If you’re talking about the pirate with the big sword, then yes, that’s me.”
The man whistled.
“You’re quite skilled for your age. Bright future ahead. I’m Jackson.”
Jackson winked.
His eyebrows fluttered.
“Little lady, talent acquisition is vital in piracy. Want to consider partnering up?”
Huh?
“You’re doing smuggling anyway.”
Eek.
How did he know?
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Jackson chuckled softly.
“The purpose of a girl traveling to the Demon Realm alone is pretty clear. If she has considerable power, then she must be after big money, right?”
Is that so?
Pastel’s lips trembled.
“I-I’m just traveling for legitimate purposes! Really!”
For the glowing dragon!
“I get it. Isn’t that the case for everyone?”
Jackson nodded.
“Well, ideally I want to recruit you, but it’s hard to get an answer right away, isn’t it? So, I wanted to change our relationship to one of mutual respect. We’re not that bad of people, you know. Look!”
He pointed a thumb at the pirate ship. The pirate with a long scar on his face received the gaze.
The pirate, flustered, scratched his head, and then waved his hand.
Hello hello.
Eek.
He put the demon sword back in its scabbard.
Perhaps they were people who had been inadvertently forced into piracy?
Fishing is the same; they’re completely in the same boat as me!
Suddenly, Pastel’s hair stood on end.
Instincts flared.
Before she could fully comprehend the situation, her hand grabbed the scabbard. She quickly turned her head.
Jackson’s calm expression was aimed at a pirate pistol.
A single-shot flintlock.
The muzzle flared. A fiery marble shot out. The marble rushed through the air, accelerating.
The girl flicked her thumb off the scabbard. The thumb rose to cross-guard position. The sword smoothly drew itself.
An empty hand caught the sliding grip. Riding the momentum, the sword swung.
The form of a magical girl flickered.
What had to be parried was the bullet of light.
The silver blade traced its path.
The bullet was sucked into the strike.
Flames burst forth where they met.
Scattered fragments brushed against the girl.
Jackson’s vest flared. The loaded flintlocks revealed themselves.
His hand quickly drew another pistol.
New muzzles flared in rapid succession.
Sixteen glimmers.
Sixteen strikes.
The silver blade traced its path.
Bullets sliced through and fragments exploded.
Pastel’s pink hair flowed. Footsteps surged. The rapier drew out hastily, but before that, the demon sword gleamed. A storm of blood arose.
The man’s body collapsed.
The girl turned her body.
She aimed for the next target.
Meanwhile, the pirate ship that had cleared the boards was fleeing in the distance, hidden by the school of fish.
“We’re just innocent fishermen!”
The panicked voice faded away.
Eek.
Pastel stared blankly at the pirate ship.
A familiar hand pressed down on her pink hair.
『Well done.』
Oh, Demon Lord.
Hehe.
After that, they arrived in the Demon Realm and completed their tasks.
They waited quietly and met the merchant as usual to sign the contract.
Swish swish.
Smuggled goods were pulled out of the hold.
In exchange, big boxes moved smoothly.
When the box clicked open, it was full of unprocessed gems.
The girl raised her arms high.
“Wow!”
This is my calling!
I want to do this for life!
『Really, this is the last time.』
“Yes!”
Pastel didn’t even spare a glance at the person she was talking to and embraced the gems worth so much.
This heavy feeling.
“Eek!”
Her heart raced.
Her body trembled with excitement.
“I’ll be a well-fed Pastel!”
Nom nom, I want to eat a lot.
The Demon Lord will cook for me.
『…This is really the last time. Are you actually listening?』
“Yes!”
Pastel nodded obediently.
“By the way, what’s our profit rate?!”
『Hah.』
The Demon seemed resigned, leading Pastel around the dock. They picked up the delivery from the company that handled the deliveries.
They returned to Sky Island.
It’s a festival, a festival.
