What to do! What to do!
That demon person seems unable to accept my existence!
Pastel felt slightly unfair, but considering the Craft Family’s troubling history of building a military academy in the sacred land of the sky island demons, it made some sense.
It was too unsettling to look into it properly, but one could only imagine the wicked deeds they committed during the conquest of the demon realm. Civilian massacres must have been a given.
But on the other hand, it just felt unfair.
Ugh, I didn’t do anything.
No matter how kindly I live, it feels useless because of my family’s infamous reputation.
Is this the sin that Governor Pastel must bear? If I had just spent my time at home eating food made by the demon lord, I wouldn’t have to feel so wronged. Power certainly comes with a cost.
Yet, feeling wronged is one thing, but being born with the name Craft and bickering about it is a whole different level of bad behavior, so Pastel just ughed.
Ugh!
What to do! What to do!
“What does it matter? I cannot accept it,” the demon person frowned, who was chatting amicably with Elly.
The young demon person who ruined the mood replied, “I mean exactly that.”
But both of them, except me, are all demons here, so the titles are super confusing.
How about we distinguish the guy who can’t accept it with a separate title?
So that person will be…
I’ll call him penguin.
Mr. Penguin said, “Everyone pretends not to know, but you understand, don’t you? That Craft shouldn’t be here.”
A strange silence fell. Eyes glanced at Pastel one by one, then quickly looked away. It seemed to show that the peace from just a moment ago was an implicit avoidance.
“Since this is the Demon King’s first decision, I wouldn’t want to oppose it, but that doesn’t mean anyone truly agrees with it, right?” Mr. Penguin surveyed the crowd.
“Or do you think my feelings have turned sour just because the Demon King hasn’t shown up?”
He rubbed the divided round table.
Ugh!
Mr. Penguin, what’s wrong!
Something about his statements feels so legitimate!
If Mr. Penguin had opened his beak and unleashed a furious breath, many would likely have argued back.
But when you only state cold logic, everyone just freezes!
What do we do about this atmosphere!
Pastel felt suffocated by the severe Antarctic conditions. Thinking about it, cherry blossoms don’t grow in Antarctica.
Elly looked flustered. It seemed like an unfamiliar situation for her when interacting with someone she usually played chess with.
“Redmond, why suddenly like this? The Demon King’s absence is for safety reasons, and I explained that collaborating with Craft has a plan, remember?”
Oh my.
Mr. Penguin has a name!
What a revelation!
Oh my my.
Pastel pondered.
But I think Penguin is better.
Waddle waddle flap flap.
After much serious consideration, Pastel decided to keep calling him Mr. Penguin.
Mr. Penguin said, “No, Princess. It’s not sudden. We’re just pointing out what needs to be addressed. It’s possible because the Demon King isn’t here. Perhaps it’s the Demon King’s consideration for us.”
Ewww, is that so?
What kind of checkmate am I in?
Elly frowned.
“Are you implying we should debate the Demon King’s decision? As you said, it’s his first?”
If only Elly knew that the fake Demon King was created to rapidly revamp the Demon Realm’s railroad, she would be nodding her head in agreement with that reasonable statement.
Pastel gulped nervously.
“The princess is right.”
Mr. Penguin smiled.
“But what time is it now? Is this during the Great War? Even then it would be the same. Those who study history or are interested know the horrific defeat we suffered was because we couldn’t speak up against the Demon King’s decisions.”
Elly’s face hardened.
“The Craft head provoked us openly. He claimed he’d blow up every part of the sacred sky island, which was kept for academic research, to construct a military academy. If you have complaints, try reclaiming the sky island within a certain time.”
Oh my.
“The Demon King knew it was wrong yet said he had to walk into the death trap. What happened afterward? We attempted to reclaim the sky island, and after a fierce battle, the Demon King fell, resulting in our effective defeat. Of course, it had to happen; we had to launch a landing operation where Craft had already prepared.”
Pastel quietly shrank away.
Never even saw the pile of stones at the demon sacred site while attending the academy.
Does that mean our ancestors had already set a trap yet insisted on ceremonially blowing up the sacred site?
Ewww.
Pastel wanted to hide in a mouse hole in the corner of the room. But deep down, she felt like her mouse friend would click its tongue and tell her to come out.
“What time is it now? The Great War is over, and we’ve learned so much. Do not be bound by religion. Do not submit to authority. Wrong is wrong.”
Elly crossed her arms.
“So you want to oppose it?”
“Yes. There shouldn’t be a place for Craft here.”
“Redmond, are we really doing this?”
“We need to distinguish what can and cannot be accepted.”
With a thud, a fist struck the round table, creating a crackling noise.
“It is unacceptable for a significant national economic project like railroad construction to be monopolized by the Craft Family.”
Elly’s expression twisted.
“So are we really doing this now—”
“I’m sorry!”
As the voices began to rise, Pastel squeezed her eyes shut and jumped in.
Elly! Mr. Penguin! You seem friendly, please don’t fight because of me!
“It’s all my fault! I apologize!”
Pastel bent deeply to apologize. Her pink hair sprawled out and filled her view.
“Huh?”
Mr. Penguin looked taken aback. The strength in his clenched fist loosened as he thought and replied,
“Even if the Marquis apologizes, it doesn’t change what has happened.”
Ugh!
Mr. Penguin…!
Pastel staggered over, kneeling down.
“Still, since you know I’m sorry, can’t we just…?”
“Mr. Penguin! I’m really sorry! I don’t know how to express my apology! Please blame me for being unable to say anything but ‘sorry’!”
Pastel’s face crumpled as she expressed her remorse. The predetermined fate upon birth felt so sad, and not being able to find a way to resolve it made her want to cry.
“I’m sorry! Mr. Penguin!”
Grabbing onto Mr. Penguin’s legs, she repeatedly spoke her apologies.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“No, not to this extent.”
Mr. Penguin seemed flustered. Then he looked around. Strange glances were being cast.
“Please don’t.”
He hurriedly reached out to lift the girl up.
“I’m sorry!”
The girl gripped his legs tightly. She was lifted briefly but couldn’t let go, so she was eventually set down.
“Waaah! I’m sorryyy!”
Tears began to well up in her distressed face, falling drop by drop.
“Please don’t do this.”
Mr. Penguin fidgeted.
Even the subtle glances seemed to say, ‘Why are you making a child apologize so much?’
One person bluntly commented,
“Your statements were justified, but isn’t it too harsh on a kid who has done nothing wrong?”
“That’s not what I wanted.”
Elly approached slowly.
“I suppose that’s true. You wanted to make her kneel and apologize publicly for the sins her family committed, right? While declaring she’d live in penance for life.”
Pastel’s pink eyes widened. Tears filled her eyes in an instant, escalating her sobs.
“Waaah! I’m sorryyy!”
Tears streamed down her face.
A sound of disapproval resonated.
“Imposing collective punishment on a child who hasn’t even come of age is too much. Especially one who suffered without tasting the benefits of the Craft family.”
“That…”
“Tsk, tsk. Listen, you should distinguish the situation and circumstances and choose your words carefully. That was cruel.”
Mr. Penguin looked at a loss.
“Pastel, come here.”
Elly helped the girl up. She guided her to a corner, gave her a handkerchief, and patted her back.
“What a bad person. Bring her a cup of green tea.”
Pastel calmed down a little while later.
Wiping her tears, she sipped the green tea and recoiled at the bitterness, which brought her back to her senses.
“Ugh, this tastes awful.”
Her slightly reddened nose scrunched up.
“Isn’t there any sugar?”
“Why would you put sugar in green tea?”
Elly grimaced.
Is that so?
She slowly put the teacup down and looked around.
Mr. Penguin was surrounded by people, making excuses in real time.
—Isn’t this demon disgraceful? What are you doing to a kid?
—That’s not what I wanted.
—You enjoyed seeing her bow and apologize? I didn’t think you’d be that kind of person.
—No, that’s not it.
—Stop making excuses and just apologize as an adult. I’m beginning to feel embarrassed.
Pastel rubbed her eyes. Her reddened eyelids were moist.
She cried embarrassingly hard, feeling wronged.
Mr. Penguin, who had finished talking to everyone, walked over slowly. Looking at her with tired eyes, he finally spoke.
“I think I was a bit harsh.”
Ugh.
What a nice demon!
Mr. Penguin turned back to his seat at the round table, then blankly stared at the ceiling.
The demons once again clustered around Princess Ellyshita, rejoicing at the news of the Demon King’s arrival, enjoying a warm atmosphere just before the meeting.
Wow!
Everyone here seems like good people!
It seems there are no moderately bad demons!
