Oh no! Oh no!
Pastel is facing the biggest crisis of her life!
Sure, there are reasonably bad demons who, under the orders of the evil Demon King, terrorize the innocent Craft High Merchant’s railroad, but that’s not the problem!
Anyway, we’d only gain substantial opportunity costs and Pastel’s heart-pounding sparkle experiences, which can be managed if she collaborates with the good demons!
It’s just adding to the workload, I guess?
Ahhh! But I don’t want that either!
Anyway, here’s the deal!
So, there’s a problem that’s a million times harder, ten million times more complicated, and just a billion times worse!
Right, right…
Elly is sulking.
Oh no.
Elly caught everyone’s attention by banging on the chaotic round table. The announcement of the conference’s closure followed.
“Let’s cooperate smoothly with Craft to defend the railroad and ensure the development project goes off without a hitch. Everyone praises the Demon King’s outstanding insight and skills, but I know they still consider Craft a threat. But let’s put aside suspicion and work together for the future of the Demon Realm. Dismissed.”
The attendees stood up and scattered.
“Sigh. If they would just stop being such a nuisance, everything would be fine.”
“Don’t be too hard on the demons; they just think differently.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Elly, who mediated the bad feelings, also got up.
Pastel followed Elly with a whistle. She slyly got ahead of her, flailed her arms to grab attention, and made random “pu pu pu~!” sounds for no reason.
Meanwhile, Elly didn’t spare a glance at the overly noticeable pink girl. It was a completely conscious act. Or maybe her sulking heart was manifested unconsciously.
Ahhh!
She’s really mad!
The meeting resumed after Nathaniel, the evil, Demon King’s lackey, visited and left.
Since the railroad terror was an issue involving Craft High Merchant, Pastel actively participated and shared her opinions, but something kept bothering her…
Elly, who usually observes Pastel casually and keeps a close watch, didn’t spare her a look at all.
With Pastel in work mode, the usual attention she received, which felt like proof of her popularity, was gone, making her sense an ominous sign.
It felt like the halo had evaporated.
Oh dear.
Is Elly sulking?
Impossible.
Elly, who is usually so cool, chic, and all about work, wouldn’t sulk over something like this~.
No way she’d get upset just because I threw a purple handkerchief~.
When I asked about the handkerchief, she bluntly said, “You don’t need to know,” so there’s no way she’d be upset!
Oh no.
Looking back, she had every right to sulk.
The popular Pastel is getting cold words from Elly alone?
It’s a total declaration of hostility.
No, no! But, but!
Even implying she doesn’t need to know is the least a friend could do!
Pastel, having obtained the Governor’s position on Sky Island, shouldn’t be explaining all the confidential information to a princess of the Demon United Kingdom, even if they are friends!
Objectively, just giving that kind of hint is a highly risky favor! The situation isn’t even complicated; she could deduce everything just from the hint!
Going further from here!
Pastel: The handkerchief? The handkerchief is obviously an order for the Knight Order to deploy! I just said there were no hidden troops in the meeting, but actually, there are! As a Governor, it’s common sense to prepare surprise troops when aware of a gathering that dangerous individuals might attend!
Elly: I see! I was expecting that!
Pastel: Just as I thought, Elly! I knew you’d understand! Look! I have so many handkerchiefs in my pocket! So fluffy! Pink! Red! Blue! Each has a different meaning! Among those, the purple one is a fallen color, so I decided to assign it to a secret move! I threw it to the Demon King’s subordinates I’m escaping from, so Elly doesn’t need to worry about it now!
Isn’t this a bit too much of a betrayal of duty?
If you’re going to explain this much to a friend, you should be resigning as Governor!
What do you think power is, mixing personal matters with public duties like this!
Unforgivable!
But the popular Pastel is slightly forgivable, so a hint to a friend seems…
Hehe.
So, so.
Elly sulking is perplexing.
I did my best in our friendship.
You know?
But then again.
One might understand.
Objectively, even if that were the case, human emotions don’t just cleanly divide.
Pastel prepared a handkerchief? Expected but once experiencing it, I can’t contain the feelings of disappointment!
Right, right.
Oh no.
Pastel’s heart thudded.
This feels a bit… wrong.
She sidled up next to Elly, who was walking away.
“Elly, are you upset?”
“What?”
Elly was startled, utterly oblivious and bewildered.
“No.”
Having answered that, she casually continued walking, looking perfectly unbothered.
However, even when Pastel flitted around in front of her, babbling nonsense, Elly didn’t even glance but muttered about work she needed to handle ahead.
At this point, the popular Pastel could diagnose Elly’s feelings more accurately than Elly herself.
Ahhh.
This is unconscious sulking!
She’s focusing on the work that came up, but her heart is still sour, unconsciously showing it!
Even if she denies it, it’s definitely sulking!
Eventually, knowing Elly’s characteristics, while she’ll probably feel better as she works, and that’s why she might be denying it, Pastel felt a knot in her heart.
Something feels off.
Pastel was supposed to be the one who always brought healing to everyone, but when did it become awkward to be together?
Feels like I’m living really wrong. Is there something wrong with my usual behavior or attitude?
Pastel groaned, deep in thought.
I don’t know.
Ahhh.
Is this the conflict of public and private?
The greatest crisis in the life of a popular person.
If this keeps up, I might have to give up my title of popularity!
Maybe I should consult the Demon Lord.
“Contact Count McKenna to request cooperation. No, since we have to go to the Demon Realm anyway, it would be better to meet in person. Pastel? Are you listening?”
“Huh? What did you say?”
Elly sighed heavily. After putting in all that effort to speak, Pastel hadn’t even listened, indicating her frustration.
But Pastel understood. This was just Elly’s earlier disappointment surfacing now.
Ahh, sulking Elly is scary.
Pastel quickly replied.
“Yup! Got it! Elly, you’re so smart!”
Elly looked at her suspiciously.
“What do you understand?”
Oh no.
That seems like a bit of a tough question.
Pastel shifted her gaze.
A young man approached from down the hall.
It was Mr. Penguin.
Oh, look, a penguin walking!
Oh dear.
Upon reflection, penguins naturally walk!
Shocking.
“You haven’t left yet. That’s a relief.”
Elly frowned slightly.
“Redmond, today’s meeting was too uncooperative. I’ve spoken to you before about cooperating with Craft, so why is that?”
Mr. Penguin looked a bit awkward.
“Everyone was in a positive mindset to accept whatever opinions you shared as you found results in searching for the Demon King, so I merely represented a different opinion on purpose.”
“That was a bit extreme. It was easy for me, though.”
“Times have changed, and everyone has changed…”
Mr. Penguin chuckled wryly as he adjusted his dress shirt with his hand.
“As legends and myths come closer to reality, no one knows how to respond. When lost, worship can be an easy choice.”
“True that.”
Mr. Penguin turned to look at Pastel.
“Marquis Craft, um, what title would you prefer?”
Huh? Title?
Pastel pondered, and her pink eyes sparkled. One arm shot up enthusiastically.
“Call me the great Governor Pastel, Your Excellency!”
“You can call me Marquis Pastel. I prefer that over Craft anyway.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“Marquis Pastel, I wanted to apologize for what happened in the meeting and, since we’re here, I’d like to discuss a few things. How do you feel about that?”
Tilting her head.
“Sounds good!”
Pastel followed Mr. Penguin closely. Elly trailed but kept her distance, perhaps to imply they should talk alone.
The hallway felt empty as demons exited, the cordiality disappearing. Sunlight streamed through the arranged windows, forming a distinct pattern.
“As I mentioned to the princess, most of what was said in the meeting isn’t truly my heart. I’m a person too, and while I don’t harbor hatred towards the Craft Family, I can distinguish between the past and the future.”
“I see.”
Pastel’s feelings became complicated.
Does Mr. Penguin hold some animosity towards me after all?
Hearing this outside of a formal venue made her heart tingle.
“How can I get along with everyone?”
Apologizing in the middle of the Demon Realm’s Plaza, as Elly jokingly suggested?
Hmm.
Mr. Penguin paused, glancing out the window. The guards were checking passing demons after noticing the commotion caused by the Radical demons.
“The golden time has passed.”
Ahh.
“We’ve arrived. Let’s talk over there.”
He gestured toward a secure meeting room.
“There? Do we really need soundproofing?”
Elly, who had been distant, looked puzzled.
“I’m just shy about apologizing in front of the princess.”
“Words are…”
Elly giggled.
Pastel stepped into the soundproofed room with Mr. Penguin. Once he operated the door, the magic circle illuminated the door, completing the soundproofing.
Why would he want to hide something from the princess?
This doesn’t seem like a simple apology.
There’s something immense hidden away.
Could it be?
A grown-up way of apologizing?
Golden sparkle.
Oh no.
The pure-hearted Governor Pastel doesn’t take bribes!
Ahh.
If I didn’t know, I should probably accept it considering the effort prepared, but I hope this doesn’t happen again!
Pastel was ready to accept the apology.
Mr. Penguin moved his hands. It wasn’t like pulling out a check but gently lowered his head to his chest.
“I would like to make a formal introduction. I am Redmond, tasked with searching for the Demon King in the Demon Realm under the decree of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Oh dear.
“From now on, you can communicate through me for correspondence with His Majesty.”
Mr. Penguin smiled kindly.
But then his smile faded, morphing into a scrutinizing gaze.
“However, there was something in your remarks during the meeting that caught my attention. You seemed to know the identity of the Demon King even before His Majesty called. What’s going on? An explanation is necessary, Governor Craft.”
Pastel could only react belatedly.
Ahh!
Long live the great Emperor who oversees everything!
Loyal Pastel harbors no disloyal thoughts!
Please believe me…!
