“Cooperating with the Knight Order is difficult, huh?”
A few days before the tournament, Pastel burst into the professor’s office after receiving a strange notification.
“If the Knight Order pulls out, who will protect the students?”
She leaned on the professor’s desk, staring intently at Professor Carlo.
Pastel was on edge after discovering an assassination and terrorist plot involving the duke’s daughter. She was in strict student council mode.
Although outsiders can’t just come in during the tournament, there had been many external contacts and visits for various reasons, so they needed to focus on safety.
But suddenly, just a few days before the event, a notification came from the professors’ meeting stating that including the Knight Order in the prevention plan was an issue.
“There’s a misunderstanding.”
The stoic Professor Carlo set down the paperwork he was reviewing. He had previously announced the dissolution of the student council, causing some friction with Pastel.
“It’s not that the Knight Order is pulling out, but rather that they should focus solely on defending the perimeter of the Academy. As long as they prevent external intrusions as usual, we’ll handle any internal terrorism.”
Pastel frowned.
“But that’s the same thing. If a terrorist attack happens within the Academy, the Knight Order’s immediate response will be delayed, putting student safety at risk—”
Professor Carlo raised his palm, halting her words.
“We do not need excessive involvement from the Knight Order. The Academy must be protected by us.”
Uh-oh.
What on Earth does that mean?
“Hmm, is this a power struggle between the Academy and the Knight Order? They essentially operate the Sky Island, so they probably don’t want to interfere with each other.”
A power struggle over student lives?
Ew.
Pastel made a face like she had just seen a dog drop a deuce while out for a walk.
“The Academy is governed by the Sky Island’s Governor’s Office, and the Knight Order is made up of the Empire’s dispatched troops, so they can’t be on particularly friendly terms.”
Professor Carlo stood up after glancing at her. He walked to the window and pulled back the curtains, allowing strong sunlight to flood the dim office.
Pastel squinted at the brightness. The professor looked out at the campus.
“Due to the cult’s raid before vacation, the Dean has passed away. The Emperor hasn’t appointed a new one yet, which leaves the position vacant. We can’t involve the Knight Order during this power vacuum.”
Professor Carlo turned back, arms crossed behind him.
“As for other matters, we respect the students and will cooperate actively with the student council. The lack of blockage in the tournament’s budget allocation is also part of that.”
Pastel met his gaze, frowning but receiving a few more agreements before leaving the professor’s office.
I really, really don’t like this.
She crossed her arms and glanced back at the professor’s office.
Ugh.
Sneaking a peek around, she spoke to the Demon Lord.
“Isn’t Professor Carlo acting suspicious?”
“What makes you think so?”
“Last time, he implicitly allowed cult drugs to spread throughout the campus.”
Although it had improved student performance through increased physical abilities thanks to the drugs.
“This time, terrorists are targeting the Academy, and he’s giving that kind of response! Of course, the Knight Order isn’t entirely excluded—they’ll just guard the perimeter while preventing intrusions as before!”
Total sketchy vibes.
Could he be an insider collaborator?
“Hmm.”
The Demon Lord responded ambiguously.
“You’re young, so you might not know this, but a professor like him is just a typical human. And not just anyone can become a professor at the Academy; there’s a process for identity verification. Sure, it might have loosened up lately, but it’s not something to take lightly.”
Ugh.
That’s the most annoying thing to say.
“I’m not a kid! I know plenty!”
“Oh, do you now?”
The Demon Lord let out a short chuckle.
He… he laughed at me…!
“I’m going to be rebellious if you keep talking like that! I won’t listen to a word and will live life my own way!”
Pastel spread her arms out, extending her claws and baring her fangs like a cat.
Grrr-!
“Rawr! Rawr!”
The Demon Lord rolled his eyes.
“When did you ever listen? Just the other day, you captured those Squeaky Friends and savored their essence like a true snack.”
He sighed, sounding frustrated.
“Ugh. I told you not to eat dangerous things, but you never listen. If you’re going to disregard my warnings like that, go live alone.”
Ouch.
That sounded seriously heartfelt.
Pastel flinched. Consciously calming herself, she awkwardly whistled a tune.
“Well, well. Since we can’t rely on the Knight Order, I need to find another way~.”
She waved her arms and moved along.
After a while, she spotted someone approaching from the other end of the corridor. It was a familiar professor.
“Ah! Senior!”
Pastel raised her arm high.
“Seniors, seniors!”
“Oh! Is that you, junior!”
Professor Horace looked around, making sure no one else was around.
“Is everything going well?”
Here, ‘everything’ obviously meant smuggling.
Pastel mirrored his cautious behavior, acting all suspicious while boldly saying,
“Absolutely! The expenditure is pretty high, so the profit margins are lower than when I did it alone, but since I can secure loans under the Merchant’s name, the overall profit has increased significantly!”
Preston’s organization in the Demon Realm had difficulty handling all the smuggled goods, to the point where Melissa had to step in to help during their internal conflicts.
“Wow! That’s unfortunate!”
Professor Horace patted his chest in distress.
“It just so happens that I couldn’t join in on your commercial venture because of the Sky Whale’s arrival! What a huge opportunity cost lost!”
“Well, I couldn’t have you join on your first dangerous venture! I’ll make sure to invite you for the next one!”
Professor Horace grinned brightly.
“Will you really?!”
“Just prepare the smuggled goods! I’ll deliver them straight to the Demon Realm!”
Pastel gestured dramatically towards the sky.
“Affordable shipping, woohoo~! VIP service guaranteed!”
“Wow! I’ll only be relying on you, junior!”
Ahem.
This should keep the student council audit at bay.
“We’re currently recruiting investors, so just let the Merchant know! I’ll talk to Grace High Merchant about it!”
After discussing serious matters, the conversation shifted to small talk.
“By the way, what brings you to this building?”
“I was just with Professor Carlo about reducing the Knight Order’s involvement.”
Oh right!
Should I ask my senior for a favor?
“Is there any way to change the decision made in the professors’ meeting? We’re worried about student safety as the student council. Please, senior.”
“Ah, that matter.”
Professor Horace looked disappointed.
“I opposed that decision too, but many professors have had conflicts with the Knight Order, so it’s tough to change the dominant opinion.”
“Ah, I see….”
Is this still an educational institution?
Professor Horace sighed.
“Because I’m often away, I lack influence among the professors. I don’t have a strong faction, so I can’t change even such matters.”
Oh.
Pastel waved her hands.
“No, no! It’s not your fault! It’s the world that’s wrong! Bad world! Bad world!”
“Junior….”
Professor Horace seemed touched.
“Hmm.”
The Demon Lord expressed a complex feeling.
“It might seem harsh to say in such a gloomy atmosphere, but that traveling you do is technically smuggling, right? It’s not surprising you lack trust among your peers. I’ve seen the signs since you were teaching smuggling techniques to students.”
Ugh.
Demon Lord, what are you even saying?
Don’t dismiss the professor’s sincerity as mere mercenary inclination!
Though he is a bit of a mercenary!
Pastel shouted in her mind while clenching her fists tightly. She glared at Professor Horace with fiery eyes.
“Don’t worry, senior! The student council will ensure student safety!”
“Haha. Hearing you say that reassures me, but it also makes me feel ashamed as an adult. If you ever need any help, don’t hesitate to ask me for anything!”
“Ah, speaking of that.”
Pastel opened her mouth with a slightly mischievous look.
“Could you help me smooth over the student council audit?”
Professor Horace looked puzzled.
“I’m already doing that.”
“I know! I know!”
But that pertains to financial issues.
“I was hoping you could slightly broaden the interpretation of the student council’s authority for student safety.”
For instance, calling in emergency troops for student safety.
Elshire, who has been under assassination threats from the duke’s daughter, barely managed to sneak in the soldiers disguised as her subordinates, yet the Academy is currently unable to utilize such soldiers.
But, just…
Pastel, with her bright pink demeanor, suddenly wanted to command soldiers in this sacred educational space~.
Nothing major.
Heh heh.
“Just increasing the number of operational airships to 13. That’s the total after acquiring secondhand airships from bankrupt merchants and pirate ships captured during smuggling.”
Pastel sauntered through Craft High Merchant’s territory. Max, in charge of the merchant’s military, was giving a report.
“During this smuggling run, if it weren’t for Melissa Camarot fending off pirates without a hitch, we probably wouldn’t have captured this many pirate ships.”
So that’s why the smuggling was taking so long; there was a lot to carry. With the changes in flying creatures’ habitats, the skies have become tougher, meaning more things to gather.
“Truly my dear friend Melissa! I’ll make sure to express my gratitude! A peck on the cheek when we meet!”
Pastel blew a kiss into the air.
Kiss-kiss~!
Max walked closely behind her, sorting through documents.
“While the merchant’s combat force has increased to about 260, we plan to raise that to around 450 before the next trade run. We’ll assign around 30 warriors per airship while leaving some protection force behind.”
Heh.
“So how many people will be on each airship? Total crew members?”
“Though they’re combat troops, most can also operate the ships, so counting the combat power, we’ll have about 50 crew members per airship.”
50 people.
Wow.
That’s a lot of people!
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
Jaw dropped.
Grace High Merchant stole a glance at her. The merchant’s fan unfurled to cover Pastel’s gaping mouth.
Huh?
“Many merchants have gone bankrupt due to the changes in flying creatures’ habitats, making it easy to absorb them and expand, but if you look closer, the situation isn’t that great. They’re all in debt. We need to make sure the next trade run is a success to clear some of that.”
Pastel smiled brightly.
“That’s fine! We’ll definitely succeed! Right?!”
“Well, that’s true enough.”
Grace High Merchant nodded in agreement.
Max pointed ahead.
“Let’s head to the training ground. I’ll show you the training conditions.”
Pastel stood on the platform, watching the well-coordinated training of 260 troops.
This was a well-organized training with unified equipment that was not typical of a merchant. Grace High Merchant’s unique tradition of a strong military had spread all the way to Craft High Merchant.
Ah, I like this.
So these are the soldiers who will take down the cult!
Satisfaction guaranteed.
She clapped her hands with a smile.
She quickly glanced at Max.
“Do you have real combat training scheduled?”
“Yes. We’ll plan a hunt in the forest area to the west of Sky Island.”
Is that where the practical exam took place?
“Then let’s just do a few days of actual combat training.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Uh-huh.”
Pastel crossed her arms, pondering before breaking into a bright smile.
“We shall call it, ‘The pen is not mightier than the sword!’”
Let’s protect our friends together~.
