Chapter 106
Anti-demon sentiment is rooted in the hearts of imperial citizens. Given the history of confronting the demon realm, the psychology of competing nations has settled as sentiment.
However, at this point when the competition ended in the empire's overwhelming victory, that has also greatly eased. As the victorious and hegemonic nation, there's no reason to needlessly worry because of the losers.
Currently the atmosphere is relatively mild. Since the demon realm is in a quasi-vassal state, demons have become like second-class citizens. To the extent that demons can peacefully come and go on Sky Island, a military strategic point.
But that doesn't mean everyone likes this eased atmosphere.
Now that the grand temple has declared a prophecy that the Demon King will appear, clear vigilance of patriots is directed at demons.
To the extent of calling for expulsion of all demons from Sky Island.
"This is revenge for Ellie!"
Pastel threw a magic stone. An explosion occurred. Trees were pulverized in a circle and fell.
"This is revenge for my wronged heart!"
Even though I didn't do anything!
A magic stone flew swoosh and shattered a rock.
"Wronged! Wronged!"
Craft would be at the forefront if patriots were determined by anti-demon actions. Both for being the family that completed conquest of the demon realm and the vicious methods in the conquest process.
Right now this academy was demons' Sky Island holy land but became a military academy to invade the demon realm!
And it wasn't built for rational and military reasons, but with the vicious intent to desecrate holy land and destroy demons' will to fight!
There's even a post-evaluation that it was so twisted it only maximized needless hatred and ultimately made the demon realm side unable to come to peace negotiations.
"Why did ancestors live like that!"
Thanks to that, as soon as some unknown professor argued for demon expulsion, it was suspected to be Marquis Craft's roundabout statement!
How can I apologize to Ellie!
It's like hearing a friend you got along with openly is slandering you behind your back!
Though it doesn't seem rumors swayed her looking at her leave of absence reason, human hearts aren't decided by reason alone.
Disheveled pink hair trembled.
Pink eyes coldly glared at broken tree debris.
"I understand the intent to check me, but the method is too vicious."
To push Professor Marius while ignoring Professor Horace whom I designated as acting chancellor.
I understand why they're stepping up now after being quiet.
We're in conflict with the Knight Order. And news that the Craft Trading Company is struggling to maintain private soldiers has probably been heard too. Given the situation, they probably judged we'd compromise if they show strength at an opportune time.
Good judgment.
Though actually I already obtained the Knight Order using Camelot's imperial privilege in those few days the professors moved.
"It would have been troublesome if not for Melissa."
To target Ellie who's in charge of paperwork among just two student council personnel with policy and paralyze the student council.
Rebellion starting from paralyzing the royal guard?
If I really fell for it, I would have been in panic first.
Though afterwards an enraged Pastel Love Craft would have pulled all-nighters in serious work mode.
"Vicious, vicious."
I understand it's an effective method, but they didn't consider Ellie's wounds at all.
What's more infuriating is the professors aiming for compromise judged Ellie receiving such treatment wouldn't be much of an issue.
They didn't think that Craft would get angry just because a second-class citizen was bullied a bit.
"How do you see me?!"
The family title is really the problem!
I look totally kind!
My heart is really the kindest in the world!
But actually no one believes me...
"I'll fire everyone!"
There may be patriots but I don't care!
I don't feel belonging to the empire anyway!
"Um..."
When she turned around sharply, Dustin flinched.
"I brought Professor Marius."
A professor was standing behind at a distance.
Is that person the ringleader?
"Good work. You can go now."
Pastel waved her hand then stopped.
"No. Organize the professors and bring them. In a little while."
"Understood."
Dustin left.
Pastel roughly fixed her disheveled hair with her hands.
I wonder how tough a person he is to take the lead among professors.
Or, since those strongly opposed to normalizing the academy were already forced to retire, is he a cunning person trying to raise his value?
"Professor. I'm not sure if I did something to offend you."
She turned to the professor while opening the conversation.
Looking at his appearance closely, she could tell he seemed like someone she'd seen somewhere regardless of his name.
Where did I see him?
She carefully recalled her memories.
Ah, that's right!
During the entrance practical exam!
When Pastel who was late due to smuggling crashed her airship into the exam site, he was the professor who ran over first saying he'd save student Pastel.
The professor approached with a hardened face.
I feel the resolve of someone facing an important moment.
Does he want to fight?
Pastel gently placed her hand on her sword hilt.
"Marquis Your Excellency!"
The professor suddenly knelt on the ground.
Thud.
"Please punish my disloyalty!"
Uwee?
"I have admired the Craft family's reputation since childhood! I never intended to go against Your Excellency's mood!"
The professor banged his head on the ground.
Uweee?!
Pastel was startled by the head banging sound.
"Why are you suddenly like this?!"
While boasting an amazing career of admiring Craft's bad reputation...
"With my foolish judgment I hindered Your Excellency's wise scheme!"
It was a voice close to wailing, truly self-reproaching. He seemed to be slightly sobbing at a glance.
"My inadequate mind that tried to hold the Knight Order responsible after forming an anti-demon agenda then allowing terrorists to enter Sky Island! I didn't realize Your Excellency already had Camelot family's imperial privilege in mind!"
Uwee?
I didn't know that either?!
"Also trying to gather academy dissidents dissatisfied with Your Excellency in the open to deal with easily! I believe Your Excellency had deep thoughts and distant considerations for this too! Please punish me for acting based on my own assumptions!"
There was no such plan?!
"So so."
Her heart rapidly softened.
Such a loyal subject in a place I don't know?
Any authority figure has loyal subjects around them.
A loyal subject who knows so well that I'm smart can't be a bad person!
Pastel thought that then suddenly came to her senses.
Huet.
But there's no Ellie in the apology words.
"And?"
The professor banged his head.
"Also I didn't realize the demon you graciously bestowed would be so irresponsible! Even though it's a demon you tamed, believing a black-haired beast even for a moment! This too is my fault!"
Aha!
This professor doesn't treat demons as people!
I understand well why he admired Craft with this mindset!
Her feelings became complex complex subtle subtle.
A feeling of meeting a slave image loyal to me.
Uwaa.
#
Are there opponents you can't communicate with?
Because of big age difference?
Because of big experience difference?
Whichever it is, we can't communicate.
"Ellie is a friend."
Professor Marius nodded with a hardened face.
"I understand you would think that. Many people who can't take care of themselves feel sympathy for demons, so it's better to be known that way."
No no.
"She's really a friend."
A relationship where we called each other by name instead of surname from first meeting.
Considering even Melissa took a long time to call each other by name, it's an amazing relationship.
Professor Marius put his fist to his heart.
"I won't tell anyone."
It was an expression even feeling a sense of mission. Conviction that that Craft family couldn't possibly consider demons as friends.
Pastel who had been repeatedly explaining for an hour in the cafe closed her eyes tightly.
Ancestors...!
What did you do in the past for him to take it as image management even when I explain openly!
She gulped down the cold cocoa. The rich sweetness of magic stone powder and cocoa calmed her heart.
Phew!
Since it's come to this, it's better to choose a comfortable path for Ellie even if my kind heart is misunderstood.
Pastel thought for a moment. Various information was compiled and connected to create a fake plan.
"You know well. Regardless of how you feel, treat Ellie kindly without gaps externally. Apologize too. Building friendships with elite demons is more important now that the Demon King's appearance is prophesied."
Professor Marius flinched.
"Could it be you're trying to use the scheme where the Craft family head at the time deceived Great Demon Demonius into helping smuggling because the demon realm's trade embargo was too solid?"
Uwa?
Demon has such a past?
Hut, this isn't it.
"Our family has this saying passed down."
She adjusted the lie on the spot with heard information.
"The aftermath is more important than success in betrayal."
She rested her chin and moved a spoon. White grains were scooped and put in a cup.
"Induce internal division after obtaining what you want. Then take one side and propose alliance again."
The girl lifted the cup and smelled its fragrance.
"A powerful method is the current family head betraying and the next generation family head proposing re-alliance with sincere apology. Plot schemes across generations. The opponent will be helplessly fooled."
Pink eyes smiled.
"Since generations have changed..."
A cherry blossom scent came from somewhere.
"We should apologize."
With all our hearts.
"So professor should apologize too."
Let's try to make a good world.