Chapter 6: It's Okay Even If It's Expensive

Pastel gazed at the knight's corpse with a conflicted expression.

A sweet aroma wafted through the air.

It was meat pudding, but...

The form was human.

Is it okay to eat this?

The girl pondered this as she chewed on the meat pudding. The armor crunched softly between her teeth.

Huh?

When did it get in my mouth?

What had once been armor exploded like pudding in her mouth. Sweetness drenched her mind.

She tore off the corpse's arm and bit into it.

The meat pudding burst with flavor.

Is it delicious?

It's delicious...!

Ah.

I guess if it tastes good, the appearance doesn't matter.

The girl stuffed the corpse into her mouth.

Black energy melted through her stomach and seeped into her depths.

The energy ceased its wandering and returned to Pastel's soul, its rightful owner.

The void in her soul, forcibly drained of power, was partially restored.

After finishing her meal, Pastel stood up, satisfied. She closed her eyes, savoring the afterglow.

A moment later, she turned to pick up her sword.

She saw the shattered longsword.

Ah, I broke it, didn't I?

Sorry, friend. I survived thanks to your sacrifice. I won't forget you.

Instead of the longsword, she turned her attention to the black sword the knight had used. She saw a sword-shaped black pudding.

It turned into pudding?

Eck.

Do I not have a proper weapon now?

She picked up the broken longsword.

This is still better than a table leg.

But the balance feels off?

Weapon, weapon.

She quickly gobbled up the black pudding and ran. Her pink hair fluttered.

The thought of proper food had long since vanished from her mind, replaced by the strange things she'd been eating.

...

Blood lineage verification - Complete.

Family head verification - Complete.

Power room operation - Complete.

Basement prison release - Complete.

Pastel gripped the bars. She gazed at the sword hilt inside the prison with sparkling eyes.

"Mr. Demon! Did it work?"

『Hmm.』

The longsword dispersed like smoke. Within the smoke, a man in a suit formed.

The demon shook his black hair. His red eyes surveyed the prison.

"Is your seal broken?"

Thump thump.

Is this what it feels like to be a demon summoner?

『Of course not. Take your hands off the bars.』

She removed her hands. The demon grasped the bars and pulled them apart. The steel twisted, creating an opening.

"Wow!"

The demon walked out of the prison.

『My range of action has just expanded, centered on you.』

"Ah."

So I'm not a demon summoner yet?

Her feelings were complicated and subtle.

Pastel shook off the thrilling sense of blasphemy.

There was something more important.

"Can you turn into a sword? I don't have a proper weapon."

The demon glanced at the broken longsword. Then, without a word, he acted.

The man's form scattered like smoke and transformed into a sword.

Oh yeah!

Pastel quickly caught the falling sword.

A solid weight.

She gazed dreamily at the sturdy and elegant sword.

Wow.

I finally have a complete weapon.

It feels like I could cut anything.

Hehe.

One, two, three.

Pastel raised the sword like a villain. The candlelight cast an eerie glow on the magic sword.

"Magic sword!"

Talk to me!

Wow.

A dumbfounded voice came from the magic sword.

『...What are you doing?』

It really talks!

Wow wow.

Pastel savored the feeling of obtaining a rare item, then lowered the sword.

"The sword seems a bit smaller?"

Is it my imagination?

『...I adjusted the size to fit you.』

"Wow."

What incredible consideration.

"Thank you, Mr. Demon!"

Pastel left the basement, deeply moved.

She climbed the dim spiral staircase.

Reaching the office, she heard the fierce commotion from the garden.

"I've reclaimed the interior, but the outside is a problem."

She headed to the window, as if to show the demon.

Pastel froze as she looked down.

Moonlight illuminated the garden.

Under the full moon, a monster two stories tall howled. The air vibrated.

A giant monkey charged at the monster. Its punch struck the monster's face. A shockwave erupted.

Pastel's eyes trembled violently.

Oh boy.

Looks like the level has risen quite a bit?

"Ah, Mr. Demon. Do you know how to take down a monster about five times taller than me?"

There must be some fantastic and great method, right?

『First, get away from the window.』

Pastel quickly moved away.

『Are those two the only ones left?』

"I'll check."

She quickly circled the mansion. After looking in all directions, there were no other monsters. They must have eaten each other until only two remained.

In the center of the garden, a fierce battle between giant monsters unfolded. The monkey threw punches while the monster bit and tore. Torn wounds regenerated instantly.

Wow wow, what regeneration.

How much have they eaten?

"How do we catch them?!"

The demon spoke firmly.

『We don't.』

How can that be?

Pastel hesitated.

Then...

A chill rising from deep in her soul created a sense of unease.

Permanent loss through escape.

"Is there another way?"

『We try our best not to catch them.』

Ugh.

『There will always be enemies stronger than you. Don't throw away your talent. When you can avoid something, you should.』

Augh.

"The knight followed my trail. Won't they do the same?"

『What?』

The magic sword scattered and changed into a man's form. Red eyes scanned the girl.

The demon's expression gradually hardened.

『Have you seen any large magic circles nearby?』

She guided the demon to another window.

A large magic circle spread across the garden.

The girl glared at the magic circle, then turned to look at the demon.

The demon's face suddenly crumpled.

『It's an extraction ritual. It's mainly used to forcibly extract soul power after summoning an unidentified being into a living sacrifice.』

Unidentified being?

What's with that ambiguous term?

The demon looked Pastel up and down, then sighed.

『I need to check your back for a moment.』

No way?

She approached and turned around.

The demon lightly pulled at the neckline of her winter dress. After looking inside for a while, he heaved a deep sigh.

『What have they done to a child.』

"What's there?!"

Am I the living sacrifice?

No wonder my name combination felt weird.

The demon started to speak, then crossed his arms and fell into deep thought.

『Something's strange.』

Red eyes gazed at Pastel. An innocent girl reflected in his eyes.

『Hmm, maybe not. Since the living sacrifice is fine, it's more likely the unidentified being just visited without fully manifesting. It seems they tried to forcibly extract soul power but failed to subdue it, resulting in a rampage.』

The demon stroked his chin.

『No, maybe they extracted the soul power and then abandoned the suppression and follow-up, fleeing.』

"So there's a malicious mastermind behind this?"

The demon nodded.

『They fled with only the fruits of their labor. The monsters are the remnants of the unclaimed fruits and the rampage caused by the unidentified being.』

Pastel clutched the blood-stained cloth fragment in her pocket.

No matter how long it takes, I'll repay this betrayal...

『Excuse me.』

The demon's fingers quickly jabbed her back.

Tap tap tap tap.

Crackle crackle.

"Ow ow ow! What are you doing?!"

『I removed it. They won't be able to track you now. Let's leave. If we run with our backs to the mansion, we should be able to escape without much difficulty.』

The demon transformed into a sword and landed in her hand.

Pastel rubbed her back as she started walking.

"Are we really not going to catch them?"

『What are you hoping for? Talent isn't omnipotent. Don't gamble it away.』

Pastel grumbled sullenly.

"I know, but isn't there like a super ultra finishing move? Or a fantastic great finishing move or something?"

She jabbed the sword into the air repeatedly.

The magic sword sighed.

『I suppose it's normal to think that way at your age.』

Then it fell silent.

Ugh.

Is it really right not to catch them?

It feels like finding half a cockroach in your rice bowl. Where's the other half...?

Aaagh.

Pastel shuddered.

She kept glancing outside nervously.

Suddenly, the giant monkey flew into the garden with the magic circle. Its massive body crashed into the garden. A mound of earth exploded.

From the edge of her vision, the monster appeared and lunged at the monkey. The monster's maw bit and tore at an arm. The arm was ripped off and sent flying.

The monkey let out a monstrous cry. It swung its remaining fist. A shockwave erupted.

The struck monster rolled away helplessly. It crashed through garden trees as it rolled, unable to get up and just breathing heavily.

A victorious roar echoed.

The monkey took a step to finish off its opponent. But suddenly it staggered. Black energy continuously leaked from its torn arm.

The monkey stumbled, then fell to its knees and collapsed in the garden. A dull noise echoed.

Silence fell.

Oh?

Pastel's eyes widened.

Oh oh?

The monster slowly rose. Then, as if paying respects to a fallen rival, it howled at the corpse.

A victor emerged after a fair fight.

The struggle would become a memory.

Glory would become loneliness.

The monster tried to walk towards the corpse but fell face-first. Dust rose. The black form weakly pushed against the ground. It crawled bit by bit towards the corpse. A long trail formed in the garden soil.

Moonlight illuminated the lonely garden.

Wow.

Pastel opened the window and jumped out. Gravity took hold. Her winter dress fluttered. Her feet touched the ground and she ran with all her might.

The crawling monster paused. Its eyes looked at the girl blocking its path to the corpse.

Pastel shouted like a hero.

"Pastel Love Craft!"

She pointed her sword at the formidable opponent.

"As a proud swordsman, I challenge you to a fair duel!"

Duel.

Pastel charged. The monster raised its front paw and swung.

Thwack.

The blow that failed to target the girl struck her side. A gentle breeze ruffled her pink hair.

Ugh, too strong.

Is this my final opponent?

But a hero never gives up.

"Hyah!"

Pastel leaped with all her might. She grabbed the monster's front paw and climbed all the way up. She ran towards its head.

Reaching it, she gripped the sword in reverse.

"Eeyah!"

She stabbed down with all her strength.

Squelch.

Squawk.

Pastel panted heavily.

She wiped her sweat with a strained expression.

That was an incredible struggle.

I don't think I could do it twice.

But after a life-or-death duel, I emerged victorious.

The corners of her mouth slowly curled up.

Standing atop the corpse's head, she pointed to herself.

"Conqueror of the Great Mansion!"

Moonlight illuminated the girl.

Ahaha.

Laughter echoed through the garden.

Suddenly, the corpse transformed into meat pudding.

The ground beneath the girl's feet sank.

Eh?

Pastel plunged straight into the pudding.

Waaah!

The massive pudding engulfed her body.

Save the conqueror...!

After flailing about, she managed to swim out with vigorous dog paddling.

"Hueeh."

I really thought I was going to die.

A sweet taste lingered in her mouth.

Ah, pudding.

She chewed what had entered her mouth.

『Are you... why are you eating that?』

The demon's voice came, tinged with bewilderment.

"Oh, this?"

Pastel rolled her eyes like an addict.

"I-I've been eating it all along and there's been no problem."

『What nonsense—』

The demon started to speak but stopped abruptly.

After a long silence, he muttered.

『...Well, you're a Craft anyway, even if young. It's not my place to worry. Do as you please.』

Oh yeah.

Guardian's approval.

Amidst the neglect, the young girl freely devoured the corpse.

...

Pastel's eyes trembled.

Oh my.

Something's weird with my body?

She did a few jumps in place. She rose higher than expected. Her body felt incredibly light.

This time, she punched a tree with her bare fist. It left a dent and mark. Her fist didn't hurt much.

Huh?

She removed a metal hinge from a door. Holding the hinge, she squeezed it with all her might.

Crunch.

The shape crumpled.

When she opened her hand, finger marks remained on the hinge.

Huuuh?

This isn't normal, is it?

Did I eat something wrong?

Images of black corpses flashed in her mind.

W-well, I did eat something wrong.

Pastel groaned, then casually tossed away the crumpled hinge.

Whatever, it's not like it's a bad thing.

My hunger has eased a bit too, so isn't this good?

"Positive mindset!"

Woohoo.

『Meal preparation is complete.』

"Oh, okay!"

Pastel quickly followed the demon.

Finally, proper food. I'm going to eat a ton.

Food was spread out on an unsold kitchen table.

"Wow! Your cooking skills? Thank you for the meal!"

Pastel picked up a fork.

『Wait.』

The demon looked at her with a subtle expression.

Did I violate etiquette too much?

『First, put down the fork and try holding your breath.』

What's with the breath?

Pastel obediently complied. She inhaled and held her breath.

The demon tapped the table with his finger. It was a steady rhythm, like the ticking of a second hand.

60, 120, 180.

Pastel's mind filled with question marks as she held her breath.

Huh?

240, 300, 360.

Huh?

『That should be enough.』

Pastel breathed again.

A calm, not labored breath.

Red eyes looked at her with complex emotions.

『You've consumed too much power from the unidentified being in your state as a living sacrifice. You're no longer a complete human.』

Eck.

"B-but I got out of breath when fighting and stuff."

『That's just habitual behavior. You don't need to breathe.』

Hueh.

Pastel clutched her head.

What's happened to me?

Am I disqualified as a human?

Then a thought struck her.

But isn't it fine if I don't need to breathe? It seems convenient for fighting.

My strength has improved too.

Oh yeah.

The demon pointed at the steak with a knife.

『You can't eat food either.』

What did you say?

『Try eating if you're curious.』

She stabbed a piece of steak and put it in her mouth. The moist meat texture moistened her mouth. An explosion of savory flavor.

Wow, the cooking is amazing.

She chewed thoroughly and swallowed.

Suddenly, she felt an intense stimulus.

Huh?

A realm from another world that treated this world's substances as foreign matter. A purification process began, expelling the foreign substance that had invaded her body.

Pastel vomited blood.

The smell of blood permeated the air.

Huh? Huh?

I can't eat food?

The demon brought a towel and wiped the blood. The soft touch brushed her mouth.

『You should be able to drink water at least.』

"That's not comforting at all?!"

What am I supposed to eat now?

Meat pudding?

But there are no monsters left...

Her eyes trembled.

Starvation...?

She looked at the lavish dishes.

Starvation amidst abundance?

The demon brought over a plate.

Fragments of black jewels lay scattered.

There was a faint sweet scent.

『Try eating this. It's a magic stone.』

Pastel quickly picked one up and ate it. The black candy crumbled. It tasted much worse than meat pudding, but had an edible sweetness.

It totally feels like junk food.

『In your condition, you can replenish energy with magic stones.』

The demon crushed a magic stone into powder with his hand and sprinkled it on the steak.

『You can eat food along with it. The food won't help replenish energy, but it should relieve stress.』

She stabbed a piece of steak and put it in her mouth. Unlike before, she could swallow it without rejection.

It really works?

Eh, what's the big deal?

It's not that bad.

Pastel burst out laughing.

Ahaha.

"Mr. Demon, you have a great sense of humor!"

Revealing the solution late, that's so witty.

The demon looked at her with pity. He surveyed the devastated kitchen, so unbefitting of nobility, then looked back at Pastel.

『It costs about the same as an equal volume of gold.』

The fork clattered to the floor.

Pastel's hands trembled.

She stared blankly at the black jewel.

T-this junk food is worth as much as gold?

This dessert that's inferior to meat pudding?

"Uwaah..."

Pastel clutched her head. Her pink hair tangled in her fingers.

"What should I do?!"

『It would be best to relocate. Magic stones are mined in the demon realm.』

The demon walked to the window.

『The Sky Island between the human and demon realms is the center of magic stone processing and intermediary trade. It's actually cheaper than the controlled demon realm.』

Oh?

"Is it really cheap?"

『It's definitely cheaper, but there's a problem.』

"W-what is it?"

Pastel swallowed hard.

Thump thump.

『The real estate prices are unaffordably high.』

Uwah.

Such a realistic problem...!

『There is a way for someone your age.』

The demon looked at the night sky as if observing constellations.

『The application deadline for admission should be next week.』

For the Sky Island Academy.

...

"Underwear, socks, and and and."

Pastel frantically checked her luggage bag.

"Did I forget something?!"

She paced around the room.

『I told you to pack yesterday, didn't I?』

The demon followed her, brushing her pink hair.

"Uwah uwah uwah."

Pastel floundered about.

『Stay still for a moment.』

The demon took the hair tie from his mouth. His hands moved quickly, chasing after the girl who wouldn't stay put. He skillfully arranged her pink hair.

"This is my first time on an airship! It's natural to be excited and put things off! Ah! The ticket!"

Pastel snatched up the airship ticket.

"I almost forgot you!"

She checked the airship departure time.

『Thanks to someone who overslept, we're cutting it close. We'll have to run.』

"Yes! Yes!"

Pastel hurriedly locked her luggage bag.

She ran to the door with her bag.

"I'm off!"

『We're going together, what are you saying?』

The demon quickly transformed into a sword.

"Oh right!"

Pastel turned back, grabbed the sword, and ran again.

"We're off...!"

『Sigh.』

The blue sky spread out before them.

It seemed like a bright future was in sight.

Right?

"Welcome to the Academy Airship. We'll be holding a surprise exam. Those who fail will be sent back."

What did you say?