Chapter 78
"What about the Knight Order?"
Pastel asked this question as soon as she heard the news that an airship was flying in for terrorism purposes.
"Isn't it the Knight Order's responsibility, not our academy's, to prevent unauthorized airship intrusions?"
The guard hesitated.
"They sent word that internal problems have arisen. It seems we'll have to handle it ourselves."
Eeng.
Pastel's expression slightly frowned.
Are they fussing over internal problems when student safety is at risk?
The guard flinched. He corrected his posture and shouted energetically.
"I'll check again immediately!"
"Uh..."
She nodded.
"Do that. Ah, before that, could you return the spare magic stones I brought? I need to fly and check the airship myself."
And attempt a preemptive strike if it seems feasible.
Pastel received the magic stones and mounted the white broom.
"Strengthen security to the highest level and prepare for terrorism. Launch airships too. I'm counting on you."
"Yes!"
The guard left to meet the guard captain.
Pastel kicked off the ground. Her body, stably seated on the broom, lightly floated up.
Glancing down at the ground, she saw Melissa and Elsior still exchanging long-range attacks. Ground fragments and light bullets collided, emitting light.
The battle wasn't continuing breathlessly, and it seemed they were provoking and conversing in between. It looked like a leisurely duel maintaining noble etiquette.
Puu puu.
"I wanted to enjoy leisurely too."
『The more power you hold, the harder it is to live as you wish.』
Eeng.
Pastel moved the broom. Her body leaned back from the speed and her pink hair fluttered.
She touched the received magic stones to the broom. Black energy flowed out and was absorbed into the broom.
She put the magic stones, now no different from empty dregs, into her mouth. She chewed the magic stones like eating ice.
Crunch crunch.
Munch munch.
It tasted of low-grade sweetness even among junk food.
Mixed with the broom's speed sensation, the autumn wind shook her hair and clothes.
"Who could it be. Mr. Tmaout? We already caught the demon race mercenary captain who was the terrorist leader, so where did this airship pop out from? Since it's not flying without any personnel, it means there are more terrorists."
Hmm.
"We caught the advance party in the sewers, and the rear party on the mercenary group's airship, so shouldn't the terrorists be experiencing manpower shortages?"
Is this too modern a sense? It's difficult with the sense of living in a world with safe public order.
『If it was just radical demon race acting alone, you could see it that way. But I'm not sure they'd experience manpower shortages at the point of being involved with the cult. The cult also recruits considerable numbers through profit and loss.』
Hueh.
Like "Looking for people to do terrorism together. Will pay." ?
Feels like international mafia.
Oing.
Isn't it really international mafia?
Mafia that gets funds through drug sales and a cult specializing in drug manufacturing.
"We need to root them out even more!"
She increased the broom's speed. The campus busy with the festival quickly passed below. It was bustling with a festive atmosphere.
It was around when she reached the airspace over the campus, away from the festival and with fewer student crowds.
A terrorist airship imitating a sky whale flew from beyond that peaceful sky.
"Bad te- hueh!"
The densely packed cannons immediately caught her eye.
Somehow scraping together personnel, armed mercenaries and suspicious robed cult members mixed together filled the deck.
Fully armed!
At that level it's just a warship!
This seems a bit wrong...!
Pastel tried to emergency brake the broom.
Individual play as an authority figure seems a bit wrong!
Retreat! Retreat!
The other side also seemed to spot the eye-catching white and pink flying object, as it instantly became noisy.
The airship changed course and rotated, showing its side. Countless gun ports were revealed. The cannons aimed at the flying object.
Uweh.
Surely you're not going to shoot?
A situation undoubtedly about to shoot.
"Don't do that...!"
Pastel screamed.
Flames erupted all at once and a roar rang out. Countless shells filled her view.
"Uwak!"
Save me!
I'm just a benevolent authority figure...!
Uwaa!
The leading shell approached. The engraved magic stone magic circle emitted light. Principles created magic. A small spark arose. The spark enveloped the shell like covering a dry plain.
For a moment, the girl hazily watched the change in flames. Forgetting both the mystery of magic and the heat of flames, she stared at the thrilling sensation of life hanging by a thread.
Hello.
Hormone friend.
A sword strike cut the shell. The flames split and the girl riding the broom charged. An orange explosion occurred.
The following shells covered the front.
The girl held the broom with one hand.
『Only those skilled over a long time can do mounted combat. Breathing with the horse, timely maneuvers, fearless collisions. All require immense skill.』
The white broom flew through the blue sky. With pink hair like a tail, it dove between countless shells.
Silver sword strikes occurred in succession. Shells were cut and exploded, causing orange flames. The chain explosions covered the sky and obscured the terrorists' view.
『But you don't need skill.』
The terrorists on deck blankly looked up at the sky. The blue sky was rippling orange. They blankly stared at the natural scenery created by an individual.
The girl riding the broom burst out of the flames. Wrapped in flames and enveloped in smoke, she charged just like that and pounced on the airship deck.
A mercenary about to draw his sword collided with the broom. The power consumed magic stone energy and created impact. The leather armor crumpled and the mercenary bounced off.
Screams arose.
The broom flew between people. Sword strikes continued like waves sweeping the deck. Bodies were sliced away. A red scene filled the deck.
The broom chased terrorists fleeing indoors through opened doors. When a straight corridor was revealed, the girl accelerated the broom. The sword blade cut horizontally across the corridor and walls, making a roar. Countless upper and lower bodies were severed and crumbled without resistance.
The broom passed through all corridors. It left traces on walls and threw glass bottles into cabins and rooms.
Yellow smoke filled the interior. Screams and confusion subsided. Before long, peaceful silence came.
『But, should flying things be considered cavalry? Interesting.』
The demon muttered.
Pastel stopped the broom with a hazy mind. The low-altitude flight ended and her feet touched the ground. The blood on the floor made a splashing sound.
『Well done.』
Pastel flinched.
"What? What did you say?"
Her mind was dazed.
Hueh.
『Well done.』
Pastel blinked slowly then recalled what the demon said earlier.
She grabbed the blood-stained broom. The blood on her hand wet the broom, leaving red handprints.
"This is a flying motorcycle!"
Uwaa, motorcycle!
"Vroom vroom! Honk honk!"
She flew through the now empty corridor. Blood drops fell from her pink hair.
Pastel is a delinquent!
The wickedness of disturbing social order!
The joy of putting demon under my feet!
"Demon! Use honorifics! Honorifics!"
『Hmm.』
Hueh.
『You should wash before getting out of the hormone influence.』
#
Pastel who quickly washed sat hugging her knees. She rubbed her cheeks. Her cheeks squished slightly as her pink lips mumbled.
"Eeng."
Just eeng...
A strange feeling of exhaustion came.
Originally she should soak in warm water and recover her mind, but since she really just showered, she's not in a normal state.
『You don't look good. How about enjoying a bath? Was there no hot water?』
The demon operating the navigation magic circle turned around.
"No, the hot water came out fine. It's just because of the place."
She rubbed her cheeks hard.
Her lips pouted.
"Somehow I can't get used to killing. Even with hormone friend helping."
『Hmm.』
The demon rubbed his chin.
『Everyone's like that. There's no need to blame yourself.』
Pastel stared at the demon.
"You too, demon?"
『I...』
The demon thought then turned his head. His hand operated the navigation magic circle.
『I've spent too much time for that.』
The airship flew to a nearby docking area. The guard airship should be flying over, so they can hand it over midway.
Pastel rested her chin on her hand.
"You said your age is calculated from after the Old Testament blank period plus 30 years, right?"
『That's right.』
Heeh.
The age difference is three digits...
Is it okay to hear honorifics from demon who's from the ancestor generation?
Pastel pondered deeply.
The corners of her mouth slightly loosened.
"Hehe."
It would feel good.
『What are you thinking?』
Pastel was startled and shook her head. Her pink hair fluttered.
"Nothing!"
The demon looked at her suspiciously.
But my inner thoughts weren't found out!
『You thought about insubordination and wickedness again.』
Huk.
Pastel's mouth fell open.
How did you know?!
Uwaa.
Even inner thoughts are found out by Pastel!
Transparent transparent mirror mirror Pastel...!
Huk.
Same number of letters.
Pastel clutched her head.
Uwaa!
"Even the number of letters is the same!"
It must be true!
I was transparent transparent mirror mirror Pastel!
The demon looked then ignored her.
The cruising airship was safely handed over to the guard airship that arrived.
However, the situation wasn't good at all.
As soon as the airships connected, a guard hurriedly came over and delivered news of terrorism.
"Another terrorist airship crashed into the tournament arena! Large-scale gas has spread and it's difficult to enter, so students are isolated!"
Pastel who was drinking apple juice dropped her glass. The glass shattered and juice wet the deck.
"Knight Order...!"
What are you doing not working!
Is our academy so easy that you can postpone because of internal problems?!