Chapter 97 - Even a Popular Person Has Trouble Being a Guarantor

"Uwang."

Pastel's mouth fell open.

It was a space so wide it didn't seem like underground. The height was ample enough to build skyscrapers, the ground was thick with vegetation, and small hills floated overhead.

That alone would be considered a strange natural landscape, but white buildings were erected on the hills, causing disharmony.

Is this holy land?

"Uwaang."

Pastel opened her mouth wide in surprise then flinched. She hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.

Hup.

I shouldn't speak.

She looked around at the demon and baby birds.

"Shh. Shh. Shh."

Though the location seems far, I feel the cult's presence so everyone be quiet.

She focused her mind with relief. The mixed sounds of human voices and bird wing flaps were heard. It was the sound of going between hills.

Are they using birds as transportation?

Well, since they said only archmages can fly smoothly, it makes sense to use a cost-effective method. It would have been difficult to bring entire airships underground too.

Uwee.

What enormous deed are they plotting to carry out large-scale operations even kidnapping birds? Just thinking about the required workload, I can feel an ominous purpose.

Pastel trembled faintly.

Now that I've actually come to the scene of wrongdoing, my heart is thumping and I'm scared this should be left to the police.

But the police, the Knight Order, can't do their job.

Eeyee.

She subtly looked at the demon. Seeing his gloomy formal wear and red eyes lost in thought, she felt relieved.

He looks like he'd immediately save me even if I lost my mind and fell in water while walking and looking only at stars.

Maybe being gloomy isn't so bad in its own way.

She gestured meaning to come closer. When the demon approached, she gestured again meaning to bend down. The demon did so and looked puzzled.

『Why are you doing this?』

Hut.

Pastel was startled and quickly whispered in the demon's ear.

"What if you speak?"

Totally foolish foolish demon.

『It's not voice but concept.』

The demon tapped his lips tok tok. A voice was heard without his mouth moving.

"How do you do that?"

『You can't do it now.』

How could this be.

Disappointment.

Pastel whispered again.

"Since the cult is nearby, I'll communicate like this from now on. Though it's troublesome, this is right."

Whisper whisper whisper whisper.

『I agree. Gesture if you have something to say.』

"Okay."

Like this like this.

Pastel needlessly practiced gestures then paused.

Uwee.

She made the demon who was straightening his bent upper body bend down again with gestures and whispered.

"But why am I the only one troubled? What if demon becomes troubled together?"

As an authority figure, there's etiquette, so isn't it strange if only demon as a subordinate is left out?

『Oh?』

The demon pondered with a serious expression.

Then he whispered in Pastel's ear.

『I don't want to.』

You don't want to...!

Pastel staggered.

After a while, she calmed down and said.

"I was just joking too."

Phew.

Tension seems quite relieved.

Demon's human form is definitely better. It was the difference between face-to-face conversation and conversation only by phone. Having him next to me makes my heart steady and comfortable.

There's somewhat of a dependent feeling, perhaps because he was the first subject encountered when I was hungry for people, but it can't be helped since he's my only guardian.

Though such a non-independent relationship would be very troublesome for popular Pastel, it's okay since a guardian isn't a friend.

She gestured to call the baby bird friends closer too.

"Let's make a proper plan. What level is our current strength objectively? How are demon's capabilities?"

Can we expect something since the seal loosened? Enough to check what the plan is by smashing and thoroughly hiding if necessary?

『Hmm.』

The demon clenched and opened his fist.

『I don't know about winning, but it should be enough to guarantee your safety.』

What level is that.

『It'll differ by opponent, but you won't die even if knight-class comes. That was roughly the case originally too.』

Huk.

Your skills come out right away just from the seal loosening a bit because it's holy land!

This is a great demon!

This person is my guardian!

Totally reassuring!

Pastel was excited thump thump.

"Then I'll be a pink rabbit riding on a tiger's head."

She brushed up her pink hair as if brushing up rabbit ears.

Triumphant expression~

『Why ride on the head specifically.』

The demon was dumbfounded.

Huhu, that is that is.

"Should I say it's a strict hierarchical relationship?"

Very important as an authority figure.

『You're quite blatant now.』

"Hehe."

Is there really no problem with demon's strength?

"It's right to avoid conflict and scout, right? Qualitatively for information too. Do you know any safe ways to scout as locals?"

It's quite tricky since hills are floating.

―Piyo.

A baby bird patted itself thump with its wing. It was a confident expression.

Then it explained a great idea.

―Piyo piyo. Piiyo. Piyo. Piyo piyo.

―Piyoo?!

The other baby bird opened its beak in shock. It was a reaction asking how it could have such an amazing thought.

The baby bird that spoke puffed out its chest feeling proud.

―Piyo!

Huk.

I see!

So that's how it was!

Pastel finally realized.

I can't understand bird language.

I understand it said some great method, but I don't know what these guys are talking about.

"Sorry, baby bird friend. I can't understand at all."

Should I say even popular Pastel has limits.

―Piyo...?

The baby bird froze with its chest still puffed out. The other baby bird patted pat pat with its wing as if comforting.

"Uwaa, sorry sorry."

Pastel subtly turned her head. She scanned the surroundings then confirmed hills floating in the sky.

"The position seems different from earlier? Looks like they're moving."

It would be good to hide there since there are buildings too.

Pastel took out her magic stone knife. Since she left her broom, with this. She was about to get on the knife as usual then paused.

Pink eyes turned to the demon.

"Can demon fly?"

『Originally humans can't fly.』

"Ah, then can demon fly? Do demon wings go flap flap?"

The demon was dumbfounded.

『I'm saying I can't fly either.』

How could this be.

『The Demon King was unusual, it's right that even strong people can't fly if they're not magic types.』

―Piyo!

A baby bird suddenly raised its wings high.

Oing.

"Do you have a good idea, no sorry. I can't understand even if you speak."

―Piyo piyo.

The baby bird shook its head. It moved slightly away then flapped its wings.

Flap flap flap flap.

The round chick-like body slowly rose.

Huk.

Pastel's eyes went round.

"You could fly?"

No no of course since you're birds!

The baby bird looked down flying slowly right above her head.

―Piyo.

It was a gaze saying why are you saying such things.

"Wow wow."

Pastel quickly whispered.

"Demon demon! Humans can't fly but baby birds can fly!"

A fact I couldn't even imagine!

"Since the cult rides birds too, demon can ride baby birds!"

Demon riding a baby bird!

『Hmm. I see.』

The demon put his hands in his pockets and stood slightly askew. He seemed to affirm but was subtly displeased.

Oing.

Pastel quickly caught that emotional tone.

It's clearly a good thing, why this reaction?

Surely surely.

Pastel's mouth corners loosened slightly. Her finger poked the demon poke poke.

"Demon demon. Surely surely you're not embarrassed about having to ride a baby bird?"

Her voice chattered.

"A grown adult has to ride a big chick to move. And the cult members we'll encounter now ride adult birds coolly while only demon rides a chick."

Cute cute chick!

The demon looked silently for a moment.

『I have no intention of restraining your imagination, but it's not good judgment to measure others' emotions.』

Ah! Ah!

Pastel's expression became bright.

"Perhaps perhaps is it because I said earlier that demon's ears reddened and I'll definitely remember that scene and tell it for generations?"

『That's part of it.』

Puu puu! Puu puu!

"That's right! Your ears didn't actually redden then! That was my imagination!"

Imaginative Pastel!

『You finally admit it.』

"But, but."

Pastel whispered.

"Demon be honest. It's true you're a little embarrassed about the future of having to ride a baby bird, right?"

She spoke in a serious voice.

"I can understand it all. You're human so you can be like that. Isn't lying worse? I'm watching! It's not good for education!"

Really really.

『Hmm.』

The demon looked up at the flying baby bird. The sight of a giant chick flying was like a fairy tale.

『A little perhaps.』

"Yes! Just a tiny bit!"

As much as ant friend's antenna!

The demon changed the center of gravity of his askew stance to the opposite leg. He moved his hand slightly then crossed his arms.

『I could be a little embarrassed.』

Puhah!

Pastel barely held back the laughter about to burst out. When she pressed her mouth hard with both hands, her cheeks trembled tremble tremble.

I must remember this for life!

I'll make it into a frame and keep it!

The demon was extremely displeased.

『We should depart soon. The cult members' activities don't reach here now, but the situation can change anytime.』

Wise words if not for changing the subject.

Pastel and the demon each got on a baby bird.

"Wow, totally fluffy!"

The baby birds started floating. Though wobbling and slow, they flew fine anyway.

The hill got closer.

『Hah.』

The demon wiped his face with a resigned voice.

『My dignity is ruined.』

Ahaha!

Pastel buried her face in feathers. Her body trembled finely. Muffled laughter sounded kyak kyak.