Chapter 142
"Looks like they have no intention of coming. Let's just do it among ourselves."
When the figure from the Hawks, who was supposed to come as a representative to explain the Assassination of the Bellamont Eldest Son, did not show up, Ellie started the meeting.
Pastel smoothly sat down next to the Princess. Her attitude was so brazen that, if not for her pink hair, one would have thought she was Demonkind.
Buuut, it would stand out more if I were the only one standing.
The meeting immediately moved to review the news of the Demon King's discovery, which could be called the main event, thereby continuing the harmonious atmosphere.
"It is a pity that the Demon King will not reveal himself after all. It would be one thing for those who lack situation assessment, but he could at least show his face to us."
A certain Demonkind glanced at Mr. Penguin and expressed disappointment similar to Mr. Penguin's drooping state.
Gasp, is that so?
That Demon King flinched.
Perhaps revealing her identity rather than hiding the fact that she was born with suspicious pink hair would have been proper courtesy to her subordinates!
"As I said, for safety reasons, the Demon King plans to remain in seclusion for the time being. Because the Demon King is not yet a fully mature adult, they must refrain from external activities and cannot help but be cautious with internal activities as well."
Right, right!
Courtesy aside, this might be the right move!
Pastel nodded her head actively.
Nod, nod! Nod, nod!
When the truly, overly conspicuous pink-haired girl kept nodding, everyone gave her a look before stealthily looking away all together.
"Suspicions aside, it is indeed a time to be careful."
Mr. Penguin said, remaining in his drooping state.
"From what I heard directly from Duke Nastasha before I came, the reason Marquis Kraft was appointed to the governorship was also because she was secretly entrusted with the mission of the Demon King Hunt."
The averted gazes once again focused on the girl who just wanted to stay quiet.
Uwaaah!
Mr. Penguin! Please stop talking!
Everyone else is avoiding mentioning me, so why is Mr. Penguin the only one poking at me!
"The governorship wasn't because of that, but was obtained thanks to faction struggles in the central political circles. A Demon King Hunt? It seems Duke Nastasha made an excessive conjecture."
Yet even Ellie, who had just explained it away like that, was subtly staring at her.
A gaze that seemed to say, If there was a spy here for informing on the Demon King's identity, wouldn't she be the most suspicious?
Ellie, don't send me those looks when you know I'm a Fake Demon King!
Pastel had long forgotten the fact that she had recently said, Wow! If I do some informing on this, is it a round-up?!
Her fingers fidgeted.
"Well, you see, you see. I did receive an imperial command for the Demon King Hunt, buuut."
Ellie, who had just covered for her, changed to a shocked expression.
An expression that said, “Huh? It”s true? What? Why didn't you tell me?'
Oing.
Come to think of it, I forgot.
Or did I?
Since the Demon King Hunt was an imperial command, did my subconscious just automatically keep it a secret from Demonkind?
Gasp, that might really be it!
Yeah, yeah!
Pastel just knew how to distinguish between public and private matters!
Realizing her own competence, Pastel regained her confidence. She stopped her fidgeting fingers and began to speak.
"It's not particularly a secret. If I borrow a private army from the Demon World Corporation and all that, it's something that would be known anyway."
Should I call it a confidential matter on the level of a press embargo?
Should I say it was just being kept a secret for a little while to make it easier to strike before the Demon King could respond?
But then, what kind of person was Duke Nastasha, who deduced or investigated this fact and gave a heads-up to the Demon Realm figures in advance?
A sneaky Republican.
Uwaaah.
"What is the meaning of this!"
The meeting place instantly became noisy. The murmuring grew louder, and they exchanged glances with one another. Someone even called a subordinate and sent off an urgent dispatch.
"Ahaha."
Given the more excessive reaction than she expected, Pastel laughed awkwardly.
"If I do some informing, is it a round-up for everyone here?"
But that won't happen!
Ahaha!
The commotion vanished. Conversations and movements stopped, and only the sound of sharp intakes of breath could be heard.
Phew, it seems everyone has calmed down!
Pastel felt proud of her own eloquence. As expected, a popular person like me is good at communication without misunderstandings.
"However, I already know the Demon King's identity, even before I received the imperial command."
She pointed at herself with a flourish.
"Our relationship is so good that we even get confused for each other when looking in the mirror."
It is really confusing.
Whenever I look in the mirror, the delusion, “Gasp, isn”t she going to turn purple?' grows wildly.
"Of course, you could suspect me. I will acknowledge that it is a rational, logical, and objective judgment."
Pastel pointed at Mr. Penguin, whose eyes had somehow become intense.
"But that is exactly why you should believe me."
Her hand gesture elegantly returned to point at herself.
"Because I did not do any informing on you."
Her hand gesture pointed to the window sill.
"Because I didn't secretly bring in troops either."
Her hand gesture pointed to her hair.
"And because I didn't hide my inner thoughts, either."
Pastel smiled purely.
"Please judge rationally, logically, and objectively. I am on your side, having known the opportunity for a round-up yet having sat on my hands."
Oh yeah.
I think I'm pretty good at sales pitches.
With this much, there's no opponent who wouldn't be won over!
Silence flowed.
Ellie made a gesture of frustration. Her expression became complicated with thoughts, then she made a very quick judgment and opened her mouth.
"That's right. I was going to mention the imperial command later, but Kraft ended up saying it after all."
Oing.
Ellie pulled off pretending to know when she actually didn't.
Pastel's heart pounded in anticipation of what kind of amazing improvisation this princess would show.
"The Demon King had another purpose for this meeting as well. Since everyone suspects Kraft, it was to create an opportunity to erase those suspicions, just like she just told you."
Ellie pointed at Pastel.
"It seems you're feeling a fearful sense of déjà vu from Kraft's attitude right now, but you don't need to worry. It's all according to the Demon King's plan."
Oiiing.
Is that so?
I made a plan like that?!
Demon King Pastel is amazing.
Actually, isn't purple more competent than pink?
"I hope you will erase your suspicions and have faith in the Demon King through this opportunity. Since the Demon King cannot reveal themselves, they were worried that their aptitude for the Demon King's throne might be doubted."
Groans of realization flowed out in the meeting place.
—To think they had such worries. Even if we have doubted their aptitude, as of today, such thoughts will completely disappear.
—It is absolutely not that this humble one did so, but there were some foolish people who worried that the Demon King was being swayed by Kraft. However, there will be no need for doubt anymore!
—If someone who hasn't even reached adulthood can devise such a stratagem, what will happen in the future? The future of the Demon Realm is bright! Hahaha!
Demon King Pastel is so smart!
She proved her aptitude without even showing her face!
Or is Ellie, who hastily made it all up with her improvisation, the amazing one?!
At this time, suddenly, Mr. Penguin, who somehow seemed to be playing by himself, stepped forward.
"This is what I was worried about."
Uwaaah!
Mr. Penguin!
Please stop worrying!
"Being able to look into the Demon King's deep schemes and far-reaching plans makes me feel as if my eyes have been opened, and my heart swells with pride before the bright future of the Demon Realm."
Perhaps because getting cursed at earlier was weighing on his mind a bit, Mr. Penguin's introduction became somewhat long.
"This kind of dogmatism from the Demon King is dangerous. The results aren't bad, but we cannot judge based on results alone. It is an undeniable fact that they were overconfident in Marquis Kraft and formulated a risky plan."
Mr. Penguin spoke passionately.
"What era are we in? We must reflect on the lessons of the Great War period."
Ellie, who was listening, took a sip of green tea. She looked at Mr. Penguin with unenthusiastic eyes and casually said.
"So you're saying the Demon King is wrong? The Demon King has gone this far, and you're saying you're going to doubt their aptitude?"
Gasp.
How dare he cast doubt when the Supreme Dignitary had put in such effort.
Mr. Penguin panicked.
"I am not saying the Demon King is wrong. I affirm the Demon King's aptitude, but I oppose this method of decision-making. It is a systemic issue. The Demon King is outstanding, but the decision-making system is flawed."
"Oho, my goodness! That's exactly what it means! You're saying the Demon King shouldn't act dogmatically because they lack aptitude!"
A certain Demonkind stepped forward in a rage.
"Because this humble one has never harbored such foolish thoughts, I cannot empathize at all! How can you doubt His Majesty the Demon King!"
"That's not it. Please listen."
Mr. Penguin tried to explain in depth.
Ellie clicked her tongue as if blocking him at the source.
"To think you would doubt the Demon King when they have gone this far. Redmond, I'm disappointed."
"Princess! Please listen for a moment. I have no wicked intentions at all."
Ellie ignored him and swept her gaze around the meeting place.
"Surely there isn't anyone who agrees with those words, right? If there is, I will personally convey your stance to the Demon King."
A declaration that she would tattle to the Supreme Dignitary.
Everyone suddenly became of one mind and body.
—No, there's actually someone who agrees?
—I may have been close with Redmond, but I didn't share those kinds of thoughts. Ahem! I might need to become a little less close with him on this occasion!
—Redmond! How can you doubt the Demon King! I absolutely oppose that wrong attitude!
—That's right! That is wrong! Redmond, you should learn respect and courtesy first!
—That's right! That's right! Learn courtesy toward the Supreme Dignitary first! Pastel agrees too!
Mr. Penguin broke a sweat.
"Well, that's how it is."
Ellie smiled in satisfaction.
"Still, since it's a meeting, a meeting where differing opinions are expressed is a healthy phenomenon. Even if it was a wicked remark, if it has been corrected, there is no need to inform the Demon King."
Mr. Penguin bowed his head deeply.
"I will correct it..."
His drained body settled into the chair.
Wow!
Pastel, who had been sitting still like a good girl, had sparkling eyes.
I somehow feel like I fit in well with the culture here!
Is this a match made in heaven?!
Demon King, it might be my calling!