Chapter 165
The United Kingdom's Planned City had a bright exterior with soot and smoke puffing out, but just as where there is light there is shadow, darkness existed as well.
Although slavery had long been abolished under the Council's rational judgment that taxes could not be collected from a Slave but could be collected from a Citizen, there was no helping the crime that sprouted in the vast, hard-to-manage Underground Passage.
Today, as always, there were people descending the Underground Stairs, much like a swarm of rats knocking over a trash can.
Among them were a man in a suit and a Borabora girl.
It's Borabora~!
Having finished her Disguise using the Kraft Family's Special Dye and Makeup Technique, Pastel clung tightly to Lord Demon's arm and trembled.
"Uee, the atmosphere here is a bit weird."
The Underground Passage, barely illuminated by Magic Lighting here and there, gave off a musty and damp smell. It was the unventilated smell of vomit.
Uee.
As they walked, a Demonkind lying against the wall in ragged clothes stared at them with unfocused eyes. It didn't look like they had very good intentions.
Ueee.
It felt a little, little, very, very much like prejudice, but she had the feeling that if she had come alone without Lord Demon, there would have been trouble.
"Lord Demon, you know I like you, right?"
Pastel rubbed her cheek against Lord Demon's arm, clinging tightly.
Goodness, it would be nice if you had that Mindset normally.Goodness, it would be nice if you had that Mindset normally.』
As the demon spoke and glared at the Demonkind with unfocused eyes, the Demonkind deeply bowed their head.
However, contrary to your expectations, this looks like a place that is not a date at all. It's simply guiding us to a Rendezvous Point, but haven't you misunderstood something?However, contrary to your expectations, this looks like a place that is not a date at all. It's simply guiding us to a Rendezvous Point, but haven't you misunderstood something?』
"No way! I can guess the intention with my smart brain! Just like Lord Demon said, if you lack experience, it's easy to misjudge your feelings! Like mistaking it for love if you meet alone in a place that makes your heart pound! It's a strategy to charm a naive girl!"
Nathaniel is smart!
Lord Demon is going too, so it's not just the two of us, though!
Young Craft, if you say that with your own mouth, you are not naive. However, if it's true, the intention is disgraceful. What is a fully grown Adult trying to do to a kid?Young Craft, if you say that with your own mouth, you are not naive. However, if it's true, the intention is disgraceful. What is a fully grown Adult trying to do to a kid?』
"Boo! Boo! I'm a Young Lady right now! Attendant, please don't make petty interferences!"
Given the location, she had done her Disguise and Makeup to look a bit more mature.
Roughly.
From a Middle School Student to a High School Student!
Gasp, isn't this practically an Adult?
All grown up!
Pastel realized the unbalance of being all grown up yet clinging tightly to her Attendant's arm because she was a bit scared.
"Especially considering the affection from you taking care of me all this time! I acted a bit spoiled to shake off your regret that I've become independent! But I should stop now! Because I'm all grown up!"
Pastel detached from Lord Demon's arm and stood proudly alone. She took a deep breath. She smelled a musty odor that wasn't particularly pleasant.
But an Adult doesn't get scared of things like this!
Right, right!
A suspicious shadow brushed past her feet.
"Uwaah!"
Pastel was startled out of her wits and clung tightly to Lord Demon's arm again.
A mouse scurried past.
Phew, it was just a Mouse Friend.
Pastel wiped away her cold sweat for nothing.
"I was almost a victim of an Assassination."
Come to think of it, even for an Adult, clinging tightly to an Escort is a given!
Gasp, I think I'm smart.
Goodness.Goodness.』
Pastel felt ever so slightly embarrassed.
"Bbu-bbu. It's not my fault, it's because the underground passage friend has a large family."
Do you really have to attach the word friend to the underground passage?Do you really have to attach the word friend to the underground passage?』
Her eyes with purple lenses sparkled.
"Ah! I also felt the nuance was Subtle just now!"
Hehe.
"It's not like the nice Sewer Friend on Sky Island, so attaching 'friend' to a crime-infested Underground Passage I'm meeting for the first time seems Subtle!"
Pastel clapped her palms together.
"Anyway, anyway! Why is there an Underground Passage in a Planned City?"
It's a place where industrialization is booming, so is there really a need to build an underground space with poor security?
Hmm.Hmm.』
Lord Demon rubbed his chin.
I haven't checked the reason for the Underground Passage yet because I was looking around the Surface City first, but I do have a guess. However, I don't think you necessarily need to know.I haven't checked the reason for the Underground Passage yet because I was looking around the Surface City first, but I do have a guess. However, I don't think you necessarily need to know.』
"Uee. What is it, what is it. Just tell me!"
Forget it.Forget it.』
After walking for a while, they were able to enter an Underground Area that was more organized and relatively cleaner than before.
Demonkind in passably neat attire were walking around, and occasionally even suits could be seen, giving off a distinctly different atmosphere. The smell of money stained with mud lingered.
"Uwang."
The Scent of Corruption!
At the very unfamiliar scent, Pastel's cheeks flushed red.
As she looked around in excitement, she saw Nathaniel leaning against the wall, clicking his Pocket Watch.
Ah, I had forgotten about his existence!
"Nathaniel! Over here! Over here!"
Pastel waved her arm in delight.
The demon frowned.
Is it that guy? His body is untrained and so frail that he looks perfectly suited to trip and fall while walking.Is it that guy? His body is untrained and so frail that he looks perfectly suited to trip and fall while walking.』
"Uee? Lord Demon, such a huge bad review all of a sudden?!"
Nathaniel, who seemed a bit confused perhaps due to the Borabora Disguise, approached Reluctantly.
"What were you playing around doing to be this late—"
Then, seeing the highly displeased Lord Demon, he flinched and faltered.
"A-Archdemon, right? No, are you an Archdemon? No, not this. I mean, Traitor of the Demon Realm, ahem. What should I call you?"
This was the attitude of someone not knowing what to do upon encountering an opponent they had only seen in history books!
Lord Demon seemed doubly displeased by Nathaniel's uncool behavior. Lord Demon firmly decided the attitude Nathaniel ought to take.
Do not call me at all.Do not call me at all.』
Nathaniel was dumbfounded.
He smacked his lips in bewilderment, then, not knowing how to treat him, seemed to decide to just escape from making a choice and turned to look at Pastel.
Pastel smiled brightly.
"Nathaniel, it's been a while!"
"We met yesterday, though?"
"It feels just like meeting a hometown friend overseas!"
"What is that."
Nathaniel looked baffled before turning his body.
"You arrived late so we're short on time, let's move first. To get to the Gambling Den we were planning to go to, we have to go deeper. This place is where Commoners play."
"Yes, yes!"
Pastel trotted along after him. She opened her mouth cheerfully.
"But! But! Why is there an Underground Passage in the Capital? Isn't this a Planned City?"
Nathaniel was dumbfounded.
He stared at her for a moment with a look that asked how a Kraft could shamelessly ask such a question, then explained with disapproval.
"It was made with the intention of trying to restore something similar in the Capital since the Sky Island Holy Land was ruined. The intention was good, but because issues of vested interests got tangled up, the Council fought tooth and nail and couldn't reach a decision, so it just kept getting neglected. Now that the cost of cleaning up the crime is too high, everyone in the Council is keeping their mouths shut and not even mentioning it. Wait, what did the Princess say? I don't know, I don't care."
Gasp.
Remains of the Sky Island Holy Land = Sewer Friend
The Family that went Nom Nom Nom on the Demonkind's holy land leaving only a sewer = Kraft.
And the person who shamelessly asked about it after doing that = Pastel Lovecraft
Uwaah!
I'm sorry!
Lord Demon clicked his tongue.
You have no consideration either. Fitting for a frail body, the mind is also weak. It is the epitome of an Untrained Mind.You have no consideration either. Fitting for a frail body, the mind is also weak. It is the epitome of an Untrained Mind.』
Ah.
Ehehe.
Pastel looked at Lord Demon coyly.
"Then did Lord Demon show consideration for me?"
Ehehe.
Lord Demon did not bother to answer.
Bbu-ru-bbu~!
#
"What is your name?"
"Natalie Wingate Peaslee! I'm an Adult!"
Finger V!
The fierce-looking guard stared suspiciously.
Gasp, was it obvious because it's a pseudonym?!
I'm a good Pastel who can't lie……!
"This kid thinks she's an Adult."
Nathaniel, standing with his weight on one leg and his hands in his pockets, pointed roughly with his thumb.
"I see."
The guard accepted this and stepped aside from the door.
"Even if you bring your parents, there are no refunds, so please enjoy yourselves carefully."
Saying that, his gaze was directed not at Pastel but at Lord Demon, who was standing behind her like an Attendant, completely treating her like a kid.
Uee?!
This is not the treatment I hoped for……!
We will.We will.』
Don't play along with him!
She experienced a very, very unfair situation, but they were able to safely enter the Gambling Den.
Cards and Cash Chips could be seen on tables in a sophisticated atmosphere. A well-dressed Dealer chatted leisurely with a guest. The Chandelier sparkled with a golden light.
"Uwa, uwa!"
Pastel exhaled in excitement.
Gambling! Gambling! Gambling!
Wanjeonwanjeon Borabora!
"I'll start with poker—!"
As she tried to dash forward, she was abruptly grabbed by the scruff of her neck.
"Uhyak!"
What are you trying to gamble as you please for.What are you trying to gamble as you please for.』
The demon looked back at Nathaniel.
Where is the destination? Shouldn't you have quickly guided us before this kid dashed off in the first place?Where is the destination? Shouldn't you have quickly guided us before this kid dashed off in the first place?』
Nathaniel flinched.
"Ah, we have to go to the VIP Area."
He pointed in the direction and walked ahead, then looked back a moment later feeling wronged.
"But we have to do it anyway according to the Entry Criteria. You can only go based on the Usage Fee."
Are you calling that an excuse.Are you calling that an excuse.』
Lord Demon clicked his tongue.
Then again, I brought money knowing that would be the case.Then again, I brought money knowing that would be the case.』
A Gold Coin Pouch was taken out.
"Huh? Then why did you to me……?"
Don't just stare blankly, go exchange the money for chips.Don't just stare blankly, go exchange the money for chips.』
Lord Demon ignored Nathaniel's sense of injustice and looked around the Gambling Den. Having seemingly found the game he wanted, he walked over and lightly pressed down on Pastel's head.
You just watch.You just watch.』
Oing.
"Lord Demon is going to play?!"
Yes.Yes.』
Uwa, uwa!
Lord Demon arrived at a table where a Dealer was shuffling cards without any guests. He sat down and crossed his legs.
Blackjack is the game where the Player has the highest probability of winning against the Dealer.Blackjack is the game where the Player has the highest probability of winning against the Dealer.』
His finger flicked.
Dealer, cards.Dealer, cards.』
Uwaah!
Expert aura!
From now on, I want to be like Lord Demon who is good at gambling……!