Chapter 10
Demon Girl.
Slightly Pointed Ears.
Black Hair, Black Eyes.
A backpack large enough to make her Stagger, and the Gaze of a Scholar.
“How did you end up getting left behind?”
Pastel tilted her head.
The Demon girl Hurriedly scooped up the soup and swallowed it down.
“Phew. They said there was a problem with the airship and they had To Prepare a new one, so I took on a short-term request. But they left without me in the meantime.”
Oh, oh.
Like going to the restroom at the express bus terminal during a School trip, only to find they departed without me?
Uwoah.
I handed her a new bowl of soup.
“Eat more! Eat a lot!”
“Thank you. But you’re really good at Cooking.”
The Demon girl sent a respectful Gaze. A splendid array of food was spread out on the table between the Demon girl and Pastel.
Proud.
“I’m pretty good at it.”
Eusseugeusseuk.
“Good grief.”
Hehe.
Pastel lifted the pepper shaker with a relaxed smile. As she twisted the shaker over the soup, Magic Stone Powder sprinkled down.
“What’s that?”
“A secret recipe!”
Pastel continued Demurely.
“I can’t tell you even if we’re friends~.”
I scooped it with a spoon. Yum!
A savory and deep umami flavor filled my mouth.
Woowaoowa, Lord Demon is really good at Cooking.
I finished off the soup and tore off a drumstick from the roasted chicken. The meat tore away smoothly. The brown skin peeled back to reveal white flesh. The grease dripped down moistly.
Mmm!
I dipped it deeply into the Magic Stone Powder and took a Bite. A moist chewiness filled my mouth. An exploding greasy flavor.
Mmm!
“I adjusted the seasoning to match the sweetness of the Magic Stone Powder. How does it taste?”
Pastel substituted her Answer with a vigorous Bite of the chicken leg.
“…Eat up.”
The meal continued without conversation. The Demon girl who had been sleeping rough and Pastel who had to grind up gold bars for a single meal were in similar situations, so their opinions aligned.
The plates emptied one by one. A spoon was placed on the last Empty plate.
“Phew.”
With a stuffed belly, Pastel slumped into her chair.
I’m full.
No, I’m hungry but I’m full.
Physically, there was definitely no more room in my stomach. Satiety filled my body.
However, the feeling of hunger did not fade. An emptiness, as if a void had formed in my soul, whispered that I needed to devour what was lost.
With a Finger, I dabbed some Magic Stone Powder and put it in my mouth. It had a candy-like sweetness. It felt like eating Junk Food.
Hmm.
It’s better than not eating, but I don’t Think this is what I’m supposed to eat. It lacks the thrill that stimulates the mind.
“What’s wrong?”
Pastel shook her head.
It’s nothing.
The Demon girl, who was sprawled out alongside her, looked over.
“Come to Think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves. I’m Ellie.”
I waited a moment, but no surname followed.
Aha.
To keep the silence from getting Awkward, I quickly raised a hand.
“I’m Pastel Lovecraft! You can just call me Pastel! Nice To Meet you, friend!”
Ellie looked surprised for a moment before Nodding.
“I will.”
A refreshing voice.
Oh yeah.
Finally, a friend I can converse with.
Pastel flushed slightly.
“What weapon do you use, Ellie? Are you a Mage? Do you cast spells with a Staff? Or do you blast Powerful Magic?!”
A Magic specialty?
Ellie tilted her head.
“I don’t know how To Fight.”
Eh?
“I’m enrolling through Academic Research.”
Eh?
Ah.
True, it’s an Academy, not a Soldier Training Camp.
Pastel smiled brightly.
“Then we’ll get along well! I’m pretty smart myself. I’m the Top Scorer in the Written Exam this time!”
“Really? You’re smart?”
“Of Course!”
Hehe.
“What’s your major, Pastel?”
Major?
My mind went blank. What had I been learning all this time? I’m the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, so I must have learned something smart.
Uh, I don’t know.
In that case, my major is.
I raised the Magic sword high.
“Force Projection!”
Huzzah!
I’m totally good at it.
Ellie stared blankly.
Then she nodded.
“I see. My major is Myths and Legends. Specifically, the Demon King Legend.”
“Demon King Legend?”
What an Intense name!
“The Demon King’s.”
Ellie Suddenly turned Pale and changed her words.
“Th-there’s a legend that the Evil Demon King's Inheritance slumbers on Sky Island, because it was the final fierce battleground of the Human-Demon War.”
Ellie’s fingers twirled her Black Hair.
“Of course, a legend is just a legend. But there might be some filthy arrangements left behind. We can’t have another Human Massacre perpetrator whose mind was ruined by demonic energy appear again, so I’m doing Research To Report to the Empire.”
Demonic energy?
Uh.
“What arrangements?”
The Demon girl swallowed hard.
“…Base and disgusting methods to create a new lunatic, barbaric and crude ways of compensating for inferior talent and physique with demonic energy and Magic stones.”
Magic stones?
My heart felt like it was pounding.
“M-more importantly, you said you’re a Combat Major, Kraft? Did you Prepare well for the Combat Practical? Isn’t it difficult for a swordsman?”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“Ah, right!”
I jumped up.
“I need To Prepare for the Combat Practical! Thanks, Ellie! Thanks for reminding me! Sorry, but I’m going To Hang out alone for a while! I like Training by myself!”
With Lord Demon.
Ellie wiped her forehead with a handkerchief.
“But then, should you not be here?”
Huh?
“I’m taking the Academic Practical Exam. Won’t the Combat Practical start right after the late Demon Realm airship arrives, even if we haven’t arrived?”
Does that mean…?
“Oh no?!”
Pastel grabbed her Pink Hair.
“I’m late!”
Oh no!
Run, Boong-boong…!
Boong-boong was the name I had just given the airship.
#
The middle of a forest on the Outskirts of Sky Island.
“Where is Kraft?”
The Professor looked over the Group of examinees from the Platform. The pink presence that should have stood out was missing.
A Senior Student answered from the side.
“She rented an airship for the transport of a Stranded examinee to Sky Island using Student Council Authority.”
“'She rented'? Why are you using honorifics for a young Student?”
“Ah, she rented an airship using Student Council Authority. For the Stranded examinee.”
“Student Council? An examinee?”
The Professor narrowed his brow in thought. He tapped the Platform With a Finger.
“She was definitely the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, right?”
“Yes.”
“Give me her file.”
Pastel’s file Was Handed Over. The Combat Practical section was opened.
The passage between passing and failing.
The Professor’s quill moved.
Suddenly, a horn echoed through the forest.
“It’s a terrorist Attack!”
Eyes turned to the sky. A small airship came sprinting down as if it were going To Crash. A girl’s voice faintly rang out.
The airship collided with something transparent in midair. Shards of shattering glass covered the sky.
“First Barrier breached! How ignorant!”
“It’s Demonkind, inferior things. I knew this would happen. We should have exterminated them long ago.”
What is the Knights Order doing, letting a Demonkind Airship pass through?
The Professor with a cold expression pulled out his Staff. The Staff aimed at the airship. Countless staffs followed suit.
Guided by the Staff, the Ground Cannons aimed at the target.
“Prepare Anti-Air Fire! Target is the Demonkind Airship! Fi - !”
Pink Hair fluttered from the airship’s Railing.
“Boong-boong! It’s too faaast!”
The Professor’s mouth dropped open.
“M-Marquis Excellency?!”
The Professor Hurriedly shouted.
“Change target! Target is the Second Barrier!”
“Pardon?”
“It’s His Excellency Kraft! Destroy everything except the final one! Right now, before she crashes and gets hurt!”
The Senior Student, who had been scolded for using honorifics for the Young Excellency, opened his eyes wide.
The Professor, having changed his tune, shouted without a shred of Embarrassment.
“Fire!”
The Ground Cannons fired. Cannonballs covered the sky. The Magic Stone Powder on the surface of the cannonballs formed a Magic Circle Pattern.
The Magic Circle emitted light and formed Magic. Flames flared. A deafening roar echoed. Explosions covered the sky.
Countless glass barriers shattered.
In the face of a Great Noble’s authority and influence, all threats withdrew their blades.
Piercing through the flames, the airship crashed down.
“Aargh!”
Pink Hair fluttered.
The airship crashed right next to them. A deafening roar echoed. Dirt and dust rose, and the wind whipped around. The hair and clothes of the dumbfounded examinees fluttered.
“His Excellency Kraft!”
The Professor ran.
“Medical Staff! Right now!”
Personnel followed behind.
A Staff was swung. A Breeze kicked up and cleared the dirt and dust. The half-destroyed airship was revealed.
The pink girl sprawled in the wreckage muttered.
“I-I lived…”
Pastel got up Staggering and blankly surveyed her Surroundings.
The Professor, upperclassmen, Medical Staff.
Behind them, there was a Group of examinees with dumbfounded expressions.
examinees?
I threw both arms up.
“I did not arrive late!”
Barely survived failing, starvation, and croaking.
Oh yeah.
Suddenly, the Professor at the front let out a rough breath.
“Phew.”
The Professor wiped his cold sweat. His expression changed to look intellectual and cold.
Oh, oh.
“Kraft has arrived as well. Now everyone is here. Since nothing major happened, we will restore the Barrier and resume the exam.”
Alas.
A merciless Death Game.
There is no consideration for latecomers.
The Professor looked at the Senior Student who had followed him.
“Why aren’t you restoring it quickly? Finish it within an hour. Thoroughly, without any gaps. You saved the Intruder Prevention System, so you can do the rest quickly.”
The Senior Student let out a Silent Scream.
#
“Walk to the left, to the river.”
Pastel walked through the forest looking at the map. The sound of the river could be heard.
I ran Hurriedly.
The river gushed.
“Ah! This must be it! I have arrived at the location!”
“It seems to be Correct.”
The Ruthless Entrance Exam resumed Mercilessly.
A shiver ran down her spine.
The Combat Practical was Golem Hunting. We just had to go to our Designated Location and hunt the golems scattered in the forest. It was an absolute grading system.
What a relief.
Pastel, who wasn’t particularly Worried since she was with an Archdemon, surveyed the forest with a Meaningful look.
“Lord Demon, Lord Demon! Did you hear?”
“Hear what.”
“They said it’s the Demon King's Inheritance!”
Wow!
“Like, like, it is absorbing demonic energy from the atmosphere. And rapidly duplicating Magic stones.”
I don’t know what it is, but couldn’t it do that?
The Demon let out an incredibly long sigh. It sounded like it came from his soul.
“You absolutely have no connection to it because you are of the Kraft Family.”
Uh.
What did our Family do this time?
“The Demon King’s throne is a position that can strictly only be obtained if the threads of fate reach it. The Inheritance and arrangements for it are the same. Discovery is not a coincidence, but fate. That is why the Empire cannot find it even though it Clearly knows its location.”
“Oh, so it’s not a legend!”
Wow!
The Demon paused.
“…Think As One Pleases. Regardless, the Kraft Lineage and the Demon King's Inheritance absolutely have no connection. I can assure you of that.”
Seriously, what did our Family do for him to be so certain?
What a shame.
Pastel let out a deep sigh and took a step.
And Suddenly, her foot caught on a Tree Root.
Huh?
My vision tilted and I fell flat on my face.
Thud.
My hand touched a stone on the Ground. The stone hummed, revealing a Magic Circle Pattern, and then emitted light.
RUMBLE.
The Ground opened up, and Ruins were revealed.
Pastel looked down the stairs of the Ruins with a Dumbfounded Expression. The cold smell of the underground could be sensed.
Huh?
The Demon muttered belatedly in the silence.
“Th-this can’t be.”
Could it be?
Surely not, surely not?
“Could this be?!”
Pastel jumped up.
I raised both arms forcefully.
“Pastel’s life is easy…!”
Huzzah!
Oh yeah.
Yay!
Rustle.
Footsteps were heard from behind.
Huh?
Pastel turned her body.
Her Gaze met Blue Eyes.
A blonde girl is wearing a Mage Robe.
Melissa Camelot.
“Things got twisted.”
The Demon said firmly.
“First, we must eliminate the Witness.”
What?
#
Respected mother.
I am always reflecting on your words and teachings.
But lately, I have a few doubts.
Is it right to ostracize someone just because of their Family’s infamy?
Is that truly a Dignified action?
Is that truly what it means to be a noble?
…I’m sorry.
I’ve also reached the age to enroll in the Academy. Just once, I want to stick to my own thoughts.
Asking a peer who came out of a crashed airship if he or she has any injured spots isn’t such a wrong thing to do, is it?
Even if that person is Kraft, whose name is anathema.
Melissa, who had deduced Pastel’s exam location and moved there, pushed through the tall grass.
As she pushed aside a Tree Branch, a pink sight filled her vision.
Pink Hair sparkled under the sunlight. Pink Eyes caught the light and rippled brilliantly.
Mother, respected mother.
There’s no way someone this beautiful could be wrong.
If there is justice in aesthetics and reason in art, wouldn’t there be truth in this girl?
Instead of betrayal and scheming, wouldn’t a heart without deceit be hidden in her chest?
Could there be deceit in a girl who descended like sunlight illuminating the clouds, like dew wrapping around blades of grass?
So, just once, I should ask about her Injured Spot…
Yes, that’s right.
I’ll be Honest.
I want To Become Friends with this child.
Because that is what a noble who loves art would do.
I will live as a noble.
Like mother.
Melissa politely placed a hand on her chest. She Bowed Her Head lightly.
“Kraft, I came to Apologize for my rudeness last time.”
The pink girl approached.
And someone Suddenly reached out both hands to Melissa.
“Sorry, Friend! Let’s talk next time!”
Melissa’s body was shoved. Her body Spun Around, and the river filled her vision.
“Gah!”
Splash-!
The river surged.
Melissa floundered as she was swept away.
Mother! Mother!
As she drifted, her robe caught on a Tree Root. Melissa Waved Both Arms, Struggling. Her hands grabbed the Tree Root.
Panting, she crawled out onto the Riverbank.
Water dripped down from her tangled Golden Hair.
Her drained eyes looked down at the Ground.
Mud fell from her head.
Mother…
I’m sorry.
Your words were right.
Kraft is bad.
Totally bad.
Melissa became gloomy.