Chapter 14
『No.』
Red Eyes stared firmly.
Eeing.
Pastel looked like she was about to cry. She hugged both hands tightly and looked up at the Demon.
“Lord Demoooon.”
『No means no.』
The Demon in Suit Attire spoke in a Cold Voice and turned around. A Laundry Basket was held in his arms.
Is the dream of Smuggling fading away like this?
Pastel followed closely behind the Demon.
“Lord Demoooon.”
The Demon walked on without reacting. A Wet Towel swayed in the Laundry Basket.
Woah-Woah.
So cold.
Perhaps because of the Suit Attire, she could even feel the coldness of a professional/working adult.
Is this the feeling of a child thrown in front of Cold Reality?
She followed closely behind.
“Lord Demon, just once.”
When it was like this, the seniors united and lost in Arm Wrestling to the Freshmen.
Maybe Lord Demon too?
But the Demon seemed to feel a Sense of déjà vu. He let out a small snort.
And with firm steps, he opened the door to the Laundry Room, walked briskly, and drew water. The sound of water rang out.
The Demon in Suit Attire ignored Pastel and began Mercilessly washing the towels.
The water went Chalbakkchalbak.
The soap went Bibijeok-bibijeok.
The club went Slap-Slap.
The towels became Kkaekkeutkkaekkeut.
His skillful touch Instantly finished washing 10 towels.
『Phew, are blankets next?』
The Demon wiped his forehead with his suited arm.
Gasp.
Pastel’s hands trembled.
Euaeua.
His attitude is really too cold.
Lord Demon, our relationship wasn’t this cold.
Just what is Smuggling, that you’ve changed like this?
Eueh-eh.
Pastel’s future grew Bleak.
What am I supposed to eat and live on if I can’t do Smuggling?
What dream should I dream if I can’t become the God of Smuggling?
Grumble.
Suddenly, her stomach growled.
Eeing.
The Demon Flinched and looked back. Pity different from his cold, calm, and heartless attitude until just now flashed in his eyes.
Being.
Right, this is it.
Pastel slumped down limply. She weakly hugged her hungry stomach.
“Lord Demon, you’re right. Pure Justice takes precedence over hunger. I, Pastel, will starve for the greater good.”
Hee-ing.
The Demon hesitated as he gathered the Laundry Basket.
“I will become a Hungry Martyr rather than a Fat Pig.”
Hee-ee-ing.
The Demon let out a deep sigh.
『Young Craft.』
“Yep.”
『Your acting is immature.』
Ugh.
Pastel looked like she was about to cry.
“Ah, Lord Demoooon. Really, just once. Objectively speaking, we don’t have any proper way to make money. Requests or Research won’t Gather enough funds to eat gold bars Three Meals a Day.”
『That is.』
The Demon furrowed his brow and pressed his Temples.
『Haa, why is your situation really this bad?』
Oh?
The Demon leaned down and raised his Index Finger.
『Really, just this once. There is no next time. After this, we will definitely find a way.』
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Of Course! I believe in Lord Demon! You’ll find a Resolution even in this Difficult Situation! You’ll be able to make me a full Pastel!”
Fighting.
『No, you have to find one too.』
The first time is hard.
The second time is doable.
Then the third time?
Oh yeah.
『Phew, whatever. More importantly, hurry up and get up. You’ll get mud on your clothes.』
“Ah, yes.”
#
Look at this refreshing sky.
And what about the Gliding of the sky ship that resembles a whale?
“This is Paradise on Earth!”
The airship they boarded flew swiftly through the sky. Pink Hair fluttered at the Railing.
『Hmm.』
The Demon examined the Sky Path beyond, from the side.
『Is it a Flying Creature?』
“Why isn’t Parcel Delivery possible?”
To Think it’s a matter Serious enough that we couldn’t put the Eye Beam into the Luminous Dragon.
『The Owner of this World is not Humanity, but nature. The Sky Path always changes according to the Whims of Nature.』
The Demon brought out a large cotton cloth from the Hold.
『We have to wrap the fin with cloth before we encounter the School of Fish.』
School of Fish?
Pastel tilted her head and followed the Demon. She ran to the left and right of the Airship modeled after a whale.
She precariously climbed onto the flapping fin.
『The Airship imitates the Sky Whale, but it’s not Perfect. The fin isn’t smooth and has many gaps. It’s prone to Breaking down if something gets stuck.』
The white cotton cloth was tied with a rope and wrapped around the fin. It was a Skill.
“Woah, Lord Demon!”
Pastel shook her head quickly as she spoke. Her Pink Hair fluttered.
“No, Master! You’re Amazing! You look like a Sailor!”
『Memorize the shape of this knot well. There are knots that untie Easily and knots that don’t. You have To Tie it so it doesn’t untie.』
“Ooh! I Think I can do it well!”
『Try it.』
Pastel received the rope and performed 'Jjomulttakgeoryeotda' on a part of the cotton cloth.
“Ireokeireoke.”
She made a knot, then tied it again, thinking this wasn’t it.
“Yoreoke-yoreoke.”
This time she pulled it, thought 'Eeing, it’s untying,' secretly Cheating by looking at the knot next to it, and went Eusyaeusya.
One knot was completed.
It was taut when pulled.
Woowaoowa.
I’m totally good at this, aren’t I?
Do I have a talent for seafaring too?
The Demon approached carrying the remaining cotton cloth. Towards the back side, a fin tied with dozens of knots could be seen.
Red Eyes looked down at Pastel’s knot.
『Well done.』
Proud.
『Now, let’s go to the opposite Fin. We must hurry.』
“Yes, Master!”
Pastel ran. She took her place at the opposite Fin and tied knots with a Serious Face.
Her swift Dexterity wrapped the rope and cotton cloth.
“Ireokeireoke.”
One completed.
Whoa, twice as fast as before.
Her small hands moved swiftly.
“Yoreoke-yoreoke.”
Another one has been completed.
Gasp.
There are already two.
My Skill has at least doubled.
Am I a Seafaring Genius?
The Demon approached.
His Sharp Gaze examined Pastel’s results.
『You did well.』
Hehe.
Towards the Demon’s back side, dozens of knots could be seen.
“Is the preparation all done now?”
『That’s right.』
“Woowaoowa.”
Already?
“It’s totally easy when Master and I combine our strength!”
Pastel flushed slightly.
“It seems the synergy in our Master-Disciple Relationship is good!”
Following her mood, she Waved Both Arms.
Woah-Woah.
The Demon alternately looked at the knots he had tied and Pastel’s knots.
『…right.』
The Demon returned the cotton cloth to the Hold without further comment and came out.
Pastel leaned against the Railing and looked Beyond the Sky.
“What is a School of Fish?”
It probably isn’t the School of Fish I know.
The Demon’s finger pointed beyond.
『It’s that.』
Piercing through the clouds, a Blue Wave swept in.
A Streamlined Marine Creature with a White Underbelly and a Blue back.
Collective Consciousness and Chain Reaction.
The Group Migration covered the Sky.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“It’s mackereeeel!”
What is that.
『It’s Sky Mackerel.』
Mackerel covered the sky. The sunlight reflected off countless scales. The Ripple Shadow dyed the atmosphere.
『We have to be outside in case the Airship’s Fin breaks down. Hide at the Railing and Hold on tight. They’re coming.』
Euaaah.
Pastel stared straight at a Flying Mackerel.
The Dead Eyes are unique to fish.
The Fluttering Fin.
Eh, but the size?
Our Friend, it’s bigger than my face.
Eueh?
It’s a Monster Mackerel.
Euaaah.
She lowered her body as if To Hide at the Railing. Immediately after, the School of mackerel and the airship collided. A shock arose.
The Airship Staggered. A deafening roar like falling hail rang out from All Directions.
Woowaaah.
Pastel hid at the Railing and trembled.
Shiver, shiver.
“Friends, don’t do this!”
I don’t remember it, but we were on good terms. Friends shouldn’t do this to each other.
After a long while, the deafening roar subsided.
『The School of Fish has adapted to the Airship. The Airship will move, leaving space. You can stick your head out now.』
Huaaah.
Pastel pressed her Thump-thump beating heart. She tried To Calm Down her heart and peeked her head out.
A mackerel flew Right in Front of her. Its streamlined body urgently twisted its direction.
Its fin went Slap-Slap against her cheek.
“Ugh!”
Pastel slumped down.
Ugh.
『Are you okay?』
“No…”
Mackerel are scary.
“I won’t eat Mackerel Dish for a while.”
『I’ll note that. Once you Calm Down, try lifting your head. You’ll see a sight you normally can’t see.』
She rubbed her cheek, which was surely red, and lifted her head.
The School of Fish covered her entire field of vision.
Like seawater flowing around a submarine, the School of Fish flowed while wrapping around the Airship.
“Woah.”
Pastel’s mouth hung open.
The sunlight shimmered in time with the blue flow.
The Airship was dreamily dyed.
This place was the Sea of the Sky.
“I, I changed my mind.”
『Hmm?』
“I will eat a Mackerel Dish.”
Yum yum.
The Demon let out a small chuckle.
『Do as you please.』
Hehe.
Pastel Carefully raised her body. Knowing that the School of Fish wrapped around the Airship at an ample distance, she Stood Up completely.
She looked around her Surroundings.
All fish.
“Woah, it’s like being underwater.”
Swish, swish.
Woah.
“But it’s not as Dangerous as I thought.”
The collision was unusual, but she didn’t know if it was enough to halt Parcel Delivery.
『What’s Dangerous is the environment. There it is.』
Pastel turned her head.
Beyond the School of Fish, where it was hard to see, there was an Airship. It was also surrounded by fish.
Sailors moved busily on the Airship. Nets fluttered and snatched the School of mackerel.
Oh, a Fisherman?
At the front of the Airship, a half-hidden Skull Pattern could be seen.
Eh.
『It is standard Practice to drive away a pirate ship with Naval Gunfire. In Melee Combat, Casualties are Inevitable.』
One of the Pirates discovered Pastel’s Airship.
『The School of Fish obscures vision and facilitates the Approach of the Pirate Ship. There is also a high possibility that Naval Gunfire will be swept up in the School of Fish and misfire.』
The Pirate Ship moved.
『Because there are many Pirates who engage in Fishing, the possibility of encountering a Pirate Ship also greatly increases.』
Euaaah.
The Pirate Ship approached. The School of Fish that obscured the pirates' vision cleared a path.
“F-Friends, don’t leave!”
A Wooden Plank was laid across the Railing.
Totally ruined.
Pastel drew her sword.
“Whoa, whoa! I’m not trying To Fight!”
A young man walked alone on the plank and spoke.
He had both hands raised as if in Surrender. A Rapier swayed at his waist.
Eeing?
『Hmm, does it matter?』
What does it mean?
The Man stepped onto the Airship. Still with both hands raised high, he backed away from Pastel.
His eyes examined Pastel.
“Are you the girl who killed Morris?”
Morris?
“If you mean the Pirate with the greatsword, then yes.”
The Man whistled.
“That is a good Skill for your age. You have a bright future. I’m Jackson.”
Jackson Winked.
His eyebrows fluttered.
“Little Young Lady, Talent Infusion is important in the piracy Business. Any thoughts on partnering up?”
Eh-eh.
“You’re Smuggling anyway, Young Lady.”
Gasp.
How did he know?
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
Jackson chuckled.
“The purpose of a girl traveling back and forth to the Demon Realm alone is obvious. Especially if it’s a girl with great martial prowess, wouldn’t big money be the goal?”
Is that so?
Pastel’s lips trembled.
“I only travel for a Legitimate Purpose! Really!”
For the Luminous Dragon!
“I understand. Isn’t everyone like that?”
Jackson nodded.
“Well, the maximum goal is recruiting you, Little Young Lady, but it’s hard to hear a difficult Answer all at once, right? So I came to Change our relationship to a level of Mutual Respect. We aren’t such bad people. Look!”
His thumb pointed to the pirate ship. A pirate with a long scar on his face received his Gaze.
The Pirate panicked, scratched his head, and waved his hand.
Bye-bye.
Eeing.
She sheathed her Magic sword.
Are they actually just people inevitably driven into piracy?
With the Fishing and all, aren’t they in the exact same situation as I?
Suddenly, her hair stood on end.
Intuition and instinct flashed.
Before her consciousness could even understand the situation, her hand grabbed the scabbard. She quickly turned her head back.
Jackson, with a cold expression, was aiming a pirate gun.
A Single-Shot Flintlock Pistol.
The muzzle spat fire. An iron bead was ejected from the flames. The bead stirred the atmosphere and accelerated.
The Girl flicked her thumb on the gripped scabbard. Her thumb struck up the Crossguard. The sword was drawn as if it were bouncing out.
Her Empty hand snatched the bouncing hilt. As she absorbed the recoil, she swung the sword.
What could be seen was the afterimage of the Mage Girl.
What was to be deflected was the Bullet of Light.
The Silver Blade drew a Sword Path.
The bullet flew in as if being sucked in.
It touched the blade and sparks flew.
The severed fragments grazed the Girl.
Jackson’s vest fluttered. Loaded Single-Single-Shot Flintlock Pistols revealed themselves.
His hands consecutively drew the guns.
New muzzles continuously spat fire.
Sixteen Flashes.
Sixteen Sword Strikes.
The Silver Blade drew a Sword Path.
The bullets were cut, and fragments scattered.
Pink Hair fluttered. Footsteps surged forward. An attempt was hastily made to Draw the Rapier, but the Magic sword flashed before that. A bloodbath arose.
The Man’s body collapsed.
The Girl turned her body.
She tried To Aim For the next Target.
The Pirate Ship, with the plank already removed, had escaped far away. The hull was obscured by the School of Fish.
“W-We are Good-natured Fishermen!”
The terrified voice faded away.
Eeing.
Pastel blankly watched the Pirate Ship.
A familiar hand pressed down on her Pink Hair.
『Well done.』
Ah, Lord Demon.
Hehe.
After that, they arrived at the Demon Realm and took care of Business.
Waited normally, met the Merchant normally, and Signed normally.
Scribble, scribble.
The Smuggled Goods were brought out from the Hold.
In return, large boxes were handed over promptly.
The boxes clicked open.
Unprocessed Magic Stones were packed full.
The Girl threw both arms up.
“Woowaaang!”
This is my calling!
I want to do this for the rest of my life!
『This is really the last time.』
“Yes!”
Pastel hugged a whole bunch of Magic stones without even glancing at her conversation Partner.
This is a Heavy weight.
“Gasp!”
Her heart went Thump-thump.
Her body trembled with emotion.
“I will become a full Pastel!”
Yum yum, I’ll eat a lot.
Lord Demon will do the Cooking.
『…This is really the last time. Are you even listening?』
“Yeees!”
Pastel agreed like a Model Student.
“More importantly, what’s our profit margin?!”
『Haa.』
She led the Demon, who seemed to feel a Sense of shame, and wandered around the Docking Bay. She received the parcel from the Delivery Manager of the Trading Group.
They returned to Sky Island.
It’s a festival, a festival.