NOVEL NEXT WORLD In the human world and the Demon Realm, the terms were used to distinguish between distant continents.
If you fly out of the human world, you’ll find a steep downhill where the sea and sky meet. The ocean ships get swept away by the rapids and only the airships survive.
Ignoring the downhill, if you rise into the sky, you encounter a ceiling that feels like entering a cave.
Although it feels like the sky exists with natural climate and sunshine, it’s just the ceiling of a massive cave.
From the human world, you navigate downward through the cave, pass by the Sky Islands, and reach the underground Demon Realm.
The cave had plenty of holes and spaces. Thanks to that, pirates were swarming everywhere, giving the Empire a headache.
And at this moment, it was the terror of Pastel.
“Ahhh!”
Pastel was running around the deck.
“Ahhh…!”
It’s pirates, pirates!
Even though it was an airship, which didn’t have a skeleton sail, pirate ships with skull patterned fabric tied to the bow were coming to rob all their possessions.
Vicious, evil.
Shameful pirates coming to snatch the money of a starving kid.
“Hmmm.”
The Demon loaded a cannonball into the cannon.
Oh, cannon.
Pastel ran over eagerly.
“Let’s fire away!”
Bang!
The Demon spun the stick. A rough noise erupted. Flames ignited, and the smell of gunpowder wafted through the air.
Cannonballs shot out.
Pastel raised a fist in excitement.
“Hold on, cannonball friend!”
Whoosh.
The cannonball struck the hull of the pirate ship. And then it fell without causing much damage.
“Ugh, friend? Why didn’t it explode?!”
“A cannonball can’t possibly explode. It’s a hunk of metal.”
Not an explosive shell, huh?
Ah…
The Demon examined the cannon.
“Just a decoration that doesn’t apply gem engineering. Whatever.”
The Demon transformed into a sword. Pastel instinctively snatched it.
“Don’t tell me?”
“Prepare for battle.”
The pirate ship approached closely. Pirates gathered at the railings with weapons in hand.
Ahhh.
A pirate with a long scar on his face shouted while slinging a great sword over his shoulder.
“I won’t leave any witnesses! Come at me!”
What?
No offers to surrender?
Isn’t that a bit too intense?
A wooden plank was laid between the pirate ship and the airship. A swarm of pirates rushed over, weapons shining.
Ahhh.
“Jump to the cabin.”
With pink hair fluttering, she ran.
Her heart raced.
It was a different rhythm than during practice.
Memories of hardships and tightrope walking at the mansion came to mind.
It wasn’t a practice duel; it was a battle of life and death.
Do I perhaps enjoy battles of life and death? Do I get a thrill from a gamble where my life is on the line?
Is this PTSD? Have I become so stressed that my mind twisted around trying to adapt?
“Here.”
She stopped in her tracks. Turning her body revealed a straight hallway.
“I will teach you multi-person combat.”
She pointed the sword straight ahead.
“There’s a set number of arms and legs. Just because you’re skilled, doesn’t mean you grow a third arm. Simultaneous attacks are difficult for even the skilled.”
The sound of footsteps echoed.
“Step into the diagonal of the enemy formation. You can lead them to break their order.”
The tip of the sword trembled.
“… Young Craft?”
“I-I’ve never killed anyone.”
Her heart raced wildly. It was a sensation she couldn’t decide whether was excitement, tension, or hesitation, all thrumming in her chest. The heartbeat was loud. Her mind tangled.
Suddenly, the Demon Sword scattered. The Demon in formal attire looked down the hallway. His gaze was gentle.
“Everyone feels that way. Even great knights start as clumsy apprentices. Don’t let your emotions confuse you. You’re not alone. You’re not lacking.”
The Demon’s hand pressed down on her pink hair. She felt warmth and heaviness.
“Demon Lord…”
Pastel looked up at the red eyes. Then she became aware of something beyond her sight and startled.
A pirate had approached and swung a pirate sword at the Demon.
Pastel tried to shout.
The Demon didn’t even glance back and leaned away. The blade just skimmed past his suit.
The Demon turned and kicked the pirate’s legs out from under him. The pirate lost his balance and flew into the air. An arm struck the pirate’s neck. A shockwave erupted. The pirate’s body spun mid-air.
The Demon snatched the dropped pirate sword with his hand. The blade gleamed. Its trajectory cut toward the pirate. Blood spurted out.
The Demon wrapped around Pastel as if to shield her from the blood.
“You can stop thinking. Focus on the voice of the one ahead. You’re not alone.”
The suit fluttered, and the Demon Sword found its place in her hand.
The pirates raced down the hallway.
“Open stance.”
Unconsciously, she widened her stance.
The lead pirate swung his sword.
Pastel leaned her upper body back as far as possible. The blade narrowly missed her chest.
“Nahraisen.”
Returning her upper body, she swung the Demon Sword. The opponent’s shirt was cut, and flesh was sliced. The sensation stained her fingertips. The warmth of blood felt intense.
Immediately another pirate approached. He tried to swing his pirate sword.
“Unterhau.”
She stepped forward and raised the Demon Sword to cut. Her quick slash swallowed his large swing. Blood spurted.
Droplets of blood splattered onto the girl’s cheek.
A new attack targeted the girl.
“Cron.”
She twisted the handle of the sword she had raised to cut. She positioned a crossguard against the opponent’s blade. The swords clashed, and noise erupted.
In the moment the attacks were locked, the girl pressed with her strength. A shockwave rippled. The opponent hesitated and staggered. The blade gleamed toward the unguarded upper body. A storm of blood erupted.
The pink girl turned her body toward the next opponent. She locked eyes with the pirate. Her pupils dilated, and a scream followed.
The opponent turned and tried to flee.
“Shaytel—”
Shaytelhau.
Her pink hair fluttered. The blade glimmered. The fleeing opponent was struck by her slash.
“You bastard…!”
Pushing through fleeing pirates, one pirate rushed in holding a heavy sword.
Anbinden.
Just before entering the combat range, the girl approached with stealth.
Whipping.
In an instant, she turned her body and swung the sword like a whip. The distance for the attack diminished explosively. The trajectory swept the pirate’s ankle. The ankle was severed, and blood gushed forth.
The body of the pirate lifting the great sword collapsed. His eyes widened.
Jon Hau.
Slashes poured forth. A storm of blood erupted.
Screams echoed.
The pink figure dashed. The blade flashed repeatedly. It was a dazzling dash along the hallway. Arms were severed, and upper bodies were cut away. A severed head rolled. Blood stained the walls.
The commotion filled the space.
Running and voices surged forward. The hallway ended, revealing the outdoors.
The pirate ship hurriedly floated away, distancing itself. A would-be escapee screamed and stretched out his arm from the railing, glancing back.
Silver gleamed.
“Sa-save me…!”
The crimson blade froze mid-strike.
The girl’s body stiffened in the position to strike.
Huh?
The sensations of a dream awakened, and reality jolted her awake. Pastel regained her composure amidst the adrenaline rush.
She lowered her sword, and heavy breaths escaped.
A frightened pirate caught her eye. The pirate seemed drained of energy and sank down right where he stood. His pants darkened significantly.
Huh…?
In a daze, Pastel looked around.
The trail of blood and corpses she had left while running.
Uh…?
There was nothing tangible in reality.
Suddenly, her hands trembled lightly. The tremor grew stronger. It spread through her arms to her body. The sound of her heart thumped heavily.
Just then, a familiar hand pressed down on her head.
“You did well.”
It was a gentle voice.
The shaking slowly subsided.
She looked up at the Demon.
Their eyes met for a moment.
Pastel tried to smile brightly as usual. It didn’t come easily.
The Demon’s hand ruffled her pink hair.
“… My hair is a mess.”
“Indeed.”
While trying to tidy her hair, she realized the blood on his hands and stopped. Her entire body was soaked in crimson. Droplets of blood fell from her pink hair.
“A warm bath will improve your mood,” the Demon suggested.
“Sounds good.”
Huff.
As she turned her head, she spotted a surviving pirate. The pirate trembled and looked up at her. Then he quickly slammed his head against the ground with a loud thud.
“Dinner! Cleaning! Organizing! I can do anything!”
Uh…?
What to do.
Pastel was bewildered.
“Get up.”
The Demon stepped forward.
The pirate promptly got up, standing stiffly in a perfect posture, resembling a soldier.
“Whatever you wish, my lord!”
“W-What’s your name?”
“Chason! Call me whatever you’d like!”
O-oh.
Chason.
“You’re doing well too.”
The Demon patted the pirate’s shoulder.
Chason flinched, then quickly shook his head.
“No, I’m not!”
“There’s no need for you to suffer anymore.”
“Huh?”
The Demon grabbed Chason by his collar and shoved him. The railing rattled. Chason fell over the edge of the airship. His screams echoed for a long time.
Ah.
The Demon wiped his hands on the railing and approached. Then, he lifted Pastel, supporting her legs. Pink hair flowed down.
The Demon walked slowly.
“A warm bath, a delicious meal, and a good sleep will improve things significantly.”
Uh.
Hey, someone’s screaming.
Oh.
Now it’s gone.
#
The Demon Realm’s settlement was heavily guarded. Airships that could be deemed warships were scattered everywhere. There were many soldiers on the ground.
Pastel’s airship approached the settlement. A small but meticulously armed airship pulled up alongside and docked.
A soldier with a stern demeanor looked her way.
“What’s your purpose here?”
Ahhh.
Ahhh.
We’re not here for smuggling!
Pastel trembled as she handed over the paperwork.
The soldier appeared uninterested in the girl’s nervousness and examined the document marked with the student council president’s seal.
“Student council?”
“I came to urgently retrieve one trial student who got left behind! The combat practical schedule got messed up!”
The soldier scratched his head with the scabbard in hand.
“Hmmm. Understood.”
The document was returned. The procedure went smoothly without any issues. Pastel could finally set foot on the ground.
Oh yeah!
People bustled about the settlement. Soldiers walked here and there. Swords rattled at their waists.
Oh, wow.
Pastel whistled awkwardly as she got back on the airship. Gripping the Demon Sword with trembling eyes.
“Demon Lord! Demon Lord! It’s super tense here?!”
Ahhh.
“Let’s set it down for now.”
“Ah, okay.”
The sword transformed back into the Demon. He peered over the edge of the airship at the settlement. His gaze halted on a huge building.
“There it is.”
The Demon walked calmly toward the building. Pastel followed closely behind.
“Is it a secret rendezvous place?”
Only for the Demon?
Whoa.
A sign caught her eye.
Demon Realm Stock Company.
What a name?
“It’s a private enterprise funded by state capital.”
The Demon casually waited for his turn to meet a merchant and nonchalantly signed a document.
And then he said,
“I sold everything. Now we can take the trial student back.”
Eh.
They exited the building. After a brief wait, the upper management came to retrieve the contraband from the airship.
Sunlight reflected off the stolen goods.
Ahhh.
They’re taking out contraband in broad daylight!
Pastel trembled as she locked eyes with a soldier peering down from the airship.
It was the same soldier who had checked the student council paperwork and granted her passage.
Oh no.
The soldier saw the contraband being openly taken out from Pastel’s airship. He then casually looked away.
Huh?
The Demon finished negotiating the prices. He received several large boxes and pulled them in a cart.
Oh my…
He opened a big box.
It was filled with raw black gems.
Oh no.
Pastel clutched her heart.
After a moment of eye twitching, she raised both arms high.
“Wowww!”
Life is easy…!
I want to be the god of smuggling…!
Quickly returned to the safe haven of the trial student Demon girl previously left behind. There were no pirates around.