Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: It's Okay Even If It's Expensive
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Pastel eyed the knight's corpse with subtle curiosity.
A sweet aroma wafted through the air.
It was meat pudding, sure enough...
But it was shaped like a human.
Is it okay to eat something like this?
The girl pondered as she chewed on the meat pudding. The armor squished softly like pudding.
Huh?
When did it get in my mouth?
The armor-turned-meat-pudding burst in her mouth with pops. Sweetness flooded her mind.
She tore off the corpse's arm and bit into it.
The meat pudding popped.
Is it tasty?
Tasty...!
Aha.
If it tastes good, the shape doesn't matter.
The girl shoved the corpse into her mouth.
Black energy seeped through her stomach and melted deep inside.
The energy ceased its wandering and returned to its true owner, Pastel's soul.
The void in her forcibly extracted soul partially recovered.
Having eaten it all, Pastel rose contentedly. She closed her eyes, savoring the aftertaste.
A moment later, she turned to pick up her sword.
She saw the shattered longsword.
Oh, right, I broke it.
Sorry, buddy. Thanks to your sacrifice, I survived. I won't forget you.
Her gaze shifted from the longsword to the black sword the knight had wielded. A sword-shaped black pudding came into view.
It turned into pudding too?
Eek.
Do I not have a proper weapon right now?
She picked up the broken longsword.
This is better than a table leg, at least.
But it feels off.
Weapon, weapon.
She gobbled up the black pudding in a flash and dashed off. Her pink hair whipped around.
Having picked up weird stuff to eat for so long, any proper food had long vanished from her mind.
#
Bloodline Verification - Complete.
Patriarch Verification - Complete.
Engine Room Control - Complete.
Basement Prison Release - Complete.
Pastel gripped the bars. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the sword hilt inside the prison.
"Demon sir! Did it work?"
『Hmm.』
The longsword scattered like smoke. A man in a suit formed from the mist.
The demon shook out his black hair. His red eyes scanned the prison.
"Has the seal been released?"
Thump thump.
Is this what it feels like to be a demon summoner?
『As if. Let go of the bars.』
She let go. The demon grabbed the bars and pried them apart. Steel twisted, creating an opening.
"Whoa!"
The demon stepped out of the prison.
『Your range of action has expanded around you.』
"Aha."
So I'm not a demon summoner yet?
Her feelings were a complicated mix.
Pastel shook off the thrilling sense of taboo.
More importantly...
"You can turn into a sword, right? I don't have a proper weapon."
The demon glanced at the shattered longsword, then acted without a word.
The man's form scattered like smoke and turned into a sword.
Oh yeah.
Pastel snatched the falling sword.
Solid weight.
She gazed dreamily at the sturdy, elegant blade.
Wow...
I finally have a complete weapon.
Feels like I could cut through anything.
Hehe.
One, two, three.
Pastel raised the sword like a villain. Candlelight cast ominous shadows on the magic sword.
"Magic sword!"
Say something!
Whoa.
A stunned voice came from the magic sword.
『...What are you doing.』
It really talks!
Whoa whoa.
Pastel reveled in her loot high before lowering the sword.
"The sword feels a bit smaller now?"
Am I imagining it?
『...I adjusted the size to fit.』
"Whoa."
What amazing consideration.
"Thank you, Demon sir!"
Pastel, moved, left the basement.
She climbed the dim spiral stairs.
Upon reaching the office, fierce noises from the garden reached her ears.
"We've reclaimed the interior, but the outside is the problem."
She headed to the window to show the demon.
Pastel paused as she looked down.
Moonlight bathed the garden.
Under the full moon, a monster twice as tall as a house howled. The air trembled.
A massive monkey charged at the monster. Its punch smashed into the beast's face. A shockwave erupted.
Pastel's eyes trembled violently.
Oh dear oh dear.
They've leveled up a lot?
"Um, Demon sir. Do you know how to take down that monster that's like five times my size?"
There must be some fantastic, great method?
『Step away from the window first.』
Pastel scurried back.
『Are those two the last?』
"I'll check."
She quickly toured the mansion. Checking every direction, there were no other monsters. They'd probably eaten each other until only two remained.
A fierce battle raged in the garden's center. The monkey threw punches, the monster bit back. Wounds regenerated instantly.
Whoa, what regeneration.
How much did they eat?
"How do we take it down?!"
The demon stated firmly.
『We don't.』
No way?
Pastel hesitated.
Then...
A chill rose from deep in her soul, creating unease.
Running away means permanent loss.
"Any other way?"
『Do your best not to take it.』
Eek.
『There are always enemies stronger than you. Don't waste your talent. Flee when you can.』
Agh...
"The knight tracked my trail here. Won't they follow?"
『What?』
The magic sword dispersed and reformed into the man. His red eyes scanned the girl.
The demon's expression hardened.
『Seen any large magic circles nearby?』
She led him to another window.
A massive magic circle sprawled in the garden.
The girl glared at it, then turned to the demon.
The demon's face crumpled.
『Extraction ritual. Used to summon unidentified entities onto sacrifices and forcibly extract soul power.』
Unidentified entity?
What's with that vague term?
The demon eyed Pastel and sighed.
『Let me check your back for a sec.』
No way?
She approached and turned around.
The demon tugged at the neckline of her winter dress. He peered inside for a while, then sighed deeply.
『What the heck on a kid.』
"What is it?!"
Am I the sacrifice?
No wonder the name combo felt off.
The demon started to speak but crossed his arms and pondered.
『Something's off.』
His red eyes fixed on Pastel. An innocent girl reflected in them.
『Hmm, maybe not. Since the sacrifice is intact, the unidentified entity just visited without descending fully. They tried extracting soul power forcibly but failed to subdue it, causing the rampage.』
The demon stroked his chin.
『Or they extracted the soul power and fled, abandoning subdual and cleanup.』
"So there's some evil mastermind?"
The demon nodded.
『They fled with only partial gains. The monsters are remnants of the unclaimed fruit and the unidentified entity's rampage.』
Pastel clutched the bloodstained cloth scrap in her pocket.
No matter how long it takes, faith...
『Excuse me.』
The demon's finger jabbed her back quickly.
Tap tap tap tap.
Crackle crackle.
"Ow ow ow! What was that?!"
『Gone. They can't track you now. Let's go. Head away from the mansion, and you'll escape easily.』
The demon turned into a sword in her hand.
Pastel rubbed her back and started walking.
"We're really not taking it?"
『What are you hoping for? Talent isn't omnipotent. Don't gamble it away.』
Pastel grumbled sulkily.
"True, but don't you have some super ultra finisher? Or a fantastic great ultimate move or something?"
She stabbed at the air with the sword.
The magic sword sighed.
『At your age, sure.』
Then it fell silent.
Ugh.
Is not fighting really the right call?
Like finding a cockroach half-smashed in your food bowl. Where'd the other half go...?
Aaah.
Pastel shuddered.
She glanced outside sneakily.
Suddenly, the giant monkey flew into the magic circle in the garden. Its massive body crashed into the garden. Dirt exploded.
From the edge of her view, the monster appeared and lunged at the monkey. Its jaws clamped the arm and tore. The arm ripped off.
The monkey roared. It swung its remaining fist. A shockwave burst.
The struck monster rolled limply. It smashed through garden trees but couldn't rise, just breathed.
A victory roar echoed.
The monkey stepped forward to finish it. Then it staggered. Black energy poured endlessly from the torn arm.
The monkey lurched, then knelt and collapsed in the garden. A heavy thud resounded.
Silence fell.
Oi?
Pastel's eyes widened round.
Oi oi.
The monster slowly rose. It howled at the corpse, paying respects to its rival.
A fair fight decided the victor.
The deathmatch becomes memory.
Glory turns to loneliness.
The monster tried to approach the corpse but collapsed. Dust rose. Its black form weakly clawed the ground. It crawled toward the body inch by inch. Long trails marked the garden dirt.
Moonlight illuminated the lonely garden.
Whoa.
Pastel opened the window and jumped out. Gravity pulled her. Her winter dress fluttered. Her feet hit the ground, and she ran full speed.
The crawling monster paused. Its eyes fixed on the girl blocking the corpse.
Pastel shouted heroically.
"Pastel Love Craft!"
She aimed her sword at the formidable foe.
"As a proud swordswoman, I challenge you to a fair duel!"
Duel.
Pastel charged. The monster raised a foreleg and swung.
Thud.
The strike missed her, hitting beside. A breeze tousled her pink hair.
Ugh, too strong.
Is this my final foe?
But heroes don't give up.
"Hya!"
Pastel leaped with full power. She grabbed the foreleg and climbed fully atop. She ran toward its head.
Reaching it, she gripped the sword reverse.
"Iyaa!"
She plunged it down with all her might.
Squelch.
Squawk.
Pastel panted.
She wiped sweat with a weary expression.
What an epic struggle.
Couldn't do it twice.
But in this life-or-death duel, I won.
Her lips crept upward.
Standing atop the corpse's head, she pointed at herself.
"Conqueror of the Grand Mansion!"
Moonlight shone on the girl.
Hahaha.
Laughter echoed in the garden.
Suddenly, the corpse turned into meat pudding.
The ground sank beneath her feet.
Eek.
Pastel plunged straight into the pudding.
Waaah!
The massive pudding engulfed her body.
Save the conqueror...!
She flailed, then dog-paddled furiously to escape.
"Huff huff."
Thought I was done for.
Sweet flavor lingered in her mouth.
Ah, pudding.
She chewed what had entered her mouth.
『Fine, but why eat that?』
The demon's bewildered voice rang out.
"This?"
Pastel rolled her eyes like an addict.
"I've been eating it nonstop, no problems."
『What nonsense.』
The demon paused mid-sentence.
After a silence, it muttered.
『...Young or not, you're a Craft anyway. Not my concern. Do as you like.』
Oh yeah.
Guardian approval.
In neglectful freedom, the young girl feasted freely on the corpse.
#
Pastel's eyes trembled.
Oh dear.
Something's wrong with my body?
She did some jumping jacks. She went higher than expected. Her body felt incredibly light.
This time, she punched a tree barehanded. Bark splintered, leaving a mark. Her fist didn't hurt much.
Oh?
She removed the iron hinge from the door. Gripping it hard...
Crunch.
It crumpled.
Opening her hand left fingerprints on the hinge.
Ohhh?
This isn't normal?
Did I eat something bad?
Black corpses flashed in her mind.
Yeah, definitely ate something weird.
Pastel groaned, then tossed the crumpled hinge aside.
Whatever, it's not bad.
Hunger eased a bit too, so it's fine, right?
"Positive mindset!"
Woo-ha.
『Meal prep done.』
"Yes!"
Pastel hurried after the demon.
Finally, real food. Gotta stuff myself.
Food was laid out on an unsold kitchen table.
"Whoa! Your cooking skills? Dig in!"
Pastel picked up a fork.
『Wait.』
The demon eyed her oddly.
Too rude?
『Put down the fork first and hold your breath.』
Why breath?
Pastel obeyed meekly. Inhaled and held.
The demon tapped the table rhythmically, like a ticking clock.
60, 120, 180.
Pastel's mind filled with question marks as she held her breath.
Huh?
240, 300, 360.
Huh?
『That's enough.』
Pastel breathed again.
Calm, unlabored breaths.
Red eyes gazed with complex emotions.
『As a sacrifice who absorbed too much unidentified entity power, you're no longer fully human.』
Eek.
"B-but I was out of breath fighting."
『Inertial habit. You don't need to breathe.』
Hweee.
Pastel clutched her head.
What happened to me?
Disqualified from humanity?
Then a thought struck.
But not breathing is fine, right? Easier in fights.
Strength improved too.
Oh yeah.
The demon pointed a knife at the steak.
『Can't eat food either.』
What?
『Try it if curious.』
She stabbed a piece and put it in her mouth. Juicy meat texture filled it. Umami exploded.
Wow, great cooking.
Chewed thoroughly and swallowed.
Suddenly, intense irritation hit.
Eh?
Her otherworldly body rejected this world's matter as foreign. Purification expelled the intruder.
Pastel vomited blood.
Blood scent filled the air.
Ah? Ah?
I can't eat food?
The demon fetched a towel and wiped the blood. Soft fabric brushed her lips.
『You can probably drink water.』
"Not comforting at all!"
What do I live on now?
Meat pudding?
No monsters left?
Her eyes trembled.
Starvation...?
She eyed the lavish dishes.
Starve amid plenty?
The demon brought a plate.
Black gem fragments scattered.
A faint sugary scent?
『Try it. Mana stones.』
Pastel snatched and ate one. It crunched like black candy. Far inferior to meat pudding, but had a decent sweetness.
Total junk food vibe?
『In your state, mana stones can replenish energy.』
The demon crushed mana stones to powder and sprinkled on the steak.
『Now you can eat food with it. Food won't help energy, but good for stress relief.』
She stabbed a steak piece and ate. No rejection this time; it went down smooth.
For real?
Eh, whatever.
No big deal?
Pastel burst out laughing.
Hahaha.
"Demon sir, you're witty!"
Holding back the solution for effect? Total sense.
The demon looked at her pitifully. He scanned the barren kitchen, unfit for nobility, then her.
『Same volume as gold in price.』
The fork dropped.
Cutlery clattered.
Pastel's hand shook.
She stared blankly at the black gem.
Th-this junk food is gold?
Worse dessert than meat pudding?
"Uwaaa..."
Pastel clutched her head. Pink strands tangled in her fingers.
"What do I do?!"
『Move residences. Mana stones mine from the Demon Realm.』
The demon walked to the window.
『Sky Island between Human and Demon Realms is the hub for mana stone processing and trade relay. Cheaper than regulated Demon Realm.』
Oh?
"Super cheap?"
『Definitely cheaper, but there's a catch.』
"What, what is it?"
Pastel gulped.
Thump thump.
『Real estate you can't afford.』
Aaah.
Too realistic...!
『At your age, there's a way.』
The demon gazed at the night sky like stargazing.
『Next week is enrollment deadline.』
For Sky Island Academy.
#
"Panties, socks, and and."
Pastel frantically checked her luggage bag.
"D-did I forget something?!"
She paced the room.
『Told you to pack yesterday.』
The demon followed, brushing aside her pink hair.
"Uwawaawa."
Pastel flailed.
『Stay still.』
The demon took the hair tie from his mouth. Chasing the fidgety girl, his hands moved swiftly. Pink hair neatly tied.
"First airship ride! Excited, so I procrastinated! Ah! Ticket!"
Pastel snatched the airship ticket.
"Almost forgot you!
She checked the departure time.
『Tight thanks to who overslept. Run.』
"Yes! Yes!"
Pastel hastily locked the bag.
Grabbed it and dashed to the door.
"I'm off!"
『We're going together.』
The demon hurriedly turned into a sword.
"Right!"
Pastel turned back, snatched the sword, and ran again.
"Let's go...!"
『Sigh.』
Blue sky unfolded.
A bright future seemed in sight.
Right?
"Welcome to the Academy Airship. Undergo ambush exam. Failures, go home."
What?