Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Pretending to Be Human: Episode 011

Since the subject had come up, I immediately took Ruslara to the Rear of the Imperial Palace. It had once been home to stables and walking paths, but years of neglect had transformed it into an open clearing.

Ruslara appeared taken aback by the existence of such a place within the Imperial Palace.

“It’s peculiar that a nobleman would purchase an Abandoned Mine. Are there jewels hidden somewhere?”

“No. It’s a desolate mine with neither gold nor jewels. It lies in the Neutral Zone, outside the Empire’s territory. That’s why we established our settlement there.”

“Hmm….”

Now that I thought about it, there were many suspicious details. While it was common for noblemen to seize the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples in the Neutral Zone, it was rare for anyone to purchase useless terrain like an Abandoned Mine.

‘Moreover, they promise to return the land if we win the Arena championship. They might as well have asked for money instead.’

The Arena’s prize money was substantial, but not enough to buy and sell land.

“Do they want the championship medal, or are they after the prize money?”

“Probably the prize money, I’d imagine.”

“You’d imagine?”

I regarded Ruslara with exasperation at such an uncertain answer.

Ruslara then drooped his shoulders in embarrassment and spoke.

“It wasn’t the right moment to ask questions. They threatened to cast us out immediately if we didn’t comply, so I hastily accepted the terms….”

In truth, Ruslara had no choice. Refusing the deal meant his family would die.

‘I doubt they’d go to such lengths merely for a single championship medal. I’m completely at a loss.’

There were too few clues to deduce anything. I clicked my tongue briefly before asking one final question.

“Did you hear anything else during the negotiation?”

Ruslara pondered for a moment before responding.

“Ah, he said if I renounce the championship, he’ll change it to a different contract.”

“What kind of contract?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but… he said since I have a superior, I should become his subordinate.”

Of course, he claimed not to know who this superior was. I exhaled deeply at yet another unresolved puzzle.

Then Ruslara offered a bitter smile and spoke.

“In truth, if I fail to win the championship again this year, I was planning to accept that offer. It seems I lack talent in swordsmanship.”

“…Have you mentioned this to Mihilda?”

“No.”

“Good. If she’d heard that, she would have wept tears of blood.”

“…What?”

“Ruslara, you’ve heard what kind of warrior Mihilda was, yet you surrender so easily?”

I picked up a branch lying in the open clearing and swung it with measured strokes. Fortunately, even without channeling my power, I could demonstrate basic swordsmanship with ease.

“Baobhan sith were the weakest of all demon races. They possessed abundant magical power, but their physical abilities were frail.”

Strong compared to humans, perhaps, yet they remained what they were—fairies bound by their inherent nature. Because of these innate limitations, Baobhan sith were perpetually hunted by the other demon clans.

But they never surrendered.

For their clan’s freedom, for peace, they negotiated with the Demon Army and threw themselves into battle without fear of death.

“The Baobhan sith I know do not give up. They do not bow their heads to enemies who seek to drive them out. They are magnificent warriors.”

“…”

“But you, Ruslara, are different.”

You are no warrior.

Understanding my meaning, Ruslara’s face contorted. I sighed and pointed at her with the tip of a branch.

“I had intended to help you win just enough to advance reasonably… but I’ve changed my mind.”

I could not stand idly by while Mihilda’s descendant wallowed in such defeatism.

Moreover, seeing Ruslara like this reminded me of myself from days past—helpless, resigned to death.

That infuriated me.

“For Mihilda’s sake, if nothing else, I’ll have to beat some sense into that head of yours.”

I gestured with my chin toward another branch lying on the ground.

“Come on. Let’s begin.”

“Begin? Begin what…?”

“Training, obviously.”

Ruslara picked up the branch with a bewildered expression.

“If it hurts, tell me. I can’t use healing magic, so if you end up crippled, well… I apologize in advance.”

“…Apologize?”

My explanation was a jumbled mess, but Ruslara seemed to understand well enough.

Her face drained of all color, and in that same instant…

Crack!

My branch came whistling toward the crown of her head.

“First lesson: never take your eyes off your opponent’s weapon.”

“But… this branch isn’t even a sword…”

“Second lesson: don’t talk back to your instructor.”

Crack—!

“Aaahhh!”

My first soldier training in ages had begun.

* * *

“…So this is how you ended up in such a state.”

“Uh, u-uh.”

At Liribel’s incredulous tone, I averted my gaze sheepishly.

Evening had fallen by now, and Liribel and I were examining Ruslara, who lay collapsed upon the bed.

She was unconscious, her face drained of all color.

I had simply lost control of my strength in my overzealousness.

‘I never realized she was this frail.’

My training had always been strictly practical. Since time was limited for conditioning, I had repeated duels to build real combat experience.

My own stamina was hardly exceptional either, so I kept the matches brief…

‘Your legs lack strength. Again.’

‘Now your arms are weak. Are you eager to drop your sword? Again.’

‘Raise your head. Did you drop coins on the ground? Again.’

…That was how I had relentlessly pushed her.

Whether she was bewildered by the constant criticism or simply unaccustomed to proper training, Ruslara had collapsed after just five hours.

“Perhaps you should go easier on her…”

Liribel wiped Ruslara’s face with a damp cloth. Feeling awkward, I offered an excuse.

“The training wasn’t difficult. To be honest, I didn’t move a single step.”

The words nearly spilled from my lips—that it was Ruslara’s fault for paralyzing me, not mine.

But I swallowed them back, knowing it was hardly appropriate to say such things to an unconscious person.

Liribel finished wiping Ruslara’s face and dipped the cloth into the basin as she asked.

“So what are her prospects? Does she absolutely have to win?”

“Yes. She’s not without talent. With about a week of rigorous training, she should be more than capable of winning.”

At my words, she regarded me with evident fascination.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s impressive. Your Highness, were you actually a Knight?”

She believed me to be a dark mage concealing her power. So the fact that I was skilled with a blade seemed to intrigue her.

“Merely a parlor trick.”

I couldn’t very well admit that swordplay was my greater strength compared to magic.

Liribel’s eyes gleamed as though I harbored some grand secret, but I averted my gaze and held my tongue. It was too soon to reveal anything about the Demons to her.

“Regardless, we’ll begin training tomorrow morning, so make sure Ruslara receives proper meals….”

Just as I was about to inform Liribel of tomorrow’s schedule, someone knocked at the door.

“Your Highness, it’s Emma.”

“What is it?”

Upon opening the door, the head maid Emma entered and bowed before stating her business.

Since our last conversation, her demeanor had become uncomfortably deferential.

“A visitor has arrived to see you.”

“A guest?”

“From the Prime Minister’s Family….”

‘Ah, so it’s Loreil.’

That much was enough for me to discern his identity. I could also hazard a guess as to why he’d come. I instructed Emma to show him to the Reception Room, then turned to Liribel.

“Look after Ruslara well. When she wakes, remind her to review what she learned today.”

“Yes!”

With that, I departed at once.

When I finally met with Loreil, he greeted me with that same faint smile he always wore—like a mask carefully fitted to his face.

“I apologize for the abrupt visit, Your Highness. And for being unable to accompany you to the Arena as well….”

“It’s quite alright. I heard you’ve been terribly busy.”

I responded with a smile of my own.

“I did send a Guard Knight I trust as your escort, though. I do hope you didn’t find it presumptuous.”

“They were most reliable. Their skills were impressive as well.”

It was idle pleasantry, though I meant it sincerely. His Guard Knights were far superior in overall ability compared to the Soldiers and Knights who patrolled the grounds around the Separate Palace.

I’d even thought that if they attempted to assassinate me, it would be quite difficult to stop them.

“I also heard you’ve taken the Armored Fighter into the Separate Palace.”

“That’s right. He said he had nowhere suitable to train, so I agreed to lend him the Training Ground. But what brings you all the way to the Separate Palace?”

My question made it clear I doubted he’d come merely for such trivial matters. Loreil understood my meaning immediately and revealed his true purpose.

“It seems word of Your Highness’s outing has spread. An invitation has arrived through our family.”

“I haven’t yet returned to society, so I’m unable to attend other events.”

“This is not a banquet invitation. Someone has simply requested a visit.”

When I tilted my head in question, he erased his smile and spoke in a rigid, hardened tone.

“It is Her Majesty, the Empress.”

“…Her Majesty the Empress is calling for me?”

Empress Chersil.

A name I had never imagined tumbled forth.

‘Why would she, who has shown no interest in me whatsoever, be seeking me out?’

Among all the Emperor’s children, I alone was not Empress Chersil’s biological offspring. Because of this, I could count on one hand the number of proper conversations we had shared.

As I struggled to find words in response to this sudden news, Loreil explained methodically.

“The invitation’s contents were simple. She wrote that you could be of help to the Princess, and asked that you come without fail.”

“But why would you receive such a letter…?”

“To keep it hidden, presumably.”

There was no need to ask from whom.

There was only one person whose eyes could be deceived through the Prime Minister’s Family.

‘The Emperor.’

Then… was the Empress acting against the Emperor’s will?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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