Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 117

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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 117
I was taken aback by her sudden words.
“Wait, Countess. I don’t possess such power….”
“No, only Princess Deina can fulfill my revenge.”
She spoke with unwavering conviction.
“If you’ve seen my memories, you know. The Empress stands behind all of this. And you, Princess Deina, are the only one who can stand against her.”
“But Jeina exists as well. Or perhaps the Prime Minister’s Family….”
“They lack the strength. The Prime Minister’s Family desires power, not justice. And I’m aware that Princess Jeina has designated you as the next Emperor.”
“…!”
She knew even about the conversation I’d had with Jeina in the Garden.
A chill ran down my spine, and I found myself at a loss for words.
“Furthermore, to Princess Jeina, I am a variable that threatens High Society. She would never easily form an alliance with me, nor sympathize with my resentment. But you, Princess Deina, are different. You awakened me, you helped Biki….”
It was true that I supported her emotionally.
Because her life had crumbled under misfortune, just as mine had, and she had resolved to pursue revenge by trampling over that misfortune—much like I had.
Perhaps that’s why her determination didn’t feel like someone else’s story to me.
‘Her revenge might be directed at the same person I seek to avenge myself against.’
If there existed a being capable of deliberately inflicting misfortune, that being was my enemy as well.
And the prime suspects were the Empress and the Emperor. The Countess knew this truth, which is why she had come to me and extended her hand.
The problem lay with the second request—the matter concerning her daughter.
“When you ask me to prevent your daughter from crying…are you referring to Biki?”
“Yes.”
The Countess nodded.
“That child will likely follow me for the rest of her life. To protect a helpless mother who cannot even hear her own voice. I want to change that.”
“You mean to become a spirit summoner?”
I recalled the question she had asked before. Even before we parted at the Manor, she had inquired about how to become a spirit summoner.
While there were methods, I had answered that it was impractical and therefore impossible.
“No, after investigation, I determined that a human without talent cannot become a spirit summoner. There is not a single precedent.”
That was only natural. Special powers like curse magic and spirit summoning could not be learned—they were inherent.
“However, there is another way to perceive spirits without necessarily becoming a spirit summoner.”
She paused to collect herself, then spoke in a hushed voice.
“By becoming a Demon.”
“…!”
The only race capable of directly perceiving and communicating with vengeful spirits. That was the Demon Clan.
Seeing my eyes widen, the Countess continued as if her conviction had been confirmed.
“I know your true identity, Princess. I also know that a method for humans to become Demons truly exists.”
“Surely you’re not asking me to….”
“Transform me into a Demon, Princess Deina. That is my wish.”
She gazed up at me as if making a wish to a demon itself.

* * *
Returning to the Separate Palace, I lay upon my bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling above.
My mind was in turmoil, and I couldn’t even recall how I’d made my way back from the tavern to the Imperial Palace.
‘Become a Demon? Me? Where on earth did they get such information…’
If the faithful had heard of this, they wouldn’t have been surprised to see them foaming at the mouth, crying that I was falling into damnation.
The problem was that this was no mere rumor.
It was a gamble with higher success odds than someone without talent attempting to become a necromancer.
“Princess, Princess.”
Just then, Ivan’s voice called from outside my window.
“What is it?”
“Can a real human actually become a Demon? Does that make them stronger, or…?”
“Ivan, are you trying to become stronger too?”
Lately, Ivan had been unusually obsessed with power. Even with just magical energy, he would be counted among the Empire’s elite warriors, yet I couldn’t fathom how much stronger he wanted to become.
When I asked with suspicion in my voice, he burst out laughing.
“I’m just curious. I’ve never heard of a human becoming a Demon before.”
“…It’s only possible for someone like me or a Legion Commander-class Demon. It’s similar to increasing one’s subordinates.”
“Then why not just grant the request?”
“It’s not something to take lightly. There are conditions required, and the risks involved are substantial.”
“Hmm?”
Since Ivan continued to express curiosity, I sighed and continued my explanation.
“For a human to transform into a Demon, both body and soul must be reconstructed simultaneously. Agony arrives as if bones shatter and blood flows backward. The mind often crumbles first. Naturally, the success rate is far from guaranteed.”
“What happens if they fail?”
“They die. The body cannot withstand it and ruptures. Instant death.”
“…Wow.”
Even Ivan hadn’t considered that possibility, and he fell silent for a moment.
“If things go wrong, they could suffer and die. The Countess surely knows this as well…”
If she had researched how to become a necromancer and how to become a Demon, she would certainly know of the possibility of failure. Yet she remained unwavering in her resolve.
“Still, the Countess didn’t listen to a word of your persuasion, did she?”
As Ivan said, I had tried to convince her multiple times to abandon her purpose. But she only gave the same answer.
‘Leaving Biki alone is far more painful. A reality without that child is already Hell for me.’
Even if this attempt failed and she died, if she could meet Biki again at that end, she would consider it enough.
In the end, I left her with an ambiguous answer that I would try to find a way, then slipped out of the tavern.
“Besides, this isn’t a decision I can make alone. And I cannot transform her into a Demon by myself.”
“Why? You said it was possible for someone of your caliber.”
“That was when I was a complete Demon. This ritual requires both Demon blood and magical energy. But since I’m in a reincarnated state now, I don’t meet the conditions.”
Though my magical energy was abundant, my blood was human. I could not conduct the ritual with that.
Naturally, Gregory was disqualified as well. He too had possessed a human body.
‘In other words, I need someone who maintains a Demon’s body.’
Moreover, a being with power equal to Gregory’s.
There was only one Demon in this world who satisfied those conditions.
As if reading my thoughts, Ivan swallowed hard, belatedly catching up to my reasoning.
“Don’t tell me… you need Asmo-rina?”
“Exactly. That’s why it’s such a difficult problem.”
I had explained this to Liribel before—there are two primary methods for summoning Demons.
The first involves summoning a soul and possessing it into something, while the second involves summoning a Demon’s avatar and commanding it.
Gregory and I fall into the first category, whereas Asmo-rina belongs to the second.
‘According to Gregory, she retained her appearance from the Demon Realm as is.’
If that were true, then there was no doubt—she maintained a complete Demon body.
Consequently, fulfilling the Countess’s request would require negotiating with Asmo-rina.
‘The conditions are troublesome, and the outcome is unpredictable. I’d like to refuse, but…’
To be honest, the Countess’s information network was alluring. If she stood by my side, I would never be at a disadvantage even against the Emperor.
Yet I couldn’t easily enter into such an uncertain bargain.
Above all, the fates of other beings who became Demons were typically tragic. They either lost themselves in exchange for power, or became monsters consumed by their desires.
Knowing that danger, I couldn’t bring myself to shake hands on it.
“…But even knowing this risk, I doubt the Countess would refuse?”
“That’s the problem. She’ll definitely insist on meeting Asmo-rina directly.”
I exhaled deeply. I couldn’t break the Countess’s stubbornness.
Ivan laughed briefly at my words and spoke.
“You’re right—the Princess has always been weak to people who charge in with the resolve to die.”
“Be quiet.”
It wasn’t wrong, which made me subtly irritated.
As I continued wrestling with my thoughts, Ivan suddenly recalled something and spoke.
“Setting aside the Countess problem, what’s your plan going forward? Didn’t you say you need to go to the Direct Dominion?”
“…That’s right. Actually, that’s the most urgent matter.”
I sprang up from the bed. Now that I thought about it, this wasn’t the time to rest.
I needed to go to the Direct Dominion the Emperor had granted me and fulfill my duties as acting Lord. To do that, there were preparations I needed to make quickly.
I opened the window beside my bed and looked up at Ivan, who had been leaning against the wall.
“Ivan.”
“Yes?”
“I need you to do something for me.”
Ivan seemed momentarily flustered, but soon his lips curved upward.
“Finally thinking of putting me to proper use? Whose neck should I slit?”
“No. No killing.”
I shook my head.
“What you need to do is protect me.”
“I’m already doing that every day.”
“Not that kind of secret protection—I’m talking officially. Ivan, become my Knight.”
He momentarily lost his words, swallowing hard.
“I need people of my own. I won’t ask you to stop your work as an Assassin. Instead, take my name and become my vassal.”
“That’s… an offer?”
“No, that’s an order.”
I seized his collar and pulled him close, my voice dropping to a whisper as I met his gaze.
“The moment you accept my magic, there’s no turning back. You become my shadow, or you die. Those are your only choices.”
So what will it be?
At my question, his eyes widened in shock.

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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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