Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 123

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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 123
The branch manager’s voice rose as if she found the situation utterly absurd.
“Do you really think that makes sense? Does this look like charity to you?”
“I’m just borrowing it for now. I’ll return it eventually, won’t I?”
“Without even putting up collateral, and yet…! Are you truly of the Imperial Family?”
Of course, it was not the sort of thing a Princess would normally say.
But this was a lawless territory—decorum and etiquette were luxuries I could afford to ignore.
“If you really don’t like it, you’re free to refuse. But then I’ll be upset, and I’ll start venting my frustrations. Until every employee in this branch is laid flat, that is.”
I rested my chin on my hand and studied the branch manager. Her eyes darted to Ivan and Ruslara behind me, as if she were gauging just how formidable they truly were.
In mere seconds, the two of them had incapacitated all the guards. To an ordinary branch manager’s eyes, they must have seemed like monsters.
“And each time you refuse my demands, I’ll come back and repeat this little venting session. It won’t matter if you’re replaced as manager.”
If someone called ‘the Background’ were to attack me then, I would have welcomed it.
When it came to fighting with raw strength, I had absolute confidence in my victory.
“…You truly know no shame.”
“I’d rather not hear that from a criminal who profits through usury.”
A Princess dispensing judgment upon a criminal, and a criminal who had embezzled public funds—there was no need to spell out which of us was worse.
‘This is why status is so terrifying.’
The Empire’s fundamental contradiction—that the Imperial Family stood above the law—proved remarkably useful in moments like this.
The branch manager bit her lip as if swallowing her indignation.
After a moment, she spoke in a trembling voice.
“…I’ll consult with my superiors first. Please wait a moment.”
“Superiors? There’s someone above the branch manager here?”
She seemed to have no intention of answering my question, rising abruptly to her feet.
Bang!
The door slammed shut with a loud crash, and the branch manager stormed out.
Ivan, watching her departing figure, let out a quiet chuckle.
“I really love this way of solving things. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the Princess like this—reminds me of when we first met.”
‘When we first met…’
Ruslara and I locked eyes simultaneously.
He was referring to that time when Ivan had suddenly appeared while I was training Ruslara, and I had beaten him senseless.
So he’d enjoyed that…? Did that mean he actually liked being hit by me?
As Ruslara and I both narrowed our eyes and glared at him, Ivan flinched visibly.
“Don’t misunderstand! I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant it’s refreshing to see the Princess solve things with force. Honestly, all that happened at the Imperial Palace was headache-inducing complications.”
“You need to break the habit of solving everything with violence.”
“But when dealing with bad people, doesn’t it feel good to actually use it?”
“That’s…well.”
Since his point wasn’t entirely wrong, I nodded in agreement, and Ruslara furrowed her brow as she addressed Ivan.
“Don’t speak strangely to the Princess. We should be the ones to dirty our hands.”
“That’s just how I talk.”
As Ivan grumbled that she was being unreasonable, Ruslara began picking at him, saying that was precisely the problem.
‘I couldn’t tell if they were getting along or if things were deteriorating between them.’
I was about to intervene before the argument escalated, when the reception room door opened again.
“Guest, the Captain is calling for you.”
The man who entered was not the branch manager, but someone I’d never seen before. He said the Captain of the Golden Plains was looking for us and asked me to come upstairs with him.
I followed the man up to the upper floors of the building.
“Where is the branch manager?”
“She is waiting with the Captain.”
I had assumed she would guide us herself—had something gone wrong?
Soon we arrived at the top floor of the building.
In what appeared to be the branch manager’s office, I encountered someone entirely unexpected.
“You are….”
Before I could even reveal my identity, the man greeted us with a bright smile.
“Welcome, Princess! My, it’s been so long! Do you remember me? I’m Alberto!”
An innocent-looking face, copper-colored hair, and exaggerated gestures.
Loreil’s friend, the eccentric Count who had given me the Node Diamond, the owner of the Yoner Mine—Alberto Yoner.
“Count Alberto, what are you doing here…?”
In the corner of my bewildered vision, I could see the branch manager standing with beads of cold sweat on her forehead. Her body trembled as she stood at attention, clearly tense.
Noticing my gaze, Alberto smiled wryly and spoke.
“My goodness, the Princess has graced us with her presence, yet we show such shameful conduct… I shall address this matter properly later, Nereba.”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
“You may go. I’ll call for you when we’re finished.”
The branch manager bowed deeply in apology and left the room.
She hadn’t trembled this much even when I’d threatened her with retaliation—Alberto clearly inspired considerable fear.
“Please, be seated, Your Highness. Shall I prepare some tea? Given the late hour, would a medicinal blend to aid sleep suit you?”
The moment the branch manager left, Alberto’s expression transformed. He pulled out my chair with courteous warmth, then retrieved elegant teacups and leaves from a cabinet on the wall.
He began brewing the tea before me while humming softly.
“You are….”
“I understand your confusion. I’ll explain everything, so please bear with me a moment.”
After filling my cup, he poured his own and settled into his seat.
He rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought as if considering where to begin.
“Hmm… First, I suppose I should reintroduce myself. As you can see, I am Count Yoner and Captain of the Golden Plains.”
Of course, there were nobles engaged in moneylending. But for a Count to operate illegal high-interest lending operations as if mocking Imperial Law itself—it was unprecedented.
The absurdity of the situation drew an involuntary laugh from me.
“Then, the public funds that Monos received….”
“Ah, that’s a misunderstanding. When Monos’s former administrator conducted business with the Golden Plains, I was not yet the Captain. I inherited this position from someone else.”
Alberto offered a bitter smile. “I’m not sure if that counts as an excuse, but…”
“Had I been Captain then, I wouldn’t have committed such a foolish act—conducting massive transactions with a Direct Dominion’s administrator.”
“But you still managed to collect the money in the end.”
“That’s how lending works. Even knowing it will cause indigestion, one must collect by any means necessary. We can’t afford to set a precedent of unpaid debts.”
“…Isn’t that just an excuse, though?”
“Hahaha!”
Alberto dismissed my question with laughter. Then he took a sip of tea, and his gaze grew noticeably calmer as he spoke.
“In any case, if I had known the Princess herself would come as administrator of that Direct Dominion, I would never have touched it. I swear to that.”
“I didn’t know I would be taking charge of Monos.”
“Of course not. After all, there has never been a single instance in history where a Direct Dominion was handed over to the princesses.”
“…Conversely, if someone other than me had come as administrator?”
“Hmm, I probably would have refrained from coming forward and hidden the transaction records by any means necessary. Either I would have dragged out the trial, or concealed the evidence.”
“Then why did you appear before me?”
“That is precisely the main point I’m about to explain.”
Alberto smiled brightly, as if relieved he could finally speak.
“You mentioned earlier that you would provide a loan to the branch manager, yes?”
“It would be even better if you returned the money first.”
“Ah, that won’t do. As I said, I cannot leave a record. However, I can provide a loan without interest.”
I frowned at this unexpected acceptance.
It was clear he had some ulterior motive.
Sure enough, he raised his index finger and spoke.
“Of course, there is one condition. If you agree to it, I will lend you the money. The term is five years, there is no interest, and I will use my position as collateral.”
It was collateral far more valuable than the branch manager’s life.
“What is the condition?”
“It is simple.”
Alberto still smiled, but his eyes had turned cold and sharp.
“Prevent First Prince Franz from becoming Emperor. You may use any means necessary.”
‘For something he calls simple, this is a serious political matter.’
To prevent Franz, the most likely candidate for Emperor, was far too heavy a condition for lending money.
“I did not know Count Alberto harbored such enmity toward Franz.”
“If you accept this condition, I will explain the circumstances. After hearing the story, you will understand why I despise that man.”
“What if I borrow the money but fail to achieve that condition?”
“Hahaha! Then my Captain’s rank, which I’ve put up as collateral, will be forfeit!”
The way he laughed cheerfully even at the possibility of failure seemed somewhat grotesque. It did not seem like genuine joy.
‘The condition is excessive, but not something I must refuse.’
I did not want Franz to become Emperor either. If I thought of it as something I would have to do anyway, it was not a condition I could not accept.
After a brief moment of thought, I nodded in acceptance.

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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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