Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 129

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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 129

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Breaking the pride of an arrogant nobleman was no simple task.
My faction lacked the strength for political maneuvering, and I had no justification to crush him by force. I couldn’t even exploit weaknesses through information I didn’t possess.
So I chose a far simpler approach.
I would manipulate the nobleman into falling prey to his own anxiety.
“What I needed for this was precisely this—the Node Diamond.”
Inside the carriage, I withdrew the Node Diamond from my bosom and showed it to Liribel, who sat across from me.
The Node Diamond, which normally gleamed with seductive radiance, appeared dimmer than usual today. This was because I had already unleashed the curse and misfortune contained within it once.
Liribel examined the diamond and spoke as though in admiration.
“So the misfortune contained in this jewel was transferred to Count Charon, is that correct?”
“Yes. The source of Count Charon’s misfortune is precisely this.”
During my journey to Monos, the Node Diamond had accumulated a considerable amount of ill fortune. Ordinarily, I should have dispersed or purified it, but I resolved to use it instead.
“With this much misfortune concentrated so densely, I can manipulate it like magical energy. So I had Ivan hide the Node Diamond in Count Charon’s manor and allowed the misfortune to seep out faintly.”
Afterward, I visited Count Charon, who had begun suffering from this misfortune, and proposed that I could resolve his situation.
In truth, the method mattered little. I could have offered prayers to the Sun God, or even handed him a talisman inscribed with mysterious characters.
Among these options, I chose a small ceramic vessel crafted by the village residents.
“Chloe was already wondering what kind of sacred object would sell well. I happened to have a prototype, so I brought it along.”
Of course, I had my reasoning.
A vessel is inherently designed to hold water. And water, while a symbol of purity, is simultaneously the substance most easily corrupted.
So the narrative went that if one poured their sins into it and prayed, the water within would accept those sins in their stead.
It was somewhat absurd, but the explanation sounded plausible when heard aloud.
Count Charon accepted the vessel with half-belief and half-doubt. He likely thought it worth trying, with nothing to lose.
“I immediately retrieved the Node Diamond. Naturally, Count Charon’s misfortune vanished completely. And the result was… this.”
I gazed toward the box in the corner of the carriage. It was filled with all manner of precious metals and jewels.
Its true nature was not a transaction fee from Count Charon, but rather a donation to aid Monos.
Liribel covered her mouth in astonishment.
“I never imagined we could earn this much money from just a few small vessels.”
“Inexplicable misfortune drives people into desperation.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
Having confirmed the vessel’s efficacy in a single day, he begged me to create more, offering any sum of money I desired.
Since I had already warned him that each vessel retained its power for only two or three months, he grew even more anxious.
Naturally, having prepared vessels in advance, I casually handed them over while subtly mentioning that I required some additional donations. Without hesitation, he presented me with this box.
“As long as Count Charon remains ignorant of how the vessels are made and what causes the misfortune, he cannot oppose me in the future. Nor do I intend to pressure him first.”
Though I accepted the donation, I harbored no intention of extracting further contributions.
My true objective was not to subjugate him completely, but to establish a cordial relationship where we maintained appropriate boundaries.
From now on, I would sell the vessels at a reasonable price as tourist merchandise. Then he would understand that this transaction was not motivated by greed.
‘After all, I never intended to profit from selling misfortune.’
With this, my position in the Southern Social Circle was sufficiently secured. The mere fact that Count Charon had allied with me would prevent other nobles from openly displaying hostility toward me.
But anxiety still lingered, and Liribel asked carefully.
“But what if Count Charon discovers that the jar’s efficacy was a lie and that the Princess orchestrated all of this?”
“That’s unlikely to happen. But even if he does suspect something, it won’t change our relationship. Because….”
I slowly turned my gaze toward the window beyond.
The carriage had already reached the outskirts of Monos.
“No fool would dare confront a monster capable of manipulating human misfortune at will.”
A human who controlled destiny—the very thought of such a creature was terrifying.

* * *
And so my welcoming banquet began.
Count Charon, as expected, behaved as though we were mutual allies rather than adversaries.
Though he showed no intention of completely abandoning his dignity, he maintained his role as a senior nobleman offering counsel. Yet his manner remained respectful.
‘Count Charon certainly excels at navigating society. He never compromises his position, yet he secures substantial gains.’
The Southern nobles surely noticed that Count Charon and I had made some sort of arrangement. They would naturally assume he had gained considerable advantage from it.
It was the kind of aristocratic maneuvering that earned the respect of Southern nobility.
Since this misunderstanding was worth tolerating, I decided not to challenge Count Charon’s pretense.
Afterward, through Count Charon’s introductions, I became acquainted with the nobles in the vicinity of Monos.
When I announced my plans to expand the Temple for pilgrimage purposes, they offered their assistance with practiced courtesy.
‘The road expansion for the pilgrimage route should proceed smoothly now.’
Though brief, the banquet had yielded much.
Funding was secured, and obstacles to the new industry had vanished. Now I was truly ready to revive Monos.
About a week after the banquet ended, a visitor arrived in Monos.
It was Grid, who had come to support the pilgrimage industry.
“My, the Princess’s resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me.”
He gazed admiringly at the bustling streets of Monos.
“I thought pilgrimage sites were rather tedious tourist attractions, but… seeing it like this, it’s quite refreshing.”
“Hadn’t you already gathered information? You helped spread the rumor that I was a saint in the first place.”
Grid shrugged his shoulders.
“I merely hinted to the merchants, thinking the Princess must have some scheme in mind. I was curious what benefit you sought from posing as a saint, but I never imagined it would be done this way.”
A merchant was a merchant indeed. The circumstances of people’s lives and who had fallen victim to which rumors held little interest for him.
What mattered far more was what could be sold in Monos and how to establish profitable ventures.
“Hmm, the sacred items are indeed handcrafted by the residents. Then labor costs would dominate, making raw materials difficult to sell. Perhaps instead, I could conduct business along the expanded roads….”
“Worry about profit later. Tell me your purpose. Why did you come without being summoned?”
I stopped Grid, who continued surveying Monos. He looked reluctant, but straightened himself upon seeing my cold gaze.
“Yes, yes, I understand. I came because of Britz… Gregory.”
“Gregory?”
Grid glanced around to ensure no one was listening, then spoke in a low voice.
“Gregory has recently left the Capital. Do you know why?”
“Wasn’t he searching for Asmo-rina?”
“…You already knew?”
I hadn’t expected to guess correctly, and Grid’s expression turned bewildered.
“I suspected as much. Gregory never lets a failed mission rest.”
Gregory was a born soldier—a man who couldn’t find peace until he’d made up for any unachieved goal or failure.
Losing Asmo-rina must have remained a failure he needed to redeem in his eyes.
“So what about Gregory? Has something happened?”
“Since you’re already aware of the situation, this will be brief. Gregory has found Asmo-rina. And at this very moment, he’s driven her to the brink of death.”
“…!”
It was news I hadn’t anticipated at all.
It was shocking enough that Gregory had tracked down Asmo-rina, but the fact that he’d already pushed her to the edge of death was the real problem.
“Where?”
“The Outskirts of the Capital. It’s roughly two days’ journey from Monos.”
It was too far to reach immediately.
“Why did you wait so long to tell me? If you’d found Asmo-rina, you should have reported to me at once….”
“Informing the Princess was my own decision. Gregory threatened me not to report anything to the Princess.”
“…What?”
Gregory—had he betrayed me?

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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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