Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 130

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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 130
Grid spoke last.
“Gregory chose this for the Princess’s sake. There was no benefit in telling her.”
“…You thought I’d be pleased if you secretly defeated Asmo-rina?”
“At least you wouldn’t have suffered from guilt.”
Grid glanced subtly at my expression.
“If the Princess had faced Asmo-rina directly, she surely would have hesitated. That’s why Gregory….”
“What nonsense. Why would I try to kill Asmo-rina? I never issued such an order.”
“…Pardon?”
My words caught him off guard, and Grid’s eyes widened in surprise.
I exhaled deeply. As I suspected, both Grid and Gregory had harbored a grave misunderstanding.
“It’s true that I’ve avoided Asmo-rina. That child surely resents me, and I carry guilt toward her. But I wanted to hide my identity—I never asked you to commit murder.”
“But…wouldn’t it be problematic if Asmo-rina remained alive?”
“It would be inconvenient. But would a parent try to kill their own child simply because it’s inconvenient?”
Of course, as a Demon, Asmo-rina wouldn’t be completely annihilated even if she died in the Human Realm. She would eventually be resurrected in the Demon Realm.
But that didn’t mean it was acceptable to kill her.
“The reason I avoided meeting her was because I cannot fulfill what she lacks. I no longer have the confidence to live as a Demon.”
What that child yearned for was likely me as Asmodina the soldier.
A guardian-like existence who would guide her and protect the Demon Clan.
But I had no intention of returning to that life.
‘After all, I was never meant to exist in the Demon Realm.’
There was no need to reveal all those circumstances. I suppressed my emotions and continued slowly.
“Asmo-rina would want to kill me. But that doesn’t mean I wish for her death. All I wanted was to hide my identity and have her abandon her pursuit and leave of her own accord.”
“…She seemed far from the type to give up, for a Demon.”
“That’s true. So I’ve been observing the situation for now. To respond to her actions.”
It was somewhat negligent, but there was little else I could do. I couldn’t take the initiative to persuade Asmo-rina myself, not with the constraints of my position as Princess.
Perhaps because of this ambiguous stance, Gregory had apparently decided independently to kill Asmo-rina.
It was strange. Even if Gregory had gained more independence after possessing a human body, he was absolutely not the type to make such a decisive judgment.
Perhaps there had been some change in his heart. Or perhaps….
‘There might be a reason he had to act this way.’
This wasn’t something to ask Grid about. I shook my head briefly.
“In any case, even if my identity is exposed to Asmo-rina, I have no intention of asking her to be killed. I’d rather face her directly myself.”
“Then, Gregory right now is….”
“Wasting his effort.”
At my words, Grid exhaled as if deflated.
“But Grid. The fact that you went out of your way to tell me about Gregory’s actions means you hope he doesn’t kill Asmo-rina, doesn’t it?”
“…You’re as perceptive as ever.”
Grid scratched his cheek as he spoke.
“Originally, I planned to keep quiet as Gregory threatened. But when he suddenly said he’d kill Asmo-rina, I couldn’t help but step in.”
“I didn’t know you’d feel sympathy for Asmo-rina.”
“Surely not. Whether that vicious Demon lives or dies is of little consequence to me. It’s simply that Gregory stepping forward to kill her… doesn’t sit right with me.”
Grid furrowed his brow, uncertain how to articulate his concern.
“You know that feeling, don’t you? When someone usually quiet suddenly becomes restless, or someone always full of energy suddenly vanishes without a trace… It’s that nagging sense that something isn’t right, that you can’t just leave it alone.”
He gave a slight shrug.
“It’s been bothering me, so I came to tell you. Call it a merchant’s intuition.”
‘…The reason seems far too ordinary for all this.’
Moreover, Grid’s tone wasn’t quite that of someone merely uncomfortable—it was closer to how one speaks when regarding someone who inexplicably commands their attention.
I asked, feigning indifference.
“Are you two close? Is this something I shouldn’t be interfering with?”
Grid reacted as though falsely accused of a crime.
“Your Highness, are you picking a fight with me?”
“No, I’m just asking…”
His gaze was so sharp that I instinctively looked away.
Sensing the conversation drifting in an awkward direction, I cleared my throat to reset the mood and steered us back on course.
“Anyway, you do have a way to stop Gregory, right? You wouldn’t have brought this up if you didn’t need my help.”
“…Yes, it’s possible. My Coco is with him right now.”
A spirit summoner could communicate with their spirit even from great distances. Grid explained he would use this to his advantage.
“If Your Highness tells him that you’ve learned of the situation and have ordered him to stand down, Gregory will obey. He wouldn’t defy your command.”
“Tell him to back off. He’s free to contact Asmo-rina, but he shouldn’t fight on my behalf for no reason.”
Grid nodded, visibly relieved.
Then he closed his eyes briefly, as though sending a message to his spirit.
“…Done. It seems the battle had reached a lull. Gregory has withdrawn, as you requested.”
“And tell him to report back on whatever conversation he has with her afterward.”
“I’ll relay the message.”
Fortunately, the situation seemed to have concluded without anyone dying.
Of course, what Asmo-rina would do next remained uncertain.
As I exhaled in relief, Grid posed a question.
“But Your Highness, what will you do if Asmo-rina refuses to yield to the end? If she casts aside all sense of family responsibility and guilt, armed only with murderous intent?”
He seemed to be contemplating the worst possible outcome.
I pondered for a moment before answering.
“Then… I suppose I’ll grant her wish. A parent cannot kill their own child, after all.”
“…Heh.”
Grid twisted his lips into a bitter smile.
“I’m hardly one to speak, given that I traffic in human lives… but Your Highness, you’re remarkably indifferent to your own. Your subordinates’ devotion becomes meaningless in light of such carelessness.”
I laughed bitterly.
It was something I’d heard often enough in the Demon Realm as well.
But there was nothing to be done about it. If there existed a scale upon which to weigh my life, the other side would always hold something far heavier.

* * *
In the depths of night, within a dark cave reeking of blood.
Asmo-rina, her back pressed against the cold stone wall, muttered with irritation in her voice.
“What is this nonsense now?”
Before her lay several stones emitting a blue-green glow—gifts from the Intruder who stood silhouetted against the moonlight outside the cave.
These stones were mana batteries created when Demons divided their own life force.
“You’re not actually suggesting I use these to recover, are you?”
Gregory, the Intruder, responded to Asmo-rina’s sharp words. His face remained hidden behind a mask, his expression unreadable.
“Indeed, Captain of the 2nd Legion. In your current state, recovery will be difficult. Consume my mana and rest.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I consume your repulsive mana?”
Asmo-rina extended her blood-soaked foot and kicked away the gathered stones. One of them flew toward Gregory’s face.
He raised his hand without hesitation and caught the stone.
“A reason has emerged that prevents me from killing you. Therefore, I must ensure you are not slain by anyone else.”
“Even in this state, I won’t die in the Human Realm. And who gave you the right to end this battle on your own terms?”
Until moments ago, the two had been locked in fierce combat for a full two days. Yet Gregory, who had finally cornered Asmo-rina, suddenly declared an end to their fight.
What infuriated her most was the knowledge that without his declaration, she would have been the one to fall.
‘The wounds inflicted by that Emperor are too severe.’
The cause was the lingering aftereffects of the Sun God’s power.
Gregory continuously healed his injuries through his absorption ability, while Asmo-rina grew progressively weaker in the prolonged war of attrition.
Feeling defeat for the first time in ages, Asmo-rina ground her teeth. Observing her, Gregory spoke in a low voice.
“Of course, my resolve to kill you and send you back to the Demon Realm remains unchanged. I ceased fighting only because of my Commander’s orders.”
“Commander… Asmodina?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Could it be that Mother was showing concern for her again?

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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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