Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 157

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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 157
‘…This won’t do. I have far too few clues at the moment.’
There must be a reason the Lake Deity sent me here.
I couldn’t return until I uncovered that reason with certainty.
“I apologize for the sudden intrusion, but would it be alright if I stayed here for a while? I have questions about you all, and I’d like to investigate the secrets of this place.”
“Oh, that’s fine. As long as you keep our secret….”
“Of course. I won’t tell a soul.”
They seemed to have no desire to return to the Demon Realm. Their status as deserters was problematic, but more importantly, they were far happier living here.
Only after hearing me swear by my own name did Mirinai relax.
Meanwhile, Johan’s face darkened considerably.
“There are no secrets here. Why don’t you just leave?”
“Johan, that’s too rude. We haven’t been harmed by them….”
“No, but what if this person decides to live here permanently? What if the military comes looking for them?”
“That’s….”
Mirinai trailed off, her expression flustered. She seemed startled by Johan’s oversensitive reaction.
‘Johan must be particularly sensitive to environmental changes.’
I couldn’t afford to antagonize them if I wanted to achieve my goal. I spoke in measured tones.
“I swear I won’t interfere with your lives. And once I’ve achieved my purpose, I’ll leave immediately.”
“And who’s supposed to believe that….”
“Johan!”
Mirinai quickly stopped Johan, who was about to reveal his killing intent.
Unable to defy his wife’s restraint, Johan clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“Tch… Fine. Then let’s set a deadline. I’ll give you exactly one month. Whether you achieve your goal or not, you leave this place within a month. Understood?”
“I accept.”
It was a short timeframe, but receiving permission at all was enough.
I readily accepted his proposal.
Johan still looked displeased, but seemingly unwilling to argue further, he stood abruptly and headed toward the cottage.
“Sleep outside or do whatever you want. Don’t even think about setting foot in our house.”
I had no intention of intruding into a couple’s home anyway.
I turned my gaze from Johan, who had slammed the door shut and disappeared into the cottage, and looked at Mirinai with a question.
“I apologize for the trouble I’m causing.”
“Oh, no. We’re not even the owners of this space to begin with. I’m sorry Johan was so rude. He’s not usually this sharp….”
“He’s different normally?”
“Yes, he’s much calmer and kinder than me. But today felt… strange somehow.”
“It makes sense—an outsider appearing after decades would unsettle anyone.”
Mirinai nodded with an unconvinced expression, then stood up.
“Ah, let me at least bring you a blanket and pillow. We have extras.”
“I’d appreciate that. I’ll stay in the forest over there.”
Camping was second nature to me. Besides, this place had a warm climate and no sign of wild beasts, so I could rest comfortably.
Mirinai seemed apologetic about not inviting me inside, but I assured her it was unnecessary and sent her on her way.
After she entered the cottage, I looked up at the sky.
Night had begun to fall, and beyond the boundary where the blizzard raged, the sunset painted the horizon in crimson hues.
‘It’s just like the miniature garden inside a glass box.’
Wasn’t this place a separate world altogether?
Perhaps it was because of the warmth of the wind.
A fleeting thought crossed my mind—if the Demon Realm were truly such a pleasant place to live, wouldn’t there be no wars or conflicts?

* * *
The days that followed with Johan and Mirinai held nothing extraordinary.
Their daily lives were so peaceful that one might even call them tedious.
Rising early in the morning to draw water from the river, finishing meals with crops they had grown themselves, then tending to the fields again—the tranquil life of a farmer.
Finding no significant changes in them, I investigated the surroundings, yet discovered nothing of note.
This space was as peaceful as their daily existence.
Gentle creatures and climate, forests and rivers both large and small, and land vast enough for two people to live comfortably—it was nothing but a happy paradise without a single flaw.
‘It would be difficult to find the cause in the environment. Then could it be the weakened demonic power and divine power?’
As one of the Demons with the strongest demonic power, it was a problem I found difficult to prove directly.
‘Perhaps I should ask the 3rd Division Commander to create an environment similar to this one? And if I captured an appropriate member of the Divine Race and conducted experiments….’
Just as I was beginning to think I should abandon this meaningless investigation and return, I detected a peculiar atmosphere between Johan and Mirinai.
Johan, who had always been wary of me and acted aggressively, had now begun to show his rough emotions even toward Mirinai.
“Johan, could you move this to the house for me? I made it too large, so it’s heavier than I expected….”
Seeing Mirinai point to the pile of firewood, Johan’s face twisted.
“I told you already. It’s easier to move if you split it smaller than this.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry. I wanted to make things easier for you, so I asked you to split it larger on purpose….”
“Pointless consideration. In the end, I just have to work twice. If I’d split it smaller, Mirinai could have moved it alone just fine.”
“Y-yes, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
His tone was sharp enough to make even me furrow my brow as I watched.
I wondered if he was simply in a bad mood today, but the problem was that Johan’s behavior grew worse with each passing day.
“I’m sure I told you. Tie up the leftover fertilizer properly. The outside has completely dried out.”
“Why should I take care of that Demon’s meals? You’re the one who allowed it, Mirinai. You do it yourself.”
“Stop following me around. If you have nothing to do, go organize the remaining crops.”
Petty nagging eventually escalated into personal insults. Mirinai’s expression grew darker by the moment, and soon she couldn’t even lift her head in his presence.
In the end, I abandoned my resolve not to interfere and approached her.
“Are you alright?”
“Captain….”
“Is he always this sensitive? It’s getting worse with each passing day.”
Mirinai shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
“No. He’s never been like this before. Why is he acting this way… Does he… no longer love me?”
I shook my head, saying it couldn’t be so.
The emotions I witnessed in Johan on the first day were undoubtedly genuine. Otherwise, he could never have stood against me, whose demonic power was hundreds of times greater than his own.
‘His personality seemed to be changing gradually. The way he looked at Mirinai had become cold, just like how the Divine Race regards the Demons.’
Yet Johan’s divine power remained unchanged.
If his anger toward Mirinai matched that of the Divine Race, then the quantity of divine power and hatred had no correlation whatsoever?
“It’s probably because of me. Once I leave, Johan will return to normal, so don’t worry too much.”
“But lately, it seems like he’s angry at me rather than at the Captain….”
Mirinai wiped away her tears repeatedly, saying this was the first time something like this had happened. All I could offer was comfort, so I simply patted her back.
I considered warning Johan directly, but Mirinai didn’t want that. If I helped, it would feel like crossing a river that couldn’t be undone.
I resolved not to provoke Johan before I left, and returned to the Forest once more.
But my consolation proved futile, and the discord between Johan and Mirinai culminated in the worst possible incident.
One day, when I stopped by the River near the Cottage to drink water.
A sharp scream that didn’t belong in this space pierced the air.
“Kyaaaah!”
It was unmistakably Mirinai’s voice.
Startled, I rushed frantically toward the Cottage.
‘The door is locked!’
There was no time to knock. I shattered the door using my demonic power and burst inside.
And what I found was….
“What are you doing right now!”
“D-don’t come any closer!”
Johan, his face deathly pale, gripped a wooden dagger and was about to swing it at Mirinai.
Without hesitation, I seized his arm and subdued him. He struggled to break free, but his resistance was useless against me wielding demonic power.
I spoke to Mirinai, who sat collapsed on the Ground with tears streaming down her face.
“What in the world is happening here?”
“I-I don’t know. Johan suddenly, he tried to….”
Then Johan, his face pressed against the Ground, screamed in a voice filled with rage.
“You’re lying! Mirinai—that woman tried to kill me first!”
‘What is he talking about?’
But Mirinai shook her head vigorously, insisting it couldn’t be true. With her pale face and streaming tears, she didn’t appear to be lying.
“This is why you can’t trust Demons. You always try to kill us…!”
I couldn’t listen any longer. I struck the back of Johan’s neck hard, rendering him unconscious.

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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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