Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 167

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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 167
The Administrator stared at Franz as if wondering whether he’d suffered an auditory hallucination.
He never imagined Franz would speak directly to him about assassinating a fellow Imperial Family member—it was common sense to avoid such matters even in public settings.
“Didn’t you hear me? Assassinate Princess Deina!”
“That, that is… The soldiers of the Direct Dominion are not assassins!”
The Administrator recoiled in horror and fled the office. Watching the cowardly official’s escape, Franz ground his teeth in frustration.
“This spineless wretch… Is anyone there! Someone!”
He slammed the desk and shouted. Shortly after, a figure entered the office.
“Who are you?”
As an unexpected person stepped inside, Franz’s brow furrowed.
The one who entered without knocking wore a mask carved with a golden sun—the kind worn by the Sun God Order’s acolyte priests.
In response to Franz’s question, the masked figure bowed respectfully and spoke.
“It is an honor to meet you, Prince Franz. I have come at the command of Her Majesty the Empress. I am Ben, an acolyte priest.”
“Ben?”
The voice was neither distinctly masculine nor feminine. Moreover, “Ben” was an ancient word meaning “acolyte priest.”
Just as Franz was about to speak with a skeptical expression, Ben opened their mouth first.
“Regarding the matter of Jeina and Princess Deina, Her Majesty the Empress has sent me to resolve it. This is….”
Ben produced a small letter from their robes. Franz snatched it and opened the envelope, examining its contents.
‘The handwriting does seem to be from Mother. But why would she use someone like this as a messenger?’
Even if she couldn’t come in person, she usually sent a trusted personal attendant for such matters.
But an acolyte priest?
Seeing Franz’s skeptical gaze, Ben spoke with an amused tone.
“My abilities are necessary to resolve this matter. That is why Her Majesty the Empress sent me.”
“Resolve it? A mere acolyte priest?”
“The grace of the Sun God knows no rank. If you truly cannot trust me… what if we made a wager?”
“Ha, know your place. You dare suggest I wager with someone of your station?”
Franz was about to summon his Chamberlain to throw Ben out. No matter that he was the Empress’s subordinate, Franz’s pride would not permit conversation with someone of such lowly status.
Yet Ben spoke to him with unruffled composure.
“It would be nothing but beneficial to Your Highness. Should I fail to meet your expectations, I shall offer you this.”
Ben then produced a small box from their robes and opened it before Franz.
Inside lay a diamond so exquisitely beautiful that even Franz’s eyes widened in wonder.
He had never seen a jewel crafted with such magnificence.
“This is….”
“The Nord Diamond, once known as the cursed diamond. Surely Your Highness, with your refined knowledge of gems, must be familiar with it.”
That Franz had a passion for jewels was a secret known only to a few. The fact that Ben knew this was astonishing enough, but to possess such a treasure perfectly suited to his tastes was extraordinary.
Watching the desire kindle in Franz’s eyes, Ben continued.
“What say you? Would you not consider accepting the wager, if only to humor me?”
“… If you were to win, what would you demand of me?”
“Did I not mention? My purpose is to prevent the two Princesses’ scheme. Until we achieve our goal, it would suffice for me to remain at Your Highness’s side.”
As Ben had said, the proposal offered Franz nothing to lose.
Ordinarily, Franz would never associate with such a person, but the allure of the Node Diamond was too great.
He quickly composed his expression, which had been marred by greed.
“Very well. I shall indulge in this little game.”
“I am impressed by your magnanimity.”
Ben bowed deeply. It was a gesture devoid of any genuine respect, yet Franz, his mind captivated by the jewel, failed to notice.
“Then, regarding the wager’s terms… I heard you’ve been troubled by the matter of the Direct Dominion. What if I were to resolve that for you?”
“How exactly would you resolve it?”
“Recently, I’ve observed that the residents have been rather disrespectful in their conduct toward His Majesty. I shall completely transform their disposition.”
‘Is such a thing even possible?’
Franz regarded Ben with a skeptical gaze. Correcting the residents’ attitude was something he himself had abandoned.
Yet Ben spoke with unwavering confidence.
“What do you think? Is this not sufficient as the wager’s condition?”
“Hmm… very well, I accept. Though you’ll surely fail in the end.”
If he failed, the diamond would become his. Ben let out a soft laugh at the subtle anticipation in his words.
“Of course. Then, shall we set the deadline for next week? Until then, His Majesty shall keep this jewel in safekeeping.”
Ben handed the box to Franz, then bowed once more.
“I shall take my leave. We shall meet again next week.”
“Hmph, very well.”
Franz dismissed him offhandedly, his attention consumed by examining the diamond within the box.
Observing Franz in silence, Ben slipped out of the Office.
Already convinced of failure, Franz had begun imagining where he would display the jewel.
Yet contrary to his expectations, exactly one week later, Ben returned bearing news Franz had not anticipated.
“Prince Franz, the promised deadline has arrived.”
“Hm? You are…”
Just as when he first appeared, he entered the Office without knocking.
Franz, who had forgotten about the wager with Ben, opened his eyes wide at the sudden visit.
Ben paid no heed to his reaction and spoke.
“Would you step outside for a moment? It is time to verify the results of our wager.”
‘He actually succeeded?’
Frowning at Ben’s confident demeanor, Franz resolved to punish him severely if this were a deception, then followed him outside.
And he found himself speechless at the sight before him.
Before the Manor, in the Theater that had been constructed at great expense, the residents were gathered in celebration.
“Long live Prince Franz! Long live!”
“Ah, what a beautiful Theater! Why didn’t we discover this place sooner!”
Though no performance was scheduled, the residents circled the Theater, their cheers brimming with joy. Simultaneously, they chanted the name of Franz, who had built it.
Though it was the reaction he desired, the excessive fervor caused Franz to instinctively take a step back.
Then, the residents who had belatedly spotted him cried out in unison.
“It’s Prince Franz! Your Highness, thank you! Thank you for creating such a beautiful Theater!”
“Prince Franz! Prince Franz!”
A loyalty and passion that appeared nothing short of madness. Sensing something had gone terribly wrong, Franz attempted to return to the Manor, but Ben gripped his shoulder and would not let go.
No matter how hard I struggled, the grip was so powerful that I couldn’t move an inch.
“How is it, Prince Franz? Does it please you?”
“L-Let go of me! Do those residents look normal to you? Right now….”
“Normal or not, you must verify the results of our wager. Either way, you’ve made them follow you. So who is the victor?”
“You madman….”
I wanted to summon soldiers immediately and execute Ben, but I had to flee from the residents pouring toward me like a swarm.
Franz cried out with a half-defeated expression.
“Fine, the wager is yours! Let go of me!”
“It was a fair contest, wasn’t it? I’ve accomplished everything you desired.”
“Yes, yes, that’s right! So….”
“You admitted it. You’ve lost to me.”
In that instant, Franz’s vision turned black. Simultaneously, his balance crumbled as if he were drowning in water.
“W-What…?”
Bewildered, he finally fell to his knees. His senses tangled, unable to distinguish up from down, and all strength drained from his body. As he collapsed like a puppet with severed strings, Ben seized his hair and yanked him upright roughly.
Then, slowly lifting his mask, he spoke.
“Since you’ve admitted defeat, you must now obey my commands. Don’t you think that’s only fair?”
“I, I….”
“I’m the victor, and you’re the defeated. This is a just transaction.”
Words he would normally have dismissed as nonsense continued to embed themselves in his mind. An implanted instinct that he could not refuse the words of the ‘victor’.
‘I have to escape. This creature is not a priest. This creature is….’
The faint reason that remained tried to force his body to move, but Ben, noticing even that, laughed.
“Don’t reject your defeat. You know it too. You cannot refuse my commands.”
“Ah, ahhh….”
The match had been decided the moment he accepted the proposal.
Defeat consumed his body. Merciless words boring into his brain. Hypnosis. And magic.
Ben spoke his final words to the trembling Franz.
“Now then, here’s your first command, Prince. Kill Deina and Jeina.”
“Kill them….”
“Yes. Use all the power you possess to kill them. There’s something I need to verify about them.”
Wealth, soldiers, authority. Mobilize everything you have to kill them.
That command burrowed deep into Franz’s mind.

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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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