Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 168

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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 168

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Jeina and my counterattack had succeeded.
A childish performance where I, as a saint, would dispel the curse spreading through the Direct Dominion. Anyone who knew the truth would have scoffed, but even the nobles who witnessed it fell for the deception because of the transcendent power I displayed.
‘In reality, it wasn’t a miracle—I borrowed Lina’s power.’
The method was simple.
Standing before the crops, I offered prayers to the Sun God, while Asmo-rina, hidden in the shadows, removed the curse with her magical power.
Since life-attribute magic shone brilliantly like divine power, the people believed it was a miracle.
My magic was dark in color, so if I’d used it, I would have only invited suspicion.
In any case, after resolving the curse that way, I declared that I would find the cause of this phenomenon.
‘Someone has surely cursed my sister. I swear by God’s name that I will judge the culprit.’
The residents, who believed I was a saint with absolute conviction, erupted in enthusiasm at my declaration.
Of course, I had already planned how to expose the culprit.
As soon as Jeina returned to the Direct Dominion, she rooted out all the bribed merchants and administrators, and with Asmo-rina’s help, I identified the region where the curse had been cast.
All the evidence was gathered, so all that remained was to accuse Franz.
I wanted to bring Franz, who had committed such a vicious act, directly to trial, but Jeina said we should wait for the rumors to ripen.
“The accusation will be most effective when everyone’s attention is focused. The loose-tongued nobles will spread the rumors on their own, so let’s wait a bit.”
It was a reasonable argument. So we focused on refining the information we’d secured more meticulously to corner Franz decisively.
But the situation began to deviate from our expectations.
The trigger was a report from the spy who had brought information about Franz.
“…Say that again. What did you just say?”
At Jeina’s sharp question, the man spoke while breaking into a cold sweat.
“P-Prince Franz has declared a holy war. He’s declared Princess Deina, who is impersonating a saint, and Princess Jeina, who has joined her, to be heretics, and he intends to purify the Direct Dominion with sacred power….”
“The Sun Cult isn’t saying anything, so what right does Franz have to judge heresy?”
“I don’t know either. The sect hasn’t issued any special orders.”
Jeina and I exchanged glances.
It was clear that the Sun Cult wasn’t involved in this matter. If we had truly been declared heretics, sanctions would have come through the Emperor, not Franz.
In other words, this was Franz’s unilateral action. Or perhaps something the Empress and Franz had orchestrated together.
And the more serious problem came next.
I asked the man carefully.
“So… after declaring a holy war, Franz is gathering soldiers and marching toward here?”
“Yes. The sect purchased a large quantity of holy water, and he’s begun his advance, saying he will purify this city.”
“Do you know how many soldiers?”
“I heard it’s around five thousand.”
Five thousand—a number that seemed to belong only to wartime.
‘Even if I combined all of Franz’s private soldiers, it wouldn’t reach a thousand. Did he gather every soldier in the Direct Dominion he administers, plus the private soldiers of supporting nobles? Or did he hire mercenaries….’
Either way, it was an absurd situation.
Not only did he declare a holy war without the Sun Cult’s permission, but he’s leading an army to strike against fellow Imperial Family members?
“Jeina, has the Emperor made any moves?”
“No. Rather, I only received orders to resubmit the settlement reports. Either the Emperor doesn’t know about Franz’s situation, or….”
“He knows and is pretending not to.”
Jeina nodded with a hardened expression.
There was no way someone of the Emperor’s stature would learn of this news later than us. This was clearly intentional negligence.
‘The Emperor isn’t the type to overlook such overreach without reason. He must be allowing it because he stands to gain something.’
And what he could gain from this situation….
Jeina and I exchanged a quiet glance.
‘The Demon Clan.’
After the Golden Hand’s failure, the Emperor had been seeking an opportunity to expose the Demon Clan’s identity. If Franz wages war, he’ll use that chaos to root them out. Once the Direct Dominion becomes a battlefield, situations will inevitably arise where they must use their demonic power.
And after achieving his objective, he could simply punish Franz while feigning ignorance of the situation.
Moreover, the Emperor had set a similar precedent in Monos. Given that he once attempted to sacrifice thousands of domain residents, a mere war might be nothing to him.
“Is there any possibility the Emperor and Franz are colluding?”
I shook my head at Jeina’s question.
“If the Emperor had made a move, the Countess would have sent word. Most of her informants are currently stationed within the Imperial Palace.”
The Countess, currently in the process of transforming into a Demon, was in a comatose state, but her subordinates remained in the Imperial Palace, continuously sending me intelligence. If even they hadn’t noticed, it meant the Emperor hadn’t directly intervened in this affair.
The only problem lay with the Empress and Franz—these two alone.
Jeina bit her lip with an anxious expression.
“He actually started a war? Even if we win, there’s nothing to gain? What on earth is he thinking?”
Even victory wouldn’t spare him from the Emperor’s punishment, and defeat would cost him his position as heir—it was a recklessly dangerous choice. Jeina seemed utterly unable to comprehend Franz’s irrational decision.
I left the bewildered Jeina behind and addressed the restless informant.
“You’ve done well. You may return now. Oh, and could you call my Guard Knight on your way out?”
“Ah, understood!”
He quickly bowed and left the room.
I fell into thought for a moment.
‘If we’re conducting a defensive siege, I’ll need to utilize the mountain ranges nearby. First, I should assess our troop strength, then urgently construct the castle walls….’
Jeina, watching me, spoke as if exasperated.
“There’s a war, and you’re far too composed, aren’t you?”
“Because there’s a war, I must remain composed. The most critical element in a defensive battle is preparation. There’s no time to waste on panic.”
Finding the cause could wait until after we resolved the situation. What mattered most was victory.
“…Are you truly planning to stand against Franz?”
Jeina, her brow furrowed, spoke with a tone of resignation.
“I’m angry at the fool Franz too, but this is a war without prospects for victory. The nobles under my faction lack military backgrounds unlike Franz, so I can’t expect their aid.”
“How many soldiers can you muster immediately?”
“Perhaps two thousand… No, even a thousand is precarious. And half of them are conscripts.”
In other words, half were farmers with no combat experience.
I quickly calculated our forces in my mind and continued in a composed voice.
“Then what do you suggest? Should we simply surrender?”
“Let’s return to the Imperial Palace. No matter how much of a fool Franz is, he won’t dare attack us while we’re there.”
“What about the residents left in the Direct Dominion?”
“That….”
“Franz has already declared his intention to purify the city. Even if we flee, he won’t leave it untouched.”
Under the guise of purification, he might very well conduct a witch hunt against the residents themselves.
Unable to deny it, Jeina bit her lip.
“You can’t abandon the Empire’s people either. So there’s only one choice left. Stand against him and win.”
“…Do you think there’s any chance of victory?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t confirmed all of his military strength yet.”
Of course, even if I estimated the enemy’s forces at their lowest, the odds of victory weren’t high. At best, perhaps thirty percent?
‘I must refrain from revealing my magical power. If discovered, the Sun Cult might join the fray.’
That was precisely the development the Emperor desired. I had to preserve my true nature until the very end.
“Even if the odds are low, I have no intention of surrendering. Since I’ve committed myself to ruling the Direct Dominion, I must do everything in my power to protect it.”
“At times like this, I’m reminded that you were a soldier in your past life.”
Jeina exhaled deeply and buried her face in her hands. This was the first time I’d seen her so utterly despondent.
After a moment, she gathered her thoughts and spoke again.
“Even if you were to lose, you’ve thought of some way to survive, haven’t you?”
“Well, I don’t think Franz would let me live… Ah! But don’t worry.”
I smiled to ease her anxiety.
“Even if I were to die, I’ll protect you no matter what. No matter what happens.”
In that instant, her eyes turned cold.

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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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