Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 22

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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 022

The third day of the Arena arrived—the day of the semifinals and finals.

I managed to conceal my true nature until the very end of the matches, only returning to my original form once I reached the Separate Palace.

It was then that Liribel, who had been helping me dress, asked in a trembling voice.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Though I’ve lost some blood, I’m actually healthier than before.”

Coughing up blood meant my body was adapting to the magical power. Today I would lose more blood, but given time, I would grow accustomed to it and my body would better withstand such potent magic.

However, it proved difficult to make them understand this concept. Both Liribel and Ruslara remained unconvinced, their expressions still etched with worry.

“More importantly, was there anything unusual on your way back? Did you happen to see that nobleman we contracted with at the Arena?”

Ruslara shook her head.

“There was no one suspicious. However, an Arena staff member handed me this.”

“What is this? A check?”

What Ruslara presented was an Arena betting voucher. When I questioned her with a glance as to why she’d received it, she spoke carefully.

“It’s the sponsorship money you gave me before. In other words….”

“Ah, so Ruslara made it to the semifinals and the payout came through.”

It was a form of gambling winnings. For reference, Ruslara’s payout was calculated at the rate of an ordinary participant.

I had sponsored all the money I’d borrowed from Loreil….

‘I could buy a manor in the Capital with this.’

The payout had returned as an astronomical sum. I handed it over to Ruslara.

“Just take back the principal—you keep the rest.”

“But….”

“You need money to send to your family anyway. You said you’ve been confined all this time? Now that you’re free, send them a gift. Or buy another neutral territory and build a new home.”

Ruslara hesitated as if she couldn’t possibly accept. But only for a moment—her expression hardened with resolve, and she graciously received the check.

“I understand. I will use it wisely so as not to bring dishonor to the Princess.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

‘There’s no need to be so solemn about it.’

At least she had accepted it, which was a relief.

“Phew, I’m exhausted. I should retire early tonight. Ruslara, you sleep at the Separate Palace tonight too. Who knows what those people might attempt.”

“Understood. But Princess, would it be alright if I stepped out briefly at dawn tomorrow?”

“Where are you going?”

“I intend to use some of this money.”

Was she planning to send gifts to her family already?

I granted her permission to do as she saw fit.

After that, Liribel and Ruslara left the room, telling me to get proper rest. Alone now, I buried my face in the pillow.

‘Since I’m already participating, victory is assured. I just need to avoid exposure until the end.’

It was a peculiar sensation. Problems that seemed insurmountable as a human were resolved in an instant through the power of a Demon.

I was beginning to understand why humans sought contracts with Demons for power.

‘Now that I think about it, contracts…what kind of Demon would appear if I made one?’

Humans seemed to believe that difficult conditions were necessary to meet higher-ranking Demons, but in truth, most of it was fate.

Just as humans had destined partners, the Demons who answered contracts were also predetermined.

So what kind of Demon would be summoned to a Demon reincarnated as human?

‘Since summoned Demons can be counter-summoned as needed… if I need a worker, calling one wouldn’t be a bad idea.’

Humans had carved contract marks into their bodies, only to risk exposure by the Priests, but I knew a method of contracting that required no such marks.

After deciding to summon that convenient one without forgetting, I closed my eyes. Perhaps because I’d expended considerable demonic power, a pleasant exhaustion washed over my entire body.

I surrendered myself to the embrace of sleep.

…The next day, utterly unprepared for what would unfold.

* * *

The final day of the Arena, when the semifinals and finals would be held.

Today was also the day our fates—mine and Ruslara’s—would be decided.

I headed to the Arena’s Waiting Room, while Ruslara went to the Hosting Seat with Liribel.

In moments like these, the veil proved fortunate. Even if her expression work was lacking, there was no risk of exposure.

Just before taking the stage, I inspected my armor.

‘Still saturated with holy power. Fine, I wasn’t expecting anything anyway.’

Then I checked the bracket.

‘The semifinals are against a civilian participant. Surprisingly, someone survived.’

In that case, I could win the semifinals without pretending to be weak.

The problem was my finals opponent.

‘The one expected to advance is the Arena’s youngest champion and holder of the most victories… the opposite of Ruslara.’

A man who became a competitor the moment he reached adulthood and earned his place in the Hall of Fame.

Moreover, his Arena career spanned exactly the same duration as Ruslara’s.

If I defeated this opponent and claimed the championship, no one would dare question Ruslara’s abilities.

Of course, I would be the one doing the fighting.

“Now we commence the semifinals! The Armored Fighter takes the stage!”

The Announcer’s voice rang out at precisely that moment. I gathered my weapons and made my way toward the Arena.

“Yes! As expected, there were no surprises! Though an ordinary participant, they held their ground admirably! The Armored Fighter advances directly to the finals!”

Naturally, I claimed victory, and as anticipated, my opponent in the finals was determined to be the Multiple Champion.

‘Now that I think about it, that Announcer never mentions Ruslara’s real name. I wonder if there’s a reason for that.’

Lost in such idle musings as I returned to the Waiting Room, I heard the Announcer’s bewildered voice from the Arena.

“Eh, eh? The Armored Fighter is already returning to the stage? But this is supposed to be a rest period… Ah, you don’t need it?”

‘What?’

I was standing just outside the Corridor of the Waiting Room when I heard that the Armored Fighter had suddenly reappeared.

Thinking I might have misheard, I was about to return to the Arena.

“Your Highness!”

“Liribel?”

Liribel blocked my path.

In her hands was the dress I had worn when I was the Princess.

“The fact that you’re here means… could it be that Ruslara is in the Arena?”

“That’s right. She said she wanted to fight the finals herself.”

“Wait, what about the weapons and armor?”

“They’re still imbued with holy power. The staff already put away the ordinary armor and weapons long ago.”

This is absurd.

Unable to hide my bewilderment at such a foolish decision, Liribel spoke carefully.

“Ruslara believed she had to win through her own strength in the end. She didn’t want to burden you, Your Highness….”

“What burden is that! The fault lies with those other fools, so why should Ruslara….”

“She said that’s the only way she could accept herself. That only by claiming victory with her own hands could she escape this sense of defeat.”

“That’s….”

Fighting to uphold one’s own standards when no one else acknowledges them.

It was a resolve similar to my own vow to live as a human.

“She asked me to apologize to you, Your Highness. She said she’s ashamed for acting so willfully after you went to the trouble of saving her….”

In truth, I understood why she hadn’t consulted me before stepping forward. Had I been in her position, I would have tried to help in some way.

‘But Ruslara wanted to refuse even the smallest assistance.’

I removed my helmet and irritably ran my hand through my hair.

“Why apologize to me? If she loses, she’s the one who suffers the consequences.”

I had achieved my objective regardless of whether Ruslara won or lost. The Arena event had concluded as planned. Soon I would return to the Empress and High Society, reclaiming my freedom.

But Ruslara was different.

She needed that championship, didn’t she?

“No, Your Highness. It’s fine even if she loses.”

But Liribel shook her head, telling me not to worry.

“I don’t know all the details, but she said that as long as Ruslara doesn’t give up, she can challenge again anytime, right?”

“That’s… true.”

The contract only activates when I accept defeat in my heart. If my spirit remains unbroken, I can always challenge again.

“That’s why Ruslara said so. Even if you lose, you can challenge again. Challenge as many times as you need, and if you win even once, that’s your victory.”

“…That’s… quite something.”

‘She speaks like a true subordinate—how admirable.’

It reminded me of what my subordinates used to say on the battlefield, preparing escape routes for retreat. We weren’t being defeated; we were merely stepping back temporarily to achieve victory.

I let out a hollow laugh.

She probably learned that from Mihilda—my grandmother—in the past.

With her saying all this, I had no grounds to interfere.

“And another thing.”

Liribel glanced around cautiously before leaning in and whispering to me.

“She really wanted to share her victory speech herself.”

“…Is that something to be so secretive about?”

“She seemed terribly embarrassed. She asked me not to tell the Princess.”

“But you told me anyway.”

“I’m on the Princess’s side.”

The same person who blocked me from entering the Arena now shows such cunning.

I narrowed my eyes, studying Liribel.

“So then… what will you do, Princess?”

“Sigh, I suppose I have no choice. Let’s go back.”

I took the dress from her hands.

“Subordinates acting on their own whims is something I’m accustomed to.”

In moments like this, I should act like a proper leader and wait for my subordinate to deliver results.

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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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