Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Struggling to Pretend to Be Human Today Episode 025

“That princess has such power?”

“But they say the Imperial Family is blessed by the sun.”

“Fool! That’s just flattery, you believe that?”

The audience began to stir.

Of course, not everyone was convinced by her words. Even if they were charmed by the Baobhan sith’s ability, they hadn’t completely lost their reason.

But even if only one or two out of ten were persuaded, it would have an effect.

‘At least they’ll think that the princess’s curse might be false.’

Starting with small misunderstandings through grand exaggeration. It was refined rhetoric.

Moreover, her beautiful appearance played a part. People tend to lose their composure in front of beauty.

‘On the other hand, the nobles are all stern-faced except for those who are charmed.’

The nobles’ reaction was cold, knowing that the Imperial Family didn’t possess such abilities.

In fact, only priests could truly use blessings. The Imperial Family had no such aptitude. So they had already realized that everything Ruslara was saying was false.

Yet they couldn’t stop the commoners’ speculation because they couldn’t disparage the Emperor with their own mouths.

“Still, an earthquake happened, so isn’t it a curse?”

“But in the end, no one died. That’s practically a miracle.”

“That’s true too…”

As no clear conclusion emerged, the audience’s commotion gradually subsided. Thinking it was time, Ruslara turned around again to look at me.

“I, Ruslara, express infinite gratitude to Princess Deina for removing the cowardly contract and curse.”

“…I shall accept it.”

“It’s an honor.”

Having created such a perfect situation, I couldn’t refuse.

‘Still, the rumor about stopping a curse is too much. I need to tone it down appropriately.’

For now, I gave Ruslara a brief smile as a gesture of praise.

“…Kuk.”

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Then Ruslara briefly clutched her chest. I couldn’t understand why.

Anyway, to wrap up this situation, I patted Ruslara’s shoulder and looked around the arena interior.

It seemed there was no need for the veil anymore.

“Gasp! Yellow eyes…!”

When I removed my veil and revealed my face, several spectators were startled. But thanks to Ruslara’s power still remaining, no major commotion arose.

“Citizens of the Empire blessed by the sun, thank you for celebrating Ruslara’s joyous victory. Before presenting the medal, I wish to add words about her thoughts.”

I refined my voice to speak as regally as possible.

“First, I am not the one who removed her curse. I merely happened to be entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor to host this arena event.”

“See, I told you it was just flattery.”

“Then the princess’s curse is…”

The audience murmured again. I continued with a faint smile.

“Because this victory was achieved not by my power, but by Ruslara’s own strength.”

“Princess…!”

Ruslara behind me made a moved voice. But I didn’t have the leisure to pay attention to her right now, so I didn’t turn my head.

“Contrary to her words, all I did was pray.”

“Pray…?”

“Yes, I earnestly prayed that you would all be safe until this event ended.”

Several nobles who began to understand my words started making expressions as if chewing sand. Inwardly mocking that sight, I observed the constantly changing reactions of the crowd.

‘I can’t let rumors spread that the Imperial Family favored one contestant.’

Though Ruslara became the protagonist, the arena was still a legitimate sporting event. Among the audience were many fans of individual contestants, and quite a few who bet money while cheering.

The conclusion that I only cheered for Ruslara and she won because of that could easily create unnecessary rumors.

So what I chose was…

“I prayed to the Sun God that no one would die from ominous disasters or accidents during the matches. Unlike in the past, my voice seems to have reached him this time. Because I was able to protect everyone.”

The ending was ‘I didn’t pray only for Ruslara, but wished for everyone’s safety.’

Even the spectators who had denied Ruslara’s words seemed convinced this time.

“So we’re safe thanks to the princess?”

“Come on, that’s an exaggeration. …Still, the curse does seem fake.”

“True, nothing happens even when we make eye contact.”

“No one died during the matches for once, right?”

“Then wasn’t it wrong to mock her on the first day?”

‘This is enough.’

The curse seems fake, and Princess Deina is an altruistic and kind member of the Imperial Family, contrary to rumors.

Just that level of rumor was sufficient.

Of course, not everyone’s opinion had changed. Several people were obviously still looking at me with distrustful eyes. However, I was satisfied with leaving a small favor with the majority.

After satisfyingly surveying the noisy audience, I turned around again and approached Ruslara.

“Then, champion Ruslara, I shall bestow the medal.”

“Thank you.”

Ruslara and I made eye contact and smiled. It was the perfect ending.

Ruslara obtained the championship medal and regained her freedom, while I gained not only the success of the event but also the opportunity to shed the stigma of being a cursed princess.

“Thank you, Ruslara. It’s all thanks to you.”

“No, I’m the one who should thank you. I’m here because of my god.”

I told you not to call me god.

But this time I couldn’t deny it. Her eyes looking at me were full of pride and loyalty.

As I hung the medal around her neck, I whispered softly.

“Well done, my first knight.”

“…!”

“Please take care of me from now on.”

This was both a medal ceremony and a knight’s oath ceremony.

Ruslara’s face crumpled as if she might cry, then she straightened her posture, widened her eyes, and answered.

“My sword is by my lord’s side.”

Words of oath passed down only among the Demon Clan.

It was an oath as magnificent as one that could compare to her grandmother Mihilda’s.

* * *

Meanwhile, there was someone watching all of this from the arena’s exit.

The person with a youthful, boy-like face pouted while watching Deina present the medal.

“Oh my, how did this happen.”

As if troubled by something, he kept making groaning sounds before finally sighing.

“This is different from our promise, Captain. You said you could bring the Armored Fighter.”

“Th-that’s…”

At the end of the dark corridor, the Captain bowed his head as if ashamed.

“I’m sorry. I never expected the Armored Fighter to refuse my proposal…”

“You knew she would refuse. Instead, the plan was for you to win and make the Armored Fighter fall into despair…”

The Intruder clicked his tongue, saying all plans had come to nothing because of his defeat.

“Her previous master was such a terrible person, I was going to take her in… Who knew she’d find another master in the meantime. Should I call it luck.”

His green eyes scrutinized Ruslara as if appraising a jewel. And when his gaze reached Deina again, he groaned.

“Hmm, that one seems like a tremendous monster.”

“Pardon?”

“Can’t be helped. I’ll withdraw from this matter.”

Then he shook his head as if shaking off regrets. After that, he turned and walked out of the arena.

“Ah, Grid sir, I’ll also come with…”

“You’re not needed. The deal is void.”

“Wh-what?”

The Captain blinked blankly, not understanding the meaning.

The Intruder called Grid continued, asking if he still didn’t understand.

“What I wanted to obtain was the Armored Fighter, not you. Because you’re worthless.”

“Wh-what do you mean…! I’ve already retired!”

“That’s not my concern. I never made retirement a condition.”

The Captain’s face, which had been flustered, gradually turned red with anger.

“Such nonsense…!”

Finally, the Captain lunged at Grid.

Grid let out a deep sigh as if the Captain’s behavior was bothersome.

“Why are you being so pathetic?”

“My knight’s oath… Huh?”

But the Captain’s hand couldn’t reach Grid. His legs suddenly gave out, and he collapsed helplessly to the floor.

Grid brought his foot to the head of the Captain, who was lying down in confusion.

“Ah, ahh…”

Tap tap, as the tip of his shoe touched the crown of his head twice, the Captain fell asleep as if he had taken sleeping pills.

“Well then, shall we head back?”

Without any intention of checking the Captain’s condition, Grid walked toward the exit again without even glancing at the floor.

“…”

After a while, some shadow moved on the ceiling of the quiet corridor where only the sleeping Captain remained.

The identity was none other than Deina’s subordinate, Ivan.

‘Now all sorts of things are getting entangled.’

He thought while glancing at the opposite end of the corridor from within the shadows.

‘Empress, Prime Minister’s Family, and next is a black market merchant… As expected, Her Highness is the eye of the storm.’

Ivan chuckled quietly and concealed himself in the shadows.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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