Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 25

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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 025

“The Princess has such power?”

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

“You fool! That’s just flattery. Do you actually believe that?”

The crowd began to stir.

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

But if even one or two out of ten could be swayed, the effect would be visible.

‘At the very least, they’ll consider the possibility that the Princess’s curse might be false.’

Using grand exaggeration to dispel small doubts—it was refined rhetoric.

And her beautiful appearance certainly helped. People always lose their composure before beauty.

‘Meanwhile, the nobles—except those enchanted—all wore stern expressions.’

The nobles, who knew the Imperial Family possessed no such power, reacted coldly.

In truth, only the Priests could wield the true blessing. The Imperial Family had no such capability. So they had already seen through every word Ruslara spoke as lies.

Yet they couldn’t prevent the commoners’ speculation, for they couldn’t disparage the Emperor with their own mouths.

“But an earthquake did occur—isn’t that a curse?”

“But in the end, no one died. That’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

As no clear conclusion emerged, the crowd’s commotion gradually subsided. Sensing the moment had come, Ruslara turned her body and gazed at me once more.

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

“…I accept it.”

“It is an honor.”

Given how perfectly the situation had unfolded, I couldn’t possibly refuse.

‘Still, the rumor that I dispelled her curse is too much. I need to downplay it appropriately.’

For now, I offered Ruslara a brief smile as a gesture of acknowledgment.

“…Huh.”

‘What’s wrong with her?’

Ruslara clutched her chest for a moment. I couldn’t discern the reason.

In any case, I patted Ruslara’s shoulder to settle the situation and surveyed the interior of the Arena.

There seemed to be no need to wear the veil any longer.

“Gasp! Those yellow eyes…!”

As I removed the veil and revealed my face, several spectators recoiled in shock. However, thanks to Ruslara’s lingering power, no great commotion erupted.

“Blessed subjects of the Empire by the grace of the sun, I thank you for celebrating Ruslara’s glorious victory. Before presenting the medal, I wish to add my own remarks regarding her sentiments.”

I adjusted my voice to speak as befitted the Imperial Family.

“First, it was not I who lifted her curse. I merely happened to oversee the Arena’s proceedings by His Majesty’s command.”

“See, I told you it was flattery.”

“Then the Princess’s curse….”

The spectators murmured once more. I continued with a faint smile.

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

“Your Highness…!”

Ruslara behind me let out a voice trembling with emotion. However, I had no leisure to turn my attention to her at the moment, so I did not turn my head.

“Contrary to what she said, all I did was pray.”

“Prayer…?”

“Yes, I earnestly prayed that all of you would remain safe until this event concluded.”

Several nobles who began to understand my words started making expressions as if they’d bitten sand. Inwardly amused by their reaction, I observed how the public’s sentiment shifted moment by moment.

‘I couldn’t let rumors spread that the Imperial Family had favored one competitor.’

Though Ruslara had become the protagonist, the Arena was undeniably a sporting competition. Among the spectators were many personal fans of individual fighters, and no small number of those wagering money on their favorites.

The conclusion that Ruslara won because I’d only supported her would easily spawn unwanted rumors.

So what I chose was….

“I prayed to the Sun God that no ominous calamities or accidents would claim lives during the matches. Unlike before, it seems my voice reached him this time. After all, I was able to protect everyone.”

The conclusion was that I hadn’t prayed only for Ruslara, but had wished for everyone’s safety.

Even the spectators who had doubted Ruslara’s words seemed convinced now.

“Then we’re safe thanks to the Princess?”

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

“Right, nothing happened even when we made eye contact.”

“For once, there weren’t any deaths during the matches either.”

“Then weren’t we wrong to mock her on the first day?”

‘This is enough.’

The curse seemed to be fake, and Princess Deina was a more altruistic and gentle member of the Imperial Family than the rumors suggested.

That much was sufficient.

Of course, not everyone’s opinion had changed. I could clearly see that some people still regarded me with eyes full of distrust. However, I had accomplished what I needed—leaving a small measure of goodwill with the majority.

I swept my gaze across the clamoring crowd with satisfaction, then turned and approached Ruslara.

“Then, champion Ruslara, I shall bestow upon you this medal.”

“Thank you.”

Ruslara and I locked eyes and smiled. It was a perfect conclusion beyond compare.

Ruslara had reclaimed her freedom with the championship medal in hand, while I had secured not only the success of the event but also an opportunity to shed the stigma of being a cursed princess.

“Thank you, Ruslara. This is all thanks to you.”

“No, not at all. I’m here because of you, my lord.”

She shouldn’t call me that.

But this time, I couldn’t deny it. Her eyes gazing at me were brimming with pride and loyalty.

I placed the medal around her neck and whispered softly.

“You’ve done well, my first Knight.”

“…!”

“I look forward to working with you from now on.”

This was both a medal ceremony and a knighting oath.

Ruslara’s face crumpled as though she might weep, but she quickly straightened herself and answered with wide, gleaming eyes.

“My blade stands beside my lord.”

An oath passed down only among the Demon Clan.

It was a magnificent vow, worthy of standing beside Mihilda, her grandmother.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the exit of the Arena, there was someone watching all of this unfold.

The young man with a face that still bore traces of youth pouted his lips as he watched Deina present the medal.

“How strange. How did this happen?”

As if troubled by something, he groaned repeatedly before finally releasing a sigh.

“This isn’t what we agreed on, Captain. You said you could bring the Armored Fighter.”

“That is… well…”

At the end of the dark corridor, the Captain lowered his head in shame.

“My apologies. I never expected the Armored Fighter to refuse my proposal.”

“You knew they would refuse. The plan was for you to win the championship and drive the Armored Fighter into despair instead… but you lost, and now everything has fallen apart.”

The Intruder clicked his tongue, as if to say the entire scheme had crumbled to dust.

“Their former master was such a wretched person that I intended to take them in myself. Yet they’ve already found another master in the meantime. I suppose you could call that fortunate.”

His green eyes scrutinized Ruslara as if appraising a precious gem. When his gaze shifted back to Deina, he let out a groan.

“Hmm, that one is an absolute monster.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s no helping it. I’ll withdraw from this matter.”

With that, he shook his head as if casting away all lingering attachment, then turned and walked out of the Arena.

“Ah, Grid, may I come with you…?”

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

“I… I beg your pardon?”

The Captain blinked blankly, unable to comprehend the meaning.

The man called Grid continued speaking, as if asking whether the Captain still didn’t understand.

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

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

“That’s not my concern. I never made retirement a condition in the first place.”

The Captain’s bewildered face gradually flushed crimson with rage.

“Such nonsense…!”

Finally, the Captain lunged at Grid.

Grid exhaled a heavy sigh, as though the Captain’s display was nothing but a nuisance.

“Why must you be so pathetic?”

“My knight’s oath… what?”

But the Captain’s hands never reached Grid. His legs suddenly gave way beneath him, and he collapsed helplessly to the ground.

As the Captain lay there in confusion, Grid brought the tip of his shoe down toward the man’s head.

“Ah, ah….”

With two light taps of his shoe against the crown of the Captain’s head, the man fell asleep as though he’d been given a sedative.

“Well then, shall we head back?”

Without so much as a glance at the Captain’s prone form, Grid turned and walked back toward the exit.

“….”

Some time later, a shadow stirred in the ceiling of the now-silent corridor, where only the sleeping Captain remained.

It was Ivan, Deina’s subordinate.

‘Everything’s becoming entangled now.’

From within the shadows, he glanced across the corridor and pondered.

‘The Empress, the Prime Minister’s Family, and next the Black Market merchants… Indeed, Princess Deina truly is the eye of the storm.’

Ivan chuckled softly, his form melting into the shadows.

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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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