Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 34

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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 034

“H-hiii! Don’t come closer, don’t come any closer!”

“Don’t complain so much. You slaughtered people without hesitation, yet you didn’t expect your own turn to come?”

Britz attempted to flee, but my demonic power binding his limbs left him completely immobilized.

‘This isn’t easy either. If I overdo it, the aftereffects will return.’

It seemed the backlash was manageable for destruction, but far more severe for intricate manipulation.

I restrained my demonic power as much as possible and issued another command to Gregory.

“Finish it quickly.”

[Understood.]

Gregory burrowed into Britz’s mind.

“Ahhh, aaahhhhh!”

Britz, who had been screaming, suddenly bowed his head deeply.

Moments later, when he raised his head, his face bore the rigid expression and hollow gaze I remembered.

These were the distinctive traits of Gregory that I knew.

“Long time no see, Gregory. Do you remember me?”

“Of course. Legion Commander Gregory, at your service.”

Watching him salute, I introduced myself to him in a voice only Ivan couldn’t hear.

“My name is Deina Ripeon. I am the Princess, and I live as a human—remember that.”

“Is that the setting, then?”

‘…I’ve heard that question somewhere before.’

It wasn’t wrong, so I nodded reluctantly.

Gregory, now inhabiting Britz’s body, untied the rope himself and rose from his seat.

Though only our souls had been exchanged, I felt as though I’d somehow grown taller.

“What happened to Britz’s soul?”

“It’s wandering this room as a wandering spirit. I didn’t kill it just in case, but….”

“That’s fine. It’ll be far more agonizing than a peaceful ascension.”

This room was filled with the vengeful spirits of those who had died unjustly. They would repay Britz for everything he had inflicted upon them.

‘I’m hardly one to speak, having been a Demon myself… but I hope they find closure and ascend in peace.’

These were people with no relatives, no one to even offer prayers for their souls. I would have to instruct Gregory to build them graves afterward.

Ivan, who had been watching the situation with keen interest, quickly approached.

“Hey there! Junior! I’m Ivan.”

“…Junior?”

“Since I became the Princess’s subordinate first, I’m your senior. Right?”

It was clearly meant as a joke, but the recipient happened to be Gregory. He bowed respectfully and replied.

“Indeed. It’s an honor to meet you. Please call me Gregory.”

“Uh… what?”

Ivan’s expression turned awkward, clearly not expecting such a response.

“Don’t tease Gregory. He’s a born soldier—jokes don’t land with him.”

“What, he was a soldier? We won’t get along well then. More importantly, if this guy was a soldier, does that mean you’re actually…?”

Before Ivan could voice his reckless speculation, I turned to Gregory.

“How are your memories? I heard that possession has difficulty completely absorbing the body’s recollections.”

“There is some confusion, but it poses no problem for my activities.”

That was fortunate. If I had to teach Imperial etiquette from scratch, it would have been quite daunting.

I pointed toward the Corridor leading to the surface and spoke.

“Let’s talk as we go. There’s much I need to explain.”

“Yes.”

Thinking back on it now, I was truly fortunate that Gregory had been summoned. He never questioned any command, so unnecessary confusion never arose.

‘If it had been the Second Legion Commander… I don’t even want to imagine it.’

Had it been her, she would have surely seized my throat the moment she saw me, cursing, “You damned bastard!” She would have torn the city apart in her fury, demanding to know where I’d gone, leaving her behind.

After leaving the Manor, I instructed Ivan to keep watch of the surroundings. Only after he had withdrawn far enough that his voice could no longer be heard did I explain the situation.

“The truth is, I’ve been reincarnated as a human….”

The memories of my past life that had surfaced after I returned from death’s threshold, my relationship with the Emperor, and the current situation where I needed a partner.

I tried to explain as briefly as possible, but by the time I finished, half an hour had passed. Gregory, who had listened in silence throughout, nodded in understanding.

“I understand.”

“You truly comprehend? This isn’t the Demon Realm—it must be quite unfamiliar. Besides, you’ve never even been summoned to the Human Realm before.”

“Whatever world it may be, the fact that I follow Asmodina remains unchanged. I merely obey your commands.”

It was a response befitting Gregory.

“By the way, what are the other Legion Commanders doing?”

“Some guard their units, while others have retired and returned to their hometowns. And….”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“There are those who traverse the Demon Realm searching for Asmodina.”

“…I see.”

I could guess who that was. I smiled bitterly. At least it meant they were doing well, which was a relief.

“Aren’t you curious, Gregory? Why I suddenly vanished from the Demon Realm?”

I don’t know why I was reincarnated, but my last memories from the Demon Realm remained vivid and clear.

Gregory hesitated briefly at my words before shaking his head.

“It would be a lie to say I’m not curious. But if you don’t wish to speak of it, I won’t ask. What matters is that we are together with Asmodina here.”

Still the loyal subordinate.

A fresh wave of guilt washed over me for having disappeared without a word to someone so devoted.

He was likely referring to himself as the legion commander who protected the unit.

“Honestly, I’m curious about the Demon Realm too, but I won’t press you. I’m going to live as a human from now on.”

“Understood. I will keep that in mind and act accordingly.”

“Good.”

His discretion was one of Gregory’s greatest strengths. I patted his shoulder and said I was counting on him going forward.

He bowed his head respectfully before speaking.

“So, when should I assemble the troops?”

“Hm? Troops?”

“You said you would attend the banquet. We need to prepare soldiers to use at that time….”

“What are you talking about? Why would we need soldiers at a banquet?”

Gregory furrowed his brow, looking bewildered.

“Isn’t this the Trojan Horse operation from the Demon Realm?”

The Trojan Horse operation was a famous Demon Realm infiltration tactic—posing as a guest at the Banquet Hall, then causing chaos from within.

I responded with an exasperated expression.

“Did you not hear my explanation? I said I’m going to live as a human. I don’t want a situation where blood gets spilled!”

“Then… is it the Deception operation? A false flag attack…?”

“No! I’m simply going to eat at the banquet and come back. That’s all.”

Gregory’s mouth fell open in bewilderment, his eyes blinking. In the Demon Realm, he had a bear-like appearance, but wearing Britz Jabok’s face with that expression made him look rather endearing.

“But then we won’t be able to conquer the Empire, will we? Surely Asmodina would have intended all of this as a stepping stone to conquering the Empire…?”

“Erase all memories of Asmodina. I’m Deina now.”

“But… war, conquest, guerrilla tactics…”

In any case, his habit of connecting everything to warfare remained unchanged.

It was no wonder the Second Legion Commander called Gregory a “war-obsessed glutton.”

After that, I spent considerable time explaining to him the proper conduct and demeanor required of a human.

* * *

At last, the day of the Emperor’s banquet arrived.

In the meantime, I helped Gregory adjust to living naturally as Britz Jabok and prepared the clothes he would wear to the banquet.

Fortunately, the Empress assisted with this.

‘She came to me right after Jeina left, and I wondered what scheme she had in mind…’

At the time, she had come to warn me not to set my sights on Loreil. When I assured her there was no need to worry, she smiled with satisfaction and offered various forms of support.

‘To be honest, the clothes that Princess Deina wears are far too old-fashioned. They might suit someone older, but they’re not appropriate for someone your age. So let me introduce you to the Dressing Room I favor.’

Though she added assessments I hadn’t particularly wanted to hear, I still smiled gracefully since she’d paid for the dress.

Ivan’s jaw dropped when he saw me wearing a new dress for the first time in over a decade, courtesy of the Empress, and he said this:

“You really are a true Princess.”

Flabbergasted, I made him roll around on the Training Ground for an hour—the first time in ages. Gregory, witnessing this, wore an expression of profound satisfaction.

And so the banquet finally arrived.

I entered the Main Palace with Gregory at my side.

‘How many years has it been since I officially stepped foot in the Main Palace?’

By now, the interior layout had grown hazy in my memory.

As I made my awkward entrance into the Main Palace, the gazes of officials and servants followed me persistently throughout my walk. Gregory, sensing their stares, whispered to me:

“Shall we start a war?”

“I said no.”

Stop trying to subtly tempt me.

And don’t you dare be disappointed on your own.

I tapped his shoulder to snap him back to attention, then quickened my pace toward the Banquet Hall.

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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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