Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 50

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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 050

 

“I can offer help, but what happened that caused your carriage to break down?”

 

I acted with a sympathetic expression as I greeted him.

 

Loreil hesitated for a moment before speaking.

 

“…We were attacked. When people like us pass through such remote places, we inevitably encounter those fake bandits.”

 

Fake bandits—it was a roundabout way of referring to assassins.

 

“Oh my, how terrible.”

 

“Didn’t they come after Your Highness as well?”

 

“Perhaps because my guards are competent, I haven’t encountered them directly.”

 

“I see.”

 

Loreil looked around. I noticed his gaze lingering briefly on the assassin disguised as a servant. He seemed to have a decent eye for people.

 

“I’m heading to Gilli Port on His Majesty the Emperor’s orders. What is your destination, Loreil?”

 

“Yoner Mine.”

 

Yoner Mine was located right before the port, which was our destination.

 

‘It’s not a route where he could turn back. In this case…’

 

Just as I was worried we might have to travel together all the way, Loreil spoke.

 

“I have no intention of interfering with Your Highness’s journey. Once the carriage is repaired, I’ll leave immediately.”

 

“Oh my, that wasn’t the intention behind my question.”

 

Though I smiled, I didn’t deny it. My desire not to get involved was genuine.

 

But something was strange. Loreil was giving up too easily for his usual self.

 

‘Normally, he would have found some excuse to follow along.’

 

He was the type of man who wouldn’t hesitate to set traps to expose my identity as a demon. Yet today he seemed unusually dispirited.

 

Somehow concerned, I ordered my servants to check Loreil’s carriage.

 

“Then I’ll be back, Your Highness.”

 

Not wanting his identity exposed to Loreil, Ivan was the first to leave. After glaring at him briefly, I turned back to Loreil.

 

“But what business do you have at Yoner Mine? I thought you were staying in the capital.”

 

“Family matters arose, so I had to leave the capital temporarily. I’m going to Yoner Mine to meet a friend.”

 

It sounded like an explanation with circumstances behind it.

 

‘There have been many rumors around Loreil recently. I shouldn’t pry too deeply.’

 

His origins, the deteriorating relationship with the Empress—these were heavy topics for me to meddle in.

 

“But about His Majesty’s orders…?”

 

“Ah, the Princess of Jins Kingdom is seeking asylum.”

 

I briefly explained the situation in Jins Kingdom. He seemed to know about the rebellion as well, nodding his head.

 

“I heard most of the royal family was either confined or executed. So Princess Chloe succeeded in her asylum.”

 

“Do you happen to know anything about the Princess?”

 

Well, Loreil pondered for a moment before answering.

 

“I heard Princess Chloe wasn’t very active in external affairs. The most famous story about her is that she was baptized at the Temple of the Lake.”

 

The Temple of the Lake referred to a famous religion in Jins Kingdom. Unlike the Empire, which established the Sun God as the state religion, Jins Kingdom was a nation that recognized diverse religions.

 

Among them, the Temple of the Lake was the most popular.

 

‘A lake… somehow ominous.’

 

Having encountered various gods in the Demon Realm, there was one particular being that came to mind when thinking of a lake god.

 

At least, it was someone who wasn’t lacking in claiming to be a god.

 

‘No, this is the Human Realm. Even if she was baptized, it’s not like we’ll be going to war.’

 

Just as I was trying to erase the fierce war I had with that being from my mind and was about to ask the next question.

 

“Y-Your Highness!”

 

Liribel came running toward me urgently. Without minding Loreil’s presence, she approached me and spoke in a desperate voice.

 

“Th-there are too many injured! Our carriage’s medical supplies aren’t nearly enough…”

 

“Injured?”

 

Wondering what this was about, I looked at Loreil, who tilted his head and said.

 

“I told you, didn’t I? That we were attacked by fake bandits.”

 

“Wasn’t it just the carriage that was damaged?”

 

“That was the most important problem.”

 

“What… of course the injured people are more important!”

 

But Loreil’s eyes showed no emotion. He rather asked back as if wondering why I was so angry.

 

“I already called for a rescue team. Only those who can move need to travel.”

 

“No, that’s not the point. If you had explained from the beginning that there were injured people…”

 

“Given the size of Your Highness’s carriage, transporting the injured seems impossible. Isn’t that right?”

 

His explanation was correct. The number of people Liribel reported was too many to fit in our carriage, and without a doctor, we couldn’t treat their wounds.

 

As he said, our capacity only allowed for carriage repairs.

 

But if he had mentioned the injured from the start, we could have at least provided for their comfort. Like protecting them from other attackers.

 

At least we could have eased the minds of those suffering in pain from their injuries.

 

Of course, it wouldn’t have helped much with survival, but…

 

“…No, you’re right, Loreil.”

 

Knowing I’d get a response like ‘as long as they didn’t die, that’s enough,’ I sighed and stepped back.

 

“Loreil seems to have the constitution of a soldier.”

 

“Thank you for the compliment.”

 

To take that as a compliment—he was remarkable in many ways.

 

Come to think of it, Gregory used to be exactly like this in the old days.

 

‘Then there’s no point in talking.’

 

I told Liribel to take care of the injured as much as possible. Our schedule would be delayed a bit, but that was within acceptable limits.

 

“Since it’s getting late, first let Loreil get some rest…”

 

Just as I was about to arrange a camping spot for Loreil.

 

“…Take cover!”

 

An arrow came flying from somewhere.

 

Loreil urgently grabbed my arm and made me duck. For reference, I had judged this arrow wasn’t on a trajectory to hit me, so I had no intention of dodging.

 

“It’s an attack, Your Highness!”

 

Loreil calmly surveyed the surroundings.

 

“They seem to be the same ones who targeted my carriage. First, let’s gather the guards…!”

 

He seemed to be trying to assess the situation, but I had already finished my analysis.

 

‘About 20 enemies. Since I didn’t sense their presence, they seem to have run from far away. Weapons are bows and swords, their formation is neat even without a leader… soldiers. Someone’s private army.’

 

Their skill was stronger than the assassins Ivan brought, but weaker than Ivan.

 

In other words, they were pathetic.

 

‘Ivan… he wisely evacuated Liribel.’

 

Looking around, I saw Ivan evacuating Liribel and the other ordinary servants to the carriage.

 

He seemed about to come this way afterward, but I shook my head briefly.

 

‘Stay there and protect the servants. I’ll handle this side.’

 

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon nodded.

 

I spoke to Loreil, who had spread his hand as if to protect me.

 

“Loreil, our guards are also short-handed…”

 

“It can’t be helped. Don’t leave my side.”

 

Or, he asked while drawing his sword.

 

“Would you help a little?”

 

“…Surely not. You’re expecting too much from a frail princess like me.”

 

I don’t even have a sword, I said, spreading both hands.

 

But he glanced at me with cold eyes, then turned back toward the enemies.

 

Naturally, he didn’t seem to believe my words.

 

“Then just try to dodge well.”

 

“I’ll do my best.”

 

As if I’d be defeated by soldiers of that level.

 

‘You might get hurt, but I won’t.’

 

I wanted to say that, but I held back with effort.

 

Soon, the soldiers’ attack began.

 

They ignored the servants and rushed straight toward us.

 

There was no signal about who to target or orders on how to fight, but as if moving in perfect coordination, they pointed their weapons only at us.

 

‘Their coordination is excellent compared to their skill level. As soldiers, they’re quite competent…’

 

That meant they were likely soldiers from a prestigious family.

 

Just then, several arrows flew toward me as I was observing the situation.

 

Perhaps not expecting me to just stand there, Loreil, who was standing in front blocking attacks, said urgently.

 

“Your Highness, you must take cover…!”

 

I acted scared and tilted my head. The arrow grazed past my head.

 

“Oh my, how frightening.”

 

Arrow attacks travel in straight lines anyway. It meant I’d be safe as long as I wasn’t standing in their trajectory. I dodged the following three or four arrows by slightly moving my body.

 

“…”

 

Loreil looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

 

I pointed in front of him and said.

 

“Sir, do you have time to be distracted?”

 

When ten people with swords are charging at you.

 

“Urgh…!”

 

He looked like he had a lot to say, but ultimately gritted his teeth and began facing the enemy again.

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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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