Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 56

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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 056

The second day of treatment progressed far more swiftly than I had anticipated.

The reason was none other than Viscount Gorden’s selfless assistance.

“I’ve brought all the remaining patients to the buildings near the Castle. There’s no need for you to travel far anymore.”

I had visited private homes personally to treat patients so as not to burden those whose stamina had deteriorated. When questioned why he would do such a thing, Viscount Gorden assured me not to worry.

“I mobilized every carriage in the City to transport the patients. Not a single one had to take even a step.”

When I asked where he found such manpower and time.

“The healthy ones among those saved by Her Highness the Princess helped throughout the night. We are all perfectly fine, so please don’t worry.”

With his eyes bloodshot crimson, he spoke those words, and I could do nothing but offer a single phrase of gratitude for his efforts.

Yet still, he was overwhelmed with emotion and thanked me repeatedly.

‘Did he receive so little praise as a child?’

His reaction was excessive enough to warrant such a thought.

In any case, thanks to him, I completed the treatments far faster than I had expected. Though I experienced aftereffects once more during the process, after resting for two or three hours, I was able to move without issue.

By the time all the residents had been treated, the sun had already begun to set gently on the horizon.

‘Now then, what comes next….’

I immediately sought out the Lake at the City’s center, the one responsible for the water supply. Once I eliminated the source of magical energy here, this City would be safe.

Ivan spoke to me as I surveyed the Lake.

“So, Your Highness, there really is a source of contamination over there?”

“Yes. I can see it. It’s settled at the bottom of the Lake.”

I couldn’t pinpoint its exact appearance, but I could certainly discern its location.

“Just like I did with the patient, if I touch that thing, I’ll be able to absorb the magical energy.”

“But you said the magical power is strong enough to sicken an entire City. Wouldn’t that be dangerous for you too, Princess?”

“Normally, yes. But I’m different. I have special means.”

At first glance, the magical energy was indeed tremendous, but not beyond my capacity to absorb.

I could drink it directly myself, or I could refine it into a crystalline form and transport it.

‘The medium for creating mana crystals is gemstones. And thanks to being part of the Imperial Family, I have plenty of high-quality jewels.’

If all else failed, I could simply take it with me directly. I wasn’t the type to contract Mana Sickness anyway.

“Hmm, understood. Then should I go in and retrieve this contamination source? We can’t extract it from here, right?”

At Ivan’s words, I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“Did you not listen to my explanation? Touching that will immediately cause Mana Sickness. You’re not an exception.”

“Then how do we extract it?”

“I’ll have to go in myself.”

“…What?”

I tied back my hair and rolled up my sleeves. Then I stretched my muscles this way and that to ensure there would be no cramping.

At that moment, Ivan and Liribel suddenly approached and spoke.

“W-what are you saying, Princess! Do you know what season it is?”

“Winter, isn’t it?”

“Yes! You could freeze to death if you go in!”

“Don’t worry. I can block out the cold.”

Shielding myself from cold with magical energy was a simple matter.

“I… I see…”

Ivan, who had been listening, let out a hollow laugh.

“I always think this, but the Princess never fails to exceed expectations. An Imperial Family member falling into a lake… have you no shame?”

“This outfit may look like it, but it’s actually activewear—it won’t become transparent. Besides, is this really the time to worry about propriety?”

If rumors spread that the Princess was swimming in the lake, it would certainly be troublesome, but I was too exhausted to concern myself with such trivial gossip.

“There’s no other way. I’m the only one who can enter the lake.”

Finally convinced by my words, Liribel told me to wait a moment and rushed toward the Castle. Not long after, she returned carrying several towels and a coat.

“You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful!”

I smiled wryly and thanked her, then turned my body back toward the lake.

I tied back my hair, removed my shoes, and spoke to the two of them.

“I’ll be back shortly. Don’t worry and wait for me.”

Then I dove into the lake.

With a splash, I plunged into the water, then drew up my magical power and wrapped it around my body. The cold vanished, and my body felt lighter.

‘Thank heavens the lake hasn’t frozen. Now, let me see… the source of contamination is… over there.’

Moving my limbs swiftly, I advanced toward the center of the lake. At the bottom, bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun, lay the source of contamination I had been seeking.

Upon seeing its true form, I furrowed my brow.

‘It’s just a stone?’

The object emanating such tremendous magical power was nothing more than an ordinary stone that appeared utterly unremarkable. I lifted it and examined it from every angle.

The stone bore no trace of magic, no hint of mystery whatsoever.

For someone who had anticipated finding a relic sealing a spirit, an ancient weapon’s engine, or some remnant of the Demon King, this was a disappointing discovery.

‘No, rather I should be relieved it’s not something extraordinary? But why does this stone contain magical energy?’

Magical energy doesn’t manifest without reason. There had to be an explanation.

I turned the stone over in my hands, examining it from every angle. Then, as it caught the golden light of the setting sun, I finally understood what this stone truly was.

‘What? That’s all it was?’

The revelation was so anticlimactic after all my struggle and worry that laughter escaped me unbidden.

All this chaos caused by mere coincidence. It was absurd—something I’d never encountered even in my previous life.

‘Let me just absorb it and be done with this. No point wasting more time.’

I focused my mind and extracted the magical energy from the stone. Fortunately, drawing it into my body was effortless. In moments like these, I was grateful for the soul of a Demon King’s bloodline—capable of holding infinite magical energy.

Having absorbed every trace of the stone’s magical power, I swam back toward the surface where Liribel and Ivan were waiting.

The moment my face broke through the water’s surface—

“Pfft—! Liribel, Ivan, you won’t believe what I… huh?”

I found myself staring into dozens, hundreds of eyes fixed upon me.

“…?”

Stunned, my body froze as I looked around in bewilderment. Then Liribel rushed toward me in a panic.

“Kyaa! Oh no! Cover yourself, Princess!”

She frantically wrapped towels and her coat around me. In an instant, I transformed from a drowned rat into a walking ball of fabric.

I turned to Ivan, who remained relatively composed.

“What’s happening?”

He shrugged.

“Exactly what you see. The city residents have been watching Princess’s exploits.”

Hundreds of eyes encircled the lake, and they all belonged to the villagers.

The villagers had appeared without warning, forming a perfect circle around the lake as they stared at me with unwavering intensity.

I wondered if they had simply come to witness how the contamination would be cleansed, but something about their demeanor felt profoundly unsettling.

Some knelt in prayer, others gazed skyward with tears streaming down their faces, and still others shielded their eyes as though unable to bear the sight, yet refused to leave. Their expressions were utterly incomprehensible to me.

The most extreme among them was Viscount Gorden.

His eyes were wide open, as though he couldn’t afford to miss a single moment of this scene. He didn’t blink at all, which was rather unsettling.

Liribel approached me cautiously, sensing my bewilderment, and whispered carefully.

“Actually, shortly after Princess Deina entered the lake, an intense light burst forth. The villagers gathered after witnessing that.”

‘Light? Ah, it must have been the stone.’

It seemed the radiance had emanated as I absorbed the magical energy contained within the stone.

I should have hidden somewhere to absorb it instead.

“Those people are calling it a miracle.”

“It’s merely a magical effect.”

“I’m not sure that explanation will convince them.”

Liribel offered a wry smile.

“Let’s return for now. I have things to explain about this stone anyway.”

After shaking off most of the water, I removed several layers of my coat and began walking toward the street.

The moment we reached the crowd.

“Ah, blessed saint.”

“Long live Princess Deina!”

The villagers dropped to their knees in unison, their voices rising in praise.

Yet they parted before me like the earth itself had split open, ensuring my path remained clear.

‘Please, enough of this….’

Such excessive reverence brought me no joy. All I had done was absorb the magical energy—nothing more.

I rose with an uncomfortable expression and urged them to stand, but they remained motionless.

“Viscount Gorden!”

I shot him a desperate look, silently pleading for him to do something about this. But he was equally lost in the moment.

“Ah, that radiant light, a miracle… truly, the Princess is… bearing the Emperor’s qualities….”

He continued muttering words I could scarcely comprehend.

There was only one option left—to escape this place as quickly as possible.

“Ivan, Liribel! Let’s go!”

I bolted toward the Castle.

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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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