Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 58

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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 058

“I’m not suggesting you blame others. Simply that you observe those around you and take responsibility… Why do you ask?”

I stared blankly at Emma, and she furrowed her brow.

“Ah, no. It’s just that I’ve heard similar words before.”

The Captain of the 2nd Legion—Asmo-rina—had once given me a lecture much like this.

‘Why do you only act like a soldier when taking responsibility? Would anyone kill you for blaming others? Ugh, how frustrating!’

…Of course, Emma’s manner was far more refined.

Emma responded to my words with surprise.

“If that were truly the case, then that person must have been someone capable of viewing Princess Deina objectively.”

“I suppose so….”

Asmo-rina and objectivity—the most incompatible pairing in the world.

“But why suddenly bring up a soldier analogy? Are you well acquainted with soldiers, Emma?”

“I had a connection once. Like Princess Deina, they were someone who regarded their own incompetence as their greatest sin.”

For a moment, sorrow flickered across Emma’s eyes.

But as if she had no wish to speak of those circumstances, she quickly returned to her stoic expression.

“In any case, now that you understand this misfortune is no longer mere coincidence, all that remains is to uncover its cause.”

“Can we find it?”

“We can. If it is you, Princess Deina.”

Unwavering conviction gleamed in Emma’s eyes.

“Have you not already overcome trials far greater than this? No hardship is as difficult as crossing the threshold of death.”

Her words resonated deeply with me. I found myself recalling what I had once said to the Emperor.

To subtly draw upon my past accomplishments and offer comfort—thanks to that, my spirits lifted considerably.

“Emma, you’re quite the eloquent speaker. I’ve reassessed my opinion of you.”

At my compliment, she bowed her head gracefully.

“Thank you for the praise. If the new servants would listen to my words as attentively, I would ask for nothing more.”

“They don’t listen to you?”

“Well, since they come from all manner of districts….”

After that, Emma and I conversed for some time. I had assumed her to be utterly colorless in all matters, yet she proved surprisingly pleasant to talk with. She possessed a remarkable ability to guide conversation smoothly, not merely through mundane topics, but through words infused with genuine refinement and depth.

It felt less like speaking with a head maid and more like conversing with a noblewoman.

‘Why was she so cold before?’

Whether her past demeanor or her present one revealed her true nature, I still could not discern.

“…Now that I think of it, I understand the Temple of the Lake is quite renowned in Jins Kingdom.”

Our conversation eventually turned to the Temple of the Lake in Jins Kingdom.

“That’s right. I’ve heard it has the most followers. Do you know anything about the Temple of the Lake, Emma?”

“I’m not well-versed in the details. I only know that it is said to be a deity who grants wishes to those who pray with sincere hearts.”

Granting wishes—that much was not inaccurate.

I recalled the Lake Deity I had encountered in the Demon Realm and smiled wryly.

“It does grant them. Though there’s a caveat: ‘in whatever form it deems fit.'”

“You mean it grants wishes in ways one does not desire?”

“Something like that. Emma, do you happen to know the legend of the monkey’s paw?”

“I don’t know.”

I briefly explained the Monkey’s Paw—a legendary artifact famous throughout the Demon Realm.

The legend held that when one made a wish upon the mummified paw, miracles would occur as each finger bent in turn.

The defining characteristic was that wishes were granted in ways the owner never intended—much like the Lake Deity.

‘Though the Lake Deity in the Human Realm doesn’t seem to possess such power.’

If the Lake Deity’s true might from the Demon Realm were realized here, the Temple of the Lake would never have ended in such a pitiful state.

“In any case, you mustn’t place too much faith in deities. They are two-faced beings by nature. Similarly, it’s wise to remain cautious of the Temple of the Lake.”

“…Is the Sun God the same?”

‘Oh no, was that too blasphemous?’

I felt a twinge of guilt for saying something I shouldn’t have to an Imperial citizen, but Emma’s eyes held no anger. Instead, she seemed to be waiting for me to confirm her suspicion.

“Well…”

Just then, the carriage began to move.

It seemed our stop had come to an end.

“…Then I shall take my leave.”

Emma offered a respectful bow and departed the carriage, clearly having no intention of remaining any longer.

Perhaps she had decided she shouldn’t hear my answer to her final question, for her exit was swifter than her entrance.

‘Emma must have her own circumstances.’

A soldier and the Sun God.

Her situation seemed far too heavy for me to intrude upon carelessly.

* * *

We finally arrived at our destination: Gilli Port.

Even after departing from the City of the Baron of Golden, we found ourselves entangled in one incident after another.

Rescuing a merchant’s daughter who had been kidnapped by bandits, quelling a ghostly disturbance that erupted in the ruins of a temple, defeating a strange figure who called himself a dark sorcerer—the list went on.

Fortunately, unlike the mana plague crisis, these matters resolved swiftly. Still, it was undeniable that we had encountered far too many incidents for the duration of our journey.

Ivan, in his tactlessness, had even remarked:

“Traveling with the Princess certainly leaves no room for boredom.”

For which he received a glare of fury from Liribel.

In any case, we arrived safely without casualties, which was a blessing. I took in the sight of the bustling port city with my own eyes.

‘Arriving on schedule is nothing short of a miracle. The Princess’s ship should be arriving at… where exactly was it again?’

Just then, a vessel bearing the flag of Jins Kingdom appeared on the distant waters. We made our way to the docking area and waited for the ship to reach the port.

Soon the ship pulled into dock, and the delegation from Jins Kingdom emerged.

It was a small contingent—fewer than ten people even when counting both servants and guards.

From the center of the group, a woman dressed unmistakably as a princess approached with uncertain steps.

‘Her hair is quite unusual.’

The princess’s hair was such a vivid pink that one might suspect it had been dyed. Her eyes were the same striking hue.

With coloring so distinctive, I found it curious that rumors had not spread.

‘They said she was the King’s cherished daughter. Given that even Loreil knew little about her, perhaps the royal palace had deliberately suppressed information.’

While such thoughts occupied my mind, she arrived before me.

“I, I greet the Princess of the Empire.”

She bowed, her limbs trembling slightly—hardly a perfect gesture, but I paid it no mind and returned the courtesy with a bow of my own.

“Welcome, Princess Chloe. We are honored to receive you in the Ripeon Empire. I am Deina Ripeon, and I extend my greetings to you….”

“Um, excuse me. Would it be alright if I lifted your veil?”

“I beg your pardon?”

Princess Chloe suddenly reached toward my veil. Startled by such unexpected rudeness, I stumbled backward—only to collide with Ivan behind me. The impact sent my veil tumbling to the ground.

“Ah, yes. Those eyes….”

Princess Chloe gazed upon my eyes and murmured in a voice trembling with emotion.

“The oracle spoke true.”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’s nothing at all.”

She shook her head vigorously.

“I’ve truly, truly wanted to meet you, Princess Deina.”

“Why would you…?”

Propriety dictated that I should have responded with polite pleasantries, but no one had ever greeted me with such warmth before. I found myself asking for her reasons instead.

Princess Chloe seemed equally flustered, as though she hadn’t prepared an answer to such a question.

“Ah, well… I’ve been admiring you! Your Highness.”

“Is my reputation truly worthy of such admiration?”

“Ah, um. That is….”

She could not answer.

Aside from recent events, the only reputation I possessed in the Jins Kingdom was that of the Cursed Princess. Why would she claim to admire me?

‘Could she be a dark magic fanatic like Liribel?’

I glanced back at Liribel. Sure enough, thinking me one of her own kind, her eyes had come alive with interest.

‘Though I absolutely do not believe that.’

A Follower of the Lake God favoring demons? I would sooner believe the Sun God loves humanity.

“…In any case, shall we proceed to your lodgings? You must be exhausted from such a long voyage.”

Suspicious as I was, she remained a guest and deserved proper courtesy. I attempted to guide her to the accommodations the Imperial Palace had arranged in advance.

“I…”

Then Princess Chloe pressed close to my side and spoke hesitantly.

“M-might I hold your hand?”

“…Why?”

The atmosphere was growing increasingly strange.

“The long voyage has left me dizzy. If you would hold my hand, I believe it would help…”

The way she glanced up at me repeatedly evoked the image of a small, helpless creature.

Yet suspicion seized me first.

I could see naked fear glimmering in her eyes.

It was as though she felt a peculiar compulsion—to approach something frightening and terrible.

‘To use an analogy… like a new circus performer approaching a lion.’

The comparison left me deeply uneasy.

I quietly withdrew my hand from her grasp.

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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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