Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 70

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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 070

 

Grid shrugged his shoulders and continued his story.

 

“Loreil and his subordinates suddenly appeared and completely defeated the mercenary group. Unlike the fight between Ivan and Ruslara, it was a very systematic battle.”

 

“…Somehow, it sounds like you just kept hiding and observing the whole time.”

 

“I’m just a weak merchant, how could I join in the fighting?”

 

Grid’s intentions were obvious anyway. Since he was only asked to deliver supplies, fighting wasn’t his responsibility.

 

In any case, the sudden appearance of Loreil was more problematic than the annoying Grid right now.

 

“Where did that man come from? It’s not like we sent a request for support, right?”

 

“At least I didn’t do such a thing. Ivan and Ruslara seemed to be the same.”

 

Moreover, Loreil had apparently finished the aftermath perfectly. He interrogated the mercenaries and even uncovered the source of their funding.

 

Of course, they didn’t reveal the client’s name, but from the circumstances, it was definitely Franz.

 

“Thanks to that, we could quickly resolve the situation and come straight here to Yoner Mine where Your Highness is.”

 

“Yoner Mine?”

 

It was the name of an area near Gilli Port. But this area’s name seemed familiar somehow.

 

‘I feel like someone mentioned this place…’

 

As I was recalling the hazy memory, Grid let out a deep sigh and said.

 

“Anyway, thanks to that, while others were interrogating the princess’s guard knights, I had to run around everywhere alone. Organizing supplies, calling back the personnel left at the port…”

 

‘He must have had a hard time.’

 

His tone was light, but fatigue was clearly visible on his face and in his gestures.

 

Since the payment for this job was the spirit’s promotion, I should take a look at his spirit as soon as we return to the capital.

 

“…This is what happened after Your Highness fainted. Now for the next matter.”

 

He pointed to a small cabin in the forest behind him and said.

 

“Loreil is waiting there. When he heard that Your Highness had awakened, he told me to bring you to him.”

 

“It’s not a trap, is it?”

 

“…You two aren’t really dating, are you?”

 

“Why does that story keep coming up?”

 

Do you want to get hit?

 

When I slightly raised my clenched fist, he hurriedly backed away and said.

 

“It’s not that, but earlier Loreil said something similar. He saw Your Highness sleeping and asked if you were actually pretending…”

 

‘Why is that man so suspicious?’

 

He’s the one with a history of setting traps, yet anyone would think I’m the bad person.

 

“Sigh, fine. Since he helped us, meeting him is the least I can do.”

 

I straightened my clothes and headed toward the cabin. I didn’t forget to give Grid a final order.

 

“Seeing that Loreil came, Ivan must have hidden himself… Tell Ruslara to rest. Tell him to recuperate until his wounds are fully healed.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“And you worked hard too, so rest a bit. I won’t call you until we return to the capital. Thank you for listening to my request.”

 

Grid blinked for a moment as if he hadn’t expected words of gratitude, then soon let out a chuckle.

 

“In the end, we failed in our mission to stop the mercenary group, so you don’t need to praise me. Call me anytime you need me. Being ordered around by Your Highness isn’t a bad feeling.”

 

Of course, I’ll have to receive payment, he added before instantly disappearing into the darkness.

 

Still thinking he was a peculiar merchant, I walked toward the cabin.

 

Knock knock, when I knocked on the door, a familiar voice came from inside.

 

“It’s open. Please come in.”

 

When I opened the door and went inside, I felt the warm heat from the fireplace. Loreil was sitting in a chair next to a table placed in front of the fireplace.

 

‘He seems to have gotten a bit haggard since I last saw him.’

 

His complexion looked paler than before.

 

“It’s been a while, Loreil.”

 

I sat down in front of him. And skipping the time-wasting pleasantries, I got straight to the point.

 

“I heard you helped my guards. I’m deeply grateful. I’ll definitely repay this debt someday.”

 

However, I added.

 

“I’d like to ask just one thing. How did you know we were fighting? I heard you appeared at a very dramatic timing.”

 

“…For someone who received help, your tone is quite aggressive.”

 

“I’m sorry if it sounds rude. Lately, I’ve come to really hate the words ‘coincidentally’ and ‘unfortunately.'”

 

With even an earthquake happening by coincidence, I couldn’t ignore any minor incident.

 

Above all, Loreil and I were political rivals by position. That meant we were opponents who could fight anytime, anywhere.

 

At my words, Loreil sighed.

 

“Your Highness didn’t pay any attention to what I said.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Do you know where this is?”

 

‘Why is he suddenly asking about the location?’

 

I answered in a reluctant voice.

 

“I heard it’s around Yoner Mine.”

 

“And the place where your subordinates fought is also around here.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…Still nothing comes to mind?”

 

Seeing the question mark on my face, Loreil laughed briefly, “Ha, ha.” Somehow his expression seemed colder than before.

 

“This is my destination. Yoner Mine.”

 

“…Ah!”

 

Only then did a certain scene flash through my mind.

 

‘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 was the conversation I had with Loreil when I met him just before passing through the City of Viscount Gorden!

 

‘Wait, then Loreil was staying at Yoner Mine when he suddenly heard fighting nearby, so he came out to check, and then discovered my subordinates and helped them…’

 

This was truly a coincidence. And for once, it was good fortune that rolled in, not misfortune.

 

Without realizing it, an exclamation of “Wow” escaped me.

 

“…I forgot.”

 

Loreil said indifferently.

 

“I thought so.”

 

“It’s not that I forgot on purpose…”

 

“I’m sure. I can feel a sincerity I couldn’t sense until now.”

 

He kept being sarcastic, but since I had misunderstood and even suspected him on my own, I had nothing to say even with two mouths.

 

With the feeling of wanting to hide in a mouse hole, I averted my gaze.

 

Then he continued speaking in a still mocking voice.

 

“Looking at it roughly, it seemed like an urgent situation. So it’s understandable that you’d forget. Of course, I didn’t expect to be asked why I came to help…”

 

“I, I’m sorry about that. I really didn’t know it was a coincidence.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

He crossed his arms and muttered as if slightly offended.

 

“In the first place, if you had remembered that I was here, you wouldn’t have been cornered. If you had requested my support, I could have quickly…”

 

“No, wait a minute. Why would I ask you for help?”

 

I interrupted him and asked back.

 

“Even if I knew you were here, I wouldn’t have asked for help, would I? After all, you’re from the Prime Minister’s family, and I’m from the Imperial Family…”

 

We’re political rivals, so why would I cooperate with you unless I was crazy?

 

The reason I left Gilli Port in the first place was because the local nobles were part of the anti-Emperor faction.

 

At my words, Loreil’s eyes wavered for a moment.

 

Like someone who had been struck at an unexpected weak point, a faint blush seemed to cross his cheeks.

 

“That’s… right.”

 

He caught his breath for a moment.

 

“That was a slip of the tongue. Neither Your Highness nor I are in a position to do such a thing.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

And then followed an awkward silence.

 

Loreil was the one who misspoke, but I don’t know why I’m feeling awkward too. For some reason, it felt like I shouldn’t ask why he made such a mistake.

 

After a long while, he cleared his throat and began to speak.

 

“Anyway, helping Your Highness’s subordinates was purely coincidental. They were fighting while shouting so desperately about needing to return to Your Highness’s side that I wondered if something had happened, so I came here to find out…”

 

Loreil continued speaking while still avoiding my gaze.

 

“You look healthy.”

 

“Yes, well. I just pushed myself a little too hard.”

 

“That’s a relief. And I think I need to report the full details of this incident to my friend who manages the Yoner Mine. Since there was a battle with casualties, as the lord, he wants to hear the circumstances.”

 

“Ah, of course.”

 

Since a bloody fight had broken out in front of his house, as the owner, he had every right to hear about the situation.

 

“Understood. Then I’ll arrange a meeting tomorrow morning. He’s quite shy around strangers, so I might come alone, but that’s…”

 

Loreil, who had been delivering his message in a business-like manner, suddenly stopped mid-sentence and stared intently at my face.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Wondering if something was on my face, I touched my cheek, but he asked in a much lower voice.

 

“The wound on your neck, what happened?”

 

“My neck?”

 

As I touched my neck, I finally noticed there was a faint scar remaining on it.

 

‘Ah, that’s where the necklace was.’

 

It was a trace from the necklace that the mercenary had pulled when Princess Chloe was taken hostage. I remembered the necklace breaking when he flew away from my attack, and it seemed to be a wound from that time.

 

“It happened during a scuffle with a mercenary.”

 

“A scuffle? What exactly did you do to get a wound on your neck…”

 

“That mercenary grabbed and yanked my necklace. I guess that’s how I got hurt.”

 

Loreil held his breath for a moment. Then suddenly, with a calm expression and a voice raised by one tone, he asked.

 

“I see. Where is that mercenary now?”

 

“Ah, my guard should have captured him.”

 

“So then.”

 

He asked again.

 

“Where exactly is that?”

 

Why is he asking that? Was he actually interested in my necklace?

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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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