Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 74

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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 074

After confirming the gem’s effects, I immediately began preparing to return to the Capital. Once a gem had absorbed a curse, it became far too dangerous for an ordinary person to handle, so I had no choice but to retrieve it myself.

My plan was to repeat the process: retrieve the gem, expel the curse from it, and then have Ivan place it ahead on his travels once more.

Since we had no luggage to speak of, we decided to gather only provisions before departing Yoner Mine.

On the day we left, Alberto came to see us off at the entrance to his domain.

“Your Highness, the radiant Princess Chloe! I apologize for the abruptness of your visit—I wasn’t able to prepare a proper reception. Next time you grace us with your presence, I shall arrange a festival… or rather, a grand celebration!”

“No, please don’t worry. Thank you for your hospitality.”

I refused firmly, knowing that any ambiguous acceptance would result in him actually organizing a festival.

Alberto seemed disappointed, but understanding that I had pressing matters, he didn’t press further.

“By the way, I don’t see Loreil around?”

I hadn’t seen him since receiving the Node Diamond. I’d assumed he was on leave, but perhaps something had come up?

Alberto answered with a wry smile.

“We have a guest at the moment. I did tell him to at least come see you off, but he seems to be quite occupied…”

“It’s fine. I was just curious, not blaming him.”

In fact, I’d been worried he might press me further about the Node Diamond incident.

‘He hasn’t questioned me about the Demons since we reunited. Has he given up?’

When we’d crossed paths on the road to Gilli Port, he’d still regarded me with suspicion, but after our reunion, he’d become oddly docile.

He still seemed to believe I was a Demon, but unlike before, I sensed no will to expose my true nature.

Whether he’d truly given up or if something else had claimed his attention, I couldn’t say.

He’d been a worthwhile adversary to spar with, and I found myself missing that dynamic somewhat.

‘…No, what am I saying? Safety is paramount.’

I shook my head to dispel the foolish thoughts, accepted Alberto’s farewell, and departed from Yoner Mine.

“Liribel, could you gather the people I call for in the carriage? If space is tight, tell Ivan to ride his horse outside the window and listen from there.”

Seated in the carriage, I first assembled the group to discuss our upcoming plans.

Emma, Liribel, Ivan, Grid, and Chloe.

As for Chloe, I had told her to leave since there was no benefit to entangling her with me, but she clenched both fists and spoke thus.

‘I want to help the Princess. This is my choice!’

Having advised her to live by her own will, I could not oppose her resolve, so I reluctantly allowed her into the carriage as well.

‘Grid and Ivan must have already seen through my true nature, and Liribel was always on my side anyway, so that’s fine… but Emma worries me.’

Regardless of Ivan and Grid, who were business associates, Emma still felt distant to treat as a true ally. After all, I didn’t even know her true purpose.

Yet it was equally difficult to conduct my activities while hiding the circumstances from her, the head maid.

Perhaps sensing my concern, Emma, who had been sitting in the furthest corner, bowed respectfully and spoke.

“I swear that I will not divulge any secrets I hear. If it is difficult for you to trust me, I shall reveal my purpose and identity.”

“Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you wouldn’t speak about yourself.”

I had already suspected that Emma was no ordinary maid. Anyone who remained unfazed by the incidents and accidents that had occurred thus far could hardly be a common servant.

“Because you are someone who can fulfill my purpose, Your Highness.”

Though her words might have sounded somewhat presumptuous, I welcomed them instead. Someone lacking such audacity would be unable to participate in our plans ahead.

Thus, I explained our upcoming plans to the assembled allies.

“First, once we return, the spring social season will open soon. I intend to make my return debut there.”

Attaching the word “return” to a debutante ball, which happens only once in a lifetime, felt decidedly odd, but no better phrasing came to mind.

I held up two fingers and continued.

“Some of you may already know this, but I’ll explain once more. I have two objectives. First, to reclaim a stable life as the Princess. Second, to eliminate anyone who stands in my way.”

“By ‘anyone who stands in your way,’ do you mean the nobles you’re on bad terms with?”

I shook my head in response to Ivan’s question.

“No, to be precise, I mean to uncover whoever tried to kill me in the past.”

The mastermind behind the assassins who infiltrated the Separate Palace. And the identity of whoever attempted to curse me using a stake.

I couldn’t be certain if both forces were aligned, but it was clear they were enemies I would eventually have to defeat.

“I should be able to identify the assassins’ backer once I’m active in high society. I already have some suspects. The real problem is the person who cast the curse…”

Finding the source of a curse that had vanished without a trace was extraordinarily difficult. Especially in the Human Realm, where knowledge of curses was virtually nonexistent.

“I need all of your help. Each of you should gather information centered on the keyword ‘curse.’ Liribel and Emma, investigate among the servants of the Main Palace. Grid, among merchants. And Ivan, keep watch on every nobleman connected to me.”

Any nobleman or member of the Imperial Family who had secretly hired a curse practitioner would be a top priority for investigation.

As everyone acknowledged their tasks, Emma asked hesitantly.

“But Your Highness, does a curse contain magical power like magic does?”

She seemed unfamiliar with curses as a subject.

“How much do you know about curses, Emma?”

“I thought of them as divine punishment or a form of dark magic. People often speak of ‘curses from the Deity,’ after all.”

That was exactly how the common people defined curses. Noticing the others were curious as well, I gave a brief definition.

“A curse is a type of magic—a delayed-effect spell that causes misfortune to befall its target.”

In the Human Realm, natural magic like fire and ice were the mainstream, but the Demon Realm contained far more complex forms of magic. Curses were among them.

“It’s possible to weaken someone’s body so they catch colds easily, or to cause a carriage’s wheels to wear down and break.”

“Your example is quite trivial.”

“The stronger the curse, the more difficult it is to cast. Even such a small curse requires tremendous talent.”

This was why the concept of curses had fallen into disuse in the Human Realm. Unlike magic, which became accessible with sufficient training, curses demanded exceptional innate aptitude.

Moreover, negative power inevitably brought negative emotions. Even those born with talent often succumbed to malice before they could properly develop their abilities.

“Curses remain unknown to the public because the nobility has secretly monopolized curse casters among themselves.”

‘Or perhaps they simply eliminated any curse casters they couldn’t control.’

I kept the darker implications to myself. Unlike mages or knights, curse casters lacked physical strength, making their elimination almost inevitable.

“In other words, curse casters in the Empire are extremely rare, and if one is connected to the Imperial Palace, there’s a high probability they’re the one who cursed the Princess?”

“Precisely.”

I praised Emma’s concise summary.

“Remarkable. I had always considered curses to be mere superstition. I thought the curse or punishment of a Deity far more plausible, but….”

“A Deity can certainly curse as well, so you’re not entirely wrong. I simply didn’t include it as a primary suspect.”

In truth, I wanted to avoid the conclusion that a Deity was our enemy. This wasn’t the Demon Realm, after all.

Once my explanation concluded, those whose curiosity was satisfied began discussing our next steps.

“Then we should focus our search on curse casters. Should we investigate those with the most political rivals first?”

“Hmm, there are indeed several candidates who might resort to curses.”

“I’ve also seen a Chamberlain who showed interest in dark magic….”

Watching them discuss animatedly, a peculiar longing washed over me.

A cramped space, people united in purpose during deliberation… the memory of a military camp on a distant battlefield surfaced.

I harbored no desire to return to those days, yet I found myself missing this bustling atmosphere.

‘Now that I think about it, Ivan resembles Asmo-rina, and Emma bears a likeness to Gregory.’

As they engaged in their heated discussion, I too found myself gradually sinking into nostalgia.

The sight of those who were like family to me—people I could no longer see.

* * *

Inside the chaotic military camp, where the stench of blood hung thick in the air, one of the Tactical Officers cautiously voiced his opinion.

“Captain, we cannot push any further. We must retreat.”

Normally, his rank would not permit him to offer counsel to the Captain, but this time no one reproached him.

Asmodina’s condition was simply too grave.

“Any longer and the Captain’s life will be in mortal danger.”

A missing arm, pus seeping from her eyes, hair half-burned away, and a torn throat. Asmodina bore wounds so horrific that it would have been no surprise if she collapsed dead at any moment.

Knowing that her injuries were the price she had paid for venturing alone into enemy lines to cover the army’s retreat, her subordinates could not bring themselves to say another word.

Yet Asmodina, observing her subordinates, harbored entirely different thoughts.

‘At this rate, I’ve saved quite a few. If I can carve out an escape route one more time, everyone might make it back.’

If she could save so many people with just one remaining arm, wasn’t that a bargain?

The legion commanders would have spit blood if they’d heard such a thought.

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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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