Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 75

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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 075

Asmodina’s tactics had always followed the same pattern. Possessed by an absolute certainty that she would never die, she unhesitatingly plunged into the heart of enemy territory and threw herself forward for the sake of her allies.

Her strategic objective was singular: minimize casualties and achieve victory.

Of course, she did not count herself among those casualties.

With her overwhelming regenerative capacity, she could heal even grievous wounds within a single day, and thus she paid no heed to warnings.

Whenever someone urged her to take care of herself,

she would dismiss it lightly, thinking, “But this is the path that saves the most lives.”

The only ones who could truly oppose her tactics were the Legion Commanders themselves.

“There she goes again with that irritating train of thought.”

Once more, Asmo-rina was the first to step forward. She fixed Asmodina with a blazing glare.

“We’ve already saved everyone worth saving. From here on out, anyone who falls behind deserves to die anyway, so stop worrying about it!”

As if reading Asmodina’s thoughts—that she was about to throw herself forward once more to open an escape route—Asmo-rina spat out her curse.

“Look at you, acting like some righteous sage. Do you have some disease that kills you if you’re not the protagonist?”

At Asmo-rina’s violent words, Asmodina’s brow furrowed.

“Do not speak carelessly, Commander of the 2nd Legion. Minimizing casualties is a commander’s natural duty….”

“Then assign that role to someone else! There are plenty of them here!”

Asmo-rina gestured toward the other Demons in the Military Camp.

“Hand it over to these foolish brutes, or give it to one of our other commanders! Do you think we can’t open a single escape route? I’ve killed over ten Deities myself!”

Though overshadowed by Asmodina’s achievements, the Demons gathered here were formidable warriors capable of standing against armies numbering in the thousands and tens of thousands.

But Asmodina did not affirm her words. Frustrated by this, Asmo-rina raised her voice.

“If you cannot trust us, then we should all face this together instead…!”

“It is not that I distrust my Subordinates, Asmo-rina. I trust you.”

“Then why insist on remaining alone!”

Asmodina, who had addressed her daughter by name rather than rank, spoke her final words.

“It is because… I am stronger than you.”

“….”

She assessed it plainly: the reason she would not entrust this operation to them was that they were weaker than her.

At those words, not only Asmo-rina but all her Subordinates fell silent.

None could refute it. Even if they combined the full strength of every executive present in this room, it could not match the power of Asmodina alone—this fact was undeniable.

There was not a single executive here who did not owe their life to Asmodina.

A crushing sense of helplessness pressed heavily upon their shoulders.

“A true military commander would call such a method the worst strategy. But we are different. Each of us has our role, our optimal purpose. Asmo-rina, as my daughter, you understand this, don’t you?”

“…Damn it!”

The fact that her words held truth only deepened Asmo-rina’s fury. She muttered a curse and brought her fist down upon the table with a resounding crash.

She could not deny it. This was indeed how the position of Captain had always been consumed.

To die most effectively in the most fitting place.

Such was the fate of a Demon Clan Captain.

As the Demon Kings had done throughout the ages. Like expendable weapons.

Judging by history thus far, she was the Captain who performed her role most excellently. The only difference was that the frequency of her doing so far exceeded that of all her predecessors.

Asmodina stifled a brief cough, as if blood were rising in her throat, before continuing.

“I’m not saying I’ll handle every operation. Each of us has our role. This time simply happened to be mine.”

“…So in the end, your own death is your own responsibility, is that it?”

“Rina.”

“Don’t call me that like you did when I was a child. It’s irritating.”

Unwilling to remain in the meeting any longer, Asmo-rina pushed back from her seat and stormed toward the exit.

Unable to contain the fury welling up inside her, a torrent of demonic energy poured forth with each step she took.

Watching her departure with sorrow, Asmodina unwound the bandages that had covered her eyes. The weeping wounds had healed in the interim, and her eyes had returned to their original crimson hue.

“Then, let me explain the operation again. If anyone has objections, speak freely.”

Thus the meeting—whose conclusion was already predetermined—resumed. Even after hearing that their commander would sacrifice herself, the officers remained in their seats.

They had to devise strategies, by any means necessary, to lighten her burden even slightly.

Only Asmo-rina, unable to bear this unreasonable situation, remained outside the Military Camp, spewing bitter curses.

“Damn it all. What’s the point of being a soldier if it’s like this?”

When would her turn finally come?

Would this accursed war ever end?

Asmo-rina gazed up at the desolate sky of the Demon Realm, swallowing her hatred in silence.

* * *

“Hey.”

And Asmo-rina’s eyes snapped open.

“Don’t tell me you were sleeping just now?”

When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring at the man gazing down at her.

Black hair and crimson eyes—the unmistakable colors of a Demon, identical to her own mother’s. The sight caught her attention immediately.

For a moment, her mood brightened, but the realization that she was in the Human Realm made her curse under her breath.

“Damn it, the air tastes stale here.”

“…I’m not entirely sure what sensation you’re referring to.”

Loreil, the man who had confirmed that Asmo-rina had awakened, settled onto the sofa across from her.

Only then did Asmo-rina realize she had been lying on the sofa, fast asleep.

‘How pathetic. My human body grows drowsy after merely four nights without rest. The flesh is far too fragile.’

She stretched and rose from her seat, surveying her surroundings.

“Has that human guest left?”

“Yes, though I couldn’t even see them out because of you.”

“Why not?”

“How could I possibly leave after seeing this mess?”

Loreil surveyed the room with an expression of utter bewilderment. What had once been an elegantly appointed chamber, adorned with antique furnishings and decorative pieces, was now completely overgrown with the tree roots Asmo-rina had created.

“I needed to ensure the Princess didn’t enter this room. There was no time to spare.”

“That human princess isn’t a Demon anyway. Even if she came in, she’d simply assume it’s an unusual interior design choice. Besides, I told you before—these roots completely block all surrounding energy. Not a trace of my magical power will leak out.”

Given how many sought her demise, Asmo-rina always established a concealment barrier before allowing herself to rest.

After a moment of consideration, Loreil posed a question.

“…Does that mean external magical energy cannot enter either?”

“Of course not. Those pathetic human mages won’t be able to sense me, no matter what magic they attempt.”

Asmo-rina wore a confident expression. Loreil muttered quietly to himself, “That’s not what I was asking,” before nodding in agreement.

“Then let us revisit the contract we discussed last time.”

“Finally decided to speak up? You kept postponing it, suddenly claiming you had to go fight for someone.”

“Circumstances were unavoidable then.”

Reflecting on how complicated human circumstances could be, Asmo-rina adjusted her posture.

“As I mentioned before, I have two objectives. First, create forged identification so I can move about freely. Second, assist me in finding a particular Demon.”

“Still a one-sided arrangement. Nothing has changed since our first meeting.”

Loreil frowned, clearly displeased.

He seemed to recall how she had suddenly grabbed him by the collar, saying, “You look like a Demon, but you’re not one.”

“So make a wish of your own. I’ll grant it.”

“You speak just like a Deity.”

“Did you not know? Deities are nothing special.”

At her giggling, Loreil tilted his head curiously.

“Are you in a good mood? Your atmosphere is different from when we first met.”

“Hm? Ah, I had a pleasant dream.”

“What—”

“Don’t presume to ask. That’s not a story for a mere human to hear.”

Loreil accepted it with a dry “understood.” At his response, Asmo-rina’s mood deflated slightly.

“There’s no fun in teasing someone like him. He doesn’t even fear Demons.”

The Baobhan sith I encountered last time was the same way—it seemed all the insignificant creatures in the human world were utterly fearless.

“What is the name of the Demon you’re searching for?”

“Asmodina. A name similar to mine. She has the same hair and eyes as you.”

Loreil’s lips twitched for a moment, but Asmo-rina didn’t notice.

“…I’ll look into it.”

“Good, you’re an obedient human. Now tell me your wish.”

Her tone was arrogant, as though she were indulging a pet dog, but Loreil paid it no mind.

“Since you’ve granted me two favors, I too shall make two wishes.”

“Humans are truly something… Go ahead, I’ll decide after hearing them.”

“The first is to know my true identity.”

“Your identity?”

Loreil swept back his hair, his gaze weary and resigned.

“Whether I am human, Demon, or something else entirely. I want to know the truth.”

“You look human to me.”

“Do humans sense demonic power like your kind? Do they find joy in witnessing human malice? Are they bound by contracts?”

“Well… no, they don’t.”

“Then I wish to know. What am I truly?”

Asmo-rina nodded, thinking it seemed like an easy enough wish to grant.

“And the second.”

Loreil’s voice dropped lower.

“When I desire it, I wish for you to kill someone for me.”

“How refreshing—simplicity is always welcome. But who exactly are you?”

“Does it matter who my opponent is? Even if they were to be….”

The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.

“A member of the Imperial Family?”

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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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