Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 80

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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 080

In any case, it was time to wrap up this childish affair.

I addressed Cadet Jo-han, who kept calling out Cadet Cocomo’s name.

“So, in the end, it was Cadet Jo-han’s greed and unrequited feelings that tarnished the honor of my dear friend, Cadet Atlas.”

Cadet Atlas, whose status had somehow been elevated to “dear friend,” wore a complicated expression.

“This is conduct unbecoming of those directly under the Emperor and of the esteemed Military Academy. As a commander, I cannot overlook it.”

“What… are you saying you’ll punish us?”

The Spectacled Cadet raised his voice again. He appeared to be Cadet Jo-han’s strategist. A polished exterior with a dull mind—how pitiful.

The man spoke in anger.

“Just like with Cadet Atlas, there’s no evidence against Count Johan either! Surely you’re not saying you’ll punish them based solely on the testimony of two people!”

‘How many times do I have to say it? The Imperial Family can punish whoever they want.’

If he had possessed even that much intelligence, he wouldn’t have started this foolish incident in the first place.

But since it had come to this, I decided to proceed like a proper soldier.

“Fine, then I’ll overlook the broken engagement and harassment.”

“Of course. That should be judged by the Military Academy’s rules…”

“Instead, I’ll hold you accountable for undermining military discipline.”

“…Pardon?”

“You dared to ruin the Imperial Family’s return banquet, incited a lovers’ quarrel at the Military Academy where cadets should be focused on training, and stood by watching without intervention. These are the charges I’m bringing.”

I looked around as I continued.

“One person’s mistake is everyone’s mistake. Soldiers share collective responsibility—surely you understand that?”

In truth, it was a rule I disliked, but moments like this made it invaluable.

The cadets, who hadn’t anticipated the backlash would reach them, began to murmur anxiously.

First, I grasped Cadet Cocomo’s arm and brought her to my side.

“Cadet Cocomo is a victim, so she’s exempt from this.”

“Your Highness the Princess….”

Cadet Cocomo’s eyes glistened with what appeared to be tears of gratitude. Her acting was so convincing it rivaled Ruslara’s.

I offered her a gentle smile, then turned back to address the cadets.

“Well then, let’s impose a light disciplinary measure based on military law. Surely the cadets have no objections to that?”

No matter what, none of the cadets could deny that this incident had originated from a romantic dispute. And needless to say, indiscriminate fraternization within the military was subject to disciplinary action.

For reference, discipline for military misconduct began with a minimum of one hour of endurance training.

“Since the Banquet Hall is spacious, it’s perfect for training. Duck walks—ten laps, arm circles—three hundred repetitions, and….”

Ah, if it’s the military, we should start with this.

A good idea struck me, and I clapped my hands together.

“First, assume the push-up position. We’ll begin with that.”

Thus, the Capital Military Academy’s New Year Banquet transformed into a training ground for the cadets.

* * *

By the time training concluded, midnight had already passed. The cadets filed out of the Banquet Hall, drenched in sweat and tears.

Count Johan’s group appeared relatively unscathed, their physical prowess evident, but upon hearing the news that Count Osla brought upon his return, their expressions darkened.

The news was an official statement that Franz had no connection whatsoever to Count Johan’s group.

This answer had come back thanks to a favor I had previously asked of Count Osla.

‘Go to the Imperial Palace at once and tell Franz in my name what’s happening. Tell him I’m confronting Johan right now and investigating what relationship he has with you.’

Franz disliked me as much as I understood his nature well. After all, we were siblings who clashed most frequently since childhood.

‘If something bothers him, he’ll absolutely deny it and brush it aside.’

As expected, Franz severed his relationship with Johan. Now the backing that protected Johan had vanished.

Additionally, Count Osla declared he would expose the truth behind the harassment of Cadet Cocomo. Since this wasn’t related to the engagement, he would punish it according to academy regulations. It was clearly an action taken while watching my expression.

“Wait, Your Highness the Princess. Are you really leaving me like this?”

And finally, my judgment regarding Cadet Cocomo was simple.

“Yes, our connection ends here. Take care of yourself.”

Complete indifference.

She seemed to expect that I would become her backing, but that was far from reality.

“But you said you’d help me! That’s why I followed your words…!”

“Right, so I did help you. While the other cadets endured extreme training for hours, didn’t you sit and rest? Do you not understand how much of a privilege being excused from training is?”

And here she was, supposedly a military candidate, not even knowing that.

As I tilted my head in bewilderment, she seemed to lose her words, as if her soul had left her.

Left as things were, she would reap what she had sown on her own. The cadets viewed her as a traitor, and Johan, now her ex-fiancé, would hardly remain idle.

‘Both Johan and Cadet Cocomo will walk a thorny path.’

Johan’s future prospects were blocked—estranged from the Imperial Family and disowned—while Cadet Cocomo would have to endure a hellish cadet life.

This was the best outcome without lifting a finger.

Just as I was about to return to the Imperial Palace satisfied,

“Thank you, Your Highness the Princess.”

Cadet Atlas was waiting in front of my carriage.

Watching her kneel in greeting, I let out a sigh.

“Get up. Your knees must hurt.”

For what it’s worth, she underwent the same extreme training as the other cadets. I made no exceptions for her, just as I hadn’t for Cadet Cocomo.

Even those with excellent stamina trembled in their legs from the training I put them through, yet she showed no sign of strain.

“I acted on personal feelings alone. I never liked someone like Count Johan to begin with. So don’t feel burdened. Even if the victim hadn’t been Cadet Atlas, I would have helped just the same.”

“It doesn’t matter. The fact remains that you protected my honor, Your Highness the Princess.”

Being a soldier, her response reminded me of Gregory.

When she lifted her head, her eyes held unwavering trust and gratitude.

“Thanks to Your Highness the Princess, I can now request to break the engagement on my side.”

“Break it? I thought you’d continue the engagement.”

I’d heard that Count Johan’s family held greater power. Even with justification, it wasn’t a decision she could make alone.

“It’s fine. If I speak, my father will certainly listen.”

“…Then wouldn’t it have been better to break the engagement before all this happened?”

“A reckless dissolution would bring shame upon my house.”

Count Johan wasn’t the only one who had been eyeing an opportunity to break the engagement.

A past of being broken off with would become a grave weakness, so for Cadet Atlas, this was a favorable outcome.

“Well, that works out nicely then. I’ll be going.”

I had no intention of hearing any more of her personal affairs. It wasn’t that I disliked her—I was simply tired and the hour was late.

Just as I was about to board the carriage, Cadet Atlas suddenly grabbed the door and blocked my path.

“Wait, I have something to tell you.”

“Let go of me. That’s disrespectful.”

Ruslara hurriedly tried to pry her away. Sensing a fight was about to break out, I sighed and bit Ruslara’s arm.

“What now? If it’s not urgent, I’d rather hear it later.”

“It will only take a moment. I wanted to convey these feelings to Your Highness the Princess.”

“…Feelings?”

She paused to catch her breath, then placed a hand over her heart and spoke.

“My heart raced when I saw Your Highness the Princess. The charisma to command subordinates, the unwavering stance even against fierce crowds, and the overwhelming verbal and physical dominance… it was exactly the image of a soldier I had always dreamed of.”

‘There’s something odd in the middle of that praise, isn’t there?’

It didn’t sound like a compliment at all.

Even seeing my complicated expression, she did not stop her admiration.

“I wish to witness Your Highness the Princess’s beauty and strength up close, and to learn from you. Please accept me as your adjutant or servant.”

“A servant, you say….”

I did need a noble attendant, but I couldn’t possibly take away a promising cadet regardless.

‘An adjutant would be necessary because of the Direct Dominion, though…’

Yet for some reason, my instinct as a princess kept telling me to keep her at a distance.

“I’m sorry, but I have no such plans at the moment. A cadet should focus on training as a cadet….”

I tried to gently push her away.

“If my status as a cadet is an obstacle, I will withdraw immediately.”

She grasped the carriage door again and clung to it.

“No, there’s no need to go that far.”

It was a declaration that would make Count Osla, who held such great expectations for her, weep tears of blood.

I was wondering how to refuse when she suddenly produced a small button from her pocket and pressed it into my hand.

“Then I shall give you this instead.”

“What is this?”

“A detonation switch.”

“…A detonation, what?”

It was an expression I’d never heard before. She then explained in a voice somewhat brighter than before.

“And this is an invention that detonates a bomb attached to it when you press the switch. I developed it myself.”

‘Now that I think about it, Count Osla did say that House of Medici was a family of technicians and inventors.’

An ominous premonition washed over me, and I swallowed hard.

“…Where exactly is this bomb?”

“Of course, I’ve attached it to Count Johan and Cadet Cocomo. If you ever wish to punish them, or if you enjoy fireworks, you need only press it and watch the amusing spectacle….”

“I’m not pressing it!”

This girl is absolutely insane!

Only then did I recall the strange remarks Count Osla and Johan had made.

‘Of course, she does have a rather peculiar personality.’

‘Indeed, that obsession with bizarre contraptions and experiments, that dark mage-like disposition—it never changes!’

‘This lunatic who feels no guilt about harming people!’

‘Could it be that she’s a villain too?’

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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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