Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 97

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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 097

“What are you saying? You are Biki! Your mother still loves you!”

Biki tilted her head at my words.

“That’s right, Mother loves me. That’s why she created me in her dream. The Biki that Mother needs isn’t me—it’s the beautiful Biki.”

I didn’t know where to begin. As I lost my words, Loreil, standing behind me, spoke in a measured voice.

“Everything inside there is an illusion. You don’t need to give up your place, the real you.”

“But Mother chose the illusion even knowing it was one.”

“That’s….”

“Mother abandoned reality. She chose a beautiful dream over a terrible reality. So naturally….”

Biki murmured that the real, ugly version of herself should step aside.

“If something more perfect exists, then what isn’t perfect should make way, shouldn’t it?”

“….”

Loreil’s expression twisted complexly—whether in agreement or anger, I couldn’t tell. Soon, he spoke in a pained voice, as if grinding sand between his teeth.

“…You don’t need to live up to your parents’ hopes. She never loved her child in the first place—she was intoxicated by loving herself as a mother.”

His voice grew increasingly forceful.

“You bear no responsibility for being born. Don’t fall for the illusions they desire. What matters is….”

“Loreil.”

I cut him off firmly.

“I don’t think that’s advice meant for Biki right now.”

“….”

Loreil held his breath for a moment. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and remained silent for a long while.

After considerable time had passed, he bowed respectfully toward me and Biki.

“…I apologize. I spoke carelessly. Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness.”

“It’s alright. Instead, could you step away for a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss with Biki alone.”

“Understood.”

Loreil bowed once more, then left the room. I watched the space where he had been standing, then exhaled slowly.

‘I’m beginning to synchronize with the dream. If I don’t escape soon, this will become catastrophic.’

This was unlike Loreil at all. Likely, the Countess’s emotions and his own memories had become entangled, clouding his reason.

The fact that he harbored no fond memories of family seemed to compound the matter.

‘I must remain composed.’

My own emotions were equally turbulent, so I made a deliberate effort to steady myself. Then I turned my attention back to Biki. She had somehow placed a bag over her head.

“Biki, I have a few more questions. Does the Countess actually know that you’re here beside her?”

“Probably not. I was never introduced to her.”

“Then when did your mother fall into sleep?”

“I’m not entirely sure. But I think winter has passed two or three times since then.”

‘So she’s been dreaming for at least two or three years.’

The Countess herself had likely reached her limit. With all her vitality concentrated within the dream, her physical body in reality must be hovering on the brink of death.

That she hadn’t succumbed was thanks entirely to Biki’s aid.

“So it was Biki who shared her life force with your mother?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

She interlaced her fingers and hunched her shoulders.

“After I’d nearly exhausted my own life force, I occasionally stole the life force from people and animals who came to this house. But the life force I brought in from outside was so meager….”

“So you decided to draw them into your dreams instead, to share their life force with you.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps it was fortunate that we were her first targets. An ordinary human would have lost consciousness in that infinite corridor and surrendered their life force without resistance.

‘And for two years, she watched her Illusion receive her mother’s love.’

Unlike Biki, scarred and broken, the beautiful Illusion—unburdened by painful memories—laughed and lived alongside her mother.

Biki watched from the shadows, offering only her life force, her face hidden beneath a veil lest her mother catch a glimpse of her true self.

…The more I thought about it, the more my chest ached.

I took her interlaced hands in mine and spoke.

“I understand your desire to save your mother, Biki. But remaining here forever isn’t what’s best for her.”

“Even if that’s what she wants?”

“Is what your mother truly wants only her own happiness?”

“…?”

Biki tilted her head in confusion. I recalled the Countess’s memories and emotions, then continued slowly.

“It’s true that your mother was delighted to see the Illusion of her family. But before that, there was something she desired far more—for her family to return to her side.”

“….”

“Your mother didn’t abandon her family to choose the Illusion. She simply had no other choice. And as proof of that….”

I gently uncurled her clenched fingers and spoke softly.

“Your mother fought to protect Biki until the very end. She never gave up, not once.”

Biki lowered her head, her expression still clouded with doubt.

“But what if, in the end, Mother chooses the me in her dreams? What if she sees my face and becomes disappointed?”

“That won’t happen.”

I spoke with absolute certainty.

“The Countess I’ve come to know—she isn’t that kind of person.”

It was true that the Countess had been obsessed with a perfect life. But that obsession was rooted in genuine familial love.

Whatever wounds Biki carried, her mother’s affection would remain unchanged.

“Trust me. I’ve been a parent myself, after all.”

“…You had a child, my lord?”

I answered with a bitter smile.

“Long ago, I did. Though I was never the kind of wonderful, beloved parent the Countess is.”

Fortunately, my sincerity reached her. After a moment’s hesitation, Biki grasped my hand.

“All right. I’ll meet with Mother.”

“Good. You’ve made the right choice.”

I patted her shoulder in encouragement, affirming her resolve. Now that she had agreed to help, all that remained was to face the Countess.

Still holding Biki’s hand, I opened the door and stepped out. Loreil stood against the wall, lost in thought.

“Loreil, let’s return to the Bedroom. It’s time to wake the Countess.”

“…Do you have a plan?”

“I do. However—”

I raised my index finger as I spoke.

“There is one promise that Loreil must absolutely keep.”

If he honored this alone, we would certainly be able to return to reality.

I gazed at him with eyes full of conviction.

Loreil, Deina, and Biki made their way to the Bedroom where the Countess resided.

“I’ll take the lead. When I give the signal, send Biki in.”

“Understood.”

Deina positioned herself at the front, with Loreil and Biki following behind her.

“Now, let me prepare.”

Deina asked for a moment’s patience, then closed her eyes and began to concentrate. Watching her, Loreil pondered.

‘Is she about to use the power of the Demon Clan?’

The request she had made him swear to keep was simple enough.

‘No matter what happens, do not reveal what occurred here. I swear it upon my family and my very soul.’

Loreil had already been convinced of her true identity as a Demon, so he accepted the request without hesitation. He also understood that this oath was preparation for wielding Demon power.

Deina then explained the plan, and its contents were equally straightforward.

She would create a gap in the Glass Box, and through it, he was to send Biki to speak with the Countess.

‘Earlier, she said that if this box shattered, the Countess’s life would be in danger. So what method is she planning to use?’

Was this the magic of a Demon whose true identity remained unknown?

At that moment, Biki murmured in a voice tinged with wonder, standing beside Loreil as he scrutinized the situation with sharp eyes.

“Wow, wings.”

“What?”

When I turned my head in confusion, Biki pointed at Deina with her finger, asking if I couldn’t see them.

“Wings are appearing. Beautiful, black wings.”

After hearing Biki’s words, I examined Deina again, but there was still no change. Just as I was about to ask further, I belatedly realized that the Bedroom’s appearance had transformed.

‘Shadows on the wall… they’re moving.’

Shadows emanating from Deina began to slowly envelop the Glass Box.

And their form was exactly as Biki had described.

Wings. Massive, beautiful black wings.

I instinctively sensed that these wings belonged to Deina.

Soon, the moment the wings completely enveloped the Glass Box.

“…!”

Changes began to manifest in Deina’s body as well.

Her indigo hair, which had rested at her waist, grew long enough to drag across the Ground, tangling wildly like a lion’s mane. Soon after, black ink seemed to seep through, darkening her hair from the roots.

Furthermore, the dress vanished, and a gray military uniform enveloped her form.

Though I had never seen such a uniform before, it looked perfectly natural on her. Rather, it seemed as though this garment had always been hers from the beginning.

Undulating black hair, shadow-wings filling the Bedroom, and a posture as rigid as a soldier’s.

Though her face remained hidden, it surely matched the majesty of her form.

Before that overwhelming magical power and charisma, Loreil swallowed hard and murmured.

“…Beautiful.”

There existed a beauty forged from strength—the kind that any man could not help but acknowledge.

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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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