Counseling

“…What kind of problem are you referring to?”

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

Of course, she must have her own worries too.

Even though she holds the position of Watcher, she’s still human after all.

If anything, that position would only increase her worries rather than eliminate them.

But could they really be serious enough for her to confide in me? I couldn’t help but shake my head at that question.

There’s no way she could share her true worry – wanting to restore her parents to their former kind selves.

She knows better than anyone that if I were to leak her secret, the world would be shaken.

That’s not what she wants.

…Then what could her worry be?

“It’s about my father.”

“…?!”

It couldn’t be family-related worries.

Contrary to my expectations, she calmly stated it was about her father as if mocking me.

“I’m not sure how much you know about my family situation… But my father is the only family I have left. The rest have all departed to God’s side.”

I know.

Because the demon possessing her father killed them all.

It killed her mother while she was cooking. Killed her oblivious younger sibling. Killed her older sister who tried to hide her and buy time.

It took less than five minutes to destroy a happy family.

…Suddenly, I wondered if that was why she still couldn’t accept reality.

Was she unable to abandon the futile hope that her father could return to normal because it was too unrealistic?

Or perhaps… Maybe she thinks we’re alike in some way.

“Unfortunately, my family died in a traffic accident. So I want to strengthen my relationship with my father… But it’s not easy.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Given our positions… We rarely get opportunities to talk.”

A traffic accident.

I remembered the description that they’d used that excuse for ordinary people.

Holding onto hope for her father, she never denied that distorted lie containing no truth. Rather, she went around saying it was true.

Because there would be no meaning if her father returned only to be imprisoned.

I recalled many users expressing frustration at this, saying they disliked how she refused to face reality while knowing better than anyone about demons.

That someone who knew demons best would wish for an impossible miracle. That they found it frustrating she wouldn’t face reality.

My opinion was the opposite.

It’s not that she couldn’t face reality – she couldn’t afford to.

Though people often say escaping reality is bad… Well.

Is it really that terrible?

Isn’t running away better than going mad from facing something unbearable?

…Well, it’s a meaningless argument now anyway.

There’s only one thing I can do for her now.

Help her face reality without breaking.

That’s all.

“It seems your relationship isn’t good.”

“…Yes, embarrassingly so. I can’t even pretend otherwise. But… I want to rebuild a good daily relationship with my father.”

My mouth felt bitter.

So she genuinely wants to restore that good relationship from her childhood with her father.

…If she were anyone else, I would have sincerely tried to help.

But knowing it’s all lies, what reaction should I show now?

I decided to respond as if this were a normal counseling session.

“If the issue is your relationship with your father, how about trying to talk? Family problems usually stem from lack of communication.”

“My father is busy. It’s hard to even see his face.”

“Oh dear.”

Damn.

I tried reciting something I vaguely remembered from a book, but it already went sideways at the starting point.

What should I do now?

…Fine. I don’t know.

I’ve never formally studied psychological counseling.

Ah, I want to use hypnosis… But it doesn’t work well on Anastasia…

If only I could somehow remove that eyepatch. But unfortunately, there was no way to remove it.

If I tried, my arm would probably get broken instantly.

Though I have hypnotic abilities, this power doesn’t consume mana.

How do I know? …Because I can’t handle mana at all.

To her, who can wield Sacred Power, I’m just a fragile ordinary person.

This weak body that avoids exercise could never remove her eyepatch through a surprise attack.

“…Hmm, in such cases it’s good for family members to come together so you can hear each other’s perspectives. It’s difficult for me to say much since I don’t know your father’s situation.”

“I see. My apologies.”

“No, I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

Fortunately, she seemed to notice my discomfort and took a step back.

Good. Though I still don’t understand why she brought this up, it seems we’ve moved past it.

I offered her a conventional apology with a sorry expression.

“Please visit again if more concerns arise.”

“…Alright. Would it be okay if I come again tomorrow?”

“Pardon?”

“Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Huh?

I blankly stared at her smiling face for a while.

Wait. What did she just say? She’s coming again tomorrow?

I never said she could come. My response was meant to question what she meant!

Only then did I realize.

For some reason, this “problem” was just an excuse to meet me.

That’s why she brought such a serious-seeming concern to consult with me.

…But why?

“W-wait…”

“It’s getting late. I shouldn’t take more of your time, so I’ll be going now.”

I wanted to stop her and ask so many things, but I couldn’t.

The moment I voiced all my questions, she’d start interrogating me about how I knew these things.

“Well then, enjoy your gaming session.”

“…It’s already past gaming time?!”

“Hehe.”

Ugh. How annoying.

I glared at Anastasia’s playful smile.

***

“You’re late today.”

“…”

“No answer? Has puberty arrived?”

“…No. My apologies.”

“I understand it’s a sensitive time, but occasionally talking with your father would be good.”

“…Yes.”

Upon returning to the church, my father’s lecturing continued.

You should consider your position, if you want to be a good Watcher you shouldn’t act like this…

It was disgusting. You’re not my father.

I’d bitten my lip so hard I could taste blood.

“Then, get some rest.”

“…Thank you.”

I bowed to the creature smiling with that unpleasant grin.

…The demon had been impersonating Father for quite some time.

Probably concerned about public perception. It would be easier for the demon to operate if people thought we had a good relationship.

The demon knew better than anyone that I couldn’t rebel.

It was probably doing this to mock me.

Enjoying my reactions. Most demons delight in others’ suffering.

But I endure. I must endure.

Maybe this demon could become close with humans like Orca’s demon did.

Then I could get Father back.

For that, I could wait.

Unlike the hopeless waiting before, I’d now seen that dreamlike existence with my own eyes.

I’d even made an appointment to keep meeting that counseling teacher who seemed connected to the demon, using meaningless counseling as an excuse.

This brought me one step closer to Father. That teacher and Orca definitely held the key.

The key to restoring Father to himself.

Suddenly I remembered what the counseling teacher said today.

If the problem is your relationship with your father, try talking with him.

“…Father.”

“What is it?”

The demon before me turned its head curiously.

“It’s nothing.”

“Hmm, fine. Get some rest.”

…As expected, talking with Father was impossible.

Because Father is busy fighting the demon possessing his body.

Hiding my complicated feelings, I left the room.

“Ah, greetings, Watcher-nim.”

“Hello.”

“Have you seen His Holiness the Pope? There’s something I need to ask.”

“…He’s inside this room.”

“Thank you.”

…I’ve been seeing that person frequently lately.

What exactly is that demon plotting?

Forcing my depressed mood to lift, I walked to the church’s inner garden.

The garden where children played was beautiful, but my mood didn’t improve at all.

Haa…

“Hello, Watcher-nim!”

“…Hello.”

“You’re as beautiful as ever today! Is it because you’ve received God’s blessings?!”

“You-You…! I’m sorry, this child is still young…”

“It’s fine. Receiving compliments isn’t unpleasant.”

…Not unpleasant, huh.

I almost wanted to sigh at my own words.

At least I knew I wasn’t someone who could receive God’s blessings.

How could someone who turns a blind eye to a Demon Possessor receive divine blessings?

Especially as a Watcher.

Bearing the name of ancient sages who watched demons, yet overlooking a demon possessing the Pope.

The Pope is a Demon Possessor, and the Watcher is his accomplice.

Thinking about how far the church’s prestige had fallen made me feel complicated.