Begging for My Life

I told Orca a mixture of truth and lies.

I glossed over sensitive questions like how I contracted with the demon inside my body.

After all, I couldn’t exactly say “I came from a world where you all exist in a game, and I’m here to help my favorite characters.”

I didn’t want to be treated like a lunatic. Instead, I vaguely explained that I learned about it through a Demon Possessor I’d met before.

…I’m not sure if it’s fortunate, but Orca accepted my half-truths.

I’m worried about your future, Orca. Despite your appearance, you’re too naive…

“Ah, Teacher. What about dinner tonight? Staying at the Counseling Room again?”

“I have to.”

“Must be tough.”

Several days had passed since our visit to the Papal Court with those two.

Astonishingly, nothing had changed between us.

Because Orca believed every lie I told her.

“Well, I’ll come back later then.”

“…Um, Orca.”

“Hmm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“What is it? Don’t leave me curious. Spit it out.”

“…Why are you still staying here?”

“What do you mean?”

Orca stared at me with a stiff expression.

Ah, perhaps my wording was awkward.

“I mean, you know you don’t have to sleep in the Counseling Room anymore, right?”

“…Oh, that?”

“It just… bothers me a little…”

Why was Orca still frequenting the Counseling Room?

I’d told her most of the truth.

The demon won’t try to fully possess your body anymore.

You don’t need to sleep in the Counseling Room. Things like that.

Sleep had been Orca’s primary reason for visiting the Counseling Room.

Though I regretted not being able to help her make friends, her biggest problem had been solved even before the prologue began.

I thought it fortunate she’d developed social skills while sticking around and planned to let her go, but…

…For some reason, Orca was still staying at the Counseling Room.

“What, are you saying I’m a nuisance?”

“No, not at all! I just thought… it might be uncomfortable for you.”

“I sleep here because it’s comfortable.”

“Huh?”

“The Academy dorm beds are way worse. I’d rather not sleep there.”

…Ah.

The Academy dorms were designed for commoner students.

Meanwhile, the Counseling Room had been furnished with the most luxurious items regardless of social status.

Naturally, the Academy wouldn’t spend much on beds for commoners.

Not that students would find them particularly uncomfortable, but…

Orca had been living here all this time.

Though she’d once slept on dirt floors, she’d recently grown accustomed to the Counseling Room’s expensive, plush beds.

“Somehow it felt awkwardly uncomfortable there. I’d rather spread newspapers on the floor… I’ll leave if you tell me to.”

What kind of teacher would send her away after hearing that?

Retracting my “naive” comment. She’s more cunning than I thought.

“…Fine.”

“Yahoo!”

That half-hearted cheer confirmed it.

She would’ve stubbornly stayed even if I’d really asked her to leave.

A sigh escaped me.

“…Is Teacher Ophelia here?”

“Ah, Stella. Good evening.”

While I’d been talking with Orca, an unexpected visitor stormed into the Counseling Room.

…Why was Stella here?

She only visited twice a week at fixed times.

Today wasn’t one of those days.

“Teacher Ophelia, I need counseling.”

“Pardon?”

“I require your expertise in pacifying that brat.”

“W-wait. Can’t we discuss it here…?”

“No. This is sensitive information. Can’t risk others hearing.”

I glanced nervously at Orca.

Orca had seemed uncomfortable during my previous conversation with Anastasia.

“Go ahead. …Actually, I should be the one leaving.”

“A-are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Counselors counsel people. I’ll grab some food. Was getting hungry anyway.”

Orca’s reaction was completely different from what I’d expected.

Perhaps judging she’d be in the way of my conversation with the Princess, she naturally rose to leave.

“Hey, Princess. Don’t cause trouble for Teacher.”

“…Hmph.”

“Alright, I’m off. …Oh! Leo! Hey! What are you doing there?!”

“Ah, Orca. Hello. I was heading to the Counseling Room-is Teacher Ophelia…?”

“Never mind that! Let’s eat! Food!”

“Eek?! W-wait…! Stop dragging me…! Aah! I can walk myself! …What would you like to eat?”

“Crab. You’re paying, right?”

“What?!”

Stella and I silently watched Orca leave while kidnapping Leo.

What in the world…?

“Seeing that makes me believe it even more, Teacher Ophelia.”

“Huh?”

“How on earth did you tame that wild beast into such a docile lamb?”

Well… “docile lamb” seems inaccurate…

Did she not see Leo being dragged away just now?

“…Anyway, that’s not important. Let’s get to the point-Teacher, I believe the royal family is behind the terror incident.”

“What?!”

What insane nonsense is this madwoman spouting?!

I frantically looked around.

Surely no one heard…?

“No need to worry, Teacher. There’s nobody around. The soundproofing here is decent too.”

“W-what are you talking about all of a sudden?!”

“…Hmm, too abrupt?”

Scratching her head awkwardly, Stella brought a chessboard to the desk and spread it out.

“Alright. Let me explain. As everyone knows, the current Imperial Family and the Church have terrible relations.”

“…”

“There are various reasons… but as you’d expect, it’s a power struggle. Remember what happened about ten years ago?”

This was supposed to be counseling.

Instead of counseling, she’d suddenly launched into a lecture, leaving me bewildered.

But realizing this was simply Stella’s communication style, I quickly composed myself.

…In a way, her communication skills are the most disastrous of all.

While other students have issues beyond conversation, Stella struggles with the act of conversation itself.

Born a princess, she’s too accustomed to speaking down to others.

“If you mean the war, yes. I’m well aware. That was Teacher Ian’s motive for terrorism too.”

“Right. About that incident-there’s more to the story.”

“More?”

“The Emperor is critically ill. Currently clinging to life by a thread.”

Oh, right.

Having heard this multiple times already, I remained unimpressed.

“…You’re not surprised?”

Oops.

I forgot to react since I’d heard this so many times.

“Ah. Ahem. I was… too shocked to respond…”

“…? Whatever. Anyway, the Imperial Family is currently unstable both internally and externally.”

I studied Stella intently as she began her unexpected explanation.

Given her behavior, it seemed Stella’s main quest had begun.

“Conflict with the Church continues unabated, and the Emperor hovers between life and death without naming a successor.”

“This seems… familiar.”

“Indeed. History shows many such cases.”

An organization with a leader on death’s bed who hasn’t named a successor, facing powerful external enemies.

Such organizations usually fracture.

Even if it’s the Imperial Family-no, especially because it’s the Imperial Family.

Chaos like this creates opportunities for power grabs.

The thought that “maybe I could seize power” makes people entertain dangerous ideas.

“So… why are you telling me this?”

“I want your counsel. You can keep secrets, right?”

“…You overestimate me.”

This was strange.

I didn’t recall spending that much time with Stella.

When had we built enough rapport for her to share something like this?

“The Demon Possessor, the Watcher, Eileen, and that promising aspiring knight… You satisfied them all. Isn’t that enough?”

Of course not.

Stella isn’t someone swayed by others’ opinions.

She only trusts what she sees and judges for herself.

While she doesn’t completely disregard public perception, the matter she’d brought up was extremely serious by this era’s standards.

Not some trivial matter-why would she tell me this…?

Just then, I happened to glance at Stella’s arm.

It trembled violently, as if terrified of something.

“So… what kind of counseling do you need?”

“How can I survive?”

Stella asked me boldly.

But despite her confident posture, her question reeked of desperation.