The Second Lie

Before I fell into this world-back when this world was still just a game, not reality.

Players believed there was no hope in this worldview.

If you chose Stella to ascend the throne, the Demon possessing the Pope’s body would prepare for war to plunge the world into chaos. If you chose Anastasia to overthrow the Pope, Stella’s older brother would seize power as Emperor and prepare for war.

What if you chose someone other than those two?

Not much would change. Only the instigator of the war would differ.

No matter what methods you used, the second war was inevitable.

But that was within the game’s story.

Now that it’s reality-what if we overthrow the Pope and make Stella Emperor? Then war wouldn’t break out.

If both reach the highest positions in their respective domains, peaceful days could continue.

That’s why I lied to Stella.

It would be a lie to say I felt no guilt, but it was unavoidable.

Without their cooperation, this precarious peace would crumble instantly.

A white lie, you could say.

“…Teacher, I heard you were looking for me.”

“Welcome. Please make yourself comfortable.”

I summoned Anastasia immediately after Stella left.

Though I’d told Stella this was confidential, Anastasia was currently in an extremely precarious situation.

She might try to probe the Watcher’s intentions.

No-she definitely would.

Hence, I needed to make the lie appear as truth.

“Would you like tea? Coffee?”

“Tea, please.”

“Very well. Though I’m unsure if it’s precious enough to suit the Watcher-nim’s palate.”

“The Church doesn’t encourage extravagance. There’s no need to worry about…”

“Is that so? It didn’t seem that way to me.”

“…”

Anastasia’s lips sealed tightly.

Even with ten mouths, she’d have nothing to say.

While the Church officially promoted frugality, the Pope-who should embody this-was the complete opposite.

“Th-that’s…”

“It’s fine. Understandable.”

“…”

Watching Anastasia bow her head deeply without rebuttal, I felt genuine admiration.

How does she walk this delicate tightrope so skillfully? Truly a Demon’s talent.

“Do you feel ashamed of your father?”

“…Is that why you summoned me?”

“No, just making conversation.”

The Demon possessing the Pope had a simple goal: to slowly and naturally corrupt the world.

Acting too openly would waste this precious vessel as the Church’s leader.

Using the excuse of old age and senility, he subtly eroded the system-enough to avoid suspicion but still satisfy his desires.

His skill in stirring trouble while avoiding detection was remarkable.

Moreover, he maintained just enough stimulation to keep Anastasia from abandoning hope.

Frankly, he was trash-but I couldn’t help admiring his competence.

Had he not been a Demon obsessed with watching the world burn, he’d have been an exceptional talent.

“Still, he’s my father. I believe he’ll recover someday.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

Anastasia spared the Demon to save her real father.

She kept silent about the Demon Possessor out of lingering hope, since the Pope appeared inactive.

But if war seemed imminent, she’d reluctantly kill her father to stop it.

A paradoxical woman-too loving to kill her possessed father, yet prepared to do so if necessary.

That was Anastasia.

And I aimed to exploit that very contradiction.

“Then those rumors must be false!”

“Pardon? Wh-what unpleasant rumors…?”

The public already knew the Pope and Watcher were family.

Even as the Pope’s reputation declined, he remained in power solely due to Anastasia’s efforts-cleaning up his messes.

“Ah, nothing serious. Just baseless gossip. Forget it.”

“…No, Teacher. Please tell me. Even rumors must be verified.”

I knew she’d ask-that’s the kind of person she was.

Fortunately, my prediction held.

“Well… I think it’s nonsense, but alright.”

“…”

“Rumors say someone resembling the Pope has been assaulting women.”

“…Is th-that true?!”

“Hey, it’s just a rumor. Who knows?”

Anastasia asked in panic-clearly shaken yet unable to dismiss it.

As expected. Having witnessed the Demon’s behavior up close, she knew such acts were plausible.

“Also… something about performing suspicious rituals with children.”

“…”

“And rumors of demon worship. Surely false, right?”

“Y-yes… The Church’s leader would never…”

“Right? Don’t dwell on it.”

Anastasia sweat profusely, seemingly convinced the rumors were true.

She must be agonizing over damage control.

…Of course, it’s all lies! Such rumors couldn’t exist-the Pope’s position would be untenable.

But Anastasia had no way to verify this. Asking the Demon directly was impossible-she loved her father, not the possessor.

Nor could she inquire discreetly without spreading the rumors herself.

Thus, she had no choice but to believe my fabricated lies-especially since I’d earned her trust by “handling” a Demon Possessor before.

“Ah, Princess Stella was looking for you earlier.”

“Her?”

“Yes. Something about urgent matters between the Papacy and Imperial Family…”

“I-I must excuse myself.”

“Of course.”

I smiled faintly as she hurried out, too flustered to ask why I’d summoned her-exactly as planned.

Their mutual secrets would make them misinterpret each other’s intentions. Even if they miraculously communicated clearly, it wouldn’t matter-my hypnosis ability existed for such contingencies.

“Good, good… One step closer to everyone’s happiness… Hehe…”

…Ah, right. Shouldn’t laugh like that.

Lately, people kept calling me “sinister,” so I decided to change my laugh-villains always chuckle darkly.

Maybe a bright smile instead.

“…What are you doing, Teacher?”

“Ah, Eileen! Hello. Just practicing my smile…”

“Why? Got a date?”

“Well, people said my laugh sounded suspicious lately.”

“Suspicious? But it’s lovely.”

“R-really?!”

“Obviously.”

Eileen, an angel…!

I gazed at her with sparkling eyes, unable to hide my gratitude.

The Principal, Stella-everyone said I seemed shady. Though I pretended not to care, it bothered me.

“Save the nonsense for later. Play with me today-I brought something fun.”

“Is this…! Ention Company’s masterpiece, Baldur Saga 3!”

“Interested?”

“Yes! Let’s play! Please!”

“That’s the spirit.”

Exhausted from manipulating those two, Eileen felt heaven-sent.

No-she was heaven-sent.

We gamed late into the night.