Flame

“Even without this, we’re in a busy situation. To suddenly gather all the congregation at once… Unless something critical has happened, you should be prepared for punishment.”

The way he spoke, pretending to be a strict father, was utterly disgusting.

Though his eyes clearly wanted to rebuke me for scheming something right now, his attempt to maintain composure like this showed he cared about others’ gazes.

“It truly is important. Important enough to change the fate of the Church.”

“…Is that true? Speak quickly.”

Since earlier, my chest had been burning abnormally hot, becoming unbearable.

Was it because I recited the spell the teacher taught me?

I didn’t know. I couldn’t properly connect my thoughts.

“Why hesitate? Speak now.”

The only thought that came to mind was wanting to vomit out this suffocatingly hot emotion.

“You must know, Pope. You know best that you’re a demon, don’t you?”

My voice echoed quietly through the Grand Hall, shocking the congregation.

An unexpected, bomb-like declaration.

“W-Watcher-nim. What in the world…”

“The Pope is a demon?”

The believers shook their heads as if refusing to believe it.

Well, of course they wouldn’t want to believe.

These were people who hated demons to the point of disgust.

That someone in high position could be a demon – no one would believe such an absurd story.

“Anastasia, have you been reading strange conspiracy theories online? You’re spouting nonsense not worth responding to.”

Though the demon pretended to remain calm, I was certain he was quite startled inside.

After all, someone who’d tolerated his existence all this time had suddenly made a surprise move.

Ours had been an uncomfortable coexistence, but precisely because of that, I could be sure.

This bastard was panicking right now.

“Enough. Go inside and rest, we’ll talk later.”

“No. That won’t do.”

Actually, the very fact that the Pope reacted by calling it “nonsense” when falsely accused of being a demon was itself a positive response.

A normal Pope would have been torn limb from limb by outraged believers for blaspheming the Church.

His passive denial while remaining still itself demonstrated both her reputation and the current Pope’s true nature.

Perhaps realizing I wouldn’t back down, the bastard sighed and spoke.

“Fine, my lovely daughter seems to have hit puberty. Correcting delusions is also a father’s duty.”

“…Don’t you dare call yourself father. It’s disgusting.”

“You won’t listen. Fine, speak then. What part of me is demonic? Don’t I live in this Holy Power-filled Papal Court? Demons couldn’t survive here.”

Seeing the bastard’s triumphant smile, a laugh escaped Anastasia’s lips.

The teacher had been right – if I attacked recklessly, he’d laugh confidently and demand evidence.

Time to present the prepared item.

“True. You’re human. Undeniably human. That much is certain.”

“Haha, yes. Daughter. Human. So stop these absurd delusions and return to work. Aren’t you ashamed before the congregation?”

“Then you should be able to drink this too, right?”

“…What is that?”

“Holy Water.”

“…”

A demon cannot be destroyed unless killed by one who knows its true name.

Even if killed, it just revives.

Yet the reason clergy remain demons’ natural enemies is precisely because of Holy Power.

A power so repulsive upon contact that demons instinctively avoid it.

Being the clergy’s headquarters where Holy Power constantly swirls, it sounds impossible for a demon to survive here.

At first glance.

“What nonsense, daughter. Holy Water is for blessings, not drinking. Wasting such precious…”

“Demons can’t survive where Holy Power exists… That’s certainly true. But Demon Possessors are different.”

A fact unknown to both demons and humans because no one had ever tried.

A demon that has infiltrated a human body – a Demon Possessor – is barely affected by ambient Holy Power.

The possessing demon filters most Holy Power through the stolen human body, allowing free movement within the Church. The first to discover this was the demon before me.

What demon or Possessor would voluntarily come to the Holy Power-saturated Papal Court?

…Had it not been a Possessor who coincidentally stole the Pope’s body, this knowledge might still remain unknown.

“The human body absorbs most Holy Power. So you hid inside it – inside my father’s body – moving about freely.”

“…”

“So drink. Though normally sprinkled, drinking it won’t harm the body. Unless you’re a demon.”

“P-Pope…?”

By now, a strange atmosphere had spread among the congregation.

Could the Pope really be a demon? The Watcher seems so certain.

Holy Water is precious, but not irreplaceable.

Wouldn’t drinking it once be acceptable?

“Hmph, enough. I won’t waste such precious substance on your games.”

“Are you sure? …Refusing to drink would prove you’re a demon.”

“…”

Realizing the mood, the demon tried desperately to avoid drinking, but Anastasia didn’t miss her chance.

Leaving now would be admitting you’re a demon.

She declared.

“…Ha. I don’t know what you’re thinking. Have you given up on saving your father?”

“Pope… surely not…”

“Fine, I admit it. I am a demon.”

The Pope – no.

The demon possessing the Pope’s body laughed loudly at the shocked congregation.

As if mocking the fools it had deceived all this time.

“But what will you do? Your Holy Power doesn’t work on me. Thanks to your stupidity in failing to find me for over a decade, I’ve grown accustomed to this damned Holy Power!”

“…Then we’ll subdue you with greater power.”

She inhaled deeply, washing away inner fear.

I mustn’t falter. With the Pope’s authority crumbling and everyone in shock.

Only one person could lead the congregation now.

Having realized his cover was blown beyond recovery, the demon seemed determined to kill everyone in the Church.

Shedding the beloved father’s flesh, the demon who claimed to have adapted to Holy Power now reigned over the Papal Court.

Seeing this, the congregation’s will began crumbling.

“A demon… in the Papal Court…!”

“Ooh, God…”

She looked around.

The choir, Inquisitors, nuns, and the Church orphans who’d just gained Holy Power.

Countless people stared in horror and despair at the demon seemingly immune to Holy Power.

Anastasia almost hallucinated hearing the teacher’s voice.

-First, remember never to show panic. Appear as a reliable leader.

“Brothers and sisters. We have seated one who defies God’s will upon the highest throne.”

Following the teacher’s lessons, she shouted decisively to draw all eyes.

“But remember this one thing. No matter how difficult times become, God always watches over us. I guarantee it.”

“G-Gather around the Watcher! Quickly! No time to sit idle!”

-Maintain composure to instill belief that you’ll remain steadfast through any storm.

The ground shook as if in an earthquake.

Thunderous crashes echoed as the beautiful Grand Hall began collapsing.

But she mustn’t waver for even a moment.

“…Father, I’ve always loved you.”

As the ceiling crumbled, stone fragments began raining down like water.

Anastasia felt this stone rain was announcing her farewell to her father.

“But unfortunately, I couldn’t find a way to save you. That must be God’s domain.”

-Show leadership qualities completely different from the Pope’s.

The collapsing hall’s stones began engulfing people like a tidal wave.

“Kyaa, kyaaaaaaah…!”

“Wh-what…?”

But the wave stopped against a golden barrier.

Like a seawall against a tsunami, golden Holy Power enveloped the people.

-Just blocking attacks is enough. We’ll handle the rest.

“…I can’t accept that, teacher.”

Relying on outsiders would disgrace the Church.

“What are you doing! I’ll block all attacks – slay that demon now!”

“B-but… Holy Power doesn’t work…”

“Ha, is your faith really that weak?”

“Th-that’s going too far! Our faith in God is absolute!”

“Then why can’t you even slay one demon mocking us? Why cower?!”

“…!”

“Get up now! Sew shut that bastard’s mouth that’s mocked us with your damned Holy Power!”

The small flame growing in Anastasia’s chest began dominating her emotions.

Then at some point, like fire meeting explosives, it started affecting those around her.

“Go! Show that insolent creature our faith!”

She thought she heard something shatter.