Volunteer Work (4)
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Malik and his group were all demon worshippers… Honestly, it was hard to believe, but it wasn’t something I could just brush off either. If it was true, though, there were way too many things to consider.
“…If Sister Agnes is right, …why are you only telling me now?”
I asked Agnes while ignoring the knocking on the door. Her answer came simply.
“Even during the day, I’m not myself…! I’m another personality completely dominated by the evil spirit…!”
“Then what about right now…?”
“I don’t know. Did you do something? What did you do?”
“……”
I had done something. But it wasn’t something I could explain to someone who didn’t know. Agnes seemed completely unaware, so I looked away. At the same time, the door knocked again.
──Knock knock knock.
Agnes’s face went deathly pale at the voice.
“A-Anyway, there’s no time…! Whatever you did seems to have weakened the evil spirit’s control…! So everything I’m saying right now is the truth…!”
“……”
“Run away…! From here…! You can’t trust them…!”
“……”
“I’m sorry… I don’t have time, so this is all I can tell you…”
Right after Agnes’s final words, the door pounded harder.
──Bang bang bang bang bang.
Dragging this out any longer wouldn’t end well.
“…Please, you have to run away.”
“……”
With that, I left Agnes behind and opened the door to meet Father Malik. When he saw me, his tense expression relaxed into a relieved smile.
“Thank goodness… You seem fine.”
“……”
No matter how I looked at him, he was just an ordinary, kind priest.
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I headed to the confessional with Father Malik to continue our earlier conversation. First priority: gather information. I needed something to base a decision on.
“How was your first exorcism ritual? Was it alright?”
“It was fun messing with the evil spirit.”
“…Phew, that’s a relief. I’m glad you didn’t get scared. We’re truly fortunate to have a brave student like you helping with the volunteer work.”
“……”
Small talk passed between us, followed by a brief silence. Then I carefully asked a question without revealing my suspicions.
“The one possessed by the evil spirit… was Sister Agnes, right?”
“……”
I had to fish for any hint that he was a demon worshipper.
“Actually, Ares.”
“Yes…”
“It’s not just Sister Agnes who’s possessed. Agnes, Martha, Adela, Isabella… The evil spirit comes and goes through all of them like it’s their own home.”
“……Four people in total. …Claire isn’t one of them?”
“That child, at least, I was able to protect. For now…”
The words “for now” implied she might not stay safe for long.
“Claire is a bit more… pure than the other sisters.”
“Pure…?”
“She’s chaste and clean. Literally untouched by any impurity. That’s why her faith in the Lord is so strong.”
“……”
So four out of the five sisters were possessed. Everyone except Claire.
“But if the possessed person changes… how did you know it was Sister Agnes today?”
“We observe their behavior during the day. Things like holding the cross upside down, acting backwards, suddenly getting angry—that sort of thing.”
“……”
“Tomorrow I’ll identify which sister is possessed during the day. Then you can perform the exorcism again and find out the name.”
“……”
…Was he really just a kind priest? His answers were too detailed. No sign of lying in between. Of course, if he wanted to hide something, he could. “……” “Well then… You must be tired, so let’s head back and get some rest. You worked hard today.” “……Yes.” In the end, the Q&A in the confessional gave me no new hints.
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“Haa…”
As morning came, a sigh escaped me. I actually missed school. I had to figure out whether exorcising the evil spirit was the right move or if I should run from the demon worshippers. I thought it would just be a simple exorcism without much danger…
‘Well, these ghost story bastards never go down easy.’
Then came breakfast.
“Did you sleep well, Ares?”
“Ch-chest… It didn’t smell, right?”
“No, it was nice, just like the dorm.”
Today too, I chatted friendly with the sisters while eating. Sister Agnes acted like she didn’t remember anything from last night. …So the part about being controlled by the evil spirit during the day seemed true. Still, after the pretty heated time we had yesterday, it stung a little that there was no change at all.
‘And they might be demon worshippers…’
The difference from yesterday was that now I had to be wary of more than just the sisters. The four priests eating calmly were also people to watch. Thanks to that, the meal felt uncomfortable.
“Do you have any favorite foods, Ares?”
“Huh? Umm… Well, I like most meats…”
“Huhu, you have a child’s palate?”
Except for one person. Talking with Claire wasn’t uncomfortable at all.
‘She’s not possessed…’
Father Malik said she was purer than the others, so the evil spirit hadn’t gotten to her yet. Plus, from my perspective, there was a chance she was actually human. She was the one I felt most at ease talking to.
Then it happened.
Clink.
Sister Agnes, who was eating beside me, dropped her fork.
“I’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you, Ares.”
I bent down to pick up the fork she dropped. In that moment, I saw it.
“……”
“Is something wrong?”
“N-No. Here.”
The cross hanging at Agnes’s waist was upside down.
“……”
“……”
When I straightened up, my eyes met Father Malik’s. He gave me a slight nod. It seemed he had noticed too. The evil spirit was still with Agnes.
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After breakfast, I spent the day wandering around the cathedral. Since there was a chance the priests were fake, I figured I might as well look for evidence of demon worshippers. Naturally, I found nothing, and night fell.
──Knock knock knock.
“……Yes.”
Today I stayed awake and waited for Father Malik. When he knocked, I opened the door. This time we didn’t head to the confessional. I already knew everything anyway. Instead, he simply opened the door to Agnes’s room and said one thing.
“I’m counting on you…”
“……”
His eyes were full of tension. After meeting that gaze, I nodded and stepped inside. Agnes was tied to the bed like yesterday.
Thud.
After confirming she was asleep, I set my bag down and began preparing.
“Huh…? Mmm…”
At the sound, Agnes let out a sleepy voice. Soon she grasped the situation and started screaming.
“This… Is that you, Ares…?”
“Yes, it is.”
When I answered calmly, her voice twisted grotesquely.
“L-Let gooooo!! I hate thisssss──!!!”
Apparently the evil spirit had no intention of acting today like she did yesterday. As she screamed, I approached and gently squeezed her chest.
“It feels good, so let’s enjoy it.”
“Kyaaaaaaa!!”
Then, listening to Agnes’s screams, I rubbed holy water on my hands. I’d learned something from going through ghost stories multiple times: enjoy it while you can. And right now was that moment for me.
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Same method as yesterday. After sending her off violently, I made her drink the holy water. With that sacred routine, the evil spirit passed out. A moment later, the real Sister Agnes woke up like yesterday. …Though whether she was real or acting was still unknown.
“Ares…?”
“You remember.”
“A-Ah…! Why didn’t you run away! I clearly told you to run yesterday…!”
“……”
Was this acting…? ‘This is troublesome…’ Both Father Malik and this awakened Agnes didn’t seem like they were lying.
“I have my reasons. Even if I wanted to go back, I can’t.”
“Reasons…?”
“I’m trying to fulfill my volunteer hours. If I go back without completing them, I could die in the worst case.”
“Die? What do you mean…”
“Whether you believe it or not isn’t up to you to judge, Sister. More importantly, I have questions for you today.”
At this point, figuring out which side was lying before Sunday seemed impossible. So I needed to hear this self-proclaimed real Agnes’s detailed opinion as well.
“The demon worshippers you mentioned… what exactly are they trying to do?”
“……”
First, I’d listen to the details. If she was lying, there would be contradictions or awkward parts.
“…They’re deceiving you by calling it an exorcism… and performing a ritual to summon a demon.”
“A demon summoning…?”
“Doesn’t it seem strange? Why would they make someone who isn’t even a priest do this?”
“……”
It was certainly suspicious. It had been strange from the start. ──Why were they making me perform the exorcism? Normally, exorcisms were done by qualified priests with strong faith.
“Everything they’re doing to you is the opposite.”
“The opposite…”
“An unbeliever pretending to have faith… ──It’s an act of blaspheming the Lord.”
“……”
“And in a week, after possessing a pure maiden with an evil spirit… they’ll make you sleep with her.”
“Huh…?”
A pure maiden. For some reason, it sounded familiar—like something Father Malik had mentioned yesterday.
“Um, that pure maiden…”
“I’m talking about Claire. She’s grown up without ever being tainted. She’s lived without seeing or hearing anything impure.”
“……”
“Possessing such a pure virgin with an evil spirit, then having a man who blasphemed God rape her to conceive a demon… That’s the goal of these demon worshippers.”
“……”
Her words only made me more confused. …Which side was right? This side also spoke too smoothly for it to be a lie.
“Then how do you know all this, Sister Agnes?”
“Because I was possessed by the evil spirit! The evil spirit told me everything while gloating! From start to finish!”
Her reason was plausible too. I paused my questions and fell into thought. If I kept going like this, I’d just waste time until I found clear evidence.
“Um… Then, Sister.”
“Yes…”
“Do you have any proof that they’re demon worshippers? It’s hard to believe you so suddenly.”
“Proof…”
At my question, Sister Agnes lowered her head awkwardly. It seemed she couldn’t think of any clear evidence.
“I’m sorry. I know their plan, but as for proof…”
“……”
It was a disappointing answer. ‘No, rather, the fact that there’s no proof makes it more credible…?’ Ironically, the fact that she couldn’t immediately provide evidence made Agnes’s words feel more trustworthy. If she had instantly given solid proof… For example, a dead priest’s body or a demon worshipper’s tattoo. If she had cited something like that, ──I probably would have suspected Agnes. ‘If there was clear evidence… it would mean the evil spirit had fabricated it to deceive me.’ Whether to trust Father Malik and exorcise the evil spirit, or trust Sister Agnes and deal with the demon worshippers—the answer to that crossroads still hadn’t come.
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“Hmm…”
After finishing today’s exorcism, I returned to my room. Lying on the bed, I fell into thought. ‘If this keeps up, I could be screwed in a week…’ Of course, if the evil spirit was lying, there’d be no problem. But if the priests really were demon worshippers, I’d die. Well, at least I’d get to have sex, so it wouldn’t be the worst death… ‘No no, even so, I don’t want to be manipulated by demon worshippers.’ Besides, this was a ghost story. Maybe it wouldn’t be the kind of sex I wanted. There could be a gimmick where one thrust instantly squeezes out all my semen. Then I’d meet a premature ejaculation death ending. …Just imagining it was unpleasant.
“Aaaah… If only I had Ellie’s diary at a time like this…”
Then I could look into the future and find the answer. Or at least find something that changes the future and avoid a dead end… “Hm…?” And then, something tremendous flashed in my mind. “Change the future…?” The experience of changing the future before gave me a good idea.
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The next morning, after reporting to the priest, I stopped by an electronics store in the shopping district. I also visited a video rental shop.
“That’ll be 200,000 Cocoon.”
With the clerk’s friendly smile, I spent a hefty 200,000 Cocoon. It hurt, but… it couldn’t be helped. This would become my hope for survival.
“Father, could I borrow a TV?”
“A TV…? We have one, but why…?”
“I realized my abilities aren’t enough for the exorcism. So I want to study.”
After returning to the cathedral, I asked Father Malik to lend me a TV. Buying one would cost too much. Fortunately, Father Malik looked moved and readily lent it to me.
“Ooh…! I’m truly reassured, Ares! Here, use it freely and return it later!”
Seeing him like this, he didn’t seem like a demon worshipper. …No, I couldn’t let my guard down. There could be demon worshippers who were good actors.
“Phew… This is damn heavy…”
It was an old CRT TV. Quite large, so it was heavy too. ‘Still, with this, preparations are complete…’ I looked at my own face reflected on the TV screen with a determined expression. The most important step remained. That was persuasion.
“Ares. You said you were looking for me. What is it?”
“It’s nothing much…”
I called out to Claire, who was about to rest after finishing her daily tasks. The current time was 3 PM. The sisters had free time from now until dinner. So I had until 7 PM.
“Want to watch a movie with me?”
“A movie…?”
“Yeah… I want to get closer to you too, Claire. Is that okay?”
“Ehh…”
At my words, Claire’s cheeks flushed slightly. Then she smiled and nodded.
“Huhu, wanting to be friends. You have a pure side, Ares.”
“You think…?”
“Alright, then when shall we watch?”
“Now.”
“Now…?”
“I’ve already rented a video. Let’s watch it in my room.”
Since she agreed, there was no need to be cautious anymore. I immediately grabbed Claire’s hand and led her to my room.
“Kyaa! W-Wait a moment, Ares…! Even so, a room is…”
“It’s the same cathedral anyway. It’s fine, right?”
“Ugh… It’s not okay…”
Claire said it wasn’t okay, but she didn’t shake off my hand. Clearly, she hadn’t tried this kind of minor rebellion before. But people are usually weak to these small acts of defiance. Fortunately, she followed me into the room.
“We’ll get scolded if we’re caught…”
“Then I’ll get scolded with you. Come on, we don’t have time, so let’s watch right away.”
“What kind of movie is it…?”
“A touching romance movie. That’s fine, right?”
“……”
I sat Claire on the bed and inserted the rented video into the player I’d set up on the opposite side.
Ziiing.
A moment later—
—Thud.
The movie began playing on the TV I borrowed from Father Malik.
“Wow, it’s been a while since I watched a movie.”
“Yeah? You don’t watch them often?”
“No, I’ve only seen the ones they occasionally play at the cathedral.”
Fortunately, Claire, who had seemed tense just moments ago, quickly became absorbed in the movie. ‘Got it…’ With this, the plan succeeded. Watching a movie with Claire. This was the simplest way to ruin the priests’ plan if they were demon worshippers. ──Eliminate the ingredient.
Thrust, thrust, thrust, thrust—
“……”
“Ah, this… I didn’t know there’d be a sexy scene. Sorry.”
Of course, I knew very well. And the pure virgin Claire, seeing this kind of scene for the first time, stared at it blankly with a flushed face. Like a child encountering something lewd for the first time.
“Never seen this before?”
“……No.”
A faint sound of a woman’s moans came from the TV. This movie… had quite a long bed scene for a romance film. Of course, it wasn’t as explicit as real porn. Then, while watching the movie hesitantly, Claire carefully spoke up.
“Um… Ares. Watching something like this… is bad…”
Apparently it was stimulating enough for Claire. Of course it was. She was the pure virgin recognized by the evil spirit and the demon worshippers (pending confirmation).
“It’s fine. What’s wrong with our age?”
“But…”
“Isn’t it weirder not to know?”
“Ugh…”
Blushing, Claire glanced at me, then at the movie showing the sex scene. She said that, but she couldn’t leave the room either. Claire didn’t move. So I smiled and whispered to her.
“No one’s going to scold us, so just relax and watch.”
“……”
Unexpectedly, nothing was easier to corrupt than untouched purity.
Ares posted: