An Impossible Miracle
"...What do you mean by 'troubles'?"
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't understand. Of course, she must have her share of worries. Even though she held the title of Watcher, she was still human. If anything, that very position probably brought her more troubles, not fewer. But was it a worry so great that she would confide in me? To that question, I could only shake my head.
There was no way she could talk about her desire to restore her father to his once-kind self. She, of all people, knew that if I were to leak her secret, the entire world would be shaken to its core. She didn't want that. ...Then what was her trouble?
"It is about my father."
"...?!"
As if mocking my assumption that it wouldn't be about her family, she calmly stated that the issue was indeed about her father.
"I do not know how much you know of my family's circumstances, Counselor... but my father is the only family I have left. The rest have all departed to be by God's side."
I knew. Because the devil possessing her father had slaughtered them all. It had killed her mother as she was preparing dinner. It had killed her younger sibling, who hadn't even grasped what was happening. And it had killed her older sister, who had stepped forward to buy time so Anastasia could hide. It took less than five minutes for a happy home to be shattered.
...Suddenly, it occurred to me that perhaps this was why she still couldn't accept reality. Was the reason she clung to the vain hope of her father returning to normal because the truth was simply too surreal to bear? Or was it... because she thought they were too alike?
"Tragically, my family passed away in a carriage accident. That is why I wish to strengthen my bond with my father... but it has not been easy."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Perhaps it is due to his position... but we rarely have the opportunity to converse."
A carriage accident. I recalled a description in the game mentioning that this was the cover story fed to the public. Unable to let go of hope for her father, she never denied this distorted tale—a lie stripped of even a shred of truth. In fact, she went around telling everyone it was the truth. After all, if her father came back to his senses only to find himself locked in a dungeon, it would all be for nothing.
I remembered quite a few players getting frustrated and angry at her behavior. They wrote posts complaining about how someone who knew devils better than anyone else was wishing for an impossible miracle, calling her frustrating for refusing to face reality. My opinion was the exact opposite, though. It wasn't that she refused to face reality; she couldn't face it. People often say running away from reality is bad... but is it really? Isn't it better to run away than to go mad from facing something you simply cannot bear?
...Well, it was a pointless debate at this stage. There was only one thing I could do for her now: ensure that when she finally did face reality, she wouldn't break. That was all.
"It sounds like you two aren't on the best of terms."
"...Yes, embarrassingly so. I cannot, even in jest, say our relationship is good. But... I wish to share a warm, peaceful daily life with my father once more."
A bitter taste lingered in my mouth. She truly, deeply wanted to restore her relationship with her father to how it was when she was a child. ...If it had been anyone else, any other student, I would have done everything in my power to help. But knowing it was all a lie, how on earth was I supposed to react? For now, I decided to proceed with a standard counseling approach.
"If your relationship with your father is the issue, how about trying to have a conversation? Family problems usually stem from a lack of communication."
"My father is a very busy man. It is difficult to even see his face."
"Oh dear."
Damn it. I tried to spout some generic advice I'd skimmed from a book, but the conversation was already derailed at step one. What should I do? ...Whatever, I don't care. It's not like I've ever professionally studied psychological counseling. Ah, I want to use Hypnosis... But Anastasia has high resistance... If only I could somehow get her to take off that blindfold, I could easily slip out of this situation.
Unfortunately, there was no way to remove that blindfold. If I even tried, she'd probably snap my arm in a split second. Though I possessed the ability of Hypnosis, this power didn't consume mana. How did I know? ...Because I didn't know the first thing about manipulating mana. Naturally, to someone like her who could shroud her body in holy power, I was nothing more than a fragile ordinary citizen. There was no way this weak body of mine, which shirked even basic exercise out of sheer laziness, could pull off a surprise attack to snatch her blindfold.
"...Hmm, in cases like this, it is usually best for family members to come in together so we can hear both sides. Since I do not know your father's perspective, it is difficult for me to say much."
"I see. My apologies for troubling you."
"No, not at all. I am sorry I couldn't be of more help."
Fortunately, she seemed to pick up on my predicament and took a step back. Good. I still didn't quite understand why she had brought this up, but at least I had managed to steer through it. Wearing an apologetic expression, I offered her a platitude.
"If you ever have any other worries, please feel free to stop by."
"...Very well. May I come again tomorrow?"
"P-pardon?"
"Thank you. You are very kind."
Huh? I stared blankly at her bright, smiling face. Hold on. What did she just say? Come again tomorrow? I never said she could. My stuttered response was meant to ask what she was talking about.
Only then did it dawn on me. For some unknown reason, her "troubles" were merely an excuse to see me. That was why she had brought a seemingly heavy concern to seek my counsel. ...But why on earth?
"W-wait a moment..."
"It is getting late. I would hate to take up any more of your time, so I shall take my leave now."
I had so many questions I wanted to grab her and demand answers, but I couldn't. The moment I voiced the doubts swirling in my head, she would immediately interrogate me on how I could possibly know such things.
"Well then, I hope you enjoy your gaming."
"...My gaming time has already passed, you know?!"
"Fufu."
Ugh. How cheeky. I glared at Anastasia as she let out a playful chuckle.
"You are late today."
"..."
"No answer? Have you entered your rebellious phase?"
"...No. My apologies."
"I understand you are at a sensitive age, but I wish you would converse with your father from time to time."
"...Yes."
Upon her return to the church, her father's lecturing continued. You should be mindful of your position. If you wish to remain a good Watcher, you must not act like this... It was sickening. You are not my father. She bit her lip so hard she tasted copper in her mouth.
"Well then, get some rest."
"...Thank you."
She bowed her head to the creature wearing that repulsive smile.
...It had been quite some time since the devil began masquerading as her father. It was likely conscious of public perception. Maintaining the illusion of a harmonious relationship between father and daughter made it easier for the creature to operate. The devil knew better than anyone that she was powerless to resist. This charade was probably just another way to mock her—to derive amusement from her reactions. After all, most devils took sadistic pleasure in the suffering of others.
Yet, she endured. She had to. Perhaps this devil, too, could learn to coexist with humans, just like Orca's devil. If so, she might get her father back. She could wait for that day. Unlike the endless, hopeless waiting of the past, she had now witnessed a dreamlike miracle with her own eyes.
Using a meaningless counseling session as a pretext, she had secured a promise to keep meeting with the counselor, who seemed connected to that devil. With this, she was one step closer to her father. The key lay with that counselor and Orca. The key to turning her father back into her father.
Suddenly, the counselor's words from today echoed in her mind. If your relationship with your father is the issue, how about trying to have a conversation?
"...Father."
"What is it?"
The devil before her turned its head in confusion.
"It is nothing."
"Hmph, very well. Go rest."
...As expected, conversing with her father was impossible. Her real father was too busy fighting the devil that had usurped his body. Hiding her heavy heart, she stepped out of the room.
"Ah, greetings, Watcher."
"Hello."
"Have you by any chance seen His Holiness the Pope? I have something I wish to ask him."
"...He is inside this room."
"Thank you."
...She had been running into that person quite often lately. What on earth was that devil plotting? In an attempt to lift her sinking spirits, she made her way to the church's inner garden. The garden, where a few children were running around and playing, was incredibly beautiful, yet it did nothing to ease her heavy heart. Sigh...
"Hello, Watcher!"
"...Hello."
"You look beautiful today as well! Is it because you have received God's blessing?!"
"Hey, watch your manners...! I am so sorry, Watcher. This child is still young..."
"It is quite alright. It does not feel bad to receive a compliment."
...It does not feel bad, she had said. She wanted to sigh at her own absurdity. She, of all people, was in no position to receive God's blessing. How could someone who turned a blind eye to a Devil Possessed ever be blessed by God? Especially someone holding the title of Watcher. To inherit the name of the ancient sage who watched over devils, yet to look away as a devil inhabited the Pope's body... The Pope was a Devil Possessed, and the Watcher was a mere bystander. The thought of the Church's fallen prestige left her heart utterly heavy.