Chapter 42

The Lord said to Satan, “You may follow me, but do not provoke them.”

Satan replied to the Lord, “How can they believe in you without reason?”

The Lord said to Satan, “If you do not provoke them and I save them from evil, then they will believe in me.”

Then Satan answered the Lord, saying, “They turn faith into sin; it is appropriate that all believers will soon vanish.”

The Lord said, “Have you observed those who tested me in the wilderness? There is no one in the world as honest and faithful as they, who have turned away from evil.”

Then Satan opposed the Lord with his angels.

– Genesis 2:7-12.

“Yes. Then… I understand. Please, I ask you.”

Chancellor Damian hung up the communication. I waited anxiously for him to speak again.

“They say they will send the exorcism permit soon.”

Since the Cathedral of the Diocese wasn’t far away, if they sent it now, it would arrive at the Academy within two days at the latest.

“That’s right…!”

Without realizing it, I clenched my fist. I felt relieved as it seemed things were resolving more easily than I expected. The surprising connection between Chancellor Damian and the Diocesan Bishop was a major factor.

However, Chancellor Damian’s expression wasn’t very good.

“Why is it that these kinds of things only happen while I’m chancellor… I should hurry to step down from this position, it’s unacceptable.”

“You’re going through a lot.”

Chancellor Damian rubbed his head and slumped onto the sofa. He had only exchanged a few words with the Diocesan Bishop, yet his face looked especially wrinkled.

“Goodness… By the way, to think there are demons in the Academy… that’s troublesome news. Out of everyone, why are the priests who came from the Holy Empire possessed by spirits? It’s so absurd…”

“…Please don’t be like that. They are the ones who have been exposed for the longest time.”

“Well, that’s true… Huh?”

Chancellor Damian blinked his large eyes. I nodded silently.

“I heard it from Priest Peter.”

“…Ah, I shouldn’t have hidden it. I should have told you from the start.”

“Exorcism records are meant to be kept strictly confidential. I understand.”

“Hmm… How much do you know?”

I briefly glanced at Sofia, then shrugged my shoulders towards Chancellor Damian.

“Sub-Priest Sofia doesn’t know. Please explain briefly.”

“Right. Hmm…”

Chancellor Damian began his explanation. The longer he spoke, the more surprised Sub-Priest Sofia became, her eyes widening.

“The story of the founding Head Priest Giovanni… it wasn’t just a rumor?!”

“Haha… Well, there were so many witnesses at the time that we couldn’t stop the rumors from spreading.”

“Really…”

“However, what’s important is… a rumor is just a rumor. The most important thing remains.”

Yes. The most important thing is that Head Priest Giovanni had accepted the demon…

“Head Priest Giovanni accepted the demon willingly.”

“What?”

Chancellor Damian and Sub-Priest Sofia looked at me. I stared at Chancellor Damian with a dazed expression.

“What… what do you mean?”

“Hmm? Didn’t you already hear this from Priest Peter?”

I couldn’t help but feel my face twist grotesquely. I recalled my conversation with Priest Peter.

– Head Priest Giovanni had been possessed by a demon. He requested support from the Holy Empire to confront the demon lurking within, and a secret exorcist group was dispatched from the Papal States.

Was that story a lie?

When I asked about it, this time, Chancellor Damian tilted his head in confusion, expressing doubt.

“Hmm… I have heard differently. The founding Head Priest of Caldera Imperial Academy, Head Priest Giovanni, willingly accepted the demon into his body…”

“……”

“Professor Antorelli? Are you okay?”

A trickle of cold sweat ran down my back. Wait a minute, then…

Who is telling the truth?

The Holy Empire definitely dispatched the exorcist group. This is a commonly agreed story, so the information is almost certainly true.

The issue lies in the detailed record relating to Head Priest Giovanni’s possession.

The Academy’s records stated that Head Priest Giovanni had intentionally become possessed, while Priest Peter’s documentation from the Holy Empire made no such mention.

When I brought this fact up, Chancellor Damian narrowed his eyes.

“Perhaps Priest Peter chose not to mention this on purpose. For a priest to willingly accept a demon would be an undignified record.”

“That’s…”

That makes sense. Thus, I began to doubt even more.

Issues related to demons are serious matters. It’s not information that need not be shared with a Head Priest who must collaborate, let alone a fellow priest. During the exorcism, it could be information that serves as an important key.

However, it would not make sense for Chancellor Damian to lie. There’s no need for him to deceive us, and lying would go against his conviction to protect the Academy.

There are two possibilities. Either Chancellor Damian’s information is wrong, or Priest Peter intentionally withheld information.

And I was leaning toward the latter.

“…Priest Peter.”

The whole story surrounding Head Priest Giovanni.

What do you gain by hiding such information?

“First, I understand. Thank you for the good information.”

“Nothing to it. More importantly, please protect our Academy. That’s all I need.”

Chancellor Damian tightly held my hand. The weight in his tone made me nod in agreement.

“Leave it to me.”

* * * * *

“Head Priest. What should we start with?”

Sub-Priest Sofia asked innocently. I answered her while walking toward the dormitory.

“Sub-Priest Sofia. First, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Have you ever directly witnessed or participated in an exorcism?”

“Uh… No. They never really explained it in detail at the Academy.”

She tilted her head and then smiled brightly.

It’s understandable that she wouldn’t know, as it is a principle not to provide detailed information about exorcisms. The solemn exorcism ritual is not something to be entrusted to just anyone.

Performing an exorcism with half-baked knowledge could be a disaster waiting to happen. I also wanted to teach my students only the most basic common sense.

I looked at Sub-Priest Sofia flatly. While her bright smile brightened what was becoming a gloomy atmosphere, her demeanor was not desirable for a priest on the brink of an exorcism.

I let out a light sigh and spoke.

“The exorcism. More precisely, this solemn exorcism refers to driving out the spirits that dwell within the possessed.”

“I know that much.”

“Sub-Priest Sofia, an exorcism is not merely yelling at suffering demons.”

Sub-Priest Sofia’s smile faltered slightly. I continued speaking without paying it any mind.

“It is an extremely arduous task. The demons hidden in the bodies of the possessed will do everything they can to gnaw at our nerves, obstruct us, evoke sympathy, and lead us to give up. Sometimes they even penetrate the sins committed by the possessed or the priest performing the exorcism.”

“Is… is that really true…?”

“Yes. It is.”

Sub-Priest Sofia’s expression suddenly fell. While being innocent isn’t good, being overly tense is not good either…

After a moment of fidgeting, Sub-Priest Sofia suddenly closed her eyes tightly and shouted.

“I-I want to do confession!”

“What? All of a sudden.”

“Actually… when I was making tea for the Head Priest, I got bored and took a sip… and it was so bitter that I spat it right back into the Head Priest’s cup…! I’m sorry!”

“…….”

I looked at Sub-Priest Sofia with a dumbfounded expression. What kind of confession is that?

“…I’m fine. Sub-Priest Sofia.”

“Are you really okay…?”

“Yes. I truly mean it.”

Sub-Priest Sofia let out a sigh of relief. I found it even more absurd, but seeing that she genuinely seemed relieved, perhaps she was sincere.

“Regardless, as for my explanation… we will have to engage in an endless battle against the malicious beast of all evil.”

A solemn exorcism can take several hours and, in serious cases, can stretch over several years. Of course, the latter is indicative of an extremely serious situation.

Given that both targets of this exorcism are priests, it shouldn’t take too long.

“Anyway, that’s what an exorcism is. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

I’m not sure if she really understands, but I decided to let that slide.

“However, there are things we need.”

“What are they?”

“Hocus water, holy oil, consecrated incense, and salt.”

“Salt?”

Sub-Priest Sofia had a slightly dubious expression. It’s understandable to be puzzled by the sudden mention of salt.

“Salt has been historically used as a means to repel evil, and demons are no exception. It helps to drive away demons and benefits the health of the body and soul. During exorcisms, it is often used for the sake of protecting the sub-priest.”

“Ah. But where do we get that?”

“Sub-Priest Sofia, salt can easily be found in the Academy cafeteria.”

Salt is one of the simpler things to obtain. However, there are other items that pose a problem.

“Where can we get holy water, holy oil, and consecrated incense?”

“Well… the Diocesan Bishop will send them over.”

When Chancellor Damian spoke with the Diocesan Bishop, there were a few items I had insisted he request. Holy water, holy oil, and consecrated incense were among them.

“Hmm… Wouldn’t it suffice to just sprinkle some holy water and scare them away?”

Sub-Priest Sofia’s question reflected a gross misunderstanding. I immediately corrected her.

“Sub-Priest Sofia, holy water is simply blessed water, nothing more, nothing less.”

There is a common misconception widely spread: that holy water is treated like an elixir in a fantasy world.

It is merely water that has been blessed by someone ordained as a priest when salt, also consecrated, is added to it. Thus, it’s just saltwater offered to the Lord after receiving priestly prayers.

On its own, it has no ability to defeat or purify demons. It only comes into play when the Lord’s true prayers are used to invoke the Lord’s grace.

“Then, you can also produce holy water, yes?”

“That, too, requires permission, but… yes, it is possible.”

Sub-Priest Sofia’s eyes began to shine. I cleared my throat and subtly avoided her gaze.

“Then, you should create holy water, Head Priest!”

“…That might be possible, but I expect the Diocesan Bishop to prepare holy water made from the Samaritan river.”

Saint Peter was baptized in the Samaritan river, so it would be perfect for Priest Peter, who bears his name. Hearing this, Sub-Priest Sofia nodded.

“Is that so… Oh! My theological knowledge has increased…! I hope the Diocesan Bishop sends it soon!”

“Yes. In the meantime, we have our preparations to make.”

As we were discussing and walking, we found ourselves in front of the staff dormitory. I gazed up at the dormitory and muttered.

“Relics…”

Priest Peter definitely said he came with Priest Camilla to exorcise the demons present at the Academy.

If that’s the case, he must also have relics that could help with the exorcism.

As we proceeded toward the eerily somber dormitory, a heavy cloud cover above hinted that it was about to rain.