Chapter 23 – Whereabouts of Prayer (7)
“Aria, here.”
Kalt took out a handkerchief from his pocket.
When Aria looked at her handkerchief, she realized that she was crying.
“Thank you.”
Aria quickly received her handkerchief and wiped the tears flowing down her cheeks.
Kalt said after seeing Arya finish cleaning.
“Then let’s get started right away, Aria.”
“You’re starting?”
“Solving Aria’s problem through mental counseling. This is a problem that Aria has been thinking about for a long time, so let’s start solving it as soon as possible.”
Aria had no idea she would start so proactively right away.
On the one hand, she was glad that her Kalt was taking her problem so seriously.
Both Nellis and Scarlett sympathized with her situation and prayed for it to be resolved.
However, apart from the priests at her church when she was young, Kalt is the first time she has personally sought a way to solve this problem.
In addition, it is said that Kalt solved other people’s problems through her mental counseling, so Aria also had high hopes for Kalt.
“Aria’s problem is mental trauma. When she prays, she is reminded of the circumstances of that day and begins to doubt her existence as a god. As a result, her divine power decreases sharply. That’s all right. ?”
“Yes.”
“But she doesn’t think Arya herself has no god at all, does she?”
“Yes.”
“Aria, what does she think about when she prays?”
“Do you mean when she prays?”
“Yes. Do you think she just uses her blessing without thinking?”
“No. I am writing this in the hope that it will give strength to my colleagues and that their wounds will be healed. But if I repeat the prayer…”
“You mean you remember the sights of that day?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
After exchanging words with Aria, Kalt was silent again as if she was thinking deeply, and then opened her mouth.
“When using blessings, it might be a good idea to change the way you pray.”
“How do you pray?”
“Yes. I just use this blessing when I pray. It doesn’t mean I use this holy attack. It means I can be more mindful and focused.”
After hearing Kalt’s words, Aria remembered the advice she gave the priests in the past to fix the problem.
-Aria. We have a strong awareness of a peaceful world. And give thanks to the God of Light who gives us the strength to bring peace to the world. If you are Aria, who has strong divine power, it will definitely work.
But that advice actually made Aria’s condition deteriorate more quickly.
She prayed, giving thanks to God.
But when the trauma comes after that,
Even though I was so grateful and prayed as a child, the question of why I could not save everyone only came to my mind more deeply.
“Mr. Kalt, are you saying that we should pray and thank the God of Light for allowing us to use divine power?”
If that’s the case, I’ve already tried it with the priest’s advice.
I tried to say it was no use.
But.
“Huh? No. If Aria uses that method in the first place, it will only get worse.”
Kalt clearly said no.
“Well, I see.”
Aria was embarrassed because she felt like she had said something for nothing.
“Mr. Aria.”
Calling out the aria, Kalt spread her palms and hypnotized her.
“Ah…”
There are two methods of Kalt’s hypnosis.
One way is to hypnotize her so that she doesn’t even know what she’s being hinted at.
The other way is to remember what Kalt said.
The former is a method often used to change perception or common sense.
This is the method I used for Nadia as well.
And Kalt now uses the latter method and said to Arya:
“First, please follow what I say.”
“… Yes, Mr. Kalt.”
“First, put your hands together and close your eyes. As if you are praying.”
“Yes.”
In her dazed state, Arya took her prayer posture as instructed by Kalt.
“What Aria is thinking about is not gratitude to God. She is thinking about the possible outcome when Aria uses her divine power.”
“Possible results…”
“Using the strength-boosting blessing allows Nellis to kill monsters faster, and using the healing blessing allows her to heal her injured companions. And as a result, the entire party can return safely together.”
“Everyone safe…”
“Aria, do you like Nellis and Scarlett?”
“Yes… Precious colleagues. They are precious friends who knew my situation and accepted me.”
“Then, when everyone returns safely. Think about the happy days you two had. I like the times when we made small talk, and when we had a happy conversation while eating together. I’m sure you can remember it clearly.”
As Aria closed her eyes, the peaceful days she spent with Nellis and Scarlett appeared in her mind as if they had unfolded before her eyes.
Nellis talking while giggling, Scarlett making a comment, and Aria watching.
Thinking of that scene, Aria automatically smiled.
The peaceful time spent with her precious companions brought joy to Aria’s heart.
Kalt asked after seeing the corners of Aria’s mouth turn up with her eyes closed.
“How do you feel now?”
“I’m happy. I feel happy and at peace.”
“Then, when I pray from now on, I will think of that first. Peace of the world and gratitude to God come first. The situation that arises when Aria uses blessings and sacred attacks. Think of the trivial but enjoyable times with your colleagues. Look.”
“Happy time with colleagues…”
“Yes, it was a fun and happy time when I came back after completing the request, heard thanks from the villagers, and had a happy story with a proud heart.”
“Ah…”
As things became clearer, the happy times spent with her colleagues and the pride and joy she felt while working as a warrior party filled Aria’s heart.
It was then that Kalt changed the method of hypnosis.
From now on, Arya will not remember Kalt’s orders.
“Aria, from now on, every time you write a blessing, you will think of this same scene and find happiness and comfort.”
“Happiness… Comfort…”
“The more that happiness and comfort accumulates, the more Aria is able to endure the nightmare-like memories of that day. From the beginning, she cannot completely overcome it. However, if she has regular counseling sessions with me, the power of happiness and comfort that Aria remembers will increase. It becomes stronger.”
“More… Stronger…”
“Yes. As you become stronger, the memories of that day gradually stop coming to mind when praying, using blessings, or using holy attacks.”
“Little by little…”
“And when you can use your divine power freely without completely rising. You have a very strong awareness that it is thanks to me that your problem has been solved.”
“I strongly say it’s thanks to Mr. Kalt…”
“Yes, very strongly. It is firmly engraved in my mind that the problem can be solved because of me.”
‘This is the end of the bottom preparation.’
Kalt withdrew his hand.
“Aria, open your eyes now.”
“… Ah, yes.”
Aria returned to her senses from a slightly dazed state and opened her eyes.
The first person who opened his eyes and came in was Kalt with a soft smile.
“How do you feel? I thought about the precious time I had with my colleagues.”
“It was great. It made me realize more how much I enjoy being with Nellie and Scarlett.”
“Good. From now on, whenever you use sacred power, try to remember what you did today.”
“Will that make my problem better?”
‘Of course.’
“No, I can’t say for sure. But it’s important to know what your actions are connected to. Aria, you said you were happy because it reminded you, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s start with the mindset of trying hard for that joy. Surprisingly.”
Kalt touched his chest with his index finger.
“People often forget what they are doing for. Just remembering that can make you more motivated and powerful.”
“I see… I see.”
Arya didn’t understand everything that Kalt said, but she didn’t think it was wrong.
In fact, the warmth she feels from her chest is making Aria feel at ease.
“Aria’s problem will definitely not end in a day or two. So, it would be nice if the requests were completed every day, so let’s have some counseling time.”
What was it like writing a blessing today?
Was I able to properly recall the time I spent with her colleagues?
What was it like when that nightmare came back to mind?
If this method doesn’t work at all, look for another method.
Reasons for holding consultation sessions that are presented one after another.
Aria didn’t find the reason strange.
Rather, I was grateful that Kalt was so diligent in solving the problem.
“Yes, Mr. Kalt. Thank you.”
“What, you’re a colleague?”
“Colleague…”
It’s only been a few days since we were at the same party.
In Arya, Kalt appeared like a saint with a complete personality.
Kalt stood up and extended his hand to Aria.
“Let’s go back now.”
“Yes.”
Aria smiled and took Kalt’s hand.
The warmth coming from Kalt’s hand, which she held with her gloved hand, warmed Aria’s heart even more.