With the arrangements made, I set out for Saria’s quarters the following day.
Ren and Shiro were accompanying me.
"I’m really looking forward to meeting your sister, Lloyd."
"Woof!"
Shiro was his usual energetic self. When I’d told Sylpha I was heading to the Church, she’d decided to have Ren accompany me in her stead.
Sylpha is surprisingly busy, after all.
Personally, I felt comfortable bringing Ren along, having already witnessed her strength firsthand.
"You don’t need to be quite that excited," I said. "You’ve already met a few of my siblings. Like Albert-niisan."
"Yeah, he’s that really handsome guy, right?"
Albert di Saloom, the Second Prince.
A refreshing, good-looking man in both looks and personality, he was someone who looked out for me in many ways.
I was just thinking that we were passing near Albert’s room when—
"Oh? Were you perhaps talking about me?"
"Whoa!?"
A voice called out from behind, making me jump.
I spun around to find the man himself, Albert, standing there. He looked at our startled expressions and gave a mischievous grin.
"Hello, Lloyd. And Ren too."
"...Please don’t scare us like that, Albert-niisan."
"H-Hello!"
Ren bowed her head in a panic, and Albert returned the gesture with a smile.
"Hahaha, don't be so formal. I just happened to see you and decided to say hello."
Still, it’s a bit of a problem when he sneaks up on us like that. He’s a Succession Candidate, so I wish he’d have a bit more awareness of his position.
"By the way, where are you two headed?"
"To Saria-neesan’s place. We’re going to the Church together."
"The Church!?" Albert’s voice suddenly boomed.
I told you, stop startling me.
"Hmm... I’ve read your move, Lloyd. Your reason for going to the Church is to build a support base. No matter the method, a king needs the backing of as many citizens as possible. The Church has many followers, so securing a personal connection now is a calculated move... Hmph. Even though you claim to have no interest in the throne, you’ve clearly thought this through. That’s my right hand for you... No, if I’m not careful, I might be the one made into a right hand instead."
And then he started muttering some long-winded deductions to himself.
I guess it’s okay for us to leave now.
"Uh, well, we’re in a hurry, so..."
"Hm? Ah, yes. Be careful on your way. Make sure you work hard!"
He sent us off with a bright smile.
I have no idea what he expects me to work hard at. Albert is a good person at heart, but there are times when I just don't understand him at all.
When we arrived at the meeting spot, Saria was already packed and waiting.
"You’re finally here."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Saria-neesan."
"Woof!"
"Oh, what a lovely doggy."
Saria scooped Shiro up into her arms. She must be a dog lover; she looked genuinely pleased.
"P-Pleased to meet you, Lady Saria. I am Ren. I became Master Lloyd’s attendant a short while ago. I look forward to serving you."
Saria gave the bowing Ren a brief glance.
"...You, what instrument do you play?"
"Huh? N-No, I don't really play any instruments..."
"I see."
Saria lost all interest in Ren instantly. Ren stood there, stunned by the sheer contrast between how she and Shiro were being treated.
I mean, why instruments? I don't play anything either.
"Lloyd is fine," Saria said, her face returning to its usual expressionless state. "He isn’t in that category. Now, let’s go."
Wait, what category?
Exchanging a look with Ren, I followed Saria toward the Church.
The Church was located in the center of the city, about an hour’s walk from the castle. As we strolled along, the Adventurers' Guild came into view.
"Ah, crap."
I should have taken a different route. I realized it too late, but I was currently walking around with Ren, who used to be a wanted criminal.
I’d cleared things with the guild on the condition that I’d take responsibility for her, but I had no idea how other adventurers would react. I was prepared to handle things if necessary, but I preferred to avoid the hassle.
As I was pondering this, the doors to the Adventurers' Guild swung open.
My eyes met those of two rough-looking men stepping out. ...I had a bad feeling about this.
"Hold it right there, ladies."
Ren’s shoulders gave a small twitch.
Sigh, I knew it. Explaining this is going to be such a pain.
I stepped in front of the two men.
"Look, sorry, but Ren is—"
"Hehehe, aren't you a cute little maid?"
"...Huh?"
A dumbfounded sound escaped my lips. What were these guys even talking about?
As I stood there bewildered, the men continued.
"The grumpy lady next to you has a pretty face too, if you look close enough."
"Why don't you come hang out with us? Forget about babysitting this brat."
...Oh. They were just common thugs looking to pick up girls.
One of the men, wearing a greasy smirk, reached out to grab my shoulder and shove me aside.
In that instant, a surge of bloodlust erupted behind me.
"Ren, don't."
I restrained Ren just as she was about to pull her dagger.
"But Sylpha told me that if anyone tried to harm Master Lloyd, I could do whatever I wanted, even if it meant killing them..."
"Even so, no killing."
Good grief, she’s dangerous. Besides, if a fight breaks out in a place with this much foot traffic, it’ll turn into a massive incident.
"If you're going to do it, do it quietly. Standing out is bad."
"Okaay."
"What are you two whispering about—"
As the men started to speak, I activated the Wind System Magic, Wind Cutter.
A blade of wind swept past the men’s waists. A moment later, their pants dropped to the ground, exposing their lower halves.
"W-What!?"
They scrambled to pull their pants back up, but since I’d sliced through their belts, it was a lost cause.
"Hey, guys," I said. "Are you really planning on hitting on girls while looking like that?"
"Guh... Damn it! You’ll pay for this!"
Clutching their pants with both hands, the men spat out a generic parting threat and scurried away.
Well, that’s that. At least I drove them off.
"Ahaha! That was impressive, aru!"
I heard clapping as I breathed a sigh of relief. The source of the applause was a girl in Chinese-style clothing—Tao.
"Hao! Long time no see, Lloyd. Ren and Shiro too."
I waved at the smiling Tao, while Ren gave a polite bow and Shiro let out a friendly bark.
Tao was an adventurer I’d befriended a while back, a martial artist who fought using a foreign style of kenpo. By manipulating the Ki within her body, she possessed incredible combat ability despite fighting bare-handed. Her skill was easily on par with Sylpha’s.
"You're mean," I joked. "If you were watching, you could have helped us out."
"Oh? Did you actually need help, aru?"
I gave a wry smile and shook my head. Tao grinned back, as if to say, "I thought so."
"By the way, Lloyd, who is this?"
"This is Saria. My older sister."
"Hmm. Now that you mention it, she does have an aura like yours. Nice to meet you, Saria. I’m Tao, an adventurer, aru!"
"Mm..."
Tao grabbed Saria’s hand and shook it vigorously. Saria looked a bit overwhelmed by the sudden intrusion into her personal space.
The Adventurers' Guild is an organization independent of the kingdom, so I suppose they don't feel the need to be formal just because we’re royalty. Neither I nor Saria are narrow-minded enough to care, though.
"It’s a rare group you’ve got here. Where are you heading, aru?"
"To the Church. Saria is giving a performance."
"Heh! Sounds fun! I’d love to come, but... hmm, I’ve got work to do. I just picked up a request. I’m going to hunt some Ghouls, but how about it, Lloyd? Want to come, aru?"
"Ugh, I really want to... but I have plans today. Maybe next time."
"Fine, fine. There are plenty of requests left, so we can go together when there’s a chance, aru. I’ll try to drop by the Church if I get the opportunity. For now, Zaijian!"
Tao gave a wink, waved, and ran off at a brisk pace.
As we watched her go, Saria spoke up quietly.
"Lloyd, thanks for earlier. For helping me."
"Hm? Oh, it was nothing."
"No, it was impressive. I was prepared to step in as your older sister if things got bad, but..."
Saria lifted her handbag.
Wait, that bag has some incredibly sharp corners. It looks like it could actually kill someone if it hit them. That’s terrifying.
"Still, was that wind magic just now? It’s quite different from Holy Magic."
"Wait! Have you seen Holy Magic before, Saria-neesan? What was it like!?"
I practically lunged at her words.
"I’ve only seen them healing the injured," Saria replied disinterestedly, "but there are apparently many other kinds. There are several people at the Church who can use it, so if you go there enough, you’ll probably see it eventually."
Saria clearly didn’t have much interest in magic. It didn't seem like I'd get any more details out of her.
I’d just have to see it for myself. But knowing that there were people at the Church who could use Holy Magic was enough for now.
Filled with anticipation, I quickened my pace toward the Church.