After walking for a short while, we finally reached the Church.
"Whoa... it’s huge," Ren murmured, looking up at the cathedral with a voice full of admiration.
"This is just a branch," Saria noted. "The headquarters is much larger."
"Is that... so?"
"You can just speak normally if it’s easier. I don't care about formalities," Saria said as she walked into the Church without the slightest hesitation. She approached a sister walking nearby. "I’m here."
"Oh, Lady Saria! Welcome, we have been expecting you! And these children are...?"
"They’re my luggage carriers. You have a problem with that?"
"No! Not at all! Please, you must be exhausted. Right this way."
Cowering under Saria’s sharp gaze, the sister hurriedly ushered us inside.
Ooh, as expected of VIP treatment. We got in without any trouble at all. Asking Saria for help was definitely the right move.
"Well then, Lloyd, I have to go prepare for the concert. I'll see you later."
"Yeah, thanks, Saria-neesan."
After seeing Saria off, I headed deeper into the cathedral. Grimo spoke up as we walked.
"Let’s see... first, we speak to the priest and get him to lift your ban-ssu. Then, while pretending to be a devout believer, we investigate Holy Magic. Once you've mastered it, we can wrap things up whenever we like. It’s a flawless plan, Master Lloyd-ssu!"
"I just hope things go that smoothly."
"It’ll be fine-ssu. Church folk are always looking to gather as many followers as possible. They’d have no reason to turn away royalty like you. Even if you caused a tiny bit of trouble in the past, it shouldn't be an issue! ...Actually, now that I think about it, getting banned in the first place is kind of impressive... No, no, I'm overthinking it-ssu."
True, if it was just a little bit of trouble, it should be fine. Probably. Regardless, I just have to play it by ear.
Oh, I found the Priest. I should try talking to him right away.
"Father! Hello there!"
I ran up to him while waving my hand. The Priest seemed to notice me and turned around.
"Hello, what a spirited child. Did the two of you come to pray? ...Wait, have we met somewhere before?"
"Yes, I'm Lloyd. It’s been a long time."
"Lloyd... hah?! C-Could it be... that Lloyd di Saloom?!"
The moment I introduced myself, the Priest recoiled with incredible force. He clutched the cross hanging from his neck, his hands trembling.
"There is no mistake! Why is the demon child who plunged this peaceful church into the depths of terror two years ago here again?!"
The Priest suddenly started shouting the most outrageous things. Wait a minute—calling me a "demon child" is a bit much, isn't it?
"Uwah... Lloyd, what on earth did you do?" Ren asked, looking concerned.
"Master Lloyd, I think human experimentation, torture, or mass murder is a bit over the line, even for you-ssu," Grimo added.
Hearing that, both Ren and Grimo looked completely repulsed. Hey, do you guys have zero trust in me?
"How rude. I didn't do anything like that. ...Well, I had only just started learning magic back then, so I wasn't practicing as much self-restraint as I do now, but still..."
"Wait, you mean to tell me you think you're practicing self-restraint now?!" Grimo cried out in shock.
For some reason, even that surprised him. I am practicing it, though. ...Right?
"...Well, if Master Lloyd was even worse back then than he is now, I can see why this Priest is reacting like this. The ban makes total sense-ssu," Grimo muttered.
He actually took the Priest's side. How cruel.
Come to think of it, since my control over magic wasn't perfect yet, I did end up breaking a lot of things. Stained glass, angel statues, massive paintings... I suppose his anger isn't entirely unjustified.
"Um, Father? Could you please listen to me? About what happened back then... well, I'm sorry. I've reflected on my actions. If it's alright, I'd like to be allowed back in."
I gave him my most innocent smile, but the Priest didn't take the olive branch. Instead, he stood tall and glared down at me.
"Never! You've reflected? Words are cheap! There is no way I can trust a single thing you say! You shattered every last one of the artistic masterpieces I poured my heart and soul into...!"
"Ah, it was a more personal grudge than I expected," Ren whispered.
It was definitely personal, but that only made the Priest’s anger more understandable. Anyone would be furious if their treasures were destroyed.
"Couldn't you somehow find a way to—"
"No! Absolutely not! In the name of God, I will not allow you to become a parishioner! Leave this sacred garden at once!"
Muu, he won't even give me the time of day. It can't be helped; I'll have to find another way... Just as I was about to turn and leave, someone intervened.
"Father, why don't we leave it at that?"
A woman in a sister's habit emerged from a nearby door, her voice as clear as a ringing bell. With her long blonde hair swaying and a soft, maternal smile on her face, I recognized her immediately.
"Isha!"
"Fufu, I'm glad you remember me. It’s been a long time, Lloyd-kun."
Isha Hannibark was a sister who had served this Church for years. A woman overflowing with justice and mercy, she was like a saintly mother who had often shielded me from trouble in the past. Of course, she would scold me mercilessly afterward... She was as strict as she was kind.
Within the Church, her singing voice was legendary. It was said that when she sang to Saria’s piano, divinity itself descended upon the room.
Isha turned to the Priest and placed a hand over her heart, looking him in the eye.
"Father, have you not always told us that 'Humans are prone to error, but if they reflect and seek to make amends, God will surely forgive them'? Why don't we give Lloyd-kun a chance to redeem himself?"
"You say that, Isha-kun, but..."
"I'm asking as well!" Ren chimed in, stepping forward. "Lloyd might do reckless things sometimes, but it's always because he has a deeper reason for it! I—and all my comrades—were saved by him!"
"Woof! Woof!" Shiro added, joining the appeal.
Ren and Shiro crowded around the faltering Priest with wide, pleading eyes.
"M-Muu... even if you stare at me like that..."
"Whine... whine..."
Shiro let out a pathetic whimper and rubbed its head against the Priest’s leg. The man took a sharp, shaky breath.
"...Fine! I give in! No one who loves dogs can be a truly bad person! I shall choose to believe you!"
"Really?!"
"Y-Yes... By the way, what is this dog's name?"
"It’s Shiro. Cute, isn't it? Would you like to hold it?"
"...I would be honored."
As he spoke, the Priest’s face softened completely as he scooped Shiro up into his arms. He looked absolutely blissful. Good job, Shiro.
"Fufu, Lloyd-kun is so innocently happy," Isha murmured to herself. "Seeing him come in with Saria earlier must mean his goal is the concert at the Holy Communion Assembly. Two years ago, even when he looked like he hated singing those hymns, his voice harbored divinity. It was a Holy Voice, the kind possessed only by those at the very pinnacle... and Lloyd-kun has grown even more since then! I've been waiting for this day, certain that he would eventually choose the path of music. Don't worry, Lloyd-kun, I won't let you be banned again. I will personally raise you into a magnificent singer. And once you have matured, a duet between us will produce a song such as the world has never heard... Oh, I can't wait! Hehe, fufufufu..."
Isha was muttering something under her breath with a strange intensity. I didn't quite catch it, but I suppose I'll just focus on my own goals as usual. Yeah.