"It’s here! The pancakes at this shop are absolutely divine!"
Isha led the way at a brisk pace, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"They stack light, airy bread baked with a secret technique into a high tower, then top it with smooth, whipped cream. After that, they drizzle sweet honey syrup all over it and finish it off with fresh strawberries. It’s a total masterpiece! Hehe-hee-hun♪"
She was even humming to herself. She must have been really looking forward to this. Watching Isha look so genuinely happy made me crave them too.
"I’m excited as well!"
Ren of the Poison Moth, who had never actually eaten a pancake before, had stars in her eyes.
Following Isha's lead, we arrived at a cafe located just off Central Street.
"Wow, look at that line."
"Yes, it seems it will take quite a while to get inside."
Indeed, a massive queue snaked out from the cafe. A sign at the very end informed newcomers of a hundred-and-twenty-minute wait.
"Hmm. I want the pancakes, but two hours is a bit rough."
"Muu... it’s usually a little emptier than this..." Isha pouted, looking quite disappointed. "What should we do? Are you all alright with waiting?"
"I’ve come this far, so I definitely want to eat," I said.
When I turned to the others, all three nodded.
"I shall simply follow Master Lloyd’s lead," Sylpha said. "Personally, I am quite interested in the recipe."
"I can't believe people are willing to wait this long for food," Ren added. "I'm really looking forward to it!"
"It’ll be fine," Isha said. "With this many girls together, two hours will pass in a flash if we just chat."
"On!"
Since everyone was in agreement, we joined the back of the line.
"...Hm?"
Suddenly, I noticed the people around us were stealing glances in our direction. What was going on? They were huddled together, whispering urgently.
"Hey, hey, isn't that Master Lloyd?"
"What?! You mean that Master Lloyd? Second Prince Albert’s right hand? The one who commands magical beasts, forges magic swords, and recently crushed a lord's rebellion to take over their territory?!"
"It has to be! I recognize that maid anywhere! ...Hey, shouldn't we give up our spot in line?"
"You're right. He's surely the man who will carry the Kingdom of Saloom on his shoulders one day. It wouldn't be good to get on his bad side by making him wait."
The people in the queue continued to mutter. Then, one by one, they began to leave the line with strained, awkward smiles.
"O-Oh, come to think of it, I have an errand to run."
"Yes, quite right. I should probably finish my shopping first."
"Ah! I just remembered a thing..." "Me too." "Me as well."
Like the tide receding, the crowd that had been waiting in line vanished. I wasn't entirely sure what had just happened.
"Oh my, everyone’s gone," Isha noted. "Does that mean we’re at the front now...?"
"Works for me. I'm hungry, so let's just go in."
I didn't quite grasp the cause, but I wasn't going to complain about not wasting time. The staff looked stunned by the sudden disappearance of the queue, but thanks to that, we were seated immediately.
A bell chimed as we stepped inside. The interior was wooden and warm, decorated with tasteful ornaments that created a very stylish atmosphere.
"This is a nice place."
"Yes, I can't wait for the pancakes. Now, where should we sit... Wait, Saria?!"
Isha froze, staring at a table where Saria di Saloom sat, currently stuffing her face with pancakes.
"Mmph? Isha an' Doyd... whah are you doing here?"
"Please don't speak with your mouth full, Saria."
Isha sighed as she watched Saria, whose cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel storing nuts. Saria chewed vigorously, then downed half a cup of coffee to wash it all away. After a loud swallow, she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"—Phew. So, what brings you here, Isha? And I see Lloyd’s brought a crowd."
"Actually..."
Isha explained the situation. Saria listened, nodding every so often.
"...I see. Monsters in the Church. So this is your reward for the rescue?"
"Yes, they saved my life. Are you here to compose, Saria?"
"Yeah. My brain needs sugar after I’ve been using it this much."
I noticed a musical score she had been working on spread across the table. Standing beside her was the Black-clad Man, her bodyguard and butler, holding a stack of papers. Saria was a princess, after all; she always had someone with her when she went out.
"I’ve got another concert this weekend, so I wanted to finish a new song. But I’m a bit tired, so I’m taking five. Sit, sit! Waiter, could you bring some chairs? Five of them, please."
Saria gave the waiter crisp instructions, getting us settled in no time. She was certainly used to taking charge.
"Is this your first time having the pancakes here? Then I recommend starting with the plain ones. Get us five more orders, please. One of them should be a Deluxe Dynamite with a mountain of fruit... That’s what you want, isn't it, Isha?"
"Sariaaa!" Isha cried out, her face turning bright red.
Orders were being placed for us without our input, but I didn't have a preference, so I just went with the flow.
"Don't just sit there dazed, get in your seats. Everyone order their own drinks. I recommend the tea or coffee."
Under the weight of her overwhelming momentum, we sat down. She really was a bossy one.
After a short wait, a wonderful, savory aroma drifted toward us.
"Thank you for waiting. That’s four plain pancakes and one Deluxe Dynamite with a mountain of fruit."
"...Um, the mountain of fruit is for me."
Isha raised her hand bashfully, her cheeks flushed. A gargantuan pancake was placed in front of her with a heavy thud. It was massive—at least three times the size of ours.
"Wow, it looks so good!"
"Now then, eat while they’re hot. Sylpha, Ren, don't be shy just because we’re here. You don't mind, do you, Lloyd?"
"Not at all. Let's eat together."
"Yes, thank you for the meal!"
I cut a bite-sized piece of the pancake with my fork and tried it. In that instant, a cloud-like texture melted across my tongue. The batter was impossibly soft.
"Whoa! What is this?! It’s delicious!"
"Yeah, I've never had a snack this soft before," Ren said, her eyes wide. "It’s a completely new sensation."
"I wonder what their process is," Sylpha mused. "I would dearly like to interview the patissier."
The three of them were clearly delighted, savoring every bite. Shiro was wagging its tail so hard its whole body was shaking, so I gave it a piece as well.
"On!"
"There you go. Is it good?"
Shiro gobbled it down. As a magical beast, it wasn't particularly picky.
"Mmm♪ The pancakes here really are the best♪"
Isha looked like she was in heaven as she ate.
"It'sh choo good. My brain ish being washed in shweetness."
Saria was also mumbling something with her mouth full. I couldn't understand her, but her expression was one of pure bliss.
"Phew! I'm stuffed!"
The pancakes were quite filling, and I was satisfied with just one. I watched Isha, slightly amazed that she had finished something three times that size. When our eyes met, she shyly looked away.
"O-Oh, by the way, Saria, where is the concert being held this weekend?"
"Hm? At the Church Headquarters. I spoke with the Pope about it during the last concert."
"The Pope...!"
Everyone tensed up at the mention of the name.
"...The mastermind who hid the monsters in the Church and the sewers must be a believer or someone with high-level access," I noted. "And for someone to pull off something this massive, they’d need incredible authority. Like the Pope, for instance."
"But surely not the Pope...?" Isha whispered. "It’s impossible... it must be..."
"Either way, we need to verify it," I said. "What if someone tags along to the concert?"
"Then I'll go," I added, immediately raising my hand.
If we assumed the Pope was the mastermind, getting an audience with him would be difficult if he decided to hide away. But if I could get close to him under the guise of the concert, I could check things out. Even if a monster was in disguise or someone was possessed, Holy Magic would force a reaction. Plus, if he was the Pope, he might be a master of Holy Magic himself. If it came to a fight, that would be a fantastic learning opportunity.
"Oh, you’re coming too, Lloyd? Then do you want to perform with us?"
"Oh, what a wonderful idea! You should sing with me!"
Saria and Isha both turned to me with bright, predatory smiles.
"Eh? No, I meant..."
"Now, now, don't be modest. I’ve got it—Lloyd, you’ll be our opening act. Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll just force you into the program."
"Yes, yes! I've had my eye on Lloyd-kun's talent for a while now. Let's make this your big debut! Don't worry about a thing. With the two of us coaching you, you'll give the performance of a lifetime!"
I wasn't sure how it had happened, but I was suddenly slated to be their opening act. I didn't even have a second to voice an objection. Their momentum was simply unstoppable.
"Right, time is precious. We’re heading back for special training!"
"I'll leave the payment right here~!"
And so, dragged along by the two of them, I was hauled out of the shop.