Everything was supposed to have been settled. At least, that’s what I thought... until a few days later, when my father, King Charles, summoned me.
When I arrived at the Throne Room, I found Charles waiting with Albert by his side.
"You have arrived, Lloyd."
"Yes, Father."
I gave a short response to Charles's call. I wondered what this was all about. I swallowed hard, feeling the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Charles cleared his throat once before speaking.
"You slipped out of the castle the other night, didn't you?"
My shoulders gave a visible start at his words.
Ugh, dammit. He found out. I thought I’d be safe since I returned in the middle of the night, but it seemed someone had spotted me.
I’d messed up... Mentally clutching my head, I nodded in response to his question.
"...Yes. Well, the night air was just so pleasant, I couldn't help myself..."
"Hmph. Shall I try to guess what you were up to? You went to the Church, didn't you?"
I tried to play it off, but he countered me with a knowing smile.
...This was bad. He saw right through me. The fact that he’d waited a few days before summoning me probably meant he’d been busy confirming my whereabouts.
In other words—the Church Headquarters Collapse Incident.
I’d had Ren of the Poison Moth look into it immediately afterward. According to her, the Church Headquarters had been half-destroyed by an attack from an unknown assailant. Gitan, the Pope, was officially missing, and the followers were in such a state of panic that order had completely broken down.
Even though I was the one who did it, hearing the extent of the damage gave me a headache, and I’d dismissed Ren before she could finish her report. I’d hoped to just feign ignorance and pray the news wouldn't reach the ears of Charles and the others, but...
"Word of the incident at the Church reached my ears as a matter of course. Good grief, you have certainly done something outrageous."
Charles looked down at me with a sharp, piercing gaze.
...It seemed my prayers had gone unanswered. Many people in this castle, Charles included, were indebted to the Church. If they thought I’d done something to jeopardize that relationship, a mere scolding would be the least of my worries. I’d finally gained enough trust to go out as I pleased lately, but now they might never let me leave the castle again.
I braced myself for the worst as Charles spoke with a heavy tone.
"—It was a job well done, Lloyd."
"...Huh?"
My eyes widened at his words.
"I have known through Albert for some time that you were frequenting the Church. At first, I intended only to observe your actions, but then I realized the Pope seemed to be plotting something. I shifted our investigation accordingly. Suspicions soon surfaced that the Pope was involved in the disappearance cases that have been troubling the city. We were hurriedly gathering evidence to apprehend him, and just as we were ready to move in, this incident occurred."
Charles nodded to himself in satisfaction.
I wondered when they’d been investigating all that... Ah, Sylpha. Albert had probably ordered her to keep tabs on me.
"I was truly surprised. When we moved to raid the Church, it was already in a total uproar. When we questioned the followers, many claimed to have seen you fighting the Pope after he transformed into a monster. And what's more, they say you were accompanied by an Angel. They turned the tables on me and asked, 'Is the Seventh Prince a Divine Messenger?!' Hahaha!"
For some reason, Charles seemed delighted.
Hmm, so the followers really did see me. And what was with this "Divine Messenger" business? It was embarrassing.
"C-could it have been someone who just looked like me...?"
As I tried to play it off, Albert, who had been standing by, let a faint smile play across his lips.
"Humility is unnecessary, Lloyd. Remember when you snuck out in the middle of the night and thwarted the Lord of Lodesto's scheme? I had a hunch then, too. I knew this had to be your doing."
Albert gave a quick wink. It seemed he had reached the same conclusion.
"Indeed. Among the followers, there were even those suggesting we make you, the Divine Messenger, the next Pope. You are certainly beloved!"
Gah, there was no escape. If I were made the Pope, I’d lose all my freedom. While I might be able to gather more information on Holy Magic that way, I definitely wanted to pass on the responsibility.
"Striking down evil in the dead of night, unknown to anyone... Did you do it in secret because you thought I would force some troublesome duty upon you? Like making you the replacement for the Pope you defeated?"
Charles laughed, seemingly amused by the fact that he’d seen right through my internal panic.
"Hahaha! I wouldn't do such a thing, no matter the circumstances. Besides, I believe I told you once, did I not? You are the Seventh Prince, with no claim to the Right of Succession. You should live as you please, without being burdened by such roles."
"Father, does that mean...!"
"Indeed. I told them they must have been mistaken. I informed them that Lloyd had been asleep in his bed the entire day. The followers eventually gave up and went home."
Whew, I was saved. As I breathed a sigh of relief, Charles continued.
"Lloyd, you should continue to strive ahead freely, without worry. I am your father, after all. I vow to continue being your strength from here on out."
"Of course, I will as well, Lloyd. You can always rely on your big brother when you're in trouble."
"Father, Albert-niisan... thank you very much!"
I bowed deeply to them both. I thought they might have forgotten the promise we made a long time ago, and I was moved that they still remembered it. I stood up, bowed once more with genuine gratitude, and left the Throne Room.
"Making Lloyd the Pope, eh? Honestly, those Church people have no eye for talent. Do they really think my son is a vessel small enough to be contained by such a position? Still, it isn't a bad thing to have the Church in our debt. There are churches outside our borders as well. When he eventually travels to other nations, his connections with the Church will surely become Lloyd's strength. Lloyd, for now, absorb everything your heart desires. That is exactly what you, who hold the destiny to become the King who rules the world, must do."
"I thought Lloyd had gone to build a connection with the Church, but to think he would almost be hoisted up as the Pope. The followers gave up for now after Father's words, but even as they were leaving, I could hear them whispering about making Lloyd the Pope somehow. He captured their hearts more than I imagined. If something were to happen, they would likely gather at his side immediately if he but called. There are over ten thousand followers in this country alone—more than ten times my private army. If Lloyd felt like it, he could tip the scales of the entire nation. Heh... It doesn't bear thinking about. Though as his brother, I am quite proud."
Albert and Charles were muttering something or other to themselves, but for the time being, I was just relieved. I was truly grateful that both of them still granted me my freedom after I had caused such a stir.
As I thought, the position of the Seventh Prince was nice and easy. It looked like I'd be able to continue devoting myself to magic research freely from here on out.