Chapter 70

After walking for a while, we finally arrived at the church.

"Wow, it's so big!"

Ren looked up at the church and exclaimed in amazement.

"This is just a branch. The main church is even bigger."

"Is that so...?"

"If you find it hard to speak formally, it's fine to speak normally. I don't mind."

Saria said this to Ren while rudely entering the church. She then called out to a nearby sister.

"I'm here."

"Oh, Lady Saria, welcome! Hmm, those children...?"

"They're here to carry things. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No! Absolutely not! Please, come in. You must be tired. Right this way."

The sister, intimidated by Saria's glare, hurriedly let us through. Wow, VIP treatment indeed. We were easily allowed in. Asking Saria was the right choice.

"Alright, Lloyd, I have to prepare for the concert. See you later."

"Sure, thanks, Saria."

After saying goodbye to Saria, I headed towards the church. On the way, Grimo spoke up.

"Alright, first we need to talk to the priest and get the ban lifted. Then, while pretending to be a believer, we'll investigate and learn sacred magic, and once we've mastered it, we'll leave. It's a perfect plan, Lord Lloyd!"

"I hope everything goes well."

"Don't worry. Priests always try to gather as many believers as possible. As a royal like Lord Lloyd, there's no reason for them to refuse. Even if you did something a little bit wrong in the past, it shouldn't be a problem! ...Now that I think about it, it's a bit odd that you were banned in the first place... No, no, I'm overthinking it."

Indeed, a little bit of trouble shouldn't be a problem. Yeah.

Anyway, there's no choice but to take it as it comes.

Oh, I see the priest. Should I approach him right away?

"Father, hello!"

I waved my hand and ran over, and the priest seemed to notice me.

"Hello, you're a lively one. Did you come to pray with your friend? ...Oh, have we met before?"

"Yes, it's Lloyd. It's been a while."

"Lloyd... Huh!? Could it be, 'that' Lloyd de Saloom!?"

As soon as I introduced myself, the priest took a big step back. He grabbed the cross at his chest and started to tremble.

"No mistake! Two years ago, you suddenly appeared and plunged this peaceful church into terror! Why are you here!?"

The priest suddenly said something outrageous.

Hold on, calling me the devil's child is a bit much.

"Wow... Lloyd, what did you do...?"

"Lord Lloyd, even human experiments, torture, and killing are a bit much, don't you think?"

Grimo and Ren were both taken aback.

Hey, is my reputation that bad?

"Excuse me, I didn't do anything like that. ...Well, back then I was just learning magic and wasn't as restrained as I am now..."

"Are you saying you're more restrained now!?"

And I was surprised by his reaction.

I am being restrained. ...Right?

"Lord Lloyd, if you were less restrained back then, I can understand the priest's actions and the reason for the ban."

I was understood. That's bad.

Come to think of it, back then I hadn't fully mastered my magic, so I broke a lot of things.

Stained glass, angel statues, large paintings. ...I can see why he's angry.

"Um, Father, can I talk to you? I'm sorry for what happened back then. I've reflected on it. Could I please come back here?"

I gave my best smile, but the priest didn't take my hand and glared at me.

"No way! You say you've reflected, but words are easy to say! I can't trust such words! You shattered the works of art I created with my blood and sweat...!"

"Oh, it's more personal than I thought."

Ren muttered.

Indeed, it's personal, but that's why I can understand the priest's anger.

If someone broke something important to you, you'd be angry too.

"Can we...?"

"No, no way! In the name of God, I will not allow you to become a believer! Leave the church immediately!"

Hmm, no chance at all.

Well, I'll have to think of another way... Just as I was about to leave, a voice rang out.

"Father, why don't you give him a chance?"

A woman in a nun's habit came out from the door, her long blonde hair flowing, her ample chest swaying, and a soft smile on her face. I recognized her.

"Iesha!"

"Hehe, I'm glad you remember me. It's been a while, Lloyd."

Iesha Hannibal, a nun who has served the church for a long time.

She is a saint-like person full of justice and compassion, and she often protected me when I caused trouble back then.

I was scolded severely afterward... She is not only kind but also strict.

Her beautiful singing voice is highly praised within the church, and her performances with Saria's piano are said to be divine.

Iesha turned to the priest, placed her hand on her chest, and looked at him straight.

"Father, didn't you always say, 'People make mistakes. But if they reflect and make amends, God will surely forgive them'? What do you think? Should we give Lloyd a chance to make amends?"

"Well, Iesha... but..."

"Please, I beg you! Lloyd, while he does take risks, he always has a deep reason for it! I, and my friends, have been saved by Lloyd...!"

"Sniff, sniff!"

Ren and Shiro approached the priest with teary eyes.

"M-m-m... Even with those sparkling eyes...!"

"Whine, whine..."

The priest gasped as Shiro nuzzled up to him.

"Alright, I believe you! A dog lover can't be bad! I'll trust you!"

"Really!?"

"Y-yes... By the way, what's the dog's name?"

"Shiro. Isn't he cute? Would you like to hold him?"

"Sure, please."

The priest said this, relaxed his expression, and picked up Shiro. What a happy face. Good job, Shiro.

"Hehe, Lloyd, you're so innocent and happy. I saw you enter the church with Saria just now, so I know your goal is the concert at the Eucharist. Two years ago, when you sang hymns reluctantly, your voice was filled with the divine. The sacred magic, the voice of the highest among those who possess it—Lloyd has grown even more since then! I've been waiting for you to pursue music. Don't worry, Lloyd, I won't ban you again. I'll train you to be a fine singer. And when you're fully grown, we'll sing a duet that no one has ever heard before... I'm so excited! Hehe, hehehe..."

Iesha is muttering something.

I don't understand, but I'll just do what I need to do as usual. Yeah.