Feeling the faith power flowing from the girl in front of her, Elise's pure smile grew even brighter.
Unknowingly, the Saintess has become someone else's white moonlight again!
Now was the time to take the initiative.
"That's right!"
"Eh?"
Elise, in front of Hill's stunned expression, gently cupped her face and brought their foreheads together.
It almost looked like a kiss!
But Elise was the saintess—she wouldn't offer a kiss so lightly. That was something she'd treat with utmost caution.
"The smile you just had—that proves my efforts weren't in vain!"
"May your future shine like the stars above!"
Even though Elise wore a black blindfold, Hill felt as if she could see her bewitching gaze through it—completely captivated by that beauty.
Just earlier, she had seen Elise blushing in embarrassment, but now… the one blushing was Hill herself.
"I'm glad I got to see this side of you. It's really cute!" Elise teased.
"Ugh!" This time it was Hill's turn to pout.
"Those were my lines just now! Why are you turning them around on me?"
Though her tone held a hint of complaint, her mood had clearly improved—there was even a bit of secret delight behind her words.
"But, there's something I must do."
Elise's expression suddenly turned serious, making Hill wonder if something important was about to happen.
"First, I need to offer you a sincere apology!"
Elise gave a slight bow, leaving the girl before her completely confused, her face full of puzzlement.
"Eh? Apologize to me?"
Why would she apologize? She didn't do anything wrong, did she?
"Yes! I originally just came out to buy some clothes—I hadn't planned to reveal my identity, so I didn't use my real name."
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have lied to you." Elise bowed deeply once more.
"My name isn't Bronya. It's Elise Holiness."
"I want to become real friends with you, so I don't want to keep using a false name."
That's what she's apologizing for?
She really cared that much?
"I already figured it out," the girl replied softly. "If anything… I didn't give you my real name either, so I owe you an apology too. Sorry about that!"
"Eh? You too?" Elise blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "We really are connected, huh—choosing the exact same approach!"
"So? What's your real name?"
"Sylvia Lyyneheym. Just call me Sylvia."
Hill—no, she should now be called by her real name: Sylvia.
"In that case, you don't need to call me Elise either. Just use this name…"
This was a nickname only those close to her could use—Saintess Elise really was treating Sylvia as someone special!
"Ely!"
"Call me Ely, okay? You're the only one allowed to call me that, Sylvia!"
...
"By the way, Sylvia, could you tell me what was bothering you earlier? You know I'm the saintess of the Church—if there's anything troubling you, I'll do whatever I can to help."
Now that they had exchanged their real names, their relationship had grown much closer—calling them best friends wouldn't be an exaggeration.
After some thought, Elise decided to bring up the matter again, causing Sylvia's expression to shift.
"..."
After a long silence, Sylvia finally decided to speak.
"I have a teacher. Her name is Ursula Svento…"
Sylvia briefly explained the story of her relationship with her teacher, the sudden disappearance, and her journey to find her.
"I see… a respected teacher disappearing without a trace, no matter how hard you search—it really must be painful. Let me help you!"
Elise gave a gentle smile and lightly took Sylvia's hand.
"I'll have the Church keep an eye out during their missions. If there's any information, I'll get it to you immediately!"
"Mm! That would be amazing—thank you, Ely!"
"We're good friends—there's no need to thank me for something like that!"
"So, Sylvia, what are your plans from here on out? If it's convenient… would you like to come to the Church with me?" Elise asked, visibly excited. "Ah, sorry—I got a bit carried away."
"It's fine."
"I don't mind visiting the Church, but I won't be able to stay there for long. I have my own plans."
"I'm heading to Asterisk, the floating city, to enroll at Queenvail Girls' Academy."
"Queenvail?" Elise said in slight surprise. "Sylvia, are you planning to become a star?"
"Yes. My teacher taught me so many singing and dancing techniques—I want to share my voice with the world!"
"Would you like to hear me sing now? Just don't laugh if I don't sound good!"
"Of course!"
With that, Sylvia began to hum softly. Her voice was ethereal and clear, as if surrounded by a magical force, evoking a feeling of spiritual purification.
She kept her voice low, just enough for Elise to hear. These were songs Sylvia had composed herself in private—no one else knew them.
Elise had the honor of being her first listener. Despite being in a noisy shopping mall, it felt as if she were in a grand concert hall.
She listened quietly, careful not to disturb the performance. Only after Sylvia finished did she gently begin to applaud.
"That was truly beautiful, Sylvia."
"If it's you, I know your voice will reach the entire world one day!"
Elise never held back sincere praise. And Sylvia's singing really was world-class—there was no doubt she would become a global diva in the future.
"I told you not to laugh, but now you're praising me like that—I don't know what to do with myself!"
And just like that, in joyful conversation, their remaining time slipped away. Elise mentioned that she, too, planned to visit the floating city of Asterisk sometime soon—they could meet again then.
When it came time to part ways, Sylvia gave Elise a big hug and marked her in her contacts as "my best friend."
"Ely, let's go out together again when we have time, okay?"
Once Sylvia left, Elise was alone. The smile on her face faded, and the gaze beneath her blindfold grew serious.
I'm sorry, Sylvia.
I can't help you find Ursula—not right now.
Sylvia is destined to become the most famous songstress in this world. I don't want to change that. I can't let the story shift too drastically.
But I promise you—once you become the world's number one songstress, your teacher will return!
This honest saintess will keep her word!
"Alright, I've made a good friend today! Time to return to the Church. Otherwise, the nuns will start worrying."
Thinking of the Church sisters, Elise sighed inwardly. I've been gone for quite a while—I'm definitely going to get lectured.
Still, the perfect saintess would surely find a way to talk her way out of it!
...
Outside the mall…
"Lady Elise… where did she go?"
"Didn't she say she wanted help picking out clothes?"
Sister Mana stood there, bewildered in the wind.
Today, the Saintess had become a promise-breaking, novelty-chasing heartless woman.