"Now, before I get you what you asked for, I would like to inform you that I cannot lend you my people for free. I would like to ask you something in return. If you cannot agree, our deal would have to be cut short."

The cardinal showed his real colors once they were alone.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Layla listened to the man's proposal before concluding.

"What do you want in return? If it is money, then I can pay you a decent amount. You might have to wait if it is supported since I don't have much of it now. If it is anything else, please let me know as well."

Layla spoke with confidence.

She felt conflicted, but she did not show it on her face.

The cardinal fell quiet for a minute before his eyes sparked, and he looked at Raziel with an interested look.

"I want to train this kid you are hosting. I am sure you already know I am interested in unusual people. Initially, I tried to train you in the divine arts, but you don't have a patron yet.

But that kid behind you, he is brimming with divine energy. It would greatly help you if he gets trained properly, right?"

The cardinal asked in an interested voice.

Layla felt that the cardinal was not doing this because he was affiliated with the temple or wanted more soldiers under his command.

He was making this proposal because it felt right to him, and Layla did not know if it reassured or scared her.

"Well, Raziel is his person and can make his own decisions. You need to ask him if he wants to get trained."

Layla spoke with just as much confidence as the person in front of her showed.

They both looked at each other with the same confidence before the cardinal turned toward Raziel to ask his question.

"Hey kid, your miss said I needed to ask if you wanted to train under me. So, what do you say? Do you want to learn from me?"

The cardinal asked, and it was Raziel's turn to turn toward Layla.

"Miss, would it help you if I get more training?"

It was a simple question, but how Raziel asked it made it seem more than a question.

Layla sighed before she put her glass of water down and replied simply.

"It will help me, but you don't need to force yourself. You have other ways to train, and Mary is also helping you out."

While that was true, Mary could not train Raziel in his divine magic. He did need formal training to control all the power he had.

But Layla still wanted Raziel to take his time and think things through once. She did not want him to feel burdened like this.

"I understand! In that case, I would like to learn from the cardinal and develop my powers. I want to be of us to you."

Those words caught Layla by surprise.

Raziel sounded loyal and unwavering, but she had done nothing to earn that trust from him.

She had no idea why Raziel was like this, but she felt thankful that he was willing to go this far for her…or at least, he was pretending to go this far for her.

"So, it's decided. You have to train Raziel. As for my escort, I want you to bring Miss Rossette Clark with me. She showed me around the temple several times, and we became acquaintances.

I would feel comfortable to have someone like her around."

That was a bald-faced lie. Layla could only endure Rossette Clark because she was the female lead of this work and was important.

Otherwise, Layla lacked the patience to care for an airhead like her.

The cardinal must have guessed there was a reason Layla asked for Rossette Clark, but he did not question her.

"Ah, I understand. In that case, please keep sitting here, and I will call the lady for you."

The cardinal promised before he stood up.

"One minute! If, by any chance, someone else asks to come with Rossette Clark, then you have my permission to bring them both. There is no need to make things tougher on yourself and those kids."

Layla spoke before she turned her head away.

Since the cardinal had his back to Layla, she was unsure if he heard what she said. But she was sure it would be fine for now.

Adam Clifford, the male lead, would surely insist on coming with the Female lead, but Layla did not mind the couple.

She would have to endure this dynamic in the future, so it would be better to get used to it quickly.

...

"Cardinal, would you like me to look into that girl again? I know that we did not find anything the first time, but I am sure we will find something-"

Cardinal Bishop stopped the priestess from finishing her sentence.

"Priestess Cana, I have repeatedly told you not to cause trouble like this. Besides, the Lockhart house has a long history with demons. Since this child is affiliated with that house, it is a given that she had all that demonic energy clinging to her.

There is no need for you to be like this. I talked to my god, who says we don't need to worry about that child…for now."

The cardinal spoke with confidence.

He had lived a long life and seen a lot. By now, he realized he could rely on his God to care for himself and guide him.

And Lord Almeric was staying quiet when it came to that girl.

"But Cardinal-"

"No buts and ifs, Cana. Just do the task you are being told to do, and the future that your goddess speaks of will not come true. Now, I need to look at the kids the young miss asked for.

I am sure that they are not ordinary kids either. I wonder how fun the future will be soon."