“Lamb Loslian, Layla Bliss.”

Pastor Marshall read the two names on the paper softly and clearly. After confirming they were correct, he looked at the five children before him, each wearing a different expression, and smiled. “These two children stood out in the selection.”

A brief silence followed.

None of the five children spoke.

Leticia didn’t know how to describe what she was feeling. She was relieved not to have been chosen, just as she’d hoped—but it was impossible to say she didn’t feel even the slightest bit disappointed.

Why, though?!

She’d said all the right things! Why hadn’t she made it in?!

From Marshall’s expression at the time, her answers had clearly made him happy!

Could there be some secret they didn’t want anyone to know about?!

But the child named Diego was in an even greater turmoil than Leticia. If Leticia’s feelings were like a lake rippling gently, then Diego’s heart was an ocean whipped into towering waves.

As for why, let’s leave that aside for now.

“Normally, once I’ve read out the names, the remaining children can go home.”

Pastor Marshall put away the paper and looked kindly at the five children. “But I’ve just given it some thought, and I’ve decided to make an additional arrangement.”

“Children, every one of you is excellent.”

Pastor Marshall smiled. “So, in addition to the two children entering the Path of Veneration, I’ll also select two more to stay here at the church as trainees in its preparatory ministry.”

The light must not be allowed to go unseen.

Although places on the Path of Veneration were limited, Pastor Marshall could use his position and influence to bring more people devoted to the Lord closer to His radiance.

It was another extension of his devotion to the Lord.

As for the places themselves—and what these two children would do at his side—that was where his own self-interest came in.

At the news of this new opportunity, the three children who hadn’t been chosen showed a change in their expressions.

New hope flared in Diego’s eyes and in those of the other child. Leticia, on the other hand, had no flame of hope—just a little surprise and a distinct “what the hell?” look.

When you don’t have much to say, one “what the hell” can get you through anything. Leticia’s feelings right now could be summed up perfectly in those words.

What a roller coaster! Why did this old guy have so many things to do?!

Couldn’t he have just read the names sooner, then let everyone go home to their own families?!

Unfortunately, Leticia wasn’t about to say any of that out loud.

Pastor Marshall said, “Modi, Diego, would you be willing to serve the Lord here in this church, listen to His teachings, and take one step closer to Him?”

“……”

The two children were silent at first—not because they were hesitating, but because they were overjoyed.

They’d never imagined they’d get a chance to turn things around when all seemed lost!

Nice!

Leticia was even happier than they were. She almost blurted out an excited “Nice!” in English. She had some doubts about Pastor Marshall’s choice, but getting away from this den of danger was absolutely the best outcome!

Seeing that Leticia was also silent, Pastor Marshall seemed to feel he shouldn’t leave the little girl out, so he said:

“Leticia, you’re excellent too. But unfortunately, places are limited, so I can only give you some material things as a reward. I hope you won’t lose the pure faith in your heart.”

Pastor Marshall thought for a moment, then said to the children, “Layla, Lamb, someone from the Church will come in about a week. When they do, just follow their instructions and do as they ask. As for Modi and Diego, come to the church tomorrow morning.”

“You can all go home now, children. Leticia, stay behind.”

Huh? There’s more?!

Leticia’s eyes flickered. She lowered her head and said, “All right, Pastor.”

“Leticia……”

As the four children passed Leticia, Layla looked at her with concern and reached out to take her hand. “It’ll be all right.”

“I’m fine.”

Leticia gave Layla a reassuring smile and spoke softly. “Congratulations, Layla. You made it into the Path of Veneration. You’ll have to work hard from now on.”

Though Leticia had no idea what the “Path of Veneration” actually was, or where the chosen children would go, what church they’d be in, what status they’d have, or what their lives would be like.

Still, she was happy for Layla, this sensitive little girl she’d grown rather fond of, and offered her the most heartfelt blessing she could.

“Mm! I will!”

Layla smiled. The little girl had so many lovely hopes for the future.

And today, she felt those hopes had come just a little closer.

The other children said goodbye to Leticia too. Diego even quietly walked over and patted her on the shoulder, as if to comfort her.

That’s how competition works—especially the kind between young children, where there isn’t much scheming involved. If only a few people win, the losers might envy them, feel jealous, or hold a grudge. They might also offer the winner their blessings. But when most people win, they tend to feel a great deal of sympathy for the one who loses—unless there’s some deep, irreconcilable hatred between them.

And when Leticia received these childish attempts at comfort, all she could do was smile.

After the other children had left, Leticia noticed the old woman she’d spoken with last time silently closing the small side door.

The church fell quiet once more. Light and shadow mingled, and the candle flames flickered, as though the gaze of some great being had settled over the place again.

Leticia felt herself growing calm despite herself. She looked at Pastor Marshall, whose expression was kind, and waited for him to speak.

“Child, there’s no need to be nervous.”

Pastor Marshall smiled and reached out, guiding Leticia to sit with him on a pew. He looked toward the altar where he usually preached, and at the cross behind it. “I asked you to stay for two reasons. First, I wanted you to choose some things that might help you in your daily life. Second, I wanted to have a talk with you.”

“A talk?”

Leticia blinked. “What did you want to talk to me about, Pastor?”

“Nothing in particular. Just a casual chat.”

Pastor Marshall chuckled. “Child, I told you not to be nervous. Do you think pastors eat people?”

“Of course not…… It’s just that pastors are such holy people, so I feel a little uncomfortable……”

“Hahaha! There’s no need to be nervous about that, child.”

Pastor Marshall gently stroked Leticia’s head with his rough palm. “We may be pastors, but we’re people too. There’s no need to feel that way.”

“Mm, I understand, Pastor.”

Leticia looked at Pastor Marshall and smiled back. “Thank you for helping me understand.”

“Child, you have beautiful eyes.”

Pastor Marshall gazed into Leticia’s eyes and spoke softly. “They make me feel as though the Lord Himself is looking at me.”

Leticia was instantly creeped out by that. No way—was this old guy some kind of pedophile?!

It reminded her of a short story she’d once read. It was about a pastor who felt his faith had hit a wall. Every day, he spied on a sexy woman—though “sexy” only meant he could see her neck and arms, and she was dressed normally, in underwear. She was someone the pastor knew, too. He found it thrilling, until his conscience began to torment him. The woman, meanwhile, was confessing her sins because of her circumstances. That was when the pastor smashed the glass at the place where he’d been spying with one punch and declared that his Lord had appeared!

Surely this guy wasn’t having trouble with his faith and hoping to see the Lord appear through her or something?

That would be terrifying……

Her heart was churning, but Leticia still looked perfectly innocent on the outside. “Pastor?”

“Ah, I’m sorry……”

Realizing he’d let himself get carried away, Pastor Marshall gave an awkward cough. “Leticia, what do you usually do?”

This pastor was getting more and more suspicious. Now he was asking about her daily life, too. Could he really be interested in her or something???

“Usually?”

Leticia thought it over without letting it show. “I usually help my uncle John out. Sometimes I go for a walk. I don’t do much else.”

She answered carefully. Most of what she said was true, and she wasn’t worried about the pastor checking up on her.

Of course, if the pastor really did investigate her, that would mean she was very, very close to danger.

“I see…… Leticia, tell me,”

Pastor Marshall suddenly asked, “Would you like to learn how to read and write?”