If the former Holy Maiden Daili had still retained some childishness, she had now grown into a girl brimming with youthful charm.
"Mr. Duke, it really is you!" Daili's voice trembled ever so slightly, while surprise shone in her azure eyes.
Duke smiled faintly. "I went to some distant places and dealt with matters that had to be handled. It seems that over the past year, both you and the Light Church have developed quite well."
A faint blush spread across Daili's face, though it was unclear whether it was from excitement or something else.
She made an inviting gesture. "Let's not talk out here. Please come into the temple."
Duke nodded and followed Daili into the temple.
He noticed that the clergy they passed all respectfully saluted Daili, while their expressions toward Duke held both curiosity and respect.
Many of them were unfamiliar faces, most likely people who had joined the Light Church during the past year.
Only a portion of them vaguely remembered Duke. Upon seeing him, they recalled that he was an important figure in the Light Church.
"It seems there are quite a few newcomers," Duke remarked as they walked.
Daili tilted her head slightly, revealing a graceful, fair neck. "It is all thanks to you. After you left, we developed the church according to the suggestions you left behind. In particular, the Heaven-Blessed Ones helped us solve many problems and greatly expanded our influence."
As they spoke, sunlight streamed through the temple's stained-glass windows and fell upon Daili, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across her.
They arrived at the inner temple in the rear, where the Light God Statue stood.
"Mr. Duke, you should be staying for a while this time, right?" Daili looked at Duke with anticipation.
Duke shook his head. "I