Chapter 17.

A deep voice resonated solemnly 5391254f44 within the quiet room. The pain that never 895e45474c seemed to come, no 0dffef275d matter how long I 10c5299205 waited. I slowly opened ce331a2c90 my tightly shut aa3e9806e4 eyes and found 0f7a0d2320 myself questioning what 2b4d1f78f8 I saw.f0b2e04f8551d70e

“Lo… Lord?”8139cfbe93f7012a

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A man with jet-black hair and golden eyes, adorned in splendid attire. Duke Kalios had a firm grip on Dungaeski’s wrist.d4bfe0f563d3cb30

“Duke Kalios…!”a32e45a913e30843

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Dungaeski’s eyes widened in disbelief. The sudden appearance of the Duke, as if rising from the ground, was beyond belief for everyone present, including myself.2412d70df4f2c8cf

“H-How did the Duke get here…!”fb5d56accba9f390

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“I should be the one asking that.”ca0ba53783a8d88a

The Duke coldly interrupted Dungaeski. For some reason, he didn’t bother with even the bare minimum of courtesy.8f023dda199f04aa

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His chilly gaze swept through the priests one by one, finally landing on me, huddled like a pile in the dim corner of the chamber. The Duke’s eyes flickered with surprise.35039923779c1ae2

“…Is this child being abused right now?”7eca888c289bb820

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“What? A-Abuse? No way…!”a28edaffd24ba3f2

“Then how would you explain this situation?”a063f98969252bf8

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“W-Well…”7537afb5d0982229

Dungaeski was at 489d25884e a loss for f2555982ad words.87725caeb86b3d91

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However, Dungaeski, acting as naturally as an old man who had seen it all in the temple, quickly responded, “It is true that this may seem like a misunderstanding. However, this is an exorcism tool, Your Grace.”b9af52150dfe861e

“…An exorcism tool?”af05de658bdff92d

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“Yes. After returning from Kalios Manor this evening, it seemed like Belze’s body had been possessed by a malevolent entity, so we were urgently conducting a ritual.”d688ddec1405e793

“Hmph, a malevolent entity?”1534b801076c2e98

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The Duke chuckled and inquired further, “Does the temple designate children possessed by malevolent entities as candidates for sainthood?”fae8c3b200bd10bb

“W-Well…”effe9f303c0c9a43

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Dungaeski’s face crumpled in panic.6780fa8adb776d26

‘Exactly!’17aba94591790983

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It was clear that he had completely forgotten that I was a candidate for sainthood. He stammered in his defense, “Ah, children often become entangled with malevolent spirits because their souls are pure. Even if they are candidates for sainthood, they are still young…”04c43356b6a78454

“Logan! Go and fetch the Pope!”c5178e193238c2f3

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Ignoring the feeble excuses, b84adbe284 the Duke ordered his e433da79bd aide, who was standing 35fd053112 behind him.7416607f4a665f38

“Yes, understood!”4dd118d0a350cc9d

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The aide quickly disappeared down b0709d9ffc the corridor.ed4dbd83a3d8f24d

“Ah!”4e8cfac5b2d1a8fa

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At the same time, the Duke twisted Dungaeski’s wrist and effortlessly took the exorcism tool from him.361aa074888c48c7

“Quite cruel, isn’t it? Such items are rarely used even in prisons…”66819baf5397823c

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“W-Well…”996aff926ea7fc7d

“Shut up.”98f7e1c85ce9c823

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Kkadduk.1f20dab6841db476

Suddenly, a harsh grinding sound escaped from the Duke’s lips.9fcf9a91117ba6d0

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“The Goddess advised not to strike children and the elderly even with a flower. But these so-called disciples…”34da9884c60ee2c3

“Y-Your Grace! Please listen to me for a moment…”cfe677626d752814

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“You wretched beings.”f75065fa6f09f6c1

The Duke, who had 8d83606746 been chillingly composed, suddenly ccd33f7f82 hardened his face and aa66261d42 muttered as if chewing 169cb89700 over something.b7e36a251d37c908

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“Seeing you defy the words of the Goddess, it seems that you lot are truly possessed by Satan.”bb010956a9c26228

“Your Grace!”bc7f4388faea0c3e

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“I will personally assist with the ritual.”f45010a80175d3ed

Hwiik!b75d223adb2bd5e3

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In that moment, 420ff807bb the Duke swung fcf279bd60 the snatched whip 795ab997b4 directly.c8eefaf04b507220

Chyaak―!1a7dbb1b99911453

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“Uhh!”2c06fc91c821322a

“Kyaah!”c8c73b03ea788b34

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The whip’s tip narrowly grazed Dungaeski and the priests’ heads as it sliced through the air. Due to the wind, the filerolus that had covered Dungaeski’s head was roughly torn off, revealing a completely bald and shiny pate in the middle.fe61b4e61d9f94de

“W-What are you doing!”fca2c9ce7ce69db0

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Dungaeski, with an db4a8f2259 astonished expression, clutched 68046e06a1 the removed cover, 8888d5dd00 which had disappeared 85083404db from his head.708c13e0f1d96b63

“In the middle of a ritual.”ef802097c271602a

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“N-Now, this is going too far!”f1b883e65e53fa4d

“Does it look like a joke to you?”74f8b620569f4cfb

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Hwiik!a72d575486f225c2

With a flash bab492d0db in his eyes, 23129ea9f4 the Duke menacingly 2d45d8d484 brandished the whip ba8fe2c9d1 into the air.278ac7d8e8176d1f

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“Ah, aah!”5e900b5e4d0d16d3

Even though the ac9d936ff2 whip had yet 197aa3d39f to fall, Dungaeski, cdc3b5c430 who had been fbd0421055 trembling with fear 35a5d70cba and screaming, quickly 35318f8793 blurted out:5df08f2cf30a97f9

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“This is an internal matter of the temple! Outsiders shouldn’t interfere. It’s a clear violation of the temple’s jurisdiction!”e3e75c09615b95e0

“Well, it might not be just an internal matter.”741cd7989dbb7483

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Chyaak―!408cc81aaaee5c54

In response, the Duke swung the whip again. This time, the whip’s tip narrowly grazed Dungaeski’s chest and passed by.8a7eee4e84f08d94

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“Ugh! Duke Kal…”afd3b05c951a4cdb

Once again, accompanied by 42c76b61b7 another scream:37fcb239c6bf297d

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Jjijijik!44cf1eb08375d221

The whip passed 49ff2d2c5d by, and the fbc85dd87e thin fabric in 3fac28a3a5 its wake tore 606e404985 apart like a 3de3a36c23 sheet of paper.b49ff77de92f8ea3

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Sssrr…9dd1ad77606aaab3

Dungaeski’s priestly robes, which he had been wearing, split into two pieces and fell to the ground.5eaed1c3785e7eba

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An old, greasy, and pitifully d5e282eee8 exposed body was fully revealed. As the cool a3c25c56c7 air touched his 290c114a69 bare skin, Dungaeski 40d2c06269 shivered.dd4291491aa6b93a

“Huuggh! W-What is this…?”36813adb54db3d81

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“Oh, my goodness!”d48d8ba8b7fc4b7d

The priestess said as d3954bc100 Dungaeski frantically tried to 68ccb66f4b cover himself with the 1f3e0ad662 torn fabric.3fee2c7ab7447602

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Even his hat, which concealed bfc0e8d039 his bald head, had disappeared. His tattered clothing made the 63772e5371 elderly man appear far from 18f2dc0d21 the dignified image of a f45dbee89f priest.463281dc9461e8c1

His reddened face and squirming e68bcc46ed body out of shame made c5e8fb641f him look grotesque and repulsive.bd971f92dd35e2b3

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‘To think that you could make a person look so ridiculous with just a few lashes… Amazing!’d83c43063f3c40a1

And without leaving a e58427638d single injury!fac71e528ccdff88

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I alternated my gaze 95c2fee3b3 between the neatly torn 268fa8a3b9 clothes and Dungaeski, filled 87f51043b0 with admiration. The Duke added 0381b5072a an unbelievable statement fd0daf4852 to the mix:44873e624f5992d7

“Starting today, this child is under my protection, so from now on, she belongs to Kalios.”16f1d487724d1fd6

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“Do you really think you can get away with such actions?”c95f623a3719dc7b

Reacting to the declaration, Dungaeski 3c2fdee7ca shouted as if protesting:55c366116d7ce6aa

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“All the blessed children are under my jurisdiction! If you wish to sponsor them, you must obtain my permission!”bd40b16a67f2d717

“It seems like we can’t communicate with you, so I obtained the Pope’s direct permission.”d7cfe8d9368cb22f

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Unexpectedly, the Duke pulled something 8369339563 from his pocket and tossed 7ad94dabfc it to Dungaeski.96621159b089f2d0

Flap!418b9513e51f237d

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Just like yesterday, the sheet of paper grazed Dungaeski’s head and fell to the ground.20f2c3a44756fa85

**Sponsorship Certificate**f40ded04b6089af4

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**Guardian:** Liam Kalios66f0cfa6fbc521e1

**Ward:** Belze (age 5)bc87bbb1bf8a9461

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I didn’t really need to read it all.e4b150a5e3126e86

Just the bold letters 2ee57d59d8 at the top were 977f266663 enough to understand the 5b9f852f05 situation.0c4ce35a31137743

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Tears welled up 273e0ee67c unexpectedly, and a d33389d9c2 hot sensation surged db144908ed up my throat. In my previous life, I dce42df504 was simply glad to leave b2254260a3 the temple behind.838935302fb98ca6

If that piece of paper had known it would evoke such intense emotions in me…37aef973c90c170a

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“Why… Why did the Pope… He left everything about this matter to me!”948023c745188eff

Dungaeski, in disbelief, bent over d1147c2c06 and examined the paper in 3699cae515 a ludicrous manner.85e5d2bd2afc6d11

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Perhaps he had to hold onto the torn piece of clothing and couldn’t use his hands to hold the paper.965ae63ccdd511f7

‘Come to think of it… What kind of person was the Pope?’a942c59eb8b5a9ce

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A sudden doubt arose in 16dfcb38cf me. I could count on 4f7f6e4bd4 one hand the number 16facc126b of times I had 93b36b50ae encountered the Pope in 9ad4d4e840 my previous life.8a8150c9f0e5b9ed

I remembered that even 7c6fe915a1 in the original work, e1cd31a5f7 his presence was minimal.397ac8e170f4b620

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‘What if the Pope was like Dungaeski?’2c546c5b606d6107

Suddenly, as anxiety began 9429b6a216 to creep in,f4a1fbce72f639b9

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“What’s going on here?”1676aae81ccc0275

“The… Pope!”9b0b2b4d05a6200d

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Just when I wondered af2f780547 if this nobleman was fdc29b5cd0 a troublemaker, the person de34a0a74b in question appeared.dd383073683d0528

An elderly man with 463fe63293 white hair and beard, 620c91af2b who looked frail, walked 69aa4d3c6a along with several Holy c5634f6b74 Knights. His clothes were white too.e70f2e19269f44c4

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‘White.’0b008613e1f9dca7

His clothing was also ba25916f1e white, and I might 612a879df4 not have recognized him 291c0ffd61 without that detail.29fdfb0be9935b6f

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White was a sign of aging. The Pope’s lifespan was limited, no more than four or five years at most.f44b417604a3bb17

‘But the Pope’s death happened much later.’426e4436ac885fb1

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The papal seat 9fbe9765e1 had been vacant 416de58c93 for a long 5cc190c1c8 time.249c1a141dbbfb82

Dungaeski, who was about to 83dcf8a93f rise, vividly remembered the dramatic 5d998e1591 transformation of the former Pope, 73829ab11d who was now a candidate f67e31c9fd for the new male lead.9c64cba2a277c238

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“What is that whip, Duke Kalios? And what is this room?”279f7b3c235e3f6a

It seemed like 6130d69ee0 the Pope had b829922fe3 no idea about 3da626c849 the existence of 65518381c1 the Chamber of db02df87d0 Repentance.389a47174836edba

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He looked around in surprise 12269b2793 and then turned to Dungaeski 0275cd8398 with a grave expression.7637afc27c7e22bf

“Chief Dungaeski, I would like you to explain.”67f414a505d07782

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“Well, you see, Your Holiness, there was a small misunderstanding between me and the Duke…”37d0ff8d1c29769f

“This man was abusing the child.”0520ca8c3cc7d7f0

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Dungaeski tried to defuse 09c4adc441 the situation, but the ba8cf1c2bf Duke firmly stated the 09bfe84eef facts.38f29a70a2f17d62

“No, Your Holiness! I have sacrificed so much for the children! How could I do such a thing?”7765bfd3709a7f44

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“Then what is this? Why does Duke Kalios have an item that is used when dealing with demons?”f685ef83b418918b

“That, well…”0f1700ab35f67c87

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Dungaeski hesitated. Then, for a moment, his f7a3529420 serpent-like eyes darted around before 7c90f8998a he suddenly appealed.74ca03b91624efe9

“I… I don’t know either! Has Duke Kalios gone mad, suddenly appearing with that thing and threatening us?”5a3bc8592e952e55

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“…”00dba9c259394810

“Please, believe me! Take a look at my situation!”af1f28c10aa6300f

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He let go 8161e62541 of the torn e41d694d7e piece of clothing a1dda2524d he had been e40ac33366 clutching and spread f13811b484 his hands in 147cc84873 an indignant manner.19b4fbcff8262b12

Flutter!0773dc6ae4ddd4a6

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As a result, his f545124dc7 previously hidden body was 8f989a7795 fully exposed.9fa87b5a3bc134b5

Everyone in the room 98e91c6a32 frowned as they saw 52e31c2870 the piece of clothing e1d7e7f99a precariously perched on the d61c00602b lower body.1f07cd872c954036

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“What are you doing? The one who worships the gods should be pure… Cover up quickly! Tsk!”3c594216d1e8adac

The Pope turned his head b6a3acb5cb away with a displeased expression, cec2c75b58 clicking his tongue.d5bc01d0deb35a3f

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Dungaeski quickly picked ca14d184fc up the piece 32f926294b of clothing with 099da54d6a a face that cabfee92eb seemed to have a11d3c7131 a lot to 03de41bfab say. Despite the nonsensical statements, the 87783b0b5e Count remained silent without any 1f11c57efb rebuttal.996e81422bbc8314

I wasn’t too concerned either.7917dfd93b54067e

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“Hey.”565238a10e670e67

As expected, the 8185daacbc Pope approached me 7ee601b572 directly.3f56acd9068807dd

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“Your Holiness! This child is…”fbe06c44b88f72cb

Dungaeski tried to stop the Pope, but in the end, he couldn’t say anything.d5901f969d263121

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It was because, 3c81558a0d as the Duke b08d416179 had mentioned earlier, c4f066ae5d claiming that Satan 62413d7a7f had possessed her 2a0c749cb3 would not be 096e9944d3 believable when confronting 5fbda66a3c the Pope.39dcc90b9cd1e101

“Come to think of it, you… You’re that child, one of the candidates for the next Holy Maiden.”9dee2dd23ab73ccb

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“…”d4f97884291d624e

“I saw you then, didn’t I? When you first came to the temple.”f6e8d90d2b930cf0

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Perhaps due to the return, 532034bbf4 that memory felt distant to 3c0c3feaf2 me.4e88960f93955beb

“Yes.”98e2f0829378ea6d

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However, I nodded earnestly.72f1b10459d00c21

There was a reason 1168a9e2fe why I had hastily 74e01c8749 used Healing Magic on 1eb118f992 him as soon as 7352fa07c1 he arrived.339c8378ca9610c7

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“Tell me yourself. Whose words are true?”0b01439ceecf482f

Unlike Dungaeski, the aura within the Pope’s body wasn’t tinged with purple.2e641074036879b2

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So, I opened 8b0004c24a my mouth with 2496b63fae confidence.4ba3487e2abfc5b2

“Lord Duke words are true.”a95a6e520b6208c7

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“…”0a25390881b18ef3

“Preist Dungaeski was trying to keep me locked up here and beat me… Sob.”ffefe81ef536cfe0

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As I spoke, I couldn’t help but choke up a bit.dbab6b4596028ca7

“Belze, you…!”a17d174d9e6cb563

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Dungaeski tried tostop 8c9985aace me, but the c65b8d7633 Pope paid no f24bacfc77 attention.368aba1947972ab5

“What’s the reason for saying that?”84c10a7ceee6b61e

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“He says Satan possessed me!”7dd5a17e899cd9c9

“…”e20887c5006d1ee8

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“Satan possessed me, Your Holiness?”2f8af1d95d7f7b6f

The Pope did not e59ee8ad25 answer my question and e12e3371cd turned to Dungaeski.8492a26287351bb4

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His face had turned deathly da30409416 pale.9c77bb8da32cc65e

“Your Holiness! It’s not like that…!”c1d657a605395f17

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“Chief Dungaeski.”efe7912ae982ca6a

The Pope called him 9885576d45 by name.a1b487f3eada8214

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“As of today, you are dismissed from the clergy.”d98a26179cdf9d7c

“Your Holiness! Please listen to me! Your, Your Holiness…!”334ace499daca164

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Dungaeski pleaded, but unfortunately, 47e7638dff the Pope ignored him 54ba6359af completely.5355c29d37ef25c8

Not only him but e262b559cb also the priests behind c32a3fb8ba him received sharp and a53005992b piercing glances.2b08ed5f2fd53c92

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“What did you all do without stopping him? Come with me to pack your things.”05061da8ae8ae1fb

“Your, Your Holiness! W, We made a mistake!”2dfa9002b6147d06

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“I am in charge of Sister Belze! Chief Dungaeski kept trying to abuse Sister and I couldn’t stand it anymore…!”4d7395805fd3610c

“The priest kept pinching Belze’s!”34b11b26e316bf98

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‘Where can I escape to?’9df4b30a84ae0754

I looked at 3a34db142e the nun firmly 594078fabd and recounted what 8f9f8a611a I had experienced fcb537f650 in my past 65d17676a7 life and until efc3e98c3b just before my 8c88ceaa69 regression.4ecdae9b31980759

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“She kept pinching me to wake me up every day. She made me put my head in the sink upside down, didn’t give me proper food, and told me to write scriptures, ten pages a day!”3065697eacd648e0

By the way, writing 7401349b13 scriptures was something he bb71254e5e ordered me to do 8ed628f16b according to my age.144481a4a8889900

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So, it was only c74f5aa916 five pages in total c063dd20d0 for me.277bcfd6fd46dd05

‘But she ordered me to do such a terrible thing twice as much every day?!’f292329a9b84fe7d

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She was like a 74d185bb3d ruthless witch without a 8c6d62c3c4 drop of pity or 95f075db6c tears!624c9c87139d00dd