Chapter 120

Clink!7de384b258478acb

The crisp sound of gold 6694bcf68a coins clashing against each other 18fc964fdb filled the room, drawing the 1d0688439f Pope’s curious gaze toward me.ea0455b89796ab12

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“…Hmm? Weren’t you short on funds?”bd92e9bdf78fca70

“Yes! But I borrowed some in a hurry!”6cf60a2609d17ef6

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Truthfully, this gold belonged 79baf4c22d to Edwin.c6fefe5ad1fe0784

“Where are you going?”605030c100ba3747

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“Edwin! I’m really sorry, but can you lend me some money?!”30f1256dbc0ae020

I recalled Edwin’s 497229cb7c bewildered expression when 82b24e0dfe I had suddenly 5736158ca2 asked him for 356862f0ec a loan.c5c27369e8c2f360

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If he found out it 8eb6131adc was to save Ismail, he 7a2d61bc92 might sulk.bb1f33954874df55

I’ll have to 632580360f soothe him when 1bc19918c8 I get back d6825c142f and promise to b9df409793 repay him double.da64b9d8b5e4c881

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Of course, the 59b918165f repayment would only 6033d3fb36 start after I a4268c587a got my business ba5f5bf551 up and running.6f78c1f7bcf7f6a1

For now… I d940c6a4ca was flat broke.c5bf4b429742db87

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Well, not entirely—I still b20167f1c8 had the checkbook the 976046c1b9 Duke had given me.bbf128b1d1f46306

But the thought a6339f0b5c of draining the 7f9972a3cf money I had fb5ff67f50 earned as a df7f91f886 Saint Candidate in 9ac1dcc477 one go made 47f048c60b my hands tremble be60a87acd slightly as I c10a9acc82 handed over the 96dd467651 pouch of gold.bcfa7d979d8c33cc

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Just then—7e9afa7727605145

“…It’s fine.”50e29960e77dba0e

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To my shock, af3656264e the Pope didn’t 86d9f17492 take the remaining 48f894a010 sponsorship fee!55a26eef7ce07071

“I acknowledge the value of the items you sent. Let’s consider that as payment instead.”81fe67e2d6035988

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I blinked in astonishment.ce89a3009417863f

Technically speaking, the All-Purpose 1379eff303 Cure and Hair Mist 94c95a1494 were worth three gold 208fc913f8 more than what I 8c5d0f2c69 owed.f385d270c41a834e

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“Thank you so much! Your Holiness, you’re the best! The absolute best!”17873d1542f1bb6a

But I wasn’t about 319e41b440 to argue.62951129b29f82fd

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After all, this wasn’t my 5bff8a593f money—it was Edwin’s precious fortune.b007666967c1fb61

As expected, the Pope isn’t 349b055afe like Dunkeski or Logan.0b5f752e9ab59caa

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I sneaked a 8cfdb1c529 side glance at 783337ed69 him as I b7929bca3f hurriedly tied the 88780a5270 pouch back to ce6a07dc1b my waist, just fc31d66aed in case he f0112d1cb4 changed his mind.c3f50ae6f7c23749

It was a simple logic, f9efdea149 but if he had truly 5789b5fbf3 been in league with those 90753028db heretics, he wouldn’t have been 4810983711 so generous.7b5f716a26b5c0ef

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Dunkeski and Logan had d095ad5cbb always been stingy, begrudging a3df9f8445 even a single coin 8a3830a17c spent on me.d4d8ebfa71e8c7a2

And most importantly—ad93f97cfbb5accd

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Even now, the fccfa5fcf2 only energy surrounding d4f5e36d4a the Pope was f4e21dcd9c the pure white d73414ef44 aura of old fe5dafbc91 age.1c7fd91db9330be1

No traces of b4994898c3 dark magic, no c12630976b ominous colors.5ce4b91c951072da

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“…You know, Your Holiness.”2592d3c5e40193f9

Since things had turned bb63eb274a out this way, I 30f5b1dd54 hoped he would live f44ce25104 longer than he had 8ba3097cc7 in my past life.a500297a12e66ef6

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At least until Ismail was b0c6b6d232 grown.e988b649904d14f5

That way, when the Pope 0da5613b49 passed away, there wouldn’t be 5bbc1935b9 a power vacuum for the 13c5dbe7de heretics to exploit.6934bd2b0b8c5cab

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“The All-Purpose Cure and the Hair Mist… they’re really amazing! You should definitely use them!”e7524061f201975a

“……”014e6ab0cf7a57b3

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“And! If you ever need more, just let me know! I’ll give them to you for free, just for you! Hehe.”0ca6f21ff403d834

With those hidden intentions, adaa17fc8c I enthusiastically reassured him.f9295917307d4446

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He gazed at me ac1773ca5a in silence for a 5ad64e7747 moment before giving a 36ba954d20 slight nod.5d70df4a191feb3e

“…Alright. I shall do so.”e71c190836f25984

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After shifting his 81b06da3a4 attention away from 64b88138e6 me, he turned f8c839aaae to Ismail.305b0700613f3c92

“So, will you be going with Belze now?”d2e588cdb85f54cd

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“Uh….”9f891b6cd45d3e2b

Ismail blinked, clearly caught f9e0175b1f off guard.242bb77e4da18b24

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After hesitating for a moment, cb4b480e71 he finally spoke.2e9df2598e1d9ac7

“Can I talk to Belze alone first?”1e35c31031dcd4bf

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“Of course. You don’t have to leave, so take your time deciding.”c3f7c3d0fd990fa8

Just because someone had be374d410a a sponsor didn’t mean 9ea102c9d0 they had to leave 9c7b49de71 the orphanage immediately.0055a55b014037f2

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Some children stayed aa3424e693 due to unavoidable 9a79ba61eb circumstances.12e4ad45ca49418b

Even noble-sponsored children like 8a5f9fd1ef Diana and me could b40106ec57 be sent back if e4b6027548 the sponsorship was revoked.3a210e95db2664fd

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“I’ve already taken too much of your time. I should be going now.”541c953b04b18b41

“Ah!”53c32bb72cb088c3

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The Pope suddenly rose db2c9014dc to his feet, preparing 02d6404696 to leave without further b75555e49b ceremony.6149a97adfa07d19

Panicked, I quickly reached 4287492a4e out to stop him.663e912cfc74c424

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“Your Holiness, wait! There’s something I wanted to ask…!”62d4ff1a9eeb8a55

“Hmm?”fe991d09b2138688

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“Do you happen to know anything about someone named Ursis?”d9222bd39442c7ff

“Ursis…? Hmm. That name does sound familiar, but….”1b6e9c0aef8dfe60

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The Pope furrowed d4a320d801 his deeply wrinkled 29ca26f574 brow, lost in a3650b33dd thought.134d7af767d29bdd

I anxiously waited for 026cc3c7a6 several long moments.22bd33521a6f298b

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But finally, he 96b01c17b6 shook his head.9f5c9fc629f8d409

“I’m sorry, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.”2dc47c9a1a7a4e4f

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“Ah….”ae5c012c9e0f5165

I swallowed down the 9a1f919419 mild disappointment.934775547517f0e6

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…So they haven’t risen to power just yet?44067680dacd11d4

Perhaps this Ursis 451b01a5fc sect was still 1467439200 a relatively new 41b3e69e27 cult.b8dd9114451b5a65

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That thought raised another question.f4d604d1b1724319

If this group f169404212 was still so 1190de5350 unknown that neither 2a3746bf73 the Pope nor 2bf2c6cb09 the Duke had 1104957835 heard of them, 69bf1f59c3 then how had a4559b09e3 they managed to 65375f9e94 infiltrate the temple 0ff03a3337 so deeply?62cd4e30a66d68f8

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“If I remember anything, I’ll send you a letter.”a956bae812b887f6

While I was 490601dfab lost in confusion, e7756934fd the Pope turned a2c65204c8 away.2e825e1643e14a56

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“Ah! Y-Your Holiness!”2a649c5b49f24d5a

Once again, I 6bd201a19d hastily called out 51d509ecac to his retreating 0855301a16 back.89a0295eff58a5ed

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“And also! Thank you so, so much for replying so quickly today! If it weren’t for you, things could have gone terribly wrong! Whew.”c122f0a692aec047

Honestly, I had never 5bc4f6e8f6 been particularly fond of 97006075f3 the Pope.c0cdf41db2332086

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In both my past 1a760ed5e9 and present lives, he c98be41435 had turned a blind cc4c0065c8 eye to the abuse 078c36a7e6 and corruption within the e6d3b76c4f temple.0754ded2a78d581f

But this time, I couldn’t a8c7144926 deny that his help had a7aa72067f been invaluable.64a968cc8713d3f9

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Without his approval, I wouldn’t bd15355dd7 have been able to become 221f7453be Ismail’s sponsor and protect him.b7ad0c5ad604fb95

Just the thought 4b8f50f1c6 of Ismail nearly 942ec9a15a losing his ability 39315136ef because of me 3874f0c8d3 made my vision 8cae422a5a blur for a 2c486163f6 moment.77a7e1d0a357741b

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So, with sincere gratitude, 2c83ad5546 I bowed deeply.ba9072da9ff59f47

“Belze.”2194240e11f4fe52

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Just as he was d02e8364af about to open the 37f80d5090 door, he paused and fe2feca129 looked back at me.d3502e245de74dab

“…Every time I see you, you always thank me.”50c0ec61e1e3842e

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“Well, yeah. Because I really am grateful.”23d871588c968221

“I know. I’m not criticizing you, just….”3b46bf1671ff9cea

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He trailed off, then 95b7dee7c2 muttered something that sounded c11b2563ff almost like a sigh.36fa342c9eaae258

“I wonder if, when I die, I’ll be able to lift my head before the Goddess.”0a159a1dcf384483

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“……”3e68396d69961b93

“I wonder if I’ll be able to atone for all my sins before my life ends. O Goddess, lead us not into temptation….”ff5bbfe2c1ceb782

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Leaving behind those cryptic words 83f0b807de of prayer, the Pope stepped b2df030c20 out of the office.f6a34b4058c60176

I didn’t fully c57e3d2000 grasp the meaning 6d08692430 behind them, but 35f6191e0f it was clear ca860b2961 he was feeling a1a0de85e8 regret and guilt 89dc3d8d16 over what had 5c6f284418 happened to the b01ab5fb3f orphans.616be384cd7a30ba

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Honestly, if he had 866f975fe3 been younger and sharper, 88eee41611 maybe he could have c2e0608208 prevented all this in dcfa5f1525 the first place.77d80889fa63fd74

But now, he cee2062c72 seemed too old f554e2a711 and weary to 5eacb10968 fight against the e7b158791e corruption surrounding him.fd0591d709741374

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His words struck me cb7f497c37 deeply—because he really was 9f9b25dca7 nearing the end of efeeeb461a his life.6a9edecf6b5d3a98

…O Goddess, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.57ea2ef996dab6d1

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As I stared at fc706ced37 the empty space where b648f9b22f he had stood, I 377f663a3c found myself finishing the 782d64fa72 prayer he had left 45ac2e0c10 incomplete.d229dc8ace91d645

And then—892f7a011a6da705

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“So… you’re really my sponsor?”fe57feda0abe5213

A cautious voice came from 66b212bf4e beside me.cd3c15e7caf3d33a

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I turned to see Ismail f27002e285 gazing at me with wide, 61ca9b36c4 bewildered eyes.15ffa99c41b40943

I nodded firmly.64f351950a2f2384

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“Yep!”3b33cb3bc0374748

“But you need to pay a sponsorship fee to the temple. Where did you… get the money?”9207f8d7f0bf942c

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“I have a lot of money! I won first place in the volunteer event, remember?”d88b1689d00644d8

At my confident reply, d8c8fce5e1 Ismail’s dark amber eyes 6b600cd161 wavered slightly.f53a463310b5b335

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“Y-You spent all that money… on the sponsorship fee?”b20db3210e2a599b

“Yep! I was actually a little short, but His Holiness gave me a discount!”56cb91d904719464

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“Why would you do that without even telling me?!”b0bf77d1582f4337

Ismail suddenly raised his voice, 3fdb907aa3 his face twisting in frustration.4980a3bfe7cd545f

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But then, as if trying 09f7786bc2 to suppress his emotions, he 0ec7e7160b took a deep breath.ee0be55a4dc20b1d

“…You shouldn’t just spend money recklessly like that. You worked hard to earn it.”21daf53797fa6652

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I was caught off 65eb182944 guard by how calmly df4a7a75dc and rationally he was 148cce77d6 scolding me—far beyond what aa36d2b93b was expected for his c631494ea1 age.375a5b3a40cc87c4

I thought he’d just be a878afc9f2 happy that he could leave 4793188cbb the orphanage…52a8eba3a013eadc

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Then again, it wasn’t 0ab1278001 so strange.e84b9914d99fdfc0

A five-year-old commoner becoming his 9e9d7b3367 sponsor must have felt absurd—maybe 56c2eb066a even disappointing.5a0eda98d383cdf2

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“Then what else was I supposed to do?”91e74d8a9d714722

I pouted, mumbling gloomily.79a1bf6a4b562265

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“This was the only way to get you away from that bastard Magnus right away….”f873f0e74da76f5c

As long as 14ae4b03af Ismail remained in f75a9c7391 the orphanage, it d9ac7e2f99 was only a b98beaa8ed temporary measure, but 315908cfc2 still, a sponsored 6c7f796884 child couldn’t be fdb107ea5e treated carelessly.39f7f38fb22c49c6

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If anything happened to 9efdce9614 a sponsored child—whether it 614ff32b11 was harm to their d02d0a63b0 abilities or their well-being—nobles c5ca314c26 could demand compensation from 9a6e965654 the temple.3f6a784cc9b8a13b

Just like how Dunkeski had 0447f8c3b4 been forced to return the 79abc502b9 donation to Kallios when Diana 0d669a3c39 failed to heal Joshua.ec4a46d5d8956636

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At my reasoning, 8501923778 Ismail fell silent, 5e2c6f8f7d unable to argue.95cd7404ee899590

Then, after a long pause, ee87063dfe he spoke.8170646497fddf2e

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“…How much was the sponsorship fee?”23f61dd06ca5842a

The question caught me 388517dfa4 off guard.998a9ce4e2bc5acd

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“Huh?”f6e74c19781ebcd1

“I’ll pay you back. As soon as I’m old enough to work.”937cf63c7d9b817a

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“……”41cde27beec5431a

“By thirteen, I should at least be able to find work as a servant somewhere….”4c982d490455ae5d

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His voice trailed 073795e40f off, as if ec53d9d8d6 even he knew 6a886c613e how ridiculous his d741f5c508 plan sounded.ea422ec21cb25ab5

I stared at him in 0a8f72321d disbelief before opening my mouth.cb6755e1006f0428

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“How are you supposed to pay back a thousand gold a year?”2ac4c32b51b7ef07

The words nearly slipped out, 65f516ee9a but I held them in.8f9ffc9f3afaa1d7

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Instead, I asked 978599ad99 a different question.89274695abef8727

“…Is it because I’m not a noble? Are you embarrassed?”dd901d1ed7762300

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“What? That’s not what I meant! I just… don’t want to be a burden to you…!”e273f085751cf14e

“Tsk! That’s not something you say to your sponsor! That’s wrong!”a1cfbbf7261256c3

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I cut him off 655876161a with a loud exclamation.6ec6f1d8104e975d

“I’m rich! I even have a blank check! Taking care of you is nothing!”826c44618912ad20

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Ismail froze, his face blank 1224e7c414 in disbelief.2bea83b5bf7cd870

Not caring, I placed 0b3cbab524 my hands on my ebc91ff4db hips and repeated the 6e9791553d words the Duke had 59ba570fc8 once told me.2e9484adc457b6de

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“When you get a sponsor, you just say thank you and act like a proper kid! That means whining and being spoiled cutely!”00e22d773a58443a

“……”9f1eb2105ff3476a

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“Would you act like this if someone else was your sponsor, huh? Huh?!”5e96cb303aecc123

For some reason—8551d8215af4a603

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As I stepped b9d2276615 closer, pressing him 7c58483ac3 for an answer—63b17300a868f8dc

Ismail’s face suddenly turned bright e442bf6373 red.3981322fb87790ec

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TL/N: AHHH they are 20f9a96c02 soo cute and preciousa9cbfb961caa9f52