Chapter 17.

A deep voice resonated solemnly 73c92a8ab9 within the quiet room. The pain that never seemed d571037725 to come, no matter how a05184f09d long I waited. I slowly opened my 4430c95e3e tightly shut eyes and bce0e10811 found myself questioning what d3f577af11 I saw.6858d4dc8e76f649

“Lo… Lord?”b4b100641e8ca59b

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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.0197f3cc431dddee

“Duke Kalios…!”3eecad3f51aee1af

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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.cded40f13c94a3af

“H-How did the Duke get here…!”bde9631d5c102a52

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“I should be the one asking that.”a560a8e74acddcd0

The Duke coldly interrupted Dungaeski. For some reason, he didn’t bother with even the bare minimum of courtesy.29feef15346f7959

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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.4cc07ce20ea127b4

“…Is this child being abused right now?”a67e5cefe6b418fe

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“What? A-Abuse? No way…!”bfa3832ba1415bd3

“Then how would you explain this situation?”dff07b0ee841c4ed

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“W-Well…”d3e03e53c84f6835

Dungaeski was at a loss 97119f6195 for words.bcba216e48af3324

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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.”da302dac2806e6ce

“…An exorcism tool?”92ea40c4f7ea2ee0

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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.”2576ba4172a4845b

“Hmph, a malevolent entity?”42b21b7c5f27c7c3

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The Duke chuckled and inquired further, “Does the temple designate children possessed by malevolent entities as candidates for sainthood?”dbde93ea14f53d2c

“W-Well…”b897f781cb17f191

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Dungaeski’s face crumpled in panic.44dcb92055e59377

‘Exactly!’9d04ead262960e6c

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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…”7daa50f87feee370

“Logan! Go and fetch the Pope!”c5564e4f0056667b

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Ignoring the feeble excuses, 785345813a the Duke ordered his e43360172d aide, who was standing 710b7873fa behind him.135ebc42c22c5df2

“Yes, understood!”a89c768aa32fcf11

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The aide quickly disappeared down 1628de635e the corridor.e55a511e087185f5

“Ah!”0a2617d35df56fa9

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At the same time, the Duke twisted Dungaeski’s wrist and effortlessly took the exorcism tool from him.5aff805a5255ddbe

“Quite cruel, isn’t it? Such items are rarely used even in prisons…”f4fd91cc7a2cf501

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“W-Well…”9e1b0123fb7f59b0

“Shut up.”2115ae158e694f7d

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Kkadduk.e88dbb917b243cf4

Suddenly, a harsh grinding sound escaped from the Duke’s lips.0b476329deff5057

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“The Goddess advised not to strike children and the elderly even with a flower. But these so-called disciples…”b4e5673f6df1a189

“Y-Your Grace! Please listen to me for a moment…”07b68d3fde5f04e4

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“You wretched beings.”2e5fc4bb59abb4dc

The Duke, who had af7b045231 been chillingly composed, suddenly cf8d887d7f hardened his face and bd05d2c7ad muttered as if chewing 330b6894f5 over something.c6e3c8e6b1cef758

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“Seeing you defy the words of the Goddess, it seems that you lot are truly possessed by Satan.”5490a45a74e0b570

“Your Grace!”6b3a59adc9d987c7

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“I will personally assist with the ritual.”4e95b35471fb4dd8

Hwiik!994b199c422d7156

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In that moment, the Duke 6a73b7ced1 swung the snatched whip directly.0583fe33d2b9c6d4

Chyaak―!c7d7f89aeee7ec63

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“Uhh!”b4275d6e946e1b39

“Kyaah!”5b71fb03cc73e747

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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.8e0e32c46a1aaed0

“W-What are you doing!”b76a3b11396164f8

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Dungaeski, with an e2a73daa18 astonished expression, clutched 20c2f215f2 the removed cover, 2192fd5e47 which had disappeared f759dfad35 from his head.3edebc3585da2385

“In the middle of a ritual.”d087a2a95db40cba

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“N-Now, this is going too far!”cb80f7ab130f4d82

“Does it look like a joke to you?”7b7717e2b048a4c3

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Hwiik!fbfca6b4744b4845

With a flash in 83b76067de his eyes, the Duke 018e8f7fe8 menacingly brandished the whip 3859a5306c into the air.28cd946e96d5fd62

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“Ah, aah!”0a4bdbe1e3c14645

Even though the whip 2520e22699 had yet to fall, 5c660aff77 Dungaeski, who had been b3ca0bbdb5 trembling with fear and e3ad95bb69 screaming, quickly blurted out:208f569ea9630d86

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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!”f310483ccf2ae0b5

“Well, it might not be just an internal matter.”5c1dcaa1277b2d52

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Chyaak―!4d7986bc60cf2834

In response, the Duke swung the whip again. This time, the whip’s tip narrowly grazed Dungaeski’s chest and passed by.395d30e5f0b81c77

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“Ugh! Duke Kal…”3a8f521e272af1f1

Once again, accompanied 6edffe8538 by another scream:fe120d25a751c98b

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Jjijijik!23f1f512fc68472d

The whip passed by, and b897cff88d the thin fabric in its d35db095f8 wake tore apart like a 1087186ea1 sheet of paper.d189634d3a181a45

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Sssrr…aea83bea33e028db

Dungaeski’s priestly robes, which he had been wearing, split into two pieces and fell to the ground.1b5a392ec6b5112b

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An old, greasy, and 0d38733cf0 pitifully exposed body was 6ec463582f fully revealed. As the cool air touched 2925c30192 his bare skin, Dungaeski shivered.b243b05f1d824f1a

“Huuggh! W-What is this…?”dabe95b1d0c42bd9

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“Oh, my goodness!”ac21903c5e9e566d

The priestess said 0cccb9c758 as Dungaeski frantically 6072b9108c tried to cover be0e3554a1 himself with the 0082ffde1a torn fabric.e21423fabbd8ace0

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Even his hat, 8b0504230e which concealed his 91a44a6d04 bald head, had f6097cef81 disappeared. His tattered clothing made the 819151c378 elderly man appear far from 0472e6743c the dignified image of a ff362455b9 priest.5741f82546b90a74

His reddened face and eb5d146763 squirming body out of cc6e03305e shame made him look 8ca23f4726 grotesque and repulsive.27f9823094efe3a2

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‘To think that you could make a person look so ridiculous with just a few lashes… Amazing!’4d078b30482cad35

And without leaving a c802bfa214 single injury!c4223568204148a1

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I alternated my gaze between d1879b5f88 the neatly torn clothes and 05daa73929 Dungaeski, filled with admiration. The Duke added an f3f5c0f809 unbelievable statement to the c2dc81bc88 mix:dda3387959739830

“Starting today, this child is under my protection, so from now on, she belongs to Kalios.”e6bac1b12c931a19

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“Do you really think you can get away with such actions?”0aaf0bb2eda8699b

Reacting to the declaration, Dungaeski 08dbee53ed shouted as if protesting:b4a7717bc41e610c

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“All the blessed children are under my jurisdiction! If you wish to sponsor them, you must obtain my permission!”0001f492fc23d760

“It seems like we can’t communicate with you, so I obtained the Pope’s direct permission.”cd939b8fd4ecea1d

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Unexpectedly, the Duke 784f501ae3 pulled something from 80c4b8cb72 his pocket and 5b30282808 tossed it to 09eb08040a Dungaeski.c184f29a1ea95679

Flap!893b7f19d1f82249

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Just like yesterday, the sheet of paper grazed Dungaeski’s head and fell to the ground.9f004cbc60bca5ed

**Sponsorship Certificate**91f6165832e235da

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**Guardian:** Liam Kalios822b086958a1d1a8

**Ward:** Belze (age 5)324f961ba91372f0

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I didn’t really need to read it all.1f2b7affa69d2621

Just the bold letters at 194cb7514e the top were enough to 0eea12c951 understand the situation.f46c1f9482191cfe

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Tears welled up e69d79cc4b unexpectedly, and a b75403cb35 hot sensation surged dd58b883f7 up my throat. In my previous life, 12e7deb6c3 I was simply glad bc3fb4dc58 to leave the temple d713dd37d2 behind.2895d11e1b4f8a80

If that piece of paper had known it would evoke such intense emotions in me…0db9b3367a02c814

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“Why… Why did the Pope… He left everything about this matter to me!”50e807390e2d6356

Dungaeski, in disbelief, bent over 9a464622f0 and examined the paper in 7f3ba671c7 a ludicrous manner.f4cda3a83af44a16

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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.87b8c937f4ce563b

‘Come to think of it… What kind of person was the Pope?’bc6b6fadf1fbed2e

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A sudden doubt 4f9af0562d arose in me. I could count 8cd513a087 on one hand 2604b29a67 the number of c12ebe6f57 times I had ea9aa14f1d encountered the Pope 7db8ea8fea in my previous 02d3b596b3 life.44df2f8b9b0b924e

I remembered that 83dc1d28ba even in the 12e9b7dd3a original work, his f27a307bb0 presence was minimal.9b657d46db2d5e44

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‘What if the Pope was like Dungaeski?’8199cd67b81c0bf5

Suddenly, as anxiety 7ab5d62ae2 began to creep 9a000dd44c in,a707476ee2693cb5

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“What’s going on here?”d086e2ed1a0cd7c0

“The… Pope!”133c73693dffe850

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Just when I wondered if 754f9397ed this nobleman was a troublemaker, a3cd9cdcc1 the person in question appeared.a02a46392eba72cf

An elderly man with white 3ca2ba6aef hair and beard, who looked 55ded850ff frail, walked along with several 9fe9ba3059 Holy Knights. His clothes were white too.a3a685d7e8441061

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‘White.’38f717dae8b4b675

His clothing was also 4bf14c74f3 white, and I might f11b4bfca9 not have recognized him 0f9d1a34be without that detail.8f3d444a1372d1e8

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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.107a5365608b15cd

‘But the Pope’s death happened much later.’147f762ab4fad024

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The papal seat had c6192e52e6 been vacant for a fb98a08e43 long time.cd0adaef9477becc

Dungaeski, who was about to 3c66256e93 rise, vividly remembered the dramatic 3431aab302 transformation of the former Pope, b1f7a1e4f9 who was now a candidate 1bd37c82b4 for the new male lead.15f513c834214e39

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“What is that whip, Duke Kalios? And what is this room?”eadb44db98d5237b

It seemed like the Pope 0397752164 had no idea about the 82eefaf928 existence of the Chamber of 9636f31ae4 Repentance.93e8bd46911120dc

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He looked around 63e3ab40ca in surprise and 85a5bf050a then turned to dad969850d Dungaeski with a aa59e4aab2 grave expression.4275282202b1cc3c

“Chief Dungaeski, I would like you to explain.”de62d2ae029f6847

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“Well, you see, Your Holiness, there was a small misunderstanding between me and the Duke…”403ffdf4539b4a5a

“This man was abusing the child.”d8f68fbbf03c16bd

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Dungaeski tried to defuse 82940a5283 the situation, but the eab9274173 Duke firmly stated the ac922c3a97 facts.fe70227f96e65b01

“No, Your Holiness! I have sacrificed so much for the children! How could I do such a thing?”5270b6136fe8bf9d

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“Then what is this? Why does Duke Kalios have an item that is used when dealing with demons?”6096183d1dc9a5c8

“That, well…”e2f551d644b57978

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Dungaeski hesitated. Then, for a moment, 4eb4df1155 his serpent-like eyes darted bcd2acd26f around before he suddenly 87558a2dc7 appealed.68c005e5044bdc42

“I… I don’t know either! Has Duke Kalios gone mad, suddenly appearing with that thing and threatening us?”225c1e2516d4ee8e

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“…”a92505b0a75e44d3

“Please, believe me! Take a look at my situation!”1ea17767d3c9db0d

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He let go 0b3fb557f7 of the torn ed026d6343 piece of clothing bfd253c780 he had been a7f3344f19 clutching and spread 4b2d224c89 his hands in 1f0b0eb4a2 an indignant manner.13457db59d3117a7

Flutter!a6a485f29494340d

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As a result, his previously c3ad3f986c hidden body was fully exposed.3f1ea376bee58d1b

Everyone in the room frowned 121289d3f7 as they saw the piece 8de205382f of clothing precariously perched on 6c0c04f082 the lower body.81dbc99ddd1fd6a4

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“What are you doing? The one who worships the gods should be pure… Cover up quickly! Tsk!”950b098c46c99e62

The Pope turned his head 3e0857d80c away with a displeased expression, b8441859bc clicking his tongue.38d557cee8841330

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Dungaeski quickly picked up the af6422db1c piece of clothing with a a5d5f1b0d3 face that seemed to have 3f85c83cb3 a lot to say. Despite the nonsensical 58335df03f statements, the Count 690976383a remained silent without f806634462 any rebuttal.c9408d7021bb5cc9

I wasn’t too concerned either.2b6679be04a461d3

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“Hey.”10ae4e72d787d0f1

As expected, the 0ac5bf0575 Pope approached me 2a250ccc49 directly.19ceac0aef0eba44

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“Your Holiness! This child is…”d36d0b42d15e364b

Dungaeski tried to stop the Pope, but in the end, he couldn’t say anything.4967f5063365610c

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It was because, as the 6d0b3dc883 Duke had mentioned earlier, claiming 3b96998658 that Satan had possessed her 45cd708351 would not be believable when 6e247e7b08 confronting the Pope.e7e35c395a67b60f

“Come to think of it, you… You’re that child, one of the candidates for the next Holy Maiden.”ea5fae4eba3a0284

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“…”f990808dda036d1f

“I saw you then, didn’t I? When you first came to the temple.”098e683c1c442433

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Perhaps due to the return, 3311f722e2 that memory felt distant to 555ceafb2a me.76d09cc86206fdf5

“Yes.”0689067ee5324e23

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However, I nodded earnestly.98c4ce8e83baaf42

There was a reason why 271a8a8e7f I had hastily used Healing 7b592770f0 Magic on him as soon 9b5e40821e as he arrived.809457223c389ab8

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“Tell me yourself. Whose words are true?”6649b0963752c8cd

Unlike Dungaeski, the aura within the Pope’s body wasn’t tinged with purple.62bcfb0188270cb5

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So, I opened my mouth 1e9f1b3b92 with confidence.c9e8186e5f72a97b

“Lord Duke words are true.”9dc331ccc75bd3cc

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“…”228a13b80a7da19d

“Preist Dungaeski was trying to keep me locked up here and beat me… Sob.”5cbc226d2fc7ce70

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As I spoke, I couldn’t help but choke up a bit.99d0b6d81a780a1c

“Belze, you…!”3b870ee1f5b920f5

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Dungaeski tried tostop me, but 7b36567515 the Pope paid no attention.477943c438277495

“What’s the reason for saying that?”d4c27c6353a3987a

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“He says Satan possessed me!”1edded4976286233

“…”36671259a827c4b9

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“Satan possessed me, Your Holiness?”0144f2f6f0a985e6

The Pope did 238eff8418 not answer my 7187d78750 question and turned 36831da814 to Dungaeski.ef454b87fd42a17d

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His face had turned deathly 87209b1153 pale.d7c5edd8fd2b4e04

“Your Holiness! It’s not like that…!”116a84fc36431112

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“Chief Dungaeski.”1d515434456e308b

The Pope called e1810b1811 him by name.2823e588a0dc8ad4

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“As of today, you are dismissed from the clergy.”8f1f6a186ad06ddd

“Your Holiness! Please listen to me! Your, Your Holiness…!”539b11dfd889ad9b

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Dungaeski pleaded, but 86ef5b8ae3 unfortunately, the Pope 91d1414da0 ignored him completely.75ca04d5b514af07

Not only him but also 9b559bbee7 the priests behind him received a392dc811e sharp and piercing glances.228abfc58e0d6d68

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“What did you all do without stopping him? Come with me to pack your things.”42861902acae5f9a

“Your, Your Holiness! W, We made a mistake!”afec184edd607854

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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…!”33a6316ddfa55564

“The priest kept pinching Belze’s!”d6f080bc319d3f37

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‘Where can I escape to?’dfebc3d6c5e81079

I looked at bca373bc47 the nun firmly c1b83eda10 and recounted what 79f305c8c7 I had experienced 142a8c1e98 in my past e78f7921c5 life and until f3c7cc8246 just before my 98c3b97fb4 regression.add0bb67e977fc98

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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!”0e44e7ee8f341d23

By the way, baf295c108 writing scriptures was b11e063e74 something he ordered c5ff6c57f0 me to do 2a9ba4efbd according to my 4b9c8dc55e age.6d3a17360da2133e

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So, it was only five 79bd03d191 pages in total for me.d9b4342938fb8552

‘But she ordered me to do such a terrible thing twice as much every day?!’567534d674d912fb

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She was like a 4dfa587288 ruthless witch without a d0ecd20477 drop of pity or c1254a08c6 tears!0527b670adeaa02f