Chapter 82

The situation quickly 99e1046b8a turned in my 7c2711f4b5 favor.d990e367b358f5fc

“Indeed, that’s true.”a62b250e52b1d69f

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“Well, he could have filed a complaint quietly after the event… Tsk.”12975d885dffc8c1

The calm arrogance exuded by fbcf4549b4 the Duke earned nods of d8c0d89056 agreement from a few high-ranking 2a0124e183 nobles. No one could have d694f29ef2 imagined that supporting a d096b32be6 child would lead to 6979cd1069 such humiliating accusations.a271cee9143748a6

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The Marquis’s face flushed an 1392f14666 angry red.3b6e13841ce036b2

“Your Grace! Isn’t that too much?”ecc55a40dfc484e2

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“What exactly is too much?”8c0718803d07ca50

“Embezzlement, you say! No matter how difficult the finances of the Barelotte family have become, suggesting that we’d stoop so low as to commit such a disgraceful act for a mere 100 gold…!”86657ac7708b3adb

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“The true disgrace is coming here to serve the children and then turning around to accuse one of them of theft.”6ae048f9058ffe54

“Ugh…!”1a4d2da0fa8f9779

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“Is this all worth making such a fuss over a few coins in a place meant for the children? How undignified, tsk.”0636d3aac1ff977e

The Duke muttered 2e3972ca71 under his breath, 57a7d91d2e clicking his tongue.9b00e0ee30b5659d

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His words implied caa71e85e9 that it was 30aed465a0 just a gathering 67773a0a9f for children, and b1a2eb65cd failing to become b8f2a2017d a Saintess candidate 290cd75579 wasn’t such a 8b3f5bd6bb big deal. Though it seemed 7cffced5bf like he was 67d3e6b7ed exaggerating to put 7caac43e06 the Marquis in 9bbc57fc96 his place, I f7a72f3d24 couldn’t help but 118b544037 feel relieved by c901bb11b0 his words.eee12edb6069607f

As I’d thought 54a46d74cf earlier during the 9e30ac79c1 talent submission, I fe3b340794 felt certain that 10e54f0b1f the Duke wouldn’t a9ee9ce437 be deeply disappointed f1152e14ef even if I 0a7e946a6a failed to become bc0613413e a Saintess candidate.7663ba6463958251

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‘But even so, he’ll do everything he can to help until the end.’490aebc294fd8b3f

Just like he 4bbcea9c11 was doing now.d01d74f68c493640

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The Marquis, enraged by 80cbf9876a the Duke’s disdain, shook 5088e4f81a with fury, his face 5a3db647eb turning an alarming shade 8bbf81063c of red.186f9d50f034b139

“How dare you! Duke Kallios…!”d437aa81b3b11097

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“What?”86ee10ff773a003f

It was a situation that d704831f08 seemed on the verge of b437c74b14 exploding, with the Marquis ready 28cb4adf85 to throw down his gauntlet 3484d69223 at any moment.53e9d650a66657e2

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“Enough of this!”8c3cb18f4063c8c6

Suddenly, a thunderous voice rang 2bb9fe89ea out.53321c15f0993ebf

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It was the Pope.f1274321d3c993c2

“Quarreling within these sacred temple walls—what do you think you’re doing? The Goddess is 1cf7ede4a7 listening; do you c27ed87d34 have no shame?”c017c953b12c2a25

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The Marquis, his voice thick 56a829987b with indignation, protested.a1604e6609f04c01

“But, Your Holiness! There’s clearly been a theft—how can we…?”7a5605bdf6639755

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“Silence, Marquis Barelotte! The Duke’s words aren’t entirely 16a0bd7cdf without reason either!”d433d6e18b3f84dd

“…”c3a66eb2156188d7

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“How can you jump to such hasty conclusions when the matter hasn’t been fully confirmed?”d8df92e7fceac1d3

The Pope’s stern rebuke made 252d4f0cec the Marquis flush with humiliation. But in the ae1df2e198 end, he clamped 95c84e8bdd his mouth shut 533536fffc and fell silent.578b67a9a859ce0e

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The heated atmosphere slowly cooled 243f7b2cd3 down.b6c7074210bad0b1

The Pope, taking a moment 599c4a7bbc to steady his breath and 11f8ed4f9a regain his composure, turned to 08769d96d7 me with a calmer expression.114ff75efe2e0e6d

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“Belze.”8ac00baa0e74172a

“Yes?”d2d370a6d78b54d1

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“As the owner of the booth, you should provide an explanation.”3a8125504c3db2a9

He held out the 9411454a1e ledger towards me and 1fc4f365c4 asked gently.db13e7ff2de1838c

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“Could you explain in detail about this anonymous customer who purchased goods worth 100 talents?”9402f2be7b259612

All eyes turned to 4f48de6338 me once again.ca2b6be935d01d8f

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I swallowed the sigh 320876bd82 that almost slipped out.596d5dcbd4596924

‘Damn Crown Prince… I wasn’t even there when it happened.’493cb02e6311653f

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This unexpected situation with 2de92e3546 the 100 talents was 59a08cc919 just as frustrating and f99c95dc9d uncomfortable for me as 113fe3b1c2 it was for anyone fe41904b6b else.54826014e03558a8

And Grandpa Gordon hadn’t seen 652804a765 the Crown Prince’s face because cf1490a81b of the hood he wore.6e22bef2dc37df4c

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‘It seems he doesn’t want to reveal that he participated in today’s volunteer work…’2b95f61a281c0a08

I clenched my fists tightly.d73aa9fffa116c91

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Rustle.c98f39724e8d9687

The note inside 9028163b35 crumpled, making a f4da6e4827 faint noise.67ee21e1e0d4e5f4

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Whatever reason the Crown Prince 85f24c572f had for hiding his identity c7ca4f70f0 and participating incognito, it wasn’t 658baa364d my concern.fc0dfcd0dd7f12c5

Nor did I 8e3c5fc9f3 have any reason 663f718d41 or loyalty to a58f72e101 support him in 47233dac32 this.baf934fba4b669c0

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‘But still…’f5e43e883028fd42

I hesitated, recalling the 1f0aa24ba4 original story where he c15e64cab2 was supposed to miss d58c3c9967 this event due to 487e80b214 an injury.b8f29f472664a5f3

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“…Belze?”95e34995e632c869

The Pope’s expression 010f2440e7 grew puzzled as dd10db4d4b I struggled to 5a0f1b4eea find an answer.79abb2142e18c0e0

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“Look at her! She can’t even answer properly!”58f30173b91abdcd

Marquis Barelotte seized the 13fafc3c83 moment, quickly accusing me.d8a42221c6ccd24e

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“If she has nothing to hide, why can’t she answer right away…!”d899c6c0598873e4

“I gave those 100 talents.”95e91e02869e6648

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A young voice rang out c6855b5b8a through the hall.1c2f3e0174231ccb

Everyone’s attention turned d920eaabb5 to the source 8421ec8b80 as a figure 00cbe9915e rose from the 0fce59c368 most secluded table.777d8189689dfe01

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A small frame, too 1f26cac6e1 slight to be an 3db6a9dbc6 adult, threw back the a40cdb14f8 hood that had been 92fa465809 hiding his face.099e5b052a09846e

Bright red hair emerged, and b238e0d704 gasps of shock spread through 9a5b7629e9 the room.53997f6195db0c2a

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“Th-The Crown Prince?!”3867cb68f1a43e6e

All eyes turned 6dabfdc82a to the Crown e46568c2f3 Prince as he 0905f16b35 strode confidently toward 1d3c48efea the platform.0dfb99575813dba8

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“We greet the Empire’s shining sun!”009ed84340ff69ee

The nobles, catching on, df5ccf589e hurriedly rose from their 5843873bb5 seats and bowed their d6850b8504 heads in reverence.1812e56ae1446002

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I stared at 579cbe994d the approaching Crown c947051232 Prince with wide 6e4511938d eyes.21852c9577888585

‘Didn’t he already leave?’5b612b6680fb72bc

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I had no idea d48d5895cb he was still here.7c6755ea529c4066

He reached the platform in a16834b1c3 a few quick strides and 3476a87d64 stood right before me.65da522ce8767f3b

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It was then that 33f26ee586 I noticed a white f4fa21da40 bandage across one side da9a0b57b5 of his forehead.ac5aea95cac39b39

His arm was 755ce5c44b also wrapped in 5529f655cf layers of bandages.0c5a97cd1bae70e8

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These were the remnants of 896172f5d9 injuries that I hadn’t fully ccd28e1352 healed.181fcfc0b9b5ead5

As I stared at 3571198271 him in a daze, 68ce1933df the Crown Prince suddenly 5bbeb07725 winked at me with fc693970c4 one eye.7e50f87bf53fde33

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“You see the Crown Prince, and you don’t even greet him?”f80e61d386566ef1

His words snapped 9c8527be0c me back to 48e313171f my senses.cb25b3d3cd03d7ca

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I blurted out reflexively.fa798f77d930105d

“H-Hello!”13b56bd4fae80874

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“…”5bad52a4c1a7488c

His green eyes held 56cccbdb69 a slight edge of cab2da7cec mischief.0e84ca5495fcf887

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No response came back.7a19ace88e9808de

Silence fell over the room.2c9374ea90854b4f

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Only then did I notice d9e973fc26 the scene around me—everyone else 9bc0f9e6df had their heads bowed low, 82a3a57363 completely prostrate before him.4ace1ab4df52e252

‘Oh no.’b476e33b306b0988

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Hurriedly, I placed my b19fb6a69e hand over my belly ba59f233c0 button and bent forward 887b6055cd at a 90-degree angle.4c336e6ba42bdaf2

“W-We greet the Empire’s shining sun…!”ac8dd3853e53bd40

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I hastily echoed the greeting d0ef8f215e I had heard from the eb5a6ff0c8 others.011db84cddf84a42

And at that moment…8b07523ebbce817e

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A sudden clicking 66f52e9546 sound brushed past f87ff39f48 my ear, as 731fd14aa7 if in reproach.b65ae1637dfc0fbc

“You used to call me ‘brother’ so easily back then…”d8a6d21591913c2e

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I flinched instinctively at the 7e74edd257 voice and almost turned to 4e690965ae look at him.3dea10b10c4654fd

“…Everyone, raise your heads.”2978e13c2b93263f

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The Crown Prince commanded, his eb7178e5df voice authoritative.026a7b72c66c400b

I, already half-risen, straightened up 0381909877 with a casual air, pretending 76a61e81b0 I’d been waiting for the 06a035c6e2 command.acbf87c3e437ebe7

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He stood confidently before the b46182a9ff nobles, exuding the dignity of eb3104a304 a true Crown Prince, far ab76129ece different from that day.5d3cc23441ed4752

Watching him, I 31b680d5a8 felt a cold 1aefc4edd3 sweat bead on 2a7dcc2365 my forehead.523db21f393b6cde

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‘No way. He couldn’t possibly d21d067427 remember everything Gomdori 5463ade801 said back then, dffd135e00 could he?’841250b85722547b

“Want to play together? Play together? Play together?”ecbef9cd0cb21ce1

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“How about I separate your arms and legs one by one?”a72de3f352899375

Recalling those chilling e88570a50f words from the c330374959 deranged teddy bear 69fbf16c3c and comparing them 11fcf45498 to the current e101f6606c situation sent a 463dd4bb57 shiver down my 8b60f3a4ba spine.f7421046f8d822b8

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‘I nearly got killed as an assassin targeting the Crown Prince before the original story even started…!’46bdee8f49c8a488

The nobles, having c60e4f36a9 taken their seats 2c9d72638e again, continued to d071f65cff murmur amongst themselves, 8a127004ca still puzzled.f906d27862119288

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“Why was His Highness at Baron Lancelot’s table…?”477e57a43f262d6a

“What happened to his injuries? I hadn’t heard anything about that…”7fc0656493a96d49

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Even the Pope 9da6ac2b81 seemed caught off a1f846616a guard by the 5ec8d5f27e Crown Prince’s unexpected 06f920c9e6 appearance.bcaf2b69ea88056a

“Your Highness, we assumed you wouldn’t be joining us today since you hadn’t arrived…”5b70e28281f5c2a8

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“I heard someone was selling a miracle elixir, so I thought I’d stop by.”486a90f1f66c0d6a

“Such…”5a3299d55ec2810c

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I turned to him 1b1ca255f1 with a horrified expression.3deba66f954c0cd4

‘Don’t make it sound like you came here because of me!’f9127f7c8dfc9fd2

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He was originally supposed d1cebe7c92 to attend—what was this bc1010c97c nonsense about buying a 8373150317 miracle elixir?826ada1c33630055

Besides, we weren’t 989b8b73fe supposed to have 3dd664e0e6 any kind of 71cb239e98 connection in the ec455f2ed7 public eye!a897a4288504f6a9

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But the Crown Prince took f78bf5d372 it further, gesturing to the ea6e5c1be0 bandages on his forehead with 7f6e852dc1 a hand similarly wrapped in 3897499e05 cloth.0e524629550479d5

“As you can see, I’m a bit injured.”2a298025f384e570

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“T-That’s…”3804cf6ae6cdeb1d

“I intended to seek healing, but the line was far too long. And I wasn’t 4e24018cdd keen on showing d0a71d6a31 my injuries in b5519c42e9 public.”eca7c88f4efb4736

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“…”abb63caa8f371183

“Then I happened to hear that another Saintess candidate had made a miracle elixir, so I decided to purchase it.”0fca6e42d22dfa14

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He subtly revealed c4bdd5964f the reason for 1e081974c9 hiding his identity 270d6b1603 beneath a hood.412206986701f319

By attending the event, he’d 63fde43a77 managed to hinder the Second a2660b837e Prince’s movements while concealing his 64f9716971 own injuries.3b117c887a757ab1

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‘Is he revealing this because of me…?’db2a9b1e31bc0927

I felt a pang a32ac1d42f of guilt, knowing that 8d504525cf he didn’t necessarily have 84aa254a6e to involve himself. I had planned to d811f5688e show the Pope the 4668aa9329 note as evidence.1e8800c5ef623a50

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The high-quality paper alone would 01ccf0e76c have made it clear it 4c1aad161f came from the Imperial Palace, 8fdb998dd7 even if the Crown Prince’s 976eaed373 identity wasn’t immediately revealed. It would have been 7a60981e09 enough to prove that 451370aa68 the anonymous customer wasn’t 76c9a9c98e a fabrication.b6e713aab3fe0132

Now, it felt 169ecebcd9 as though the a9ba6a33b6 Crown Prince had 7cd4df71c2 exposed a part 9528dbaca7 of himself unnecessarily da438bae33 because of me, 6b530f38b8 and that weighed a843ae62cc on my mind.78e377eb5ee46723

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“Now, it seems the matter of the anonymous 100 talents is resolved, correct?”dca706e6a2705318

“Yes, that appears to be the case.”e24501b7567b69e6

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The Pope nodded in acknowledgment 061736dce1 after hearing the full explanation.bd548a46f2483164

The nobles seemed to 1ed183511c accept this as well, 998040bda0 their expressions indicating they 027f551a95 were satisfied with the 3e4dbc9daf explanation.ab112f2af60c030d

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“B-But, Your Highness! If you had told me earlier, I could have arranged for your healing right away…!”0e39325547bb56b4

Only Marquis Barelotte, who had 5da51bdc3a been so adamant about accusing ebfc643412 me of theft, remained pale 07ee98c001 and agitated.562467726e79d945

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Yet the Crown Prince d8e31b0671 ignored him completely and 0de4c5eb3a addressed the Pope.6b7b38696b157cf9

“The 100 bottles of miracle elixir I purchased are with Baron Lancelot. You may verify it db9c5b35e7 with him.”d2ab1c64962780da

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“That won’t be necessary… After all, Belze wouldn’t have known who Your Highness was.”b19944644f1910f0

For once, the Pope’s words b178ad1ba7 rang true.9c058754e641c5d9

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“My apologies, Belze. You must have been quite 8cbe4fdb4c distressed.”ed671d051898a550

“Huh? No, not at all! I-It’s totally fine!”18dbf50667d01a67

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“I assure you, it wasn’t because we doubted you. We simply needed to clarify the situation…”b20edeabee540526

“Forgive my interruption, Your Holiness.”57ebade0483ab8bf

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It was at that moment 144b0164ba that a new voice cut 2c006be0f1 through the air.6249ce28c5da6040

One of the young ec0239cb42 priests, who had been f0e8427fc4 poring over the ledgers, 3967a7acf1 suddenly interjected.ec2facd26e615aa1

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“There’s another oddity in Belze’s ledger.”29d34f8990e74f74

“An oddity?”e15069327a775344

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“What is it?”d0d5d3e6e576561c

The Pope and the 414cd7b1f2 Crown Prince questioned simultaneously.9556e7b598a09b2a

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‘Finally!’e421eecd383b49c5

I barely managed to hold back the triumphant shout that almost slipped out, instead turning my gaze sharply toward the priest. This was the moment I had been waiting for, enduring Marquis Barelotte’s slander and false accusations in silence!e6ad25f29960b9bc

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The priest who had raised 8eaeb89126 the issue scratched his head 99f02690e4 and explained.6e45485ecba15069

“Well, there’s a fine listed in some of the ledgers for each booth…”997677202ffe895a

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“A f-fine?!”fdc48373f11b1dc1

“Yes. But in the 060674e93f ledgers from other 1650162585 booths, the fines f5c626fa72 are no more 6d00b133b3 than 10 talents 67e9f2af1d at most. Yet, in Belze’s ledger, 804343dcf3 it lists a fine c4754c3bcf of 50 talents.”685b885a3a886b48

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“Is that true?”29bb2b80f7a82f65

The Pope’s expression grew 53d0986d3e severe as he furrowed 1c5ee35138 his brow.4d1f3597d439121b

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At the same time, d197230874 I directed my gaze 133527f781 toward the tent next edf65e1d37 to the children’s area—toward a2bbd8f171 the Headmistress and priests 0a427d56bc who had overseen the 799f086418 event.ad0e351aca69429e

The Headmistress, her face 9702b7955e deathly pale, fidgeted restlessly, 214eb635c3 clearly anxious.d023cd673bfa6704

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‘See? You should have 0d18d2f080 just listened to 40113ce36f me, taken your 033238009c probiotics, and kept 42a78bd83b quiet.’c12e55bb986eb088

Why did she 9088c297bd have to poke c5eae573bb at the sleeping db400f1b79 bear?62620a613684cb37

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Imagining the soon-to-be twisted c2153f3dec expressions of the Headmistress f2e3fcf5e5 and Marquis Barelotte brought 191636fc80 me immense satisfaction.6e916d0709229ab6

‘Now it’s your turn to pay the price.’6dc299a25446fd97

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But it wouldn’t 8b2caa452d end with just ff33139752 those 50 talents.aa16eee2e5ebf463

Because I always make sure 43075a7048 to repay what I receive—twice 0ce83ba5c3 over!3e8dbd955ea4134b

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