I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#128

 

The Blue Dragon statue made of crystal was truly magnificent and beautiful.

 

There was a reason why Milron Priest had praised it so enthusiastically.

 

“This statue is normally only revealed on special occasions, but today we’re making a special exception since both Barons have graced our Temple with your presence.”

 

Milron Priest explained with a triumphant smile.

 

He said the crystal Blue Dragon statue was only revealed on Foundation Day and the Emperor’s birthday.

 

“Then the next time we’ll see it will be…”

 

“I’m getting thirsty.”

 

I cut off Milron Priest’s words and covered my mouth with my sleeve.

 

“My legs are getting sore too.”

 

“Oh my, how thoughtless of me. Let’s take a break. I’ll guide you to the Rest Area.”

 

The Rest Area was located at the entrance of the hallway where Adrina Priest had disappeared.

 

Though called a Rest Area, it was as large and luxurious as any aristocrat’s drawing room.

 

Warm sunlight streamed in through the large glass window that occupied one entire wall.

 

The Rest Area even had a private bathroom.

 

“Please rest comfortably. I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

 

After Milron Priest left, a pretty-looking Junior Priest brought red wine and cheese cake.

 

“Is there anything else you need?”

 

“No. Could you give us some privacy so we can rest properly?”

 

“Of course.”

 

The Junior Priest bowed politely and went outside.

 

“What are you planning to do now?”

 

Once the door closed and we were completely alone, Baron Delrond asked quietly.

 

“Surely you’re not planning to return empty-handed after coming all this way?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

When I answered immediately, Baron Delrond stared at me intently.

 

“It seems you have some kind of plan.”

 

I’ve been found out. I responded with a smile instead of words.

 

“What kind of plan?”

 

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

 

“Isn’t there an option to tell me beforehand?”

 

“I’m sorry, Baron Delrond.”

 

It meant I was sorry I couldn’t tell him in advance.

 

It was also an apology in advance for how shocked Baron Delrond would be by what was about to happen.

 

Well then, shall I begin?

 

“Really, what kind of grand plan could you have possibly devised?”

 

I listened to Baron Delrond grumbling as I picked up my wine glass.

 

And then.

 

Crash—

 

“Baron!”

 

With the sharp sound of breaking glass, Baron Delrond jumped up from his seat.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“Yes, well…”

 

Since I did it on purpose, there was no way I wouldn’t be alright.

 

But I didn’t show it at all and acted flustered while looking at my wine-stained clothes.

 

Thanks to deliberately wearing white clothes, the wine stains stood out prominently.

 

Everything from my chest to my waist was dyed red.

 

“My clothes are a complete mess. It would be nice if there were spare clothes to change into.”

 

“We can ask the Priest.”

 

When Baron Delrond rang the bell on the table, the Priest from earlier came in.

 

“Baron Aster accidentally spilled wine and her clothes got wet. Do you have any spare clothes?”

 

“I’ll check.”

 

The Priest went out and returned to report politely.

 

“I’m sorry, but the Church Authorities don’t have any dresses available right now. However, we do have spare priest robes, so if that would be acceptable, I can bring one for you.”

 

“What do you think, Baron?”

 

“As long as I can change into clean clothes, I don’t mind priest robes.”

 

“She says she doesn’t mind.”

 

The Priest immediately brought the priest robe.

 

It was a priest robe with purple trim that intermediate priests wore.

 

“I’d like to wash up and change clothes if possible. It might take a while though.”

 

“That’s fine.”

 

Baron Delrond stood up from his seat.

 

“I’ll wait outside then, so take your time getting ready.”

 

“Thank you, Baron Delrond.”

 

After the Priest and Baron Delrond left, I locked the door.

 

And instead of washing, I immediately changed clothes.

 

Though it was a bit loose, it didn’t hinder my movement.

 

I stuffed the wine-stained dress under the sofa and took out several items from my bag to put in my pockets.

 

Unlike the dress, the priest robe had large pockets that could hold plenty of what I needed.

 

Then I approached the large window where sunlight was streaming in and opened it.

 

Click—

 

The window opened with a somewhat loud sound.

 

“I’m sorry, Baron Delrond.”

 

I gave a brief apology and climbed through the window.

 

It was higher than I thought, but since there were bushes right below, I could climb through without much impact.

 

‘Secret Hall was that way.’

 

Thanks to having looked at the Temple’s blueprints beforehand.

 

And thanks to the Temple being built according to those blueprints, getting to Secret Hall wasn’t difficult.

 

Thanks to wearing priest robes, no one stopped me.

 

The problem was what came next.

 

The blueprints in the book didn’t specify what each room was used for, so I’d have to search through rooms one by one to find what I wanted.

 

‘If I were the Church Authorities, I wouldn’t hide my dirty secrets near the entrance.’

 

Because the chances of being discovered would be high there.

 

It was human psychology to want to hide the more secret and dangerous scandals deep inside.

 

Then let’s go deeper inside.

 

I walked through the quiet hallway of Secret Hall, where not even a hint of human presence could be felt, going deeper inside.

 

After walking for a while, I came to a three-way fork.

 

If the blueprints were correct, going straight would lead to where the Archbishop stayed, left was the priests’ private quarters, and right led to the dining hall, prayer room, and other communal spaces used by the priests.

 

Then I should go right.

 

There was no way they’d keep children not listed on the priest roster in the priests’ private quarters.

 

I could consider this a one-time opportunity.

 

Soon the Church Authorities would notice I was missing and come looking for me.

 

So I hoped I was right as I was about to enter the right hallway.

 

Tap tap tap tap, thud—!

 

“…!”

 

With urgent footsteps, someone bumped into my legs from behind.

 

When I turned around in surprise, I saw a dirty child sitting on the floor.

 

The child looked to be about 7 years old.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

It seemed like she had bumped into me and fallen, so I extended my hand and asked gently.

 

Only then did the child look up at me. Her forlorn eyes widened for a moment, then filled with terror.

 

“I-I’m sorry!”

 

The child pressed her head to the floor and prostrated herself flat, clasping her hands together as she began begging desperately.

 

“I won’t do it again. Please forgive me just this once!”

 

What in the world…

 

I looked at the child in confusion at this sudden apology.

 

Only then did I notice the child’s emaciated arms and legs. Being thin was one thing, but her arms and legs were covered in wounds.

 

Those were definitely whip marks.

 

Having whip marks on her body was clear evidence that the child had been abused.

 

“I’m sorry, please don’t hit me, I’m sorry.”

 

The child’s continued apologies, terrified face, and emaciated body were all clear evidence of abuse.

 

And the ones who abused this child were definitely the Church Authorities.

 

‘I found it.’

 

I had found the evidence I so desperately wanted, but I felt no joy at all.

 

Instead, anger and resentment welled up inside me.

 

I wanted to immediately find whoever had done this to the child and give them a beating.

 

But I didn’t have that kind of power.

 

At least not right now.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

If only I could take the child to the Imperial Palace.

 

No, if I could at least show her to everyone, then I would have justification to punish them.

 

So I had to go. At the very least, I had to take the child to the Open Hall.

 

“Come with me, child.”

 

“N-no…”

 

But the thoroughly frightened child didn’t seem to have any intention of moving.

 

Tears welled up in her large eyes. The child shook her head and cowered, backing away.

 

“No. I’m sorry. Please don’t take me to that room.”

 

That room?

 

“Priest, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

 

Ah, she’s doing this because she thinks I’m a priest.

 

Since I was wearing priest robes, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to think that.

 

“Look carefully.”

 

I knelt down to match the child’s eye level.

 

“Have you ever seen my face in the Temple?”

 

“Ah, um…”

 

“You probably haven’t. Because I’m not a priest.”

 

At my words, the child who had been staring at my face with trembling eyes blinked widely.

 

“Really… you’re not a priest?”

 

Her eyes rolled around.

 

“But you’re wearing priest robes…”

 

“There are circumstances for that.”

 

I extended my hand toward the child again with the gentlest smile I could manage.

 

“As I said, I’m not a priest. I came to save you.”

 

“Me…?”

 

“Yes. I came to save you and the children living in this Temple.”

 

Even after saying all this, the child hesitated and didn’t readily take my hand, finding it hard to believe.

 

I understood the child’s feelings. I would have done the same if I were in her position.

 

If I had enough time, I would have gently comforted the child’s wounded heart and waited until she opened up, but I didn’t have that time now.

 

I had to leave this place quickly.

 

“Over there!”

 

A rough voice burst out from behind the child.

 

Upon hearing that voice, the child became even more terrified and trembled violently.

 

It seemed to be the main culprit who had abused the child.

 

Shortly after, I could see a priest running down the hallway with his robes fluttering.

 

With things having come to this, I could delay no longer.

 

“Sorry.”

 

With a brief apology, I scooped up the child.

 

The child’s eyes widened in surprise, but fortunately she didn’t struggle or try to break free.

 

I carried the child and hurriedly retraced the path I had come.

 

“Stop right there!”

 

I ran and ran until I was out of breath, but the distance kept narrowing.

 

It was partly because I was slower at running than my pursuer, but also because I was carrying the child.

 

At this rate I’ll be caught, what should I do.

 

‘I have no choice.’

 

I didn’t want to go this far, but there was no other way.

 

I put the child down and took the ring out of my pocket.

 

“Got you!”

 

The moment I put on the ring, the priest who had closed the distance grabbed my shoulder.

 

I firmly grasped my trembling heart and tightly gripped the hand of the man who had grabbed my shoulder with my ring-wearing hand.

 

And so, after a few seconds.

 

“Gah…!”

 

The priest collapsed to the floor with a single scream.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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