The priest spoke as he slipped back into the darkness. Bologue heard the sound of water, and he assumed that the priest was cleaning his wounds. There was also the sound of clothes rustling against his body.
"Is this asceticism?" Aimou sighed, "You're really cruel to yourself."
Bologue remained silent. After waiting a few minutes, the priest walked out again, this time in his distinctive attire. A slightly pale smile hung on his face, and the pain in his back made his movements somewhat slow.
"Do you always whip yourself like this?" Bologue spoke first, his voice stern and aggressive.
"Whenever my desires rise, I do so."
The priest wasn't angered by Bologue's rudeness.
"What kind of desire?" Bologue remained assertive, "Are you influenced by worldly desires despite your asceticism?"
"Before, it wasn't a problem. I could control myself well, but recently..."
