Chapter 32: The start of the war 2

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"Aaah…" Duchen grimaced in pain as his daughter tended to his wounds.

"Sorry, Dad. But what happened? Who are those people chasing us? Where's the church?" Ariya asked, her eyes wide with concern as she watched her father sweat through his pain.

Duchen tried to comfort her. "Ariya… I told you, leave it alone. It'll heal," he muttered, struggling to sound composed. After a few deep breaths, he answered her other questions.

"It's the church chasing us…"

"What?!" Ariya recoiled in shock. "Did you betray them? Dad, how could you? Are you a traitor now?"

Her voice trembled, her hands sweaty, and her expression twisted with confusion and fear. She backed away from him.