What was explained about the instrument's effect if secrets are revealed unlawfully?

• A. It would grant protection if I kept the oath.
• B. It would be a symbolic sign with no real effect.
• C. It would result in a withdrawal of the oath.
• D. It would be a torture to my flesh, and remind me not to reveal secrets.

Answer: (D)

The essential idea here is that the oath carries a serious, tangible warning about what happens if you break confidentiality. If secrets are unlawfully revealed, the described outcome is a painful reminder—symbolically, a torture to the flesh—that is meant to deter you from disclosing them. This phrasing emphasizes how seriously the commitment is taken and the purpose of the penalty: to impress upon you the gravity of keeping secrets. The other possibilities don’t fit because the oath isn’t presented as giving protection for those who keep it, nor as a mere symbolic sign with no effect, nor as a withdrawal of the oath. The language used is about a severe, bodily reminder tied to breaching the pledge.