When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 113
“What is this place for?”
Anais had entered the site with Phileal where the gods of Order and Chaos were said to have once resided. It was close to ruins, but the remnants allowed one to imagine its once grand past.
“This used to be where the two gods stayed together.”
“So, shouldn’t we not enter?”
“It’s okay to enter. People avoid it because they think it’s ominous.”
Anais found his comment somewhat absurd but laughed nonetheless. It was just like Phileal not to care about such superstitions. She took his hand and followed him as he led the way.
“There’s even an entrance to an underground area here.”
“I’ve never actually come this far before, but now that you’re here, I thought we might explore it together.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“If it’s dangerous, I’ll protect you. I’m strong.”
“Right. Thank you very much.”
Anais relied on Phileal’s confidence. It was easy to understand him since he didn’t make things up.
“There are similar patterns here to the ones we saw outside.”
When Anais mentioned this, Phileal paused. He knew she wanted a closer look at the stone. So, she took the opportunity to touch the snail-shaped markings and, just like outside, moved her divine power into her hand.
“I guess this is how you use it.”
Suddenly, the underground lights turned on. Light entered stones with similar patterns, illuminating the interior gently.
“Try it on the other side, Phileal.”
When Anais injected her power, lights along the right side came on in a row. However, the stones on the left remained dark.
“Okay.”
Phileal didn’t let go of her hand but reached out to touch the stone. Anais laughed at how he held on like a child, but since he kept holding on, she gripped tightly to make sure not to lose contact.
“Wow.”
When Phileal infused his power, a dark navy light illuminated the left stones before it all suddenly went out. Then, in a flash, all the lights changed to the same color, illuminating the inside.
“It must be because you have the divine power of Order.”
“And you have the power of Chaos.”
“Yes.”
Using both powers transformed the interior.
“I didn’t realize it was like this inside because it was so dark.”
Anais commented as she looked around the interior of the building that seemed to have changed.
“It’s changed.”
Phileal, whose eyes were sharp even in the dark, instantly knew what had transformed when he infused his power.
What had looked like remnants of ruins was now as pristine as a building in its heyday. The stones were unworn, and there was not a speck of dust. Furthermore, the floor’s stones had changed from limestone to marble.
“I’ve never seen an interior like this before.”
Anais looked around in awe. The architectural and interior styles were unlike anything she knew from history or present anywhere in the world.
“It resembles the dwellings of the gods.”
“Ah, right. You said you often had visions.”
“Yes.”
Phileal smiled broadly and leaned his head on Anais’s shoulder. She removed her hand from the stone and picked off a thin white thread, like a feather from Phileal’s eyelashes.
“What’s this?”
“It must have fallen from there.”
Phileal pointed towards a light fixture nearby, which was adorned with feathers of various colors.
“It’s a white peacock feather.”
“You can tell just by a part of it?”
“Of course. I used to be in the feather trade, you know.”
Anais knew everything about Duchy Percival family business. She was familiar with all types of feathers, their quality, and their origins.
“Let’s keep walking.”
“Yes.”
Phileal lifted his head from her shoulder and began to walk.
“But why did the god of Order seal the god of Chaos?”
“The god of Death said that their personalities clashed.”
“They talk about that too?”
“When I was young, I often heard voices.”
Anais matched her pace to his slow steps. The change in the stone flooring altered the sound of their footsteps. Anais relaxed, feeling more at ease.
“At first, I thought those voices were like my inner voice. I heard them even when I killed my father.”
“What did they say?”
“They said not to forgive.”
“Ah.”
Anais spoke nonchalantly but firmly gripped his hand. He then found his smile again, glanced at her, and they continued walking.
“After I was baptized, I started hearing voices occasionally. It seems there were a lot of inaccuracies in theology. Remember when I was taught that the god of Order sealed the god of Chaos to save the world?”
“Yes.”
“And then a furious voice shouted that it wasn’t true and threatened divine retribution against those teaching it.”
“My goodness, did it really say that?”
“That’s when I realized it was the voice of Decarve.”
Anais laughed lightly at his comment, amused by the story.
“What was the reason it gave?”
“The god of Chaos loved its creations. The god of Order couldn’t stand that.”
“Aahh.”
“Eventually, the god of Chaos was sealed, and all its creations died. After that, when the god of Order split into multiple gods, new creations emerged.”
Anais felt like she was hearing forbidden secrets, but the story was too fascinating to interrupt. Knowledge of the primordial gods was rare.
“The god of Death is helping you, Anais.”
“What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“It’s by God’s power that I could come here and be with you like this.”
Anais was taken aback by Phileal’s abrupt words, but he wanted to share this when the topic of the god of Death came up, fearing it might slip his mind later.
“Why would the god of Death help me?”
“If you die as you are now, the goddess Julias will annihilate your soul.”
“That’s…”
“But when you die, I’ll guide your soul. Not to the underworld governed by Julias, but to Decarve. That way, you can receive a new life.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to be annihilated than to become a servant to the gods?”
Anais felt like being taken by god Decarve meant becoming God’s attendant, an honorable position but akin to eternal servitude.
“No. When I say a new life, I mean reincarnation, not becoming an attendant.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Death falls under Decarve’s jurisdiction. Decarve doesn’t want your soul destroyed by Julias.”
“Why?”
“Because we belong to Decarve.”
Anais found this information conflicting with everything she knew and hard to accept. She had always thought of the goddess Julias as just and Decarve as the opposite.
“The effort and labor it takes to create a single soul is immense. Every soul is personally crafted by a god.”
“So, it’s considered valuable.”
“Exactly.”
Phileal laughed at her response and continued.
“I really like you, Anais. I truly hope you find happiness.”
She closed her mouth, believing his words were sincere. Although they hadn’t known each other long, she felt he meant what he said.
“I feel the same. I hope you find happiness too.”
She said this, even though thoughts of Kylian lingered in her mind. But she reminded herself that her departure might be what would make him happiest.
“What else is down this way?”
“It seems like there’s something.”
She laughed again at his tone and continued walking with him.
* * *
“Lovely sight, isn’t it?”
Lewarren commented as Lilith, occupying Anais’s body, woke up.
“And how do you look?”
Lilith taunted as she got out of bed. She glanced disdainfully at the shackles on her wrist and gestured towards Lewarren.
With a sigh, Lewarren grasped the shackles and, using the power of the god of Destruction, turned them into ash.
“Your power is always so filthy.”
“Coming from someone who can’t use any power, you’re quite the talker.”
“What about Anais?”
“Kylian is searching for her.”
“Then she’ll be caught soon.”
“Yes.”
Their dry tones and cold conversation resembled a desert at night.
“It was your pushing of Anais that was the problem.”
“Look who’s talking, the bystander has quite the mouth.”
She stepped off the bed and motioned for Lewarren to back off. He closed and then opened his eyes, observing the purple light of her soul and the white light emanating from Anais’s body.
“What about the power?”
“We’re not far from our goal.”
“Ugh…”
In that moment, Lilith furrowed her brow, feeling a sharp pain in her head as a fleeting scene passed by.
“There seems to be an intruder there.”
“…”
“Go now, Lewarren.”
At her command, Lewarren sighed and quickly teleported away. Once he was gone, Lilith struggled to her feet, steadying her body and trying to regulate her erratic pulse.
After a considerable amount of time, she regained her strength and moved. Opening the door, she found several guards unconscious, likely taken down by Lewarren. Observing this, Lilith continued forward.
Her physical condition was not good. Every step was painful, but she managed her posture and began to walk with accustomed grace.
She knew that Kylian had not publicly imprisoned her. The way everyone greeted her and made room as soon as they saw her was evidence enough.
Lilith was headed to the prison where the High Priest of Death was held.
“What is this?”
She muttered, looking at her father’s face, who appeared to have fainted.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
