When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 119.2

“Why are you here? Did you come because Anais doesn’t have much time left?”

“Yes.”

The Duke found himself unable to even consider lying to such a direct question.

“I see. I understand.”

After saying that, Phileal finished his tea and sat down in front of Duke Percival.

“We should all enjoy our time together.”

The Duke sensed that Phileal’s understanding of the situation differed slightly from his own. While he was hesitant, the Duke was determined to bring Anais’s suffering to an end quickly.

However, it seemed Phileal wanted to stay by her side until her time was up.

“From the look on your face, it seems you came to finish things yourself.”

Phileal’s remark surprised Duke Percival. He had assumed Phileal was someone who just acted carelessly, but he was quicker to sense than expected. After all, he was the Second Bishop of Death, the Duke thought as he narrowed his eyes.

“If that’s the case, I’ll stop you. I intend to keep Anais happy until her life ends.”

“What will you do if I don’t allow that?”

“In that case, I’ll have to demonstrate my strength to you. I’m quite strong, you know.”

Duke Percival was not afraid of fighting him. He just didn’t want to kill Anais himself. And if time was on his side…

“Really, you can make my daughter happy? You, of all people?”

“Yes.”

Duke Percival looked at him again as he answered calmly. He seemed like a comrade who had shared both joy and sorrow with Anais, yet also like an elderly couple leaning on each other for support.

It was likely his own failure to recognize Anais’s needs that led her to choose the wrong person to rely on.

But had she truly made the wrong choice? Phileal was the Second Bishop of Death, yet he had come here, turning his back on the High Priest of Death. It was also he who had recognized Anais and consistently whispered warnings.

“Anais is coming.”

He reacted to the sound of footsteps and walked toward the door.

With a click, the door opened, and Phileal took Anais’s hand, smiling.

“Did you wash up well?”

“Yes, the water was warm. You should wash up too.”

“I’ll do it later.”

He smiled as he looked at Anais, and Duke Percival felt an odd sensation, as if his daughter had taken in a dog.

* * *

After a brief rest, Anais headed toward the collapsed temple with Phileal and Duke Percival.

“Why have you come here, Anais?”

At the Duke’s gentle voice, Phileal shivered slightly. It was completely different from the cold tone he usually directed at him.

“Lilith offered sacrifices here. I don’t know why. She told me it was to sustain my body, but my body is already maintained well enough by High Priest Raviel.”

“So you think she lied for some other reason?”

“Yes. And Dad, they said my life is almost over.”

Anais looked directly at Duke Percival as she spoke. The Duke had rushed here to make his daughter comfortable, but now, hearing her mention death, his eyes stung with emotion.

“So I was going to give up on everything.”

“Anais…”

“But I’ve changed my mind. Something feels off. Even if I’m going to die, I want to do what I can.”

Duke Percival couldn’t reject his daughter’s decision. He, too, had been thinking along those lines.

“Anais!”

Phileal, who had been standing a little further away, shouted.

“Come here!”

Anais chuckled and said to the Duke.

“You’ll help us, right?”

“Of course.”

Duke Percival smiled at her with a relaxed expression and followed along. When they reached Phileal, everyone was surprised.

“My goodness. Is this even possible?”

“It seems like some real power is at work here.”

The shabby temple, which had collapsed yesterday, stood restored to its original state. As they entered in amazement, the inside was still a mess. It looked as if everything, aside from what the gods had created, hadn’t been able to turn back.

“I think it would be good for Phileal to see where I went yesterday.”

“This time, let’s break the door down.”

“Agreed.”

So they headed toward the deepest part where Anais had gone. The gate was broken. Everything that hadn’t been created by the gods was completely destroyed.

“The temple itself seems to be a sacred relic. It looks like only things infused with divine power have been restored.”

Phileal spoke as he sensed the flow of divine energy.

“You’re quite skilled, Phileal.”

“Hehe, did I do well? If I did, you should praise me.”

“Yes, you did well. I’m proud of you.”

As Anais patted his shoulder affectionately, Duke Percival didn’t react, and she looked around. The mangled bones had become even more disfigured due to being crushed by the stones.

“This magic circle is interesting. It seems designed to hold something in place.”

At the Duke’s words, Anais examined the magic circle on the floor. It was definitely shaped a little differently than when she had seen it yesterday.

“What could have caused this?”