When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 122.1
Phileal was taken aback by how much the old woman knew. Anais immediately stepped outside and asked him.
“Did you know?”
“About?”
“That the God of Death is trying to manifest?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because it’s impossible.”
Anais recalled that while Phileal didn’t keep secrets from her, he often overlooked certain details. Although it felt intentional, his straightforwardness suggested there were no ill intentions.
“Why is it impossible?”
“The last time the God of Death manifested, it was under unusual circumstances. Even if he were to descend to the world again, he wouldn’t destroy everything like before.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“The God of Death cares for us deeply.”
“By ‘us,’ you mean the priests of death?”
“Yes.”
Phileal felt he needed to explain it in a way that Anais could understand. However, something about it weighed on his mind, making it difficult.
Anais was someone who could extend kindness even to strangers. From her perspective, it would be hard to comprehend the priests of death acting solely for their own benefit.
“That… ah, this is really difficult.”
“Why do you think the God of Death loves you?”
“Oh right. Asking questions like that makes it easier to answer.”
“Answer me. Don’t change the subject.”
Phileal’s exclamation caused Anais to chuckle. It seemed that employing a rhetorical technique was the right approach when talking with Phileal, who was struggling with where to start. As a young duke, she had often collaborated closely with the imperial guards to resolve issues.
In the capital, there were separate imperial guards and defense forces, but there were usually more knights assigned to protect the palace from Duchy Percival’s order than from the other forces. Thus, she would occasionally receive reports about various incidents occurring in the capital or territories.
“First of all, creatures dislike death. That’s instinctual.”
“True.”
“I also understand that it’s not easy to overcome that instinct and follow Lord Decarve.”
“Right.”
“That’s why he cares for us. Lord Decarve loves strength. That’s why he’s strong enough to face all those gods alone. And he treasures us enough to share that strength.”
Phileal paused to consider whether he had spoken correctly and suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s something that Lord Decarve said before.”
Anais understood perfectly, but seeing that Phileal seemed eager to share more, she smiled and waited.
“You are the only one who believes my words.”
“Well, it’s true that no one else believes it.”
“Right. Although the priests of death can be selfish and cruel, they do tend to unite well when it comes to Lord Decarve.”
Unlike her previous impression of the priests of death as a sociopathic group, Anais now viewed them as simply a collection of broken individuals. In terms of faith, they were no different from other temples. The other temples she had seen during her time as a young duke were not very devoted either.
Even the High Priest of the highly esteemed Goddess Julias was like that.
“Anais.”
“Yes?”
“Wait here for a moment.”
“Why?”
“Just wait.”
Phileal said this and headed back to the flower shop. He didn’t come out for over ten minutes. Finally, when he emerged, he held something.
“Is this a flower crown?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask for this to be made?”
“No, I just bought the flowers and made it myself.”
Phileal, wearing a crown made of thornless roses, handed her another flower crown.
“I’ll place it on you.”
“Okay.”
Due to their height difference, Phileal easily placed the crown on her head. Anais couldn’t understand why he would buy flowers when he possessed the ability to create them, given that he had the power of the High Priest of Goddess Meviar.
“You can only summon a rain of petals, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can summon only the petals, not the flowers themselves?”
“Right, since I haven’t completely taken the power.”
Listening to Phileal’s response, Anais gazed at him and then spoke.
“The red rose suits you better.”
She took the yellow rose from his head and placed the red rose that had been on her head onto him.
“Did you know that the meanings of roses change with their colors?”
“Yeah. Red means beauty.”
“What about yellow?”
“Unchanging love.”
She assumed he had brought the flowers without much thought. If he had known their meanings, he would have chosen something more special.
“Well, we’ve finished our investigation, so let’s take a break.”
“But we’ve only investigated one place. What’s there to rest?”
“Then where are we going?”
“To the security office.”
“Alright. Let’s take it easy as we head to the security office.”
Not understanding what Phileal meant, she stared at him for a moment before shaking her head and continuing on.
The journey to the security office was quite long. As Anais walked, she noticed that the villagers seemed more lively than when she had first arrived on the island.
“The atmosphere in the village feels strange.”
“Today is a day when you can see the aurora.”
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