When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 125.1

“Are you betraying me? Do you have any idea how much money I’ve brought in for you?”

“I appreciate that, but my life is valuable too.”

As Lewarren shouted, the group leader scratched the back of his neck with a wry smile, as if he had no choice.

“Bring me his head.”

“Yes!”

There were four knights in total. One was already behind Lewarren, while the apparent leader stood a step back. The remaining two blocked Lewarren’s escape. He didn’t want to die like this.

“Find your life?”

What could that mean? It felt like she was talking as if she understood why he had become a thief.

Swish! A sharp sword was drawn, targeting Lewarren. It began to swing mercilessly at him as if it really intended to kill.

“Ugh…!”

The knight’s sword pierced Lewarren’s arm. He wrapped his injured arm and stumbled back, realizing that he would die if this continued.

Bang! Overwhelmed by panic, Lewarren unintentionally released his power.

“Ugh!”

“Catch him!”

He blasted through a wall and bolted away. Lewarren ran until he could no longer hear the knights chasing him.

He had no idea how long he ran. The taste of blood filled his mouth, and his head spun. Despite his moving in a hurry, one place came to mind.

After running for quite some time, he arrived at Duchy Percival. The guards at the door recognized Lewarren and opened it immediately.

He rushed straight to Anais Percival’s office. Bursting through the door, he found her staring at him, her glasses perched on her nose as she set a book down on the desk.

“You’re hurt.”

“What did you mean by that? How can you talk so assuredly about me? Who do you think you are?”

“Lewarren.”

“I don’t want to be a priest. How could a life spent in celibacy be called living?”

Anais gave him a knowing look as she stood up. She examined Lewarren’s injured arm, then opened a nearby box to fetch a potion.

“Lewarren, you wanted to live a noble life, so you admired the aristocracy.”

“…….”

“You stole their belongings and learned their manners. But when you could no longer have it, you grew to hate them.”

“What do you know?”

“I know you, Lewarren. Even though you’re a thief now, I recognize that you deserve more than that. Whether you can achieve the nobility you desire in a place suited for you remains uncertain, but it will bring you happiness.”

Lewarren didn’t want to be a priest because he couldn’t form a family. He disliked the priests. They abused children under the guise of supporting the workhouse.

He was among them. The reason he had meticulously concealed his power was that the temple was not a place blessed with divine energy. When someone more capable than one arrived, they would suppress him, and it was common for them to eliminate threats.

Lewarren was aware of the magnitude of the divine power surrounding his heart. He knew it was unprecedentedly strong. And if he was to go to the temple, the position he would be guaranteed was also clear.

However, the forces opposing him would attempt to eliminate him, labeling him as a commoner. He had already experienced such attempts several times, even while at the workhouse.

“I don’t want to die.”

“I’ll make sure you live.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“I’ll be your guardian and your supportive friend.”

Lewarren thought it arrogant of her to speak as if she understood everything, yet he felt a deep sadness knowing that she was the only one in the world who sought and recognized him.

“I dislike the nobility.”

“So do I. But not every noble is the same. Just as you have people you like and dislike.”

He understood that Anais was implying that she was different. That arrogance and high self-esteem were contemptible, yet he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.

“What if I can’t live a proper life?”

“Then come kill me. Once you join the priesthood, you might become stronger than me.”

At Anais’s words, Lewarren realized he was crying out of frustration.

There were no choices left. That was how he had felt back then.

* * *

After heading to the Roserain Temple, Lewarren, backed by the support of the Percival family, quickly ascended to the position of high priest. The previous high priest had resigned in fear of the Duke’s influence.

Lewarren became the high priest with surprising ease, as if everything had been prepared for him.

When he first became the high priest, he found the temple’s practices revolting. They were terrified of the Percival family, and Lewarren felt that same fear.

“You can’t handle things so dishonestly. Who allowed you to accept bribes and deal with matters as you please?”

“No matter how I handle it, it’s my business.”

Anais Percival would often appear whenever he dealt with matters in his own way.

“You need a beating to come to your senses.”

Lewarren flinched when she drew her sword.

“This time, I won’t go easy on you!”

But due to his unstable power, he was quickly defeated, unable to match her even for a few rounds, and was sent back to the temple.