848-chapter-90
“Why hasn’t this been released yet? Isn’t it supposed to be released at night?”
‘I don’t know.’
Anais glanced back at the Captain of the imperial guard, Sir Lacey, who was behind her.
“What’s going on? Explain.”
Unlike the smile Phileal gave to Anais, Phileal spoke sharply to Sir Lacey. Anais thought he was being kind for the safety of Lillith’s body, and she believed that if he lost interest in her, he would treat her like Sir Lacey.
“The Empress ordered not to release it.”
“So, why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe there’s something that offended her again.”
“Release it.”
“I received an order not to.”
“So, you won’t take my words?”
“The Empress…”
“It’s troublesome if you ignore my words. If this continues, the Saint could be in danger, and then the Empress could be in danger too.”
Phileal threatened quite logically. He drove a wedge into the captain’s confusion as he seemed a bit perplexed.
“What will you do if the Saint is hurt like this without being able to speak? She doesn’t look well now.”
“But the Empress…”
“The Emperor prioritizes the Empress’s health over her orders, doesn’t he?”
“Ha.”
Sir Lacey felt repulsed by the cold and calculating snake-like voice in front of him.
“What if I tell His Majesty that her life is necessary?”
Even if Phileal seemed to be leaning towards the Saint’s side, he was still a priest of the Temple of Death. He was undoubtedly a powerful figure within the Temple of Death, and the death priests trusted by the Emperor were also recognized within the palace.
“If you’re scared, give me control. I’ll say I did it.”
Sir Lacey handed a small stone-like object to Phileal.
“Now, go.”
“….”
He didn’t like taking orders from the priest of death, but he had no choice.
After Sir Lacey disappeared, Phileal returned with a smiling face. Holding the stone, he touched the restraint around her neck and released it.
“You really have a bad personality.”
“So what? What are you going to say? If I say please, will he give it?”
“No. Everything you say is right.”
“Hehe. Right?”
Anais felt comfortable again as he laughed kindly. Her usefulness seemed likely to continue until she left this body.
“Did you come to see if I’m doing well at my job?”
Phileal asked out of the blue. He sat on the long couch as if he were a guest, despite it being his room. Anais sat in her usual place.
“That, and also to go together for purification later tonight.”
“Sure.”
Anais planned to be with Phileal when he took the High Priest of Life to purify his body. Even if Kylian denied her, he wouldn’t deny that she was Anais this time.
This time, she intended to show him everything.
* * *
“What about the High Priest of Destruction?”
“He’s still the same, High Priest.”
Leviathan glanced indifferently at the High Priest who didn’t even look at him while giving him orders.
‘If you live your life as an observer, you’ll remain eternally free and bored, just like now.’
“Does the High Priest really consider the Second Bishop like a son?”
“…Yes. Phileal is like a son to me.”
The High Priest sighed softly as he spoke. Leviathan had thought that their relationship was ridiculous until now. Priests of death had no such relationships. They were people who would sacrifice even their most precious things for power.
What Phileal had offered was his father. Even after sacrificing his father, he easily captured and sacrificed people sought by the god of death. His greatest merit was sacrificing his father, but he was also a person who bewitched the High Priest of Flowers.
That’s why the god of death cherished him. Phileal was a pure villain. He was someone who listened to the desires of the one he respected.
Leviathan often thought that perhaps Phileal had no other way to prove the value of his existence. He disliked it even more. It seemed as if watching his actions made Leviathan feel ashamed, as if he were no different from him.
Despite thinking that Phileal’s actions were pathetic, Leviathan couldn’t help but acknowledge the relationships, responsibilities, and hard work that he put into living.
“He doesn’t listen even though you call him a son, so you’ll kick him out, right?”
“….”
“As befitting the High Priest of Death, you’re very rational.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“No. It’s pure admiration.”
It was a mocking remark. Leviathan had disliked Phileal all along. He didn’t know his place.
Leviathan sacrificed his entire family. If they had been offered as burnt offerings while still alive, he could have become not only the second bishop but even the High Priest.
Phileal, who had only sacrificed his father, could not compare to him. However, it was evident that the hostility and envy toward him were from the High Priest. What used to be amusing in the past has become irritating now.
“I heard that priests of death cannot be offered as burnt offerings among themselves.”
“Because the god of death does not desire that.”
“Then, is offering the second bishop something the god of death desires?”
The High Priest did not answer but looked at Leviathan.
“Since when did you know about my plan?”
“I’ve known for a while.”
“How?”
“Haven’t you behaved as if there’s no tomorrow, like someone without a next?”
“Why are you lying, High Priest? Why are you doing this?”
“High Priest, The body of Saint Lilith contains Anais Percival.”
“High Priest, it seems that what’s in Anais Percival’s body is, in fact, Saint Lilith.”
“High Priest, the original purpose was not like this. It’s better to tell His Majesty the truth.”
“High Priest, the god of death wishes for a complete soul to be in Anais Percival’s body.”
“High Priest, High Priest, High Priest…”
The High Priest closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he remembered what had happened a while ago.
“If this continues, High Priest, you will pass away! The god of death has warned! Please. Now we must follow God’s will!”
At that moment, remembering Phileal, who had clung to his clothes and cried, the High Priest closed his mouth.
“What did the High Priest sacrifice to become a priest?”
He found it odd that Leviathan spoke in such a manner. If Phileal posed a hindrance to the plans he had set in motion, he could easily eliminate him, just as he had done with others before. So why did it feel so uneasy?
The unsettling feeling arose because it felt the clear intention behind Leviathan’s question, asking if he would abandon Phileal. It was as if Leviathan was asking him whether he would discard a son. He felt no obligation to extend any kindness to Phileal.
“It would be nice if others became unhappy, wouldn’t it? Because you’re not happy.”
Due to Anais’s words, Leviathan felt as if she had exposed his true self, which he had concealed so well. Therefore, considering that Anais might truly make this tiresome and free life enjoyable with just a few words, he changed his attitude.
“It was meaningless. Even if you hurt others, hate them, and live as if it’s someone else’s life. In the end, it’s empty, and nothing remains.”
Phileal still seemed petty and trivial. However, this petty and trivial guy was not living an empty life.
“I sacrificed a woman with my child.”
Hearing the High Priest’s words, Leviathan unknowingly clenched his teeth. The High Priest’s statement sounded like a warning, suggesting that even if he was to abandon Phileal, he would not be unaffected.
* * *
“What’s going on?”
Anais saw Leviathan while Phileal and her were on their way to the prison.
“I came to see you making a fuss.”
“Get lost.”
Leviathan looked down on him with a smirk, responding to Phileal’s mocking comments.
“Can I enjoy watching your prey? Who will pick up the pieces?”
“How would you even…”
Leviathan knew there was no one to challenge Lewarren. He was the High Priest of Destruction at the Temple of Roseraine. If Lewarren was to fight with a clear mind, Leviathan stood no chance.
“I know you’re going to interfere with my affairs. Get lost.”
Phileal was aware that Leviathan had seen him cry and plead before the High Priest of Death. That’s why he disliked Leviathan even more. Leviathan was someone who ridiculed Phielal for following the High Priest as if he was his parent.
“Why did you come? Lazy people like you won’t come to watch.”
“I’m not lazy. Everything was just a bother.”
At that moment, Anais interjected into their conversation.
“That’s being lazy.”
Leviathan frowned at Anais’s remark, contemplating before finally agreeing.
“It does seem like the right thing to say.”
“Why did you come?”
“Because my life feels tainted because of you.”
“What?”
Leviathan decided to be honest. After all, Phileal was beneath him, and he had already shown him an embarrassing sight. Besides, Anais Percival was not someone easy to meet when alone.
“Did you find it amusing to hurt others?”
“Yes. It was amusing. Such senseless actions are the best.”
Leviathan didn’t avoid her direct gaze, but he averted his eyes as the white iris within her violet eyes became clearer.
“Isn’t it hurtful because it’s all true?”
“Getting hurt because it’s true is different from getting hurt because of your intentions.”
“Does it matter what my intentions are?”
“You wish everyone else to be unhappy because your life is miserable. Without making any effort.”
“Do you think I don’t make an effort?”
“Maybe you did, but not now. You act like an observer, just hoping others become unhappy. Overlooking the fact that your actions also make yourself unhappy. It’s not a good thing to make others unhappy without making any effort to make yourself happy, is it?”
Leviathan felt a stinging sensation on his cheek. However, he wanted to hear more of what she had to say. Strangely, he felt alive at this moment, perhaps because of his conversation with Anais.
The embarrassment he now felt was oddly enjoyable, unlike the mechanical actions of offering sacrifices to strengthen himself.
“So, how do you break free from this lethargy?”
“Forget it. Forget the family you abandoned, forget the people who made you uncomfortable. And instead of living to make others unhappy, live to make yourself happy.”
Phileal had considered knocking Leviathan out if push came to shove. If they were to engage in a direct confrontation, it would be risky. However, Leviathan was a higher-ranking priest than Phileal. Perhaps, there was a way to make him retreat without resorting to unconsciousness.
“How can someone like me find happiness? After sacrificing even my family?”
“Then do the opposite of what you’ve done so far. If you want to wash away your sins, do the right thing.”
“…What would that be?”
“Can’t you see it from the current situation?”
Leviathan felt bewildered, realizing that this task might be related to Anais.
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