I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die - Chapter 6.2
“There must be something inside.”
As I was examining the suspicious door from various angles and reached out to push it, the door opened by itself before I could even apply force.
Thud, boom.
And at the sight before my eyes, I repeatedly retched.
There were corpses of children wearing pure white priest robes piled up. Their quiet appearance, as if merely sleeping, was bizarre. The platform placed on a circular plate looked like a space for offering sacrifices.
It wasn’t strange for offerings to be made to gods in the temple. But having dead priests’ corpses piled up was different. Especially since they were wearing the red wigs I had seen earlier.
Though I had confirmed there was a space unknown to others, I stood there blankly for a while. What had Michaelo been doing here? It was chilling that he had neatly laid down the dead priests without even burying them. With my whole body’s hair standing on end, I quickly escaped that place.
The intruders hadn’t thought to look here, as none were visible. Conversely, this meant they had figured out where I was staying.
‘It seems there’s someone in the temple communicating with the Imperial family.’
Michaelo must have learned about this through this incident too. I headed toward my room while concealing my presence. If they wanted me, I needed to be where they thought I would be.
“There she is!”
At that moment, an assassin who discovered me shouted. Someone I encountered in the corridor drew their sword and rushed at me. Though I dodged the blade aimed at my neck by lowering my body, I could sense others coming this way after hearing the assassin’s shout.
I acted as if I had just left my room. Behind the assassins, I could see the priests. They all rushed at me at once.
The assassins’ sole purpose seemed to be to harm me. If they had intended to take me alive, they wouldn’t have shown such killing intent. Soon, the priests trying to protect me became entangled with the assassins. I stood alone in the chaotic corridor, watching them.
“Die, you witch!”
It seemed my existence had already been cemented as a witch in their minds. While dodging the aimed blades, I pulled the assassins off the priests and threw them far away.
“Urgh!”
“Aaaaagh!”
With the assassins’ screams, the priests didn’t miss their chance to approach me. Red blood was spreading on their white clothes. I naturally furrowed my brows and examined the bodies of those blocking my way.
“…Are you hurt?”
Whether they didn’t hear my question or not, they were preoccupied with blocking the assassins. However, healing them here would be equivalent to exposing my abilities. The priests seemed to know this too, as they made efforts not to touch me.
“Lady Irene, please escape quickly. The High Priest said we must protect you!”
I flinched. Just hearing the words ‘High Priest’ made me feel repulsed. I suppressed my urge to vomit and covered my mouth with my hand.
“Please come this way quickly!”
The priests moved in perfect unison to protect me. In the end, I left that place without being able to help them. Then Michaelo appeared.
Filthy. Horrible.
Endless curses toward him poured out. I carefully controlled my expression so it wouldn’t show on my face as I looked at Michaelo. My lips trembled slightly, but fortunately, it didn’t show in my voice.
However, not wanting to get close to him, I unconsciously kept my distance. He remained composed, appearing no different than usual.
“Irene, are you hurt anywhere? You must have been startled by this sudden situation.”
His touch on my arm made my skin crawl. At the same time, I saw overlapping images of him reaching out to priests wearing red wigs. I unconsciously shook off his hand, and Michaelo stared at his tingling hand for a moment.
“…Weren’t you… weren’t you on good terms with the Imperial family? What’s with these assassins?”
I hurriedly asked to divert his attention elsewhere.
“You seem to know who sent the assassins.”
“What reason would there be for assassins to enter the temple? This has never happened before. I don’t know how they found out I was in the temple, but you should be careful. It seems there’s a spy here acting as their ears.”
It was surprising, as he must have managed the priests. Or perhaps he had designated priests to communicate with the Imperial family. In other words, Michaelo might have had a part in creating this situation.
“I’ll have to look into this when this is over. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…As you can see, I’m fine.”
“You didn’t use your ability, did you?”
I nodded.
If it’s this dangerous, wouldn’t it be better to reveal everything? I couldn’t understand why I had to hide my abilities and be misunderstood as a witch.
This moment of being with him was too uncomfortable. I desperately wanted to get away. Not only were unwanted scenes unfolding before my eyes, but I could faintly hear disgusting moans. Feeling like I might go crazy, I slowly exhaled. The pure white temple seemed to be dyed red, so I rubbed my eyes and opened them wide.
“I should return to the Duke’s residence. Severus might be worried.”
“The situation isn’t over yet. I’m saying this because I think it would be better for you to stay out.”
Michaelo grabbed my hand. My face naturally contorted with contempt. Hadn’t he touched others’ bodies with those hands while crying out my name? I tried to naturally pull my hand away, but his grip remained firm. Looking at his hand which showed no signs of letting go, with a stronger grip than usual, I stared at it quietly.
If I show more resistance, he’ll find it strange.
Leaving my hand where it was, I tilted my head to the side as if puzzled. Michaelo acted as though he was observing my reaction. I asked in my usual calm voice.
“Do you intend not to let me go? You haven’t forgotten your contract with Severus, have you, High Priest?”
“If you want to leave, I should let you go. But what if he becomes endangered too? You wouldn’t want that.”
I pondered for a moment. He had said Severus was a monster. Wasn’t he the one who wanted him to be in danger more than anyone? I had seen with my own eyes how much Michaelo wanted me. If asked who wished for Severus’s death, it would undoubtedly be Michaelo. I firmly shook my head.
“I’m going back. This is something Severus and I must handle.”
Michaelo didn’t hold me back anymore. He led the way, saying he would guide me to where I could leave the temple.
“High Priest Michaelo. The temple is still no different from what I know, right?”
Though I didn’t think he would tell the truth, I asked just in case.
“The temple never changes. Even now, everyone is blocking the intruders to protect you, aren’t they?”
I turned my head to look at the priests fighting the assassins. They appeared resolute, as if they would never let anyone through.
“Irene, you’re not really thinking of going to him while leaving them behind, are you?”
“Though it’s not easy to leave, you’re here, High Priest. Severus only has me by his side.”
Standing in front of the door Michaelo had shown me, I grabbed the handle without hesitation and opened it. If the temple had been attacked, there was no way the villa where Severus was would be safe.
