Treat the Second Male Lead Like a Stone

Chapter 119

The temple was peaceful, no different from usual. Unlike the chaos outside, the priests walking around were enjoying a leisurely daily life.

It even felt like a space completely separated from the outside.

“In fact, rather than having a clear purpose, I’m just someone with a lot of curiosity.”

Onyx, who was walking alongside me, seemed to be bothered by what happened earlier and spoke to me subtly.

“I was lucky to form a connection with the temple, and if not, my interests would have turned elsewhere.”

“Having something that brings you joy is a fortunate thing.”

At my words, Onyx smiled and agreed.

“I hope Lady Roygin also finds joy like I do.”

After finishing his sentence, his eyes narrowed as if he was lost in thought. It looked like he was hesitating whether to bring something up.

I gave him a faint smile.

“Earlier, it seemed like you were hesitant to talk about your research, but I’m okay with it.”

“Hmm, to be honest, I feel like I said something unnecessary to you. The situation got a bit tangled…….”

“That happens.”

“S-sorry…….”

“Of course, I came because I’m curious about your research, Onyx! But if circumstances aren’t right, it can’t be helped!”

As I smiled brightly, Onyx’s eyes shook intensely and beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead.

Then I muttered with a face full of regret.

“Sigh, even though I said that, it’s a shame. I also enjoy exploring things like you do. I was happy to finally find someone I could connect with.”

“L-Lady Roygin…….”

“Oh dear, and there’s no need to apologize. To be someone who can help you, Onyx, I’ll study hard on my own!”

Eventually, his face turned pale.

“When that time comes, would I be honored to participate in your research too?”

Then Onyx finally let out the words he had been holding back.

“No, no! There’s no need for you to do it alone. Let’s go together.”

“Would that be alright?”

I immediately accepted Onyx’s offer.

“Of course. I was the one who brought it up first, after all.”

Onyx, who had looked deeply troubled, finally let out a sigh of relief as if the tension had been lifted.

“Let’s go quickly. Yurian mustn’t see us.”

As if telling me to keep quiet, he brought his index finger to his lips. When I mimicked the gesture, he finally seemed reassured and hurried his steps.

It was just then, as I moved along with Onyx.

Someone suddenly grabbed me in a rush.

“You……!”

It was a man I had never seen before, but for some reason, his tone sounded familiar.

Moreover, his sun-bleached hair shimmered with a silvery hue.

“Lady Roygin, do you know him?”

As Onyx’s puzzled voice reached me, the man seemed to realize something and released his grip on me.

I let out an awkward smile and nodded.

“Please go ahead. I’ll catch up soon.”

At my words, he nodded in confusion.

As soon as Onyx’s figure grew distant, I quickly took the man and left the area.

And then, countless questions rained down on me like arrows.

“Why are you here? You’re supposed to be at the Roygin Estate…….”

“Sorry, but I should be the one asking that. What are you doing at the temple when you’re supposed to be at the Magic Tower?”

Peril frowned deeply.

“I was the one who asked first, though.”

“I became a Cardiff member.”

“……That’s not the answer I wanted.”

I sighed inwardly and calmly continued.

“They said they’ll move the relic to Drimokan in two days.”

“That’s also not the answer I wanted.”

Whatever it was that angered him, Peril remained sharp throughout.

The only relief was that he knew he wasn’t hiding his emotions well.

Peril took a deep breath with his eyes tightly closed. Then he pressed the corners of his eyes with his hands.

“……Fine, I expected you wouldn’t stay still. But the fundamental reason I helped him was because I wanted you to be safe.”

“……”

“But now that I’ve met you here, there’s no longer a reason to help him.”

How did it come to that conclusion……?

“Wait, hold on. You’re getting overly worked up right now.”

“How am I supposed to calm down?”

Seeing Peril so outraged for the first time, I was taken aback.

He usually didn’t get angry like this!

“This has nothing to do with you. So go back immediately.”

As soon as he finished speaking, I became completely immobilized, as if something had bound my entire body.

“Don’t start by using magic so unfairly……!”

The threatening atmosphere around me was frightening, but more terrifying was his magic, which could send me back to the estate at any moment.

“It’s been a while since we met—at least let me say hello!”

“What hello.”

It seemed my words didn’t even register.

Ignoring me, Peril scoffed and busied himself drawing a magic circle.

Ah, this won’t do.

“Then just answer me. I’ll leave after hearing that.”

“Oh, you dare propose a deal with me?”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit late to bring that up now? I feel like I’ve already made shameless requests to you before?”

Perhaps at a loss for words, Peril paused, which was rare for him. I took the opportunity to ramble without pause.

“You’re here for a similar reason as I am, right?”

“Since you already know my answer, you won’t regret going back now.”

“Ugh, seriously!”

“What, got a complaint?”

“Of course I do!”

As I struggled in frustration, Peril must have realized I wasn’t going to listen easily, so he let out a deep sigh and released the magic that had been restraining me.

I looked up at him with resentful eyes, and he finally spoke with a face different from usual.

“You said you had a place to return to. Thinking about it, there’s no need to help him. If Orphen wins, everything will go back to how it was.”

“……”

“Why did you choose to side with the Duke? Or did he force you into it?”

Unbelievable.

“Do you really think someone like me, who shamelessly keeps her chin up even now, would obediently follow orders? Let alone that man’s orders.”

“Then why?”

Peril’s eyes were calm. But within them, emotions he failed to suppress surged like a violent wave.

“Now that you say it like that, I’m curious too.”

“Curious about what?”

“Why the Tower Master, who said he wouldn’t concern himself with politics, chose to help Ricardo.”

“Didn’t I already say? Because I wanted you to be safe.”

Peril furrowed his brows, as if asking why I was repeating something I already knew.

“No. Did you really not know I’d make this choice?”

“……”

“If what you say is true, then you have no reason to help Ricardo either. You promised to send me back to the world I came from, and if it’s to keep that promise, you don’t need to align with that man.”

Peril stared at me quietly with a displeased look.

But it seemed my words were spot on.

“You have no right to stop me.”

There was no reply from him.

An awkward silence fell, and I lightly kicked a random pebble on the ground.

“If I’m wrong, at least point it out. Don’t just make me feel awkward……”

“You’re completely wrong. A perfect misjudgment.”

“……Liar.”

When I glared at him, he let out a deep sigh. Then, turning his head with a face full of resignation, he spoke.

“Fine, what power do I have to stop you.”

“You were doing a great job stopping me earlier.”

“There you go again.”

Peril roughly swept his hand down his face.

“You just can’t let a single word slide.”