I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 50
Eldis wanted to ask, ‘When have you ever shown respect to anyone?’ but he chose to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“As you’ve noticed, Yeshion has changed. In fact, he’s completely different from how he used to be.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m willing to give him a chance because of that change. If losing his memory has softened him, perhaps he’s always had a kind nature deep down.”
Eldis lied effortlessly, but Adelio didn’t seem to notice, quietly listening instead.
“The mistakes Yeshion made in the temple, I can handle. I can even make it seem like he’s being punished. But what happens outside the temple is beyond my authority.”
As Eldis spoke, he pulled a vial from a drawer, placing it on the table. The vial contained highly concentrated divine power.
Eldiz spoke, gesturing to the vial.
“There is enough divine power in the vial to neutralize half a bottle of “Gebi” poison. While it can’t lift the curse, it could certainly heal a royal suffering from the ailment.”
“…..”
“If Your Highness blocks external threats, I will give you this.”
Adelio picked up the vial. The liquid wasn’t quite white, more like a faint yellow, reminding him of Yeshion’s glow, which he found oddly pleasing.
“I’m tempted to take this. It could come in handy if Yeshion gets hurt. But instead of a trade, I’d like to propose an alliance for now.”
“An alliance?”
“I’ll keep an eye on the movements of the nobles, bring you information. In return, I’d like unrestricted access to the temple—not just when meeting the Saintess.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“To see Yeshion. Unlike you, the Archpriest, I can’t see him whenever I want. It’d be a hassle if meeting a friend was like plucking a star from the sky, don’t you think?”
Friend.
Eldis quietly repeated the word.
After a long silence, Eldis finally nodded.
“Alright. Let’s do that. But take the vial with you.”
“Why?”
“As you said, if you’re going to be spending more time with your friend, it’s better to be prepared. You almost lost him once; there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. You’ll need this divine power to protect Priest Yeshion.”
There was a bite to Eldis’s words. No matter how it was phrased, the message was clear: “You failed to protect Yeshion last time.”
Adelio didn’t deny it. If Eldis hadn’t arrived at the palace in time, Yeshion’s fate would have been sealed.
“Fine. I’ll take it.”
With that, Adelio grabbed the vial and left the office.
Watching him go, Eldis let out a scoffing laugh.
“Friend?”
He rolled the word around in his mouth.
They had spent quite some time talking, and now it seemed they were discussing this?
“After all that protesting, when did they become friends?”
Adelio had forced himself on Yeshion, doing everything Yeshion despised. Now, under the guise of friendship, had Yeshion allowed him back in?
It was absurd.
Eldis had buried countless questions in his heart, patiently waiting for Yeshion.
Why had he, someone missing from the temple, been found near death in the palace? Why was he so intent on leaving the temple?
He hadn’t received any honest answers, just vague excuses.
But still, he had waited, hoping Yeshion would open up, speak the truth.
Yet, instead of trusting him, Yeshion was moving in a direction Eldis had never expected.
“This is troubling, Yeshion.”
Eldis murmured to himself, gazing out the window. His eyes settled on the residence where the priests stayed.
“I’ve given you the freedom to stay here, trusting you, yet now you’re making deals with the royal family to escape?”
He had been willing to wait until Yeshion was ready to open his heart, especially after the priest had accused him of constantly killing him in his dreams. Even if it was just a dream, no one would enjoy such nightmares of being killed by someone else’s hands.
But Yeshion seemed intent on slipping through his fingers.
Despite vowing never to see Adelio again, now, after a little pressure, he had offered friendship.
“Yes, you’re soft. But even I have been patient enough.”
If Yeshion couldn’t find his place or figure out whom to trust, Eldis would simply show him.
“Feel it, remember it well, Yeshion.”
Eldis clasped his hands together in prayer.
“The only one who can help you is me.”
As Eldis whispered those words, a soft, white energy began to flow from his body. It crept through the windows, spreading throughout the temple like a mist.
Eldis quietly smiled as he closed the window.
