I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 7
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“Priest Yeshion is… cleaning the underground dungeon?”
Eldis doubted his own ears.
He had meted out a punishment, but never imagined Yeshion would actually walk into the dungeon himself.
“Listen carefully, Yeshion. If you do something like this one more time, I will put you in the underground dungeon myself. And that day, both of us will die. Do you understand?”
He had once threatened Yeshion with those words.
It was the first time Eldis had shown anger, even though Yeshion continually irritated him without ever revealing his displeasure outright.
It was because on the day the saintess arrived, Yeshion had insolently questioned if she was really a woman.
“Yes. And, according to another priest who saw Priest Yeshion… they say he has contracted a terminal illness.”
“He has a terminal illness?”
“Yes. He was muttering to himself while picking up cleaning supplies from the bathroom.”
It certainly wasn’t a remark meant to be overheard. It sounded more like a solemn vow to himself, ‘I must live.’
Eldis was sparing with his words. After a moment’s contemplation, he slowly began to speak.
“It seems the gods are giving Priest Yeshion a chance.”
“A chance? For that demon… Uh, I mean, for Priest Yeshion?”
“Great hardships in life are opportunities for reform. Perhaps such an opportunity has come to Priest Yeshion.”
At Eldis’s words, the surrounding priests slowly nodded. Coming from the Archpriest who had suffered the most from Yeshion, they had to accept it.
“Then, let us all pray today. That Priest Yeshion may come to his senses and learn the true qualities of a priest.”
“Yes, Archpriest.”
After responding, the priests all hurried to the prayer room.
All hoping for ‘Yeshion’s edification.’
Watching their backs, Eldis smiled benevolently. However, once the priests had left, his expression hardened instantly.
‘…What is he plotting?’
Yeshion was not one to heed his words in a straightforward manner. The Yeshion that Eldis had known for nearly twenty years was not that kind of person.
A man who seizes opportunities at all costs.
Yeshion was a despicable man who used his pretty face to prey on others, who took pleasure in their misfortune.
Such a person would not have simply listened without an ulterior motive.
Eldis clenched his fist and turned to look at the boy who had been standing there for a while.
“Did Priest Yeshion really not lay a hand on you?”
This boy working in the temple was actually planted by Eldis to keep an eye on Yeshion.
If Yeshion offended the saintess and even harmed the boy, it would create a situation where Eldis could administer a fitting punishment.
“Yes. He actually patted my head.”
“He… patted your head?”
An amused scoff escaped Eldis’s lips.
Yeshion was notoriously fussy about cleanliness. Due to his filthy past, if anyone other than a priest touched him, he’d react violently, yelling, ‘Keep your dirty hands off!’
“Yeshion did that…”
Muttering to himself, Eldis handed a few coins to the boy. The boy beamed a bright smile, bowed, and left the place.
As Eldis watched the boy’s retreating back, his expression grew increasingly grim.
“Yeshion wouldn’t do that.”
Today, the Yeshion he saw was acting differently than the Yeshion Eldis knew. When threatened with death, he resigned himself; when punished, he quietly carried it out.
As if he had some purpose.
“He wasn’t planning to meet someone in the dungeon…”
His muttering stopped.
…Surely not.
He abruptly rose from his seat. How could he have forgotten?
The underground dungeon.
That place, long unoccupied, had recently admitted one person.
“A month will do. It was just that long last year, so just lend me the underground dungeon of the temple for a month this time.”
“…..”
“If I cause a disturbance, you tie me up. Well, it’s not exactly His Highness’s taste, is it?”
“…..”
“Isn’t that a good offer for you? To lock up a brute for a month and have the Crown Prince as your backer.”
Two weeks ago, the Crown Prince himself had visited the temple.
Because of ‘ a certain problem’ he had.
Eldis had half-listened, not wanting to get involved, but left it to the prince as he insisted.
And indeed, the Crown Prince had taken up residence in the underground dungeon of the temple.
“Could he have… overheard that conversation?”
As realization dawned, Eldis quickly walked towards the underground dungeon. The interior, now cleaned unlike before, didn’t catch his eye at all.
The moment Eldis stepped inside the cell where the Crown Prince was supposed to be confined,
“What is… this…”
Eldis gasped.
