I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 72
Back in his assigned tent, Yeshion clutched at his hair.
“Edward, that crazy man.”
On the way to the purification site with Rosaline, he’d felt a strange, clinging gaze.
Ever since the attacker incident, Yeshion had been jumpy even when no one was watching him—so he figured it was just that again this time.
But when they reached the purification site, Eldis glanced past Yeshion’s shoulder and said, “You’ve picked up a rat.”
Only then did Yeshion catch on.
No wonder his back had been prickling. Sure enough, Edward had followed them out from the base camp and had been tailing him ever since—keeping himself hidden just enough to avoid Rosaline or anyone else chasing him off.
Fortunately, Eldis drove him away once they reached the purification site, but the real problem came afterward. Ever since returning to base camp, Yeshion could feel it again—that unmistakable stare boring into his back.
‘And I still have to stay here for two more months?’
He’d only expected Rosaline to get hurt—but now, something worse was looming right in front of him. Yeshion bit down hard on his lip and clenched the collar of his robe.
‘What kind of relationship did they have that he’s this obsessive? Did ‘Yeshion’ borrow money or something? No, from the way he talks, that doesn’t seem likely… Wait—don’t tell me they promised to get married or something?’
The way he’d said they were ‘good together” hinted they might’ve been lovers.
“Anyone who could like that Yeshion has to be out of their mind…”
‘Yeshion’ might’ve had a pretty face, but he didn’t exactly have the kind of charm that pulled people in—unless you counted the kind that made people want to hit him.
Even if someone did approach him because of his looks, they’d take one look at his personality and run for the hills. Anyone who stuck around through all that couldn’t possibly be normal either.
‘If I ever die and get sent back again, I’m never coming near the Mishemol Duchy.’
He’d go even further into the countryside—someplace so remote that news from the capital wouldn’t even reach. Somewhere no one had ever heard of “Yeshion.”
“Yeshion.”
Lost in his spiral of thoughts, a deep voice called from outside.
Startled, he jumped to his feet—and his wooden chair went crashing to the ground.
Clatter!
The loud noise made Eldis quickly poke his head into the tent. His face was full of concern, and when their eyes met, Yeshion gave him a sheepish smile without meaning to.
“Is something wrong?”
“N-No. Just got startled… What is it?”
At Yeshion’s question, Eldis fully stepped into the tent.
Coming close, he set the fallen chair upright and said in a low voice.
“There was someone loitering outside your tent. I came to see if you knew.”
“Don’t tell me… Edward?”
At the name, Eldis gave a quiet nod, and Yeshion slumped back into the chair, burying his face in his hands.
If not for social status, he’d storm right out and grab Edward by the collar and scream at him to get lost.
‘Damn these class hierarchies.
While Yeshion fumed internally, Eldis sat across from him and spoke.
“My apologies. I should’ve checked ahead of time who would be overseeing the purification work. But the request came directly from the Duke of Mishemol himself… If I’d known he would be involved, I would’ve refused.”
“Why are you apologizing, Archpriest? It’s my fault from the past…”
In fact, Edward being part of the purification project as a coordinator was something that had been mentioned in the novel. Since he had no direct connection to Rosaline, his name had been brushed over quickly in a single line.
Which meant, unlike the novel, the reason Edward had gone completely off the rails—frothing like a rabid dog—was because of him. More specifically, because of “Yeshion.”
‘They say those fated to die will die no matter what…’
At this rate, it really did feel like the world was throwing every ridiculous plot twist it could find just to mess with him.
With a heavy sigh, Yeshion’s face crumpled with gloom. Eldis reached out and gently stroked his hair.
The tender gesture made Yeshion flinch slightly, but Eldis continued calmly.
“Do you, by any chance, remember what kind of relationship you had with Edward?”
“From the way he talks, you’d think it was some earth-shattering romance.”
“You wouldn’t be wrong.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Four years ago, you and that man were lovers.”
