I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 158
Did you get hooked and started binge reading too fast? IJWTAD has advance chapters now available on ko-fi! Check it out!
“Why are you stopping?”
When Yeshion stopped, Matthew turned to ask.
His expression was stiff, lips pressed into a hard line. In his brown eyes was a look of disdain, not unlike how many priests looked at Yeshion.
But in Matthew’s eyes, there was a faint trace of killing intent.
‘…I have to run.’
Yeshion swallowed dryly, carefully choosing his words. What could he say to get out of this?
“Come to think of it, I’m not sure I need to go to the Archpriest myself.”
“…Pardon?”
“If he had something to say, I’m sure he’d come directly. I have work to do, so I’ll be on my way… ”
The moment he turned to leave without waiting for an answer…
“…Heh.”
Three priests were suddenly standing where no one had been before. As if they’d been waiting to catch him should he try to run. And like Matthew, each of them emanated that same eerie aura.
“I wonder how, for a priest, you’ve gotten away with doing filthy things while clinging to this temple.”
Matthew let out a sigh as he stepped toward Yeshion. He wanted to bolt right then, but the other priests behind him grabbed Yeshion by the arms.
“Quick-witted like a little rat, aren’t you.”
“What do you think you’re—!”
“Take him.”
At Matthew’s command, one of the priests clamped a hand over Yeshion’s mouth.
Yeshion bit down hard in resistance, but the priest only grit his teeth, enduring the pain as he dragged Yeshion away.
“Mmgh! Mmm! Nghh!”
Who would’ve thought he’d be kidnapped inside the temple.
Even as he struggled, Yeshion cursed inwardly. This was all because of the real Yeshion, he thought bitterly.
* * *
Clang!
The priests dragged him down to none other than the underground prison.
One of them shoved him inside, then locked the door with a sharp click.
“What do you think you’re doing….!”
“For now, you’ll be staying there. We don’t intend to harm you. It’s simply to ensure you don’t bring disgrace upon the temple.”
“What…?”
As Yeshion scowled, Matthew crossed his arms.
“During this festival, many important guests will visit the temple. High nobles, and of course, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty the Emperor.”
“So what?”
“Rather than risk the temple’s reputation by having an unqualified priest exposed,
it seemed the better choice to lock you away for a while.”
Yeshion’s mouth fell open.
So because he’d supposedly caused too many problems, they wanted him to quietly rot down here until the festival ended.
He was about to lash out, but instead he stood and grabbed the bars.
“If that’s the goal, then locking me up after the festival starts wouldn’t be too late!”
There was still plenty of time before the event even began!
Preparations had only just started, it would take at least a month before everything was ready. To lock him up now was no different than saying they didn’t even want to see his face until then.
“There will be other high-ranking visitors before then. And you, who’ve already tainted the Archpriest’s name, who’s to say you won’t do the same to them?”
Tainting Eldis’s name?
He furrowed his brow, confused for a moment, then the recent rumor surfaced in his mind. The one about him and Eldis being in a relationship.
“…Ha.”
So that’s what this was. Nothing had even happened this time, and yet here it was again. The festival was just an excuse. What they really hated was that Eldis’s reputation was being dragged down.
“Haa… fine, do as you please…”
“You gave your permission.”
“Just bring me a blanket. And food. As long as I have that, I’ll sit quietly until the festival’s over.”
He needed to help bring in the Empress’s maid.
But he had already shared the plan, and Eldis and Rosaline would take care of it. They were the ones who always handled things properly. He or Rosaline were usually the ones to mess up, not Eldis.
“…Why should I?”
At that, Matthew tilted his head.
“Priest Yeshion. You’re a priest too. If the divine truly loves you, then you’ll survive even if it’s freezing cold and you’re starving for a month.”
“…What?”
“To become a senior priest, everyone must undergo a path of trial, yes? You never have. So think of this as your penance.”
With those words, Matthew smiled brightly and added:
“All of this is by the Archpriest’s will.”
