I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 79
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Yeshion watched Edward being dragged away by the others.
Though the situation had been resolved, he remained frozen, unable to loosen the grip on the dagger in his hand.
“…Let go of the blade.”
Eldis gently wrapped his hand around Yeshion’s. He was holding it so tightly the back of his hand had turned pale.
“It’s over now.”
At the low murmur, Yeshion glanced around. Only when Edward’s presence and even his voice had completely vanished did he finally release the tension in his fingers.
“Archpriest…”
As Yeshion struggled to calm his pounding heart, a priest approached and called out to Eldis.
“Has he been secured?”
“We’ve moved him to the most secluded tent, but since we’re not at the temple…”
In other words, if Edward wanted to, he could leave at any time.
What if he comes back?
The fear made his shoulders tremble. Yeshion squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head, trying to still his panic by hugging his own arms, but it only amplified his unease.
“Post guards outside his tent immediately. If he tries to leave, stop him.”
“Is… is that really alright? Even if he is from the ducal family…”
“He may be the duke’s son, but he laid hands on a dispatched priest. Does that sound worthy of leniency to you?”
At Eldis’s firm reply, the priest bowed hastily and backed away. Yet Yeshion’s expression didn’t ease one bit.
‘What if he sneaks out, even with guards posted?’
Damn that Yeshion.
How many times now had his life been threatened because of that bastard? If he had to possess someone, why couldn’t it have been someone who wasn’t an asshole?
As he silently cursed a man who no longer was able to hear it, Eldis extended a hand.
Startled, Yeshion jerked and looked up. Eldis spoke with a serious expression.
“Come to my tent.”
“…What?”
“You must be uneasy, wondering if Edward will come out again. I can’t leave you alone in this state.”
Unlike his usual wary self, Eldis took his hand without hesitation and led him away.
But Yeshion’s legs were still weak from what happened and gave out beneath him.
“Tsk.”
Eldis caught his faltering body at once. Yeshion flushed at the hand supporting his waist, but Eldis didn’t pause as he lifted him up in his arms.
“W-Wait, Archpriest—!”
“It’s late. The others should be getting some rest too.”
Now that he thought about it, when Edward had attacked earlier, everything had been quiet—but now he could sense several priests had woken up.
Yeshion clamped his mouth shut as Eldis swiftly carried him toward his own tent.
Once inside, Eldis set him down on the bed and returned shortly after with bandages.
“…Are you hurt?”
“Not me. You.”
“Me?”
“Here. Your neck’s bleeding.”
At his words, Yeshion reached up and touched his neck.
In threatening Edward with the dagger, the sharp edge must have grazed his skin.
He hadn’t even noticed in the moment—too terrified to feel the pain. He gave a dry laugh, and Eldis began wrapping the bandage around his neck as he spoke.
“Divine power can’t do everything. Sometimes it’s better to let the body heal naturally.”
“…Okay.”
“Don’t misunderstand—it’s not that I’m refusing to heal you. But ever since I treated your poisoning, I’ve poured so much of my divine power into you that I’m worried it may not work when we really need it.”
Eldis spoke deliberately, repeating himself, as though trying to keep Yeshion’s mind occupied.
Much like how Rosaline had distracted him not long ago, it felt like he was doing the same—trying to draw his attention away from what had just happened.
“Come to think of it, your neck’s never had a peaceful day. Poor thing, stuck with the wrong master.”
“…Right.”
“Well then, be good to your body. What is this mess? If I hadn’t patched you up, you’d be covered in scars.”
Yeshion stared blankly at him. He never thought he’d live to see the day Eldis would scold him.
