I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 86
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The duke, who had been speaking to Eldis, crossed his arms and turned his gaze to Yeshion.
Was this really about money? Was he seriously offering gold to sweep it all under the rug—right in front of the very person who had been wronged?
If that remark was sincere, Yeshion felt a strong urge to sit both Edward and the Duke of Mishemol down and slap each of their philtrums fifty times.
He was too dumbfounded to respond. And then, from the top of the stairs, a familiar voice called out.
“Five hundred gold? That little pocket change isn’t going to cut it.”
“Your Highness… the Crown Prince?”
It was Adelio.
Descending the stairs, he met Yeshion’s eyes and offered him a gentle smile.
Yeshion had thought he wouldn’t feel anything in particular seeing him again after three weeks, but strangely, he was glad to see him.
“If someone went and harassed a priest of Yeshion’s caliber, they should be starting at ten million gold, at least.”
The Duke of Mishemol unconsciously dropped his jaw at Adelio’s words.
“W-wait, what are you saying…”
He couldn’t hide his flustered state, eyes darting between Adelio and Yeshion.
Adelio, now down in the parlor, strode over to Yeshion and slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Right?”
“…Huh?”
“What, is that too low? Should I raise it to thirty million instead?”
Adelio bent at the waist and turned his head slightly to ask.
Yeshion’s eyes widened in surprise at the closeness, and then he let out a dry laugh at the absurd number.
“I don’t need that kind of money.”
“Really? With thirty million, you could afford a pretty nice estate in the capital.”
“…I live at the temple.”
“You said you’d escape eventually.”
“Not for a while.”
Adelio narrowed his eyes, wondering if he was lying. But if he was saying that in front of Eldis, who was clearly within earshot, it probably wasn’t a lie.
Adelio nodded and looked back at the duke.
“Not the answer I was hoping for, but it’s what Priest Yeshion says.”
The duke wiped the sweat beading on his face and asked carefully,
“M-might I ask if you know Priest Yeshion personally?”
“Of course I do. The only reason I’m here is because of Yeshion.”
“…Huh.”
The duke’s expression twisted with disbelief as he looked between Adelio, Yeshion, and Edward—who was still hiding in a corner of his own mansion.
“For a priest, he’s quite something, isn’t he? Capturing not only my son’s attention, but also that of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
There was a clear edge to the words, but Yeshion didn’t bother reacting. He avoided the duke’s gaze entirely.
He had no desire to get into it with the Duke of Mishemol, nor did he want anything more to do with any of them.
The duke narrowed his eyes at Yeshion. He’d been hoping to provoke some kind of response—an excuse, or even anger—just enough to scold him. But Yeshion stayed silent.
Swallowing his frustration, the duke forced a smile and turned to Adelio and Eldis.
“As a gesture of gratitude to the imperial palace and the temple, I’ve prepared a banquet this evening.”
Pleasantries were exchanged, suggesting they should take a day to rest. But despite the civility, a strange unease stirred in Yeshion’s chest.
“Go on up and finish unpacking. I’ll talk with Eldis for a bit and join you later.”
“…To my room? Why?”
“What do you mean why? A friend’s dropping by a friend’s room, that’s why. And when you go somewhere far, you’re supposed to say something. Don’t you think I’d come looking for you if you vanish?”
Adelio crossed his arms and made a face.
‘He really uses that “friend” line for everything.’
Yeshion only shrugged wordlessly, and Adelio gave his back a little push, muttering that he’d scold him later.
Yeshion narrowed his eyes and grumbled.
“If you’re going to come to my room, you should at least tell me why you’re really here.”
“Why I’m here? You’re curious?”
“Yes.”
“It’s nothing special. The temple sent a reinforcement request for the monster extermination, so I came. I also had… other reasons.”
‘Reinforcements?’
So that’s why the whole extermination had wrapped up in the blink of an eye.
If the temple had made a formal request, Eldis must’ve done something behind the scenes to wrap up the schedule early.
“…What were the other reasons?”
“What, you think I came because I missed you?”
“If I thought you were going to say something like that, I wouldn’t have asked in the first place.”
As Yeshion squinted and spoke, Adelio burst out laughing and shrugged.
“Because of the curse. I have to get regular treatments from the Saintess, and I could feel another episode coming on.”
…He regretted asking.
