How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 100.1
I, as if entranced, dragged the cloak down and buried my face into the stiff and coarse fabric. The faint scent of rain still clung to the collar, mixed with Tristan’s heavy and calm personal scent brushing against my nose.
Outside, the thin patter of rain could be heard. The sound of raindrops striking the wide glass windows spread gradually. It was the new window glass sent from the harbor glass workshop we had arranged with Tristan. I could not even remember when my tears had started to fall. Silently streaming, they quietly soaked into the cloak.
Then, it happened.
Ting—
Suddenly, a familiar notification sound echoed in my ears. Reflexively, I lifted my head. A translucent status window slowly appeared in the center of my vision.
[☆ Tristan’s Wish Fulfillment ☆] Congratulations! You have successfully completed the event. Completion Details: Sold a certain quantity of Hezekia’s specialty goods and achieved profit! Transaction items: Glass crafts Total revenue: 5,328,400 gold You have exceeded the target revenue of 5,000,000 gold! Reward ‘Tristan’s Happiness’ is being granted.
…What?
I stared blankly at the status window for a long time. The rain still tapped against the glass behind me. I reached out and gently touched the air. The translucent letters I touched shimmered softly.
For a moment, my breath caught.
The event had occurred in the distant past, so far back that I could not even remember. By chance and fortune, I had found the glass artisan from Istenia Island and wished for him to settle in Hezekia. Just as Tristan had always wished, I was able to produce Hezekia’s specialty goods, and while building a new fleet, I selected several usable ships from the old ones and dispatched them to the northern continent.
It was an old event given to me by the system at the time. I remembered grumbling about how insignificant the rewards seemed.
“Tristan’s Happiness…”
The so-called “reward” that had seemed like a joke was now being granted.
My eyes trembled. Somewhere deep inside my chest, something throbbed painfully as if pierced.
“System. You are giving the reward now? Really… is this serious? You are not trying to take advantage of me…?”
My voice trembled miserably as I managed to ask. The system quickly formed new letters to respond.
The system does not withhold rightful rewards from the user. Reward distribution is currently in progress.
“Ah…”
After confirming it, my legs gave way, and I collapsed to the floor.
I still could not be certain that Tristan was alive. If there is such a thing as a soul in this world, then happiness could come even to those who have found eternal rest.
Yet still…
I could not suppress the faint flicker of hope rising inside me.
❖ ❖ ❖
Late autumn had arrived, and Hezekia’s harvest season was just around the corner. Led by Wilhelm, the Grand Duke’s butler, the retainers gathered in the Grand Consort’s study began reporting one by one.
“Thanks to the reinforcements made to the northern reservoir last spring, the flood damage this summer was minimal. Wheat yields are expected to increase significantly.”
I nodded lightly.
“I heard the soil quality is poor. It seems there was still an effect. How are the tenants and villagers?”
“Thanks to distributing a significant amount of relief rice, the poor endured the difficult period safely. Circumstances remain difficult, but with the good harvest, we should be able to get through this winter more prosperously than usual.”
“I see. There is no need to urgently supply potatoes or other crops, then.”
I decided to postpone the plan to start cultivating the empty fields before winter. The atmosphere in the territory was subdued after Tristan’s incident, and the retainers and knights were not in a position to initiate new tasks.
After a brief sigh, I issued further instructions.
“These are long-storable crops, so observe the situation for now. When does wheat harvesting begin?”
“Yes, Grand Consort. Starting next week, we will begin in the south and proceed sequentially.”
“Is there sufficient manpower?”
“The population in this territory is not very large. Still, with cooperative work, we can proceed without difficulty.”
“Make sure there are no setbacks. And…”
I hesitated briefly but realized this could no longer be postponed, so I continued firmly.
“We lost the flagship of Hezekia in the recent unexpected incident. To continue trade with the eastern continent, a new fleet must be formed. How much capital is currently accumulated in the territory?”
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