How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

※Event Reward: A healthy mind dwells in a healthy Hezekiah body ♡
Move quickly. Time is life!

A swarm of black rats?

An ominous sensation surged forward and enveloped my entire body. My fingertips turned chillingly cold, and my vision sank into darkness. A black rat swarm event of all things…

This was not supposed to be happening right now.

While I was staring blankly at the empty air in utter panic, the sound of urgent footsteps echoed from the hallway, followed by the voice of Sir Johannes requesting entry. The moment the door opened, Johannes, who had rushed in almost at a run, cried out with a deathly pale face as he gasped for breath.

“Your Excellency, Your Highness! It is an emergency!”

His cracked voice trembled with extreme tension and fear.

“They say black rats have become rampant in a village on the eastern fringe. As of yet, no casualties have arisen, and it is not yet a critical situation. However, many estate residents have already collapsed from a high fever, and several elderly individuals and young children are gravely ill. At any rate, the possibility of it spreading into a pestilence appears high……”

The loyal knight’s voice grew distant from my ears and sounded faint. My legs shook and my head spun as if with dizziness, leaving me unable to pull myself together.

I had braced myself long ago for the fact that this event would occur at some point. In the original work, because of this incident, the estate residents collapse one after another as their faces and entire bodies become covered in black spots reminiscent of black rats. It was the worst disaster, which began in a tiny, nameless village on Hezekia’s northeastern fringe and completely devastated the neighboring areas before anyone could take proper measures.

However…… The timing was wrong.

Biting my lip, I slowly closed my eyes. I clenched my fists with my fingernails until the inside of my palms felt like they would tear.

In Hezekia, the emergence of the black rat swarm in that village was something that was supposed to occur only after at least five more years had passed. The reason I remembered that timing precisely was……

Because Tristan passes away with this incident as the catalyst.

“Johannes.”

A low, unwavering voice suddenly reached my ears. The black mist that had shrouded my vision instantly dispersed, and my eyesight cleared.

Straightening his back as he stood, Tristan immediately issued commands toward Johannes with a face free of any agitation.

“Summon all the physicians and apothecaries residing near the Grand Ducal Castle. Useful medicines are stacked in the third warehouse, so have them examine and retrieve them, and finish organizing a rescue team centered around the cavalry.”

“I shall obey your command.”

Sir Johannes immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head. Regulating his breathing, Tristan continued his instructions.

“Before the rescue team departs, select a few fast-running individuals and send them to the village. Create a temporary boundary line at the entrance of the village, and relay a restriction order against approaching the neighboring estates.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Furthermore……”

Tristan’s jaw hardened firmly. A gaze laced with deep concern lingered upon me for a brief moment before being withdrawn.

When he turned his head again, an excessively calm and cold instruction followed right away.

“As soon as preparations are complete, you shall depart with me. I wish for the Grand Consort to soothe the public sentiment at the castle.”

“Pardon……?”

Though he tried his best to sugarcoat it, in the end, it meant he would leave me behind in the safe rear and head down alone to the village where the plague was rampant. However, I could not send Tristan away like this. If I did, then in all likelihood……

With each breath I drew, my chest tightened, and something hot welled up from deep within. However, I tried my best to shake off the ominous imagination that suddenly assailed me.

‘No. The situation is different from the original work.’

Forcing myself to grasp onto my sanity, I barely managed to open my mouth.

“No. I shall head down together with you. Since it seems to be in the early stages still, it likely will not be greatly dangerous. If it is a plague that has spread to a village, I have experience from undergoing it during my childhood…… I will be of help.”

I pleaded earnestly, even bringing up the childhood of the original Ruellin before he was adopted. However, what returned was Tristan’s resolute expression, which had instantly hardened completely.

“That is nonsense.”

A chilling edge stood in Tristan’s gaze. A voice that had dropped low enough to cause a shudder questioned quietly.

“Ruellin. Do you…… do you know what on earth you are saying right now?”