How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 124.2
In the meantime, Hezekia had built a massive fleet with the enormous amount of gold and silver coming in from the Sar Empire and the profits from northern continental trade. It was not just merchant ships for trade, but the number of ships of the line, built primarily for naval warfare, alone reached nearly ten.
The great naval battle, which had been steadily prepared for three years, was finally about to begin. Operation meetings continued every day in the Grand Duke’s office. I also sat at the table and looked into the numerous pins and documents covering the nautical charts.
Actually, there is not much help I can be, but every time we had a naval battle, I would offer a precise analysis of the enemy’s strength, so I was being treated as quite useful. Even though it was just reading the text that appeared in the status window as it was.
Before long, the entire fleet reorganized its battle lines. Inspections of stockpiled gunpowder, repair materials, and medicines were thoroughly completed, and food supplies were all finished. Just as the preparations were coming to an end, the Emperor’s secret letter finally arrived at the Grand Duchy.
Surprisingly, the Emperor’s closest aide, the Lord Chamberlain Count Cassel, rode a horse all the way to Hezekia himself.
“He wishes for you to directly attack Istenia Island, which is Count Dearsby’s territory. It would be best to hurry. How long will it take until departure?”
Count Cassel looked unusually distraught, and his complexion was not good, either. He refrained from saying anything in detail, but because I had heard things from the little bird, or rather, Sawyer, I could not help but be concerned.
Did they not say that the Emperor, whose mind and body were devastated by suspicions regarding Everett’s birth, had lost consciousness for a while?
Is the Emperor’s health that bad? But it is not yet time for the Emperor to pass away.
Recalling the original story, the Emperor dies a natural death due to old age a few years later. Natural disasters and human lifespans should not change just because I have intervened.
Tristan, who had received the secret order, replied calmly.
“We will depart immediately. Count, please recover your strength at the Grand Duchy before returning.”
“Are the preparations already finished? No, I… If that is the case, it would be better to return as I am. His Majesty is waiting.”
Count Cassel, who had seemed surprised for a moment, soon declined Tristan’s recommendation. Dark shadows were cast around his eyes as he dropped his head, seemingly exhausted.
I was a little concerned, but I could not interrogate the Emperor’s Lord Chamberlain. Moreover, with a task of such great importance ahead, I soon forgot about Count Cassel.
❖ ❖ ❖
The departure took place at dawn.
It was when the starlight was faintly fading away. The sound of chains hoisting the anchors momentarily covered the quiet Hezekia port. The flag announcing it was the Grand Duke’s flagship soared high and fluttered in the night breeze.
Tristan, standing on the deck, quietly raised one hand.
“Maintain battle lines. Proceed at full speed to the southeast.”
Receiving the signal, the helmsmen of each ship turned their wheels in unison.
The sea was surprisingly calm. A steady wind blew and pushed the ships lightly. Two days, three days flowed by in silence. Finally, the fourth morning arrived.
The moment I climbed onto the deck, rubbing my sleepy eyes, a shout was heard from the lookout.
“Land confirmed ahead. It is Istenia Island!”
I hurried across the deck, grabbed the railing, and leaned my body out. Far away, above the horizon, the outline of the island, revealed low, came into view dimly.
Soon, Tristan also climbed onto the deck and stood by my side. His pitch-black hair, swaying in the sea breeze, shone softly under the early morning sun.
“We have finally arrived. But…”
Caution spread through his blue eyes. I could sense a puzzled tone in his voice. I tilted my head and scrutinized the coastline visible in the distance.
“Something is strange.”
Suspicion also appeared on Tristan’s face as he stared intensely at the island.
Istenia Island was the territory of Count Dearsby and the base of the privateer fleet he led. It was not a large island, but it should have been a place overflowing with the typical vitality of a port.
However, even though we had approached quite closely, no sound could be heard from the island.
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