How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

The peculiar scent that tickled my nose seemed suspicious.

‘This is definitely that smell.’

People of this era, who had no experience handling various crops, might not recognize it. But for me, who had lived comfortably in modern times before being dragged here by the System, it was a pungent, familiar smell.

After hesitating for a while, I finally summoned the System.

‘System. I have a request.’

Not possible.

This cold-hearted bitch…

Does it just refuse without even listening? I felt irritated and wanted to give up, but it was my loss. I reluctantly tried to coax the stubborn System.

‘Come on. Can I just pull a 500-character Original Work Verification reward once? Hmm? Good System, I’ll pay the interest generously.’

The System is not a loan shark. No need to pay high interest.

Today, the System was being unusually rigid. I failed to persuade it and sulked. There was clearly an episode in the original work where farmers, deceived by a merchant, mistook another product for Lirisia bulbs and got caught. This seemed exactly like that…

I could not recall the details, so I could not check even if I wanted to.

“Ruellin. What is bothering you? If you are reluctant, we can just turn back.”

Tristan, who had been quietly watching me, spoke as if to reassure me. Then, Gehardt, proud of achieving something significant, anxiously interrupted.

“But Your Grace, was it not the Grand Consort who instructed us to buy all the Lirisia bulbs?”

“Gehardt, do not be hasty. If the Grand Consort wishes to be cautious, it is correct to follow her.”

“Oh, you treat me like a lowly fraud, do you? This is too much!”

While I was lost in thought, Gehardt and the farm owner alternately pressured me. I furrowed my brows and stared intently at the Lirisia bulbs, or something resembling them, presented by the farm owner.

Then, a sudden thought came to me.

‘System, measure this with the market scale.’

The market scale did not just show market prices; it had other functions. The System began to creak and move.

[♡Market Scale Measurement Results♡]
Product Name: Shallot Root
Origin: Habenskia Kingdom, Northeastern North Continent, Sverion Region
User Visit Location: Hezekia Grand Duchy, Port of Kalhaven, southern North Continent
Market Information: Kalhaven Port — approximately 0.5 gold per root
Market Information: Hezekia Grand Duchy — Not available
This product has no market price formed as it is not traded in the local Hezekia market.

The product name was immediately confirmed.

The type of root turned out to be Shallot, not Lirisia. Of course. Shallots are a type of onion. No wonder it was pungent!

I pointed at the farm owner and shouted urgently.

“Your Grace, this man is a fraud!”

A look of shock passed over the farm owner’s face. Gehardt, confused, widened his eyes and stammered.

“C-Consort. What are you saying?”

Before Gehardt could even respond, Tristan moved swiftly behind the farm owner. Pushed by Tristan’s strength, the man fell to the ground and was bound with his arms twisted behind him.

“Ah! P-Pardon me, Your Grace!”

Tristan pressed the sharp edge of his sword to the man’s neck. The terrified farm owner’s body stiffened, and he managed to breathe roughly.

A low, chilling voice threatened him.

“You would be wise not to move.”

“W-Why, why, why are y-you… doing this?”

Fear filled the farm owner’s eyes. His previous relaxed and sly demeanor had completely vanished. I scolded him coldly.

“How dare you claim that shallot roots are Lirisia? To try to deceive the Grand Duke of Hezekia!”

Only then did the farm owner realize the situation. He began to tremble and plead.

“I am sorry, Consort. Your Grace, please forgive me just this once. P-please, show mercy, show mercy…”

Gehardt, who had been standing beside me in shock, quivered at the corners of his mouth. His sunburned face had turned pale. Shock, guilt, and bewilderment were all mixed in his expression.