How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Suddenly, a flash of light blazed before my eyes, followed by a deafening roar. At the same time, cannonballs narrowly skimmed the water beside our fleet.

Columns of water erupted instantly, and the hull shook violently.

“The enemy has opened fire!”

Someone’s shout snapped me to attention. Cannonballs began falling continuously around us, splashing water in all directions.

I shrank back, looking at Tristan. Something felt off.

Our fleet was not responding. The cannons were clearly ready……

I shouted to Tristan in a panic.

“Your Highness? Why are we not firing?”

Tristan avoided my gaze, remaining silent for a moment. Then, in a low voice, he issued instructions.

“Descend to the cabin and stay with Constantine. Secure the doors firmly.”

“Excuse me? But, why are we not firing……”

Ignoring my flustered question, Tristan turned to the two attendants standing beside him.

“Mildred, Johannes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Escort the Grand Consort. He must be guarded securely in front of the cabin.”

“Yes!”

I was of no use in naval combat, so it was better to hide myself safely. The order made sense, but still……

Why did it feel like Tristan was avoiding the topic?

“Your Highness…… Your Highness?”

“It is dangerous. Move quickly!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“……”

I wanted to ask more, but Mildred and Johannes flanked me, guiding me toward the admiral’s cabin as if to protect me.

Descending in a daze, I pondered. There was only one possible reason.

Cannons were expensive. If they were fired recklessly and broke, it would be nearly impossible to replace them.

And ammunition costs money.

A lot of money.

So the Hezekia fleet was not originally a fleet meant to fight with gunpowder. It was a fleet that relied on sheer durability and manpower. More pirate-like than the pirates themselves, despite being sailing ships……

Hezekia’s cannons were a rare commodity, meant to be fired only in the most desperate moments……

‘Can we really win this?’

Even with the system triggering the event, the situation looked bad. Was it really okay to just charge in? It did not feel okay!

As I silently screamed inside, screams echoed from the deck above.

The hull shook violently again. It seemed the pirates had hooked their grapples and were beginning to board.

“The enemy is approaching! Guards, combat formation!”

Gehardt’s shout reached me. I jumped in fright. Then, a calm voice spoke beside me.

“There is nothing to worry about. These are just minor pirate scum.”

It was Sir Mildred.

He seemed to be trying to comfort me, but it was of little help. Our fleet looked more like minor scum than these pirates. For one thing, our crew was far smaller than the number of pirates.

“I see…….”

Still, the battle had already begun. For now, I had no choice but to trust Tristan.

I answered timidly and staggered forward. If we lost here, I would be dragged off as a rower or slave on a pirate ship.

Of course, in such cases, nobles were usually captured carefully, held for ransom, and released. But Hezekia had no money…… and no money……

How many times must I repeat that there is no money?

At that moment, the chaotic sounds of boarding combat erupted from the deck above.

The sharp clang of swords and spears meeting filled the air. Crew and pirates shouted, and countless people fell into the water screaming.

Not knowing the situation made it even more frightening. Even trying to suppress it, my fingertips trembled uncontrollably. My cheeks had turned pale, prompting Sir Mildred to speak firmly again.

“It will be over soon, Grand Consort.”

“Yes…….”

The problem was not that it would end. It had to end well……

Yet it seemed I was the only one worrying. Sir Mildred and Sir Johannes appeared entirely unperturbed. How brave could they be?