How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 35.1
However, it was not that everyone was merely saying empty words to reassure me.
Surprisingly, the naval battle ended almost instantly, just as Sir Mildred had said. Even more surprising, it was a perfect victory for our side.
“…Didn’t we fire a single cannon?”
I murmured in disbelief. Sir Mildred, who had been staying by my side the entire time, responded.
“Grand Consort, Your Highness. There is no need to use cannons in close combat.”
“No, that is not what I mean…”
Even before the hand-to-hand combat began, our fleet had quietly avoided the enemy’s fire. I thought we had no chance of winning. I was certain we would lose without fail.
Unaware of my thoughts, Constantine van de Rubyere, Crown Prince’s son, was excitedly flapping his arms.
“My uncle is amazing! Right, Grand Consort?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
It was indeed impressive, considering the results. I still felt flustered but reluctantly acknowledged it.
“This is the first time I’ve seen pirates! I want to see them again!”
“No, Your Highness…”
I was seeing them for the first time too, but I did not want him to say such ominous things.
I worried that the System might trigger sudden events in response to Constantine’s excited chatter.
Even as I exchanged a few words with Constantine, I was still in a daze.
The Hezekia knights, and even the sailors, seemed to fight with the strength of a hundred men each. From overhearing the sailors, it seemed they had defeated countless far stronger enemies than these pirates.
This was why they could continue mercenary activities even with such old and shabby ships.
‘Incredible… really incredible, but…’
While admiring them, a part of me ached.
I naturally recalled the difficult and harsh path Tristan had walked. Everyone seemed unbothered, but they must have gone through countless events to acquire such skill. Moreover…
‘And yet, he died so tragically despite such talent?’
The thought of Tristan’s end only deepened my gloom.
The fleet was anchored in the middle of the sea. They were transferring people who had been enslaved by pirates and sinking pirate ships.
It would have been ideal to sail all these ships into port, but since they were all galleys, there was insufficient manpower to operate them, and Hezekia’s small ships could not manage. Abandoning our ships to take theirs was impossible, as what we needed were sailing ships, not galleys.
‘How much is all of this worth…’
The ships were so old they would only fetch a small sum, yet it pained me to think of sinking anything that could be sold at a shipyard. I leaned against the deck railing, watching the scene with a heavy heart.
“Please, let us meet the Admiral! I beg you!”
A family, appearing to be related, gathered and cried out desperately.
The sailors, looking troubled, tried to calm them. Tristan was busy with post-battle affairs and could not be seen.
“Grand Consort! Why are those people like that? Don’t they know we are not pirates? Our uncle is extremely handsome and kind… isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is very handsome.”
Thinking that they had misunderstood Tristan, Constantine’s cheeks puffed out. I also looked at the family with some curiosity.
Unlike the others who smiled broadly and continuously thanked the knights, this family’s faces were unnaturally pale, trembling in fear.
The apparent head of the family, a middle-aged man, repeatedly washed his hands, trembling. His eyes were filled with a mixture of desperation and hopelessness. They had been freed from the pirates and were about to return home, yet their demeanor made no sense to me.
Concerned, I approached them. The knights saluted and greeted me.
“I am the Grand Consort of Hezekia. What is the matter?”
Upon revealing my identity, the family all dropped to their knees in front of me. A hand clutching my sleeve shook violently. Surprised by their earnestness, I hurried to reassure them.
“His Highness the Grand Duke will send you back to your place of residence. You need not fear.”
“No, it is not acceptable. Grand Consort, please do not return us to our original home! I beg you!”
It was a strange reaction. Then where did they intend to go? Why were they refusing to return home?
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