How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

“Good. That is one thing you can do well.”

I looked up at him in surprise. Tristan was smiling.

The corners of his lips curved softly, drawing a gentle line. His black hair shone brightly in the sunlight.

In his deep, ocean-like blue eyes, a ripple of laughter appeared. The shadow that had hung over his gaze was gone.

I stopped walking without realizing it, staring at him blankly. My lips moved several times, but in the end, I could not say a word.

❖ ❖ ❖

“How much is all this… It is not a dream, right? If it is a dream, I will not forgive you, System.”

……

Even after establishing the glass workshop, a considerable amount of funds remained. It was a scale of balance that Hezekia had never seen before.

With this amount, it seemed possible to try almost anything. I felt excited as I pondered future plans.

However, life rarely goes exactly according to plan. As I excitedly imagined various possibilities, I suddenly noticed Tristan’s noticeably changed demeanor. It snapped me to attention.

Tristan had not made any specific proposals. He was as silent and composed as always. Yet I could feel it. The atmosphere was unmistakably different from usual.

There was warmth in his gaze, and his tone was gentle.

I quietly closed my mouth as I watched him.

He was genuinely pleased. Likely at the fact that Hezekia’s treasury was abundant at this time.

I suddenly remembered that this was the most difficult time of year for the villagers.

The grain harvested last year had already been depleted. It would still be several months before the full autumn harvest.

The villagers’ hunger was severe, and the granaries were overrun with rats.

So, normally, Tristan would have begun relief efforts with the money he gathered at sea after completing his mercenary duties.

Even then, relief had only meant barely enough to prevent the villagers from starving, giving them one extra meal a day at most. But this time would be different.

With ample funds, it was possible not just to prevent hunger, but to feed the villagers fully. Tristan must be thinking along those lines.

‘I cannot…’

Honestly, I felt anxious inside.

I was not unaware of the villagers’ suffering. I wanted to use the funds for them. But the situation would not allow it.

‘I cannot release everything at once.’

The financial flow had only just stabilized.

A chance had come to establish a new base for our fleet. If we missed this, we could not be sure when we might secure such reserves again.

Our fleet operated primarily through northern continental trade. Until now, we had been able to earn high profits on this trade route. The route had remained unnoticed by other merchant houses because it was considered barbaric land, and no one had paid attention.

However, interacting with the northern continent was not inherently difficult. The distance was short, and the route was well known.

Now, thanks to the Hezekia fleet, its profitability was gradually becoming known. Competition was only a matter of time.

‘The days of easy profits will not last long. It is time to explore new paths.’

I bit my lower lip and fell into thought.

If we continued trading with the current fleet, large merchant houses with huge capital would quickly take our position. It was obvious that our profits would decrease.

Therefore, we needed large ships with ample cargo capacity and proper armaments.

Shipbuilding would cost money. An unimaginable, enormous sum.

‘In modern terms, a single large ship would cost as much as a small building.’

My momentary joy vanished. Thinking about the balance, I sighed again.

Though it seemed we had ample funds, the reality was different. Replacing all seven ships of the Hezekia fleet with large vessels would be extremely difficult.