How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 50.2
“Yes… at first my fingertips tingled, and then… my face began to collapse. My memory became increasingly unreliable. This woman here… even though she is a young mother with an infant, her mind is unstable. The old man, too, shows similar symptoms.”
“You cannot be certain that it is caused by mercury…”
“Mercury poisoning is certain. The researchers at Ashurana University have confirmed this, Your Honor.”
As Professor Robren vouched for the claim, the courtroom fell silent. The Eastern Continent was a more advanced nation than the Rubyere Empire in terms of technology, medicine, and culture. The Mayor of Belforte could not overturn what Ashurana University had published.
Even in the original work, from this period onward, the dangers of mercury began to be gradually recognized. It would only be revealed far in the future that Matthias, the new hat maker, had been a mercury-poisoned individual.
A heavy sigh could be heard. Matthias lowered his head, but his shoulders trembled faintly. From one side of the courtroom, the villagers murmured among themselves.
The mayor remained silent but his face had clearly changed.
“Your Honor.”
Finally, Tristan rose to his feet. His low voice resonated with weight.
“As Duke of Hezekia, I demand the release of this individual. Just as obeying the law is justice, refusing to ignore the truth is also undeniably justice.”
The mayor closed his eyes tightly, his face pale.
❖ ❖ ❖
By now, the completion of the newly constructed fleet was imminent. Only some interior work remained, but the hulls were almost finished.
Three newly built ships, constructed lavishly from high-quality paulownia wood, stood proudly under the sunlight. I stood on the pier, gazing at them in admiration. I recalled how much effort it had taken to prepare this fleet. Memories of trudging through the muddy roads of the Northern Continent in the rain came to mind, and my eyes stung. Only yesterday it felt like I was struggling to lead the dilapidated fleet to that place.
“System. Are you listening? We finally have new ships!”
♡♥♡♥Congratulations♡♥♡♥
‘Just because you flood the screen with hearts does not make it feel heartfelt…’
I hoped the system would quickly let me pay off the credit now that the fleet was ready.
“……”
Even though I had emphasized that we were a united front, the system immediately reminded me of the debt. It would have been nicer if it simply gave me a timely event instead.
No matter how indifferent the system was, my heart still swelled. Soon I would lead these ships into the sea. Soon we would reap profits incomparable to anything before. After that…!
“Do not forget to pay off the Belforte bank loan!” ♥
…I must pay off the debt. Both in reality and within the system, I was still in debt.
Feeling slightly deflated by this cold reminder, I stood quietly, gazing at the ships. Suddenly, someone cautiously called out to me.
“Your Grace, Grand Consort.”
“……?”
At first, I could not recognize him. The man had neatly styled ash-colored hair, a beige vest carefully worn, and a thin scarf around his neck. His ash-colored eyes reflected a soft, calm light. Somehow, the color of his hair and eyes felt familiar.
“I am Matthias, Your Grace, Grand Consort.”
“……Matthias?”
I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected reply. The man looked completely different from the emaciated figure I had seen before. Matthias smiled shyly and fidgeted with his hair at my reaction.
“Previously, I looked terrible. I had completely lost my mind…”
“Ah, that was natural. It was due to mercury poisoning. You seem to be recovering smoothly now.”
How fortunate. I could not hide my smile as I responded happily. Of course, it was not only because the new ships were completed and ready. Definitely not…
Thinking about the suffering Matthias endured due to mercury poisoning, I felt a little sorry for assuming he had thought only of the ships. I cleared my throat lightly and smiled at him.
“You have changed so much, I barely recognize you.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Sunfish
Just as obeying the law is justice, refusing to ignore the truth is also undeniably justice.” = should be injustice?