How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Sir Johannes entered the lodging and reported the situation in a grave tone. I lowered my voice and asked.

“What fleet are you talking about?”

“Recently, pirates have been rampant in this region as well. Because of that, an anti piracy fleet was dispatched. It was a pirate suppression force carrying the emperor’s youngest son, the Thirteenth Prince, along with many young nobles composed of sons from high ranking aristocratic families.”

“You are saying the fleet that sailed out to subjugate the pirates disappeared?”

“Yes. The entire fleet vanished in the middle of the sea. Without any survivors, and without even a distress signal.”

The air in the cabin grew heavy in an instant. So that was why the atmosphere had been so dark lately. I pieced the situation together and muttered quietly.

“They must have been searching the port in case pirates had infiltrated this far. That must also be why they were cracking down on outsiders. I can only hope this has nothing to do with us.”

Once I understood the reason, the feeling of walking on thin ice eased slightly. Above all, if the objective was to root out pirates, it did not seem like our fleet itself would be in danger.

Tristan was the Grand Duke of Hezekia, an autonomous territory of the Rubyere Empire. Moreover, we were also accompanied by Constantine, a direct descendant of the imperial family.

No matter that this was the Sarr Empire, they would not recklessly suspect such figures of being pirates.

However, as if to say it was still too early to feel at ease, more news arrived that night.

Sir Johannes rushed into the cabin, his face pale.

“There have been continuous testimonies claiming that many foreigners were seen aboard the pirate ship. They do not appear to be residents of nearby small states, and judging by their appearance…”

“How were they described?”

I asked urgently. Sir Johannes squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.

“They seem similar to people from Rubyere.”

“……”

It was bad news. But there was also something that did not make sense.

How could traces of Rubyere people exist on a pirate ship that appeared in such distant seas?

Tristan asked in a heavy, subdued voice.

“Has any separate order come down from the imperial family?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Sir Johannes lowered his head deeply. A voice that sounded as though it were scraping the floor barely escaped his lips.

“The imperial family has issued a full expulsion order against all foreigners.”

My heart dropped. Tristan’s expression visibly hardened as well.

“From when?”

When I asked in a trembling voice, Sir Johannes replied gloomily.

“It goes into effect as of today. All foreign vessels at each port must leave immediately, and all foreigners are to be expelled from Ashurana. Those who refuse will be arrested for interrogation, and afterward even forced detention is being considered.”

“……”

This was not just bad news. It was the worst possible news. I lost all words and stared blankly into the air. My vision spun, and my legs trembled.

How could something like this happen so suddenly? After all the hardship it took to reach Ashurana. Why, of all reasons.

At that moment, I felt Tristan’s hand firmly grasp my shoulder, steadying me. When I looked back at him with vacant eyes, Tristan spoke calmly.

“Staying here will gain us nothing. We should hurry and prepare.”

“Tristan.”

I still could not continue. Emptiness, anxiety, and restlessness consumed me, and moisture gathered at the corners of my eyes.

I never imagined that I would be leaving Ashurana like this. In none of the futures I had planned or imagined did a situation like this exist.

❖ ❖ ❖

That night, taking advantage of the chaos, the fleet quietly departed Ashurana Port. The wind was unusually calm, but long rolling waves pushed the ships forward, allowing us to set sail without difficulty once the anchors were raised.

Ashurana Port quickly faded into the distance.

The smooth and solid stone roads, the dazzling shopping streets, the towering spires, and the scents of spices and tea leaves filling the entire city all grew faint. Leaning against the railing, I gazed silently at the city’.

With this, all preparations came to nothing.

The arduous voyage that had lasted for months, and the countless meetings repeated endlessly, all became meaningless. Above all, the enormous funds poured into planning this voyage vanished into the void without leaving a trace.