How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

The system update has been completed.
[System ver 2.013.5]
[Would you like to check the update details?]
Y/N

“Huh? Already?”

So you were in a hurry too. I thought you crashed on purpose after throwing out a No Response message, but it seems you were frantically running an update instead. Barely relieved, I quickly nodded.

“Alright, show me. What changed?”

[Adjustment to high level event occurrence frequency]
[Improvements to event progression and quest content]
[We apologize for the inconvenience. Compensation will be provided.]
[Compensation details: Ability to view enemy fleet status window upon encounter with hostile fleet (Passive)]

“Uh…?”

I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected contents. I did think it might give me something useful, but the compensation itself was unexpected. Viewing the enemy fleet status window?

And unlike checking the original story, it was not something stingy that could only be used once per completed event. It was a passive skill. That meant the status window could be checked automatically at any time, which was certainly good, but still…

“But what use is this right now? I do not really get what it means. It is not like we are going to run into pirates or anything…”

The moment I muttered to myself, a thought flashed sharply through my mind. What if…?

“Approximately twenty vessels with black sails sighted about one nautical mile ahead! They appear to be pirate ships!”

The urgent shout of a sailor from the watchtower struck my ears. So much for what if. My mind snapped awake, and I hurriedly ran up to the deck.

The deck was already in chaos, filled with people moving busily in preparation for naval combat. The knights had armed themselves before anyone noticed and were issuing commands with practiced ease. Soldiers ran to the edges of the ship to prepare long harpoons and grappling hooks, while the sailors began reefing the sails and taking up defensive positions.

When I turned my gaze, I saw Tristan standing at the center of the deck, directing everything. His expression was calm and resolute, no different from usual.

However, the moment his eyes met mine, his face briefly filled with surprise. It was the look of someone wondering why I was still here.

He frowned slightly, then hurried over, gripping my shoulder as he looked me over from head to toe.

“Ruellin. Did you not hear the report from the watchtower? A naval battle will begin soon. The deck is dangerous, so go down to the cabin and take shelter with Constantine.”

“I am aware, Your Grace. But…”

I kept my eyes fixed on the distance as I quickly organized my thoughts. Could my premonition really be correct? If what I was thinking was right, then the system had given me something truly incredible. I was impatient to see the pirate fleet with my own eyes and confirm the situation as soon as possible.

“I will stay here just a little longer. I might be of help…”

“…Help? You?”

“……”

Uncharacteristically, Tristan stumbled over his words. I also fell silent for a moment, at a loss for what to say.

What help could I possibly provide in a naval battle against a pirate fleet? No matter how hard I wracked my brain, I could not come up with a convincing excuse.

Left with no choice, I closed my eyes and blurted out whatever came to mind.

“While we were in Ashurana, I heard quite a few things and looked into the local situation. So if I see the pirate ships directly, I think I can assess their strength. I know that you have carried out pirate suppression dozens of times, Your Grace, but pirates in this region are likely quite different in many ways from those that appear near the Rubynia Empire.”

“…Is that so?”

Tristan looked momentarily flustered, his expression uncertain.

“It does not sound entirely convincing, but…”

Of course it did not make sense. If gathering a few rumors were enough to understand pirates here that well, I would be a naval admiral, not a Grand Consort. And yet I was saying this nonsense right in front of the actual naval commander, so there was no way it would work.

But as always, the loudest person tends to win. Especially when dealing with someone as straightforward as Tristan.

I widened my eyes with an innocent expression and pressed him.

“Your Grace. Surely you do not distrust me? When have I ever spoken nonsense?”

“……”

I had spoken plenty of nonsense before. Everyone simply failed to notice and let it slide.