How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

At my awkward question, Tristan remained silent, wearing a subtle expression. I hesitated and muttered something vague.

“I cannot say I know it well. I have only heard the name. Could you tell me what it is, Your Highness?”

He gazed briefly beyond the sea, took a deep breath, and finally spoke in a cautious tone.

“I do not know how you heard of it. Perhaps Butler Wilhelm, who served the previous Grand Duke, mentioned it carelessly?”

“Yes, well……”

It was not Butler Wilhelm, and I could not exactly say that the system had surprisingly provided useful information because it sensed a threat. So I just mumbled. Fortunately, Tristan did not seem to mind.

“It is a secret weapon strictly concealed even within the Hezekia Grand Ducal family. It was passed down secretly only to the direct descendants of the Grand Duke.”

As if retrieving something from a distant memory, Tristan took a deep breath before speaking again.

“It is a weapon that has been passed down for generations as a final measure to end naval battles in a single stroke. But it cannot be used recklessly. In fact, I have never used it in actual combat.”

“Excuse me? If such a weapon exists, why have you not used it?”

A faint trace of regret flickered in his eyes. After a brief pause, Tristan spoke again with a long sigh.

“The Flame of Hezekia is a powerful weapon, but its destructive force is enormous and extremely dangerous. Even a small mistake could engulf our fleet in flames. There is no need to take such a risk. Our existing forces are sufficient to win.”

Had I not checked the enemy fleet status window, I might have agreed with him. However, I shook my head firmly and cut him off.

“No. Using ordinary methods, we will not be able to defeat them.”

Tristan’s gaze gradually deepened. I felt the hesitation rising within him and pressed my point further.

“Above all, we have no time. Although we are armed and have attack power, we are still merchant ships. If the battle drags on, we will be at a disadvantage.”

“I have faced countless pirates even with older ships.”

“No, you must not compare them to the pirates you have fought before. According to the people of Ashurana, the pirates who dominate this region are heavily armed with large cannons, giving them a strong advantage in artillery combat. We might not even reach boarding combat.”

It was not the Ashurana people who said this, but the system. Still, I noticed Tristan’s gaze waver slightly.

“I understand that you call it a dangerous weapon, but cannot we just be careful?”

I spoke quietly, gauging his reaction. After a moment of silence, Tristan finally spoke in a low voice.

The true reason he hesitated to use the Flame of Hezekia.

“During the time of the previous Grand Duke, a single mistake annihilated our fleet. The previous Grand Duke, badly burned in that naval battle, returned to Hezekia and passed away shortly thereafter.”

“Yes, yes……?”

“Before he died, he left a final instruction: never to use the Flame of Hezekia lightly unless in a dire emergency.”

“…….”

The previous Grand Duke was none other than Tristan’s father.

In the original story, the cause of death of the previous Hezekia Grand Duke was rarely mentioned. Even after Tristan ascended to Grand Duke, more than ten years had passed before the story began.

So I had never deeply considered Tristan’s past or his parents. I also paid little attention to the fact that Tristan had become Grand Duke of Hezekia at a young age in his mid-teens.

A sharp ache stirred in a corner of my heart. I could sense the unspoken pain Tristan had to endure alone at such a young age.

He had to bear the heavy responsibility of Hezekia without even a moment to mourn his father. He had been forced to become an adult while still of the age to be under his parents’ care.