How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 69.1
The air was oppressively damp, clinging to the skin. Each step squelched through the water pooled on the floor. Drops seeping down the walls fell from the ceiling, sounding as if someone was quietly sobbing. I flinched involuntarily. Tristan, still holding my wrist, glanced at me and raised his torch higher.
The red light swept across the wet rock walls. From the darkness not far ahead came faint moans.
“……uh, hhh…”
“Your Highness.”
I tugged at Tristan’s cloak, and he turned toward the source of the sound. We hurried our steps.
Deeper inside, we rounded a partially collapsed pile of rocks, and a wide space at the cave’s end came into view. I had to stop and catch my breath at the sight.
“This place is……”
Sir Mildred recoiled slightly, startled.
A pungent, rancid stench stung our noses. In the dim shadows, numerous people were huddled under tattered blankets, their bodies curled tightly. Frail old men, ghostly pale children, and young people with injuries to various limbs. Their unwashed bodies were covered in festering wounds.
I could not help but cry out.
“……Tristan!”
Tristan’s gaze slowly swept the dark space. Each glance caused the trapped individuals to shrink and tremble.
He lowered his voice and gave instructions.
“Mildred. Assist them in moving to the fleet. Have those able to walk do so, and make improvised stretchers for those who cannot. Ensure no one is left behind.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Sir Mildred replied shortly and began moving with the knights. A man among the prisoners, exchanging anxious glances with others, asked in a trembling voice.
“Wh-who are you…? Where are you taking us…?”
He was a middle-aged man, eyes swollen and bloodshot. Sir Mildred nodded reassuringly and replied calmly.
“Rest assured. The pirates have been eliminated, and all prisoners who worked in the salt fields have been rescued. We came after hearing there were others remaining. First, we will move you to the fleet in Ashurana, then return you all to your homes.”
“R-really? You mean the pirates… they are all gone?”
“Is it true? Did you really come for us?”
Voices of surprise arose from all around. Slowly, relief spread across the pale faces of the prisoners.
“Th-thank you. Thank you…”
“Truly… I thought I was going to die here…”
The knights carefully helped the prisoners. Many could barely move on their own, and even those uninjured had not stood on their legs in so long that they struggled to remain upright alone.
I examined the chaotic cave, carefully observing the faces of the trapped. Yet even after looking thoroughly, the person I expected to see was nowhere in sight. I nearly resigned myself when I felt a slight movement near a pile of old cloth in a corner.
I had almost passed by, thinking it was just discarded clothing, but I stopped. Holding my breath, I approached and saw a man huddled, lying still with damp cloth covering his face. Only a few strands of hair peeked out.
Seeing the hair color, I hurried forward and knelt on one knee in front of him.
“Ruellin?”
Tristan turned toward me, calling quietly in surprise. I signaled him with a brief nod to come over. Tristan’s gaze fell on the man, and his face instantly paled.
“Red hair?”
No one of pure East Continent blood was born with red hair. Such vivid red was rare even in the Rubyere Empire.
The only land where red-haired people appeared frequently was Hezekia. Tristan let out a short, strained sound.
“……I recall hearing that foreign individuals were occasionally seen on the pirate ships.”
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