How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 88.1
The sun slowly rose from beyond the sea and climbed to the top of the sky, finally illuminating the distant waters.
The lookout on the watchtower shouted loudly.
“L-Land! I see land!”
At that single shout, the sailors and even the knights erupted in cheers, hugging one another.
“Wow… we’ve arrived, finally!”
“We’re alive. We’re all alive…!”
I gripped the railing with renewed strength. A long breeze carrying the mixed scent of unfamiliar soil and dense leaves blew over us. Waves reached the ship’s side, breaking shallowly before receding softly.
I watched the scene in silence. After so many hardships, we had finally arrived.
A massive continent where we could find food and water.
“We have arrived.”
Tristan spoke quietly as he gazed at the land. I felt like sniffing a little in relief, but seeing Tristan so composed, I swallowed the moisture in my throat and nodded.
The ship slowly approached the shore. Pale gray mudflats stretched low across the view. Beyond them lay a broad forest with tall trees and long grasses layered densely. The immense, pristine nature was vivid and clear, unlike anything seen in Rubyere, the Sarr Empire, or even the Northern Continent. The air itself felt raw and fresh with every breath.
Eventually, the ship grounded on the shallow bottom and wobbled. When the anchor was dropped and the vessel came to a complete stop, it felt as if my breath had caught. I lifted my head anxiously and met Tristan’s gaze. He silently extended a hand toward me.
“Let us go.”
“…Yes.”
I took a deep breath and placed my hand atop his. Gentle warmth radiated from the large hand beneath mine.
.
.
.
I had no idea how long it had been since I last set foot on land.
I stepped cautiously. The soft, moist mud sank beneath my shoes. Wisps of mist rising from the ground dispersed with each step.
“Can anyone really live in a place like this…?”
Sir Gehardt muttered under his breath as he followed behind. Tristan’s dark eyebrows furrowed briefly, but he quickly spoke in a calm, composed voice.
“Send out a scouting party. Search nearby areas and locate water sources and shaded plains.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Sir Mildred responded briefly and fell back to gather the men. After a short time of surveying, the scouts returned from deeper within the island. They reported finding a relatively flat grassy area a little inland from the coast and a small river nearby.
We decided to move to the plain reported by the scouts and set up camp. In no time, dozens of military tents were erected and fires were lit for cooking. Some knights, having eaten quickly, went into the forest to hunt. Sir Gehardt, in particular, seemed excited to catch some proper game, moving energetically.
I sat in front of the newly erected tent, sipping hot soup to warm myself.
My body, worn from the long voyage and countless hardships, was still in poor condition. In my previous life, I had been healthier than anyone and rarely caught a cold, so this fragile body sometimes frustrated me. I was only now beginning to understand that I had to rest whenever possible and conserve my energy.
‘I will go to bed early today and sleep soundly. I finally have a flat place to rest….’
As I humbly accepted my weak physical state and nodded to myself, I sensed a strange presence near the surrounding forest. A long shadow flickered behind the trees, and something resembling the edge of a garment briefly appeared beyond the tall grass before vanishing. Surprised, I was about to call out to Tristan, but he silently signaled me to stay quiet, placing his index finger to his lips.
“It seems a local has come to visit.”
The whisper fell softly. Sir Johannes, who had stayed behind to guard the tents, had approached silently and stood by my side. The sailors and soldiers, busy unloading supplies and carrying meals, seemed to sense the unusual presence and stopped their activity.
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