How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

“Johannes, Gehardt. Go down to the cabin and protect Constantine.”

“……Yes, Your Grace.”

It was the point at which grappling hooks were expected to fly in at any moment. Since close quarters combat was inevitable, Gehardt hesitated briefly at the order to go down to the cabin.

“Gehardt, now!”

“Yes, understood.”

Pressed by Tristan, Gehardt hurried his steps after Johannes.

In the meantime, the enemy fleet’s bombardment, which had briefly lulled as they reloaded their cannons, began once more. Hezekia’s side also resumed firing at the same time.

“Hezekia, simultaneous fire!”

“Simultaneous fire!”

Kwa kwak kwak kwang!

Kwaaaak!

A cannonball struck near the stern with a thunderous crash, smashing part of the deck. Wooden fragments shot up into the air and scattered in all directions. As the hull rocked violently, I staggered with several sailors and nearly went tumbling to the side.

“Ruellin, watch out!”

Fortunately, Tristan grabbed my waist and pulled me behind him, sparing me from getting hurt. Still, with cannon fire raining down like this, even making it to the cabin was a problem. I looked anxiously at the enemy ships encircling the flagship.

After exchanging a round of bombardment, the Hezekia flagship began to turn slowly. If it stayed like this, it would only be battered again. Signal flags were then sent to the other ships. With the risk of being defeated one by one, the plan was to cluster close together around the flagship, forming a triangle to face the enemy fleet.

Then, as the flagship caught the wind and carved a long arc through the sea, another opportunity came.

“Now. Simultaneous fire!”

Kwaaaang!

Kukwak kwak kwak kwang!

“Aaaah!”

With the help of the wind, the flagship’s firepower temporarily increased. Already towering over the pirate fleet as a large vessel, its elevated hull allowed merciless cannon fire to rain down from above onto six enemy ships below.

Screams erupted from the decks of the enemy vessels. One mid-sized galley that had been pressed closest to the flagship took a direct hit, its deck splitting down the middle as one side of the hull began to tilt.

Kwa kwak kwak!

But there was no time to rejoice. A cannonball from the enemy skimmed past the left side of the deck. Another cracking boom resounded through the flagship. Several nearby sailors screamed and slipped across the deck. The ship’s interior was filled with scattered debris and smoke, making it impossible to even open one’s eyes properly.

“Kugh, cough…….”

Rough coughing burst out several times. When I finally regained my senses and looked around, it seemed many of the enemy cannons had exploded, and their bombardment had somewhat decreased. However, our situation was worse.

“Your Grace, five cannons have exploded.”

Tristan’s complexion turned even paler. Just then, fierce shouts erupted from the direction of Ship Number Three. The pirates had finally succeeded in throwing grappling hooks and had begun close combat in earnest.

“Your Grace, Ship Number Three is…!”

“Hezekia does not fall behind in close combat. Focus on bombardment!”

As Sir Mildred shouted urgently, Tristan cut him off decisively. At a glance, it was fortunate that only one enemy ship had latched onto Ship Number Three. Their crew numbers would be similar, and Hezekia, famed as a mercenary fleet, still had a chance. In any case, there was no leeway to send support.

“Incoming cannonball, take cover!”

At that moment, a black cannonball sliced through the air just above my head. Gritting his teeth, Tristan pulled me into his arms and threw himself sideways, rolling across the deck. The cannonball slammed down behind my back with a deafening explosion.

Kwaaaang!

Wooden splinters burst upward like a fountain. Several small fragments grazed my cheek, leaving cuts. I struggled to catch my breath, still dazed, and then lifted my head.

The sound of Tristan’s breathing as he lay over me was wrong. The moment I pushed myself up in alarm, I saw a massive wooden shard embedded in Tristan’s back.

“Tristan!”

“Shh, be quiet.”

Tristan reached out and covered my mouth. All color had drained from his face. When I hurriedly pulled him into my arms, something wet touched my fingertips. Bright red blood was pouring from his back.