NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46
Bacio Pereira, the head of the Pereira Guild, had been so stressed in recent days that he could hardly sleep.
He jolted out of bed, shouting the name of the loathsome bastard who was the source of his psychological torment.
“Damn it! That Medici bastard deserves to be torn apart!”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Surely, he had framed the Modica Clan, who had worked for his guild for generations, in a petty crime to stage a perfect crime.
Why on earth had this issue resurfaced?
It was infuriating to dwell on a matter that should have been settled.
“Someone at this age is going to end up a eunuch!”
Normally, venting his frustration with a few curses would lighten his mood.
But this time, the issue was related to the military, and they had suffered significant repercussions for their crimes.
The more he thought about it, the more rage bubbled up.
He quickly changed his clothes and headed to his office.
Upon entering, instead of seeing his secretary smile, he was met with an expression of deep concern.
Things must have gotten worse while he slept!
Grinding his teeth, Pereira urged his subordinate.
“Did something bad happen while I was sleeping? I won’t blame you, just give me the report.”
“Yes, Guild Master.”
His secretary hurriedly started reading the report he had hastily prepared that morning.
“Baron Valdes has declared that after this transaction, he will no longer supply wine and grapes to our guild. The next deal will be with the Piedmont Guild.”
“Damn it! Even if Baron Valdes’ grapes and wine aren’t top quality, without them, we’ll face huge obstacles with our other dealings.”
Even so, this wasn’t a complete disaster.
If they were cut off from the supplies for the best wine produced in the Toscan Empire, that would be one thing, but grapes were cultivated throughout the empire.
With a slight sacrifice on profits, he could urgently buy grapes from elsewhere and quickly fill the gap.
“Viscount Bilius has canceled the deal for 500 suits of armor, 100 full suits, 150 swords, and 500 spears, all due for payment in three days. Count Liorre has also notified us that he will no longer deal with the Pereira Guild and has canceled all prior transactions.”
Viscount Bilius and Count Liorre were both economic and political partners of the Pereira Guild.
They had been economically tight-knit, continuing to do business, and providing massive political funds to protect him.
For them to cut ties with Pereira Guild?
That meant the Pereira Guild was in danger politically.
Moreover, if other nobles were deliberately intervening in petty trade to cancel deals…
“Political pressure is already coming down on us.”
“I have to hit that Medici bastard, no matter what. I need to get out of this situation. Otherwise, it’ll be really dangerous.”
“There’s more…”
The secretary turned his gaze away from Pereira.
Then, bowing his head cautiously, he said, “There are rumors that the High Court is preparing a tax audit of our guild.”
There’s no one in this world from whom you can’t extract dirt.
Especially in the Pereira Guild, where hundreds, if not thousands, of people gathered?
If a tax audit happens, all the problems the Pereira Guild knows about, as well as hidden issues that subordinates handled internally, would come to light.
Plus, he was already under suspicion for military supply corruption.
The judges and administrative officials of the High Court would likely create false charges just to make him feel miserable.
“Those bastards will probably demand bribes too.”
To sum up the situation succinctly—things had gone terribly wrong.
In his rage, Pereira couldn’t even raise his voice.
Instead, he grabbed the back of his neck and let out a groan.
“Are you alright?!”
Pereira thought inwardly, ‘How the hell could I be alright with all this terrible stuff happening? Did I leave my brain at home when I came to work?’
But overwhelmed by the shock, he missed the opportunity to yell at his secretary.
After a moment to collect himself, he took a drink of water and ground his teeth.
“Seems that bastard from the Medici Clan is itching for death. I need to show him what’s what.”
The Pereira Guild may not be the top guild in the empire.
However, they were a wealthy merchant clan recognized in the empire.
They had enough wealth to purchase a noble title, like a ‘Baron of Law and Order,’ if they put their mind to it.
But they didn’t because buying a title without military merit would effectively make them a slave tied to the emperor’s life.
They didn’t want to seek noble status while pouring all their money into it.
“That kid got favored by Duke Visconti and received a knighthood at such a young age due to his talents and skills. I wonder how he can be so cocky even after everything’s crushed?”
“What should I prepare?”
“First, I need to personally confront him. I’ll use the power of our guild, known as a merchant, to threaten him and make him back off from the accusations.”
With the investigation already initiated by the High Court, a trial and punishment were unavoidable.
But if the whistleblower suddenly backed out?
That would create issues in the investigation process, making it difficult to establish guilt.
Then the charges the judge could prosecute would decrease, and the likelihood of a lighter sentence for the Pereira Guild would increase.
“And I have to slowly repay this grudge. As cruelly as possible.”
That night, Pereira went to Fabio’s Mansion.
They say that when a person is extremely angry, they can become exceptionally calm.
This instinct is supposed to help them derive the most effective way to kill someone rationally, as they truly wish to end the other’s life.
I read it online, so it’s not scientifically backed or credible, but…
Looking at the person in front of me, it certainly seemed true.
Even after coming to see me, Pereira almost appeared relaxed as he sipped tea.
“This black tea is quite delightful.”
“Thank you.”
“But I heard you also serve coffee, which the heathens drink. Would you be able to serve me that?”
At this moment in the empire, the only people who had tasted coffee were the Second Prince, Duke Visconti, and probably the Emperor, who had tasted the precious item his son received.
Only the attendants around that person knew the truth.
So, that bastard wanted to convey to me:
‘I may have a lower title than you, but I have ties to the royal family.’
“For the esteemed Guild Master Pereira, I’d gladly serve it.”
I certainly didn’t genuinely respect that fellow.
How could you commit military supply corruption with a dish like pickled herring, akin to a seafood sauce in Korea?
If it were something else, I might even attempt to understand it, but what had he done to the poor soldiers forced into military service?
As someone with the soul of a Korean, I simply couldn’t accept it.
Regardless, I prepared a cup of coffee immediately and handed it to him.
“Here you go.”
“The aroma is delightful, and the rich bitterness is captivating. It’s no wonder they say it’s good for vitality.”
You don’t need to flaunt how much you know, you bastard.
Yeah, I can admit that right now I’m merely a ‘Knight’ but in everything else, I’m lesser than you.
So, I’m kindly using honorifics for a mere commoner like you.
After finishing his cup of coffee, he fixed his gaze on me.
His eyes radiated such killing intent that I felt myself shrinking under his stare.
“Born as the second son of the Medici Baron Clan, raised in privilege, and you’ve accomplished so much in just a little over a year as a merchant. I’d be happy if my son could achieve even half of what you have.”
Placing the coffee cup down calmly, he continued speaking softly.
“But there’s always someone higher above. Even this wretched merchant knows that simple truth.”
That’s true.
Even if I’m an entrepreneur earning a few thousand a month in Korea, there are monsters out there making hundreds of millions every month.
And above them, there are those earning billions monthly.
It must be the same in this empire.
“Whoever orchestrated this, it seems they’ve come to directly provoke our Pereira Guild. Do they think the empire’s merchants are a joke?”
I’ve never looked down on you once.
That’s why I’m handling only the products you seem to dislike, steering clear of the ‘other established interests.’
Seaweed, coffee, postnatal care centers.
Apart from the steel factory, I haven’t touched the traditional merchants’ interests at all.
I’m merely pioneering a new market.
“Withdraw the charges now, and I’ll generously let it slide.”
When someone says they’ll generously overlook something, there’s never anyone who actually does it.
Plus, do you really think I’m going to rashly act like those who recklessly married while speeding during high school?
“Let me ask you in return. Do I really look that foolish?”