NOVEL NEXT Chapter 47
As I boldly confronted him, the muscles on Pereira’s forehead wrinkled.
“Coming from someone much older than you, Young Lord, as a merchant who’s been around for a long time, do you really find it hard to understand that I wish to spare a budding new merchant?”
Spare? That cold-hearted bastard’s idea of “spare” can go freeze to death!
If I drop the charges, the desperate Judge Mancini’s investigation would lose momentum, and wouldn’t this situation lessen the penalties for his crimes?
Why wrap that in pretty words about wanting to save “the little sprout”?
And even in 21st-century Korea, when a new sensation starts to rise, the big shots and corporate tycoons seem to want to stomp it down right away.
Is this place any different? Or is it worse, do you think?
There’s a limit to how much you can look down on people.
“I’ll put it plainly: right now, you opposing me is like a rabbit trying to fight a lion!”
Seeing you pretend to care while screaming about dropping the charges, I get it.
That poor chap’s taken a massive political and economic hit.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come here personally, pretending to sweet-talk me.
“I won’t deny that, Pereira Guild Master.”
Well, it’s true that there’s a tremendous power gap between me and Pereira Guild right now.
“But do you think I climbed this far in such a short amount of time just because of good luck?”
If a novice makes money once through stock investment, that’s luck.
But if it happens twice, three times, it’s skill, right?
Besides, I didn’t just make what I have by chance; I’ve had several business successes before. There’s no way that’s entirely luck!
“Sure, I shouldn’t get too arrogant, but my skills are pretty decent.”
“There’s His Majesty behind me.”
Upon hearing that, Pereira gritted his teeth.
However, he didn’t retort with nonsense.
As expected from someone reaching the status of a merchant lord, he quickly made a rational decision in his head.
The conclusion would be that my words are true.
“So, a rookie like me challenges the empire’s merchants like Pereira directly. Unless I’m crazy, why would I want to fight a guild master? If I were that foolish, I’d never have clawed my way up to this position.”
Pereira, almost out of frustration, let out a sigh as if he were exhausted.
“Why, Your Majesty, why?”
Seeing him act all wronged reminds me of what a friend of mine, who worked as a warden, once said.
“Criminals don’t repent when you throw them in jail. Eight or nine out of ten simply rant about the nation being too harsh for a crime that’s hardly a pinky-finger’s worth!”
That guy may not have gone to jail, but he committed a crime so severe that losing his head would be a walk in the park!
“And this is a secret order given by His Majesty.”
I quietly revealed the ‘non-existent edict’ that Allegro, the unofficial envoy, had left with me.
I didn’t hand it over to read.
It’s more effective to threaten one by reciting its contents myself.
“His Majesty is aware that the Pereira Guild has smuggled large amounts of our Empire’s steel to the potential enemy states of the Duchy of Milania and the Duchy of Liguria.”
“Still, we are not currently at war with them, are we?”
“If you sold steel to an enemy nation during a time of war, you’d definitely be court-martialed according to military law. Isn’t it obvious we’re trying to resolve this gentlemanly instead?”
In this fantasy world, compared to 21st-century Korea, there’s little regard for human rights, but the common sense remains that anyone who aids an enemy nation ought to be executed.
Even though military law may not apply in Korea, those aiding the enemy would likely face firing squads after swift military trials.
“We might not be fighting them now, but who’s to say we won’t go to war within the next few years, maybe even in a year? Then, the steel you exported would become powerful weapons and armor used against our side.”
Upon hearing that, Pereira’s face went pale as a ghost.
His hands started to tremble, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wet himself!
“His Majesty finds this very unsettling.”
This is just my speculation, but it seems the Emperor wishes to provide the Milanians a proper education (i.e., through war).
So, he’s trying to reinforce internal discipline.
By stepping on Pereira’s guild for actions that aid potential enemies, that must be his plan, right?
“Thus, you’ve directly handed down such a secret order to me. And this is His Majesty’s mercy.”
It’s somewhat absurd to even bring this up in front of someone who’s faced tremendous losses.
But truly, this is mercy.
If the Emperor deemed the Pereira Guild as loyalists, he could have easily uprooted them!
It would be akin to having someone slated for execution tied to the gallows, showing them a fool’s dance, and then letting them go—it’s a grace of sorts, isn’t it?
‘Of course, if Pereira isn’t at fault, it’d be a different story.’
Honestly, he got too greedy.
Trying to profit by selling large quantities of steel to a potential enemy nation?
He should’ve simply smuggled it to places like the Lion Kingdom or the Granada Kingdom!
“The issue would’ve surfaced only after the war starts between the two duchies; by then, Guild Master, you’d certainly be court-martialed.”
In other words, it means losing your head.
And unlike 21st-century trials, where inheritance might be transferred to the family even if the death penalty is enforced, in the Toscan Empire, all assets are seized at the same time as a death sentence.
Moreover, among the upper classes, all family wealth is primarily tied to the ‘head of the family’…
So, the state could rationally seize the guild’s belongings.
One could argue it’s absurd to adjudicate based on actions taken before a war that erupts after, but that’s the reality.
“So, His Majesty is so kind as to not want this issue to surface.”
When he first barged into my house, Pereira wanted me dead.
Now he’s left with no choice but to beg like a dog, ready to roll over for me!
And so, he pleaded like a wretched puppy.
“What on earth can I do to evade His Majesty’s wrath?”
“Just don’t sell steel to the Duchy of Milania and the Duchy of Liguria.”
Because the Emperor hadn’t asked for anything else from me.
There’s no need to put forth anything else.
“And simply accepting the punishment you’d receive for the military supply corruption presented at the High Court would suffice.”
This is the Emperor’s bark meant to intimidate me.
Therefore, from this point onward, I can exercise a bit of discretion.
As long as I don’t go against the Emperor’s mood and orders.
Pereira begged me desperately.
“Is there any way for me to get past this crisis?”
“All you have to do is accept the punishment.”
Military supply corruption—even if it’s a minor case—would find itself at the High Court, and if found guilty, you’d likely start losing body parts.
But then, he even fed rotten food to the soldiers?
That’s truly inexcusable!
“Why are you so cold-hearted? If His Majesty was going to kill me, he would have questioned me about the steel smuggling. By brushing that aside, isn’t he showing me mercy?”
I stared at Pereira deliberately, leisurely holding my gaze on him.
Just maintaining eye contact is enough.
Staring into a man’s eyes, honestly, unless I’m gay, it’s not exactly a pleasant venture…
But to make money and to survive, one must be prepared for things like this. I’ll just make sure to rake in a massive haul.
“I’ve heard that the executive Alford from the Pereira Guild got blinded by greed and acted on his own, is that wrong?”
I don’t genuinely believe Pereira is innocent because I put it that way.
I’m merely hinting.
If they clean house, kicking out one executive and begging, perhaps the Emperor won’t take further action against them.
“Yes, this incident was indeed something Alford conjured up behind my back. I will ensure stricter oversight.”
This far, I gain nothing directly.
Now’s the real show; it’s time to cash in for my services.
“However, I don’t think His Majesty and Judge Mancini will see it that way. For a lowly noble like me to persuade them would be quite a stretch.”
Just as it’s common sense in Korea to buy a stamp when mailing a letter, passing the right message to the high and mighty is typically done with bribes.
Besides, since I’m offering to communicate with such esteemed figures, I ought to receive a little extra for my services!
“Please, I beg you.”
“No, even though I was ordered by His Majesty. Do you think a mere knight can persuade His Majesty?”
They’d definitely listen.
Why? Because young people who successfully execute difficult secret orders usually gain the Emperor’s favor.
And Pereira knows that very well.
“I’ll give you a luxurious mansion in Florence!”
It seems he knows I have money.
I can tell because he’s trying to bribe rather than just offering cash.
A luxurious mansion in Florence? Will it cost a thousand gold coins?
Considerations about obtaining a mansion in Florence aren’t as simple as having the cash since property issues require quite a bit of finesse… It’s a pretty decent bribe, indeed.
But I pretended to rise from my seat.
“Do visit again next time.”
“Two luxurious mansions! I’ll offer you two!”
“Why not contact His Majesty directly?”
He won’t just forget his grudge against me just because he’s whining here.
We’ll never be friends, that’s for sure.
So, if I’m going to squeeze him, it has to be absolutely!
“I don’t need the luxurious mansions. Instead, please hand over the Priulano Distillery owned by the Toscan Guild along with the vineyards!”
The Priulano Distillery is renowned for producing some of the finest wines in the Toscan Empire.
In terms of value, it far exceeds the worth of one or two luxurious mansions.
“That’s… a bit excessive…”
Upon hearing that, I shook my head.
“Are you willing to let His Majesty continue to misunderstand?”
One thing I can assure: the Emperor isn’t planning to kill Pereira.
However, if I exploit my position of having received a secret order and report that Pereira is insufficient in reflection?
The noble Judge Mancini at the High Court would surely administer justice on a grand scale!
Right here, handing over the distillery seems almost trivial.
Tears streamed down Pereira’s eyes.
His fists clenched so tightly that parts of his hands began to bleed.
“I will give it to you; just make sure to communicate it well to His Majesty.”
“Is there any doubt about that?”