NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49
I’m currently carrying out an unofficial mission that won’t be recorded anywhere.
It’s impossible to give awards in clear forms like territory or titles.
I have no idea what kind of reward it could be that nobles don’t particularly covet.
The Emperor chuckled.
“What you’ve completed this time isn’t an official mission. The royal family and the Empire have nothing to do with the charges against the Pereira Guild. Therefore, it is impossible to grant territory or titles.”
Anyone who demands territory or titles in such a situation is lacking in intelligence.
I’m not a genius, but I certainly ain’t that dumb.
“Instead, we should take a portion of the Pereira’s assets that Judge Mancini is investigating… Let me see, which would be good?”
The Emperor quietly tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him.
After a few taps, he finally spoke.
“Fabio, I hear you’re making a port to turn your territory into a port city?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Although I can’t grant you territory or titles due to the unofficial matter, you’ve made a public achievement, so I need to give you something beneficial. I need to think about it for a moment.”
It’s already been a few months since I brought craftsmen from Guillaume City, gathering refugees and unemployed around to start building the port.
By now, a small harbor capable of launching a few ships should be near completion.
Those agile ones I got from Brother Albert should be arriving soon, too.
Once this matter wraps up, I should manage the territory a bit.
No, unlike other lords, my territory is practically a production factory, so can I call it factory management?
“Yes, the Pereira Guild possesses quite a few good large carracks. Let’s donate two of those with ample cannons and gunpowder.”
The merchant ship I bought earlier barely surpassed 100 tons in capacity.
That’s why I could get it for just a few hundred gold coins, but a large carrack exceeds 400 tons and can even be used as a warship if needed.
One of them starts at a minimum of over 1,000 gold coins, and with cannons, the price doubles.
‘I’ve been given goods worth 4,000 gold coins.’
The income from my steel factory is quite nice, but even just this is a tremendous profit.
“And you’ll need crew members to operate the ships, so I’ll provide an additional 500 gold coins.”
Both the Emperor and Duke Visconti tend to give me more than necessary, making me feel like I’m being overly generous.
Having more to give always means there’s a lot expected in return.
To meet those expectations, I’ll have to give it my all.
“Oh, and I’ll grant you a sword bearing the royal seal.”
In dramas, it’s common to see high-ranking generals or knights who have accomplished great feats being awarded a prized sword.
Some might mistakenly think that only those who receive such swords have immense trust from their lord.
But there are several types of swords awarded.
Awarding a sword similar to supplies is merely a recognition of a good fight, while a sword inscribed with the family crest signifies “this man is my vassal.”
When representing the head of the family or when indicating unconditional trust, a sword with the family emblem is awarded, and there are various sorts.
The sword I received is of the second kind.
‘This indicates the Emperor is protecting me, so touch me not.’
“Make sure to wear it visibly and take a stroll near the Pereira Mansion.”
“I will obey.”
Once I walk around with this on, Pereira will think twice about touching me.
What a smart man he is.
To ensure that his subordinates do not come to harm, he goes as far as to do this.
As the Emperor shook a bell on the desk, a servant brought a well-decorated silver sword.
The moment I saw it, I immediately knelt as if at a knight’s ceremony.
“Receiving this means you will soon become my direct vassal. You understand well how valuable this is.”
Even among barons, rank differs based on who your lord is.
A baron who directly serves the Emperor holds a higher rank than a baron under a duke.
In South Korea, a similar principle applies where civil servants of central ministries generally rank a tier higher than local officials.
“There is a reason for awarding this, but what complicated reasons are necessary for giving just one sword? Let’s just say it’s to acknowledge the excellence of coffee and seaweed, on the surface.”
“I will strive to live up to your expectations.”
“Alright, just that much. Don’t take it too leisurely.”
The Emperor seemed to joke to cheer himself up, but honestly, it wasn’t funny at all.
Rather, I think it’s funnier that when almonds die, they become diamonds.
“Lastly, do you have something else you wish for?”
In the military, they say you can write down your wishes for letters of the heart or for wishes.
If you take that seriously, your remaining military life becomes a thorny path.
So even when you have a wish, there are times you just gotta keep your mouth shut.
Right now, though, given my significant achievement, even if I asked for more, it wouldn’t cross any line, and he would probably entertain any request.
It might even be an opportunity to settle my debts of gratitude.
‘And there’s just one more thing that needs handling.’
“There’s a noble lady who helped me identify the misconduct of the Pereira Guild.”
The Emperor tilted his head.
“A noble lady? Not a man but a noble lady? In a noble family, or at least a family that makes enough to put food on the table, women hardly learn anything apart from pleasing their husbands. Quite peculiar.”
In the 21st century, women can become executives in large corporations, senior civil servants, or even astronauts, so gender-based job restrictions have vanished.
But that’s a story for Korea. In the Albania Continent, patriarchy is very much alive.
In noble families, the only significant role for women is to become good wives.
Only open-minded families permit women to study at all.
There are always a few exceptions among the nobles, and there are “Lady Knights” and “Lady Lords,” but those are as rare as finding a middle school dropout passing the bar exam.
It feels a bit awkward to acknowledge this, but what can I say? Reality is like this.
“I’ve heard the Modica Clan, which has been the director of the Pereira Guild for generations, allows women to become merchants and taught them commerce. Because of that, I could read and understand ledgers, leaving evidence.”
“Well, the head of the Pereira Guild probably never imagined a woman could write ledgers. Usually, they don’t teach such things.”
“Thanks to that, I received tremendous help.”
If it weren’t for Christina, I would probably still be struggling to find clues to attack Pereira.
There’s no way I could not appreciate her.
“The one called Alphio from the Pereira Guild framed the former head of the Modica Clan and killed him, and that family’s honor has sunk into the ground. While the dead do not return with the restoration of honor, I believe aiding the noble lady who helped me will provide some comfort. I ask you to allow for their honor and assets to be restored.”
The Emperor looked directly into my eyes and asked.
“The achievement you’ve made honestly isn’t something that can be settled with a few ships and a sword. If you aim for something bigger, we might create another justification later to grant a territory.”
It’s an attractive offer.
However, blinded by the territory before me, I can’t rob my partner of their benefits.
“Even if she’s the fallen noble lady, I can’t ignore the wish of a colleague who worked alongside me. I’ll gratefully accept only your goodwill.”
A very satisfied smile spread across the Emperor’s face.
He seemed almost warm-hearted.
“I will grant that wish. As soon as Judge Mancini delivers a ruling at the High Court, the honor and assets of the Modica Clan will be fully restored.”
The Emperor added, looking as if he felt something was still lacking.
“No, I shall personally write a letter of consolation to Lady Modina. Furthermore, I’ll include praise for her father.”
This emperor is truly a relentless political beast.
When I asked for the restoration of the Modica Clan, it wasn’t just about the Emperor executing justice against the vile Pereira.
It was a substantial part of him establishing an image of protecting and cherishing the weak.
But now, he’s going to add a personal letter?
In society, rumors will spread that our Emperor even shows kindness to a merchant house’s noble lady, enhancing his reputation greatly.
“Now then, I’ll take my leave. And soon, I will provide you an opportunity to earn military merit, so take your time to rest.”
Military merit… I doubt he intends to let me assume command, so what exactly does he plan to have me do?
Shortly after completing the Emperor’s secret task, I went to Florence Plaza with not Chloe but Christina only.
The reason I brought Christina instead of Chloe was to avoid showing her a gruesome scene.
“From now on, we will execute the death penalty for Alphio Alphido!”
Once this execution is over, I would hopefully be able to have a serious discussion about what to do next.
Christina would also have time to gather her thoughts.