NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50
In medieval times, or rather pre-modern times, even executions were just a form of entertainment.
It was also an era where human rights didn’t exist.
With no TV or even radio around, there simply weren’t enough enjoyable distractions.
If you joked about the high birth rates during that time being due to the lack of contraceptives and TV shows, it wouldn’t be far off.
Thus, this place now resembled the scene of a slightly risqué TV show, and as the highlight—the execution—was carried out, everyone cheered loudly.
“That wicked scoundrel, got what he deserved!”
“That’s what happens when you mistreat good soldiers with rotten food!”
“Here, enjoy this on your way to the afterlife, you little brat.”
Even putting aside the matters of Christina and the Pereira Guild, that guy deserved a death sentence.
For the soldiers of this era, pickled herring was served more frequently than kimchi in the Korean army.
And they served him not just cheap, but rotten stuff?
Even in the afterlife, he wouldn’t be satisfied with just the luxurious ingredients of a large country.
With the typical execution finished, it was supposed to be time for the executioner and the herald to depart, but they remained there.
Unlike Koreans who rush out as soon as the credits roll, not a single Florence citizen left their spot until the herald’s party departed.
And as if to fulfill the citizens’ anticipation, the herald declared loudly,
“His Majesty, just and merciful, has confirmed the innocence of Alfredo Modina and his family, who were wrongfully executed by this vile sinner!”
Christina, who stood next to me, covered her mouth upon hearing this.
Tears cascaded down her cheeks.
A soft, mumbled sound escaped her lips.
“Ah, finally…”
I quietly handed her a handkerchief.
“Therefore, according to His Majesty’s command, I proclaim the restitution of the Modina Clan here, and the Pereira Guild, to the only surviving member of the Modina family, Christina Modina, is ordered to return the entire estate to her.”
In every era and every world, people support the notion that the wicked should be punished and the good rewarded.
Even those who know they’re truly criminal will cheer when another bad guy gets what’s coming to them.
With a severe lack of entertainment, the citizens of Florence cheered like they were on some royal high.
“Long live the Emperor! Yes, this is how the world should turn!”
“Bad guys get punished, good guys get rewarded!”
“I’ll treat everyone, come along!”
After enjoying a good movie or drama, people need to share their thoughts with those around them.
The citizens of Florence dispersed in small groups, eager to share their thrill.
“Noble Lady Modina, it’s about time we head back.”
And that night, within the mansion, the sound of weeping was particularly loud.
Christina, who came into my office, sat there for nearly 30 minutes without saying a word.
I’m not one to waste time, but under these circumstances, I’d wait as long as necessary.
I wasn’t such a miserly person that I couldn’t spare this much time for a partner who had just accomplished something significant.
After an unbearable silence, she finally spoke up.
“Thanks to you, I was able to avenge my family’s grievances. I am deeply grateful.”
“I didn’t do it out of goodwill. I did it out of necessity.”
The fact that I acted under a secret commission from the Emperor had to remain undercover.
Naturally, my subordinates and servants wouldn’t know, nor would Chloe, who was the closest to me, be aware that I was acting under such orders.
Thus, aside from Sebastian—who could be considered my right-hand man—no one knew.
‘Sebastian has unknowingly supported me immensely.’
Christina shook her head.
“If you hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have been able to take revenge against that scoundrel Alfado, nor would my family’s honor have been restored. And now with His Majesty’s comforting words, my father can now rest in peace.”
She stood up, smoothing her skirt and bowing deeply.
“I will never forget this grace for the rest of my life.”
While I avenged the Modina family, it was merely a byproduct of dealing with the Pereira Guild.
However, restoring the Modina family and returning their assets felt more like a goodwill gesture.
It’s not always good to do something that seems unintentional.
“We can take care of each other when we’ve fought a common enemy. That aside, what do you plan to do next?”
Upon hearing this, Christina answered as if she had been waiting for the question.
“If you permit, I’d like to work under you.”
“Do you have a reason for that decision?”
I would wholeheartedly support Christina working for our clan.
Seeing her could organize and secure the accounting records to expose the Pereira’s misconduct, I could entrust the business operations of my guild to her even now.
She must have a significant debt of gratitude towards me, making her a much more trustworthy talent than some random outsider.
“I also have the ambition to restore my family’s clan. However, as a woman, the only way to revive the family is through a political marriage.”
We often think that only nobles engage in political marriages.
But in the Toscan Empire or the Albania Continent, even the lowest class of serfs often have their marriage partners chosen according to their parents’ situation long before they are born.
‘The lower the rank, the more likely it is to have marriages of convenience.’
Particularly when it comes to marriages for the revival of a clan, it has to be 100% political.
“Although our family’s honor has been restored, as an orphan, the only men I could choose from are those from poor families. If I give up on age, I might end up as a second wife to some wealthy merchant who’s 60-70 years old.”
There’s a saying in our country that when a nobleman dies, no one comes, but when a dog from a noble family has a funeral, a crowd gathers.
This means if a powerful figure isn’t present in the family, even a former noble won’t have anyone attending their funeral.
Christina’s situation was just like that.
“Using our family’s wealth to become an independent merchant is also risky. The head of the Pereira Guild will be sharpening his blade for revenge. Even if I relocate and become a merchant elsewhere…”
She glanced down at her chest.
“Because of the barrier of being a woman, no matter how gifted I am, it would be challenging to compete on the same grounds as men. Thus, while my father was alive, I tried to leverage my status as a guild director to secure a position in the guild and prove my abilities, but that’s all in the past now.”
Nepotism isn’t particularly frowned upon in our empire.
It’s encouraged to some degree, in fact.
Of course, it’s almost impossible for women to be considered, but in an environment where nepotism is encouraged, showing ‘top 1%’ abilities would eventually earn respect.
In our country, incompetent nepotists are ridiculed, but overly capable ones are eventually acknowledged.
“Moreover, from what I heard from Chloe, whom you kindly assigned to serve me, you are known for being kind not just to your attendants, but even to lowly serfs. Even maids, who seek to marry up, are content to stay here even after marriage.”
There are two reasons why I treat my servants well.
One, because I can empathize as a lowly employee in 21st century Korea.
And two, to prevent unexpected betrayal in case of emergencies.
And Christina smiled as she looked at me.
“Despite having the means to treat me as a mere pawn and control my body and heart using the desire for revenge, you treated me as an equal partner. You also returned my fortune and my father’s honor.”
I too understood.
As a citizen of 21st century Korea, I realized that the consideration I often show might feel like an enormous favor in this era.
That’s why, not long after arriving here, I received a beating for speaking politely to a maid.
“I will serve you with all my body and soul, Medici, no, my lord.”
I needed Christina right now.
“Utilize my abilities as you wish, my lord.”
“Alright, Chris.”
It’s a privilege reserved for close friends to use nicknames or shorten names.
I encompassed both meanings in that name.
And honestly, now that I’m in this world, is it wrong to have someone else besides Chloe?
“Leave everything to me. I will ensure you can showcase all your merchant abilities.”
“It’s an honor, my lord.”
“Once this matter is settled, I should head straight to my territory. Let’s see you exert your talents there to the fullest. Ensure no one can overlook you just because you’re a woman.”
A while later, I took my first steps toward the territory I needed to develop.