I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

Is it just me, or is time flying by way too fast because of all this work?

“It feels like just yesterday I became a baron, and now a month has already passed.”

In the meantime, I’ve been traveling to other cities besides Perugia, signing similar contracts and handling the rest of the administrative tasks.

Honestly, I’ve been overwhelmed with so much to do that I lost my mind a bit.

At least I managed to finish the military supply preparations on time.

If the subcontracted guild doesn’t cause any problems, I should be able to avoid the same hardships in the future.

“According to Sebastian, we should have the sales and net profit calculated by today. I wonder when the report will come in?”

Chloe replied to that.

“The steward always keeps even the smallest promises. I’m sure he’ll give the report today as promised. And aren’t you being a bit hasty, Young Lord?”

“I’ve taken care of all my urgent tasks, but Chris and Sebastian probably still have practical reviews to finish. Well, it’s only morning, so maybe I’m being too impatient.”

“You’ve been working non-stop lately, so it’s time to enjoy this rare moment of relaxation.”

I was just about to try to relax when there was a knock at the door.

As soon as the door opened, Chris appeared, holding a rather thick report.

“We’ve just finished calculating the expected income from this military supply. We’ve completed up to the third verification, so excluding minor discrepancies, there shouldn’t be any changes.”

“Great job, Chris.”

“I’ve just done my duty, Baron.”

Even though she said that, Chris smiled brightly at my words.

They say compliments can make even whales dance.

Looks like Chris feels good about being recognized by me.

Compliments are free, so I’ll need to give them as often as I can.

“This calculation is for the one-month supply we’re delivering right now. I’d love to calculate for the whole year, but…”

“Since we don’t know how the supply unit will react when they receive our goods, you didn’t calculate that far, right? I totally understand.”

When I had productive discussions with the guild master in Perugia, I even warned him that if substandard goods mixed in like before, we’d face some ‘sad things.’

I had told them that while they knew they were inflating profit margins, I’d still turn a blind eye.

Since I made it clear that if they got caught with low-quality goods, it would be the end, those should be up to standard.

‘There’s a good chance the quartermasters will order more if they are impressed.’

“So how much is the estimated net income when we deliver a month’s worth of goods?”

“We’ll have a net profit of 500 gold coins.”

With how much money I’m making, it might sound trivial, but 500 gold coins is actually a massive amount.

That’s enough for 400 households, or even 2,000 people for an entire year, if we assume a household of 4 or 5 frugally saving.

‘Considering that’s just one month, if I multiply it by 12 for the yearly revenue…’

“If we continue to trade like this, we’ll have a net profit of 6,000 gold coins each year. This is enough to cover the tax revenue for a small barony for a year.”

The most important thing is that this is ‘net profit,’ meaning this amount doesn’t include labor costs, transportation fees, or the cost to purchase the items.

“Great work. Chris, you should take a break too. You haven’t had a proper rest lately.”

Regular workers work about six days a week and take Sunday off for church.

With various holidays included, they have roughly a third of the year off.

However, we had to push through with military supplies, and we worked straight through Sundays.

‘Punishing people for going to church when they can’t hold services is more serious than a death penalty; we managed to squeeze in worship even while busy…’

But everyone returned straight to work after mass…

I forced the people of this era to work at levels unimaginable.

“No, instead of just Sundays or holidays, I’ll give all employees a special three-day holiday. They can take turns off without hindering work. Next month’s salary will include a bonus, doubled from the usual.”

They say if you throw money, you can make a ghost work.

After overworking them to the point of pain, financial therapy is the best cure.

“They’ll all be happy.”

“And you, Chris, should rest first.”

Even though I didn’t think there was much else to lose besides my chest and butt, she looked pale, probably from the recent stress.

I can’t have her getting sick.

“Yes, understood. So can you keep the promise we made before?”

“I don’t have any urgent matters right now. I’ll just change my clothes and be out shortly. Please wait a moment.”

Upon hearing my words, Chris smiled.

Then she seemed to have remembered something and brought it up.

“Oh, this might not be directly related to our guild, but I forgot to mention that the Medici clan and other magnates have doubled the prices of spices like pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.”

With everything so hectic, it’s easy to forget what doesn’t involve us directly.

But they’re colluding to double spice prices? Has everyone lost their common sense?

‘Their profit margins on spice trading already exceed 50 times their production costs.’

Before long, the Age of Exploration might begin.

“Rumor has it that Baron Medici is leading this price hike.”

The Medici Baron Clan’s price increase doesn’t immediately harm the clan’s reputation.

In fact, their finances will likely be even better.

However, from a long-term perspective, it’s insane.

If they carelessly raise spice prices too much, people will go to the ends of the earth to plunder and sell.

“As long as sugar hasn’t gone up, it doesn’t concern us too much. I can just use the information guild to investigate later. For now, I’ll go change.”

With Brother Albert forming a political marital alliance with the Farnese Count clan, he’s been doing quite well.

But to make such a mistake so soon after inheriting the barony?
Once this is exposed, won’t it unravel problems like peeling an onion?

Please, let this mud not splash on me.

As I took Chris to the cafe, everyone’s attention shifted to me.

It might be because Chris is beautiful, but also because the fastest-rising unmarried baron in central politics brought a lady along.

You could say it’s the nobles’ instinct for political sensing kicking in.

Regardless, amongst nobles, there’s an unspoken rule: ‘Don’t approach a noble with a woman unless they’re family.’

So no one bothered us, not even with a glance.

Actually, they turned their eyes away altogether.

‘Still, it’s bound to create some chatter.’

It would probably stop at a level that wouldn’t be too much to ignore.

“Please bring one special parfait and two coffees.”

The employee froze as they saw the boss, greeted me stiffly, and took the order.

Despite ordering later than others, my dish arrived in less than five minutes.

In a sizable glass, layers of summer fruits like strawberries, peaches, grapes, whipped cream, and sweet bread formed a parfait.

Seeing that, Chris’s eyes lit up.

“Looks like the special parfait has various fruits. It must taste amazing.”

While she’s always sharp regarding work, so much so that even Sebastian refers to her as the Ice Princess, I wondered what she thought seeing her enthusiasm for the parfait.

Would she just accept that women love sweet treats, or would she be surprised?

I graciously poured some of the parfait into Chris’s plate as the attentive employee set it down.

“Do you come here often?”

“I usually come about once every three days when it’s in season for summer or autumn fruits, given I have the time.”

Seemingly too embarrassed by her love for sweets, she slightly stuttered.

“If you mentioned this to Sebastian or Antonio, they’d probably just cover it as executive perks.”

“That’s personal. And thanks to your generous salary, I won’t go broke just from enjoying a parfait.”

Chris’s salary is two gold coins and five silver coins monthly.

Within our guild’s rank system, Chris is undoubtedly considered a high-ranking executive, so her salary reflects that.

With bonuses, she certainly belongs to the wealthier class.

‘And if you add the Modica clan’s wealth? Well, that doesn’t even need comment.’

“Well then, do you have any other hobbies lately?”

“When work slows down, I embroider at home. My father used to treasure the handkerchiefs I embroidered when he was alive.”

I might not have a daughter, but if Chloe were to make me a handkerchief embroidered by her own hands, I’d cherish it as a treasure.

How much more for a daughter’s hand-stitched gift?
I bet I’d be bragging to my subordinates about it endlessly.

“Also, I’m constantly receiving marriage proposals. Because I became an executive of the Medici clan at such a young age, the sons of other merchant families and poor nobility are trying to get close. Sometimes, I spend entire days off writing polite rejection letters.”

I can totally relate.

With all the money I’m rolling in, there are plenty of humans trying to marry me into their struggling financial situations.

‘Last time, a count who had gone bankrupt from bizarre investments years ago offered me his daughter.’

Of course, I rejected that proposal through Duke Visconti very respectfully.

“Others might say it’s nice to be popular, but just writing those letters takes forever.”

“I don’t think I’m so naive as to want to marry someone just because it’s love at first sight. I wouldn’t want to live with a fool who only wants to marry for my money.”

“Oh really? Then what kind of person do you like?”

Lately, it seems like Chris has been harboring some serious feelings towards me.

If I casually ask like this, will I catch a hint… or not?

“I like a man who relentlessly pursues his goals, someone who can see further than others. It would also be nice if they respect me as an equal instead of pigeonholing me as just a woman stuck in the house thinking about her husband.”

…… In dramas, the oblivious protagonist might go, ‘Oh, really? Who is that?’

But I can understand this one.

“I hope you find such a person.”

“Yes, Baron. That’s why I’m focusing on improving myself right now. A good man deserves a perfect wife.”

On that day, I returned to the mansion after sharing a special parfait with Chris.

I couldn’t recall what it tasted like.

However, Chloe seemed to know all the ins and outs once she heard the story.

“Of course, right?”

And now that I feel like the military supply structure has stabilized, it’s time to plan my next moves for expanding my reach.

I need to grill and bake the royalist aristocrats first…

‘How should I bake them?’

After a bit of pondering, I found a brilliant solution.

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