NOVEL NEXT Chapter 76
The day after meeting the duke, I headed to the High Court.
Just like in Korea and America, where the judges and prosecutors are the top dogs among public servants, in our Toscan Empire as well, the judges hold the most power.
Among the judges with the most authority, the High Court is the most recognized.
“It’s like a combination of the Supreme Court, some parliamentary powers, and the IRS,” I thought.
“I came to see Baron Mancini. Could you pass on my message?” I asked the junior clerk at the High Court.
“Baron Mancini? Oh! You mean Judge Mancini? He’s quite busy with official duties; you should have informed him a few days in advance to meet him. I can assist you in making a reservation, though,” he replied.
From his appearance, he looked more like a mere clerk than anything else.
I told him that I wouldn’t even relay my wish to meet Baron Mancini unless I was given a gift, as a young baron.
Wow, I could really feel the difference in status here at the High Court compared to other empire’s administrative bodies.
Even civil servants in key departments like the Commercial Law Department bow down to someone of my status, a mere young baron.
“If I said I want to see the young baron who reported the corruption of the Pereira Guild, he’d come running barefoot!”
Thanks to reporting that corruption, Baron Mancini had quickly been promoted to “Judge”.
In the ranking of imperial officials, he’s a level 2, but in certain protocols, he’s treated as if he’s at the level of a vice-minister—“Judge of the High Court”.
Understanding that he had wronged someone who had helped him, the clerk tried to kneel in apology.
Receiving gifts isn’t particularly humiliating, so I shrugged it off.
“I’ll let it go this time, but don’t let it happen again.”
“Thank you, Young Baron! Truly, thank you!” he exclaimed.
Then I promptly knocked on the office door.
“This is Fabio de Medici, the Young Baron. I’d like to see Judge Mancini; please pass on my message.”
Though it was called the judge’s office, there were judges swarming inside that room.
Even if the lower staff were unaware, the judges themselves were all noble figures, so using formal speech felt appropriate.
After a bit of time, the door opened, and Baron Mancini greeted me with a smile.
“Oh, it’s you? No, isn’t it Young Baron Medici? Wow, you seem a bit taller than three months ago!”
“Is that so?”
“You’ve gotten taller and even better looking. Come on in! Hey, bring me two cups of coffee with sugar! Important guests call for the finest beans!”
A Judge of the High Court is someone even hereditary viscounts wouldn’t treat carelessly.
If he were to be caught as a criminal, he could be the “grim reaper” for others.
Seeing such a distinguished figure so pleased to greet me put all the eyes around us on me.
“I heard the Young Baron Medici is young, but isn’t he just a kid?”
“Other than not being married, he has no flaws.”
“Should I try to forge a connection through the Judge?”
Usually, judges of the High Court wouldn’t go out of their way to approach a young baron to beg for favors.
They possess absolute power guaranteed by the emperor.
“With the powers of prosecution, indictment, and judiciary all in hand, they can even speedily execute someone!”
If such actions were discovered, it would lead to a mess best avoided.
The important thing is that just like holding a nuclear weapon makes anyone nervous, these judges have the lawful authority to do just that.
Once I stepped into Baron Mancini’s personal office, two cups of coffee were already placed on the table.
“Ah, so what brings you here?”
“The Spice Guild members have enforced a Sugar Sales Ban at the Cafe Medici.”
Baron Mancini exploded in anger upon hearing my story.
“Like the other guild masters, those Spice Guild bastards are scum that deal with heretics and have been itching for a fight. How dare they touch you? That’s practically a provocation against me!”
It was something well-known among both of us, and other distinguished figures.
Baron Mancini wouldn’t have risen to be a Judge of the High Court in the first place.
Even if he had, he would have needed at least five more years of service to aim for such rank.
But by reporting the Pereira military supply scandal, he quickly became a righteous judge and ascended to “Judge” in record time.
“So I can’t help but be thankful.”
“Just as my subordinate Judge Andante has been singing about wanting a promotion, I’ll need to shake the dust off those Spice Guild idiots to create a track record.”
It didn’t bother me at all, but the Spice Guild members were now doomed.
When big corporations get raided in a simultaneous “tax investigation plus seizure” by the prosecutor and the IRS, they surrender fully.
What happens when a Judge of the High Court who wields both prosecutorial and judicial powers, and is also fueled by ambition, is unleashed?
“The funeral preparations can begin.”
But upon reflecting, that feels a bit too merciful.
To those who tried to screw me over, a mere “tax audit” seems insufficient.
“I’m helping you out here, so later on, I’ll come over for a meal at your place. Make sure to prepare well.”
I shook my head at that.
“I don’t want to move for Judge Andante; I have my own intentions.”
“…… Are you thinking of becoming one of those judicial noblemen? How do you intend to wield public power?”
If I became a judicial nobleman, wouldn’t the emperor shed tears of joy?
Just like King Sejong the Great sought out Jang Yeong-sil to mount the heights forever.
But while I don’t mind controlling others, I definitely don’t want to get ground up myself.
“Just sell me a position as a tax collector aimed at the Spice Guild. Isn’t it soon to be auctioned off?”
The administrative system on the Albania Continent may be modernized in some respects, yet it’s shockingly primitive in others.
The most representative of those are the Judges of the High Court possessing both prosecutorial and judicial powers.
“It’s honestly amazing how the feudal system is still in existence.”
But the most barbaric bit? The tax collector system.
Selling the most critical function of a state to private individuals for money; whoever created this system is absolute human trash.
If they were in heaven, they ought to be tossed into Satan’s maw.
Baron Mancini sighed.
“You know, the position of a tax collector is fiercely contested, and even the judges of the High Court can’t easily place their own relatives in it. It’s not that I doubt your abilities, but if this goes wrong, President of the Florence High Court will have me dismissed!”
The President of the Florence High Court is the overseer of all High Courts across the nation.
It’s a position that only someone of count rank or higher, or the head of a family favored by the king among the judicial nobles, can even hope to attain.
A significant power just next to the chancellor, on par with a duke.
For a judge to be before such an illustrious figure is like a candle flickering in the wind.
“Surely you don’t doubt my capabilities. Moreover, do you think I’m acting recklessly?”
I pulled out a certificate stamped with the Visconti Duke’s seal and handed it to the baron.
“This endeavor rests under the Duke’s responsibility.”
Baron Mancini’s eyes widened in disbelief at seeing this warranty, as if it was the first time he’d ever seen such a thing.
If someone were to ask how powerful the efficacy of that document is?
“It’s akin to providing a business guarantee.”
“It’s a surety. And Judge Mancini…” I whispered in his ear.
“Honestly, it’ll be tough for you to ascend further with just the title of a judicial noble baron. But if the Duke supports you, you could aim for the presidents of High Courts in other cities.”
The head of the High Court, in other words, wielding the power of indictment and judiciary, deciding who dies and who lives while pocketing a fortune.
“You should spend 3-4 years as a judge and then begin to ascend. I plan on doing the same, after all.”
To be honest, even at my current status, I have no discomfort living.
With just a casual appearance, I’m likely to attract a truckload of beautiful women wanting my number.
If handled well, I can easily keep such beauties as my personal bouquet.
Money? Unlike other nobles, I don’t owe anyone, so I manage just fine.
But in this era, living without dreams of rising higher is just painfully dull.
There are no computers, no TVs.
“His Majesty wishes to strengthen the royal authority. Don’t you want to be an instrument to achieve that goal?”
The Duke’s guarantee, my trust in him.
As these two factors mixed together, Baron Mancini came to a significant decision.
“The current auction for the tax collector position targeting the Spice Guild starts at 4,000 gold coins. If you pay 7,000 or 8,000 coins upfront, I’ll beg on my knees to the High Court President to secure that position for you. But don’t forget about me afterward.”
There’s an old saying.
“When you want to go far, go with friends.”
Surely, Baron Mancini, let’s work together for a long time.
And the Spice Guild leader, who interrupted my plans to play with Chloe and my cat? You’re not getting off easy.