NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78
I feel like uprooting the Spice Guild completely.
I have the position of tax collector, full cooperation from Judge Mancini of the High Court, and unwavering support from Duke Visconti.
“If I wanted to, I could really destroy the Spice Guild.”
But I’m not planning to do that.
Just like I have the power and tools to kill that incompetent chief who always ignores me, I choose not to commit murder.
It’s just too hard to deal with the aftermath.
“It’s not easy at all, is it, Sebastian?”
“No job in this world is easy, is it?”
That’s true.
There is not a single easy way to make money.
Especially making a lot of money is even harder.
“They say those who earn 300-400 a month have weekends, but once you go over 500, weekends slowly vanish, right?”
Let alone the income I make, which is on a completely different level than 500, so it can’t be easy.
“It makes me want to cut off the Spice Guild’s breath, but I shouldn’t, right? Sebastian.”
Sebastian nodded at my words.
“The Spice Guild is intricately linked with four major families, including the Medici Clan. This time, since the justification is with the Baron, you can handle things a bit cruelly, and they won’t protest or become hostile. But if you go too far…”
I know without saying.
Albert, the Medici Baron, and I are brothers, so there won’t be a direct confrontation, but considering his personality, he’ll probably leave me alone.
The other three major families will be shouting, “This is our chance! Kill him!” and come trampling over me.
So it’s important to deal with this at an appropriate level.
“Though erasing the Spice Guild isn’t possible, cutting off an arm or leg should be safe.”
In fact, it might be more painful for the other side to suffer from lifelong scars than to be wiped out in an instant.
The real enemies I need to get revenge on are the Spice Guild Master and the high-ranking folks.
“I know that. This time, I don’t intend to uproot the Spice Guild itself.”
I have no intention of showing mercy considering the innocent employees working in the guild.
This is war, and in war, there are no innocent civilians.
“While I won’t point weapons at civilians, unavoidable deaths must be accepted.”
“Only the Spice Guild Master and executives.”
I pretended to slice my throat with my finger.
“Just get rid of them. I must show what happens if you touch me.”
I once heard this from a friend I used to teach with.
He said that victims of school violence should never resort to mild measures to escape the violence.
“If you resist half-heartedly, bullies will torment you even more, thinking, ‘Who does he think he is messing with?’ which could lead to a bad outcome. So, if you can’t stand such injustice, it’s better to take firm action. Don’t believe that a teacher like me will solve everything.”
It’s not that teachers in our country are incompetent or don’t care about students; it’s just that those who take pleasure in bullying won’t listen until they realize their heads might get smashed.
So I was advised to file a complaint with the prosecutor, considering police are also ambiguous and to retaliate against violence with violence.
That is exactly my situation now.
“Looking at the data so far, these guys are pretty dirty, aren’t they?”
I’m not a paragon of justice, but seeing dirty deeds makes me nauseous.
“Well, since they’ve stumbled upon me, I think it’s time they paid for their crimes.”
I’m not planning to burn myself for the sake of justice, but I’m all for taking down those who have wronged me while also avenging the innocent.
What’s wrong with doing a good deed while I’m at it?
“Let’s head to the High Court prison. Also, I want to take Chris with me, can you call her?”
“Yes, understood. She’s at the mansion, so it should only be a moment.”
…… Mansion? The Medici Clan’s office is not at our mansion; it’s a 20-minute walk from here, right?
Ah, Chris treats Chloe like a younger sister and cherishes her.
“She took the day off today to hang out with Chloe, huh?”
Since I’m not facing imminent death, it’s unethical to make someone who took a day off come to work.
Calling someone back to work without a pressing reason is an unethical act.
“No, don’t call Chris. I’ll go alone; just prepare a guard and a carriage for me.”
“Yes, Baron.”
Sebastian finished those words and headed off to call a carriage.
But what on earth are Chloe and Chris doing?
I should ask Chloe about it once I finish work.
Judge Andante showed off when he saw me.
“As long as you’re not a High Court judge, even the guards can’t enter our court’s prison at this late hour. I made a special effort for you.”
Could you please tell him to take good care of my performance evaluation since you went out of your way for me?
I won’t be at a loss by doing favors for you.
Of course, I should share generously with my allies.
I’m not some greedy CEO who can only see what’s right in front of my eyes, am I?
“Is there any doubt? Aren’t we allies? How many days remain until the wedding?”
“Just a mere meeting at this point. What wedding?”
Though I said that, Judge Andante’s shoulders were already soaring to the heavens.
A marriage between a Baron’s family daughter and a High Court judge from the Baron family? I don’t dislike it if I like Sun-ae. So I should support it appropriately.
‘Helping them achieve their difficult love can be something to brag about for life.’
“When I looked over the materials this time, it seems like a significant case. It’s intertwined with wrongdoings that even the Ministry of Finance’s inspection team would go crazy over if they knew. If you resolve this, you’ll be quickly promoted to the deputy judge.”
That guy is currently 30 years old, and at that age, being a deputy judge means he can be on the edge of marrying the Baron’s daughter.
Besides, if the person involved is over the moon about it, what can be done?
Since no child wins against their parent, I should quickly hold the wedding before I drop a threat that if my daughter suffers, I’ll kill her husband.
‘It seems all rumors have already spread.’
“… You are a benefactor of our Andante Baron family.”
At times like this, it’s key to act humble and not show off.
“Your words are too much.”
We bloomed our conversation on the subject of Judge Andante’s wedding.
Listening in a bit, it felt like the Baron’s daughter might have gotten married ‘out of wedlock.’
I think I’ve really saved quite a few people.
‘If the fact of getting married out of wedlock had spread, a catastrophe would have struck the Andante Baron family and the Baron’s family.’
“I don’t know what issues might arise, so I’ll set up a chair and sit here. If any problems arise, ring this handbell.”
He handed me a handbell.
“If you ring this, I will whistle to gather all the guards.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
I finished saying that and stepped into the interior of the prison where the criminals were held.
There sat an executive of the Spice Guild, arms and legs bound.
As soon as he saw me, he trembled and gasped.
“B-Baron Fabio de Medici?! What brings you here?!”
Why do you think I’m here? I came to get your confession and expose the Guild’s heinous deeds.
“I just wanted to have a little chat.”
“What on earth do you want to discuss? And while I’m not sure how you plan to get us to cooperate, our Guild prides itself on bonds stronger than steel. We have no intention of speaking ill of the Guild.”
Looking at his face, hands, feet, and overall condition, it seems he hasn’t been tortured yet.
Well, no matter how powerful the High Court is, they can’t just torture anyone.
‘It’s only after things escalate to murder, serial killing, treason, conspiracy against the Emperor or royal family, or attempted murder that torture is immediately initiated.’
Only at that level can torture be enforced.
“‘Iron will’—that’s a very nice phrase.”
It sounds as hollow as what they say in petty towns about willpower.
What does that mean?
It carries as much credibility as that phrase of, “Let’s meet again when we graduate from training.”
‘Naturally, once training is over, they’re unlikely to meet as they’ll get assigned to different units immediately.’
I placed a massive copy of the list of crimes in front of him.
“I’ve seen you sold Tuscan Empire serfs to pagans who supply the spice. Men were sold as slaves to row galleys, and women were sold into harems or to nobles and merchants. The ledgers show multiple cases.”
It is outright legal and encouraged in Albania to abduct pagans and sell them as sex slaves.
Furthermore, selling serfs who couldn’t pay back was frowned upon but not scrutinized.
‘That’s why every year during famine, girls are sold off, just like Chloe.’
However, selling those who believe in Deus to pagans is treated equivalent to treason in our empire.
“I’ll let only two of the Florence Spice Guild executives go free without charges, except for the Guild Master. So you’d better not disappoint me.”
Cold sweat began to drip down the face of the executive in front of me.
“I’ll ask again. Do you want to confess?”
“Please let me confess!”
See? In such a group of scoundrels, loyalty and anything else means nothing!