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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Duke Visconti smiled at the man before him.
“Archbishop of Firenze, is it true? That Fabio truly outmaneuvered Christian in the ecclesiastical court?”
The Archbishop nodded in confirmation.
“As soon as I heard about the trial, I rushed over to stop this unjust proceeding, which is why I arrived a bit late. But when I reached the courtroom, I heard an impassioned speech from a young man outside.”
“And that was Fabio.”
“Yes, from what I heard…”
The Archbishop relayed all the information he had gathered to the Duke.
At first, he chuckled, thinking Fabio was a madman for daring to propose a deal instead of begging for his life, even when his life was on the line.
Having such a confident and rational person as a subordinate would undoubtedly be helpful in defeating the Sforza Duke family.
However, as the story unfolded, the Duke’s smile faded.
It wasn’t because he was jealous of his subordinate’s competence.
It was because Fabio de’ Medici’s actions during the trial were unbelievably astonishing.
“So, you’re saying that Fabio outwitted Christian in the ecclesiastical court?”
The Duke let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re not one to lie about such things. But I can’t believe it. Is it really true?”
“It’s what I witnessed with my own eyes. Fabio had already swayed public opinion, and the Auxiliary Bishop couldn’t find any fault with him.”
Fabio’s actions appeared this way to the Archbishop and the Duke:
A knight rigorously trained from childhood.
A powerful and renowned knight, fully armed in armor and mounted on a horse, is fighting, and a 10-year-old child defeats him with a mere twig.
Normally, the child would lose a million times out of a million.
What Fabio achieved was a feat of winning an impossible battle without even attempting to flee.
“At that age, all I worried about was how to peek under a maid’s skirt. That boy created a legend at just 20. My own children seem pathetic in comparison.”
The Duke slumped his shoulders.
Fabio’s success benefits the entire Duke family, but seeing his own children pale in comparison…
As a father, he felt a pang of disappointment.
Seeing the somber mood, the Archbishop made an awkward joke.
“To speak of your youthful vigor before a clergyman… You’ve committed the sin of lust and must confess.”
Normally, the Duke would reply,
‘Doesn’t confession require a large donation? Give me a discount.’
But he wasn’t in the mood.
“I don’t feel like it right now. The rumors are spreading, I presume?”
“Of course. I’ve instructed them to spread this anecdote, slightly embellished, and preach about it throughout Toscana, not just in Firenze Cathedral.”
The Church of Deus has an administrative system similar to a military.
Thanks to this, they can disseminate “sermon topics and content” to priests in other cities and villages.
“Since Duke Sforza wasn’t directly involved, I couldn’t mention him in the sermon, but everyone except commoners and serfs knows, don’t they? Who was truly humiliated in this incident.”
Influential local nobles are well-versed in central political affairs.
Choosing the wrong side can cost them their political power and even their wealth.
So, when such stories spread, they naturally learn the truth.
“Fabio will be treated as a hero in the empire for a while.”
“Indeed.”
“The taverns in Firenze will be booming. They have Fabio as a conversation starter, and they can freely curse corrupt clergymen.”
“I saw the audience members spreading the story as I passed by. They’re saying that God, unable to tolerate Christian’s injustice, acted through Fabio.”
The Archbishop was pleased at the thought of using public opinion.
Christian’s injustice implies that those above him are also responsible for failing to prevent his wicked deeds.
And if the rumor spreads that Deus himself intervened to punish this sin, even though he didn’t start it?
He can use moral responsibility as grounds to remove those higher-ups.
‘If we can place our people in Bishop positions…’
Wouldn’t he soon ascend to Cardinal?
“You’ll soon be a Cardinal. I won’t be able to speak so casually then. I should start using honorifics now.”
“How can you say such a thing after all the favor you’ve shown me, Your Grace?”
“I appreciate that. When you become a Cardinal, I’ll take good care of your poor nephews.”
His poor nephews, legally nephews, but in reality, the Archbishop’s illegitimate children.
“I’m eternally grateful.”
“Now then, let’s spread the rumor quickly to spite Sforza. And let’s make Fabio a hero. For our own advancement and profit.”
And Fabio’s name, albeit briefly, spread throughout Toscana.
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The day after the trial, the Duke summoned me.
Is it because I brought him more profit than he expected?
Once again, I was served tea bestowed by the Imperial Family.
And a chair even better than the one I sat in before.
“You’re more impressive than I thought. I envy your father.”
“You flatter me, Your Grace.”
Excessive humility can sound sarcastic.
Besides, in any era, in any country, people underestimate you if you pretend to be humble.
So, when it’s time to be confident, be confident.
“No, your father must be heartbroken. To have such an outstanding son, yet he had to choose his eldest as his heir.”
It sounds like a compliment at first glance.
But there must be a reason for a Duke to belittle his vassal before me.
‘He’s trying to entice me with the promise of making me the Medici Baron.’
Such talk won’t politically damage the Duke, even if it leaks.
Isn’t it obvious that I, who consistently demonstrates exceptional abilities, am superior to my ordinary brother in terms of competence?
But this puts me in a difficult position.
“Please don’t say such things, even in jest. The family’s patriarchal order is absolute.”
The Duke gave me a bitter smile.
“You’re not falling for it, I see. When I use this tactic on the second sons of the Sforza vassal families, they either agonize over it or take the bait.”
If I showed even a hint of hesitation or took the bait, the Duke would leak it to the rival vassal family.
And the family would purge the second sons who contemplated a coup.
After the purge, the family would be torn apart searching for internal enemies, or in the worst case, self-destruct and lose their territory, right?
But the Duke wouldn’t even dream of ruining me like that.
If he did, he wouldn’t get his infinite steel-producing factory. And treating his own vassal family like that would leave him without any allies.
Therefore, considering all circumstances, his words must be sincere.
While sowing discord within a vassal family to ruin them is a path to self-destruction, replacing the head of a vassal family with a justifiable reason is doable, as long as he’s prepared for the consequences.
“I don’t mean any harm to you or the Medici family.”
I might not trust you personally, but I trust your circumstances and your survival instincts.
So, please rest assured.
“Initially, I intended to just get you out of the Church trial and provide the funds to build the steel mill. But I don’t think that’s enough.”
The Duke handed me a certificate.
“Give this to my head butler after our meeting, and he’ll exchange it for 500 gold coins. This is separate from the investment, so use it as you please.”
500 gold coins is roughly equivalent to 2 billion won.
It’s too much to simply give me this huge sum as a reward for silencing a Bishop.
He’s probably trying to groom me with money.
Does he think he can buy my loyalty?
But unfortunately for him, I’m risking my life and putting on all these shows to make money.
I need to make money to enjoy the aristocratic life, luxuries, and beautiful women that this world has to offer, having been reincarnated here.
In that sense, the Duke, who readily offers large sums of money, is the best employer.
Damn, I think I’m falling for him.
“Thank you.”
“I have high expectations. If you succeed, I’ll reward you handsomely. And don’t forget.”
“Forget what?”
The Duke beckoned me closer.
As I approached, he whispered in a voice too low for anyone else to hear.
“I find you more valuable than that Albert fellow. Being born first doesn’t guarantee competence.”
He’s a good employer who pays well, but he’s also quite scary.
Even if I were to replace Albert and become the Medici Baron, I’d still be a slave who has to obey the Duke’s every command, even if it means killing myself.
Is he trying to make me his slave for the everlasting glory of his family?
This is absurd.
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