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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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“Haha, Fabio. You’re like a golden goose for our Visconti family.”
Judging by his demeanor, he doesn’t seem bothered by the loss of the merchant caravan carrying over 12 tons of steel.
Compared to the profits we’ve made, the loss of a mere “12 tons” of steel isn’t a big deal financially.
But he’s smiling, despite some unknown scoundrel challenging his authority?
It means he’s already resolved the issue.
“I’m ashamed.”
“You’re not making excuses.”
“Denying responsibility for my actions would be undermining Your Grace’s authority.”
I’m not the only one who benefited from the steel mill.
The Duke also received 20% of the profits.
And he must have gained significant political leverage by using the steel to sway nobles.
“To understand the value of your actions at such a young age… you’re truly exceptional. Of course, you have to be this capable to put a Bishop in his place in a Church court. I wouldn’t stand a chance against you in a debate.”
A vassal shouldn’t be more competent than his liege lord in any aspect.
Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t accept such praise directly. It would seem arrogant.
Even if I’m more capable than the Duke, I should always humble myself before him.
To avoid suspicion.
“It was only possible because Deus guided me and because that fool Christian spouted nonsense. How could I possibly best Your Grace in a debate?”
The Duke smacked his lips after hearing my words.
Please don’t do that, you’re not a beautiful woman.
“Enough small talk. Head Butler, bring it here.”
The Head Butler, standing behind the Duke, handed me a document.
A contract filled with flowery language and oaths to God.
The more verbose it is, the more significant the document.
But that’s not important right now. The most crucial part is summarized in this one line:
‘80% of the steel sales revenue, 99,373 pounds out of 124,217 pounds, will be paid.’
“Almost 10,000 gold coins.”
They say that when you run a business, or even just handle accounting, you’ll inevitably deal with sums of money that make your head spin.
Receiving this enormous sum of money in reality is overwhelming.
I now understand why cartoon characters get nosebleeds when they make a lot of money.
This is more exciting than sex.
“You’re truly wealthy now. You’ll be able to earn twice, even thrice this amount in the future.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“It’s just the fruits of our legitimate contract. No need for thanks. By the way, aren’t you curious?”
“Curious about what?”
The Duke gave a wicked smile.
“How I dealt with those Blacksmiths’ Guild bastards.”
As I suspected, he didn’t summon me because he didn’t know how to handle them.
A person who can’t even make such judgments wouldn’t be able to represent hundreds of Dukes, Counts, Viscounts, and Barons.
“How did you handle them?”
“The Blacksmiths’ Guild hired bandits to attack our caravan. I anticipated this and assigned an elite unit as escorts, but…”
Unlike when we first met, the Duke was grinding his teeth.
Loudly enough for me to hear.
“It seems the Guild Master spent a considerable sum, as the bandits included several knights. Otherwise, my escorts wouldn’t have been defeated so easily.”
Titles like Baron and Viscount come with land.
But a knighthood is just a title, it doesn’t guarantee a livelihood.
In fact, half of all knights are unemployed.
Romantically, they’re called wandering knights, but in reality, they’re closer to gamblers.
Their life goal is to win tournaments, steal their opponents’ armor, and ultimately secure a position as a knight in a noble family.
If their lives don’t go as planned, they often join bandit groups, becoming leaders or high-ranking members.
“A bandit group with former knights is practically a mercenary band.”
Many mercenary bands act as bandits in peacetime and transform into mercenaries during war.
The romance of mercenaries? We don’t have that in the Toscana Empire.
“It was obvious that the Firenze blacksmiths were behind it. So, I sent a direct warning to Duke Sforza, their backer. I told him that if he keeps messing around, we’ll settle this with swords. After that, as long as we provide adequate escorts, our caravans haven’t been attacked. The problem is half-solved.”
They’ve successfully locked the barn door after the horse was stolen, so it’s only half-solved.
“I’d love to crush the Blacksmiths’ Guild, but trading steel without going through the guild, despite the Imperial decree, is illegal.”
A Duke won’t be executed for violating Imperial law unless it’s treason.
But they will lose political influence and a significant portion of their wealth.
How great must the potential damage be for the Duke, who would risk his life for honor, to hesitate to act, even knowing his enemy?
“Indeed.”
“So this is the best we can do.”
The Duke can’t openly attack the Blacksmiths’ Guild.
But with a little change in perspective, some level of revenge seems possible.
Even if he can’t eradicate the entire guild, there might be a way to take down those who orchestrated this.
“Your Grace, do you wish to strengthen your ties with the Imperial Family?”
“To crush Sforza, I naturally need to get closer to the Imperial Family.”
The reason Duke Visconti can’t crush the Blacksmiths’ Guild is that retaliating against the guild after violating Imperial law would incur the Emperor’s wrath.
And that wrath comes with immense political and financial repercussions.
Now, let’s change our perspective.
Ultimately, as long as you please the Emperor, even violating Imperial law can be smoothed over, right?
In 21st-century Korea, the rule of law is generally upheld. But in the medieval legal system, if someone powerful wants you dead, the judge will just pretend to be lawful and that’s it.
“Supply steel to the Imperial Family at a low price. About 80% of the market price you’re currently supplying at.”
“Wouldn’t you lose money that way?”
For the Duke, “expanding political influence” is more important than the income from steel.
So, he would consider this a small loss for increased political leverage.
Or rather, he wouldn’t even care as long as he breaks even.
But for me, who prioritizes money over political influence, it’s a significant loss.
“I am Your Grace’s vassal. I cannot let personal profit blind me to an opportunity for your benefit. One must have a long-term vision.”
I expressed my unwavering loyalty, but he still didn’t seem convinced.
As someone who has manipulated people with carrots and sticks his entire life…
He’s probably suspicious, unable to comprehend why I, whom he’s only known for a few months, would willingly forgo profit. I’m not offended.
“I desire a long and prosperous life. What good is wealth and honor if I die a miserable death?”
I’m postponing marriage because I believe it’s time to accumulate wealth and social standing.
Even though I’m approaching the age where I’ll be labeled an “old bachelor” among nobles.
“In exchange for supplying steel to the Imperial Family at a low price, secure the right to sell steel without going through the Blacksmiths’ Guild.”
The Duke didn’t seem convinced.
“If I attack the Blacksmiths’ Guild, other guilds might unite and refuse to supply our faction.”
If a noble crushes a guild without justification?
As the Duke said, all the guilds might unite and refuse to sell to that noble family.
In short, the entire market would freeze.
Such a situation would ruin a family.
“If you obtain His Majesty’s permission, no one will object to how you deal with the Blacksmiths’ Guild. They dared to rob a merchant caravan under your protection.”
Since we have justification, they can’t unite against us.
“If you obtain permission, the Firenze Blacksmiths’ Guild will fall into your hands. Then, you can sell weapons and armor to the Sforza Duke family at a higher price.”
The Firenze Blacksmiths’ Guild is the head of all blacksmith guilds in the Toscana Empire.
Though their actual control is limited, so they can’t make unreasonable demands…
But if we use the now-legalized steel as leverage…?
‘We can increase the price of armor sold to Sforza by about 20%.’
Given the sheer volume they purchase, it would drive them mad.
“I might lose some profit, but wouldn’t Your Grace compensate for the rest?”
The Duke finally smiled.
A wicked smile.
“Let’s do that. And when this is over, I’ll give you another special reward.”
“It’s an honor.”
“I trust you’ll handle the takeover of the decimated Blacksmiths’ Guild.”
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