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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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As soon as Duke Visconti’s steel trade was legalized, I summoned the blacksmiths from the Blacksmiths’ Guild.
Specifically, the low-ranking members, barely registered in the guild’s membership roster.
Common sense dictates that one should start by recruiting influential figures to take over a guild.
But there’s a reason for this unconventional approach.
“Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules.”
All eyes turned to me.
Their gazes are filled with resentment.
They’re essentially backed by Duke Sforza, the rival of Duke Visconti, my faction.
I’m practically an envoy, or rather, a messenger, from the enemy.
Moreover, we’ve encroached on their interests, so it’s no wonder they dislike me.
“I’ve called you here today for a productive conversation.”
They won’t believe me.
Who would trust a messenger from a hostile faction proposing a conversation?
Besides, I’m not here for a conversation.
I’m here for a “conversation” with a knife in my hand.
“Who’s in charge here?”
A man with a bushy beard answered.
“I run the largest workshop here. I’ve been a blacksmith for 18 years.”
“What’s your name?”
“Zaccaria.”
“Alright, Zaccaria. You’ll represent everyone here from now on.”
The reason for choosing a representative is simple.
It’s easier to have a conversation with a designated representative than to answer questions from multiple people.
“Let’s get straight to the point. His Majesty, the great Emperor Daniele de Toscana, has granted Duke Visconti the right to trade steel as of yesterday.”
Hasn’t this news reached these low-ranking blacksmiths yet?
They began whispering amongst themselves.
“The steel monopoly is gone? So now we have to compete with the cheap steel sold by Duke Visconti?”
“Fuck, now that they’ve taken over steel, they’ll soon take over everything else.”
The guilds have survived for so long for one reason.
They monopolized technology transfer, production, and sales.
But what if even one of these is broken?
Those who operated with a bureaucratic mindset will be crushed in the fierce competition of a free market economy.
“Now that the steel trade is open, the manufacturing and sales rights for farming tools, armor, tools, and weapons you hold will soon be released as well.”
Zaccaria, the blacksmith representative, stared at me wide-eyed.
That’s not the only thing you should be shocked about.
“And there was an unfortunate incident where a merchant caravan under the Duke’s protection was robbed by bandits while transporting steel. His Grace believes that the Firenze Blacksmiths’ Guild’s leadership was behind it.”
We haven’t caught the culprits.
In a world without CCTV, recording devices, or phones, it’s practically a perfect crime.
In the 21st century, I could hire a lawyer and claim there’s no evidence, and likely get acquitted.
But this is a medieval fantasy world.
It’s not about evidence, it’s about who’s more powerful. If someone in power accuses you, you’re as good as dead.
“Do you have any evidence that we did it?”
Is Zaccaria in shock?
He seems to have lost his common sense.
With all the circumstantial evidence and the Emperor’s legalization of the steel trade, even without direct evidence, you’re screwed.
“There’s no evidence, but there’s plenty of circumstantial evidence. So, a ‘reasonable’ investigation will begin.”
For reference, a “reasonable” investigation in this era involves various torture devices.
With a bit of beating and torture, the criminals will naturally confess their sins.
“After the ‘reasonable’ investigation, the guild’s master craftsmen will confess. Do you think you’ll be safe?”
The Duke probably won’t bother arresting and executing these low-ranking blacksmiths.
But if the Blacksmiths’ Guild disappears entirely?
They’ll become unemployed instantly.
Moreover, they’ll be labeled as criminals for being blacksmiths when their guild collapsed.
“We are truly innocent. We’ll confess to anything, just tell us how to survive.”
My reasonable persuasion seems to have brought our representative back to his senses.
“Become Duke Visconti’s dogs.”
“Will that guarantee our survival?”
I shook my head.
“I’ll ensure your prosperity. Specifically, I’ll give you the workshops that the master craftsmen and Guild Master were monopolizing.”
The guild’s blacksmiths are valuable human resources.
They’re skilled individuals, equivalent to engineers with master’s or doctoral degrees in Korea.
It would be a waste to discard them.
This won’t put a single coin in my pocket, but it will please His Grace, so I’m sure I’ll be rewarded someday.
“Will you die, or will you become His Grace’s dogs?”
Zaccaria exchanged glances with the other blacksmiths.
After they all nodded in agreement…
“We will become His Grace’s dogs.”
“Good. Remember that. The moment you betray His Grace, you die.”
I handed them each two documents.
One detailing the Guild Master’s plot to rob the Duke using bandits, and the other, a pre-written confession stating they fabricated the first document for personal gain.
The latter will never see the light of day, but it will remind them that the Duke holds their lives in his hands.
So, if the Duke orders them to die, they’ll feign death.
“What are you waiting for? Get to the barracks.”
In the Toscana Empire, soldiers maintain order and defend the nation.
So, police duties are handled by soldiers assigned to security details.
After reporting the day’s work to the Duke’s subordinate…
I received an unexpected order to wear formal attire and report the day after tomorrow.
“Is the Emperor giving me a reward?”
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I’m quite bewildered right now.
It’s not that I’m in a bad situation, but something unexpected happened.
“Fabio de’ Medici, second son of the Medici Baron family, please approach the podium.”
I’m in a rather absurd situation.
I was told to wear formal attire, so I assumed the Emperor would commend me or read an official decree.
But when I arrived, I found myself in a room filled with Barons, Viscounts, and even Counts.
And now I’m being called to the podium.
It’s quite daunting, but it would be disrespectful to not participate in the event arranged by the Duke.
It would be an offense punishable by death.
Then, attendants in fancy clothes started ascending the podium.
Wait, they’re carrying swords as well as decrees? Why are the swords so ornate?
“His Grace, the honorable and valiant Duke Giovanni de Visconti, is approaching the podium. Please rise!”
At those words, my mind finally started working properly.
Ah, they’re actually making me a noble, complete with an investiture ceremony.
But investiture ceremonies for mere knighthoods are usually handled with a hastily written document or conducted in groups…
As soon as the Duke reached the podium, he began reciting the ceremonial oath, and I became a machine that responded with “yes.”
After the robotic exchange, the Duke drew his sword and placed it on my shoulder.
“I, Giovanni de Visconti, solemnly swear before all the nobles gathered here and before God. As long as Fabio de’ Medici remains loyal, I will never abandon him, and as a reward for his loyalty, I bestow upon him the village of Bio.”
Among 100 randomly selected knights, those who own a village are in the top 5%.
In short, I’ve achieved a meteoric rise in status.
Being the second son of a Baron family is something, but being granted a fief is entirely different.
…And seeing all the nobles gathered here, his intention is clear.
He’s planning to make me and my brother Albert compete, forcing us to work ourselves to death for him.
Politicians are ruthless, but isn’t this too much?
And then, the Duke gave me my next order.
“Depart for your fief immediately and rebuild it.”
…This is crazy.
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And the fief I received was in worse condition than I expected.
Did they think I would develop some magical product and rebuild it, based on my merchant skills?
What am I supposed to do with a coastal village ravaged by famine and corrupt officials…
“Well, being on the coast means I can try something new. Maybe it’s not so bad?”
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