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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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These days, there are so many protagonists who want to heal or live comfortably in another world.
A slow and leisurely life, the exact opposite of 21st-century Korea.
I’ve lived here for about 20 years without any discomfort.
The biggest problem was the lack of electricity.
“Is this the end of my leisurely life?”
After I walk through that door and hear a brief announcement from my father, my life will change 180 degrees.
Still, I can’t avoid this moment.
“Father, I’m coming in.”
I knocked three times and went straight into the room.
The father of the body I possessed looked at me with a serious gaze and told me to sit down.
“It’s going to be a long story. Sit down.”
“Yes.”
“Sigh, your brother’s investiture ceremony officially ended yesterday. So, I am no longer the head of the Medici Baron family.”
Even though he stepped down from the position of head of the Baron family, it’s only half-apparent.
My brother, the eldest son, is just a 30-year-old brat, so he will need a lot of help from my father.
“According to custom, you, who are now an adult, must also leave this house. I’m sure you’re not aiming for your brother’s barony… but you never know what might happen in life.”
“Yes, I understand.”
He suddenly told me to leave the house, but I can’t really disobey him.
If I disobey, I could be mistakenly labeled as a traitor of the family aiming for the barony and face a suspicious death.
It feels strange to actually experience the expulsion scene commonly seen in web novels.
However, the father in front of me is not the kind of bad person who would kick me out just because I’m the second son without any talent.
“Fabio, even though you are the second son, you are my precious son. So, I, no, the Medici Baron family, will support you as much as we can. If you want to go to the academy, you can go to the academy, and if you want to become a soldier, we’ll open the way for you to become an officer. We will also give you a generous share of the family’s wealth.”
He mentioned the academy, but it’s obviously not the kind of academy in web novels filled with beautiful girls.
100% of the students are male, and upon graduation, they receive a certificate that qualifies them for a level 5 government position in Korean terms.
Having a certificate doesn’t guarantee a job, so it also includes appropriate donations needed for employment.
Becoming an officer probably means using the family’s connections to get a good position as a second lieutenant.
It’s certainly not fair, but this is how exams and employment work in the fantasy world.
Whichever path I choose, it will cost the family a lot, but unless they are terrible parents, nobles generally provide this much support as a basic courtesy.
Rich parents can’t stand to see their children suffer from lack of money.
“What are you thinking? I will fully support whatever your decision is.”
I’m not really interested in either.
The path of the military or government official, where employment is secured through family and money without fair competition, is predictable.
If your superior tells you to, you have to spend your own money on alcohol and entertainment, and you can’t even complain if you get beaten for absurd reasons.
Rather, this is implicitly encouraged and considered benevolent education from seniors.
Me, with memories of my past life, entering this chaos?
I’d probably go insane within a few years.
“I want to be a merchant like our ancestor, Cosimo.”
“You want to be a lowly merchant? Well, let me hear your reasoning.”
My father’s brow furrowed as he said he’d hear me out.
He clenched his fists, probably trying to decide whether to listen to my story or just beat me up.
It’s understandable; fantasy merchants are practically gangsters.
They form guilds, divide their territories, and if a newcomer does well, they send some thugs to beat them half to death.
They sell good products to nobles, but rip off commoners without backing, and if anyone complains, they arrange a “fist conversation.”
Getting scammed is already a daily routine for these scoundrels.
Wise commoners try not to buy things from merchants if possible.
Who would be happy about their child wanting to be a mafia member?
“It’s a childish thought, but since I was young, I’ve often wondered about making and selling things. However, until now, I’ve kept it to myself, considering my brother and family.”
Taking out a business plan here won’t do any good.
I don’t have any accomplishments yet.
So, I decided it’s better to appeal to emotions to get initial support.
If I can show even the slightest possibility, I can use that as a basis to receive more support later.
Didn’t someone say that creating something from 1 to 2 is thousands of times easier than creating something from 0 to 1?
“I’ve always wanted to become a merchant and make a name for myself. But until now, I kept it to myself for the sake of my brother and family, and now that I’m independent, I want to give it a try.”
Actually, ever since I was reborn into this world, I’ve had the thought of changing the world through trade.
It’s a dream that a young boy might have, but isn’t it cool?
A life of challenging how much I can change the world with the technology and experience of the 21st century, with my abilities.
I’ve succeeded in extracting various technologies that could shake this world, but until now, I haven’t been able to try anything because of my status as the second son of the Baron family.
If I became successful and outshone my brother, a promising future Baron, I could be targeted by my father and family, who hold immense power.
“Please give me just one chance.”
Pulling out a business plan or something wouldn’t have any effect.
I don’t have any achievements right now.
So, I figured it’s better to appeal to emotions to secure initial support.
Once I show even a slight possibility, I can use that as a basis to receive more support later on.
Hasn’t someone said that making something from 1 to 2 is thousands of times easier than making something from 0 to 1?
“Since you, Fabio, who have never caused me any trouble, are so eager to try it, I’ll support you. However, there is one condition.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Show me a possibility that I can accept. Otherwise, you’ll have to go to the academy or become an officer.”
It’s a declaration that he’ll let me try if I want, but if I don’t produce extraordinary results, he’ll exercise his veto power no matter what…
“I will definitely bring you good results.”
My head is filled with countless successful outcomes filtered through the failures of numerous people.
Failure? That’s impossible.
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In this fantasy world, the Toscana Empire, one must engage in collusion between politics and business to succeed in trade.
From small bakery owners in rural corners to large merchants with dozens of shops.
Because if a mere merchant doesn’t offer respectful gifts to officials, they’ll find any excuse to demolish the shop.
In Korean history textbooks, a slightly more refined form of this crackdown is called “Geum Nan Jeon Gwon.”
“Even if I create a revolutionary product that can change the world, it’s all for naught if I get targeted by someone powerful, so I have to make something that pleases the higher-ups first.”
Although I have the Medici Baron family as a strong backing, they won’t provide any help until I demonstrate confidence in succeeding independently.
Getting into the academy or securing an officer position in the military is a privilege equivalent to getting into Seoul National University’s medical school in Korea.
Would they favorably view a child who rejects that and wants to become a lowly merchant?
“The nobles of this world treat extravagance as a means of survival, so making new luxury goods would be the best approach.”
Nobles are devoured if they don’t indulge in luxury.
If they boast about being frugal, other families will underestimate them and start plotting to take a share of their wealth.
Therefore, they diligently flaunt their wealth using the taxes collected from the commoners to maintain the family’s dignity (or rather, pretense).
It’s even considered natural to go into debt with merchants to maintain this extravagance.
So, leading new trends in luxury means more opportunities to get close to the nobles.
“I need to create new luxury goods and demonstrate their potential. What should I make?”
Glass crafts are already everywhere. Spreading the concept of Rococo architecture or similar art forms?
There’s a 99% chance of failure due to mismatched trends.
Art is inherently prone to failure if it doesn’t keep up with trends.
And only high-ranking individuals like the Emperor or Archduke can lead those trends.
“Ultimately, there’s no other option than visually appealing and delicious food.”
As befits a fantasy empire, the nobles of this Toscana Empire spend most of their time, aside from eating and sleeping, attending lavish banquets and engaging in power struggles…
Just introducing a new dish that stands out at the banquet hall would bring a fresh change.
A white, fluffy, cloud-like, sweet dish loved by countless women…
“Should I start by making cakes with whipped cream?”
A cake with a white base adorned with colorful fruits is not only visually appealing but also the ultimate luxury item, loaded with sugar and fruits.
It’ll definitely be a hit.
There’s no way it can fail.
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When the bait is too much