Chapter 117. The Black Curtain Behind the Stage (5)

Baron Olbia deliberately opened the door hard enough to make a bang.

"What on earth is this nonsense? Aren't you ashamed as knights?!"

None of the ministers here have experience serving in the military.

However, since they were heirs of retainer families under the Olbia baron family, they did receive education in knightly qualities from childhood.

They weren't entrusted to other close families at ages 6-10 for nearly 10 years of knight training like in the very old days.

But they all learned how to ride horses, fight in armor, speak politely to women at balls, etc.

Lastly, they received an appointment ceremony from Baron Olbia.

The ministers couldn't talk back to the baron's scolding.

When their lord was saying correct things with no room for rebuttal, opposing that would be like declaring "please kill me".

"Everyone sit down. And have some tea and calm down."

Baron Olbia was pretending to be calm while gritting his teeth.

In a situation where internal strife could break out at any time, if he gets excited and makes the wrong choice?

A huge disturbance could occur in the entire family.

If by some one in a million, no, one in a hundred million chance, the retainers even start stabbing each other, it would really be hopeless.

Because civil war could break out over issues of honor and revenge to protect honor.

If civil war breaks out, it's obvious the Emperor would 'take over' the barony regardless of reason, so.

'I must calm this situation by any means necessary.'

"Have you calmed down a bit?"

Although their insides were boiling, they had to listen to what the baron would say and then present counter arguments or point out who the traitor was.

Otherwise, they'd just be endlessly bitten by the wolves around with nowhere to vent their anger.

So everyone gritted their teeth and nodded.

"First, no one is at fault regarding this situation. No rat bastard betrayed us, and no one managed information terribly, causing secrets to leak."

Even though the baron himself said that, it's not that he has no resentful feelings.

He didn't intend to reveal his feelings of injustice and bursting anger, but he was clenching his fist so tightly that his hand was slightly bleeding.

Like how even if I'm very angry, if there's someone next to me who's even angrier, I become relatively calm.

All the retainers had no choice but to suppress their anger, crushed by the baron's fury.

"Some unknown bastard pulled tricks, and we were just one-sidedly victimized. So regarding this matter, I won't hold anyone responsible, including the intelligence officer."

Baron Olbia felt his guts twisting and intestines knotting.

Searching around like catching mice without leaving any clues about who did it would only increase strife within the family.

'I must endure.'

In the midst of this, the military affairs officer protested to the baron.

"I'm grateful for your magnanimity, Baron. But our family has received such a great insult. Do we really have to just take it with both hands and feet up?"

The baron slammed both hands on the desk in front of him.

"I want to know who did such a dog-like thing too! But there's no evidence or circumstances, nothing! What's the point of arguing and searching for who did it here?"

"But..."

"It will only cause internal strife in the family! To save the Olbia baron family, we have no choice! Why don't you understand we must endure and move on?! If the family is ruined from continuing to blame each other like this, what should I, you, our children and retainers do? Should we all end up on the streets?"

Hearing those words, the military affairs officer gritted his teeth.

He wanted to refute but couldn't think of anything to say in rebuttal.

"I feel like catching the culprit and chewing their flesh bit by bit. My blood boils every time I see that crazy Mancini at the High Court sealing all our family's warehouses and confiscating things in the name of taxes or whatever."

Like the saying that one person's misfortune is another's happiness, Mancini and Andante were so happy they thought the world couldn't be more beautiful.

There aren't many opportunities to completely raid a baron family's secret warehouses.

"Never mind tax evasion and various corruptions, getting caught selling useless serfs this time is the biggest problem. Those good-for-nothing vagrants who can't even work aren't helpful to society, so we should just sell them off."

Serfs are beings who are people and not people.

Therefore, they are objects that can be 'traded' like territories.

Especially male and female serfs without land to cultivate are used by nobles as substitutes for gold or silver coins when repaying debts.

The problem this time was selling them off without reporting taxes, and circumstances were caught by slave merchants freely conducting economic activities and selling goods to 'infidels'.

There was no confiscation of territory because there was no direct involvement, but…

'Massive fines, and honor was somewhat damaged.'

And how repentant an attitude is shown here will determine the family's survival and level of punishment.

"We can't die unable to endure a moment's humiliation."

As a noble, he didn't want to fall, but the baron himself didn't want to lose the luxurious life he was currently enjoying either.

To do that, he had to persuade his subordinates by saying such fine words.

'Those guys won't want to give up their current lives anyway.'

"Our family has been greatly wounded now. And we're currently marked by the High Court and imperial family. Therefore, I think it's best to leave Florence to lower the disciplinary level even a little."

There were about 300 noble families in Tuscany, including barons, viscounts, counts, marquises, etc.

About 150 of these families are rooted in Florence while bearing enormous expenses.

Because the moment you go down to the provinces, you lose almost all political power.

In Florence, you can engage in political activities as a baron, but in your territory, you can't do anything except act as the biggest elder of that territory.

It's politically killing yourself.

To Baron Olbia, addicted to the desire for recognition, it felt like essentially entering prison.

'Away from politics, balls, the center of power, what am I in the end?'

"His Grace the Duke didn't say it, but he'll soon order that it's best to leave Florence."

Because having someone who tarnished the Duke's prestige in the capital continue to stay in Florence would negatively affect the Duke.

Violating that wouldn't lead to purging, but it's as clear as day what petty things other people in the faction would do.

Not inviting to balls they're holding, or not inviting to celebrations to make them 'outcasts'.

It's an unacceptable shameful thing for a noble.

"If we leave before receiving orders to leave, the level of punishment from the High Court will be weakened, and we can maintain minimal honor. Going down to the territory will cost less money, so we can tighten finances a bit. Isn't that right, Financial Officer?"

Financial Officer Lucio, who succeeded in perfect betrayal without leaving evidence, circumstances, or traces.

He was momentarily frightened.

But with the power of experience, he didn't reveal that to anyone.

"If the Baron pleads to His Grace the Duke, those merchant bastards won't lend more money, but they won't pester us to repay either. Being in the provinces will cut costs by nearly half."

Hearing those words, the baron declared while swallowing tears:

"To survive, everyone prepare to return to Olbia barony. I will tell His Grace Duke Sforza that I'm returning to my hometown."

With those final words, the baron turned his back.

Tears were falling where he walked, and he inwardly cursed the unknown opponent.

But from the perspective of the one who set this up, this was natural.

Cutting off arms and legs before killing is self-defense.

**

Chris briefly recited the conclusion of all events in front of me.

"They say Baron Olbia declared he would return to his territory from Florence right after the High Court inspection came out."

Nobles like me living in Florence aren't just to maintain a luxurious life.

Living in Florence creates opportunities to gain more power and wealth.

That's why viscounts, barons, viscounts all come to Florence even if they have territories, pushing themselves.

Like coming to Seoul to get a job from the provinces.

'Yet he's going down to the countryside?'

It's begging to just be spared, showing repentance to the point of giving up all the privileges and rights he's enjoying.

"It's a shame I couldn't directly cut off his breath."

"Still, neither the Olbia baron family nor anyone else noticed that our Rothschild family was involved in this issue. Aren't you expecting too much?"

Honestly, even I think it's greedy to expect more.

"That's right."

"And since things have been wrapped up..."

Those words were interrupted by someone's words.

"His Highness the Petit Duke has arrived. His Highness says he wants to see our handsome son-in-law."

Are we close enough now that we don't even need to pretend to have official business?

"I'll go to the reception room."

I should properly test the waters with this opportunity.

Whether the ducal family has sensed anything or not.