I Became A Black Merchant In Another World Chapter 176

The Duke Visconti stared at for a mont before continuing.

“Let’s put that aside for now. So, why did you go to the Papal States? Was it really because of that Archbishop Urban?”

The story about being extorted for 20,000 gold coins in a thank-offering (extortion) from Archbishop Urban had only been shared with Erica, Chloe, and Kris.

I had told the rest of my small group of retainers that I had voluntarily made a donation to the Church.

So how did he find out?

Those three wouldn’t have leaked the secret.

As I pondered, the Duke chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“The Florence defense force sent word to that Archbishop Urban ca here. I had them follow him, and it seems he stopped by your place.”

At his level, it’s likely the Duke has his own people in the higher ranks of the defense force.

So it wouldn’t have been hard for him to use the defense force like his own hands and feet to monitor things.

The world of power is truly astonishing the more you understand it.

I wonder if I’ll ever be able to pull off sothing like that.

“If Archbishop Urban ca to your place, he probably ca because he was after your money,” the Duke said.

“Yes, he ntioned that the diocese was short on funds and asked for a rather large donation,” I replied.

The Duke snorted in amusent.

“There’s not a single priest who’s not corrupt, but that bastard is particularly bad. He’s almost a useless piece of trash with no theological background. He must’ve climbed to that position by providing bribes for those above him.”

In the Tuscany Empire, or even across the Albanian continent, the poor and the serfs blindly trust the Church.

But as your social standing and wealth rise, your trust in the Church tends to decrease significantly.

The poor are so desperate and hopeless in their lives that they tend to focus on the afterlife, hoping for a better life in Heaven.

On the other hand, the wealthy, who are comfortable in their current lives, don’t place much hope in Heaven. And it doesn’t help that the Church takes money from them under various pretenses.

‘There’s no alternative but to follow the Church, even though it’s draining us.’

“How much did he extort from you for this donation?”

“20,000 gold coins,” I said.

“That’s quite a hefty sum. I’m starting to worry that my future son-in-law might go bankrupt at this rate,” the Duke said.

Though the Duke spoke with mock concern, he probably knew the truth.

He likely knew that the consultation fee I received for setting up the hygiene departnt and performing inspections was several tis the amount I was extorted for.

And even if I exclude the gifts I gave to other officials and high-ranking individuals...

I still ended up with 100,000 gold coins.

In addition, I had used this opportunity to place dozens of unemployed second and third sons of noble families into administrative positions, giving significant political influence as well.

So being extorted for 20,000 gold coins wasn’t a big blow to .

‘But damn, it sure feels frustrating.’

“Thank you for your concern. I’ll manage sohow with my own resources,” I said.

“If you need any help, just let know. I’m guessing you went to the Papal States because of Archbishop Urban, right?” the Duke said.

Instead of answering with words, I simply nodded in acknowledgnt.

“Yes, I think the main reason I had to suffer at Archbishop Urban’s hands was that I didn’t have any high-ranking clergyn I knew. So, this ti, I went to Shakoshi without thinking it through, to make so connections with soone higher up.”

“You certainly are proactive.”

“First, I went to Shakoshi, investigated all the cardinals there, and chose the one who seed most likely to want to befriend .”

The Duke looked at as if I were a madman.

Well, the things I’ve done could be called crazy.

Even though there are dozens of cardinals staying in Shakoshi, who are extrely high-ranking individuals, it’s not sothing you can propose to et without any introductions or connections.

“That being said, when the Minister of State there heard that I had saved hundreds of thousands of people from the Pisan and other territories, he offered the opportunity to receive a blessing. He gladly agreed to et .”

“I figured you’d et the Minister of State and propose a business venture,” the Duke said.

The secret of the venture I plan with the Papal States’ Minister of State to publish the Bible is sothing I definitely don’t want to disclose to anyone.

While the idea of printing and selling Bibles is not inherently problematic, if the Reformation movent starts in four or five years, or at worst ten, and it’s traced back to , things will get tricky.

“That’s not it. The Minister of State had a dilemma, so I helped solve it for him.”

“I’m curious about the dilemma, but I won’t pry,” the Duke said.

The Duke changed the subject, sipping his tea before continuing.

“I hear that the Kingdom of Granada is slowly gaining the upper hand against Nador. While Granada is technically our rival, it’s good to see them winning against the infidels.”

Even though he said it was good, the Duke furrowed his brow as if feeling sowhat uneasy.

“It’s good, but I’m not thrilled. Granada may not be able to conquer Nador, but if their navy starts roaming the diterranean like it’s their backyard... The safety of the Empire will be in jeopardy.”

In the 21st century, pirates are only a problem for countries like Somalia.

But in this world of barbarism and romance, anyone who ventures even a little bit into the open sea...

Could easily attack foreign ships, and even ships from their own nation, plundering them for treasure and slaves.

Since we have no way of knowing what happens on the seas, everyone will be eager to seize the opportunity for plunder.

So, the fact that Granada’s rchant ships are becoming more frequent ans that “pirates” are on the rise.

“I’m a rchant myself, but sotis it’s hard to tell the difference between rchants and pirates. Many of them do both jobs,” I said.

This age’s third-rate rcenaries operate similarly.

They hide out in rural territories, doing banditry, and then join the war as rcenaries to make so money.

‘Well, rcenaries aren’t in high demand these days.’

“I’d like you to help prevent such disasters,” the Duke said.

The instructions were vague, but I understood what was expected of .

I needed to do whatever it took to prolong the war between Nador and the Kingdom of Granada.

And ideally, make them suffer while I was at it.

He didn’t ntion the rewards, which ans, like before, I was expected to take whatever I could.

‘Even better.’

As long as I can, I can take everything I want from these two nations.

Not only that, but even tribes in Western Ifriqiya—three countries could end up fueling my pockets.

“Do you mind if I use any ans necessary?” I asked.

“That’s not for to know. Whatever happens, it’ll just be a coincidence,” the Duke said.

The Duke had given an opportunity to take whatever I wanted for myself.

He then added with a cautious tone.

“Ah, and it seems His Majesty plans to release all the information regarding Ifriqiya to everyone in two years.”

So my monopoly over Ifriqiya will end in two years?

Well, before that happens, I’ll make sure to make them so dependent on that they won’t be able to survive without .

“Thank you for the heads-up,” I said.

“Then, I’ll be going,” the Duke said.

As he stood up and began walking, he suddenly stopped.

“Ah, before I go, I must say, you’ve been busy, but you should take better care of Erica. I know she’s under 20 and can’t have relations yet, but leaving her alone like this isn’t right.”

“I’ve been caught up with so much work lately, I haven’t been able to give her the attention she deserves. I’ll do better from now on.”

“Erica truly cares for you. She won’t even share a single bit of information about the Rothschild family with . My other daughters send detailed reports on their families, but not Erica.”

Daughters who are targets of arranged marriages serve as legal spies.

So this isn’t surprising, but still...

“Well, if she likes you so much, what can I do?”

By the look on the Duke’s face, it was clear he wasn’t bothered by Erica withholding information from him.

At the ti of the arranged marriage, Erica had looked strangely detached.

“Erica is a wonderful woman. So make sure you treat her well. And I believe that before this old man dies, I’ll have great-grandchildren.”

With those words, the Duke quickly left.