I Became A Black Merchant In Another World Chapter 81

Across both the East and the West, it is said that family is a bond bestowed by the heavens.

They are the ones who share the happiest monts of my life and stand by during the saddest ones.

However, when issues like power, feelings of inferiority toward each other, differences in status, and wealth beco entangled, it can quickly turn family mbers into those who cannot coexist under the sa sky.

“Just like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

“Although my relationship with Albert isn’t one of irreconcilable enemies, to be honest, it’s not exactly good either.”

I have never caused Albert any disadvantages.

If I truly wanted to, I could easily ask Duke Visconti or the Emperor right now to obtain the title of Baron dici.

But in the long run, it wouldn’t be good for , and besides, I didn’t want to take away my brother’s title, as we share the sa blood.

Moreover, without him realizing, I’m in a position where I’m providing the dici family with unreciprocated goodwill and benefits.

“He’s just blinded by jealousy and envy, treating as an enemy.”

The dumbest thing in this world is trying to befriend soone who cannot be my friend.

No matter how much money I give him or how endlessly I pour my heart out, he will either see as a pushover or harbor even more animosity toward .

It’s said that there’s no tree that doesn’t fall after ten attempts at seduction, but I’d be handcuffed in the process.

“Is Baron dici inside right now?”

At that, a servant of the mansion politely responded.

“He is currently focused on his duties.”

“Please tell him that my brother urgently wants to speak with him and that he should spare a little ti.”

When making such a request to another family, it’s customary to offer a few silver coins as a gesture.

It’s not because I want to throw money around.

It’s because servants, who have not received gifts, sotis slip in a bit of nonsense, which could lead to trouble.

“I don’t need to do that since I’m Albert’s brother.”

“Please wait a mont, Baron.”

Before long, the butler ca and respectfully led to Albert’s office.

The mont Albert saw , he welcod very warmly.

“Oh, Fabio. It’s so nice to see you like this.”

Although Albert is the Baron of the dici family, a significant part of his power relies on being close to .

Well, if I dig around a bit, there would be several pieces of evidence for that.

“My brother’s wife is the biggest proof.”

So, in front of others, he has no choice but to act friendly with .

“Thank you for the warm welco, Baron.”

“Haha, you can call ‘brother.’”

He babbled so nonsense about how little the age difference is and how I should call him ‘brother’ in a casual setting.

Honestly, it’s more realistic to refer to Duke Visconti as ‘father-in-law’ than to casually call him ‘brother’ in private.

“No matter how close we are, we must respect your authority as a Baron.”

“That’s true.”

See? His true feelings just ca out.

And after a little while, the fake smile that had blood on Albert’s face completely vanished.

“You must be busy, and I must be busy too, so you didn’t co here just to have a cup of tea or to hang out like we did when we were young. What is it that you want this ti?”

Honestly, I want to get along a bit better with this guy.

Privately, he’s still my brother by blood, and publicly, he’s a Baron of the dici family and one of the titans of the empire.

“While you may know, Baron, this ti the Spice Guild issued a command targeting , telling Café dici not to sell sugar. Thanks to that, I nearly suffered a great loss.”

Albert sighed upon hearing my words.

“I regret to hear that such a thing happened. I should have helped you; I’m sorry.”

Elders often say that if they freely babble their thoughts, they’d get sewn up with needles.

Now I understand why they would say such harsh things.

If you had any intention of helping , you should have acted right after the sugar sales ban was issued.

If it were soone else, especially a major stakeholder in the Spice Guild who holds a quarter of its managent rights, the guild master would have tucked his tail and run.

“Even if you’re lying, at least put so effort into it.”

Still, it’s better to say nice things.

Since we are family, he can’t really stab in the back, but I also can’t just take revenge recklessly because Albert sees as an enemy.

“It’s already in the past, so it’s alright, Baron.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

An arrow that has flown cannot return, and there is no way to scoop up the water that has been spilled in this world.

Once ti passes, it can’t be turned back.

Since I resolved it well, it might be a dirty feeling, but I can consider it a good thing.

“That’s that, but I won’t forget how you ssed with .”

Albert bowed his head before .

For a mont, I wondered if he genuinely felt sorry for .

However, there was no sign on his face that he felt regret over the trouble I almost faced.

“Am I more irritating to you because I’m doing fine?”

“I’m sorry that I, your brother, couldn’t help you.”

“It’s fine. I have no feelings of regret toward you regarding this matter. Surely there must have been so circumstances.”

Even a speck of dust should be expected to feel disappointnt.

And since I beca independent, I have never once expected anything from Albert de dici, the Baron of dici.

That guy has never congratulated for my success or offered to help when I faced difficulties.

Even though he’d benefit directly or indirectly if I did well.

If my brother were a judge or a prosecutor, the chances of facing injustice during police investigations would vanish. If he were a doctor, he could enter the ergency room even without being gravely ill, surpassing dying patients.

Also, if he were a corporate executive or the head of a company, he could secretly receive job recomndations for family mbers.

“But this guy only felt jealousy even when he experienced things that could help him?”

What can you expect from a person who cannot even distinguish between right and wrong due to jealousy and envy?

Albert firmly grasped my hand.

“Thank you for understanding even though you must have gone through tough tis, Fabio. It seems like family is all you can rely on.”

No, if I had to trust you, I might as well believe that Koreans would live off pickled radishes instead of kimchi.

Am I crazy enough to trust you, Albert?

Hah, I’ve endured so far, but I guess I don’t need to hold back any longer.

No, if we can’t be friendly, then…

“Baron, I have sothing I want to discuss privately, so could you please dismiss all the servants and attendants around us for a mont?”

“There are only you and in this office; what is there to worry about?”

The talk I’m about to have is a threat, that’s why.

Until now, I’ve only given to you and have never received anything in return.

Well, even for my father’s sake, I was planning to let it slide as long as I could take sothing away.

To be honest, if I give you anything, you should at least firmly grasp the reins of the guild master of the Spice Guild, who you can control.

“Who said that? When you are chastising a middle manager, do it where subordinates can’t see.”

Honestly, what happens to Albert de dici is irrelevant.

But I don’t want to drive a nail into my father’s heart, who tried to raise with love as much as possible, considering a noble among the aristocrats of this era and this country.

If rumors of conflict between and Albert spread, it would also bring disadvantages to .

It would be best to eliminate any ears that could overhear us.

“Please dismiss them. This is a warning I’m giving you as the Baron dici.”

The fact that I specifically ntioned the title of Baron ans that the statent I’m about to make will be made solely in the public domain and not in the personal domain.

Upon realizing that, Albert imdiately stood up and sent all the servants outside.

After about five minutes, I crossed my legs and sat down.

No matter how much the other person is my brother, I cannot have a relaxed attitude in front of a Baron who holds a higher title than mine.

“It’s similar to how the head of the Pereira Guild used honorifics with .”

Of course, I’m not doing this shalessly without thinking.

“Today, I want to talk openly about the feelings I’ve kept inside. Although our families have separated, aren’t we still brothers sharing the sa surna and family na? If there are misunderstandings, they must be resolved.”

Misunderstandings, yes, there is one misunderstanding between us.

“Baron dici, do you know whose rit it is that you’re sitting in that seat right now?”

I may have a lower title, but I won’t lose to you, you foolish man.