Chapter 169 ·Count of Mediolanum (4)

“Explain the current situation to the merchant guild and tell them I will provide separate compensation.”

At first, he tried to resolve things on good terms.

Since it was true they were losing out because of his decision, he had intended to compensate them by letting them take profits from elsewhere.

The large-scale battle, the great continental civil war that would last for thirty long years, was just around the corner, was it not?

It was time to reduce internal complaints and tighten internal discipline thoroughly.

However, those merchant guild bastards did not know satisfaction.

“If we get pushed back once, there is no answer! If we let it slide this time, they will surely continue to infringe on our rights!”

“That is right! Unity! Let us seek consent from the members of the autonomous committee. This is an act of ignoring the rights of the city. Once they start intruding, this is a story that not only we, but all of you will experience!”

Even though he guaranteed compensation for the losses and rights to other lucrative businesses, those madmen refused.

“Are these people not going too far?”

“Hehehe. It means the policy you promoted is very sensitive to the guilds of the city. The reason the city guilds are maintained is entirely due to creating massive wealth through monopoly rights, but you are saying you will eliminate that, are you not? Though it is a good intention, it will be different for those on the receiving end.”

“Moreover, the fact that you went too gently from the start played a bigger part. They probably think they are essential beings, right? Without even thinking that they obtained autonomy thanks to your soft heart. Tsk.”

As master Joachim clicked his tongue following Mage Agphiel, Shatien laughed awkwardly.

Well.... It was true they were essential.

According to the documents he had searched so far, the merchant guild was a group with a fairly high weight, accounting for 30% of Mediolanum’s income.

“So what are you going to do? Will you withdraw according to their proposal?”

“Huh? Why do you speak like that. Absolutely not. I can never do that.”

Rather, it was the opposite.

“I am going to tell Branch Manager Marhen to drastically increase the volume of the association’s goods. I plan to specially cut their taxes.”

“?”

“And I will put all the food they bring into my warehouse for now and lock it.”

“…???”

At those words, the expressions of Mage Agphiel and master Joachim distorted bizarrely.

It was because they could not gauge what kind of strange thing Shatien was planning to pull again.

Then Shatien shrugged his shoulders.

“Hehehehe. I have a plan. Just watch me and wait.”

I’m being serious, you know? Shatien thought.

He did not know why they were looking at him with such suspicious eyes. Seriously. Really!

* * *

The situation on the continent was unusual.

After ascending to the position of Count of Mediolanum, Shatien became the center of this fluctuating state of affairs.

Numerous envoys were going back and forth to the palace where Shatien resided, and he was in the middle of endless exchanges of opinions between the Kingdom of Ellang and the north, particularly through Baron Mordo and the Mercenary Bureau.

Although they had joined hands, since each had different goals, it was necessary to coordinate to some extent before starting.

In the meantime, the fact that the County of Sicelia, a huge island in the southern part of the peninsula, had passed to the King of Aragon through marriage with the Emperor gave the Holy See a massive shock.

The Emperor’s ambitions had begun to squirm in earnest.

Therefore, Shatien could not care only about the internal affairs of Mediolanum peacefully.

As signs of war continued to be seen, it was necessary to expand the army quickly.

While Shatien expanded the mercenary company in Mediolanum through Miles, he was able to make contact with the dwarf forces through the introduction of Voltwin, the Captain of the Lily Mercenary Company.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency Count Shatien.”

“You don't need to be so formal. By the way, why are you trying to contact me? Are you not vassals of the Imperial Emperor?”

Then the dwarf envoy bowed his head.

“The Emperor’s oppression continues, and our barren lands can no longer meet the Emperor’s demands. Therefore, our Canton 12 Cities intend to wage a struggle for freedom. If Your Excellency would help us, we will not forget this grace as allies until the end.”

“Hmmmmm….”

“Please think it over and give us an answer. We would be grateful.”

The dwarf envoy’s words were a truly unexpected proposal.

Unlike his previous memories, as the Imperial Emperor continued to grow the scale of the civil war through all-around alliances, he did need a way to break the Emperor’s power.

In the midst of this, it would be very beneficial if the dwarves, who possessed technology handed down since the ancient empire, defected from the Emperor’s side.

The only problem was why they had come to find him.

There was the Kingdom of Ellang, there was the nearby Count of Bellua, and even if not them, were there not other great nobles?

“Is it not because you are the easiest to deal with?”

Then Mage Agphiel replied with a smirk.

“Uniting with small nobles would only result in being ruthlessly crushed by the Emperor’s attack, and yet, to request help from nearby great nobles would be like becoming a retainer again after finally trying to escape being a vassal and gain independence, would it not? Currently, there is no one like you who has a weak support base but possesses strong military power. The dwarves, did you say the Canton 12 Provinces? To those who dream of independence like them, you are a very attractive card. Hehe. I am jealous! Because you are so attractive and popular.”

“…My. Is that a compliment I should be thankful for?”

Anyway, he wondered if it was just no fun for them unless they teased him. Shatien organized his thoughts while grumbling inwardly. Rather, Shatien himself did not feel burdened if that was the situation.

If they had asked him to take full responsibility for their independence by entering as a retainer,it would have been a situation where he had to go to the bitter end with the Emperor. With this level of support and alliance, it was fine to pull out after testing the waters moderately.

‘The problem is that I don't know the ending of the twenty year imperial civil war in my past memories.’

Was the future not uncertain whether the Emperor would win or the anti-Imperial faction would win. Even the future was seriously warped because of the things he had done.

Of course, Shatien had no desire to lose in this war.

At the very least, a truce with no winner.

If not that, then completely subjugating the Emperor. And in that process, he would establish a family that was renowned on the continent by establishing massive military merit.

That was Shatien’s goal for this imperial civil war.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. It seems you are having strange fantasies again?”

“Ahem. What are you talking about. I was thinking about the dwarves’ proposal.”

“Oh boy…. Is that so? So what are your intentions? Are you going to accept? Well, that is best if you want to stretch the Emperor’s front lines.”

“Moreover, if we take the enemy’s resources and make them allies, will the effect not be more than double?”

“Certainly….”

Mage Agphiel had no choice but to admit it with a reluctant expression. Whether he had learned very well from his master Joachim, he often made fairly decent judgments. This young noble, that is.

Did he not act as skillfully as the old nobles of the Senate in the ancient imperial days he knew? He was a fascinating being in many ways.

“So, although the work on the dwarves’ side ends like that, what do you intend to do about your internal affairs now? Do you plan to just keep pretending not to know and let it slide?”

“Huh? Ah! Do you mean the merchant guild?”

“Yes. I have not said anything to you in the meantime, but if you continue to leave those bastards’ indulgent behavior alone, the other friends of the autonomous committee will set their minds differently. Until now, the fear of occupation was great, but memories are bound to be forgotten easily.”

“Hehehe. I told you not to worry. I was actually planning to start moving slowly now. Mage Agphiel.”

“Move? How?”

Mage Agphiel tilted his head at Shatien’s words, but Shatien only kept telling him to wait and see.

And not long after, Mage Agphiel could see what Shatien meant when he said he was moving.

“…You are truly a madman, aren’t you?”

* * *

“Oh my! It is truly difficult to see your face. Sir Shatien! Or should I call you His Excellency Count of Mediolanum now?”

“That is enough. Branch Manager Marhen. Just call me Shatien. It is embarrassing.”

“My my. How can I do that? I will call you Your Excellency Shatien. Just, for, you. Hohoho.”

“…….”

If she was going to be like this, why did she ask him? Shatien clicked his tongue and asked Marhen again.

“You came while showing off properly as I said, right?”

“Yes. I led the procession in a grand style for everyone to see in broad daylight. An untimely parade. Truly…. There is not much to boast about in the movement of a merchant group, so I did not know what on earth you were doing, you know? Honestly, if it were not you who said it, I would have refused, calling it a crazy act.”

“Oh boy. I am sorry, Branch Manager Marhen. Instead, I will pay you handsomely.”

Not for nothing.

Shatien had told Branch Manager Marhen to bring the procession of daily necessities he was bringing this time through the main road in a very long and flashy manner.

Thanks to that, the rumor of the merchant group’s procession led by Branch Manager Marhen spread so firmly that not a single citizen of Mediolanum was unaware.

Well, thinking about it, considering the mountains of food and various clothing piled up, rumors could not help but spread.

Right now the poor, or rather the ordinary citizens of the city who lost their livelihoods in the great fire, were in a situation where they could not even eat or dress as they pleased.

Prices had already risen more than fivefold, and they were those who had relied entirely on the food and clothing distributed by Shatien.

Since this much resource had arrived, they could not help but sparkle their eyes while thinking of the crumbs.

“So when do you plan to distribute this? I have put it all in the requested warehouses for now, but if you fill them up like that, it will be difficult to distribute.”

“Mmm? Distribution?”

“Yes. Did you not order it to distribute to the citizens this time too?”

“Hehehe. No way. I will not distribute it this time.”

“Huh?”

Branch Manager Marhen shouted in surprise.

But Shatien had a plan.

“Even if I distribute, it will be much later. Anyway, let us talk about something else besides that story. Branch Manager Marhen. I need you to help me.”

“Hmm…. Help you?”

“Yes. I will borrow the people of the association who came with you this time for a bit. There is something I especially need.”

That was it. There was a truly necessary task.

Because he had to spread rumors in every direction.

Shatien intended to spread rumors through the merchant group people that the goods that came in this time would go rotten in the warehouse because of the merchant guild’s greed.

‘Hehehehe.’

Go ahead and receive the wrath of the angry poor to your heart’s content. You greedy merchant guild.