Chapter 171 ·Count of Mediolanum (6)

Sending an envoy to the Church was truly a divine move.

“What? The warehouses are full of food, yet people are starving to death? Does this make any sense!”

“Just what on earth is the relevant bishop doing, failing to investigate such heretical conduct.”

Upon receiving Shatien's letter, the Church was thrown into an uproar. Normally, merchants being greedy was brushed off with a shrug. In the end, it was an individual merchant's private asset, so the Church stepping in was awkward. But this time was slightly different.

Even if one gets greedy, there ought to be a limit!

In the eyes of the Church, the merchant guild's actions crossed the line. If anything, it was a good pretext for the Church, whose nerves were already on edge due to the Kingdom of Aragon's expansion into the southern Apennine Peninsula. An opportunity to stabilize volatile market prices and tame the insolent merchants before full-scale war.

― Dispatch investigators. Order them to probe the relationship between the relevant bishop and the merchant guild. Furthermore, if the deeds committed by the merchant guild over this time run contrary to doctrine, we shall make that a matter of disciplinary punishment as well.

Though left unsaid, making it a matter of disciplinary action meant a trial in the end. And causing others to die for one's own greed constituted a tremendous, extreme sin according to doctrine.

To the extent that excommunication was possible if severe.

No, it wasn't even limited to religious tribunals; it was a matter that could easily become a problem in secular courts too. Especially so the more it was pushed forward under the Church's authority, as was standard for urban trials.

As things reached this state, the councilors of the Autonomous Council changed their stance.

― The Autonomous Council shall do its utmost to stabilize prices.

― We will open trade for citizens unable to procure daily necessities.

In effect, they followed the exact policy Shatien had promoted from the very beginning. Doing nothing meant being dragged into trial by the Church under guilt by association, so they had no alternative.

“How could you do this!”

“If you back down from this, your authority will be stripped away one by one as well.”

Thanks to this, officers of the merchant guild shouted angrily at the councilors, but it was futile.

― Waaaah!

― Capture the filthy merchant bastards! Kill them! What is the Autonomous Council doing! Convene the council quickly and put them on trial!

“……”

“……”

Even without words, the situation was developing terribly. In the city, enraged protesters searched for the guild officers daily, and the Autonomous Council lacked the strength to endure external pressure any longer.

Under these circumstances, essentially only one option remained for the merchant guild.

“Shouldn't you run to Count Shatien right now and beg for your lives at least?”

Indeed. That was the only thing left.

Only then did the guild officers hastily leave the council chamber and head for the residence.

* * *

To speak of the outcome, the city's problems were entirely resolved.

The merchant guild agreed to receive a pardon for all offenses under the condition of forfeiting their monopoly rights and opening the city's markets, and Shatien moved the Autonomous Council accordingly to issue an immediate decree to the city.

― Further disturbances in the city are prohibited from now on. Let all enraged citizens return to their original places. We will open the warehouses to relieve the city's residents.

The chaos in the city had finally concluded. Although the merchant guild suffered immense damage bordering on bankruptcy in the process, who cared?

Shatien was satisfied because he enforced his will, and the Autonomous Council was pleased because discarding a single merchant guild earned them massive support from the citizenry.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Quite the foolish ruler we have here. Quite the tyrant.”

“Uh-uh. A foolish ruler? Mage Agphiel, I am simply someone who loves the city…”

“Does a person who claims to love it set fire again to a city that had already burned down and collapsed? And what of the ordinary citizens who suffered while you stood by as an idle onlooker? Love it twice more and you'll destroy the city entirely, young Count!”

“Kh-khm. Hmph.”

Growing embarrassed for no reason, Shatien cleared his throat and subtly turned his head.

It was difficult to reply because every word was true.

“Your scheme was effective, but the method was far too aggressive and insidious. You must take lessons from why the ancient empire collapsed.”

“Understood, Mage Agphiel.”

Shatien bowed his head and conveyed his gratitude. Who else would offer advice like this? He could only be thankful.

“Heh-heh. Good, as long as you understand. By the way, what do you plan to do from now on? Do you intend to seize full authority again?”

Originally, in urban politics, the opinions of the city dwellers were paramount. With the merchant guild's scandal, the council's authority had suffered a severe blow, while Count Shatien's approval rating had soared.

Backed by the Church's full support and the cheers of the citizens, he could easily suppress the Autonomous Council and rule directly from the forefront. Though he had previously stated he respected the city's traditions, who could object if the citizens laid down their own traditions to submit to Shatien?

Particularly in Agphiel's eyes, this young noble was someone fully capable of covertly manipulating people to create such a situation.

‘The young guy is quite insidious.’

Whether Agphiel thought that or not, Shatien seemed to hold a different view.

“Forget it. What full authority?”

“Hm? Why? Unless it is now, restoring this city to a complete county will be difficult.”

“I am merely a country bumpkin by birth. How could someone like me meticulously manage and mediate a complex city? All I need to do is train the army and march out to fight, Mage Agphiel.”

“Huuuum… Don't you feel any regret?”

“Wouldn't I get indigestion if I swallowed it anyway? If it were an ordinary manor, it would be different, but a city is not. It is better to render greater merits and secure a large fief deeper within the Empire, taking only taxes from the city.”

“Heh-heh. That isn't a bad choice either.”

Securing a fief by distinguishing oneself in battle against the Emperor was exceedingly difficult, but both Shatien and Agphiel took it for granted that he could pull it off.

Shatien's capability was just that outstanding.

“Be careful nonetheless. If you grant autonomy to the city like that, it could betray you at any time.”

“Hmm. That is why I plan to set up the board a bit differently.”

“?”

Agphiel knitted his brows slightly. It felt as though this young noble was plotting another insidious scheme.

“…Why do you look at me like that?”

“Don't you know yourself?”

“It isn't like that, truly.”

“I'm sure. Speak up. I'll listen at least.”

“Ugh.”

With a deep sigh, Shatien calmly continued speaking. And hearing those words to the end, Mage Agphiel…

“You really are… insidious, aren't you?”

Could only say this.

“……”

“……”

* * *

What Shatien explained to Mage Agphiel was somewhat unfamiliar yet brilliant.

Namely, the idea of binding all the free cities in the northern Apennine Peninsula into a single community.

The so-called 'League of Free Cities.'

Centering on the city of Mediolanum, the plan was to integrate the surrounding free cities into this confederation.

Expanding the Autonomous Council to incorporate representatives from each city as councilors, granting them participation in all decisions within the league.

Furthermore, breaking down the complex monopolies within each free city and guaranteeing free trade among member cities.

“This way, they will strive to protect the league at all costs since they only profit as long as it endures. Simultaneously, representatives from each free city participating in the council will prevent Mediolanum's councilors from acting unilaterally. Even if certain cities harbor rebellious thoughts, they won't easily secede or revolt.”

“Ha-ha-ha…”

Listening quietly, Agphiel could only let out a hollow laugh.

It truly sounded plausible.

“Yet will they easily agree to form a league?”

“We must persuade them.”

Shatien replied with a shrug.

“Weren't they people displeased with the Church's influence to begin with? If I step up to take the lead appropriately, they will gladly form the confederation. Besides, they have already caught wind of the immense profits the league will bring to some degree.”

“Hm? Caught wind?”

“Yes. Haven't we completely abolished monopoly rights in the Mediolanum market right now? If you step outside, the city's marketplace is teeming with merchants from various free cities. Once merchants who tasted profit here return to their home cities, what will they say?”

“Hahaha. That is quite remarkable!”

Political justification, economic practicality, and further military protection provided by Count Shatien, who commanded a formidable mercenary corps.

A situation satisfying all three conditions desired by the city's residents.

A truly astonishing situation.

‘Did he proceed while anticipating all the way to this point?’

Agphiel looked at Shatien anew. Shatien looked triumphant, seemingly proud of his own thinking.

Looking at him like this, he seemed like an immature young noble, which was amusing.

“It might result in heavy responsibilities with no practical gains. The benefits of the league are a distant future to feel immediately, whereas the strong military power you can guarantee is easy to perceive.”

“I know. One slip on my part, and everything built so far could collapse.”

“Heh-heh. Well, I'm glad you know. What do you plan to do now then?”

What else to do?

The answer was already set.

“First, improve the quality of the troops as much as possible. Too many recruits were brought in while expanding forcefully recently. At least Master is training about a hundred elite soldiers harshly to raise them into knights, but…”

“It seems you still need time?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Shatien nodded.

More time was needed. He wasn't wrapping up internal affairs quickly to expand power through the league for nothing. Only by building bulk like this would the Emperor hesitate to move easily.

He intended to buy as much time as possible amidst moderate tension.

However, as was always the case, the world did not move according to one's desires.

*Rattle.*

“Your Excellency! Lord Count!”

Someone abruptly opened the door and burst inside. Checking in surprise, it was the liaison officer dispatched by the Church.

Breathing roughly, the liaison's complexion was deathly pale.

“I-it is a disaster.”

“A disaster??”

“Yes! Just now… just now… the Emperor led an army and crushed Count Shatin's forces. The southern part of the Empire has collapsed! You must move immediately.”

“?”

“????”

Indeed.

The Emperor had moved much faster than anticipated. And in a devastatingly lethal manner at that.