READ NOVEL ONLINE The Olbia Baron slammed the door open hard enough to make a loud bang.
“What on earth is going on? Aren’t you all ashamed to be knights?!”
None of the central nobles present had ever served in the military.
However, being heirs of vassal clans under the Olbia Baron Clan, they had received training from a young age to become knights.
Although they hadn’t been sent to a close clan for nearly a decade of training between ages 6 to 10 like in ancient times.
They all learned how to ride horses, fight in armor, and how to speak politely to women at balls.
Finally, they received their knighthood from Baron Olbia himself.
The nobles could not retort against the baron’s scolding.
It was a righteous statement with no room for argument, which would only declare, “I’m asking to be killed instead.”
“Everyone, please sit down. Let’s have some tea and calm down.”
Baron Olbia gritted his teeth and pretended to be calm.
In a situation where a civil war could break out at any moment, he couldn’t afford to get worked up and make a wrong choice.
It could cause a significant conflict throughout the clan.
If, by some chance, the vassals ended up in a brawl, it would truly be unsolvable.
Issues of honor and revenge could lead to a civil war.
If a civil war broke out, it was evident that the Emperor would take over the barony with no explanation given.
“I must somehow calm this situation.”
“Has everyone calmed down a bit?”
Although he was seething inside, the baron needed to listen to what was said before presenting any counterarguments or pointing out any traitors.
Otherwise, the surrounding wolves, already without a target for their anger, would likely tear him apart for no reason.
So they all clenched their teeth and nodded.
“For this situation, no one is at fault. This isn’t some rat betraying us, nor is anyone to blame for mismanaging information leading to a leak.”
Though the baron said this, he harbored angry feelings.
He didn’t intend to show his resentment, but he was gripping his fist tightly enough to draw a little blood.
No matter how furious I got, if someone was next to me who was angrier, I would feel relatively calm.
All the vassals were overwhelmed by the baron’s anger and had no choice but to suppress their own.
“Some unknown fool has done something dastardly, and we were just on the receiving end of it. Therefore, we will not hold the intelligence officer accountable, nor anyone at all.”
Baron Olbia was feeling choked up, his gut twisted in a knot.
Digging around like catching a rat without leaving any clues would only make the inner clan conflict worse.
“I must endure.”
In the midst of it all, the armed minister protested to the baron.
“Thank you for your generosity, my lord. However, our clan has suffered a great humiliation. Must we really just sit back and take this?”
The baron slammed both hands down on the desk in front of him.
“If it were up to me, I’d want to know who did such a damned thing! But there’s no evidence! No circumstances! What good would it do to find out who did it right now?”
“But…”
“It’ll only lead to infighting within the clan! To save the Olbia Baron Clan, it’s unavoidable! Why don’t you see that we must endure this?! If we keep blaming others and the clan falls apart, what will happen to you, me, and our children? Will we all end up on the streets?”
Hearing this made the armed minister grit his teeth.
He wanted to argue, but he couldn’t think of anything to say.
“I feel like I want to catch the perpetrator and chew them up. Every time I see that crazy Mani receiving everything from our clan’s vaults and imposing taxes and whatnot, my blood boils.”
As the saying goes, someone’s misfortune is someone else’s blessing; Mani and Andante were so happy they could hardly believe how beautiful the world could be.
Opportunities to rip apart the Olbia Baron Clan’s secret vault were few and far between.
“Whether it’s tax evasion or other types of corruption, getting caught selling worthless serfs is the biggest issue. Those good-for-nothing vagrants who can’t work aren’t helping society; selling them off is what matters.”
Regardless of everything else, serfs were people, yet they weren’t people.
Thus, they could be ‘traded’ like territories.
Especially for men and women serfs without land to cultivate, they serve as substitutes for gold coins or silver coins when nobles pay off debts.
The issue this time stemmed from selling them off without reporting taxes, and slave traders caught engaging in economic activities with ‘heretics.’
Since they didn’t intervene directly, there were no penalties like the confiscation of land.
“A hefty fine and some damage to our reputation.”
And based on how one shows remorse here, the survival of the clan and the level of punishment would be determined.
“I can’t die without enduring this moment of shame.”
As much as he despised the thought of falling as a noble, the baron himself didn’t want to lose the luxurious lifestyle he was currently enjoying.
To do that, he had to persuade his subordinates with such magnificent words.
‘After all, they probably don’t want to give up their lives either.’
“Our clan has suffered too great a wound. We are currently marked by the High Court and the Imperial Family. Therefore, to lessen our punishment even a little, I think it would be best to leave Florence.”
In Tuscany, there are around 300 noble families, including barons, viscounts, earls, and marquesses.
Out of these, more than 150 families have planted roots in Florence, even at great expense.
Because once you descend to the provinces, you almost lose all political power.
In Florence, a baron can engage in political activities, but in the territories, you’re only the leading elder of the territory—nothing more.
It’s politically equivalent to self-sabotage.
For the Olbia Baron, a noble addicted to the desire for recognition, it felt like being thrown into prison.
‘What would I be if I’m distanced from politics, balls, and the center of power?’
“The Duke will soon order that it’s better to leave Florence.”
Having someone who sullied the Duke’s reputation in the capital still in Florence would have a negative effect.
While there wouldn’t be a purge for violating it, who knows what other petty folks in the factions would do?
Perhaps they wouldn’t invite him to balls or exclude him from celebrations, turning him into something like ‘the pariah.’
It would be an unacceptable disgrace for a noble.
“If we leave before receiving the order to depart, the punishment from the High Court will be lessened, and we can at least retain some honor. Moving to the territories will also cost us less, aiding our finances. What do you say, treasurer?”
Lucio, the treasurer, who successfully pulled off a perfect betrayal without leaving any evidence or clues, felt a shiver run through him.
But with the power of experience, he didn’t let it show to anyone.
“If the Duke gives the Baron a petition, the merchants might not lend more, but they also won’t pester for repayment. Being in the provinces would cut costs to nearly half.”
Hearing this, the baron swallowed back tears.
“Let’s prepare to return to the Olbia Baron lands to survive. I will inform Duke Sforza of my intention to return home.”
With that, the baron turned away.
Tears dripped from the spot where he had walked, and he cursed the unknown opponent in his heart.
However, from the perspective of the one orchestrating this game, this was only natural.
It’s self-defense to cut off limbs before trying to kill.
Chris briefly recounted the conclusion of everything in front of me.
“Baron Olbia declared he would return to his territory immediately after the inspection from the High Court.”
A noble like me living in Florence is not just to maintain a luxurious life.
Living in Florence provides opportunities to gain more power and wealth.
That’s why even viscounts, barons, and earls come, risking it all to be in Florence.
It’s like people from the provinces coming to the capital to find work.
“Yet, he’s going down to the country?”
He’s begging for his life, enough to give up his privileges and rights he currently enjoys.
“It’s a shame he couldn’t cut off his own breath.”
“Still, it’s not like anyone from the Olbia Baron Clan or anyone else noticed that our Rothschild Clan was involved in this issue. Isn’t that asking for too much?”
Honestly, even I think that asking for more would just be greedy.
“That’s true.”
“And now that the situation is sorted out…”
His sentence was abruptly cut off by someone interjecting.
“His Highness the Young Baron has arrived. He wants to see our handsome son-in-law.”
Are we so close now that we don’t even have to pretend to be on official business?
“I’ll head to the reception room.”
I should take this opportunity to see if the Duke’s family has picked up on anything.