I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

Christina entered the room and greeted me with a respectful bow.

“I am Christina Modica, the last surviving member of the Modica family.”

Though she wore tattered rags to hide her identity and looked as if she hadn’t had a proper wash while hiding in the slums...

‘They say even rags look like luxury on a beautiful woman—seems to be true.’

Her white hair and blue eyes gave her the appearance of a character straight out of a fantasy world. While her figure wasn’t as ample as Chloe’s, her body was certainly one that stirred a man’s desires.

“I appreciate you coming.”

In response, she clenched her lips tightly and said, “How could I not, knowing I could finally get revenge on the Pereira Company for what they did to my family? And thank you for saving me from their clutches.”

Christina is currently on the run from the Pereira Company.

If they catch her, who knows if she’ll be killed or, like Chloe, end up as someone’s slave.

A normal person would first express gratitude for saving their life.

Her delayed thanks suggest that revenge consumes her thoughts so much that she hardly felt relief at escaping death.

“No need to thank me. I need you, Lady Modica, to fight against the Pereira Company.”

She sighed at my words.

“Modica. Our family has long since been wiped out, yet you still call me ‘Lady’?”

Just as one needs a company to be considered a CEO, a noble lady only maintains her title if her family still exists.

Without a family, she’s just another person who was once someone important.

I could easily treat her as a subordinate, but…

“In our empire, there are many families who have fallen only to later exact revenge and rebuild. You can reclaim your family’s honor after your revenge.”

Saying it is easy, but the reality is harsh.

If revenge were that simple, I assure you, there would be massacres among noble families in the Toscana Empire every week.

“We’re allies, so we should treat each other with respect.”

Even if I hold all the cards, I need Christina’s cooperation.

Her information is crucial for fulfilling the Emperor’s order to punish the Pereira Company.

If calling her “Lady” and treating her well buys her favor, it’s a small price to pay.

A faint, relieved smile crossed her face.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“So, could you tell me exactly what happened?”

“Yes, I’ll leave nothing out.”

I may have been imagining it, but her blue eyes seemed to carry the weight of an ocean’s depth.

Her gaze alone radiated such immense hatred for the Pereira Company that it felt almost as if she could kill someone with it.

“My father served as a director at Pereira for two generations, starting with my grandfather. He did everything for the company and the Pereira family, regardless of how dirty the work might have been. He even opposed the head of the trading company when necessary. He took pride in that.”

In the Albanian continent, trade is akin to warfare.

Though bullets don’t fly openly, people sometimes get killed. Rivals hire bandits to ambush shipments, or they bribe politicians to ruin their competition.

Merchants like me, who are hailed as magnates, stand on the corpses of countless people.

‘I’ve already killed two.’

Christina’s father likely wasn’t a clean trader, either. He probably gave everything for the Pereira Company, his de facto lord.

“I admired my father for that. I even acquired all the knowledge I needed to manage commerce as a woman, just so I could assist the Pereira Company.”

She spoke through gritted teeth, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

“But my father lost a power struggle over a branch director position to that bastard Alphard. Alphard then pinned the company’s largest scandal on him, accusing him of military procurement fraud.”

Smuggling or selling people as slaves, provided they didn’t involve harming nobles or wealthy citizens directly, could often be overlooked with the right bribes in the Toscana Empire.

‘As long as it’s kept out of sight.’

But fraud related to military supplies is rarely forgiven.

Even those in power, who care little about human rights, know that failing to properly equip soldiers weakens combat effectiveness.

In the worst cases, underfed soldiers might even rebel.

If the army turns its weapons against you, that’s the end.

Even if the rebellion is crushed, the economic losses and the damage to a noble’s reputation are substantial.

Though procurement fraud exists, often overlooked when sanctioned by the unit commander, it’s still a grave crime akin to treason.

“They bought rotten herring instead of fresh ones for a quarter of the price and embezzled the rest. They minimized the iron used in armor and tampered with all manner of equipment, from weapons to horses.”

“No matter how reckless the Pereiras are, they avoided targeting nobles, didn’t they?”

“Yes, only nobles were spared.”

That’s probably why the scandal continued unnoticed.

Even here, with little concern for human rights, nobles enjoy “special privileges and freedoms” by birthright.

In our world, anyone opposing this notion is either a heretic or someone insane enough to disgrace themselves.

‘Which implies they consider commoners fair game for exploitation.’

While they rarely get caught since losing face is a serious matter, it does happen.

“They colluded with Count Goelho, the logistics officer of the First Division, and the then-commander. Once their terms ended, Alphard pinned it all on my father.”

Listening to her, it’s clear that Pereira is vile enough to deserve immediate retribution… but without evidence, nothing can be done.

“Evidence?”

“The records the Pereiras submitted to the military court, our family’s financial records, and a few testimonies from soldiers. That’s all I have.”

This should be enough to deal a severe blow to the Pereira Company.

It may not be enough to take down the entire family, but at least Alphard could be sacrificed.

“With transaction records and embezzlement amounts reviewed by the military court, proving perjury should be possible. You may even restore your family’s honor.”

Even though I say “may,” the Emperor will likely use this opportunity to restore the Modica family’s honor as a signal to the Pereiras.

Restoring the Modica family’s honor would make for a fine message.

“However, wiping out the Pereira family entirely might be difficult.”

Christina gritted her teeth again.

“Yes.”

“Still, you could restore your family’s honor. I could even grant you a knighthood and enough money to live comfortably for life.”

A knighthood is noble status. The idea of me, a mere knight, offering such is a bit absurd, but…

For a landless knight, the title doesn’t hold as much value. It’s like buying a title document in late Joseon.

‘I’m essentially making an investment for future loyalty from anyone considering betraying me when similar situations arise.’

She shook her head.

“Thank you, but I can’t forgive the Pereira family for ruthlessly killing my family. I ask for revenge instead.”

“That sounds unreasonable.”

At that, she knelt and pleaded with me.

“I’ll give you everything—my body, my heart, even my soul if necessary.”

Her aura was so intense it gave me chills.

It slightly swayed my resolve, but this was absurd.

‘Taking on Pereira without the Emperor’s support? That’s a quick way to die.’

Besides, I don’t even intend to avenge the villagers who sold Chloe into slavery.

Why should I seek revenge for someone else?

It’s ridiculous.

“Your value doesn’t outweigh the lives and safety of those who rely on me.”

With that, I rose from my chair.

“I won’t risk annihilating the Pereira family for revenge.”

She bowed her head in frustration.

“However, if you truly wish for revenge, following me might be your best chance.”

Other magnates often hire bandits to ambush rival shipments, but they never seek outright destruction.

‘One wrong move, and they’d be destroyed too.’

Before leaving, I glanced back.

“And remember, revenge isn’t the end, Christina. You should find happiness and reclaim your honor. That’s the best revenge.”

Victims of school bullying often say being happier than their tormentors is the best revenge.

That’s half right and half wrong.

Surpassing the bullies might irritate them, but they’ll still brag about their deeds at parties, never paying for their crimes.

“Noble revenge can take a decade. So, change into proper clothes and eat well. It’ll be a long battle.”@@novelbin@@

I then instructed Chloe, who was waiting outside, to prepare clothing and a room for Christina.

This is both an act of kindness and a necessary measure, as she’s my ally for now.