I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

Baccio Pereira, the head of Pereira Trading Company, had been so stressed that he hadn’t been able to sleep properly for days.

As he woke up, he shouted the name of the man who had become the source of his anger.
"Damn that Medici bastard! Tearing him limb from limb wouldn’t be enough!"

The more he thought about it, the more his fury grew. He had fabricated a minor scandal to frame the Modina family, who had worked for his company for generations. How could this old matter suddenly resurface, and from where?

It was maddening. He had buried the issue, but now it was coming back to haunt him.

"May you be cursed before you even hit your mid-twenties!"
Normally, a burst of angry curses would ease his frustration. But this scandal involved the military, and the fallout had already hit him hard.

He quickly dressed and headed to his office. Upon entering, he found his chief secretary waiting with an apologetic expression instead of a smile.

Seeing his secretary’s face made his already foul mood worse. Something terrible must have happened while he was sleeping.

Pereira gritted his teeth and ordered his subordinate to report.
"Bad news, I take it? Go ahead and tell me what happened overnight. I won’t blame you."

"Yes, sir," the secretary began, swiftly reading from a hastily prepared report.
"Baron Valdes announced that he will no longer be supplying us with wine and grapes after this transaction. He’s shifting his business to the Piedmont Trading Company."@@novelbin@@

"Damn it. While Valdes’ grapes and wine aren’t top-tier, losing that supply will disrupt other trades."

Still, this was not a serious blow. Grapes were grown across the Tuscan Empire, so he could replace them fairly easily by purchasing elsewhere.

"Viscount Billio has canceled an order for 500 padded armor sets, 100 full armor suits, 150 swords, and 500 spears, scheduled for payment in three days. Additionally, Count Riore has terminated all ongoing transactions with Pereira Trading Company and declared he will no longer associate with us."

Viscount Billio and Count Riore were important economic and political partners. Their support not only provided economic benefits but also ensured his protection through political influence.

Now, if both were cutting ties with Pereira, it meant his company was in political jeopardy. In fact, with nobles directly intervening in minor transactions, it was clear that political pressure had already started.

"I have to handle Medici, no matter what it takes. If not, things will become genuinely dangerous."

"There’s more…" The secretary averted his eyes and spoke cautiously.
"There are rumors that the High Court is preparing a tax investigation into our company."

No one is entirely clean when investigated closely, let alone a vast entity like Pereira Trading Company with hundreds, even thousands of members. If a tax investigation begins, every hidden issue—both known and unknown—will be dragged to light.

Besides, since he was under suspicion for military procurement fraud, the High Court judges and administrators would likely fabricate new charges just to punish him further.

‘Those scoundrels will probably demand bribes too,’ he thought bitterly.

In summary, things were utterly falling apart. Pereira was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t even muster the strength to scream. Instead, he gripped his neck and let out a weak groan.

"Are you alright?!"
His secretary rushed to him.

‘How could I be alright? Do you think I came to work without my head today?’ Pereira thought, too shocked to even scold his secretary.

After a moment, he regained his composure, gulped down a glass of water, and clenched his teeth.
"That Medici brat must have a death wish. It’s time to crush him."

Pereira Trading Company may not be the largest in the Empire, but it’s still a distinguished and powerful entity. They could easily buy a title like ‘Noble Baron by Judicial Appointment’ if they wanted, though doing so would bind them completely to the Emperor, making them his pawns.

"That brat—he earned a knighthood just because he was favored by Duke Visconti. Let’s see if he can keep that arrogant attitude after I’ve crushed him."

"What should I prepare, sir?"
The secretary asked.

"First, I’m going to meet him personally. I’ll use the full weight of Pereira Trading Company to intimidate him into withdrawing his lawsuit."

Even if the High Court’s investigation has already begun, the case could still lose steam if the key witness were to retract his statement. This would make it harder for the investigation to proceed, reducing the charges and potentially lessening Pereira’s punishment.

"And then, I’ll make sure he pays, slowly and cruelly."

That night, Pereira arrived at Fabio’s estate.

I’d once read that people can become strangely calm when they’re extremely angry. Supposedly, it’s because the desire to kill someone becomes so intense that their instincts focus on finding the most effective way to do it.

Pereira had reached that point. He was so enraged that he seemed almost relaxed, sitting there sipping tea as if it were just another ordinary evening.

"This tea is delightful," Pereira remarked.

"Thank you."

"I hear you also serve coffee, the beverage of the heathens. Could I try that?"

In the Empire, only the second prince, Duke Visconti, and perhaps the Emperor himself had ever tasted coffee. The fact that Pereira knew about it meant he was trying to show off his connections to the royal family.

"Of course, I’d be honored to serve you a cup."

It’s not that I respect him; on the contrary, I despise him. How could anyone be so heartless as to commit military procurement fraud with pickled herring?

I prepared a cup of coffee for him.

"Here you go."

"The aroma is delightful, and the bitterness is quite intriguing. No wonder they say it’s good for vitality."

Spare me the bragging. I get it, I don’t have your wealth or status yet, but I’m still speaking to you with respect, aren’t I?

After finishing his coffee, Pereira fixed me with a hard stare, one so intense that it felt like he could crush me with his gaze alone.

"You were born a Medici baron’s son, raised with every luxury, and in just a year as a merchant, you’ve managed to succeed. I wish my son was even half as capable."

He set his cup down and continued speaking.

"But you should know there’s always someone higher. Even a humble merchant understands that."

He’s right, of course. For every businessman who earns a million a month, there are those who make ten times that. And above them are the billionaires.

It’s the same here in the Empire.

"Whatever forces are behind you, you must find it amusing to challenge Pereira Trading Company like this. Do you think you can make a mockery of the Empire’s merchant elite?"

I’ve never underestimated them. I even avoid competing directly with them, instead focusing on new markets they’re not interested in, like seaweed, coffee, and postnatal care centers.

I’ve built new markets, but I never encroached on their traditional territory.

"If you withdraw the lawsuit now, I’ll consider letting this go."

I’ve never seen someone ask for mercy and actually mean it. Do you think I’m acting impulsively like a high schooler?

"Let me ask you in return, do I look that foolish to you?"