I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

In the medieval era—or rather, in pre-modern times—executions were nothing more than a form of entertainment.
It was an era devoid of concepts like human rights.
With no TV, not even radio, there wasn’t much to enjoy.
It’s even joked that the high birth rates of that era were due to a lack of contraception and television.

Thus, this scene was akin to a live broadcast of a rather intense TV show, and as the execution—the highlight—was carried out, the crowd erupted in cheers.

“That wretched bastard deserved to die!”
“That’s what you get for messing with the soldiers’ rations. Just goes to show you should live a decent life.”
“Take this with you on your way, you scumbag.”

Apart from the affair with Cristina and the Pereira Trading Company, that man deserved death on his own merits.
For the soldiers of this era, pickled herring is as staple as kimchi is for Korean soldiers.
And yet, he gave them not just cheap rations, but rotten ones?
Even in the afterlife, he deserves to be fed strange ingredients from a vast, desolate land.

In a typical execution, now that the highlight is over, the soldier who carried out the sentence and the herald who read the Emperor’s decree would usually step back.
But they remained in place.

Unlike Koreans who leave as soon as the credits roll after a movie, the citizens of Florence didn’t budge until the herald and his entourage departed.
And as if to meet the crowd’s expectations, the herald boldly declared in a clear voice,

“By the decree of His Majesty, righteous and merciful, it is affirmed that Alfredo Modina and his family, falsely accused and executed by this vile criminal, were innocent.”

Standing beside me, Cristina covered her mouth as she heard those words.
Tears streamed down her face.
And a short, soft sound escaped her lips.

“Oh, finally...”

I quietly handed her a handkerchief.

“Therefore, by His Majesty’s command, I, the herald, declare the restoration of the Modina family’s honor in this place. Furthermore, the Pereira Trading Company is ordered to return all the assets of the Modina family to its sole surviving member, Lady Cristina Modina.”

In any era, in any world, people cheer for the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the virtuous.
They’ll even celebrate when another villain, not themselves, faces the consequences.

Lacking much in the way of entertainment, the citizens were as thrilled as if they were under the Emperor’s spell, chanting his praises.

“Long live His Majesty! That’s how the world should be!”
“The wicked are punished, and the righteous rewarded.”
“This one’s on me, let’s go!”

After watching a captivating film or drama, it’s natural to share one’s thoughts with those around.
So the citizens of Florence dispersed in small groups, eager to share their medieval thrill with others.

“Lady Modina, shall we head back now?”

And that night, the sound of unusually loud sobbing echoed throughout the manor.

Cristina sat in my office, silent for nearly half an hour.
I may not have much free time, but I’m willing to wait as long as needed.
I’m not so stingy that I wouldn’t spare a few moments for a partner who’s done so much for our cause.

Finally, after the long silence, she spoke.

“Thanks to you, I was able to avenge my family. I am deeply grateful.”
“I didn’t do it out of goodwill. I did it because it had to be done.”

The fact that I acted on the Emperor’s covert order is something I need to keep hidden.
Naturally, my retainers and servants are unaware, and even Chloe, my closest companion, doesn’t know about it.
The only one who does is my right-hand man, Sebastian.

‘I’ve received a lot of support from Sebastian in ways both big and small.’

Cristina shook her head.

“If it weren’t for your help, I wouldn’t have been able to exact revenge on Alphado, nor would my family’s honor have been restored. And with the Emperor’s personal words of comfort, I believe my father can now rest in peace.”

She stood up, grasped the edges of her dress, and bowed deeply.

“I will never forget this kindness.”

My assistance in avenging the Modina family was a byproduct of my campaign against Pereira.
But the restoration of their honor and property—that, I did more out of goodwill.
There’s no harm in doing something good once in a while.

“As comrades fighting against a common enemy, it’s the least I can do. Now, what are your plans moving forward?”

Cristina responded almost immediately, as if she had been waiting for the question.

“If you’ll allow it, I would like to work under you, sir.”
“What made you decide that?”

From my perspective, having Cristina work for our family is an excellent idea.
She proved her capability in sorting and analyzing accounting records to expose Pereira’s corruption, so I could put her to work in our trading company right away.
Owing me a debt of gratitude, she’s a much more trustworthy recruit than some random outsider.@@novelbin@@

“While I do wish to revive the Modina family, as a woman, it would require a marriage of convenience.”

It’s common to think that only nobles engage in arranged marriages.
But in the Toscana Empire—or the Albanian continent as a whole—even serfs, the lowest class, often have their marriages arranged by their parents before birth.

‘The lower the status, the more likely love marriages become, that’s all.’

Especially as Cristina mentioned, if it’s a marriage for the purpose of reviving a family, it would almost certainly be arranged.

“Though my family’s honor has been restored, as an orphan, I’d only be able to arrange a marriage with someone from a poor family. If I let go of age, I might become the second wife of a man from a middle-class merchant family in his sixties or seventies.”

There’s an old saying: When a high-ranking official dies, no one comes, but when the official’s dog dies, people flock to the funeral.
In other words, without someone with actual power in the family, even former officials may find no one attending their funerals.

“Trying to become an independent merchant with my family’s resources is risky. The head of the Pereira Trading Company is likely sharpening his blade of revenge, and even if I move somewhere else and become a merchant…”

She glanced down at her chest briefly.

“As a woman, no matter how skilled I am, it will be nearly impossible to compete on an equal footing with other men. So, when my father was alive, I tried to join the company as an executive under his influence, intending to prove myself with my abilities. But those days are long past.”

Nepotism isn’t particularly frowned upon in our empire.
In fact, it’s almost encouraged to a degree.
Of course, it’s unthinkable to hire a woman through such means, but in an environment where nepotism is encouraged, if you show ‘top 1%’ capabilities, you’ll earn recognition.
Even in our country, incompetent nepotists are criticized, but those with outstanding skills eventually get recognized.

“Moreover, hearing from Chloe, who served me briefly at your command, she mentioned how you’re kind not only to your attendants but even to a mere peasant. She said it’s such a good place to work that even maids seeking to marry for social mobility want to stay on after marriage.”

There are two reasons why I’m good to my servants.
One, in the 21st-century Korea, I was just like them—a low-level employee or a commoner—so I can empathize.
And two, to prevent anyone from betraying me when things go south.

Then Cristina looked at me with a smile.

“Even though you could have taken advantage of me, a fallen lady from a mere merchant family, as a pawn in your quest for revenge, you treated me as an equal partner. And you restored my wealth and my father’s honor.”

I know.
As someone from 21st-century Korea, I’m aware that my occasional kindness here can feel like a huge act of grace in this era.
Back when I first arrived, I even used honorifics with the maids and got scolded for it.

“I will serve the Medici family—and you, sir—with all my heart and soul.”

Right now, I need Cristina.

“Use my abilities however you see fit.”
“Good, Cris.”

Shortening her name and calling her like that is a privilege reserved for superiors or close friends.
I did it with both meanings in mind.
And honestly, if I’m in another world, I can have more than just Chloe, right?

“Leave everything to me. I’ll ensure you can showcase all your talents as a merchant.”
“It’s an honor, sir.”
“Once this matter is settled, I’ll be heading straight to my territory. Show everyone there just how capable you are, so they can’t dismiss you just for being a woman.”

Not long after, I made my way to the newly acquired lands that awaited development.