Chapter 50

The state-of-the-art interrogation techniques that Leon Gryph had introduced from Caledonia were highly effective, aside from the fact that they were not recommended for the faint of heart.

As proof, Selvi accomplished in a few days what Eleonor had failed to do in several weeks.

Just as a pest control company exterminates pests, he found and eliminated the thieves' guild hidden in the darkness of the city.

Even Leon, who received the report, was bewildered by the swift action.

The crumpled face of his predecessor, Eleonor, who ‘couldn’t do that simple task,’ was a bonus.

However, it wasn't all good news.

“The captured guy claimed to be connected to the Corsini Family?”

“That's right. A few of the caught thieves were minions of the Corsini Family.”

The investigation revealed the existence of a cartel between the Corsini Family and the thieves' guild.

It wasn't for nothing that the city guard had stood by while being called incompetent.

It wasn't strange for a merchant to also be a thief.

It was an era where it was hard to make a living doing just one thing.

However, if that thief was under the protection of the Corsini Family, the story changes.

“Wouldn't it be bad to antagonize the Corsini Family right now?”

Even Selvi, who had led the investigation, was in a state of headache.

During his short stay, Selvi had heard the name of the Corsini Family countless times.

Even if they had been recently pushed aside by the Signori Family, due to their nature as nobles, they might have a much deeper influence on the government.

The saying that a rich family doesn't fall even after three generations of ruin is not for nothing.

No matter how much protection they received from the Signori Family, could a newly founded mercenary company, established not long ago, really handle a traditional noble house?

Selvi was negative.

He naturally thought Leon would order the investigation to be stopped.

“We can use this to make a deal with the Corsini Family.”

“?!”

Selvi suspected that he had misheard.

But Selvi was the only one who found it strange.

Rather, everyone else reacted as if it were natural.

No, weren't they gleefully planning to fleece the Corsini Family?

Selvi was flustered.

It was a job he had barely gotten after leaving his hometown far behind.

What's more, there is no unemployment benefit in this world.

Unable to become jobless again, Selvi tried to stop Leon.

“Are you serious, Commander?”

“Are you afraid, Selvi?”

“!”

Leon smiled and, in turn, provoked him.

It was a light provocation, but Selvi did not hold back.

Not only was he at an age full of vigor, but he also did not want to be looked down upon by his new employer.

“Let's just do it!”

***

Selvi's prediction was not entirely wrong.

As soon as their past deeds were exposed, the Corsini Family began to apply pressure from all sides.

“Lord Gryph, it seems it would be best to cover up this incident. Among those arrested this time, not a few are related to the families of Fasa. I am afraid of how far their anger will reach.”

Mayor Rapacio, instigated by the Corsini Family, openly pressured me.

It was no surprise.

Mayor Rapacio had taken a share from this incident.

What a diligent man.

I had already been informed of this fact by Selvi.

So I firmly cut off Mayor Rapacio, who was subtly prodding my side.

“No.”

“Lord Gryph. Show some flexibility. Let’s end it with a fine or imprisonment, shall we?”

“Even if you say so, no.”

I let out a sigh for all to see.

“Making a profit is fine. That’s what merchants do, after all.”

“That’s right.”

“But they should do it in moderation. Military supplies are things that soldiers eat, drink, wear, and use. What if they get a stomachache from eating garbage-like food? What if a garbage-like sword breaks in battle? Who on earth is going to take responsibility for that? It is absolutely unacceptable.”

“Hmm.”

I acted as if possessed by a loyal subject.

Mayor Rapacio could only nod his head with a reluctant face.

“We have already conducted a full investigation and confirmed that a considerable amount of defective goods were supplied. If we pretend it didn't happen now, what about the cost and time already invested?”

“They're just mercenaries, after all.”

“They may seem insignificant to you, Mayor, but they too know what is good and what is bad. If they feel they are being treated poorly, the morale of the mercenary company will fall.”

“Ah, I understand.”

As I continued to argue with sound reasoning, Mayor Rapacio took a step back.

That old man really has no conscience.

He wants to make money from the mercenary business but doesn't want to treat them well?

Doesn't he worry about getting stabbed in the back at night?

I lowered my evaluation of Mayor Rapacio by one level in my mind and issued a stern warning.

“This matter must be handled fairly enough for people to be convinced. Do you understand?”

This should be enough to convey my intentions to Mayor Rapacio.

Now, hurry and tell the Corsini Family.

Tell them to come to me with a satisfactory amount of compensation.

***

“That son of a bitch, really! After all we've done for him……”

The reaction of the Corsini Family, upon hearing Leon's decision, was intense.

The saying 'the dog you raised bites its master' was perfectly applicable here.

How dare he threaten them after catching their weakness?

But that reaction was never expressed outwardly.

Usually, when such words are spoken, it means they haven't actually done anything.

In reality, the Corsini Family had not done much.

They had invested in the founding of the mercenary company, but that was nothing to boast about.

In fact, there were plenty of families who had contributed far more funds than the Corsini Family.

So the Corsini Family had nothing to say, and people with nothing to say are bound to get angry.

Naturally, the people of the Corsini Family thought of a solution through violence.

It wasn't particularly strange.

In the first place, nobles are nobles because they possess the means of violence.

Albe Corsini's eldest son stepped forward confidently.

“Father! I will go and teach that insolent fellow a lesson!”

“Go? What will you do? Beat him up or something?”

“Is there anything I can't do? That fellow looks down on our family, so we must show him who's boss.”

“Do you think you can beat the Phoenix Knight Eleonor? At the very least, can you even beat that Snow Elf bodyguard who follows Leon Gryph around?”

“Ah.”

“If not, then shut up.”

Albe's eldest son, who had stepped forward confidently, retreated without a word.

Although Albe had reaffirmed his authority as the head of the family over his son, he was not satisfied.

Rather, he felt displeased.

It was because of the fact that his authority did not work on Leon.

“Leon, that brat has grown some horns. When he first appeared in Fasa, he was no different from a miserable beggar.”

The fact that he had appeared with pirate treasure was intentionally ignored.

The other sons, who had watched their older brother get crushed after saying something foolish, tried to curry favor with Albe.

“That’s right. If that fellow didn't despise us, he couldn't act like this.”

“A worthless fellow is playing tricks on the back of someone else's fame.”

Albe, pleased by the flattery, stopped his sons.

“That's enough, everyone. Leon Gryph's actions are unpleasant, but if it's revealed that thieves were hiding in our family, only our honor will fall to the ground.”

“If so?”

“He caught the thieves for us, so isn't it only natural to express our gratitude?”

The people of the Corsini Family, due to their profession, were accustomed to political rhetoric and calculations.

So they quickly noticed the subtle choice of words Albe used.

The meaning was clear.

The Corsini Family had never sponsored the thieves' guild, nor had they ever been involved.

They were merely paying a reward for Leon catching the thieves that they too were unaware of.

Without this level of political skill (shamelessness), one could not survive in the political world.

It was painful to have to share the profits earned through the mercenary company with Leon, but compared to having their secret exposed, that was something they could endure.

“Send someone to Leon again. This time, not Mayor Rapacio. That bastard is not good at negotiations. Is it because he's not of noble birth?”

***

With gold changing hands in unseen places and even their backer, the Corsini Family, cutting ties, the fate of the thieves was immediately decided.

“Henceforth. The individuals in question are to be executed for the crime of attempting to harm the state.”

As the town crier dispatched from the city hall declared, the frightened people had their necks placed in the nooses of the gallows.

Creeak. Thud.

And as the pulley turned, a chilling sound echoed.

In truth, watching the execution process was not very pleasant.

It was something that caused revulsion from a modern person's sensibility.

But it had been repeated so many times that now it had just become a tiresome affair.

Perhaps this was because a mental defense mechanism was at work, but it wasn't my fault.

There had been worse things.

“I hope the number of swindlers will decrease a little now.”

“That would be nice, but it probably won't.”

Randolfo whispered from the side, but I shook my head.

One shouldn't try to simply understand the desire and madness people have for money.

Otherwise, why would there have been people going to the Han River every time the economic indicators fluctuated in my past life?

Although I've made an example this time, the thieves' guild will likely continue to grow.

I can't just keep executing people like this every time, so it would be better to change the response method instead.

For now, I'll wrap this up like this.

“Theo, what's the next schedule?”

“We need to return to the mercenary headquarters and look over the documents.”

“Ah. I don’t want to go.”

“For your information, you’re already three days behind. Sir Eleonor said to bring you, my lord, by force if necessary.”

“Whose subordinate are you anyway? Mine, or Sir Eleonor's? Choose.”

“Stop talking nonsense and let's go quickly. I’m exhausted too.”

Now I'm in a position where even Theo is nagging me.

This is how hard I have it.

I've overcome a big hurdle and my wallet is fat from extorting money from the Corsini Family, but my work hasn't changed much.

The routine of looking at the documents piled high on my desk, sighing once, reviewing the documents, and approving them continued.

“The accounting numbers don’t match! Why on earth did such a poor draft come out? What is the person in charge doing? Are you crazy?”

“No, the supplies really need to be delivered on time. If it’s delayed like this, the fleet can’t move on time.”

“Let's hang the captured swindlers and thieves at the city hall square at noon the day after tomorrow. Why won't these guys decrease?”

Working like this, I can't help but be reminded of my past life.

Please give me Excel.

To the one who gives me Excel, I will give a kingdom.

“What kingdom are you talking about?”

A sullen voice came from the window.

A young boy with an equally sullen face was floating in the air on a broomstick.

That boy was Esil, a mage and postman from the Apennia Mage Guild.

Esil often delivered Zeta’s letters, and he always went around with a sullen face.

“Kid, you shouldn't read other people's minds.”

“I didn't use mind-reading. You were just talking out loud, mister.”

“Was I?”

“Ah, don't do that.”

I tried to pat the boy's head, but he dodged his head away as if displeased.

“I'm all grown up, you know? In the first place, there isn't much of an age difference, so why do you always try to pat my head whenever you see me?”

“Sigh. Such an uncute brat. Hurry up and give me the letter.”

“Here you go.”

I checked the letter Esil handed me and took out his payment.

“Good work. Buy some candy on your way with this.”

“What do you mean, candy. I passed the age for candy a long time ago.”

Despite saying that, Esil quickly pocketed the silver coin.

Seeing how his words and actions were completely different, it seems puberty hit him a little early.

It can happen.

“But I've been curious for a while, why do you always deliver through the window instead of coming into the building?”

“Because I'm busy. My jurisdiction is the entire southern Apennia, how long do you expect me to wait?”

“That must be hundreds of kilometers, and you cover all of it?”

“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, so it’s not a problem.”

I thought it was too much work for a child, but if that was true, then it occurred to me that Esil was a competent talent.

Perhaps I should try to recruit Esil into the mercenary company?

He seems like he would be very useful.

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