I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 251: Pearl and Revenge (5)
There was a disgraceful law called "family immunity" (친족상도례).
In simple terms, it was a law that allowed family members to commit fraud, embezzlement, or theft without facing legal punishment.
Until it was abolished, even if a family member used my property recklessly and acted as if nothing had happened, I couldn’t take legal action against them.
In a society where many people no longer even contact their parents once a year, this law was completely unnecessary.
But this law was maintained due to the remnants of the patriarchal system.
Back in the days when the head of the household made all the decisions regarding the family's marriage, career, and life, it was justified if a father-in-law spent his son-in-law's money recklessly, or if a child stole from their parents. These were outdated customs that turned into laws.
"Tuscany Empire is a country that runs on a strict patriarchal system."
In a society where the head of a peasant family could sell his own daughter as a slave or to a brothel to solve financial problems without facing any punishment.
A world where one must always obey the eldest brother or the head of the household, and disobedience is not tolerated.
Being in such a high position in this country's class-based pyramid, I couldn't defy this law.
Unless the bastard laid a hand on my wife or openly sabotaged my lands.
‘But then that crazy bastard did it?’
"Sebastian, how do you think we should kill him? How can I make sure I won’t regret it?"
I couldn’t discuss this with Erica, Chloe, or Kris.
Because what I was about to bring up was beyond the realm of “the wisdom of the British Empire” that children could learn from. I was about to call upon the lesson from the Opium War, which even half of the politicians opposed at its peak.
Sebastian understood my intent and responded gravely.
"I can’t forgive Albert."
In any country, when addressing a senior, calling them by their name instead of their title is a clear sign of disrespect.
As the Medici Baron, calling my older brother Albert by his name, without honorifics, would be a declaration that I no longer see him as a person.
"When I think about how much you’ve had to clean up after all the stupid things that bastard has done, honestly, it boils my blood."
In Southeast Asian countries like India, when one family member earns money, the whole family—the parents, siblings—often live off that one person.
When Southeast Asian men marry foreigners, it’s common to see a family of more than ten people living off one wife.
Often, the family expects to be supported by sending about 500,000 Korean won a month.
I’ve had to clean up after Albert in a similar way, as I had to cover for his mistakes and even pay for things that were his fault.
In a world where the mistakes of the family are also seen as my own mistakes.
"Either way, no matter how you get your revenge, bitter feelings will remain."
Killing Albert won’t make me regret it. I won’t be heartbroken over the death of my older brother.
Likewise, his children, who were sent by the Farnese family, won’t matter.
After all, I’ve already shed so much blood with my own hands.
Would I care about something like that?
"Yes, I’m sure father will be heartbroken."
Just because my father will be sad doesn’t mean I’ll spare Albert.
No, I can't even if I wanted to.
"Still, what can I do? I must crush him thoroughly. The most reasonable way, of course."
Seeking revenge through "an eye for an eye" may seem foolish, but let’s think for a moment.
If we were victims of extreme school bullying, and the bully hit me—what if I broke their limbs with a baseball bat?
I’d escape the bullying and get my revenge, but I’d be marked as a criminal for the rest of my life.
Society would brand me as a criminal regardless of the bullying I endured.
So, the most effective revenge is to collect evidence, file a lawsuit, and make sure they pay.
You can demand huge sums of money, drop bombs on their family, and ruin their life prospects.
Furthermore, once you file a lawsuit, other scumbags will steer clear of you.
This is the best form of revenge, securing both safety and wealth.
‘If you can profit from bloodshed, take it.’
"I’m not considering filing a complaint with the High Court, though. I’m the clear victim here, so our family will suffer no loss. No one will blame me, but the price will be that the Medici title will be taken away by the Emperor."
The Medici Barony, though not as wealthy as the Rothschilds, is still a prosperous territory.
If an excuse arises to seize the title, the Emperor will jump at the chance to take it.
If that happens, I’ll end up doing the Emperor’s dirty work.
‘I can’t let this go without recovering what I’ve lost and helping the Emperor. That’s not acceptable.’
"Ultimately, it’ll have to end in a moderate way."
"Are you thinking of sweeping this under the rug, or do you have another plan?"
"Officially, nothing will have happened. Albert of the Medici family will meet the most dreadful end, but in the records, it will be written as ‘death by heart attack’ or ‘falling off a cliff while hunting.’"
If the fact that Albert, the Medici Baron, aimed a sword at his brother becomes public, the title will eventually be handed over to the Emperor.
So, I have to make sure nothing happens in the public eye.
"But if that happens, the Medici family’s succession rights will go to Albert’s son, Lord Gusto. Are you planning on just killing Albert?"
Sebastian looked at me, as if he had seen a rare sight of a gangster raising a kitten.
It might seem strange not to kill Albert and simply leave him alive, but letting Albert die and making sure his son Gusto inherits the title would be the most reasonable, though magnanimous, course of action.
After all, Albert and I are brothers, family.
It’s not wrong to spare Albert’s innocent son.
"No, I have a better plan."
I’m sorry to my father, but he raised his eldest son this way, so he’ll have to pay for it.
"Contact father immediately, and let the Farnese family know that the Rothschild Baron wishes to meet with Count Farnese next week."
I won’t judge Albert legally.
If I did, he’d get a swift, cruel execution, and the title would be taken by the Emperor, benefiting only him.
Instead, I’ll use a special and cruel method to maximize the benefits.
**
When I finally met my father, the former Medici Baron, he hugged me warmly as soon as he saw me.
"Fabio! The pride of the Medici family. Is there anything bothering you?"
I felt a bit heavy.
Honestly, if someone were to tear Albert apart in front of me, I wouldn’t be the least bit upset.
But hurting someone innocent—someone who’s spent twenty years raising me with care after my reincarnation—was something I didn’t want to do.
‘I’ve put up with Albert because of father.’
Of course, it’s not just that. The reality is that ignoring Albert would have made it impossible for me to survive as a noble.
"Why did you come alone? Why didn’t you bring Leo and Chloe?"
Before Chloe gave birth to a son, my father had always viewed Chloe as just one of the Rothschild concubines.
He wasn’t exactly dismissive, but he wasn’t as eager as he is now when asking why I didn’t bring her along.
"Next time, bring Leo too. I’ve even prepared a knife sheath made from the wild boar hide I caught for him."
Before retiring, he wasn’t the type to be a fool for his grandchild. But now, with the heavy burdens lifted, he’s turned into a doting grandfather.
"Father."
As soon as he heard my voice, his expression stiffened.
Though it had been more than four years since he retired, the political experience still wasn’t gone.
He probably guessed that something serious was about to come up.
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"I’m sorry to bring this up, but..."
This incident with Albert—selling the location of Vio Village and helping the raiders attack the seaweed farm—is something my father had no involvement in.
He would never be foolish enough to turn on his own son for power.
‘Albert must have acted in secret with his own followers.’
"Albert has committed an irreversible mistake."
