NOVPUBSomeone would call me this.
The unseen power behind the Toscani Empire.
Although being an unseen power could be treated similarly to a shadowy figure, someone in the background, it doesn’t matter.
‘I’m doing both.’
I act as the Emperor's advisor and troubleshooter while secretly setting loose the Communist Heavenly Demon to further the development of the Toscani Empire, all without anyone knowing.
I’ve worked hard for this country, both in front and behind the scenes.
Therefore, the power and wealth I enjoy now are entirely justified.
If I want even more, it will be legal.
"Your Majesty, how does it feel now that you hold the Deous Church in your hands, something that has given previous emperors headaches throughout history?"
The Emperor, acting like a third-rate villain, chuckled.
"It’s exhilarating! It feels so good! After delivering a righteous blow to those who dared only criticize and sell indulgences, I’m loving this. Just last year, I thought my time was nearly up. But now, I feel like I could live another hundred years!"
"I’m glad to hear Your Majesty is pleased."
"Your words sound like those of a sycophant."
"Those who participate in undermining the Empire and only say what Your Majesty wishes to hear are sycophants, but a loyal servant like myself, who works tirelessly to help Your Majesty's goals and the Empire’s revival, can only be called a true servant, Your Majesty."
The Emperor looked at me coldly for a moment.
What? Why am I a sycophant?
I’ve done everything you wanted, everything the Empire needed.
I’ve set up plans for dealing with the plague, raised the living standards of the common people, turned the public sentiment toward you, helped win the war with the Kingdom of Lyon.
I’ve done everything. I’m no traitor. Surely, this must count for something—if not as a great patriot like Admiral Yi Sun-sin, at least somewhere near that level, right? It’s hard to find a more loyal servant than me.
‘It doesn’t matter how I get there, as long as the results are good.’
"Well, Count Rothschild, you truly are the greatest servant of the Empire. No one else has contributed as much to bringing me to this position as you, Fabio de Rothschild."
"I will do my utmost to live up to such high expectations, Your Majesty."
"Don’t ask for more, just continue at the current pace. Or, if it’s too hard, you can ease up a bit."
The Emperor said ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) this and then, suddenly sweating cold, shifted his gaze elsewhere.
He quickly changed the topic.
"Who would be a good candidate for the clergy appointments this time?"
"Your Majesty, please appoint those with humble origins who have no one else to rely on, other than Your Majesty."
"You’re suggesting a compromise with the nobles? Perhaps about 30% should be from humble backgrounds, and the rest can be appointed based on the preferences of the nobles."
In truth, I wanted to say that all clergy should come from humble origins, but only those with strong faith, theological knowledge, and good conduct.
Those with skill and ability should hold the high positions.
Promoting those born into nobility who are merely mediocre is an inefficient practice. It's an insult to those who worked hard to climb the ranks.
‘Ignoring loyalty is an unjust thing to do.’
However, ideals are lofty, and reality is cruel. At some point, compromise is the right course.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please select 30% of bishops and higher clergy from among the humble, outstanding individuals. This will make the humble-born bishops and those from noble backgrounds compete for Your Majesty’s favor."
"You’re suggesting I should stir competition to see who can serve me best."
Not all competition is right.
If private companies were to compete in sectors like roads, railways, electricity, and water, the cost would become unsustainable.
However, compared to monopolies, competition is usually better.
‘The reason medicines are so expensive in hospitals is because of monopolies.’
When patents expire, anyone can make it, and the cost can drop significantly.
The same applies to fruits and vegetables; if they were monopolized, the prices could rise drastically.
The same goes for clergy.
If there’s competition, they’ll be less corrupt, serve the faithful with more diligence, and act more honestly.
"Then the religion will be under my control. But let me ask you one thing."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Count Rothschild, why are you so eager to give me such immense imperial power? You already have the power of a duke—honestly, even comparable to some great noble families. If you don’t like Duke Visconti, why not just create a new faction?"
At this, I had no intention of answering with a simple yes or no.
If I said yes, it would imply I planned to betray Duke Visconti; if I said no, I would be lying to the Emperor.
"No matter how much money I have, how could a mere count have the strength of a duke? Even if you highly regard me, it’s more in line with the power of a count, at best."
The Emperor shrugged and chuckled at my words.
"I’ll let that pass."
Although it was my response, it was obviously just a clever excuse.
But there was no harm in letting it slide.
‘Honestly, it was a bit shameless.’
But in life, to get ahead, you often have to throw your conscience out the window and live cunningly.
What can I do? I just let it flow naturally.
"Considering your immense wealth, influence, and power as a noble, you no longer need to strengthen imperial power, do you? Honestly, at your level, you’re already on par with the highest noble ranks, even without a title."
The Emperor was right. The great nobles, those above the count rank, were akin to powerful city owners, similar to the governors of metropolitan areas in Korea.
Of course, my wealth and influence go beyond that.
‘I even gave Duke Sforza the unequal treaties of the British Empire.’
The way he delighted in that gift is still vivid in my memory.
"Your Majesty’s words make sense from a general perspective, but from a broader view, it’s not entirely correct."
"Are you saying I’m wrong?"
"You’re mistaken in your view of my ambition, Your Majesty."
When you lie, you must always mix in some truth.
The more of a professional con artist you are, the more truth you add to your lies.
Having studied the wisdom of the British Empire, the experience of the East India Company, and even the wicked deeds of Nazi Germany, mixing truth with lies is a piece of cake for me.
It’s not difficult to obscure the Emperor’s eyes just a little...
‘It’s like taking candy from a baby.’
"Even the best merchants are judged by the level and treatment they receive. A merchant who is the best in Toscani may receive a title, but even the best merchant from a small town will only be able to achieve the position of a councilman."
"That’s true." 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"I am already the best merchant in the Toscani Empire. So, if I want to rise any further... the only way is to bring even more prosperity to the Toscani Empire."
In Korea, even the richest conglomerates are just small fry in front of the heads of large multinational companies.
Similarly, the richest person in Africa would be seen as just a friend who barely gets by in front of Korea's richest.
So, if I want to become even richer, I must help the country flourish.
"If the Toscani Empire successfully conquers the Holy Empire, the dominance of the Albanian continent will shift to the Toscani Empire. Then, Your Majesty, you will enjoy unprecedented glory, and I will enjoy unprecedented wealth under your reign."
Someone once said this:
"A betrayer can always be trusted when they are betraying others."
I really like this saying.
Not because I like betrayers, but because I’ve experienced it myself—merchants who are making money with me will never betray me.
‘The Emperor is probably no different.’
"Your Majesty, to bring the Holy Empire to its knees, we must engage in total war."
"You’ve said before that this is a war where we must invest all the Empire’s resources."
"We must approach it with the resolve to fight to the death. The soldiers who follow you, we must give them faith to rid them of the fear of death, along with ample supplies of food and weapons. Only then will we have a fighting chance."
Total war is a short-term strategy.
If a nation invests resources over 5 or 10 years, it will crumble.
"Your Majesty."
I looked the Emperor in the eyes and smiled.
"With both religion and the people’s hearts in your hands, Your Majesty, you are the ruler closest to dominating the continent."
Yes, Emperor, take the entire continent.
I’ll take the New World.
