The day after meeting the Duke, I found myself at the High Court.
Just as judges and prosecutors are the most respected public servants in Korea and the United States, the judges in our Toscana Empire hold the most power.
Among the judges with the greatest authority, the High Court is particularly well-known.
"It's like an institution that combines the Supreme Court, some powers of the National Assembly, and the National Tax Service."
“I came to see Baron Mancini. Could you pass on a message?”
The junior official at the High Court responded to my request.
“Baron Mancini? Ah, you mean Judge Mancini? He’s quite busy with official duties. You’ll need to inform him a few days in advance to meet him. I can help you schedule an appointment, though.”
From his appearance, he looked like just a lowly clerk at the High Court.
If he didn’t give me a gift, he wouldn’t even pass along my desire to meet Baron Mancini.
I really felt the High Court was on a completely different level compared to other administrative institutions in the empire.
Even officials from powerful institutions like the Commercial Law Division would generally bow and scrape to someone of noble rank like a baron.
“If I say that I’m the Fabio de Medici, who reported the misconduct of the Pereira Guild, he’ll come running out barefoot.”
Thanks to exposing the Pereira Guild’s corruption, Baron Mancini was swiftly promoted to “judge.”
In terms of the imperial civil service hierarchy, that’s a level two position; however, in some ceremonies, he received treatment equivalent to that of a vice-minister as a “Chief Judge of the High Court.”
The clerk, realizing he had treated a benefactor poorly, was ready to kneel in apology.
Asking for a gift wasn't particularly insulting, so I stopped him appropriately.
“I'll let it slide this time, but don’t let it happen again.”
“Thank you, Baron! I truly appreciate it!”
I then knocked on the office door.
“This is Fabio de Medici, and I’d like to meet Judge Mancini. Please pass on my message.”
While it was nice to call it the judge's office, there were likely judges bustling around inside.
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Even if the subordinate staff were indifferent, the judges themselves were esteemed individuals, so it was proper for me to speak respectfully.
After a little while, the door opened, and Baron Mancini welcomed me with a smile.
“Ah, it’s you? No, wait, it's Baron Medici, isn’t it? You seem a bit taller than three months ago!”
“Is that so?”
“You've grown taller and become more handsome. Come on in for now. Hey, bring out two cups of coffee and some sugar! Since it’s an important guest, make sure to brew coffee with those beans I cherish!”
As a Chief Judge of the High Court, he was someone even hereditary viscounts wouldn’t dare to treat casually.
If he were to be captured as a criminal, he could become the “grim reaper.”
Seeing such an esteemed figure greet me with such warmth, all eyes around us focused on me.
“I heard Baron Medici is young, but is he really that young?”
“Other than not being married, he seems flawless.”
“I wonder if I can make some connections through my relationship with the Chief Judge.”
Usually, judges from the High Court wouldn’t approach a mere baron first or speak with him unless necessary.
They wield absolute power guaranteed by the Emperor.
“With the power of prosecution, trial, and judicial authority, they can easily sentence someone to death without hesitation.”
If they were caught doing such things, it could become troublesome, so they generally avoided it.
The important point is that, just as possessing nuclear weapons makes the other side tense, they have legitimate authority to act that way.
Once I entered Baron Mancini's private office, two cups of coffee were already placed on the table.
“Now, what brings you here?”
“The spice guild has imposed a ban on sugar sales to Café Medici.”
Upon hearing my words, Baron Mancini erupted in anger.
“Those other guild masters are bad enough, but the spice guild, dealing with infidels, dares to touch you? This is no different from provoking me!”
While both of us—no, other esteemed individuals—knew it, Baron Mancini might not have risen to the position of Chief Judge if not for this incident.
Even if he did ascend, he would have needed to complete an additional five years in service to be considered.
However, by exposing the Pereira military supply incident, he quickly became a righteous judge and was rapidly promoted to “Chief Judge.”
“Then I have no reason not to be thankful.”
“Recently, my subordinate, Judge Andante, has been singing for a promotion. I need to make sure to clean up the spice guild to help him build his performance record.”
I felt no regret, but the spice guild was now doomed.
Even large corporations would raise their hands in surrender if the prosecutors and National Tax Service teamed up for a “tax investigation and raid.”
To send out a judge from the High Court, who wields both prosecutorial and judicial powers, especially someone who is desperate for promotion?
“Perhaps we should start preparing for their funeral.”
However, upon reflection, that seemed a bit too merciful.
Just a mere “tax investigation” for those who tried to properly mess with me?
“I’m helping you out, so maybe we can have a meal at your place later. Make sure to prepare well.”
At that remark, I shook my head.
“Not Judge Andante; I want to take some action myself.”
“... Are you considering becoming a judicial noble? How do you plan to wield public power?”
If I were to become a judicial noble, perhaps the Emperor would shed tears of joy.
Much like how King Sejong searched for Jang Yeong-sil to roll out the Donghae and Baekdu mountains.
But while I might know how to manipulate people, I didn’t want to be ground down in the mill.
“Please sell me a position as a tax collector targeting the spice guild. Isn’t it time for it to go on auction soon?”
While the administrative system of the Albanian continent is modernized in some aspects, it is also shockingly primitive in others.
The most representative example is the judges of the High Court, who wield both prosecutorial and judicial power.
“It’s strange that feudalism still exists in some form.”
However, the most primitive thing is the system of tax collectors.
To sell the state’s most important function to civilians for money, the person who devised this system is truly a piece of human trash.
If he were in heaven, he should be thrown into Satan's maw.
Baron Mancini sighed.
“You know, there are so many people vying for the position of tax collector that even High Court judges can’t just easily appoint their relatives. It’s not that I doubt your abilities, but if this gets out, the head judge of the Florence High Court will likely dismiss me!”
The head judge of the Florence High Court is the chief of the High Court judges overseeing all the High Courts in the country.
It’s a position that can only be held by someone with a title of at least count among judicial nobles or the head of a count family favored by the king.
A position just after the prime minister, wielding almost equal power to a duke.
In front of such a person, a Chief Judge is as insignificant as a candle in the wind.
“You don’t doubt my abilities, do you? Do you think I’m acting without a plan?”
I presented the certificate stamped with the Visconti Duke's seal to the Baron.
“This time, the Duke will take full responsibility.”
Baron Mancini appeared shocked, as if he had never seen a vow of responsibility from the Duke before.
If someone were to ask how powerful that vow is?
“It’s like a guarantee for a business deal.”
“This is a guarantee. And, Judge Mancini...”
I whispered in Mancini’s ear.
“To be honest, with the title of judicial noble baron, isn’t it hard to rise higher? But if the Duke supports you, you can aim for the head of the High Court in another city.”
The head of the High Court means wielding the power of prosecution and judiciary in another city, deciding who to kill and who to save, while making a fortune.
“You should aim to be a Chief Judge for three to four years and start climbing up slowly. I should do the same.”
Honestly, I’m not particularly inconvenienced by my current status.
Just by walking around casually, I could attract a truckload of men trying to get my phone number from a beautiful woman.
If I play my cards right, I could have such beauties as my flowers in both hands.
Money? Unlike other nobles, I have no debts, so I have no problem living.
But living without dreams of climbing higher in this era is incredibly boring.
Especially without computers or TVs.
“His Majesty wishes to strengthen the royal authority. Don’t you want to become a tool to achieve that purpose?”
The Duke's guarantee and trust in me.
As these two situations combined, Baron Mancini made a big decision.
“The current auction for the tax collector position in the spice guild starts at four thousand gold coins. If you pay seven or eight thousand coins in advance, I’ll kneel and beg the head judge to give you that position. But don’t forget me.”
There’s an old saying.
“If you want to go far, go with friends.”
Yes, Baron Mancini, let’s enjoy our time together for a long time.
And the spice guild leader, who interrupted my plans with Chloe for some cat play, you won’t die comfortably.