Chapter 9: A Completely Legal Transaction Without Any Legal Flaws 4

The courtyard of the Beden Guild’s Milan branch was filled with numerous people gathered.

This place, which effectively oversaw the commercial interests not only of this city but also the entire region, had always been a bustling location.

However… even considering that fact, the atmosphere today was markedly different, as the types of people gathered here were quite unlike those who typically visited.

Usually frequented by wealthy lords, merchants, influential nobles, learned scholars, or clergy, the people gathered here today were far removed from such circles.

For one, their attire consisted of tattered, threadbare clothing, indicating lives of modest means.

Lacking any authority, and more often on the receiving end of oppression from those in power, they all exhibited a sense of unease as they surveyed their surroundings warily.

However, despite the considerable time that had passed, the Beden Guild members present merely instructed them to wait, without offering any further explanation.

Gripped by anxiety, the people eventually grew restless and began conversing among themselves in hushed tones.

“I’ve heard… that Lord Santana has been excommunicated?”

“Yes, I heard the same. He has already departed this city long ago.”

“Oh… how could this be… where else can one find a noble soul like Lord Santana…”

Having gathered together, they spoke in lowered voices among themselves.

Those summoned here by the Beden Guild all shared a common trait – each of them had been tilling the lands owned by Santana or residing in his buildings.

By offering land rentals at far more affordable rates than usual and charging minimal housing fees, Santana was effectively a benefactor to these people, enabling them to lead stable lives.

However, Santana, who had allowed them such humane living conditions, had now been excommunicated under unjust accusations.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, they were all consumed by anxiety about their future prospects and harbored deep resentment toward the Church and the Archbishop who had instigated this incident.

“I’ve heard the Church schemed this out of envy for Lord Santana’s wealth. They coveted his assets.”

“Wretched fools deserving of divine punishment… how could such people call themselves clergy?”

“You said it. No matter how obsessed with money they might be, to treat a fellow holy knight in such a manner…”

As they vented their anger over the situation, one among them spoke with an even deeper sense of concern.

“Then… what will become of us now? Until now, we’ve been able to sustain ourselves thanks to Lord Santana…”

“I don’t know either…”

“There are rumors that Lord Santana has transferred his lands and properties to the Beden Guild…”

Thus, they began to realize more clearly that their future prospects now rested in the hands of the Beden Guild.

Although they were aware that the Guild maintained a decent reputation in this city, they could not help but feel uneasy for the time being.

No matter their public image, the Guild members were ultimately profit-seeking merchants.

They had no reason to extend kindness to the impoverished likes of their tenants and customers.

As they expressed their concerns, the figure of an elderly man, known to be the Branch Manager of the Beden Guild, finally appeared before them.

“Have you all gathered?”

“Yes, Branch Manager. Not a single person is missing.”

“I see… very well. Let us proceed, then.”

With those words, the Branch Manager began retrieving the prepared documents.

Seeing his actions, the people began to feel a profound tension. Facing their apprehension, the Branch Manager spoke in a voice carrying an unmistakable authority, despite his age.

“I am aware that you gathered here are the tenants of the lands and buildings formerly owned by Lord Santana. You have likely heard that all of those properties now belong to the Beden Guild. I shall now inform you of the changes that will take effect.”

“Ahem…”

“Gulp…”

At the Branch Manager’s words, the people responded with nervous coughs and audible gulps, bracing themselves to learn whether they would be rendered homeless and landless, or allowed to continue their current lives.

And regarding this, the Branch Manager continued in a composed tone.

“The locations we have acquired will henceforth be managed directly by the Beden Guild. Accordingly, we request that all current land tenants and building residents vacate the premises within six months.”

“…Haah…”

“So it has come to this, after all…”

Although they had anticipated this to some extent, they could not help but sigh deeply at the outcome.

The six-month notice was merely the legally mandated period for evicting tenant farmers and residents.

Essentially, the Beden Guild had declared their intention to expel these people from the lands and buildings.

‘Rather than raise the rents, they’re kicking us out like this…’

‘What do we do now? Within six months, we might be able to find new housing somehow… but securing new farmland will be an immense challenge…’

Those gathered here were all facing economic hardship.

As such, they had little to no savings for their future prospects. Even if they did have some funds, it was not a substantial amount.

Thus, they were consumed by profound concern over their impending circumstances.

At that moment, however…

“Additionally, as compensation, the Beden Guild hereby declares that it will provide each land tenant and building resident with 20 talants, to be paid in land, buildings, or cash.”

“!…”

“2… 20 talants?”

The Branch Manager’s unexpected words stunned them.

For tenant farmers who could barely scrape by day-to-day, 20 talants was an immense sum that would be difficult to accumulate even through a lifetime of labor.

For the Guild to offer such a staggering amount as compensation was an immense kindness from their perspective.

The feelings of anxiety and concern on their faces instantly vanished, replaced by a reverent bowing of their heads toward the Branch Manager.

“Th… Thank you.”

“We are truly grateful. To bestow such favor upon the likes of us…”

As the people before him showered him with gratitude, the Branch Manager silently departed without further ado.

However, at this moment, he did not feel particularly clean about receiving their thankfulness.

‘The bear may be skilled, but the owner takes the money, as they say… but this role of ‘owner’ is not as pleasant as I had imagined.’

With that thought, the figure of the person who had effectively set these events in motion – Santana – automatically arose in the Branch Manager’s mind.

Although there were special circumstances involved, the Beden Guild had managed to acquire the lands and buildings at over 90% off their original value, a massive windfall.

As he departed, Santana had left them with one final request – that since they had acquired the prime properties at such bargain prices, the Guild should provide sufficient compensation under its name to ensure the tenant farmers and residents affected by this transaction could continue their lives without issue.

Amalia had promised to honor this request, and the Branch Manager had declared they would comply. Ultimately, they had followed through on that commitment.

Thus… although commerce was his profession, Santana had demonstrated a compassion befitting a holy knight until the very end.

Recalling this, the Branch Manager began to feel a sense of emptiness about his own life spent solely in pursuit of money for half a century.

‘They say the truly wealthy are those who give to others… and those words don’t seem entirely incorrect.’

Feeling a strange bitterness, the Branch Manager pondered their next course of action to soothe this unsettling sentiment.

‘Very well… we have fulfilled Lord Santana’s request for compassion. Next, we must attend to the unfinished business he could not complete.’

Santana, a true servant of the Lord worthy of respect even from a merchant like himself.

The Branch Manager judged that it was now time to make those foolish, greedy wretches who had driven away such a pious soul pay their due price.