Chapter 127:Release The Dog (5)

The mountain range that stretches from the southwest to the northernmost part of the Empire is like a major artery.

Following that long blood vessel downwards leads to the free city of Müllan, and further down, the Republic of Xenovella.

And further down from that, there lies the Duchy of Firenza.

An arsenal of wealth, minting gold coins. The only city that once stood against the Emperor of the Empire.

It is inhabited by madmen who would give their lives for wealth.

They would gladly risk their lives for gold and silver, for silk and spices from the distant East.

For it brings wealth, and wealth brings honor.

And the honor of merchants brings yet more wealth. It was different from the honor of knights. Their honor was solely based on ‘trust’ and ‘more money.’

Greedy as they may be, Firenza, the only one who sided with the Pope against the Emperor of the Empire, was not oppressed by the Church. 

They have grown in such a way, as if to absorb all the wealth of this world.

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“The Duchy of Firenza has been prosperous for quite some time,” Alyssa said softly, after leading Keldric to the room.

Keldric listened silently to Alyssa’s story.

“In fact, even now, the Duchy of Firenza is not an easy opponent to underestimate. Because…”

“It’s where Floren gold coins are minted.”

“…That’s right.”

Floren gold coins. Its precise name is ‘Firenza Floren.’

Minted directly in Firenza, and trusted due to its immense wealth and influence through trade.

Naturally, it is a key currency. Its status was so high that it was pointless to explain it.

“Silver coins are what merchants love the most. Because they are the most common and the most universal.”

“Hmm…”

Being the most universal means that you can propose a deal to anyone, anywhere.

Therefore, merchants love silver coins. Especially the merchants of Firenza.

“Have you ever met the merchants of Firenza?”

“Hmm… I think I’ve seen them briefly while traveling to and from Bogenberg.”

There were several great merchants, so to speak, merchants with the stature of magnates, in this continent.

But none of them could look down on Firenza.

No, they were close to a symbiotic relationship from the start.

The most trusted vault keepers exist in Firenza. And the merchants’ money is fluid.

They entrust the transport of funds to the Knights Templar, and the funds transported in that way are entrusted to safe steel vaults by the vault keepers of Firenza.

‘Money entrusted to Firenza vault keepers can be passed down for generations!’

…That’s the kind of saying that was going around.

So, merchants cannot exclude Firenza. Firenza cannot exclude merchants either.

They join hands and absorb the continent’s money in the most rational way.

“The influence of merchants in Firenza is immense. But still, there are rulers who adhere to tradition.”

Even Firenza would not be able to function as an independent city-state without a ruling class, so there were several families that represented it.

When they had just defended the city from the Emperor of the Empire, it was a border duchy.

The Duchy of Tussia. That was its original name.

But as time went by, the Duchy of Tussia was gradually divided, and the power of the merchant nobles increased in Firenza.

They demanded a division of governing power from the Duke of Tussia, who ruled the northern part of the peninsula.

As that was accepted, a city-state close to a republic was formed today.

The Ducal House of Tussia was divided into several branches, and among them, the Ducal House of Firenzione was the family that ruled Firenza.

They are still going strong, but the city noble families that support the city under them were virtually leading the city.

“The Altomani family…”

Alyssa muttered. The Altomani family, as if slowly savoring each and every letter of that name.

“Have you heard of them?”

“…No. I haven’t heard of them.”

Of course, Keldric was hearing the name for the first time.

Until now, he had only vaguely heard the names of the imperial noble families, but he knew nothing about the noble families of that southern merchant city.

It didn’t really matter if he didn’t know them.

“By the way, it seems like we’re drifting away from the topic a bit. Is this related to you and the Ember School?”

“Of course. This is…”

Alyssa moved her lips, choosing what to say. That continued for a long time, and then her crimson lips parted with difficulty.

“It might be a bit of a long story.”

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It’s strange.

Firenza is clearly a duchy, but looking at how things are going, it wouldn’t be strange to call it a republic.

“Aren’t you strange at all?”

“…Milady. Is that why you almost turned the Academia into ashes again today?”

Fia, the family’s maid, asked with a dumbfounded expression.

There was a lot to say about that.

But when she hit the nail on the head like that, she had no choice but to avoid her gaze with an awkward expression.

No matter how she excused herself, causing another accident at the Firenza Academia was something she would be scolded for quite a bit.

Still, she felt wronged.

Her slightly flushed cheeks puffed up as if to say, ‘I’m sulking—’

“That Valdi family bastard keeps picking fights with me. So I can’t concentrate in class. So I just said one word.”

“Milady. Polite words.”

“Kkeueung…”

But that didn’t last long either. It was because Fia’s hands grabbed her plump cheeks and stretched them out haphazardly.

“Ah, it hurts…!”

“It’s punishment. How much did the elders get angry this time?”

“Eek! Let go!”

In the end, the one who gave in first was always Fia, as usual.

Fia let out a soft sigh, looking at the reddened cheeks and sulky expression in front of her, due to the pinching.

The only daughter of Landolfo di Gualtiero de Altomani, the head of the Altomani family, and the first of the three things he valued more than wealth, his precious daughter.

“Alyssa, Milady…”

“…What, what. I didn’t do anything wrong, okay?”

Alyssa di Landolfo de Altomani.

As usual, she tired everyone out with her rough language and picky personality.

And that was the biggest fatigue for Fia, who attended to Alyssa’s needs.

So much so that the people of the Altomani family pitied Fia, calling her ‘Fia of chronic fatigue’ whenever they saw her.

“Forget it, get ready to go out. I’m going to eat Ortus’s Panforte today, no matter what.”

“Milady. What time is it now?”

At Fia’s question, Alyssa turned her head and looked at the clock tower in the distance.

The clock hands had just passed one in the afternoon. Thanks to the early end of the Academia’s classes.

“It’s one o’clock. Why are you asking?”

“By now, all the Panforte made by Mr. Ortus will have been sold, right?”

“…That’s not something we can know, is it?”

Alyssa’s brow furrowed immediately.

It’s strange. If it were Fia as usual, she would have sighed, but in the end, she would have been unable to resist Alyssa’s urging and left the mansion

with her.

‘Today is full of strange things.’

The Valdi family bastard was more annoying than usual, the Academia classes suddenly ended early…

Besides, Fia wasn’t as flexible as usual, and even resolute. A troubled breath escaped through Alyssa’s teeth.

“It’s not possible. At least not today.”

But Fia is unyielding. Alyssa saw the determination in Fia’s eyes.

Fia usually gives in to Alyssa, but she is the type of person who, once she becomes resolute, does not give in until the end.

It’s become a hassle. Alyssa, who muttered softly, raised one eyebrow and asked.

“…Just in case, why?”

“Because the elders have opened a banquet today.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Milady… Someone from the Ruccellai family is coming.”

The Ruccellai family was close to the Altomani family.

Unlike the existing noble families of Firenza, who had a long tradition and justification, the Altomani family and the Ruccellai family had a short history.

A family that has grown rapidly through commerce since only twenty years ago. Their wealth and the power that comes with it are immense, but they have no tradition.

That was not a big flaw for the people of Firenza, but at least if they belonged to the thirteen families that could be involved in the rule of Firenza, it was a bit…

“Well, our family is a bit lacking.”

“Milady! Polite words!”

“What’s wrong with that? We still have more money than the Valdi family.”

And, that’s why the young master of the Valdi family keeps picking fights with her at the Academia.

The Altomani family lacks legitimacy. The same was true of the Ruccellai family.

So, like the old saying that deficient people stick together, the two families have been interacting for quite some time.

“Today, Milady, you must show your face. It’s something the elders have repeatedly asked for.”

Even Alyssa, who had a bad personality, couldn’t help but know why Fia was so resolute today.

“Because Milady must inherit the family.”

Yes, because of the obligation to inherit that damn family.

Alyssa was originally a free spirit. So it was quite fortunate that she had a strong aptitude for magic.

At least the Academia is comfortable. Where else is there such a free place?

Of course, it would have been a more perfect place if only the Valdi family’s brat wasn’t there. It’s a very unfortunate thing that that’s not possible.

Alyssa let out a deep sigh, already feeling like it would be a hassle.

She could just have dinner and lie down to sleep in the evening, but why would she deliberately bring in things that were no different from strangers and make herself uncomfortable?

None of the noble families that ruled this city were to her liking.

They all wear smiling faces, but that’s just a mask. A hundred venomous snakes must be hiding inside.

The Valdi family’s bastard also approaches Alyssa with a smiling face when he’s trying to mess with her.

Thinking that way, Alyssa became even more reluctant.

“It would be nice if my father and mother could use some power. I wonder if a younger sibling will just fall from the sky—”

“Milady!”

“Ah, I’m joking. Can’t I even joke?”

“What if someone hears you? Please, have some dignity…”

Hmph, Alyssa, who snorted, jumped up.

The grass in the garden, which had been slightly pressed down, slowly straightened its back.

“What’s wrong with that? This is our house. Whether someone hears me or not.”

“Haa…”

“Anyway, yeah. Let’s just get through today.”

No matter how rebellious Alyssa was, she couldn’t go against her father’s wishes.

Does she have to give up Ortus’s Panforte again today? Alyssa smacked her lips in disappointment.

It’s usually hard to get because it’s so popular, but to have this happen on a day like today when classes ended early…

“Milady. You were thinking about something else again, weren’t you.”

“…No? I was listening completely?”

“Then, what did I just say?”

“…You said you were hungry?”

“Milady!”

While listening to Fia’s nagging with one ear and letting it out with the other, Alyssa decided to think positively.

The weather is sunny and nice, one corner of the mansion’s garden where the birds are chirping is as quiet as she always liked, and teasing Fia is fun.

Yes, it’s a day like any other.

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The people from the Ruccellai family arrived before early evening.

Alyssa watched them through the window.

She was about to have dinner with people she didn’t really want to get close to, so her face, which was resting on her chin, gradually rotted away.

Knock, knock, there was a knock on the door. Alyssa said in a languid voice without turning her head.

“Come in-“

The one who appeared beyond the opened door was, as expected, Fia. That was fortunate.

If it had been another maid, she would have made a fuss and come in.

For example, bringing in accessories that even Alyssa thought were bizarre.

“Alyssa, Milady. You know you absolutely, absolutely cannot cause an accident at dinner tonight, right?”

“You know already…? Is that all you came to say?”

“No. Besides that, the Elder specifically instructed me regarding you, Miss.”

“What else?”

Fia abruptly knelt down and began rummaging under the bed. Alyssa, startled, flinched.

“I knew it.”

And what was dragged out from under there were several lumps of charcoal.

The very ones Alyssa used when playing with magic alone.

“The Elder has forbidden you from using magic, Miss. At least for today.”

“Do you think I’m crazy enough to use magic in the house?”

“You burned the entire garden down last year, and you say that so easily.”

“Anyway, I’ll come to pick you up when the time comes. Until then…”

Fia, looking slightly weary, gave a faint smile, as if feeling sorry for Alyssa being cooped up.

“Rest well. By all means.”

“Okay…”

With a click, the door closed again.

Alyssa listened for a moment. The sound of footsteps fading away. And then, silence.

Did she leave? She left.

Immediately, Alyssa jumped up and headed for the closet.

Then, without hesitation, she reached into the dusty space behind it.

Soon after, three or four lumps of charcoal were pulled out into her hand. Dark charcoal smudged her hand.

“I knew you’d do this, so I hid these.”

Alyssa grinned mischievously.

It’s always the case that you want to do something more when you’re told not to, and that had twice the effect on Alyssa.

Still, Alyssa wasn’t an arsonist. She just felt reassured having the charcoal.

At least, she wouldn’t use magic inside the house.

Unless something happened.