Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 537

537. Conspiracy (3)

Meanwhile, Pedro observed the courtyard from a balcony overlooking it.

“All 3,000 have arrived. The seals are intact.”

“Indeed?”

Pedro nodded slightly at the report from the captain of the family guard and issued an order.

“Then, as planned, send 300 to the territory for training. Send 200 to Florence. Finally, send 100 to Duke Viseu.”

“Understood.”

“And be sure to tell Tiago, who is in charge of training in the territory: ‘You are permitted to break all 300 recruits. However, you must return them within ten days, fully trained and disciplined.’”

“I will deliver the message without fail!”

The captain of the guard saluted Pedro and left the room.

Soon after, the guards began moving purposefully in the courtyard.

The rifles were carefully packed into large oak barrels, the kind used for wine, and then sealed tightly. These barrels were loaded onto carts destined for Pedro’s territory. Other boxes were mixed with crates containing goods purchased from Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] and loaded onto carts heading to Henrique’s estate. Simultaneously, boxes bound for Florence were loaded onto separate carts.

Once the distribution was complete, the remaining boxes in the courtyard were moved inside the mansion.

Pedro remained on the balcony, overseeing the entire operation. As the last box disappeared inside, he turned and muttered.

“A dog’s death is too good for that son of a bitch…”

Turning away from the courtyard, Pedro glanced at a map of Florence hanging on the wall and continued.

“I wonder… how many of the 200 will they manage to break.”

* * *

The flintlock rifles obtained from Joseon proved to be exceptionally effective.

“The weight is comparable to an arquebus [early type of gun], but the power and range exceed a musket by 10 fathoms (about 18 meters). It’s truly remarkable. Even a force of a thousand men armed with these rifles could significantly alter the course of a war.”

Cosimo, who had visited Pedro and Henrique to witness the performance of the Joseon flintlock rifles firsthand, couldn’t contain his admiration. However, Pedro highlighted a critical issue.

“The problem is the price. Fifty silver nyang [Korean currency] in Joseon currency. That translates to 500 ducats [European currency] which is undeniably expensive.”

Cosimo nodded in agreement. Considering the cost of living in Florence at the time, that sum could only buy two rifles or a well-built townhouse. They were incredibly expensive.

Henrique raised a point against Pedro’s concern.

“Although the price is high, the advantages are numerous, starting with the elimination of dangerous fuses.”

“That’s true, but the price remains a significant obstacle. What is war, if not a money-devouring monster?”

Cosimo intervened, sensing Pedro’s continued negativity.

“Can’t we simply replicate them?”

“The Joseon bastards have cleverly tampered with the firing mechanism, the most crucial component of the rifle. We acquired ten, and eight have already malfunctioned.”

“Oh dear….”

Seeing Cosimo’s disappointment, Pedro offered a suggestion.

“Would you like to try replicating them in Florence?”

“Us?”

“Isn’t Florence renowned for its skilled craftsmen?”

“Hmm….”

At Pedro’s suggestion, Cosimo stroked his beard thoughtfully.

‘Compared to the arquebuses and muskets currently used in Europe, this weapon is far superior. Even if we can’t achieve a perfect replica, a performance close to the original would be highly marketable.’

Cosimo, recognizing another potential source of income, accepted Pedro’s proposal.

“Alright!”

In this way, Pedro managed to extract a considerable sum from Cosimo in exchange for the rifles.

“Are you allocating a fair quantity, considering the funds I’m contributing?”

Pedro explained the rationale behind the allocation.

“War is imminent; we can’t afford to simply wait, can we?”

“But….”

“Isn’t 200 rifles sufficient to equip a guard, in addition to the quantity needed for replication?”

Ultimately, Cosimo had no choice but to accept Pedro’s terms.

Leaving Pedro’s mansion, Cosimo consoled himself.

“It was a significant expense, but the future potential makes it worthwhile.”

* * *

Fifteen days later, Pedro addressed Afonso V.

“Your Majesty, may I speak?”

“Speak, Regent.”

“Thank you.”

Pedro thanked Afonso V and began with a question.

“Your Majesty, do you recall what I mentioned last year?”

“Last year? Hmm….”

Afonso V, after a moment of contemplation, looked at Pedro with a bright expression.

“Are you referring to the gifts from Joseon?”

“Precisely. They arrived recently. I would like to extend an invitation to Your Majesty.”

“Excellent! When should we depart?”

Afonso V couldn’t conceal his excitement at Pedro’s invitation.

“I will host a banquet in five days.”

“Five days! The anticipation will be both a pleasure and a torment!”

“You will not be disappointed.”

Pedro, having reassured Afonso V, turned to the nobles gathered in the main hall.

“Invitations will be sent out; your attendance is highly encouraged.”

Upon hearing Pedro’s words, Duke Afonso of Braganza frowned slightly and retorted.

“Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to present them at the royal palace? Why travel all the way there….”

Pedro countered with a stern expression, addressing Duke Afonso of Braganza’s complaint.

“I apologize for the delay, and I wish to honor His Majesty with an invitation to my home!”

Pedro paused, then asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Why? Is there a problem? Hmm? Well! You are not obligated to attend if you are preoccupied!”

Few were unaware of the intense rivalry between Duke Pedro of Coimbra and Duke Afonso of Braganza. Even now, in the dark streets of Lisbon, assassins from both sides engaged in deadly skirmishes, targeting key figures or thwarting each other’s plans.

Duke Afonso of Braganza retorted sharply at Pedro’s sarcasm.

“Send me an invitation! I must see these extraordinary items for myself!”

‘Huh! Nonsense, hoping I wouldn’t come! You’ll be whispering poison in the king’s ear if I’m not there!’

Pedro responded with a cynical tone to Duke Afonso of Braganza’s declaration.

“You will receive it promptly.”

* * *

Five days later, carriages carrying nobles began to arrive at Pedro’s mansion.

Each time a carriage approached, the slaves and servants managing the mansion politely opened the door and bowed.

“Welcome, we are honored to have you.”

Finally, the carriage carrying Afonso V and his wife arrived, and Pedro himself came to the front door to greet the royal couple.

“Welcome.”

“It is a great honor that the Regent himself has come out.”

“The honor is mine. Please, come inside.”

After escorting Afonso V and his wife inside, Pedro added.

“I trust you will have a pleasant time.”

The banquet commenced with the arrival of Afonso V and his wife.

* * *

“Oh!”

“Amazing!”

The nobles who entered the grand banquet hall marveled at the sparkling glass lamps adorning the pillars and the magnificent chandeliers illuminating the ceiling.

As Joseon exported lighting fixtures made of crystal glass, the nights of European nobles became brighter and more splendid.

And Pedro’s mansion banquet hall was filled with such radiant splendor.

A variety of delicacies began to be prepared on the tables in the banquet hall, where Afonso V and his wife were seated at the head table.

* * *

“Your Majesty!”

As the atmosphere reached a certain point, Pedro rose from his seat and addressed Afonso V.

“I will now present the items I mentioned to Your Majesty.”

“I have been waiting!”

“Bring them in!”

At Pedro’s command, the doors of the banquet hall swung open, and servants and slaves entered, carrying Joseon’s goods.

“Oh!”

The nobles exclaimed as they saw the precious items placed in the center of the banquet hall.

When the servant who had placed the last item stepped back, Duke Afonso of Braganza, who had been examining the items, mocked Pedro.

“They are fine items, but is this all? Is this the reason you invited Your Majesty?”

“All? Does Duke Braganza consider this to be all?”

“It is all! Some of them appear quite excellent, but this is hardly sufficient to warrant inviting Your Majesty!”

Before anyone realized it, the banquet hall fell silent. Starting with Afonso V and his wife, all the nobles attending the banquet stared at the two dukes with tense expressions as the two dukes debated.

Pedro, glaring at Duke Afonso of Braganza, nodded.

“I understand. Then I will present the finest gift.”

“Oh? You claim the finest gift? Should I be excited?”

“Enough!”

Pedro, answering briefly, shouted.

“Arrest the traitor!”

* * *

“Arrest the traitor!”

“Arrest the traitor!”

Doo doo doo doo!

As soon as Pedro’s order was given, the guards of Duke Pedro emerged from all corners of the banquet hall, pointing their guns at the nobles. Simultaneously, soldiers who had been waiting in the corridors on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the banquet hall revealed themselves and aimed their weapons.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Clang! Clang!

Caught off guard, the guards who were directly behind the nobles drew their swords to protect their lords.

“D, D, Duke, what is happening? What do you mean by treason?”

Afonso V, terrified by the sudden turn of events, questioned Pedro.

Pedro bowed his head to Afonso V and replied.

“For some time now, that wicked Duke of Braganza has been plotting treason. Please forgive me for having no choice but to create such a scene, as he is a cunning and deceitful man.”

Duke Afonso of Braganza shouted at Pedro’s accusation.

“Silence! Me, a traitor! This is a conspiracy! It’s slander!”

Pedro immediately responded to Duke Afonso of Braganza’s denial, shouting his innocence.

“There is a witness. Bring him in!”

At Pedro’s command, the guards dragged in a bloodied man.

“Y, you are….”

Duke Afonso of Braganza, recognizing the bloodied man, sensed defeat. The man before him was his confidant, who primarily conveyed his orders to the nobles.

“Tell us everything you have seen and heard! In exchange, I promise you a swift and painless death!”

At Pedro’s command, the man opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Duke Braganza said this: ‘The current king is a puppet of the regent. To properly govern this kingdom, our noble lords must take the lead. To achieve this, we must eliminate not only the regent but also the king.’….”

“It’s a frame-up! I did say that our nobles should take the lead! But I never mentioned eliminating the king!”

Duke Afonso of Braganza defended himself loudly, but the outcome had already been decided.

“Iik!”

At that moment, his son Fernando gritted his teeth, drew his sword, and charged at Pedro.

Bang! Bang!

Instantly, two gunshots echoed through the banquet hall, and the Duke of Braganza and his son fell to the floor.

Thus, the winner and loser of the original history were reversed.

Pedro, who had been pushed out of the regency, abandoned by the king, and died in the civil war after being defeated, had emerged as the victor.