Rothschild Baron Household’s Low-Ranking Spy: Roberto@@@@

    Currently, he worked as a servant in the household of Baron Olbia—a mere stableman, only slightly above the status of a serf. Roberto, skilled in deception from his days with the intelligence guild, easily blended into any role. Nobles seldom bothered with background checks for mere stable hands, allowing Roberto to fully integrate into this family.

    “Hah, what a ridiculous bunch. They’re the type you’d want to smash over the head with a hammer, and it still wouldn’t be enough,” he muttered, fueling the curiosity of the lower-ranked servants around him, who lived for moments of gossip, drinking, and idle chatter.

    The most senior of the stable hands, Faber, raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on? Did someone mess with your wife or something?”

    Roberto smirked internally, feeling that they were taking the bait. But he remembered the guild’s wise saying: One must always be cautious when things appear to be going well. After all, Deus punishes those who grow too arrogant when fortune smiles on them.

    “If that were the case, I would’ve sent his teeth flying with this iron fist.”

    “Sounds like you could take on a knight in armor!”

    “Please, Faber, don’t exaggerate.”

    Those of noble birth often scorned the slums, seeing them as despicable. Yet, just as a veteran warrior from hell could emerge as a hero, surviving the slums required keen social skills. Without the ability to talk, flatter, and play along, one couldn’t survive in that brutal environment, where misplaced words could lead to disaster.

    Roberto, who had endured such a place, naturally adapted, using his wit and social tactics. In just three days, he was already a fixture among the stable hands, even if he was the youngest in rank.

    “You know, the servants of Baron Sicia have been mocking our lord’s taste in clothing, calling it ‘provincial,’” Roberto shared.

    Faber and the other stable hands clenched their teeth.

    “Those mongrels dare to insult our baron?”

    “Sure, he’s frugal and not the most stylish noble, but still.”

    “Hell, is their baron that much better?”

    Outwardly, it appeared that these stable hands were riled up out of loyalty to Baron Olbia. Yet, their pay was barely above that of urban poor, and they survived by skimming funds wherever they could without drawing attention. Small thefts, like selling premium hay at inflated rates or substituting feed grains for lower-quality stock, helped them scrape by.

    Of course, a butler overlooked these minor pilferages. For the servants, loyalty was a shallow notion; they just didn’t appreciate outsiders ridiculing their baron. It was akin to family members who might privately mock each other but would stand together against an outsider’s insult.

    Roberto, sensing the brewing anger, gave an inward thumbs-up. Now a real fight will begin, he thought, satisfied.

    True to his expectations, the rumor reached Baron Olbia’s ears.

    “Damn it! They said I dress like a slob?” He fumed, the rumor inflating as it spread.

    The crucial detail remained: Baron Sicia mocked him.

    “Is this true, head butler?”

    Though aware that rumors are just that, nobles knew well that they rose and fell by gossip.

    “This slander can’t be ignored,” Olbia grumbled. Though it was a servant’s whisper, he knew such rumors could still harm him.

    “Wise decision,” the butler agreed. “Perhaps let Roberto handle both stable work and rumor gathering discreetly.”

    Unknowingly, Olbia had assigned Roberto to gather intelligence for the Rothschilds.

    “Also, perhaps a direct confrontation with Baron Sicia is warranted. He’s technically a rival, even if they share the same faction.”

    They had different patron counts, keeping the nobles at odds. Meanwhile, Fabio, a favored and powerful duke’s man, had transcended such petty affiliations.

    “Yes, I’ll confront him at the ball. And have a new suit made; bring in the best tailor, retired from the royal service if needed.”

    Thus, Baron Olbia unknowingly danced to Fabio’s tune, while the expenses started to drain his coffers.

    Yet, the hidden hand behind all this was far from satisfied.