Time Travel? Rebirth? I Will Win This Time!

"Don't you wonder what kind of business I'm involved in, sir?"

"Silk. I have a batch of fine red silk in my possession."

Marquis glanced at Mike Bai, surprised. He hadn't expected this young noble to pull out such high-end goods.

"Why, no connections, perhaps?"

"Under the Emperor's special authorization, we merchants still have some influence in this city. But might I see a sample of your goods?" Marquis asked eagerly.

"Let's talk after we disembark."

"Ah, how rude of me! Allow me to arrange accommodations for you, sir."

Thus, Mike Bai and his party settled into a Venetian merchant inn in the port district. The rooms were small, but thanks to the wealth of Constantinople, the furniture was exquisite, and even the bed linens were freshly changed fine linen.

After Mike Bai had settled in, Marquis came knocking.

"I hope you'll forgive my sudden visit, sir. After all, pursuing profit is the virtue of every merchant," he said, his tone both respectful and eager.

"It's no trouble, here, take a look at this." Mike Bai handed over the sample he had shown earlier.

Marquis took it with both hands, first stroking it gently, then pulling at it with more force, before holding it up to the light to check its transparency.

Mike Bai smiled as he watched him examine it.

"Top-tier European silk, but this color…." Marquis became even more respectful. "It's brighter, more vivid than what the royal court has used in the past. Where did you acquire such a fine piece of fabric?"

"It's from Florence's latest weaving techniques. The top artisans there have spent three years researching and refining the old dyeing methods, resulting in this new product." Mike Bai lied smoothly. "This batch was originally intended as a gift for His Eminence the Cardinal, but through a series of fortunate events, our family managed to acquire a portion of it."

"Your influence is truly impressive, sir," Marquis said, bowing deeply. "But, just how much of this fabric do you have?"

"One thousand rolls. We must head to the Holy Land soon, so we need to sell it quickly."

"One thousand!" Marquis' eyes widened in delight. "In that case, please give me a few days. I will introduce you to someone who can take all of it at once."

"That's fine."

"I'll go find him now. Also, the merchant caravan will depart for Saint Akka Port in ten days. During that time, you may wish to explore this city of wealth." Marquis took the sample and retreated, but stopped just before exiting, seeming to remember something.

"Ah, sir! Please do take extra care and bring guards with you when you go out. The people of this city don't seem to be too friendly toward us."

"Why is that?" Mike Bai asked, puzzled.

"Twenty years ago, when the Norman Kingdom went to war with the Empire, the people of the Empire have not been very kind to us Venetian merchants ever since. There are still some scoundrels who raid Imperial villages in the name of their rulers, and now the Empire's citizens call us 'Latins' or 'Franks.' Please take care."

"Thank you for the warning."

With that, Marquis departed, and after a day's rest, Mike Bai, along with William and Demol, wandered around the city.

Thanks to the Roman tradition of broad, straight streets, Mike Bai's feet felt liberated, but the thing he appreciated most was the fresh air!

In Mainz and Veneto, there had been no public toilets. Whether noblewomen or priests, everyone simply went wherever they pleased. The local lords might clean up the streets, but the alleyways were often neglected, leaving the air thick with unpleasant smells.

"Ah, Roman air... it's so refreshing."

Mike Bai took a deep breath, for the first time truly appreciating the value of a proper bathroom!

Since he was in Rome, there was one more experience he couldn't miss.

"A bath!" he thought.

Marquis had recommended a private bathhouse located on the western side of the port district, one where even foreigners like Mike Bai were welcome.

After paying a silver denarius each, the three of them entered the bathhouse.

Perhaps it was early, as there was no one else inside. In the center was a large marble bath, and along one side were marble loungers. Statues of various sizes adorned the surrounding area. The walls and floors had heating channels, and as Mike Bai stepped into the bath, he felt no chill.

"Ahhh..." Mike Bai and his companions sighed in pleasure as they sank into the warm water, their bodies relaxing from the long journey.

Compared to the rough wooden tubs they had used before, this was heaven!

With a childish sense of delight, Mike Bai swam around the pool, occasionally splashing water at William and Demol, laughing and playing.

"If only I could live here forever!"

He daydreamed about the fortune they would earn from this deal and whether it would be enough to buy a house in the city when a soft, tinkling laugh drifted into the room.

Mike Bai froze, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned to look.

"How... how could this happen?"

Three white figures, emerging from the misty steam.

"Such adorable children!"

As the figures came closer, their graceful, seductive, and playful forms grew larger in his vision.

"Ah, damn it!!! How could I forget that Roman baths are co-ed?!"

By the time they exited the bath, Mike Bai's face was as red as a boiled lobster, and his eyes were nearly squinting from embarrassment.

"How embarrassing!" he muttered, remembering how the three Roman women had handled him like a doll, surrounded by nothing but white skin. "You should have known better, you're supposed to be an experienced man!"

"Hahaha! Little Mike Bai, such a virgin!" William couldn't resist teasing him, laughing as he patted Mike Bai's head.

Demol, unable to watch any longer, chimed in.

"Mike Bai's still a kid, and you? All you did was stare and nearly get us kicked out!"

The laughter stopped abruptly. William muttered under his breath, "Well, it's not my first time..."

"Let's go, let's go back!" Mike Bai shook his head, trying to shake off the embarrassing thoughts as they made their way back to the inn.

After several days, Marquis finally appeared again before Mike Bai.

"Sir, the person you're waiting for wishes to meet you."

"Ah?" Mike Bai was puzzled.

"It's nothing bad. That person simply wants to express his gratitude to you."

Mike Bai looked at Otto, who, after thinking for a moment, nodded.

"Let's go, then."

An hour later, Otto and Mike Bai were brought to a refined mansion. After being led through the gates by soldiers, they slowly made their way into the courtyard.

The mansion appeared small from the outside, but the inside was a hidden treasure. A fountain sprayed water in the middle of the garden, while fine statues of renowned artists adorned the hallways. When they reached the study and waited, they were amazed by the owner's wealth: five cabinets of vellum books, red curtains casually thrown about, and Persian carpets trampled underfoot.

As Mike Bai wondered about the identity of the man they were about to meet, a 50-something-year-old man entered, dressed in a red robe, with a smooth, pale face and no beard.

Mike Bai and Otto immediately bowed. The man waved his hand casually. He smiled at them both, but Mike Bai felt like a frog caught in the gaze of a snake.

"Please, sit. A fellow Latin from afar," the man said in a sharp voice, snapping his fingers. A maid immediately poured wine for both Mike Bai and Otto.

"The shipment of silk arrived just in time. The royal weaving factory is overwhelmed with the princess's birthday coming up next month," the man said with a smile, before asking, "But I'm curious. Is this silk really from Florence?"

"Of course!" Baron Otto answered smoothly, "We acquired it from a merchant in Florence."

"Heh." The man took a sip of his wine, a smile playing at his lips. "I didn't know Florence's guild had advanced so quickly."

"You know, the silk-making technique you Latins stole from the Empire only dates back about a decade or so, correct?" The man's tone shifted. "Of course, I'm sure both of you are loyal subjects of the Empire and would never partake in such dirty dealings."

"However, Baron Otto, could you pass along to Florence's guild that the Empire is very interested in this new technique? The Empire is willing to grant more privileges in exchange."

"We acquired this batch by chance," Otto responded, his voice calm but firm. "We are soon to leave for the Holy Land to join the Knights Templar, to serve our Lord's cause. It is a great honor, but also a debt to you, sir."

"Is that so?" The man leaned back in his chair, not pressing the matter further. Both Mike Bai and Otto wisely excused themselves.

After a while, the butler came in with a report. "Master, shall we send someone..."

"The Empire is in crisis, its treasury emptied. And those damn Latin rats are gnawing at the Empire's roots," the man's eyes glittered with cunning. "We'll leave them for now. Lord Andronicus will be entering the city soon. We have more important matters to attend to."

Meanwhile, Mike Bai, barely escaping the encounter, wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind racing. "I just wanted to make a quick profit and leave, but now I'm already being targeted. I can't underestimate these shady characters again."

"I need to find a way to protect myself," Mike Bai thought, glancing at the weapons he had recently acquired. A smile crept across his face.