"Why in the world do you need this much gold? Have you seen our coffers lately Young Master? You do not need such an amount."
Treasurer Pike was livid.
He managed the finances of the entire southwest sector of the empire, he was someone highly respected despite his birth.
The taxes paid in tribute to Ashton's family, quarterly audits of the cities and their mayors, the careful balancing of the estate's own books. Pike Reuban knew of all the money the county possessed down to the last copper amount.
Count Shaun had only told a select few people about their impending war, and one of them was of course Treasurer Pike. He was given notice to start preparing, to purchase what was needed and secure as much funding as he could without attracting attention.
That is why he was nearly shouting from Ashton's budget. 25% of their liquid gold, straight from their reserve. A number that not only would punch a hole in their finances, it was also unfounded within the current noble system. Highborn children had wealth to enjoy and play with, but never this much to command.
It put the treasurer at a crossroads. The county doing well and was rich in gold, but in times of war anything could happen. The circumstance made him push back. Pike's temperament was rough, his loyalties were only to the count and countess, not yet extended to their son. He and Olaf alone were the only ones that hadn't kneeled and pledged themselves to Ashton after his trial.
"Treasurer Pike, my budget amount was deiced by my father. Your lord. I can only take your attitude, and unwillingness as defiance."
Ashton could understand his attitude, but he couldn't tolerate it. They both were preparing for war, wanting gold for what is needed and what must be done.
Ashton respected him for his loyalty and the care he put into his work, but disobedience would not be entertained.
Not when he is assuming a position of command.
"You must realize," Ashton continued. "I may not stand before you as your lord. But that does not mean we are equals."
"Of course. I understand that, but we have an abundance of gold and silver, 25% of it is amount enough to feed multiple cities even in a prolonged war. And don't let me mention your birthday banquet you skipped, that was not cheap."
"Naturally. The protection of my lands and its inhabitants is my foremost priority. And this money, like you, is what will enable my preparation."
"That is exactly right!" Pike rose from his chair and pointed at Ashton with a demanding voice. "I don't doubt you need golds but tens of thousands of them. For what?"
[So emotional... what is it you truly desire...]
Ashton took a step back, not physically. His presence was still tall and the air around him was clam, he had taken a step back mentally. He had compared the reaction of those around him. His father and Pike's anger, his mother's sadness, Marcella, Olaf, Sir Gallen, and even Titus. They all expressed themselves from the inside out, their emotions dictated their actions.
Half of him found it hard to believe he was ever alike, and the other said that's okay. That they are better now.
"You have spoken your mind, and I will respect that. You deserve slightly more room to breathe after all. But there is only thing I want you to say. Only one thing I want you to do."
Ashton's final statement had made it clear, he knew that the amount was categorical and that the treasurer only argued about what he thought was for the better. Pike wasn't trying to crush Ashton's budget whole, he just wanted to lower it, otherwise their conversation would have ended much differently.
Pike could no longer refuse the full amount, he was forced to show Ashton into the vault beneath the manor. It was fortified more heavily in arrays than the pits of the arena, and they were always active. The output demanded mana stones in fair quantity. The cost it took to maintain and keep powered was always thought to be worth the investment. But as Ashton loaded his gold into crates, Pike found the expenditure to be dreading.
"Are you not going to help me?" Ashton asked.
It was a lot of gold to load by himself. He could only use his mana for stamina and strength as Pike had to count how much was being taken.
"It would be too much to count if we both were piling it in, Young Master."
Ashton chuckled, he found Pike's subtle hostility very amusing, the gold was already sorted into containers of 10s and 100s. Somebody like Treasurer Pike who does nothing but math could easily help while helping load it.
It took a while, but at a certain point Ashton grew tired of Pike's games and started to funnel the coins at a rapid pace. Pike had tried to interject to slow Ashton's speed, but he was forced to concede again.
One crate turned into two and then three. In only a few minutes Ashton more than doubled his private wealth.
"Each crate has 2000 golds, Treasurer Pike. If you don't believe me, count the gold that is left in the vault."
The lock on Ashton's iron crates of gold was magical. It required a certain pattern of mana to unlock, it also allowed him to grab hold of the crates with his mana.
He was able to lift all three alone and leave, Pike had thought he would get witness Ashton finally struggle with something. After all, even with a mana enhanced body, it would be tough to carry such heavy crates.
Asthon's departure left Pike in sour but thankful mood. He had taken a lot but it was hardly a dent, and Pike assumed the gold would last for a while.
He planned to spend as much as he could, as responsibly as he could, then convince the count to lower Ashton's budget.
-
Ashton had brought the gold back into his room and hid it away inside of his shadow with Judah.
He thought it was weird, that his shadow had such ability but the Aether System wasn't labeling it a skill. It was clear change directly brought from it, but the thought ran away as he became focused.
He was going to leave home for a while, even if nobody approved. As he undressed into comfortable clothes, preparing for dinner with his family. He rehearsed his reasoning for leaving the territory, so he could at least ease the disapproving minds of his family.