Redcastle, Elder Council, Chief Executive's Office.
Count Merlin silently flipped through the report, occasionally asking his assistant, "Have all the Wyvern Knights paid enough Ice Soul Beads?"
"Lord Gerard is still short two. He needs time to adjust to his position as Minister of Finance, so he has made fewer trips to the snowfields," the assistant replied. "Lord Dreller is also short one. He should be able to make it up on this trip back."
Among the Elder Council's senior ministers, the post of Minister of Finance had already changed hands several times.
First, Baron Roman Fluorite Mushroom held the position, but he was stripped of it after taking responsibility for Ross's crime of desertion. Then Baron Davis Golden Top Mushroom succeeded him, only to meet an untimely end, leaving the position vacant. Finally, Wyvern Knight Lord Gerard took over.
The Minister of Finance carried a heavy burden, so Gerard had no choice but to devote more energy to the Elder Council.
This delayed his snowfield hunts.
As for Lord Dreller, he had only recently advanced to become a Wyvern Knight, and his combat strength was still insufficient, making hunting more difficult.
"What about Baron Roman?" Count Merlin asked blandly. "Three years of Combat Hard Labor, yet he has barely made any trips to the snowfields."
"Baron Roman just came to the treasury and paid forty Ice Soul Beads. Twenty of them were paid on behalf of Baron Russell."
"Mm, if you hadn't mentioned it, I nearly would have forgotten that he has such a fine son." Count Merlin stroked his beard and chuckled.
The assistant immediately caught on and flattered him, "Baron Russell is also your fine grandson. Your blood runs through his veins!"
"Yes, Russell is a fine grandson." Count Merlin sighed. "If he and Mel had traded