"1.17 million?"
Duke Tales, Star Lake's duke and—though it absolutely could not be said in public—the current regent of Emerald City, wore a look of utter shock. His voice rose uncontrollably, making everyone in the study flinch.
When the duke's voice faded, the study fell silent, its atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
After a moment, Tales finally returned from the blankness in his mind. He closed his mouth, lowered the ledger with difficulty, and stared incredulously at the two rows of people before the desk:
On the left stood Marius, Stro, and Hugo, the three senior personal guards. Their expressions were composed, their gazes solemn.
On the right stood six serving officials from Emerald City's Department of Finance and Taxation. They kept their heads bowed deeply, tense and uneasy, occasionally sneaking a glance at the duke before hurriedly looking back at the floor.
"Your Highness Tales, to be precise..." Lord Mylahovich, the chief financial officer standing in the front row—a native of Ligul Principality who had settled in Emerald City many years ago but still could not shake his Eastern Land accent—sniffed and looked as though he were awaiting execution. "It is 1,178,653 Tomond gold coins."
Tales' expression did not change. He looked numb and dazed.
"And that is only part of it, Your Highness," one financial officer reminded him despite himself. "The largest portion, in fact."
"Also, this is merely the initial repayment," another humble assistant financial officer added quietly. "The preliminary amount required as security."
"Yes. If we calculate the total, it comes to nearly..." A younger auditor did not finish before his colleagues restrained him with their eyes, pleading with him to keep quiet.
Tales stared blankly for several seconds before slowly releasing the ledger in his hands.
If—just if...
If he sold everything in Star Lake Fortress,