The good Abbot took his sweet time deciding on how to answer Apollo, he knew what the answer was meant to be. But it was not easy for him to say it out.
Should the vault be emptied? That was a death sentence to this Order, he could not imagine a situation where he was the cause of their disbandment. Yet, he also had to honor the request put forward by Master Balian in the letter.
This treasure was too much to be transported by a handful of Templar Knights, but that is not what worried him. He and Philemon had set plans in motion, which were going to see all the treasures which leaves this vault stolen.