Chapter 140: The County's Financial Situation

"Five hundred thousand... Is that too little?"

Charlotte couldn't help raising her voice.

Cassimodo nodded.

"Indeed..."

"Master, you may not be aware, but when this old servant was still involved in managing the manor ten years ago, the monthly funds sent to the manor were at least one million five hundred thousand Gold Tanas."

Charlotte: ...

Goodness!

One million five hundred thousand per month...

An annual income of tens of millions?

That's not just some Yuan of Earth!

If we were to compare it in terms of purchasing power, one Gold Tana is roughly equivalent to one to two thousand Earth's Yuan, rounded up to over twenty billion per month...

And this isn't revenue. This is just money delivered to the manor.

Incredible!

With such income, even on Earth, they would be considered top-tier tycoons!

Although due to the existence of extraordinary powers in the world of Myria, the monetary system here is slightly different from Earth's.

But even so, the Castell family can truly be considered wealthy enough to rival a country!

Of course, money isn't everything.

For a First Tier extraordinary like Charlotte, money is still important, but beyond the Second Tier, money is just a number.

They have too many ways to make money, so they become less concerned about money and more about extraordinary things that are more valuable than money.

And many extraordinary things cannot be measured in terms of money's worth.

"Master... the fact that someone could deplete the family's treasury after so many years already surprised me greatly. Now, it seems that not only was it due to someone spending a fortune on various magical materials for a sinister ritual, but also because the funds transported to the estate in recent years have been decreasing."

Casimodo said solemnly.

Upon hearing his words, Charlotte nodded slightly.

Although five hundred thousand Gold Tana had already surprised and satisfied her considerably, as a Lord, no one would complain about having more Gold Tana in their pocket.

After all, everything requires money, and nurturing extraordinaries also requires money.

"Let's not worry for now. We'll talk about it after we return to the manor."

Charlotte glanced at Baron Sharon, who had been silent and seemingly preoccupied after paying his respects to her, and said thoughtfully.

The carriage rumbled back to the Castell Manor.

And after entering the Manor, Baron Sharon, who had remained silent the whole time, looked around and couldn't help but speak up again.

"Miss Charlotte, I heard on the way here that something happened to the family? The old lady... is no more?"

Charlotte wasn't surprised that Baron Sharon knew about the affairs of the family.

The changes in the Castell family were not small matters in Borde. Although this convoy had definitely left the county a month ago, he was very likely to have heard about the family's affairs from other merchants or locals during their journey.

However, it was clear that the other party's understanding was quite limited, probably just hearing some rumors.

Thinking of this, Charlotte's expression dimmed slightly, revealing a look of sadness and sorrow.

"Yes, grandmother... has passed away. She was misled by the Blood Demon Cult and ultimately died in an evil ritual."

"Did the old lady really fall? Did she turn into a bloodborne? Miss Charlotte... I know mentioning this matter will cause you grief, but... as a noble of the county, I still need to inquire clearly from you what exactly happened in the Manor?"

Baron Sharon asked with a solemn expression.

Charlotte glanced at Sebastian beside her. Sebastian nodded and stepped forward, elegantly saying.

"Baron Sharon, this matter is quite complicated..."

As he spoke, Sebastian informed him of everything about ex-Countess Castell's situation.

After listening to Sebastian's account, Baron Sharon's expression gradually became serious.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply.

"I didn't expect such a thing to happen. Lady Charlotte, please accept my condolences..."

He naturally changed his address to "Lady" Charlotte.

After finishing, he looked at Sebastian's typical elven appearance again and couldn't help but ask.

"I was curious just now. I don't think I've seen you by Lady Charlotte's side before. Who are you?"

"I am Sebastian, the steward of the Castell estate, and a loyal servant of Mistress Charlotte."

Sebastian smiled.

"Sebastian?"

Baron Sharon was momentarily stunned.

Soon, he widened his eyes again, almost instinctively jumping up.

"Wait a minute? Sebastian? The Flame Elf? Are you the president of the Rose Society?"

Sebastian smiled faintly.

"That's correct."

"But as the president of the Rose Society, an underground syndicate, why did you become Miss Charlotte's steward?"

Baron Sharon frowned, his expression carrying some caution and hostility.

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Nobles have always despised gangs, even if Sebastian is powerful, he doesn't like the other party and is even more wary because of it.

"Of course, because the Rose Society has always been a hidden force of the Castell family, and I have always been a servant of the family in secret. It was only after the Countess' accident that I came to the manor to serve Master."

Sebastian said naturally.

"The Rose Society is a hidden force of the family?"

Baron Shalon's brow furrowed even deeper.

Obviously, the incident of the Sacred Judgment had not spread too far yet. Baron Sharon was still unaware of it, and there might also be deliberate concealment of the news by the Holy Court, after all... a failed judgment was not something worth publicizing.

Baron Sharon looked at Charlotte. Charlotte nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and the baron hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding.

"I... understand."

After telling him about the current situation of the Manor, Charlotte indirectly asked about the condition of the County, hoping to see if the other party would voluntarily mention the issue of dwindling funds being transported.

However, what she got in return was the other party's official response of "everything is fine within the County."

Charlotte glanced at Casimodo and he understood immediately.

He stepped forward respectfully and asked.

"Lord Sharon, I looked at this month's invoice. The funds sent to the manor... seem to be much less than before?"

"Much less?"

Baron Sharon was stunned.

He picked up the invoice and looked at it, shook his head, and said.

"No, this amount has been consistent for the past two years."

"But I remember, the funds sent by the county used to be around one million five hundred thousand Gold Tana per month, sometimes even exceeding two million."

Casimodo frowned.

Baron Sharon was silent for a moment before sighing.

"That was many years ago. Things are different now."

"Why? Has something happened to the county?"

Casimodo pursued.

Baron Sharon glanced at him, did not answer directly, but bowed to Charlotte.

"Lady Charlotte, could we... talk privately?"

Charlotte raised her eyebrows. Her gaze swept past Casimodo and Sebastian, and she nodded lightly.

"Sure."

...

One after the other, Charlotte and Baron Sharon entered the study of the mansion.

As soon as they entered the study, Baron Sharon couldn't help but ask.

"Lady Charlotte, does the county know about the affairs of the family?"

"Casimodo has sent messages to the county, and he also called several viscounts and barons to Borde City."

Charlotte replied.

With that, she glanced at Baron Sharon again.

"But... we haven't received any response yet."

Baron Sharon's expression became somewhat embarrassed.

He cleared his throat and explained.

"Lady Charlotte, you may not know, but last month there were several conflicts between Castell and the Vlad Duchy, and the communication magic towers were damaged. They haven't been repaired yet."

Vlad Duchy?

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.

The Vlad Duchy was one of the twelve duchies of the Crescent Kingdom, and also the neighbor of the Castell's County, with a delicate relationship with the Borde Duchy.

The Castell's County, a fiefdom enclave of the Borde Duchy, had been in constant conflict with the Vlad Duchy due to commercial competition and territorial disputes.

"The communication magic tower is broken? So you mean... the territory may not have received the message yet?"

Charlotte furrowed her brows and asked.

"It's very likely."

Baron Sharon thought for a moment and replied.

Very likely?

Charlotte's brows furrowed even deeper.

She pondered for a moment before continuing.

"Let's put aside the matter of communication for now. What about the monthly funds that Casimodo mentioned? I've heard that the county's business has been thriving in recent years, and the silver mine has been continuously producing. Why is the income decreasing compared to before?"

Looking at Charlotte's youthful and innocent appearance, Baron Sharon sighed and said.

"Lady Charlotte, you probably don't understand the composition of the family's income, do you?"

"I know a little. Seventy percent of the income comes from the Castell silver mine, ten percent from vassal taxes, and twenty percent from direct territory taxes and business income."

Charlotte said.

After hearing her answer, Baron Sharon sighed deeply.

"Yes... seventy percent of the family's income comes from the silver mine, especially the associated mithril mine, which accounts for the vast majority of the income."

"But the portion of the associated mithril mine allocated to the family... is on the verge of depletion."