Chapter 57.

A large mansion, beautiful maids, and other servants attending to his every need were luxuries Seon-Hyeok had never imagined having. However, he wasnt able to fully enjoy these benefits. After all, such luxuries were maintained using his own financial resources.

Ugh. Im going to go crazy.

Maintaining the mansion cost money. Paying his servants cost money. It seemed as though even breathing cost money. He was able to pay the upkeep costs using the financial rewards received from the royal family, but he had no other sources of revenue once those resources were drained.

His ambition to rule over a prosperous territory faded away, and he was in such a desperate situation that he couldnt even afford to walk around his territory.

Damn it. Its always money.

Fortunately, the hundred members of the Drake Cavalry assumed much of the responsibilities that a local militia would have, and as a result, he wasnt pressed to recruit soldiers right away. Even so, there were countless expenses involving maintaining a territory.

How could I have known being a lord would be so expensive?

No, it wasnt specifically that being a lord was expensive. The real problem was being a noble. A nobles everyday expenses were enormous.

Ugh. I need to find a source of income.

Julian looked at him with an absurd expression as he stressed about his dwindling resources.

Ive never seen a noble worry about money like you do.

How could I not worry when there are so many expenditures I need to take care of myself?

Well, you were given administrative control over the area, so even though there isnt anything established at the moment, you should be receiving tax income soon.

How much would taxes even be? There arent many people here, and they seem to be struggling to make ends meet.

Well only get a clear answer once the currently dispatched tax collector returns. I expect we will make around 400 gold a year after mansion and servant expenses.

Seon-Hyeok wasnt sure how much 400 gold was. When he served as a rider, he used his earnings to pay his royal debt and thus never saw a single coin for himself. Considering he wasnt even aware of how much he was getting for his salary, there was no way he could have a firm grasp of how much gold was worth in this world.

The average tenant farmer earns about 70 silver a year, which is slightly more than half a gold. A normal infantry sergeant makes 3 gold. While you served as a cavalry rider, your salary was 30 gold per year. If you include the extra allowance provided for fighting in the war, you probably earned about 60 gold. Of course, that does not include the cost of maintaining your warhorse and equipment.

Julian continued on to explain that her calculations did not include the rewards provided by the royal family. Seon-Hyeok stared blankly. He still could not get the hang of things. After struggling to figure out finances in this world, he ultimately decided to use the cost of maintaining a single rider as a basis for comparison.

So 400 gold is roughly enough to support thirteen cavalry riders or 100 infantrymen?

If you consider the cost of feeding them and other miscellaneous expenses, its closer to three riders or thirty foot soldiers.

Is that a lot? Or a little?

It's a very small amount. Considering that the average baron earns about 800 gold per year, you would be considered very poor. I still dont understand why you chose this place. If you ruled over the first territory we visited, you would earn at least twice as much in taxes.

There was no use in lamenting his decision. At the time, the most important factor was not money, but rather finding earth veins. From that perspective, Rheinperle was the obvious choice.

If you dont feel comfortable with that amount, I can try to increase taxes.

Additional taxes?

If you really want, it is possible to tax residents for trivial things like having windows or for the right to start a fire. You can even tax people for using the river or having a beard. There are actually nobles who collect taxes in that manner.

What kind of nonsense was this?

Seon-Hyeok immediately refused. He was short on money at the moment, but even so, he did not want to become a cruel lord and exploit his people.

A 400 gold profit isnt much, but it should be sufficient to run the territory.

Thats a relief. I was afraid there were so many expenses that I would have to go out and earn money by myself.

Seon-Hyeok said it as a joke, but Julian looked at him as though she had heard something absurd.

However, whether or not you levy additional taxes, you will need to find additional sources of income. We cannot rely on the Drake Cavalry forever, as they are under military jurisdiction, and having twenty or so soldiers is not nearly enough in case of emergencies. Rheinperle may not be on the border, but its not that far from it.

Right. Thats all true. But.

Seon-Hyeoks eyes lit up as he listened to Julian speak.

Youre really good with numbers.

Well, the men in my family were all military-oriented ever since I was young, so we needed someone to manage our lands. I managed my familys tax affairs since I was eight.

Seon-Hyeok wondered what he had done when he was eight. He was probably busy running around his neighborhood with a runny nose. Hearing Julian had managed such complex finances from a young age, he saw her in a new light.

Wow. Thats great.

He was now truly thankful for her presence.

Julian, you can manage the finances here from now