Lude had held William in such high regard until this moment, viewing him as a selfless prodigy or a mysterious disciple of a grand master. He never expected the boy to be so unapologetically materialistic.
In the traditional philosophy of the kingdom, great spirit masters were supposed to be ascetic, viewing money and worldly goods as distractions that shackled the soul to the mundane plane.
However, Lude and the elders would soon learn that William's intentions were far more pragmatic. He wasn't after wealth to buy silk robes or fine wine; he was after power. In their eyes, he was a youngster, perhaps infatuated with Berry or seeking fame. In reality, William was building a foundation for a war they couldn't yet see.
William knew that asking for his "fee" would give them a poor impression of his character, but he didn't care enough to correct the misunderstanding. He didn't need their admiration; he needed their resources.
