You clear your throat, casually straightening a stack of enchanted tax scrolls. 'Speaking of investment performance, Your Scaled Excellency... I couldn't help but notice Grimscale the Indomitable has been achieving remarkable bond yields in the Eastern Peaks.'

The effect is instantaneous. Valthorix's spine stiffens, sending a small avalanche of rubies cascading from his haunches. 'Grimscale?' he hisses, the name curling into smoke between his teeth. The floating ledger bursts into flames midair, its ashes settling onto a mound of silver ingots.

You press on carefully. '17.8% annualized returns, according to the latest financial familiars' report. Though of course,' you add hastily as the dragon's claws dig into solid platinum armrests, 'his portfolio lacks Your Excellency's... aesthetic refinement.'

Valthorix's tail lashes, toppling a marble statue of himself. 'That copper-clad upstart invests in... what? Peasant farming collectives? Dwarven municipal bonds?' His wings unfurl slightly, casting ominous shadows across the hoard. You notice with concern that several gold coins near his hindquarters have begun melting.

The abacus chooses this moment to spit out a comparative analysis scroll. It unrolls itself across a bed of gemstones, clearly showing Grimscale's superior diversification strategy. The numbers glow accusingly in the dim volcanic light.