You take a steadying breath, carefully selecting your words as Valthorix's tail continues to thrash dangerously close to a priceless collection of elven crystal goblets. 'Your Scaled Excellency, if I may propose... strategic divestment of certain less... visually striking assets could dramatically improve your liquidity position without sacrificing the grandeur of your hoard.'

A molten growl rumbles from the dragon's chest as he peers at you through narrowed, smoke-rimmed eyes. 'Less shiny?' he repeats, tasting the offensive words. The temperature spikes again, making your enchanted quill's ink evaporate mid-sentence.

Stepping carefully over a smoldering patch of marble, you gesture toward a shadowy alcove filled with lead ingots. 'Those, for instance - purely functional metals that haven't appreciated like your gold or mithril. Or the third copy of the Rubric of Infernal Taxation...'

Valthorix's massive head snaps toward the mentioned scrolls, his nostrils flaring. 'That's a limited edition!' he roars, sending a shower of loose sapphires skittering across the floor. But you notice his gaze lingers on the lead pile, and his tail's movements slow to a thoughtful sway.

The abacus suddenly spits out a glowing projection showing how liquidating just 15% of the 'utility metals' could triple his available capital. The numbers hover in the air between you, reflected a hundredfold in the dragon's shimmering scales.

'Grimscale wouldn't hesitate,' you murmur, watching as Valthorix's pupils contract to furious slits at the mention of his rival. The dragon exhales a controlled jet of flame that precisely incinerates the abacus's comparison chart - but leaves the financial projection intact.