How Can You Be a Lord Without Money?

"My territory is finally starting to prosper. I've got a new blacksmith's shop, a watermill, fertile fields, hardworking subjects, and even an army to defend the land. We've won a few battles, too, but I still feel like something's missing."

"Well, I think you need a young elf archer, a burly dwarf blacksmith, a soft-spoken catgirl maid, a skilled halfling chef, and, ideally, a loyal centaur companion."

"Sounds nice, but what would I need all that for?"

"Kings and dukes all have them by their side."

"I see. But won't that cost a lot?"

"No money? Then what are you doing as a lord!"

"Ridiculous! If I had money, why would I be a lord?"

"Forget it. Give me your seal. Here's a loan agreement from the bank. Just stamp and sign it!"

"You had something this good and didn't tell me sooner?" Ian immediately took out his seal.

A lord can do without an army, a population, or even any land, but he absolutely cannot do without money.

But if Ian had money, why would he have become a lord in the first place?

[Medieval, multiple races, a lord building up his lands...]

(The author already has a well-received farming novel. Feel free to check it out.)