Egilina nearly choked on Roland's words. Her beautiful eyes widened in shock as she sneered, "Stop joking, I'm being serious here. No joking anymore."

"I AM SERIOUS. I agree to all other conditions, but I cannot accept leaving Minhausen."

Egilina stared at Roland intently, making sure he wasn't joking, and was completely dumbfounded.

"You declared war on eleven forces, and now you tell me you don’t want to be transferred? Are you mad? If you still consider me a friend, then tell me the truth."

"I'm not mad. I did want to transfer my fief and leave when declaring wars, but I changed my mind later."

Roland looked calmly into Egilina's eyes. He wouldn't lie to a friend, but it was between Melannis and him.

Gazing into Roland's eyes, Egilina was certain he was dead serious. No one can easily deceive a star mage.

She didn't speak, but half-jokingly asked, "What happened, did you find a gold mine?"

"More precious than a gold mine."

Roland put aside his joking demeanor and said earnestly.

"Egilina, I don't want to deceive a friend, but some secrets cannot be disclose dright now, please forgive me."

I know it! Baron of Minhausen has got so many secrets. Egilina silently commented in her heart, chuckling and shaking her head.

"Tsk, I will wait until you offer to disclose it to me. Since you're unwilling to leave, then stay. From now on, you are my direct vassal. How about becoming an earl?"

Seeing Egilina's sly smile, Roland decisively shook his head. The last person who tried to jump from baron to earl died of anger. Well, as for why he knew about it -- that was his father. He said solemnly.

"I haven't earned any merits. Becoming a earl might cause discontent among others."

"Then let it be a viscount. Your willingness to surrender counts as a merit since it's my first territory expansion after receiving the duke's title. Though I don't care about these things, it definitely counts as a merit."

There’s no free lunch. Guided by this principle, Roland wanted to outright refuse, but Egilina cut him off.

"I am a first-class duke of the Lisenburg Empire, and my direct vassals must at least be viscounts; anything less would be a disgrace. Unless you're willing to be my vassal's vassal."

"My respected lord, please accept my loyalty, and thank you for your generosity!" Roland responded with exaggerated words.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

This outcome was both unexpected and somewhat expected. Egilina initially promised that he would be absorbed by the StarGazers as a star mage and become her equal vassal. However, he ended up as Egilina's vassal. It was a big difference to others, but not so much to him.

He just used the StarGazers to avoid war with the Salsen Kingdom and preserve the Minhausen barony. As long as the core goal was achieved, whose vassal he became didn't matter.

He even preferred being Egilina's vassal. After all, they were friends.

Egilina ignored Roland's jokes and said in a low voice:

"I know this is a significant departure from our original promise. Don't worry, I'll compensate you. I need to think carefully about where to establish your viscountcy."

"Should I kneel and swear fealty to you now?" Roland bluffed.

Egilina snorted irritably. "Forget it, you're loyal only to yourself, I don't want to hear insincere lies. We're friends; such formalities are unnecessary."

After a moment's thought, perhaps feeling that lacking any formality wasn't right, Egilina casually took off her glove and presented her hand to Roland.

"What is this?"

"A hand-kissing ceremony. Well, I wouldn't mind if you'd rather kiss boots, ."

Of course, Roland wouldn't choose boots over a hand.

He lifted Egilina's right hand, and the room suddenly lit up.

Gods do exist there, and some playful gods like to cast their gaze upon the commoners.

A divine atmosphere filled the bedroom, and a silent hymn echoed in their hearts.

The descent of this divine sensation not only affected Roland but also Egilina. Egilina became tense, her palm sweating.

As a true local, unlike Roland, an outsider, she knew this divine feeling came from a great existence. Norlani, the goddess of guardianship and oaths. She is both kind and strict, often casting her gaze upon the mortals, occasionally showing satisfaction and boundless anger.

She guards oaths and punishes those who break them. Oaths under her gaze are known as sacred oaths. The cost of breaking a sacred oath is extremely high, starting with soul destruction.

Roland and Egilina were both nervous. They turned their gazes to the void.

Golden script appeared, detailing their oath. Thankfully, it wasn't an overly severe oath, just a standard guardian oath.

A guardian oath doesn't distinguish between master and servant; it requires both parties to protect and assist each other without betrayal.

Ugh, the concept of betrayal is broad. Not helping is betrayal, running away with money is betrayal, and harming the other's interests under certain conditions is also betrayal.

Seeing the content of the oath, Egilina quietly reminded Roland to begin the oath.

Both kneeled, leaned close to each other, and solemnly recited the oath as dictated by the script in the air.

After completing the oath, the solemn divine atmosphere gradually faded. The gaze of the gods turned elsewhere.

After a long silence, Egilina let out a sigh of relief and said softly, "Now it's settled, we are a community of fate, and neither of us can betray the other."

Although the process was somewhat oppressive, Roland didn't oppose the outcome.

If he were a vassal, there were times he couldn't be too willful. But they completed a completely equal, mutual guardian oath. Egilina couldn't betray him or harm his interests without cause. Of course, the same applied to him.

Being in a seemingly weaker position, he benefited from the oath. This was a big win.

Roland was very happy.

Seeing Roland's smile, Egilina felt relieved.

She knew Roland was profound and feared the whirlpool of fate behind him. But now, at least she shouldn’t panic. They completed a guardian oath; Roland couldn't betray her or harm her interests without cause.

They were on the same boat. No matter how terrifying the situation was, there was always a place for her on his big ship.

That was enough.

Perhaps the oath gave Egilina courage, as she calmly revealed shocking news to Roland.

"Roland, Julie and Lana have been executed."

Roland was stunned for a full half-second before reacting.

"Hmm, ah? Executed?"

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.

After a long time, Egilina said calmly, "They had to be."