The first meeting of Viscount Galaxia's officials ended successfully.

Roland met with the officials of the two new territories, plus the old gentleman from Minhausen.

Roland told them not to exploit the people. He didn't mention anything about territorial development, agriculture, or industry and commerce. The first and most important thing was stability of territories.

He made his expectations clear from the start: if he found anyone was exploiting his people, the one would be hanged.

As the officials left tremblingly, Granni, who nearly fell asleep during the meeting, rubbed her eyes and sent Roland a cheesy compliment with a grin.

"Lord Galaxia, you were so sincere in your speech, they must feel guilty for not working hard. These three guys will definitely do their jobs well."

"That's not necessarily the case."

Roland scoffed dismissively: "Human greed knows no bounds. However low the bar is, they will still test their limits crazily."

Granni was instantly wide awake, her eyes bulging, and she roared angrily: "If anyone dares to disrespect you, I'll chop him down."

Melannis coughed lightly, and Granni immediately quieted down.

He said with a smile: "Chop them down? Good idea, but if all three cross the line, who do you chop? Chop them all?"

Granni's expression stiffened.

"You pay them more than elsewhere, and the treatment is good, why can't they just do their jobs and behave themselves?"

Roland did not answer her question. Instead, he smiled:

"Granni, the teachers I found for you have been driven away by you two times already, though each teacher stayed only a few days, I had to pay a month's salary and apologize to them."

"I told you to study hard as well, why don't you listen."

Granni instantly deflated, her head hung low, her ferocity vanished, now she was as docile as a kitten, and her voice was barely audible.

"I, I'm sorry, I let you down. Give me another chance, I promise I'll study hard!"

Granni had a hundred excuses and defenses, but ultimately chose to admit her mistake.

No more excuses could change the facts.

Seeing Granni's embarrassment, Melannis smiled and helped her out.

"Roland, Granni has never received formal education since she was a child, barely recognizing a few characters. The teachers you hired for her are of high level; it’s common she can’t learn anything."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I suggest having a preschool teacher from the nearby free city, maybe that will work."

Granni looked at Melannis with complex emotions. She knew Melannis was speaking up for her, yet being compared to the knowledge level of a child was still a bit humiliating.

She muttered quietly: "I'm not a child, I can at least write my own name, recognize dozens of characters, and do simple arithmetic. That's considered well-educated in our tribe!"

Roland wanted to hold back his laughter but couldn't. He burst out laughing.

"Alright, Granni, you're indeed not a child, children probably know more than you do."

"Let's find a preschool teacher, tell them we have a twenty-year-old big child who needs education here."

Granni's face flushed red. She wanted to protest loudly but ultimately didn't speak up.

This was her virtue. She acknowledged her disadvantages instead of acting as if they didn’t exist.

As Roland and the two maids walked out of the castle laughing, a hurried figure rushed over.

It was Egilina.

Roland stopped in his tracks, casting an Eagle Eye spell on himself. On seeing Egilina's anxious expression, he had a bad premonition.

Egilina has always been steady. Being unable to manage her expressions indicated how extremely anxious she was.

He smiled at the two maids: "Alright, I gotta go."

And the girls took their leave. Melannis went to inspect the forests in the north, and Granni went to chop trees in the west, each sticking to their duties, with no conflicts.

Soon, Egilina arrived at the castle, too rushed for pleasantries, she grabbed Roland's hand and ran inside the castle.

Rushing into the secret room, she closed the door with force, her voice trembling slightly.

"Roland, something's happened!"

"Take a seat. Here’s some tea."

Perhaps influenced by Roland's calm, or remembering the people behind Roland, Egilina finally calmed down.

"Roland, you submitted a declaration of war to the Divine Church of Light and the Forest Brotherhood, right?"

"Yes. Well, you said the Divine Church of Light has low administrative efficiency, by the time the declaration reaches the archbishop, it would be expired. As for the Forest Brotherhood, you said they love peace, and there shouldn’t be any issues."

"You even divinated and the outcome was good, right?"

Egilina coughed awkwardly: "I didn't divinate, just reasoned based on common sense. They truly have gods behind them, I could not probe their fates."

Though somewhat strained, Roland nodded in understanding, "So they're coming?"

"Not yet, but soon. The Divine Church of Light and the Forest Brotherhood sent me letters, saying you declared a holy war against them in the name of heresy, claiming that you believe in no gods. This directly trampled their bottom line."

"They demanded I remain neutral, not to participate in the crusade."

At this point, Egilina's expression turned somewhat dim and helpless:

"My teacher warned me, the StarGazers is not a religious organization, we're not allowed to get involved in any form of religious war. I..."

"I completely understand. Egilina, you've already helped me a lot, I'll handle this myself."

Egilina's anxiety was replaced by surprise. She tentatively asked: "Do you plan to ask the big shots behind you for help?"

"Yeah, behind every man, there's not just one woman, I need their help."

Women? Which goddess will it be? Egilina's eyes sparkled.

Roland leaned close to her ear, whispering: "This is my secret, I'll tell you, but only you."

"Rest assured, I won't tell anyone, including my teacher!"

"I have three reliable women behind me."

Egilina's fingertips trembled slightly, my god, there are actually three women, Roland didn't even refer to them as great goddesses, but directly called them women.

Could it be he's also a go...

Her breathing became rapid, her heart beating wildly like a crazed deer.

Roland lowered his voice, mysteriously brewing for a long time, finally revealing the names Egilina had been waiting for.

"Melannis, Granni, and Egilina, these are the women behind me."

Roland spoke earnestly, his eyes clear, his attitude sincere, without any hint of concealment.