My Kingdom Building Done Right!

Chapter 206: The Die Of Sovereigns [Part 1]

"Nervous?" Ulric asked Brann, who would soon officially be appointed as Leone’s vassal.

"A little," Brann admitted. "I think this is perfectly normal, right?"

"Don’t be nervous. Just relax," Kael said. "You know what kind of person our Great Chieftain is. He’s so carefree, and yet, I’m still unable to hook him up with Aria. Maybe it’s time to ask Yuni to return that ’thing’ that I won from the Wheel of Fortune..."

Ulric glanced at the shaman at those words and started cracking his knuckles, as if telling him not to even think about it.

It was no secret to the Aslan Tribe of Kael’s ambition of having his granddaughter, or any member of his tribe, to become one of Leone’s bed warmers.

Kael didn’t seem to mind Ulric’s subtle threat as he continued to come up with ways to finally make his young chieftain seal the deal with his granddaughter.

While the three of them were waiting, Otto arrived and let them know that everyone was ready.

"Let’s go." Ulric patted Otto’s shoulder and took the lead.

Brann followed next, and behind him, Otto and Kael followed suit.

When they exited the cave, they saw that most members of the Aslan Tribe had already gathered.

Leone was already standing on the small stage, where his throne was usually placed for meetings with important people inside the fortress.

The three chieftains of the middle-ranked tribes, Oswald, Garen, and Duncan, stood in the distance, watching this ceremony with great curiosity.

Ulric had personally come to invite them earlier to this special event, which he hinted was a very important ceremony for the Aslan Tribe.

The representatives of the high-ranking tribes had also been informed, but Ulric hadn’t invited them. He simply told them that they could watch the festivities from the gathering area.

And so, everyone, including Zen, Godwin, and Tianna, who were on the first floor where the special guest villas were located, stared at the event taking place below them.

"Today is a special day for the Aslan Tribe," Leone said in a voice that spread across the entirety of the fortress. "Today, I will gain a vassal who will become one of my pillars and who will pave the path of my kingdom to greatness."

The chieftains who heard the word "kingdom" leave Leone’s mouth gazed at the young man with a solemn gaze.

A tribe was different from a kingdom.

Since he used that word here, it meant that Leone planned for something greater.

Something that the barbarians of the Borderlands had long wished to achieve.

A kingdom of barbarians that would rival the kingdom of the Barbarian King from the west.

"Come, Brann," Leone said softly, prompting the Chieftain of the Stormhorn Tribe to finally step forward.

He had been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Finally, he could officially serve the young man who had become the shining beacon of the east.

A beacon that united all the low-ranking tribes under his banner, promising them a brighter future.

"Kneel and accept your vows of vassalship," Leone said before summoning the ceremonial sword he normally used to bestow vassalship to his retainers.

"Look, Father. It seems that Leone is mimicking how the Kingdom of Britannia confers knighthood to someone who does a meritorious service for their kingdom," Elias, who considered himself a scholar, commented. "I guess he was serious when he said that he was planning to build a kingdom instead of a tribe."

"Mmm." Hagen nodded in agreement. However, what he truly thought at that time was something he only knew in his heart.

Vlad’s eyes sparkled in excitement as he stood beside his brothers, Wayne and Ragnar, who were witnessing this historic moment together with him.

Boris, Brann’s Raptor, which was standing a distance away, suddenly took a step forward and bowed its head beside Brann, as if it was also swearing allegiance to Leone.

The young man smiled faintly in response, while Brann gave his partner a helpless smile.

"Fine. You join as well, Boris," Leone stated.

A small rumble akin to a growl of happiness came out of Boris’ jaws after being allowed to join this sacred ceremony.

Everyone watched as Leone rested the blade of his sword on Brann’s right shoulder before beginning the ceremony of vassalship.

"Brann of the Aslan Tribe. Do you swear," Leone said, his voice growing steadier and stronger. "To defend this land and protect everyone who wishes to seek shelter within our realm?"

"I swear," Brann vowed.

"Do you swear to uphold the laws of our realm and fairly judge those who place their trust in your hands?" Leone asked.

"I swear," Brann answered without hesitation.

"Do you swear to stand beside me in times of prosperity and in times of ruin, never abandoning your duty even if the whole world stands against us?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to speak the truth before me, to offer counsel without deceit, and to place the future of our people above your own pride?"

"I swear."

Leone slowly moved the ceremonial sword from Brann’s right shoulder to his left.

"Then hear my final question, Brann of the Aslan Tribe."

The entire fortress seemed to grow silent.

Even the wind that flowed through the mountain pass appeared to have stilled at that moment.

"Do you swear to devote your strength, your wisdom, and your very life to the dream we shall build together?" Leone asked.

The former chieftain of the Stormhorn Tribe raised his head to look at Leone straight in the eye before giving his reply.

"I swear," Brann answered. "I also swear to become the darkness that will protect your light. I swear to carry out many sinful acts so that you won’t have to carry these burdens on your shoulders. I swear that no matter what happens, I shall first draw my last breath before you ever draw yours.

"I swear all of this to the Earth Goddess, who will claim me once I close my eyes for eternity. I swear this so that I can stand proudly in the Halls of the First Chieftain, where the proud warriors of the past reside after living their lives with honor."

Leone held Brann’s gaze, seeing the sincerity of his words. He didn’t expect that the former chieftain of the Stormhorn Tribe would swear with his life on the line, showing him just how serious he was about becoming his loyal vassal.

The young man smiled faintly in response and nodded his head to affirm Brann’s declaration.

"Rise, Brann of Aslan," Leone commanded as he lifted the blade from his vassal’s shoulder.

The air suddenly shifted, and Leone, who was staring straight at Brann, didn’t notice that the golden banner of Aslan Soleil manifested behind him.

It fluttered in all its glory, faintly shining as the last rays of the sun slowly greeted the darkness of the night.

"You stand as my vassal, not beneath me, but beside me. Not as one who serves out of obligation, but as one who has chosen this path with his own will."

Leone’s voice grew with power and intensity. He was not aware that a phenomenon was starting to manifest, answering the call of the vows that Brann had made that day.

"Together, we will carve our place in this world," Leone declared. "Together, we will build a kingdom that will not kneel, will not break, and will not be forgotten."

The flag fluttering behind Leone bathed the two of them in a faint golden light.

"As long as my banner stands...," Leone declared solemnly. "You will never stand alone!"

Suddenly, the roar of a lion erupted without warning.

A powerful beam of light bathed not only Brann but also Boris.

Daedalus, who was strapped around Leone’s waist, suddenly trembled because something that he had witnessed many times in the past suddenly manifested before him.

’I expected this to happen at some point, but I didn’t expect this to happen this early!’ Daedalus trembled with excitement as a golden die the size of Leone’s palm manifested in front of the young man.

’D-Daedalus, what is happening?!’ Leone, clueless about what had just happened, hurriedly asked the grimoire.

The golden light that was being emitted by Leone’s banner had enveloped Brann and Boris in a golden cocoon, while the golden die moved closer toward the young man, as if it was asking him to hold destiny in his hands once more.