Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 197: The Redania Empire (5) The First City

Chapter 197: The Redania Empire (5) The First City

As Lyan and his companions approached the gates of the city, they were greeted by the sight of towering walls, adorned with intricately carved reliefs and adorned with banners bearing the crest of the Redania Empire. The streets beyond were bustling with activity, filled with merchants hawking their wares, vendors selling hot food and drinks, and residents going about their daily business.

"Wow, it’s amazing!" Solia exclaimed, marveling at the sights before her. "I’ve never seen anything like it before."

Lyan smiled. "It’s a city of the north. They’re used to the harsh weather and have adapted accordingly. But don’t let the wealth and prosperity fool you, it might still be a tough place to survive in."

As they entered the city, they were immediately struck by the stark contrast between the opulent buildings and the impoverished slums that lay just beyond. The streets were teeming with people of all races and classes, each going about their business with a sense of purpose.

Tesha, the halfling girl, clung tightly to Lyan’s cloak, her eyes wide with wonder. "This place is so big!" she exclaimed. But maybe due to her former life as a slave, her grip on Lyan’s cloak is rather firm.

(I guess she’s not used in given freedom yet, huh?) (Lyan)

Lyan nodded. "We’re going to have to be careful here. The Redania Empire may be prosperous, but as outsiders there might still be dangers lurking in the shadows waiting for us,"

"I know, but Master is too cautious," Tesha pouted.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, Lyan and his companions took in the sights and sounds of the city, making mental notes of where they could find supplies and information. They stopped at a local market to stock up on provisions, haggling with vendors and merchants to get the best prices.

Unlike before, Lyan does not make the skeletons to disguise themselves into people, but unsummon them and makes them enter the grimoire’s space.

Wilhelmina and Solia struck up a conversation with a friendly merchant, asking about the best places to find information about their next destination. The merchant directed them to a nearby tavern, saying that it was a popular gathering place for travelers and adventurers.

As they made their way to the tavern, they were accosted by a group of street urchins, begging for scraps of food or coins. Lyan shooed them away, but not before one of the children managed to slip a small, folded piece of paper into Wilhelmina’s hand.

"What’s this?" she asked, unfolding the paper to reveal a crude map, scrawled in shaky handwriting.

"It’s a map of the city," Lyan explained. "But be careful, it may not be entirely accurate."

Wilhelmina nodded, tucking the map into her cloak. "I see. It might come in handy."

As they approached the tavern, they were greeted by the sound of music and laughter spilling out from the doors. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with patrons of all races and professions gathered around tables, sharing stories and drinks.

Lyan and his companions settled into a corner table, ordering a round of drinks and scanning the room for any potential leads. It wasn’t long before they were approached by a friendly group of adventurers, eager to hear about their travels and share their own stories.

"So, what brings you to this part of the world?" one of the adventurers asked, taking a swig of ale.

"We’re just passing through," Lyan replied casually. "We’re on our way to the Redania Empire’s capital. We’re looking for a place to settle down."

The adventurers exchanged curious glances, intrigued by Lyan’s mysterious demeanor. "The capital, huh? That’s a dangerous place to be, especially for outsiders like yourselves," another adventurer commented, leaning in closer.

"We know the risks," Solia interjected. "But we have our reasons for being here."

The adventurers nodded sympathetically, understanding the dangers of traveling through unfamiliar territories. "Well, if you need any help or advice, just let us know. We’re always happy to lend a hand to fellow adventurers," one of them offered.

"Thank you. We’ll keep that in mind," Lyan replied, grateful for the offer.

As the night wore on, Lyan and his companions found themselves engrossed in conversation with the adventurers, sharing tales of their adventures and seeking advice on their next destination. They learned about the various factions and political tensions within the Redania Empire, as well as the dangers of traveling through its harsh and unforgiving terrain.

Wilhelmina, in particular, was fascinated by the stories of the adventurers, who spoke of grand quests and epic battles against fearsome foes. She found herself drawn to their sense of adventure and excitement, yearning for the thrill of battle and the rush of victory.

As the night drew to a close, Lyan and his companions bid farewell to the adventurers, promising to keep in touch and share any valuable information they might come across in their travels. They returned to their lodgings, weary but content with the knowledge they had gained. The place where they lodged is an inn that was told to be famous for travelers. But because of the current time of the season, there is only their lodging in the inn while some regulars that regularly eat and drink at the inn.

The next day, Lyan and his companions set out to explore the city further, making their way to the higher levels where the wealthiest residents lived. As they ascended the steep streets and staircases, the air grew colder and the buildings more grandiose, with ornate balconies and towering spires.

"This is quite a contrast from the slums we passed by earlier," Solia remarked, shivering as a gust of wind whipped through the streets.

Wilhelmina nodded, her eyes filled with scorn. "It’s amazing how different the levels of the city are, in terms of wealth and prosperity."

Lyan frowned. "Yes, but it’s also a reminder of the harsh reality of this world. Not everyone is born with the same privileges and opportunities."

As they made their way through the streets, they were stopped by a group of guards, their armor bearing the crest of the Redania Empire. "State your business," one of them barked, eyeing Lyan and his companions suspiciously.

"We’re just passing through," Lyan replied calmly. "We’re looking for supplies and information before continuing on our journey."

The guard grunted, eyeing them for a moment before stepping aside. "Be careful. The city can be a dangerous place for outsiders like yourselves."

As they continued on their way, Lyan couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his gut. The Redania Empire was a powerful and dangerous place, with politics and factions at play that could easily spell trouble for anyone caught in the middle.

"We need to be careful," Lyan warned his companions. "The guards might not be as lenient the next time we encounter them."

Wilhelmina nodded. "I understand. We’ll be careful."

They spent the rest of the day exploring the upper levels of the city, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplaces and luxurious residences. As the sun began to set, they made their way back to their lodgings, exhausted but satisfied with the day’s accomplishments.

The next day, Lyan and his companions set out early, determined to gather more information about the Redania Empire and its capital. Under Lyan’s order, all of them are free to go whenever they want, whatever that place is as long as it’s still within the city. He even gave them some pocket money for them to eat, snack, or buy something.

"Are you sure you want to give these to us?" Asked Solia in hesitation as she hold the pouch of coins in her hand.

"Yes. Feel free to spend them. Think of it as the payment for escorting me up to this point," Lyan winked. "Now, please excuse me as I’ve already set my eyes on a certain place,"

Lyan quickly made his way to the central library, a grandiose building adorned with towering pillars and intricate carvings. Inside, they were greeted by the sight of rows upon rows of books, scrolls, and manuscripts, each containing a wealth of knowledge and information.

As he perused the shelves, Lyan couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer volume of information contained within the library’s walls. He and his companions split up, each scouring the shelves for any valuable information they could find.

Wilhelmina, in particular, was drawn to the history section, poring over ancient tomes and scrolls in search of clues to the Redania Empire’s past. Solia, on the other hand, was more interested in the geography section, studying maps and charts of the empire’s various territories and borders.

(Wilhelmina aside, I didn’t expect Solia to be interested in a library) (Lyan)

Tesha, meanwhile, was content to simply wander through the stacks, marveling at the sheer volume of books and manuscripts. "There are so many books here," she exclaimed, clutching a thick volume in her tiny hands. "I wish I could read them all."

As they worked, Lyan couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease growing within him. Something was not quite right, he could feel it in his bones. He scanned the shelves, searching for any sign of danger or trouble.

It was then that he spotted a cloaked figure, lurking in the shadows at the far end of the library. Lyan narrowed his eyes, sensing that the figure was up to no good. He signaled to his companions, motioning for them to be on guard.

They made their way toward the figure, their footsteps quiet and cautious. As they drew closer, the figure turned to face them, revealing a pair of cold, calculating eyes.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"