Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 199: The Redania Empire (7) The Duke’s Men

Chapter 199: The Redania Empire (7) The Duke’s Men

Darian maintained his serious demeanor, his eyes locked with Lyan’s. "Yes, we are the Duke’s Men," he confirmed. "But it seems you’ve grasped more than just that." His gaze flickered to the ring adorning his hand, a silent acknowledgment of Lyan’s astute observation.

Lyan’s mind raced as his eyes narrowed, analyzing the implications of this encounter. The Duke’s Men were known to be a formidable force, loyal to the powerful Duke Ravindor. Their involvement meant that their actions were likely part of a larger scheme, one that could have far-reaching consequences. Lyan couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease and irritation at the thought of being entangled in such a web of intrigue.

"Well, it seems you have no intentions of concealing your affiliation," Lyan remarked, his voice measured as he studied Darian’s reaction.

Darian’s lips curled into a wry smile. "Indeed, we’ve chosen to reveal ourselves to you intentionally. You possess a perceptive eye, my friend."

Lyan’s intuition sharpened, honed by years of navigating treacherous waters. He knew there was more to Darian’s words than met the eye, and he resolved to uncover the hidden meaning behind them.

(There’s a deeper motive behind this meeting...) Lyan thought, a flicker of concern passing through his mind. He contemplated their surroundings—the dilapidated building, the deserted streets—and surmised that the location had been chosen meticulously. The Duke’s Men had likely been stationed in the empire for an extended period, carefully orchestrating this meeting.

However, the gravest concern lay in the implications their presence held for the Astellia Kingdom. Lyan understood the precarious position he and his companions were in, unwittingly becoming pawns in a larger conspiracy.

Lyan’s gaze never wavered, his eyes locked with Darian’s. "Why have you revealed yourselves to us? What is your purpose in involving us in your affairs?"

Darian’s expression grew serious once more. "We’ve been observing you, Lyan, and your companions. The Duke believes you possess a unique set of skills that could prove invaluable to our cause. We require individuals with your capabilities to aid us in our mission."

Lyan’s mind churned with possibilities. The Duke’s Men were renowned for their clandestine operations and their unwavering loyalty to their leader. If they sought their assistance, it could only mean that their objective held significant importance.

Lyan’s voice remained steady, laced with a tinge of caution. "And what is this mission you speak of? What does the Duke seek to achieve?"

Darian’s gaze remained fixed on Lyan, his eyes revealing a mixture of determination and underlying concern. He took a deep breath before he continued, his voice carrying a weight of significance. "The Duke seeks to claim the throne of the Astellia Kingdom. He believes that your unique skills, your combat prowess, and your reputation from the incident with the goblin king subjugation make you an invaluable asset. The Duke desires to recruit you forcefully if necessary, to ensure his path to the throne."

Lyan’s eyes narrowed as the implications sank in. The Duke’s ambitions were even grander than he had anticipated. Or rather, he’s quite blunt. The fact that they were currently in the Redania Empire, far from the immediate vicinity of the Astellia Kingdom, hinted at a hidden plot or conspiracy orchestrated by the Duke and his followers.

Lyan understood the gravity of the situation. The Duke represented the first major antagonist of this arc, a leader with a penchant for conflict and turmoil that threatened to plunge the Astellia Kingdom into further chaos. Joining his faction would mean becoming a pawn in the Duke’s game, supporting his ruthless pursuit of power.

However, Lyan’s conscience and moral compass resolutely opposed such an alliance. Though he was not a saint and didn’t claim to embody the purest notions of justice, he couldn’t stand by while the Duke’s actions would bring more suffering and devastation to the kingdom. He couldn’t allow himself to be swayed by the allure of power and abandon the principles that guided him.

His voice firm and unwavering, Lyan responded, "I refuse. I will not align myself with a leader who disregards human lives and seeks to bring more war and suffering upon the Astellia Kingdom. My path lies elsewhere."

Darian’s expression hardened, disappointment flickering across his face. He had hoped to convince Lyan to join their cause, but it seemed the warrior’s principles stood resolute.

"Very well," Darian said, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination. "I understand your decision. But I must warn you, Lyan. The Duke will not take your rejection lightly. You will become a target in his quest for power. Your journey will be fraught with danger, and you will need to be constantly vigilant. Logically and objectively thinking, the reward you would be obtaining from joining the Duke is tremendous, and opposing would only give you demerits. This is not the time for you to play hero,"

Lyan’s grip on his sword tightened, his resolve firm. He was prepared to face the consequences of his decision. He knew that the Duke’s reach extended far beyond what was visible, that the shadows held numerous threats waiting to strike as his information about this world is still very limited. But, a certain line mentioned by Darian triggered him.

"Playing hero? Playing hero, you say?" Lyan’s words slipped from his lips, barely audible but laced with a venomous undertone. The last line uttered by Darian invoked some bad memories of his past life. Darian’s careless remark had awakened a dormant fury within him, unmasking a side he had yet to reveal.

"Are you threatening me?"

The abandoned building absorbed Lyan’s voice, amplifying it into a resonating presence. The atmosphere thickened, pregnant with a tangible tension. Darian could feel the weight of Lyan’s unwavering resolve, a formidable adversary unyielding in his principles.

Darian’s countenance hardened, a flicker of unease flickering in his eyes. He had anticipated swaying Lyan with promises of power and protection, but now he stood face-to-face with an opponent who refused to compromise his values.

"Threatening you?" Darian retorted, his voice a cautious blend of defiance and wariness. "No, I simply speak of the harsh realities that await you. The Duke will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and you will find yourself ensnared in the crosshairs of his insatiable ambition."

Lyan’s grip tightened around his sword, knuckles whitening with intensity. "I am well aware of the risks, Darian. I have weathered countless perils throughout my arduous journey, and I hold no intention of surrendering my principles. The path the Duke treads is one paved with bloodshed and tyranny—an abhorrent road that I refuse to tread upon. While I chose not to meddle in your affairs, a line has been crossed. It seems the Duke desires to ’play’ with me," Lyan’s voice trailed off momentarily, his eyes shuttering closed. At that moment, a heavy silence descended upon the room, engulfing it in an otherworldly stillness.

As if an ancient presence infused his words, Lyan’s next utterance dripped with malevolence and raw power. "And let it be known, Darian, that toying with me comes with a price," he continued, his voice resonating with a chilling clarity that sent shivers down the spines of Darian and his men.

A vibrant purple light radiated from Lyan’s eyes as they snapped open, blazing with an intensity that seemed to strip away shadows, exposing truths hidden in the depths of men’s souls. A palpable aura suffused the room, causing Darian’s men to instinctively tighten their grips on their swords, a collective reflex born of fear.

In the eerie stillness, broken only by the rhythmic cadence of Lyan’s measured breaths, the air became charged with anticipation. Darian and his men exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier confidence wilting under the weight of this unexpected display of unbridled strength.

Lyan’s voice pierced the silence, infused with restrained fury and a quiet menace. "You underestimate me, Darian," he seethed, each word a blade in itself. "You believe I tremble in fear at the Duke’s pursuit, that I would crumble beneath the weight of his twisted desires. But you are gravely mistaken."

The grip on Lyan’s sword tightened, the metal humming in response to the mounting rage coursing through him. The room seemed to shrink, bowing under the force of his indomitable presence, as if the very walls quivered in awe of the power that stood before them.

In the presence of Lyan’s unleashed wrath, Tesha, Wilhelmina, and Solia stood rooted in place, their gazes fixed upon the scene unfolding before them. They were struck by the unfamiliar sight of Lyan, his normally composed demeanor replaced by a seething anger that radiated from him like an inferno.

Wilhelmina, the first to regain her composure, spoke with a steady resolve. "Prepare yourselves for battle," she commanded, her voice carrying an undercurrent of urgency. Gripping her sword tightly, she adopted a defensive stance, ready to protect her companions at all costs.

Solia, as a skilled archer, swiftly followed Wilhelmina’s lead. She deftly notched an arrow, her hands moving with practiced precision. Her eyes flickered with determination as she took aim, silently vowing to lend her lethal accuracy to their cause. While Tesha tightened her grip on her trusty blades. Her agile fingers danced across the hilts, the glint of steel mirroring the unwavering resolve etched upon her face. She was prepared to unleash her swift and deadly strikes when the moment called for it.

But suddenly, the pressure weighing the room suddenly disappeared, and the threatening aura unleashed by Lyan vanished as if it was not even there in the first place.

"Eh? What happened?" (Wilhelmina)