Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 202: The Former Noble’s Offer in Vengeance

Chapter 202: The Former Noble’s Offer in Vengeance

"I’m all ears," Lyan’s voice echoed throughout the room, its calm and gentle cadence acting as a soothing balm that quelled the turbulent waves swirling within Wilhelmina.

Taking a deep breath, Wilhelmina steadied herself, her resolve hardening like steel beneath her delicate exterior. "I need your help, Lyan," her declaration hung in the air, charged with a weight that belied the slight tremor in her voice. Her fingers, cool and delicate, betrayed her inner turmoil as they intertwined.

The silence lingered, a living entity that seemed to stretch between them. Lyan’s unwavering quiet prompted Wilhelmina to press on, her determination refusing to yield. "My lands, once prosperous and proud, fell victim to a brutal invasion that left my kingdom shattered, my people enslaved, and everything I held dear torn asunder." She spoke with a mix of sorrow and steely resolve, her eyes aflame with the remnants of her former nobility.

Lyan’s gaze, steady as ever, caught the fire that danced within Wilhelmina’s eyes. The flames seemed to mirror the clash of emotions within her, the fierce dignity of a former lady intertwined with the tendrils of a newfound purpose. Her words hung in the air, each one heavy with the weight of her past.

Yet, her response remained shrouded in silence, the unspoken truth echoing between them. Lyan’s voice cut through the tension, his words a blunt reckoning. "So what you seek is... revenge." His gaze locked onto Wilhelmina’s, unflinching as he unraveled the essence hidden beneath her declaration. He saw the confluence of righteousness and vengeance, a potent brew that threatened to consume the very core of her being.

A sigh escaped Lyan’s lips, a weary exhale that carried the burden of his understanding. His gaze shifted, returning to the ever-flickering flames that danced before him, casting shifting shadows upon the walls. It was a response that spoke of the complexity of his own past, a narrative woven with threads of pain and redemption.

Wilhelmina’s heart raced, her agitation growing as the silence stretched on. She had bared her soul, revealing her desires and her wounds to this enigmatic man who sat before her. The weight of his silence bore down upon her, uncertainty clawing at the edges of her determination.

Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, Wilhelmina leaned forward, her voice laced with urgency. "Lyan, please, I know it’s a lot to ask. But my kingdom, my people, they deserve justice. The darkness that has fallen upon us must be vanquished. Will you stand with me?" Her eyes, a mix of vulnerability and fervor, bore into his, seeking an answer that could change the course of their destinies.

Wilhelmina’s words flowed with a mixture of insight and urgency, each sentence meticulously crafted to reveal her understanding of Lyan’s situation. "I know that your stance against the Duke of Astellia Kingdom aligns with mine. Your detachment from any allegiance or affiliation suggests a deeper history, a tale of seeking a new haven, perhaps born from a past entwined with the kingdom’s shadow," she explained, her voice carrying a weight that matched the gravity of her words.

Lyan listened intently, his gaze unwavering as he took in the layers of her reasoning. Her perception of his strength and capabilities held an air of unwavering conviction. "You possess a strength far greater than you’ve shown thus far," she continued, her tone unwavering. "That’s why I’ve chosen you for this plea. I acknowledge that the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty, and I cannot guarantee the timing of my reclamation nor the triumphs we’ll face. But when the time comes, and I stand victorious on my ancestral soil once again, I pledge to reward your aid beyond any offer you’ve encountered before."

Wilhelmina’s words were a masterful tapestry of allure and ambition, her charisma undeniable, her purpose unwavering. However, as her voice painted its compelling narrative, Lyan’s demeanor remained resolute, his eyes holding a depth that seemed to pierce through facades.

It was as if a battle of wits played out before his eyes, with Wilhelmina pitted against the very essence of his being. The turmoil within the kingdom and her undeniable potential painted a future that was both alluring and daunting. If Lyan were to take a side, his instincts whispered that Wilhelmina might indeed possess the edge. Yet, the storm that raged within her realm held no appeal for him, its tumultuous currents distant and inconsequential.

As her desperation mounted, an unexpected declaration tumbled from Wilhelmina’s lips, a declaration that left the room heavy with its gravity. "I-I would even give you my body! My soul! My love! Everything! As long as you give me your word that you would help me, I would give you all of me!"

Lyan’s eyes widened in shock, surprise rippling across his features. He had anticipated determination and fervor, but this was a depth of desperation that he hadn’t foreseen. Her offer hung in the air, a testament to the lengths she was willing to go to secure his aid. A myriad of emotions flickered in his eyes, his thoughts racing to process the weight of her words.

Wilhelmina watched Lyan’s reaction with bated breath, her heart sinking as she observed the disappointment flicker across his features. A tumult of emotions surged within her, a complex blend of resolve and regret. Yet, as she continued to gaze upon him, she realized that the storm of feelings she perceived was not a direct result of her audacious offer. Something deeper, something profound, was unraveling before her eyes.

Shock, pain, and a myriad of emotions danced in the depths of Lyan’s eyes, an intricate dance of turmoil that mirrored her own heart’s struggle. A minute stretched by, each passing second laden with a weight that transcended words. Finally, a heavy sigh escaped Lyan’s lips, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand unspoken thoughts.

Sigh.

The melancholic sound hung in the air, a thread of shared melancholy that wove between them. The silence persisted, a poignant space where their souls seemed to brush against each other, grasping for understanding.

Lyan’s voice, when it emerged from the stillness, was soft but carried a profound resonance. "You know, revenge is, in a way, similar to this," he began, his hands flicking with a graceful motion that birthed a swirling mist of purple mana, shrouding the room in an otherworldly haze. With a swift gesture, the room transformed, the walls of reality melting away to reveal a new landscape.

Before Wilhelmina’s eyes, a scene unfurled, a tableau that drew her into its enigmatic embrace. A lone figure stood upon a precipice, gaze fixed upon a sinister and imposing tree in the distance. The tree, an embodiment of malevolence, contrasted starkly against the surrounding forest.

"Do you see that tree, towering in its darkness?" Lyan’s voice drew her attention, his words a guide through the cryptic vision. Wilhelmina’s gaze shifted, landing upon the tree he indicated. Its gnarled branches seemed to claw at the heavens, a visage of all-consuming malice.

"Yes," she replied, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

Lyan’s gesture shifted, and the figure on the precipice underwent a transformation that sent a shiver down Wilhelmina’s spine. The form morphed, becoming her own, the blazing rock clenched in her hand an embodiment of her hatred and determination.

"This rock," Lyan’s words held a gravity that tethered Wilhelmina to the unfolding scene. "It burns with the flames of your vengeance. Your goal is to vanquish that ominous tree with its searing fire. But there’s a catch – you only have one opportunity, one chance to strike."

Wilhelmina’s heart quickened, her focus locked onto the figure that bore her likeness. The illusionary Wilhelmina took a stance, the intensity of her determination etched upon her features. The weight of the moment hung palpably in the air, a tense silence that mirrored the scene before her.

"You must wait for the precise moment, summon the unwavering resolve, and ensure you do not falter. There’s only one chance," Lyan’s voice continued, the weight of his words resonating deeply within her.

As if in response to his guidance, the illusionary Wilhelmina released the burning rock. Its trajectory was true, striking the malevolent tree with unerring accuracy. Fire erupted, a tempest of vengeance that consumed the tree, reducing it to ashes.

But the consequences were not confined to the tree alone. Wilhelmina’s gaze widened in realization as the flames spread uncontrollably, engulfing the innocent life surrounding the target. Trees, plants, creatures – all fell victim to the insatiable hunger of the fire.

Lyan’s voice returned, his words cutting through the tableau with a clarity that sent a jolt through Wilhelmina’s soul. "Revenge, much like that burning rock, can unleash a torrent of destruction beyond its intended target. It’s a path that requires precision, caution, and an understanding of the consequences that ripple far beyond the immediate goal."

Wilhelmina’s breath caught in her throat, her heart heavy with the gravity of the lesson. The analogy was stark, a reflection of the choices she was contemplating. In the wake of the illusion’s demise, the room returned to its familiar form, the mist dissipating like a fleeting dream.

*Flick!*

With a single flick, the illusion disappeared and the scenery of the room returned. But with a single difference.

A lesson was learned