Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 208: The Summoner’s Insight

Chapter 208: The Summoner’s Insight

Within the hidden enclave, the fire’s dance painted a play of flickering shadows upon the serene landscape. Lyan sat in deep contemplation, his eyes sealed shut but his mind a whirlwind of consciousness, deftly navigating the complex surveillance network meticulously established through his network of acid ants discreetly stationed within the city.

"The orb has been retrieved by the Duke’s men. There’s no doubt he’s the puppeteer orchestrating this festival’s turmoil," Lyan murmured under his breath, a pensive furrow marking his brow. "Yet, what’s his ultimate aim? Is it to stoke the embers of enmity between Astellia and the Redanian Empire, subtly drawing the empire’s power into the relentless power struggle of the Astellia Kingdom?"

The city’s unrest had visibly escalated since their departure. Through the intricate eyes of his ants, Lyan observed the churning streets and bustling squares, now fraught with suspicious movements and relentless inquiries conducted by the Duke’s loyal men. Notably, the forces of the local nobles and even the formidable feudal lord, being played like pawns, adhering strictly to the Duke’s elaborate script. It was a tangible testament to the Duke’s awe-inspiring influence and power, the cunning capacity to enmesh an influential feudal lord from the empire within his intricate web of machinations.

Lyan’s sharp mind immediately identified the Duke’s shrewd ploy. "He must have enticed the feudal lord with promises of grand rewards. Yet, the Duke’s ambition appears to reach far beyond the boundaries of the Astellia Kingdom alone," Lyan speculated, contemplating the intricate layers of the Duke’s plan.

The Duke’s elaborate manipulation had thrust the city into a feverish state of turmoil. The noble factions, woven into a web of accusations and paranoia, fervently pursued the alleged Astellian spy who never existed. The relentless pursuit tore through the city’s very fabric, fueling a frantic manhunt that chased an illusion, scapegoating unsuspecting citizens and commoners who merely harbored differing views from the aristocratic factions. The innocent became unwitting pawns in the Duke’s grand political theater.

Within the city’s tapestry of intrigue, Lyan witnessed the intricate dance of power—the noble factions conducting a symphony of deception and fervent allegations that reverberated through the narrow, cobblestone streets. Through his network of informed ants, Lyan saw the Duke’s men meticulously craft the narrative, driving the hunt, shaping the discourse, and obscuring the truth to serve the Duke’s clandestine agenda. The truth was suffocated under the weight of carefully woven lies, drowning in the tumultuous seas of political manipulation.

Lyan’s face became a reflection of the intricate web of political intrigue he unraveled. He observed the city’s descent into turmoil, recognizing the dangerous chasm growing wider between the nobility and the common folk. This division was the very flame the Duke intended to fan, with the Astellia Kingdom as the prime target.

(I can see the makings of the Duke’s grand design. As long as we remain uninvolved, it should be safe. The conflict is meant for the Duke and the prince to play out. It’s a treacherous game that I doubt the prince is merely a pawn in) (Lyan)

With an unwavering focus, Lyan delved deeper into his surveillance. He unveiled a tapestry of secrets, hidden whispers, and backdoor dealings, all hinting at a veiled conspiracy. The nobles, caught in their relentless pursuit of an elusive spy, resorted to manipulative tactics to distort the truth and exploit the prevailing chaos.

Lyan’s watchful eyes revealed a central figure within this tangled narrative—an enigmatic entity cloaked in the garb of the Duke’s loyal followers. As Lyan unraveled the clandestine threads of surveillance, this shadowy figure came into focus, engaging in secretive meetings held within the confines of the fortified citadel.

Amid the shadows, obscured conversations hinted at the strategic moves these players orchestrated, all with the purpose of stoking conflict and securing their grip on power.

(Their intentions are clear. They aim to set the stage for a dire confrontation.) (Lyan)

In the heart of the city, the Duke, ensconced within the formidable citadel, continued to weave his intricate tapestry of chaos and control. His political machinations obscured his true role in the magical incident, as he maneuvered the noble factions like chess pieces on a treacherous board.

"His manipulation runs deep," Lyan muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the tranquility of the night. The weight of the revelations weighed heavily on his mind.

The tension within the city deepened, and Lyan grew wary of the dangers that awaited anyone trapped in the spiral of the Duke’s connivances. The citizens, caught in the crossfire, bore the brunt of the nefarious power plays.

The ongoing turmoil had solidified Lyan’s conviction to navigate cautiously and keep his group away from the Duke’s snares. His surveillance underscored the necessity of avoiding entanglement in the escalating chaos, especially as it was orchestrated by the very individual they sought to avoid.

The crackling of the campfire echoed in the silence, mixing with the hushed whispers of the night. Lyan, his gaze fixed upon the flames, considered the precariousness of their situation.

(This is deeply concerning. It appears that the Duke’s influence is far more entrenched than we realized. The reach of the chaos extends beyond the city, and it’s spreading its roots deep into the empire.) (Lyan)

The disquieting truth revealed the depth of the Duke’s manipulative sway. His calculated moves had woven a tapestry of uncertainty across the empire, and the shadow of his influence touched every corner. The question now lingered in Lyan’s mind: was the Astellian prince aware of the brewing storm orchestrated by the Duke, or was he oblivious to this intricate dance of power and chaos?

The intricate web of political intrigue played out in the vast expanse of the empire, and each move was a carefully calculated step in this entangled game. It makes Lyan wonder if the Astellian crown prince knows about this, or did he actually already prepared something to counter this or is he actually ignorant about this.

Lyan’s eyes snapped open, drawing in a deep breath as he refocused on the present. The voices of his companions now stirred in their slumber. The campfire had dwindled into a bed of embers, casting a faint glow across the campsite. With a single flick, the campfire once again lits with a beautiful dancing flames.

He glanced at the skeletons, posted on guard duty, ensuring the group’s safety. He don’t know since when, but they seemed to have battled with monsters that area sneaking to attack the group as he could see the corpses of some wolves and goblins on the side. Three skeletons are bringing the corpses of the goblins to throw them out and cleaning up the mess to make sure that the smell won’t disturb the group that are sleeping.

A small smile appeared on Lyan’s face as he saw the skeletons. He didn’t know since when, but maybe after getting and absorbing more life force and mana from the battles they have went through, the skeletons have became stronger and smater enough to make simple decisions that are understanding and easing Lyan’s movement. Satisfied that they were secure for the night, Lyan resolved to wait until the morning light broke over the horizon.

His decision was firm—to keep the group moving, to guide them swiftly away from the city’s turmoil and the Duke’s schemes. Their journey to the capital, an escape from the perilous tumult that gripped the cities, would resume as soon as the sun bathed the sky.

The night, while riddled with surveillance and contemplation, drew to a close. The faint melody of the nocturnal creatures accompanied Lyan’s vigil, the hushed breath of the sleeping camp, and the distant whispers of the empire’s unrest.

As the first rays of dawn painted the horizon, the camp began to stir. The skeleton guards, vigilant through the night, showed no signs of fatigue. Wilhelmina and Tesha, roused from their slumber, observed the morning light filtering through the trees, their faces bearing a mix of weariness and anticipation.

"We need to move," Lyan announced, rising from his position by the campfire. His tone bore a sense of urgency, fueled by the need to distance themselves from the city’s chaos.

The group swiftly readied themselves for the day’s journey. Tents were dismantled, and provisions packed as they prepared to resume their trek toward the capital.

As the final preparations concluded, Lyan cast a final glance at the city they had escaped, the turmoil of its politics and chaos fading in the distance. The next step lay ahead—a journey that would lead them through the unpredictable roads toward the capital, away from the chaos and into the realm of new challenges and discoveries.

With determination etched into his every move, Lyan signaled the group to depart. The path to the capital awaited, promising a different landscape, challenges, and the hope of escaping the Duke’s reach, if only temporarily.

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary

Money: 3,797,710,950 Elnes / 3797 gold 71 big silver 9 big coppers 5 coppers

Weapon: Magic Glaive, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 1 (Decent) bow

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, Breastplate, 2 Health Potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire’s Companions: 8 High Spirits, 3 Valkyrie, Shadow Goblin Lord (Lv. 5), Papilio Slime (Lv. 45), Galewing Butterfly (Lv. 45), Rock Golem (Lv. 50), Deadlight (Lv. 63), Moonlight Butterfly (Lv. 45), Ice Golem (Lv. 50), Acid Ant Queen (Lv. 9), Magma Bear (Lv. 1), Fey Mammoth (Lv. 1), Arcane Retriever (Lv. 1), Winter Wolf Alpha (Lv. 12), Fenris (Lv. 1)

Grimoire’s Army: 6 Shadow Servants, 800 Skeleton Army (24 Goblin Champion Skeletons, 226 Hobgoblin Skeletons, 550 Goblin Skeleton Army, 20 Acid Ants Workers, 10 Acid Ants Soldiers, 4 Female Winter Wolves)