Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 209: Clandestine of The Southern Region

Chapter 209: Clandestine of The Southern Region

In the clandestine halls of a shadowed citadel nestled within the heart of the Redania Empire’s southern territories, Duke Ravindor convened with a select assembly of influential nobles. The air was thick with secrecy as they gathered around an ornate table, the dim candlelight casting elongated shadows that danced upon the polished surfaces.

Several figures, nobles of the southern region of the Redania Empire, each a wielder of considerable power within their territories, exchanged wary glances. Their presence was a testament to the subtle yet firm grip the Duke had established over them. In the Duke’s world, loyalty was both a currency and a weapon.

Duke Ravindor, an imposing figure draped in a regal cloak, took his seat at the head of the table. His eyes, sharp and calculating, surveyed the assembled nobles. This clandestine meeting bore the weight of recent events—the orchestrated chaos during the festival and the calculated framing of the Astellia Kingdom for espionage.

"My esteemed allies," the Duke’s voice resonated through the chamber, a harmonious blend of authority and charm. "Our collective efforts have sown the seeds of discord towards the Astellia Kingdom, and last night’s performance was nothing short of a masterpiece."

A murmur of agreement echoed among the nobles, albeit accompanied by undercurrents of tension. The Duke’s influence was undeniable, but beneath the veneer of unity, individual ambitions simmered, each noble vying for a position of greater influence in the Duke’s grand design.

"We have successfully diverted attention from our true objectives," the Duke continued, a subtle grin playing upon his lips. "Now, let us discuss the next phase of our plan. The Astellia Kingdom, already weakened by internal strife, will be more susceptible to our influence. Steering the hostility of the people of the empire towards the kingdom and taking the chance to conquer the Astellia Kingdom is now more than just a whimsical notion.,"

The Duke’s gaze fixated on the dissenting voices, a silent warning lingering in the air. His mastery in the art of persuasion, coupled with the implicit threat of consequences, ensured tenuous obedience from even the most rebellious of nobles.

A seasoned noble, Baron Keldor, voiced his concerns. "My lord, while the chaos in the Astellia Kingdom is advantageous, we must not underestimate the resilience of their monarchy. Our continued involvement may provoke unwanted retaliation."

The Duke’s eyes narrowed, a momentary flicker of irritation crossing his countenance. "Baron Keldor, your caution is duly noted. However, I assure you, this is not a venture I undertake lightly. The Astellia Kingdom’s internal strife is but a prelude to a grander scheme—one that will see me rise to power, not only within the Astellia Kingdom but beyond."

The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, grappling with the magnitude of the Duke’s ambitions. Each word uttered by the Duke bore the weight of calculated intent, a reminder of the perilous dance they engaged in under his influence. It is well-known that he aims thirstily towards the throne of the Astellia Kingdom, but they also know how capable the Duke is and how he could help them increase their territories in the empire if they collaborate with him. But it seems, that his plans are further than that.

"As we proceed," the Duke continued, "I have dispatched agents to monitor the movements of our elusive adversary, Lyan Arkanium Evocatore. He poses a threat not to be underestimated, and I expect reports on his activities promptly."

The Duke’s command hung in the air, prompting a flurry of nods from the assembly. The elusive mercenary had proven to be an unpredictable variable, a wild card that could upset the delicate balance of the Duke’s orchestrated chaos.

"I’ve witnessed the report given by the agents, it’s outrageous! They must be lying and exaggerating things because they’ve lost! One unknown man, without any connection anywhere, shouldn’t be able to disrupt our plan easily. It’s not worth our focus," One of the nobles exclaimed.

The Duke’s eyes narrowed even further. He could still remember the moment he saw and met Lyan. Even without his piercing and keen observation that he always used to evaluate potential men, the Duke could immediately tell that the person before him was not a normal man just by his confidence and his demeanor.

Confidence that came from a fearless charisma. It’s not an empty confidence of a narcissistic fool. It’s a confidence that shines and felt because of the capability to analyze, adapt, and react to any kind of situation without any difficulty. Even though he never saw him and it doesn’t seem that he came from any kind of nobility family, his aura is something that even the crown prince of the Astellia Kingdom couldn’t rival.

"Enough," the Duke’s voice carried a hint of anger, further silencing the room.

"Y-Yes, my lord?" The noble that mentioned about the unnecessary concern towards Lyan replied with sweat dripping from his forehead.

"I’m not a fool who cannot discern what is dangerous and what is not. I firmly believe the report because I’ve seen the man with my own eyes. If you face him, report immediately, as it won’t be easy to confront him alone. I want every report about this man to be heard, do you understand?" The Duke issued his ultimatum, and the surrounding people nodded. It was a spectacle; they weren’t his direct underlings, but his underlying dominance made them automatically succumb, acknowledging their inferiority.

"For the Astellian prince," the Duke mused, his eyes gleaming with ambition, "we shall make him a pawn in this game. I shall exploit his vulnerability and weave a narrative that will see him as a puppet manipulated by external forces. This shall not only serve our interests within the Astellia Kingdom but also strengthen our influence across borders. It’s been too silent these years, let’s have the continent lighten up for a little bit,"

The nobles, despite their reservations, found themselves captivated by the Duke’s vision. His charisma, coupled with the sheer audacity of his plans, instilled a begrudging admiration. In the world of political machinations, the Duke emerged as a maestro, orchestrating a symphony of deceit and dominance.

Baroness Seraphina, known for her shrewd intellect, interjected cautiously. "My lord, the Astellian crown prince may prove more resilient than anticipated. Should we not focus on restricting his movement first? I’ve heard lots of things about him, and those reports don’t seem to be the description of a dumb and ignorant prince."

The Duke’s eyes narrowed, a steely gaze fixated on Baroness Seraphina. His response, delivered with a measured tone, carried an unmistakable warning. "Of course. If he was a dumb and ignorant prince, I wouldn’t have to do so much trouble just to obtain the throne of the kingdom. But, do not mistake caution for timidity, Seraphina. The time for subtlety is waning, and bold strokes will carve our path to supremacy."

Silence enveloped the chamber as the Duke’s words resonated. The nobles, though uneasy, acknowledged the inevitability of their involvement in the Duke’s grand design. The fragile alliance forged in the shadowed halls of the southern territories would be tested, each noble compelled to play their part in the unfolding saga of political intrigue.

As the clandestine meeting drew to its somber conclusion, the Duke ascended from his ornate chair, the rich fabric of his cloak swirling as if stirred by an unseen breeze. "We shall reconvene at the opportune moment. Until then, ensure the tendrils of our influence extend subtly but firmly. The empire shall be reshaped in the image of our ambitions," his commanding voice echoed through the hallowed chamber.

With a regal nod, the Duke gracefully exited the dimly lit hall, leaving behind an air of lingering anticipation. The southern nobles, now alone in the lingering shadows, found themselves caught in the tangle of thoughts sparked by the Duke’s enigmatic directives. The flickering candlelight cast sinuous shadows across the intricately carved walls, mirroring the complexities of the choices that now bound them to the Duke’s grand design.

In the wake of his departure, the chamber seemed to exhale a collective breath, as if sighing beneath the weight of the secrets that had been shared within its walls. Each noble, their countenances etched with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, contemplated the role they were fated to play in the unfolding saga of political intrigue.

The Duke’s regal exit marked the beginning of a profound solitude that settled over the room, allowing the nobles a moment to digest the gravity of their involvement. The scent of lingering candle wax hung in the air, underscoring the sense of impermanence that clung to their clandestine dealings.

The shadows of deceit, cast both by the Duke’s ambitions and the veiled machinations of the nobility, sprawled like intricate tapestries across the vast expanse of the empire. The meeting’s whispered conspiracies, and the subtle nods of agreement, all wove into a complex narrative that extended far beyond the walls of the clandestine citadel.

As the southern nobles dispersed, their silhouettes blending with the encroaching darkness, they became unwitting actors in a drama whose script was penned by the Duke. Each footfall echoed a step further into a future fraught with uncertainty, their destinies firmly tethered to the Duke’s audacious pursuit of power. The flickering candles, now mere witnesses to the grand tapestry being woven, cast their light on a tableau of hidden motives and veiled ambitions, illuminating but a fraction of the intricacies that awaited the empire.

___________________________________________________________________________

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)