Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 224: The Gargoyle’s Surveillance

Chapter 224: The Gargoyle’s Surveillance

After returning from the world of memories, Lyan wasted no time in deploying his newly summoned gargoyle, Grinzam, to assist his shadow servants in their surveillance efforts across the capital of the Astellia Kingdom. With the Duke’s movements as his primary concern, Lyan issued Grinzam precise and focused orders tailored to detect any signs of the Duke’s presence or activities.

Grinzam’s orders were comprehensive and aimed at detecting any suspicious movements or individuals linked to the Duke or his allies within the capital. Firstly, Grinzam was tasked with identifying individuals exhibiting behavior indicative of involvement with the Duke or his allies. This included monitoring those frequenting locations associated with the Duke’s known circles or engaging in secretive meetings.

Secondly, Grinzam was directed to monitor key locations frequented by the Duke or his associates within the capital. These included the Duke’s mansion, the homes of prominent nobles linked to him, and any clandestine meeting spots known to be used by his allies.

Additionally, Grinzam was ordered to gather intel on the Duke’s associates, tracking their movements, interactions, and any conversations that might reveal their involvement in nefarious activities within the empire’s capital.

Furthermore, Grinzam was to keep a vigilant eye out for any unusual activity or patterns that deviated from the norm within the capital. This included sudden changes in guard rotations, increased security measures, or the arrival of unfamiliar visitors to locations associated with the Duke.

Lastly, Grinzam was instructed to report back promptly with his findings. He was to relay any suspicious activity directly to Lyan or his shadow servants, providing detailed reports to aid in the analysis of the information gathered.

With these orders in place, Lyan ensured that Grinzam would effectively surveil the capital of the Astellia Kingdom and gather intelligence that could lead to the discovery of the Duke’s schemes. As Grinzam and his summoned stone animals set out to fulfill their mission, Lyan remained at the training grounds of the empire, awaiting any updates that could shed light on the Duke’s movements and intentions within the capital.

"But who would’ve ever thought that we’d find him this quickly," Lyan murmured, his gaze fixed on the stone crow circling above them. Lyan marveled at the gargoyle’s keen intellect, noting how effortlessly they conveyed information through their shared mind link.

"But perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise?" Lyan mused, his tone tinged with doubt as he closed his eyes, allowing the relayed information to flow into his mind. Details about the nobles gathered by the Duke in a certain mansion flooded Lyan’s thoughts, along with snippets of conversations that provided valuable insights into the Duke’s plans.

Lyan’s mind immediately kicked into high gear, processing every bit of information relayed by Grinzam. It wasn’t just the dialogue he absorbed; it was the entire scene—the attire of each noble, their urgency, their expressions, the tone they used—everything. He needed to grasp the situation fully to ensure he wouldn’t make the wrong call.

"I see..." Lyan murmured to himself as he digested the information. His mind worked like a well-oiled machine, analyzing every detail with precision and foresight. Grinzam’s data offered invaluable insights into the Duke’s movements and intentions within the capital.

From what Lyan observed, the conversation mostly revolved around politics and power. The Duke’s associates discussed strategies to enhance their influence within the empire, leveraging their connections and resources to gain an upper hand. There was urgency in their voices, indicating awareness of the stakes and the need for swift action.

Judging from the nobles’ expressions, tension and apprehension lingered among them. Some seemed hesitant, questioning the wisdom of aligning with such a powerful but unpredictable figure. Others appeared eager, their ambition shining through as they discussed their plans for the future.

"But not everyone is his ally yet," Lyan concluded, noting the subtle dynamics at play.

His words were measured, calculated. He refrained from discussing his plans, knowing the importance of secrecy. But one thing was clear: the Duke’s charisma and dominance were undeniable. He had a magnetic pull, convincing almost everyone with his words and aura, much like an alpha wolf expanding his pack through both force and charisma.

With a deep breath, Lyan formulated a plan based on the information. Time was of the essence. He dispatched his shadow servants to discreetly observe the noble gatherings, gathering intel and confirming identities. He also increased surveillance on key locations, monitoring for any signs of suspicious activity.

"Guess that’s enough for now. Good thing I summoned Grinzam at just the right moment," Lyan muttered under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Wilhelmina’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"Hm? No, it’s fine. Just thinking aloud," Lyan replied, brushing off her concern.

Wilhelmina’s apology washed over him, but he waved it off. "It’s fine, really. Let’s head back for now," he said, steering the conversation away from the fight.

As they made their way back to the inn, the applause of the crowd echoed around them. It seemed friendly at first glance, but to Lyan, it hinted at something deeper—a society lacking in entertainment, finding joy in violence and spectacle.

"...How saddening," he murmured, a tinge of melancholy coloring his words as they disappeared into the scene.

As they crossed the road back to the inn, Wilhelmina, Solia, and Tesha recounted the events leading up to the fight. It all started innocently enough—they were simply using the training ground to prepare for the upcoming martial tournament. But things took a turn when one of Rale’s men made unwanted advances towards one of the girls, crossing a line that ignited Solia’s fiery temper.

Solia’s instinctual reaction led to a heated confrontation, escalating into a small scuffle between them. Despite Solia’s combat prowess from her time as a former combat slave, she found herself outnumbered by the elite knights accompanying Rale. Even with the help of the other girls, they soon found themselves backed into a corner.

Enter Wilhelmina.

Arriving just in time, Wilhelmina joined the fray to assist Solia and the others. With her remarkable combat skills, the knights were swiftly defeated, prompting Rale to intervene. Though he recognized Wilhelmina and offered an apology, the honor of his noble family demanded a response to their defeat, leading to Rale issuing a formal duel challenge to Wilhelmina.

"And that’s how things ended up escalating," Tesha concluded her storytelling, her expression a mix of apology and pleading on behalf of Wilhelmina.

Lyan nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the recounting of events. He could sense the tension lingering in the air, a palpable reminder of the dangers that lurked within the capital’s noble circles. With a sigh, he turned to Wilhelmina and the others, his expression relaxed but the graveness on his tone is clear.

"It’s clear that we need to tread carefully from now on," Lyan said, his voice measured. "We can’t afford to attract any more attention or provoke unnecessary conflicts. Our priority should be gathering information and preparing for the martial tournament."

Wilhelmina nodded in agreement. "You’re right. We need to stay focused on our training and avoid any further confrontations. The last thing we need is to find ourselves embroiled in another feud with the nobility." Her voice filled with an apologetic tone as she understood that her actions has just eliminate their advantage, which is not being at anyone’s radar.

Solia and Tesha exchanged worried glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew that their actions had put them at odds with possible powerful forces within the empire, and that they needed to proceed with caution if they hoped to navigate the treacherous waters of noble politics.

"Agreed," Solia said, her voice softening with remorse. "We’ll lay low for now and focus on honing our skills for the tournament. But we can’t let our guard down. We need to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of trouble."

Tesha nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting Solia’s remorse. "Yes, you’re right. We made a mistake, and we’re sorry for putting the group in danger. We’ll need to be more careful from now on and avoid any further conflicts with the nobility."

With their plan agreed upon, the group set about their training with renewed focus and determination. Each day, they pushed themselves to their limits, honing their combat skills and refining their strategies for the upcoming tournament. Meanwhile, Lyan dispatched his shadow servants to discreetly gather information about the Duke’s movements and any potential threats lurking within the capital.

As the days passed, the tension within the group began to ease, replaced by a sense of unity and purpose. They knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they also knew that together, they stood a chance of overcoming whatever obstacles lay in their path.

And so, with their eyes set on the horizon and their hearts filled with determination, Wilhelmina and her companions prepared to face whatever trials awaited them in the days to come, knowing that their journey was far from over.