Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 233: City of Arkansas (1) The Departure

Despite the breathtaking beauty of the icy scenery, Lyan’s mind remained focused and sharp. Every rustle in the frosted bushes and shadow in the distance set his senses on high alert. He knew the path to Arkansas was fraught with dangers, both natural and man-made. His thoughts lingered on Josephine, Belle, Alina, and Xena—the women whose safety he was determined to ensure.

As the sun climbed higher, casting a pale, golden glow over the icy landscape, Lyan’s vigilance paid off. Ahead, he spotted a group of bandits blocking the road. Their leader, a burly man with a scar running down his face, grinned menacingly as he saw Lyan approach.

"Looks like we’ve got ourselves a traveler with a nice horse," the bandit leader sneered, his breath visible in the cold air. "Hand over your valuables and you might just live to see another day."

Lyan’s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. "I don’t have time for this," he said coldly. "Step aside."

The bandits laughed, their numbers giving them confidence. There were forty-two of them against one lone traveler. The thought of losing didn’t cross their minds even for a second. But their amusement was short-lived. With lightning speed, Lyan drew his sword and charged. Shadow, well-trained and agile, moved in perfect sync with his master. The first bandit fell before he even had a chance to react, his blood staining the pristine snow.

"B-Bastard..." one of the bandits uttered in rage as he watched his companion fall.

"Don’t think you’ll live—eh? What’s that?" another bandit stammered, his bravado faltering as he noticed something amiss. From the ground, a huge ice boulder and a massive rock began to rise, forming into a towering ice golem and a formidable rock golem.

"Behind us!!" another bandit shouted in fear, eyes wide as he looked over his shoulder.

From the rear, Winter wolves and Hobu, the shadow goblin lord, emerged, their eyes glowing with deadly intent. The bandits were surrounded.

"Those... Those huge figures...? What kind of skeletons are those!?" one of the bandits pointed in terror.

Twenty-four goblin champion skeletons, each radiating an eerie, formidable presence, slowly approached, their weapons gleaming ominously.

The bandits were completely surrounded. Panic set in, and their earlier bravado evaporated.

Lyan’s eyes were cold and unyielding. "I have no time for this. Kill them," he ordered.

The golems, wolves, goblin lord, and skeleton champions needed no further encouragement. They attacked with ferocity. The ice golem struck first, its massive, frosty fist crashing down on a bandit, shattering his bones with a sickening crunch. The rock golem followed, swinging its heavy arms in wide arcs, sending bandits flying through the air, their screams piercing the cold morning.

The Winter wolves darted in and out, their fangs gleaming as they tore into flesh. "Get away! Get away from me!" a bandit screamed, his voice rising in pitch as a wolf latched onto his leg, dragging him down into the snow. Hobu, the shadow goblin lord, moved with lethal efficiency, his dark blade slicing through bandits with ease. "No, please! Spare me!" one begged, only to be silenced by a swift, brutal strike.

The goblin champion skeletons advanced methodically, their weapons cleaving through the bandits with chilling precision. "They’re monsters! All of them!" a bandit cried, his eyes wide with terror as he tried to flee, only to be cut down by a skeleton’s relentless assault.

The air was filled with the sounds of battle, the clash of weapons, and the terrified screams of the bandits. The snow, once pristine, was now stained with blood, the crimson stark against the white.

Lyan watched, his expression resolute. He had a mission, and nothing would deter him from reaching Arkansas and protecting the ones he cared about. The bandits had made a fatal mistake in underestimating him, and they paid the ultimate price.

As he rode, Lyan’s thoughts turned to the women he was racing to save. Josephine, with her sharp wit and unyielding strength; Belle, whose kindness and gentle spirit masked a fierce determination; Alina, the strategist with a mind as sharp as any blade; and Xena, whose fierce loyalty and courage inspired those around her.

He remembered the moments they shared, the battles they fought side by side, the love that had grown between them, and the passionate nights they have with each other. Each of them held a piece of his heart, and the thought of them in danger filled him with a burning resolve.

By late afternoon, Lyan reached a small town nestled at the base of a hill. It was a quiet place, with a few shops, a tavern, and an inn. He decided to stop for a brief rest and to gather any information he could about the Duke’s plans.

He dismounted and led Shadow to the town’s stable, ensuring the horse was well-fed and rested. Then he made his way to the tavern, The Rusty Blade, hoping to overhear some useful gossip.

Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with locals chatting and drinking. Lyan took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. He listened intently to the conversations around him, his ears pricking at any mention of Arkansas or the Duke.

Lyan sat quietly at the bar, the rough wooden stool creaking under his weight. The tavern, The Rusty Blade, was a modest establishment with worn wooden beams and a roaring fire that provided a welcome respite from the bitter cold outside. Patrons clustered around tables, sharing drinks and stories, their voices blending into a low hum of conversation.

As Lyan sipped his drink, he let his eyes wander around the room, taking in the various groups of people. Most appeared to be local villagers and travelers, but a few stood out as potential sources of valuable information. A group of merchants in the corner, discussing trade routes and recent developments, caught his attention. Another table, occupied by grizzled mercenaries, their armor bearing the marks of recent battles, seemed like another promising lead.

Lyan’s sharp ears picked up snippets of conversation from the merchants. They spoke in hushed tones about disruptions in trade and rumors of a looming conflict in Arkansas. One merchant, a portly man with a thick mustache, leaned in closer to his companions.

"I tell you, something big is brewing in Arkansas. Trade routes are being cut off, and there’s talk of a powerful noble pulling the strings," the merchant said, his voice low but urgent.

His companions nodded, their faces etched with concern. "I heard the same. Mercenary bands are being hired left and right. It’s like someone is preparing for a siege," another merchant added, his voice tinged with fear.

Lyan’s grip tightened around his drink. The pieces were falling into place, confirming what he had already suspected. Duke Ravindor was moving aggressively, and Arkansas was his target. But he needed more details—specifics about the Duke’s agents, the identity of the mysterious mage, and the exact timeline of the planned attack. He already got the information from Vex, but it’s better to get more information available.

He turned his attention to the table of mercenaries. Their conversation was less guarded, the men swapping stories and boasting about their exploits. One mercenary, a scarred veteran with a patch over his left eye, spoke loudly.

"Arkansas is gonna be a goldmine, mark my words. Whoever takes control there will have more wealth than they know what to do with," the veteran said, a greedy glint in his eye.

Another mercenary, younger but equally hardened, laughed. "Yeah, if they can survive the fight. I heard there’s a powerful mage involved. No one’s seen ’em, but everyone feels the effects of their magic. Strange things happening in the dead of night, people disappearing without a trace."

Lyan’s interest piqued at the mention of the mage. He needed to know more about this elusive figure who posed such a significant threat. He waited for an opportune moment before approaching the group, his demeanor casual but commanding.

"Evening, gentlemen," Lyan said, nodding in greeting as he joined their table. "Sounds like you’ve got some interesting stories. Mind if I buy you all a round and hear more about this mage in Arkansas?"

The mercenaries eyed him warily at first, but the promise of free drinks quickly won them over. They gestured for him to sit, and soon a fresh round of ale was brought to the table.

The scarred veteran took a deep swig of his drink before speaking. "Not much to tell, stranger. Just rumors, mostly. But they say this mage has powers that can freeze a man solid or burn him to ashes with a snap of their fingers. No one’s seen their face, but their presence is felt all over the region."

Lyan leaned in, his expression serious. "Any idea who they might be working for? Or where they’re hiding?"

The veteran shrugged. "If I knew that, I’d be a rich man. But the smart money’s on them working for someone with a lot of influence and resources. Maybe even a noble with ambitions beyond their station."

The younger mercenary chimed in. "Word is, they’re planning something big. Could be within the next month. All the mercenary bands are being hired up, and the city’s on edge."

Lyan’s mind raced with the implications of this information. The timeline was shorter than he had hoped, and the threat more immediate. He needed to act quickly if he was going to thwart Duke Ravindor’s plans and protect the people of Arkansas.

He thanked the mercenaries for their time and information, leaving them with a generous tip before making his way back to Shadow. As he rode out of the town, the sun dipping low on the horizon, Lyan’s resolve hardened. He had the information he needed, and now it was time for him to go as fast as he could.

_____________________________

<-1 Gold Coin>

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary

Money: 3,775,710,950 Elnes / 3775 gold 71 big silver 9 big coppers 5 coppers

Weapon: Magic Glaive, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 5 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 1 (Decent) bow, 1 Gryphon-Winged Sword

Equipment: 3 Black leather cloak, 2 Leather Armor, 2 Breastplate, 4 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), Gargoyle (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)