Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 235: The Familiar Bordering Village

Chapter 235: The Familiar Bordering Village

The night wore on, and as dawn approached, the weather took a turn for the worse. Dark clouds gathered overhead, and a heavy rain began to fall, turning the path into a slippery, treacherous mire. Lyan pulled his cloak tighter around him, urging Shadow forward despite the downpour. The rain soaked through his clothing, chilling him to the bone, but he pressed on, undeterred by the elements. Covering himself with flame mana, he kept himself warm from the inside.

The weather wasn’t his only obstacle. As he traversed the rugged landscape, he encountered other dangers. At one point, a landslide blocked his path, the earth and rocks forming an impassable barrier. Lyan had no choice but to find an alternate route. He navigated through dense forests, the trees towering above like silent sentinels, their branches dripping with rainwater. The terrain was uneven, the ground slick and treacherous, but Lyan’s resolve remained unwavering. Using a combination of magic and his own ingenuity, he repaired the terrain, manipulating earth and wood to create a safer path.

During one particularly perilous stretch, he came across a rickety bridge spanning a deep gorge. The planks were old and weathered, some missing entirely, and the entire structure looked as though it could collapse at any moment. Lyan dismounted and led Shadow carefully across, using nature mana from Azelia, the high spirit of nature, to strengthen the bridge and reinforce it with fresh wood grown from his magic. The wind howled through the gorge, and the rain made the bridge even more slippery, but Lyan moved with deliberate caution. Each step was a test of nerve, but finally, they made it to the other side safely. It was a stark reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.

Despite the obstacles, Lyan and his companions pressed on. The winter wolves and goblin skeletons kept a vigilant watch, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. Grimclaw, riding alongside Lyan, remained ever alert, his skeletal frame a stark contrast against the white landscape.

Hours passed, and the night slowly gave way to the first light of dawn. The sky began to lighten, casting a soft glow over the snow-covered ground. Lyan felt a renewed sense of purpose as they neared their destination. He knew that each step brought him closer to protecting his loved ones.

As the rain began to let up, Lyan found a moment to rest. They stopped in a small clearing, and Lyan took the opportunity to check on his companions. Grimclaw was unphased by the weather, his undead form impervious to the cold and wet. The winter wolves shook the rain from their fur, and the goblin skeletons stood silent and still, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"It’s near," Lyan uttered as he saw the familiar terrain. "We’re near the first village we visited. The Snowflake Village, Aisha’s home." Lyan’s eyes warmed as he uttered the name of the first woman he slept with and fell in love with in the Redania Empire.

The thought of Aisha brought a smile to his face despite the grim circumstances. Memories of their time together flooded his mind—the warmth of her embrace, the sound of her laughter, the strength of her spirit. She had been a beacon of light in the cold, harsh world of Redania, and the thought of seeing her again filled him with determination.

"We’re almost there," he murmured to Shadow, patting the horse’s neck. "Just a bit further."

Shadow snorted in response, as if understanding the urgency. With renewed energy, Lyan and his companions continued their journey, the village of Snowflake drawing closer with each step. The rain had softened to a drizzle, and the landscape began to transform. The dense forests gave way to familiar snowy fields, and the silhouette of the village could be seen in the distance.

As they approached, Lyan felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. He hoped Aisha was safe, that she had not been caught up in Duke Ravindor’s schemes. The village appeared peaceful, with smoke rising from chimneys and the faint sounds of morning activity reaching their ears.

Lyan dismounted and instructed Grimclaw and the others to wait. He wanted to approach the village alone, to see Aisha and ensure her safety without causing unnecessary alarm.

"Stay here and keep watch," he told Grimclaw. "I’ll be back soon."

"Yes, master," Grimclaw replied, his glowing eyes watching Lyan intently.

With a final nod, Lyan walked towards the village, his heart pounding with every step. The sight of the familiar houses and the scent of wood smoke brought a sense of nostalgia. As he neared Aisha’s home, he saw her tending to a small garden by the side of her house. She looked up, and their eyes met. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Aisha," Lyan called softly.

Aisha’s face lit up with joy and relief. "Lyan! You’re back!" She ran to him, and they embraced, the warmth of her body banishing the cold that had settled in his bones. At that moment, Lyan knew that no matter the challenges ahead, he would protect her and his other loved ones from any danger that came their way.

"Looks like you’re training the men even harsher than before," Lyan remarked, noticing the village men engaged in intense swordsmanship training.

"Hehehe. Of course, to make sure our village can defend itself, we need to be stronger. Why are you here, Lyan? Did you finish your evaluation on whether you want to settle in the empire or not?" Aisha asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

Lyan’s face turned grim. "No... The thing is, I have a problem." Aisha could feel the seriousness in his voice. Lyan then explained briefly and effectively about Duke Ravindor, a duke from the Astellia Kingdom conspiring to take over the throne of Astellia and collaborating with some nobles of the Redania Empire. Now, he was aiming for the independent city of mercenaries and merchants, Arkansas, where Lyan had important people he needed to protect.

"I see... There is also Father inside. Maybe he has some information useful for you, Lyan," Aisha suggested.

Lyan nodded, appreciating her insight. Together, they walked toward Aisha’s house, where her father, Eldric, was inside.

Entering the warm interior of the house, they found Eldric by the fireplace, deep in thought. He looked up as they approached, his eyes brightening at the sight of Lyan.

"Judging from the face of my daughter, you must be Lyan. The one that stole her attention and gave enough inspiration for her to inspire even the people of the village," Eldric greeted warmly.

"Yes, he is, father. I’m sorry, but he’s in a rush. Can you please lend us your ear?" Aisha urged.

"What is it? Tell me. I’ll give all kinds of help for my daughter’s man," said Eldric.

Aisha recounted the story that Lyan had told her.

"Do you have any useful information that you heard when you got called to the meeting with the nobles before, Father?" Aisha asked.

Eldric’s expression grew solemn as he listened to Lyan’s tale. He leaned forward, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames of the fireplace. "Yes, my dear. I may have heard whispers of Duke Ravindor’s ambitions during the meetings with the nobles. There were rumors circulating about his desire to expand his influence beyond the borders of the Astellia Kingdom, but the details were scarce. But the feudal lord we’re serving seems to be part of the nobles that are conspiring together with this duke."

Lyan’s brows furrowed in concern. "Did you manage to gather any specific information about his plans for Arkansas?"

Eldric shook his head regretfully. "Unfortunately, no. The discussions were mostly veiled in secrecy, and I dared not pry too deeply. But if Duke Ravindor has set his sights on Arkansas, it could spell trouble for the city and its inhabitants."

"Ah!" Eldric’s eyes suddenly lit up. "I remember hearing the feudal lord saying that he ordered a mercenary group he usually hires to run an errand to Arkansas. Do you think that there is something about it connected?"

"I see... They might be reinforcement sent to accomplish the duke’s goal of cutting the trade route. With a noble from the empire hiring the mercenary, it would be difficult to actually take any action as it could become a conflict between countries. And it would be difficult to connect it to the Duke as there won’t be any proof," Aisha reasoned.

"Indeed... Is there anything else did you got, sir?" Lyan asked respectfully.

"None. There is a limit to what a village chief could do. Hm? You’re leaving already?" Aisha’s father asked.

"Yes. It would be a race with time. People important to me are in danger, after all," Lyan replied.

"I see..." Eldric uttered as he glanced at Aisha.

"It’s fine. I know you’re in a rush. Let’s go, Lyan. I’ll send you off," Aisha said with an understanding smile as she was about to accompany Lyan to the gate of the village.

"It’s nice to meet you, Lyan boy. It would be nice to have a long and nice talk with you, but I guess it could wait. Make sure not to let my li’l girl wait too long or you’ll find her carrying a child when you visit here again, ’kay?" Eldric joked.

"Of course," Lyan replied with a confident smile.