Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 239: Protect Arkansas (2) Finishing The First Phase

Chapter 239: Protect Arkansas (2) Finishing The First Phase

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the camp, Lyan remained deep in thought. The information they had gathered pointed to a well-coordinated enemy, and he knew they had to act swiftly and decisively to thwart their plans.

The following morning, Lyan and his contingent continued their journey through the dense forests and rolling hills of Arkansas. They moved with the stealth and precision of seasoned warriors, always alert for signs of the enemy. Lyan led them unerringly, his senses honed by years of combat and survival.

Their target was a heavily fortified bandit outpost near a critical supply route. Intelligence indicated that this outpost served as a central hub for the bandit’s operations, and its destruction would significantly disrupt their activities. As they approached, Lyan devised a plan to take the outpost by surprise.

"Marcus, I want you and four men to create a diversion on the western side of the outpost," Lyan instructed. "Set fire to their storage tents and draw their attention. The rest of us will infiltrate from the east and eliminate their leaders."

Marcus nodded, rallying his team. Lyan watched them disappear into the forest before turning to the remaining soldiers. "Stay sharp and follow my lead. We move swiftly and silently. No unnecessary risks."

The group advanced through the underbrush, their movements nearly imperceptible. As they neared the outpost, the sound of raised voices and the glow of fire signaled that Marcus’s team had successfully initiated the diversion. Bandits, or what should be referred to as the former mercenaries rushed toward the western perimeter, leaving the eastern side vulnerable.

Lyan motioned for his men to move in. They slipped through the underbrush, scaling the wooden palisade with practiced ease. Inside the outpost, chaos reigned as bandits scrambled to extinguish the fires. Lyan’s team moved like shadows, striking with lethal precision.

Lyan himself led the charge into the main tent where the bandit leaders were likely to be found. As he burst through the entrance, he encountered three men huddled over a map, their expressions a mix of shock and anger. Without hesitation, Lyan lunged forward, his magic glaive cleaving through the first leader’s chest. The second leader drew his sword, but Lyan parried the blow and delivered a swift counterstrike that ended the fight.

The third leader attempted to flee, but Lyan’s winter wolves intercepted him, their growls low and menacing. The bandit leader stumbled, falling to the ground as the wolves closed in. Lyan approached, his expression cold and resolute.

"Please, spare me!" the leader begged, his voice trembling with fear.

"Spare you?" Lyan’s voice was icy. "How many innocents did you spare?"

The amount of merchants, either big or small got killed and the women became their sex toys. It’s evident. Lyan saw with his own eyes the bodies of the defiled women, and the fact that there were even children among the ranks infuriated him so much.

The bandit leader’s eyes widened in terror as Lyan raised his glaive. The execution was swift, the blade cutting through the man’s neck in one clean stroke. With the leaders dead, the remaining bandits were quickly subdued by Lyan’s soldiers.

Lyan surveyed the outpost, ensuring all threats had been neutralized. The fires were now under control, and his men rounded up the surviving bandits. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, knowing they had struck a significant blow to the enemy’s operations.

"We did well," Lyan said, addressing his soldiers. "This outpost was a major hub for the bandits. Its destruction will disrupt their supply lines and weaken their coordination. But we can’t rest yet. We need to keep the pressure on and eliminate any remaining threats."

The soldiers nodded, their expressions resolute. They knew the battle was far from over, but each victory brought them closer to securing Arkansas and protecting the people they cared about.

"Master, the rest of the groups are approaching. Looks like they noticed something amiss here," one of the soldiers reported.

"Let’s retreat. We continue for several days before entering the city. This should disrupt their plans, or at least give them more time for the next phase of the plan.

Over the next few days, Lyan and his contingent continued their campaign, dismantling bandit camps and cutting off their supply routes. The winter wolves proved invaluable, their senses and combat prowess aiding in countless engagements. Lyan’s strategic mind and relentless determination kept them one step ahead of their enemies.

___

Inside the House of Roses, a renowned courtesan house in the city of Arkansas, trouble was brewing. The atmosphere, usually filled with laughter and soft music, was tense and uneasy.

"S-Stop! Please, young sir!" one of the courtesans pleaded, trying to free herself from the grip of a certain young, muscular noble.

"Hahaha. Don’t be shy. I know you want it too. I have a nice big rod here that you’ll definitely like. Come on," the noble sneered, pulling her closer.

Before the situation could escalate further, a figure stepped into the room. Alina, one of Lyan’s women and the black-haired idol courtesan who was also a skilled mercenary, appeared. Her sharp eyes took in the scene in an instant, and without hesitation, she approached the noble.

"Let her go," Alina demanded, her voice cold and authoritative.

The noble turned to her, his sneer widening. "And who might you be to tell me what to do?"

Alina didn’t waste time with words. She moved with lightning speed, grabbing the noble’s wrist and twisting it behind his back with a precise, practiced motion. The noble cried out in pain, his grip on the courtesan loosening immediately.

"Ow! You bitch!" he snarled, attempting to yank his arm free. But Alina’s hold was firm and unyielding. She applied more pressure, forcing him to his knees.

"I said, let her go," Alina repeated, her voice like ice.

The noble, humiliated and enraged, struggled to rise. "You’ll pay for this!" he shouted, managing to get back on his feet. He swung his free hand at Alina, a clumsy but powerful punch aimed at her head.

Alina ducked under his swing with ease, releasing his arm and spinning around to deliver a swift kick to the back of his knee. The noble buckled, stumbling forward, but quickly regained his balance. His face contorted with fury, he charged at Alina, throwing a flurry of wild punches.

Alina sidestepped his attacks gracefully, her movements fluid and controlled. With each missed swing, the noble’s anger grew, making his strikes even more erratic. Alina waited for the perfect moment, then struck. She stepped in close, deflecting his arm to the side and delivering a sharp elbow strike to his ribs. The noble gasped, the wind knocked out of him, and staggered backward.

Before he could recover, Alina advanced, landing a series of precise, punishing blows. A punch to the stomach doubled him over, followed by a knee to the face that sent him sprawling to the floor. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth as he lay there, dazed and defeated.

"You’ll regret this!" he spat, struggling to his feet. His voice was a mix of pain and rage, but there was also a hint of fear in his eyes now. "I’ll make sure you all pay!"

Alina watched him with a steely gaze as he stumbled towards the exit. "Get out," she commanded. "And don’t ever come back."

The noble cursed under his breath, but he obeyed, turning around only to be met with a chilling sight. Belle and Xena, seated with their faces partially obscured by black veils, stared at him with deadly intent. Not just them, but the courtesan house’s madame, Josephine, was also glaring at him with a look that sent shivers down his spine.

He wasn’t alone in facing the wrath of the House of Roses. Abraham, Raine, and Ravia, the butlers, stood nearby, their eyes filled with silent menace. All the courtesans, their admirers, and even the other staff members were glaring at him with undisguised contempt.

"Tch!" The young noble clicked his tongue in frustration before leaving the place, slamming the door behind him.

As the door closed, Alina turned to the gathered patrons and staff. "I apologize for the ruckus," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Please return to your activities."

"Of course, it’s fine! Good job there, our idol!" one of the admirers shouted, trying to lighten the mood.

The usual hum of conversation slowly resumed, but Alina could feel the change in the atmosphere. The gazes directed at her were different, a mixture of respect and fear. The easy camaraderie that once filled the House of Roses was now tinged with a sense of unease.

"That bastard. How dare he hurt one of our girls. If Alina didn’t stop him, I might have finished his life right there," Josephine muttered, her words loud enough to be heard by the other VIPs of the courtesan house who were conversing with her.

"True. This month, there have been quite a few Astellian and Redanian nobles and merchant bastards coming here, wreaking havoc," a wealthy merchant said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The city is in a very bad state. I’ve heard that the shitty councils have joined hands with Duke Ravindor of Redania. Our supply routes are being blocked. It’s very bad. You know there’s a hint of war boiling from inside Astellia, right?"

"True," another VIP merchant chimed in. "I’ve heard rumors that his influence even reaches the Redanians."

"But trust me, Madam. We, your faithful followers of this great House of Roses, will do our best to protect this place," a senior mercenary reassured her, holding a courtesan close as he spoke.

As Josephine focused on hearing the rumors, the door suddenly opened firmly, and a peculiar aura filled the room, drawing the attention of almost everyone present.

Meeting the eyes of the newcomer, Josephine uttered the name of the man. "Gildevart," she said, recognizing the Guildmaster immediately.

The Guildmaster’s presence commanded respect and attention. He strode into the room with confidence, his eyes sweeping over the gathered patrons and staff before settling on Josephine.

"Josephine," Gildevart acknowledged, his tone serious. "We need to talk. There are pressing matters that require your immediate attention."

Josephine nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. "Of course, Guildmaster. Let’s discuss it in my office." She turned to the others. "Please excuse us."

As Josephine led Gildevart to her office, the atmosphere in the House of Roses remained tense. Alina, still on edge from the earlier confrontation, exchanged a look with Belle and Xena. They all knew that whatever news Gildevart brought, it was likely to change everything.