Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 240: I’m Home

Chapter 240: I’m Home

As the evening settled into the House of Roses, the atmosphere remained tense, charged with anticipation. Josephine, the madam of the renowned courtesan house, led Gildevart, the Guildmaster, to her office. Before he began, Gildevart turned to Josephine, his expression serious.

"We need Abraham here as well," he said. "He needs to hear this."

Josephine nodded and moved to summon Abraham, but before she could, a voice emerged from the shadows. "I’m listening," Abraham said, stepping into the light. His sudden presence was almost uncanny, a testament to his skills.

Gildevart acknowledged him with a nod and then began. "The situation in Arkansas is dire. The city council appears to be swaying toward Duke Ravindor’s side. They’ve been promised noble titles, which for most wealthy merchants is an irresistible offer—prestige and status they weren’t born into but have always craved."

Josephine’s eyes narrowed. "So the council is selling us out for titles?"

Gildevart nodded gravely. "Yes. The Duke’s ambition is to swallow this city whole, making it a strategic base for his impending war against the Astellian royal family. He aims to usurp the throne, and Arkansas is a critical piece in his plans."

Abraham folded his arms, his face a mask of concern. "If he gains control of Arkansas, he’ll have a significant stronghold to launch his campaign. We can’t let that happen."

Josephine leaned forward, her voice resolute. "What do we need to do?"

Gildevart’s voice was steady, filled with the weight of responsibility. "We need to gather our allies and fortify our defenses. But we must do it wisely. If we make a move too soon, we risk exposing ourselves. If we wait too long, we might lose our chance to act."

Josephine nodded. "We have to be strategic. Who do we know is still loyal? Who can we trust?"

Abraham responded, "We have a few merchants and local leaders who have shown consistent support. We should reach out to them discreetly, and ensure their loyalty remains firm."

Gildevart added, "We also need to identify the key figures in the council who are leaning toward the Duke and find a way to sway them back or neutralize their influence."

Josephine considered this. "Bribery might work on some, but we need something more substantial for others. Blackmail, perhaps? Or promises we can actually keep?"

Gildevart’s eyes darkened. "Yes, but we must be careful. Any misstep and we might push them further into the Duke’s grasp."

Abraham nodded thoughtfully. "Agreed. We also need to prepare for the worst-case scenario. If the Duke makes a move to take the city by force, we must be ready to defend it. Our supply lines, fortifications, and manpower all need to be evaluated and strengthened."

Before they could delve deeper, the door opened, and Alina, Belle, and Xena entered the room. Alina spoke first, her tone firm. "We have a right to join this conversation. This affects us all."

Gildevart nodded, acknowledging their presence. "Of course. Your insights are invaluable."

Josephine motioned for them to take seats. "Let’s continue. We need every bit of help we can get."

Gildevart resumed. "The council’s betrayal is just the beginning. We need to undermine their plans without drawing too much attention. First, we must secure the loyalty of those still undecided and remind them of what’s at stake—our home, our people."

Belle, her voice thoughtful, added, "We also need to gather intelligence on the Duke’s movements. Knowing his exact plans will give us an advantage."

Xena, always direct, chimed in. "We should also consider direct action. Disrupt their supply lines, target key figures who’ve pledged to the Duke. Make it clear that siding with him comes with consequences."

Alina nodded in agreement. "We need to protect our assets here too. The House of Roses is a sanctuary and a strategic point. We can’t afford to let it fall into enemy hands."

Josephine looked at each of them, her resolve strengthening. "Agreed. We must protect what’s ours and fight for our city. We need to gather our comrades and prepare for what’s coming."

Abraham spoke up, his voice measured. "I’ll reach out to our network. We need to ensure that those still loyal to Arkansas are ready to act. We also need to secure our supply routes and ensure we have the resources to withstand a siege."

Gildevart nodded. "I’ll coordinate with the mercenaries. We need to fortify our positions and be ready for any attack. But we also need to stay under the radar as much as possible."

The room was filled with a sense of determination and urgency. Each of them understood the gravity of the situation and their roles in the coming conflict. The fate of Arkansas rested in their hands, and they were prepared to fight for it.

Then, Josephine brought up a troubling thought. "What if the Duke’s promise of nobility sways more than just the council? What if the common people start to see him as a liberator rather than a conqueror? His promises could easily turn the tide of public opinion."

Gildevart’s expression darkened. "That’s a real possibility. If the Duke manages to win the hearts of the people, our fight becomes exponentially harder. We can’t just fight the council and his forces; we’d be fighting our own neighbors."

Alina sighed, her face reflecting the weight of their dilemma. "We could try to counter his promises, but what can we offer that’s tangible enough to sway them back? Fear of what he might do isn’t enough if they’re already desperate for change."

Belle added, "Our resources are stretched thin. Promising more than we can deliver could backfire, making us look weak and unreliable."

Xena’s eyes narrowed in thought. "We need to expose the Duke’s true intentions. Show the people that his promises are empty and that his rule would bring nothing but tyranny and oppression. But how do we do that without solid evidence?"

The room fell silent as they pondered the challenge. Each possibility seemed fraught with risk. They needed to act, but one wrong move could turn the entire city against them.

Josephine broke the silence, her voice steady but filled with a mix of resolve and concern. "We have to find a way to reach the people. We need to spread the truth about the Duke, but we need to do it carefully. One misstep and we could lose everything."

Gildevart nodded. "We need a plan that addresses both fronts: undermining the Duke’s promises and strengthening our position. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s the only way."

Suddenly, a knock came at the door. One of the courtesans tried to peek inside. "Madam, there’s someone here to see you."

Josephine sighed, irritation evident in her voice. "Not now. We’re in the middle of something important."

"But Madam, it’s—"

"Please, just go back downstairs. This conversation cannot be interrupted."

The girl hesitated, then insisted. "Madam, you need to see this."

Lyan stood there, his tall frame towering above the others. His hair, a cascade of dark waves, caught the light, giving it an almost ethereal quality. His sharp features were set in a calm expression, but his eyes held a hint of weariness, a testament to the challenges he had faced during his time away.

He was clad in armor, a suit of polished steel that gleamed in the fading light. A cloak of midnight black hung from his shoulders, billowing slightly in the evening breeze. At his side, a massive glaive resting at his shoulder.

But it was not just Lyan who stood in the doorway. Flanking him were eleven unfamiliar faces, all wearing knightly attire under black robes. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

As Josephine took in the sight before her, she felt a surge of relief wash over her. Lyan had returned, and he had brought reinforcements. It was a welcome sight in these troubled times, a glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

"Lyan," she said, stepping forward to greet him. "You’re back."

Lyan offered her a tired smile, but there was a warmth in his eyes that spoke volumes. "I couldn’t stay away for long," he replied, his voice tinged with emotion. "I’m home,"

Before Josephine could respond, the three women, Alina, Belle, and Xena, sprang to their feet and pounced on Lyan, wrapping him in a collective embrace. Their voices overlapped as they expressed their joy and relief at his return.

"Lyan! You’re back!"

"We missed you so much!"

"Don’t ever leave us like that again!"

Lyan chuckled, gently returning their embraces. "I missed you all too."

Josephine followed them, her eyes softening as she looked at Lyan. She stepped closer and embraced him warmly. "Welcome back," she whispered, then stole a quick kiss from him. The affectionate gesture prompted a chorus of playful protests from the girls.

"Madam! That’s not fair!"

"You always get the first kiss!"

Josephine laughed lightly, stepping back. "Alright, alright, let’s get back to business."

She then turned her attention to the newcomers, her gaze shifting to curiosity and suspicion. "Lyan, who are these people?"

Lyan motioned for the knights to remove their hoods, revealing their faces. "These are knights loyal to me. We’ve been working covertly to gather intelligence and resources. They’re here to help us in our fight against the Duke."

Gildevart’s eyes widened slightly as he studied the knights. "Well, this changes things. What have you discovered?"

Lyan’s expression turned serious. "The Duke’s influence is spreading faster than we anticipated. He’s secured several key supply routes and has a network of spies within the city. But we also found evidence of his brutality. His promises of nobility are a facade. Those who oppose him face severe punishment or worse."

Josephine nodded, her earlier irritation replaced by determination. "This information is invaluable. We were just discussing how to undermine the Duke’s promises and strengthen our position."

Lyan glanced at the knights, then back at the group. "These knights are not just fighters; they’re strategists. We can use their knowledge to develop a plan that addresses both fronts."

Abraham spoke up, his voice measured. "We need to act quickly but cautiously. We can’t afford any missteps."

Alina, still clinging to Lyan’s arm, added, "We should spread the truth about the Duke’s brutality to the people. If they see him for what he really is, they’ll be less likely to support him."

Belle nodded. "And we need to secure our allies and resources. Make sure everyone knows what’s at stake."

Xena’s eyes narrowed with determination. "We should also consider direct action against his spies and supply lines. Disrupt his operations and make it harder for him to maintain control."

Gildevart crossed his arms, deep in thought. "With the knights’ help, we can form a coordinated strategy. We’ll need to divide our efforts: intelligence gathering, public relations, and tactical strikes."