Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 249: The Valkyries and The North (2) Lady Wilhelmina!?

Chapter 249: The Valkyries and The North (2) Lady Wilhelmina!?

"Lady Wilhelmina!?!?" the Valkyries echoed in unison, shock and excitement mingling on their faces.

"We need to get a closer look," Surena said, her voice urgent. She glanced at the throng of people around them. "Come on, let’s push through the crowd."

The three Valkyries wove their way through the dense mass of spectators, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As they moved closer to the front, they finally found a spot with a clear view of the arena. The crowd’s energy was electric, and the air buzzed with the excitement of the upcoming match.

"There she is," Emilia whispered, her eyes fixed on the ring.

In the center of the arena stood Wilhelmina, her presence commanding and regal. Clad in sleek, silver armor that glinted in the arena lights, she looked every bit the warrior they remembered. Her long, slick pink hair flowed freely, and her eyes shone with determination and confidence.

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena. "And her opponent, one of the empire’s promising young nobles, a trainee of the Imperial Order—give a warm welcome to Lord Cedric!"

A young man stepped into the ring opposite Wilhelmina. Cedric, tall and broad-shouldered, carried himself with the arrogance typical of the nobility. His armor was adorned with intricate designs, and he wielded a finely crafted sword that shimmered with a faint, magical aura.

The crowd’s cheers grew louder as the fighters prepared for their bout. Wilhelmina and Cedric faced each other, their expressions set with determination. The air between them crackled with tension, and the chill of winter seeped into the arena, their breaths visible in the frosty air.

A loud gong signaled the start of the match. Cedric wasted no time, lunging forward with a swift, precise strike aimed at Wilhelmina’s midsection. But Wilhelmina was quicker. She sidestepped the attack with grace, her movements fluid and effortless. In one smooth motion, she brought her own sword up, parrying Cedric’s strike and pushing him back.

Cedric regained his balance quickly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed his opponent. He raised his sword, and the air around him began to swirl with wind mana. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a gust of wind hurtling towards Wilhelmina.

Wilhelmina stood her ground, her expression calm and focused. She channeled her mana into her muscles, enhancing her strength and speed. As the gust of wind approached, she deftly spun to the side, avoiding the attack and closing the distance between them. The cold air nipped at her exposed skin, a reminder of the winter chill that surrounded them.

Cedric swung his sword in a wide arc, the blade leaving a trail of wind mana in its wake. Wilhelmina met his strike with flawless precision, her sword moving like a blur as she blocked and deflected his attacks. The clash of metal against metal rang through the arena, and sparks flew with each collision. Snow began to fall gently, the flakes shimmering in the arena lights, adding a surreal beauty to the fierce combat.

The crowd watched in awe as Wilhelmina’s skill and finesse became evident. Her movements were a dance of lethal elegance, every step and swing of her sword executed with perfect control. Cedric, despite his training and noble heritage, struggled to keep up with her.

Cedric’s frustration began to show. He increased the intensity of his attacks, hoping to break through Wilhelmina’s defenses. He channeled more wind mana into his sword, unleashing a powerful whirlwind that surrounded him. The icy wind whipped through the arena, sending a shiver down the spectators’ spines.

"Impressive," Wilhelmina said, her voice calm and confident. "But it won’t be enough."

Cedric growled, his pride wounded. He charged at her again, this time with more aggression. Their swords clashed in a flurry of sparks, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the arena. Cedric tried to overpower her with brute strength and wind-enhanced speed, but Wilhelmina’s agility and technique proved superior.

With a deft twist of her wrist, Wilhelmina disarmed Cedric, sending his sword flying across the arena. She followed up with a swift strike to his chest, stopping just short of making contact. Cedric froze, realizing that he was at her mercy.

The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers deafening. Wilhelmina lowered her sword, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She extended a hand to Cedric, who took it reluctantly, acknowledging his defeat.

"Well fought," Wilhelmina said, helping Cedric to his feet.

"You too," Cedric muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

As the crowd continued to cheer, the snow fell more steadily, blanketing the arena in a thin layer of white. The winter chill seemed to soften in the presence of Wilhelmina’s victorious warmth, her aura a beacon of strength and grace amid the frosty surroundings.

Yet the fight was far from over. Cedric, refusing to concede entirely, picked up his sword again, determination burning in his eyes. The crowd hushed, watching as he re-entered the ring, his stance resolute. Wilhelmina nodded, acknowledging his spirit.

"Ready for round two?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Cedric nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. He attacked with renewed vigor, his strikes fueled by a mix of pride and desperation. Wilhelmina met each blow with unerring precision, her movements as fluid as the falling snow around them.

The air was thick with the sound of their clashing blades. Cedric attempted to use his wind mana again, creating a vortex that spun around him, whipping the snow into a blinding flurry. Wilhelmina closed her eyes for a brief moment, feeling the flow of mana and using her heightened senses to predict his movements.

When Cedric’s sword came down in a powerful arc, Wilhelmina stepped aside and countered with a swift strike to his arm. Cedric winced but did not falter, swinging his blade with a wide, forceful arc that forced Wilhelmina to backpedal.

The cold bit harder now, the intensity of their duel stirring up the snow and making the air even more frigid. The ground beneath them was slick, each step a calculated risk as they danced across the icy surface. Cedric lunged forward, his sword aimed for Wilhelmina’s heart, but she sidestepped, delivering a sharp kick to his knee that sent him sprawling.

Cedric scrambled to his feet, the snow clinging to his armor, his breath coming in visible puffs. He was undeterred, his resolve as unyielding as the winter’s chill. He charged again, their swords meeting with a force that echoed through the arena.

Wilhelmina’s eyes sparkled with respect and a touch of admiration for his tenacity. She parried his attacks with ease, her own strikes precise and measured. Cedric’s strength began to wane, his movements growing sluggish as the cold and fatigue took their toll.

"You’re strong, Cedric," Wilhelmina said between strikes, her tone almost encouraging. "But strength alone won’t win this fight."

Cedric’s face twisted with frustration, but he knew she was right. He had to find another way. Gathering the last of his mana, he conjured a fierce gust of wind, aiming to knock Wilhelmina off balance. The wind howled, icy tendrils wrapping around Wilhelmina as she braced herself against the onslaught.

For a moment, it seemed Cedric might have the upper hand. But Wilhelmina, unyielding and composed, harnessed her own mana, forming a protective barrier that dissipated the wind’s force. She advanced on him, her steps confident, her sword a blur of motion.

Cedric fought valiantly, but Wilhelmina’s skill was unmatched. She anticipated his every move, countering with strikes that left him reeling. A particularly brutal exchange ended with Wilhelmina disarming him once more, his sword clattering to the ground, lost beneath the accumulating snow.

Wilhelmina didn’t give him a chance to recover. She delivered a swift, decisive blow that knocked Cedric to his knees. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling from the cold and exertion.

The crowd was silent, watching with bated breath as Wilhelmina stood over Cedric, her sword poised. She didn’t strike. Instead, she extended her hand once more, her expression softening.

"Yield, Cedric," she said gently. "You’ve fought well, but this fight is over."

Cedric hesitated, his pride warring with his reason. Finally, he took her hand, allowing her to help him to his feet. The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers deafening. Wilhelmina lowered her sword, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She extended a hand to Cedric, who took it reluctantly, acknowledging his defeat.

"Well fought," Wilhelmina said, helping Cedric to his feet.

"You too," Cedric muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

The Valkyries, still standing at the edge of the crowd, couldn’t contain their admiration.

"She’s as incredible as ever," Surena said, her eyes shining with pride.

"Absolutely," Emilia agreed. "Seeing her in action again reminds me why we follow her."

"But what is she doing here?" Alicia wondered aloud. "Anyway, we should go over her,"

_____________________________

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. 74), Moonlight Butterfly (Lv. 45), Ice Golem (Lv. 50), Acid Ant Queen (Lv. 19), Magma Bear (Lv. 1), Fey Mammoth (Lv. 1), Arcane Retriever (Lv. 1), Winter Wolf Alpha (Lv. 12), Fenris (Lv. 1), Gargoyle (Lv. 1), Shadow Nymm (Lv. 1), Seltas Queen (Lv. 1)

Grimoire’s Army: 6 Shadow Servants, 800 Skeleton Army (24 Goblin Champion Skeletons, 226 Hobgoblin Skeletons, 550 Goblin Skeleton Army, 80 Acid Ants Workers, 30 Acid Ants Soldiers, 4 Female Winter Wolves)