Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 251: The Crown Prince’s Step

Chapter 251: The Crown Prince’s Step

In the heart of the Astellia Kingdom, the grand castle loomed majestically against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. Its stone walls, weathered by time, stood tall and unyielding, a testament to the kingdom’s strength and resilience. The castle’s towers reached towards the heavens, their spires piercing the clouds, and banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the wind.

Inside the throne room, the air was thick with anticipation. Lavish tapestries adorned the walls, depicting historic battles and legendary heroes. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of chandeliers, casting a warm light over the polished marble floors. At the far end of the room, on an elevated dais, sat Erich, the crown prince of Astellia. His presence was imposing, his demeanor composed and authoritative. His eyes, sharp and discerning, were fixed on the figure kneeling before him.

The man kneeling was Arnold, a seasoned mercenary known for his prowess with dual swords. His rugged appearance and the scars on his face told tales of countless battles fought and survived. Now, he knelt before the prince, ready to report and discuss their plans.

"Your Highness," Arnold began, his voice steady and respectful. "The training of the mercenaries progresses well. The men are motivated and disciplined, eager to serve under your command."

Erich nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. We need every advantage we can muster. The kingdom stands on the brink of a new era, and it is up to us to shape its future."

Arnold glanced up, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Your Highness, if I may ask, who was it that recommended me for this task? I owe them my gratitude."

"Hm? Did I haven’t told you yet?" Erich asked with an eyebrow raised.

Arnold replied with a bow. "Not yet, your highness,"

Erich’s eyes briefly met those of Vilgira Vold, his trusted guard standing beside the throne. The slightest of nods passed between them before Erich spoke. "It was a man of considerable talent and foresight. Someone who has been instrumental in our plans. His name is Lyan."

Arnold’s eyes widened slightly. "Lyan... The one who killed the goblin king... I’ve heard whispers of his deeds. It would be an honor to meet him."

Erich smiled faintly. "Perhaps, one day, you will. But for now, we must focus on the task at hand."

The prince leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Duke Ravindor remains a formidable adversary. His influence has spread insidiously throughout the kingdom, and his conspiracies with the Redania Empire cannot be ignored. Our goal is not just to defeat him, but to cleanse the kingdom of the corruption that has taken root."

Arnold nodded, his expression serious. "We will need to be strategic, Your Highness. A direct assault might play into his hands. We must strike where he is weakest and turn his own machinations against him."

Erich stood, descending the dais to stand before Arnold. "Precisely. Our plan begins with the city of Arkansas. It is a strategic location and will be the first battleground in this war. We must defend it at all costs and use it as a foothold to advance on Ravindor’s forces."

Vilgira Vold stepped forward, unrolling a map of the kingdom on a nearby table. The map detailed troop positions, supply lines, and potential points of conflict. "Our intelligence indicates that Ravindor has been amassing forces near Arkansas. We believe he plans to use the city as a staging ground for further incursions into our territory."

Arnold studied the map, his brow furrowed in concentration. "If we can hold Arkansas and counter his forces there, we can disrupt his plans and force him into a defensive position. From there, we can launch a coordinated offensive to root out his supporters and reclaim the territories under his control."

Erich nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Exactly. We must be thorough. No stone can be left unturned, no traitor left unpunished. The nobles who have aligned themselves with Ravindor must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. Only then can we ensure lasting peace and stability for Astellia."

The discussion turned to the specifics of their strategy. They analyzed troop movements, identified key targets, and debated the best tactics to employ. Erich’s knowledge of the kingdom’s political landscape, combined with Arnold’s battlefield experience, made for a formidable partnership.

"We might need to spread misinformation to sow confusion among Ravindor’s ranks," Arnold suggested. "Make them second-guess their own plans. A few well-placed spies and false reports could do wonders."

Vilgira nodded in agreement. "We also have to be mindful of the civilians. Their safety is paramount. We cannot afford to lose their support."

Erich looked at Arnold, his expression resolute. "Your mercenaries will play a crucial role in this. They must be ready for anything. We will move at dawn. Arkansas will be our first step towards a brighter future for Astellia."

Arnold bowed his head. "As you command, Your Highness."

With their plans set, Erich dismissed Arnold, who left the throne room with a renewed sense of purpose. The crown prince watched him go, then turned to Vilgira. "We are putting a great deal of trust in these mercenaries. Make sure they are well-prepared. We cannot afford any mistakes."

Vilgira nodded. "I will see to it personally, Your Highness."

Erich returned to his throne, his mind racing with thoughts of the coming conflict. The stakes were high, but he knew that with careful planning and unwavering resolve, they could overcome the challenges ahead. The fate of the kingdom rested on their shoulders, and failure was not an option.

As night fell over the castle, the preparations continued. Soldiers readied their weapons, supplies were gathered, and messages were dispatched to allies and informants. The atmosphere was tense but hopeful, a sense of purpose driving everyone forward.

In the quiet of his chambers, Erich reflected on the day’s events. Lyan’s recommendation of Arnold had proven invaluable, and the mercenaries’ training had progressed faster than he had anticipated. He felt a surge of gratitude towards Lyan, whose actions had set this chain of events in motion.

The war against Duke Ravindor would not be easy, but Erich was determined to see it through. The kingdom needed a leader who could guide it through these turbulent times, and he was ready to take on that mantle. With his loyal supporters by his side, he knew they could bring about the change Astellia so desperately needed.

The dawn of a new era was on the horizon, and Erich was prepared to fight for it. As he looked out over the kingdom, he vowed to protect his people and lead them to a brighter future, free from the shadows of corruption and tyranny. The battle for Arkansas would be the first step, and he was ready to face it head-on.

___

In the shadowy halls of Duke Ravindor’s fortress, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of incense and the murmur of hushed conversations. The duke’s advisors, a motley assembly of nobles and seasoned warriors, gathered around a long, polished table, its surface strewn with maps and documents.

Duke Ravindor, a man of imposing presence with sharp, calculating eyes, stood at the head of the table. His fingers drummed against the wood as he listened to the latest reports from his spies.

"The city of Arkansas is their next target," muttered Lord Thorne, a thin man with a penchant for dark cloaks and quieter tones. "Our informants confirm that Prince Erich is amassing his forces there."

Ravindor’s lips curled into a cold smile. "Good. Let them come. We will be ready."

A flicker of movement caught Ravindor’s eye, and he turned to see his trusted captain of the guard, Sir Gareth, enter the room. Gareth was a burly man, his armor adorned with the crest of the Ravindor family.

"Captain Gareth," Ravindor began, his voice smooth yet commanding, "what news do you bring?"

Gareth bowed deeply before speaking. "Your Grace, our preparations near Arkansas are complete. The troops are positioned, and the defenses are fortified. However, there is an unusual increase in activity from our enemies’ side."

Ravindor raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

Gareth hesitated, then continued, "Reports indicate that Erich’s forces are not just preparing for a straightforward assault. There’s talk of spies and misinformation. We believe they might be attempting to spread false intelligence to confuse our ranks."

Lord Thorne leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "We must be vigilant. False reports could lead to chaos within our forces."

Ravindor nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Double the patrols and ensure that any suspicious activity is reported immediately. We must maintain the upper hand."

Just then, a figure cloaked in shadows stepped forward from the edge of the room. It was Riven, one of Ravindor’s most enigmatic and skilled spies. His movements were fluid, almost serpentine, and his eyes gleamed with a cunning light.

"Your Grace," Riven began, his voice a whisper yet cutting through the room like a blade, "there is more to this than simple misinformation. I have reason to believe that there is a mole within our ranks, feeding information directly to Erich."