Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 280: The Killer of The Lightning Spirit (2) The Duke’s Part

Chapter 280: The Killer of The Lightning Spirit (2) The Duke’s Part

As Lyan and Griselda approached the Duke’s prison cell, they heard muffled voices. The sound of anger and frustration seeped through the thick wooden door, punctuated by the occasional thud of something heavy hitting the walls. They exchanged a glance, and Griselda’s eyes hardened with determination.

Inside, they found Julius and Crown Prince Erich, both visibly shaken and furious. The Duke sat chained to a chair in the center of the cell, his face a mask of defiance. Julius was pacing back and forth, his hands clenched into fists, while Erich leaned against the wall, his face twisted in a mix of rage and grief.

"You know where she is," Julius growled, his voice raw with emotion. "You had a hand in her death, didn’t you? Tell us!"

The Duke remained silent, his eyes fixed on a point on the floor. His refusal to speak only seemed to fuel Julius’s anger. "You owe us that much, at least," the captain of the knights continued, his voice cracking. "We deserve to know who took her from us. Why did she die, who is she fighting!"

Erich stepped forward, his expression dark. "You were seen with Loris, conspiring with the nobles of Redania. We have witnesses, evidence. We know you played a role in the unrest, in widening the gap between the nobles and commoners. Why? What did you hope to gain!?"

The Duke’s silence was infuriating, a wall of stubbornness that seemed impenetrable. Erich’s hands clenched at his sides, flames flickering around his fingertips. "Damn you!?" he shouted, his voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "You sit there, silent, while we suffer, while we grieve. Do you have any idea what it feels like? You’ve promised me, Ravindor. You promised me that we’ll reach the end we all want! So why...? Why change your mind and betray me...?"

The interrogation went on for over an hour, each minute stretching painfully as the Duke refused to answer their questions. Julius’s voice grew hoarse from shouting, and Erich’s flames flared dangerously, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Lyan glanced at Griselda, who stood hidden in the shadows, her face unreadable. He respected her privacy, understanding the complex emotions she must be feeling. As someone who was supposed to be dead, it was bittersweet to see people she cared about in such pain, striving for years to uncover the truth.

Finally, Erich’s patience snapped. He punched the stone wall with a force that shook the room, flames erupting from his fists and leaving scorch marks. "I can’t stay here, not any longer," he spat, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ll kill him if I do."

With a final, seething glare at the Duke, Erich stormed out of the cell, Julius following close behind. The door swung shut behind them, leaving the Duke alone with his thoughts—and his tormentors.

Griselda and Lyan stepped into the dim light of the cell. The Duke’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t show any fear. Instead, a resigned look settled on his face. "I see," he murmured, his voice calm. "What an unexpected outcome."

Griselda’s eyes blazed with anger as she approached the Duke, her fists clenched at her sides. "Who do you work for?" she demanded, her voice cold and sharp. "Who are you conspiring with?"

The Duke’s lips curled into a faint smile, but he remained silent. Griselda’s patience was thin, and she stepped closer, her presence imposing. "Where is Loris? And the real leader of the [Crows]? What do you plan with the Redania Empire? Answer me!!"

The Duke’s silence was infuriating, but Griselda pressed on. "What role did you play in my death?" she asked, her voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "What is your real identity? Who is your true master?"

The Duke’s calm demeanor finally cracked. He looked up at Griselda, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and defiance. "I owe you nothing," he said, his voice low. "You think you can intimidate me? I’ve faced worse than you."

Griselda’s anger boiled over. She grabbed the Duke by the collar, lifting him from the chair and slamming him against the wall. "You don’t get to play the victim," she hissed. "Not after everything you’ve done."

The Duke’s breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn’t avert his gaze. "You think you’re the only one who’s suffered?" he spat. "You have no idea what I’ve been through."

Griselda’s grip tightened, and for a moment, it seemed as though she might lose control. But then Lyan stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Griselda," he said softly, his voice a calming presence. "Let him speak."

With a visible effort, Griselda released the Duke, stepping back but keeping her eyes locked on him. "Start talking," she demanded.

The Duke took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes flickering between Griselda and Lyan. "You want to know who I work for?" he said finally, his voice hoarse. "It’s not who you think."

Griselda’s eyes narrowed. "Then tell us," she said. "Who is it?"

The Duke hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Loris... was a pawn," he said slowly. "A means to an end. The real power behind the [Crows] is someone far more dangerous."

"Who?" Lyan asked, his voice steady.

The Duke’s gaze dropped to the floor. "A king," he said. "A powerful one. Someone who has been playing this game for a long time."

"King?" Griselda’s frustration grew. "Name," she demanded. "Give us a name."

The Duke looked up, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of fear and defiance. "King Vespian," he said. "He’s the one pulling the strings."

The name sent a shockwave through the room. Griselda’s mind raced, connecting dots, recalling memories. "Vespian," she whispered, the name like a curse on her lips despite her not knowing who he was. "Who is he? What does he want?"

"Power," the Duke replied. "Control. He’s been manipulating events from the shadows, using the [Crows] to destabilize regions, sow discord. Redania was just the beginning, Astellia was supposed to be the stepping stone, but it’s gone."

The Duke shifted his gaze towards Lyan. "You would be the next,"

Lyan stepped forward, not minding whatever he meant by him being the next. "And your role?" he asked. "What part did you play?"

The Duke’s face hardened. "I was a facilitator," he said. "I arranged meetings, and passed messages. I was never more than a tool to him."

Griselda’s anger flared again. "And my death?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "What part did you play in that?"

The Duke’s eyes flickered with guilt. "I didn’t kill you, Griselda. I’ve made a vow to protect the king, the queen, and their children ever since the first drop of my blood in this place. And I’ve sworn to protect you, the future guardian of this kingdom," he said. "But I knew. I knew it was going to happen, and I did nothing to stop it."

Griselda’s fists clenched at her sides. "You knew," she repeated, her voice shaking with fury. "You knew, and you did nothing."

Lyan stepped closer, placing a calming hand on her arm. "Griselda," he said gently. "Focus."

She took a deep breath, trying to rein in her emotions. "Who is your true master?" she demanded.

The Duke’s gaze met hers, and for the first time, there was a flicker of true fear in his eyes. "Vespian," he said quietly. "He is the one you want. But be warned—he is not a man. And not one to be trifled with,"

Griselda’s rage reached its peak hearing his fragments of information. She lunged forward, but Lyan caught her, pulling her into a hug. "Griselda, enough," he said softly. "We’ve got what we need."

She trembled in his arms, her anger and grief pouring out. "Fucking bastard," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He knew. He knew everything."

Lyan held her tightly, his presence a steadying force. "We’ll get him," he promised. "We’ll make him pay."

Flick!

With a flick of his fingers, the Duke lost his consciousness.

"I don’t want to use this, but let’s make things more simple,"

_____________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary, Unofficially Baron Evocatore of Grafen

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), Rune Wolf (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