Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 285: The House of Roses’ Waiting

Chapter 285: The House of Roses’ Waiting

The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the dense forest as Josephine, Belle, Xena, Alina, Ravia, and Raine prepared for their latest hunt. The air was thick with anticipation, and the members of The Deadly Bouquet moved with the grace and confidence of seasoned warriors. Their monster children, formidable companions each in their own right, followed closely, their eyes gleaming with eager determination.

Josephine, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders, led the group. Her curvy, strong frame moved with the fluidity of a former Mythril-ranked mercenary. Beside her trotted Magria, the Magma Bear, its molten fur glowing faintly in the dim light. The other women followed suit: Belle with her pink-purple hair and big, intelligent eyes; Xena, the ever-cheerful archer with her dark orange hair tied back; Alina, the cute swordswoman, whose modest demeanor belied her deadly skills; and finally, the tomboyish butler sisters, Ravia and Raine, both as lethal as they were elegant, flanking the group like silent shadows.

Their prey today was no ordinary beast. Nestled deep in the forest, the matured Corpse Flower awaited them—a grotesque, carnivorous plant monster with twisting vines, the stench of rot, and the ability to animate the corpses entwined in its monstrous form. The very air around it reeked of death and decay.

"Ready, ladies?" Josephine’s voice was steady and calm, her emerald eyes scanning the darkening forest.

"Always," Xena replied with a playful wink, nocking an arrow to her bow. Beside her, Galia, the Galewing Butterfly, fluttered its delicate wings, ready to aid her in battle.

Belle nodded, her Papilio Slime, Pilia, perched on her shoulder. The purple slime’s wings shimmered, reflecting the fading sunlight. "Let’s make this quick. I have potions brewing back home," she said, her voice soft but determined.

Alina drew her sword, the blade gleaming. "I’ll handle the vines. Keep them off me," she said, her cute pout masking her fierce resolve.

Ravia and Raine exchanged a look. "We’ll scout ahead and circle around," Ravia suggested. "The flower won’t see us coming."

"Just be careful," Josephine warned, her eyes narrowing. "This thing is more dangerous than it looks."

The battle began with a sudden, explosive burst of movement. Xena’s arrows flew true, striking the Corpse Flower’s central mass, but the thick, rubbery petals absorbed the impact with little more than a shudder. The plant responded by lashing out with its vine-like tendrils, snapping towards the group with terrifying speed.

"Watch out!" Josephine shouted, slashing a vine in two with her morningstar. Magria roared, unleashing a blast of molten rock that incinerated several vines in one fiery explosion. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning plant matter.

Belle was in her element, her fingers weaving complex patterns in the air as she cast spell after spell. "Pilia, go!" she commanded, and the Papilio Slime zipped forward, its wings slicing through the air like knives. The slime’s acidic touch melted the vines it came into contact with, but the Corpse Flower quickly adapted, animating the corpses within its vines to shield itself.

"These things are persistent," Alina grunted, parrying a zombie’s attack before decapitating it with a swift stroke. Molia, her Moonlight Butterfly, darted around her, its luminescent wings distracting their foes long enough for Alina to land her strikes.

From the shadows, Ravia and Raine moved with lethal precision. The sisters darted in and out of the fray, their short swords cutting down zombies and severing vines with practiced ease. Ravia’s Shadow Nymph danced around her, creating illusions that confused and misled their enemies, while Raine’s Seltas Queen crushed and poisoned anything that got too close.

"Let’s focus our attacks on its core!" Josephine shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she coordinated the group’s efforts. "Xena, cover us!"

"Got it!" Xena replied, unleashing a barrage of arrows that kept the flower’s defenses occupied. Each arrow flew straight and true, Galia’s winds boosting their speed and power. The arrows struck the thick, rubbery petals, causing the Corpse Flower to shudder and redirect its vine-like tendrils toward the perceived threat.

"Keep it busy!" Belle called out, her fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air. Pilia, her Papilio Slime, zipped around the battlefield, its wings shimmering with a mystical glow. The slime’s acidic touch melted the vines it came into contact with, but the Corpse Flower quickly adapted, animating the corpses entwined within its monstrous form to shield itself.

Alina, with her sword drawn, moved in sync with her Moonlight Butterfly, Molia. The butterfly’s luminescent wings provided a dazzling distraction, allowing Alina to close the distance. She slashed at the animated corpses, her blade cutting through decayed flesh and bone. "I’ll handle these! Keep pushing forward!"

Ravia and Raine, the tomboyish butler sisters, flanked the Corpse Flower. They moved like shadows, their short swords slicing through vines and undead alike. Ravia’s Shadow Nymph created illusions that misled their enemies, while Raine’s Seltas Queen crushed and poisoned anything that got too close.

"Let’s make this quick, ladies," Josephine urged, her eyes never leaving the monstrous plant. She and Magria, the Magma Bear, charged forward. Magria’s claws glowed with molten energy, tearing through the thick petals with ease. Each swipe of its massive paws revealed more of the Corpse Flower’s vulnerable core.

Xena, still providing cover, called out, "Josephine, it’s exposed!"

"Perfect," Josephine muttered, her morningstar flashing as she swung it with all her might. The spiked ball connected with the plant’s core, cutting deep into its flesh. The Corpse Flower let out a blood-curdling screech, its vines flailing wildly in agony.

Belle saw her chance. "Pilia, now!" she commanded, casting a powerful alchemical spell. The Papilio Slime glowed brightly before releasing a burst of energy that targeted the plant’s internal fluids. The reaction was instantaneous. The fluids combusted, and the Corpse Flower erupted in a fiery explosion, sending charred plant matter and ash raining down.

The group stood panting, covered in soot and plant residue but otherwise unharmed. "That was a close one," Xena said, wiping sweat from her brow.

"But we did it," Alina said, a triumphant smile on her face. "Great job, everyone."

Josephine nodded, sheathing her morningstar on her back. "Let’s report back to the guild and see if there’s any news from Astellia."

The walk back to the mercenary guild was filled with a sense of accomplishment. The guild hall buzzed with activity, but the sight of The Deadly Bouquet entering together turned heads. Josephine approached the counter, where a grizzled guild master awaited.

"Job’s done," she said, handing over the proof of their kill.

The guild master nodded appreciatively. "Well done. Heard anything from Astellia recently?" Josephine asked casually.

The guild master scratched his head. "Not much, just that the war’s over. Some folks got elevated to nobility. Haven’t heard names, though."

Josephine’s heart skipped a beat. "Thanks," she said, turning to the others. "Ravia, Raine, go see if the guards have heard anything more."

The sisters nodded and slipped out the door, moving with the silent grace that belied their lethal skills. They returned a short while later, their expressions guarded but hopeful.

"The guards confirmed it," Ravia reported. "The war is indeed over, and there have been several new noble appointments."

"But they didn’t have specifics," Raine added, her brow furrowing. "We need more details."

Back at the House of Roses, the atmosphere was tense. The luxurious interior, usually filled with laughter and music, was unusually quiet as they gathered in the main hall. Abraham, the old butler, moved around silently, his sharp eyes watching over them.

"I hope Lyan’s alright," Xena said, breaking the silence. "It’s not like him to leave us hanging."

Josephine nodded. "He’s tough. He’ll be fine. But I agree, he needs to come back soon."

"We miss him," Belle said softly, her eyes downcast. "It’s not the same without him here."

The door to the House of Roses swung open, and a rough-looking mercenary staggered in, heading straight for the bar. Abraham, ever the professional, served him a drink with a nod.

"Hey," the mercenary slurred, glancing at the gathered women. "Did ya hear? That champion fella who killed the Goblin King got made a baron. Got himself a territory in Astellia, too."

The room fell silent, every eye turning to the mercenary. Josephine’s heart pounded in her chest. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The mercenary nodded, taking a swig of his drink. "Sure as I’m standin’ here."

The women exchanged looks, their faces lighting up with a mixture of shock and joy. In unison, they exclaimed, """Noble!"""

The House of Roses erupted in celebration, their worries momentarily forgotten. Lyan had not only survived but had been recognized for his valor. They knew he would return to them soon, and when he did, they would be ready. The anticipation and excitement filled the room, a testament to the bond they shared with the man who had become their heart and soul.

Just at that moment, the door opened. Their eyes brightened hearing the door open.

"""Lyan?"""