Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 286: The News of The Return

Chapter 286: The News of The Return

The door creaked open, and instead of Lyan, a disheveled and slightly drunk mercenary stumbled into the House of Roses. His unsteady gait and bleary eyes immediately killed the hopeful atmosphere that had filled the room.

The women’s expressions shifted from hopeful anticipation to disappointed annoyance. "You’ve got to be kidding me," Xena muttered under her breath, her dark orange hair swinging as she turned to face the intruder.

Josephine, ever the leader, stepped forward, her emerald eyes narrowing. "And who might you be?" she asked, her voice dripping with irritation.

The mercenary blinked, swaying slightly. "Name’s Rolf. I just came for a drink," he slurred, looking around in confusion.

"You gave us false hope," Belle said quietly, her pink-purple hair framing her delicate features. "We thought you were someone else."

Rolf frowned, trying to focus. "False hope? I just walked in. What did I do?"

"How dare you stumble in here like that!" Alina said, her voice rising with frustration. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"

Ravia and Raine, the butler sisters, were already at his side, their expressions a mix of amusement and annoyance. "You made us think Lyan was back," Ravia explained, her tone clipped.

"And now, you’ll pay for it," Raine added with a mischievous glint in her eye.

The sisters moved in unison, delivering a series of light, playful smacks to Rolf’s arms and shoulders. He yelped, trying to shield himself. "Hey! What the hell? I just came to have fun!"

"You gave us false hope," Xena said, her voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea what that does to someone?"

Rolf raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. I just heard that the new baron of Grafen was on his way here."

The room fell silent again. Josephine’s eyes widened slightly. "The new baron of Grafen?"

"Yeah," Rolf said, rubbing his arm where Raine had pinched him. "Heard he’s on his way here. Figured I’d get a drink before all the excitement starts."

Josephine exchanged a look with the others. "Lyan," she whispered. "He’s coming back."

Belle’s eyes filled with a mix of hope and relief. "You mean Lyan?"

Rolf shrugged, clearly not understanding the significance. "If that’s his name. The new baron. That’s all I know."

The women exchanged excited glances. "Alright," Josephine said, her voice steadying. "Thank you for the information. Enjoy your drink."

They left Rolf at the bar, where Abraham took over, his sharp eyes watching the mercenary with a hint of amusement. The women retreated to a more private area of the House of Roses, their minds racing with the news.

"We need to prepare," Josephine said, her tone decisive. "Lyan is coming back, and we need to be ready."

"Let’s each prepare a present for him," Alina suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Something that shows how much we care."

"Agreed," Belle said, nodding. "And we should make sure the House of Roses looks perfect."

As they discussed their plans, their competitive spirits began to show. Xena grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I bet I can make the best present," she teased.

"Oh, please," Raine replied, rolling her eyes. "I’ll make something so amazing, Lyan will be speechless."

"Let’s see about that," Ravia said, a determined look on her face.

Josephine laughed, the sound light and joyful. "Alright, let’s get to work. Remember, this is for Lyan."

They dispersed, each heading to a different part of the house to begin their preparations. Josephine went to her private quarters, her mind buzzing with ideas. She decided to craft a new piece of armor for Lyan, using her skills as a former mercenary. She gathered the finest materials, her hands moving with practiced ease as she began to forge the armor. The heat from the forge warmed her, reminding her of her days on the battlefield.

Belle, meanwhile, retreated to her alchemy lab. She wanted to create a special potion for Lyan, something that would not only showcase her skills but also help him in his new role. She meticulously measured ingredients, her mind focused on creating the perfect blend. As she worked, Pilia fluttered around her, its wings shimmering in the dim light.

Xena, ever the archer, decided to craft a new bow for Lyan. She selected the finest wood, shaping and carving it with precision. Galia, her Galewing Butterfly, hovered nearby, its wings creating a gentle breeze that cooled her as she worked. She hummed a tune, her thoughts filled with memories of Lyan.

Alina, with her cute pout and fierce determination, chose to create a beautiful tapestry depicting their adventures together. She spent hours weaving the intricate design, her fingers moving swiftly over the loom. Molia, her Moonlight Butterfly, provided a soft, glowing light that illuminated her work.

Ravia and Raine, ever the competitive sisters, decided to collaborate on their gift. They crafted a set of throwing knives, each one finely balanced and etched with intricate designs. They worked in perfect harmony, their movements synchronized. The Shadow Nymph and Seltas Queen watched over them, their presence a comforting reminder of their bond with Lyan.

As they worked, the House of Roses buzzed with activity. The other courtesans joined in, cleaning and decorating the house to perfection. There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, a palpable energy that filled every corner.

"Do you think he’ll like my bow?" Xena asked, looking up from her work.

"Of course he will," Belle replied, not looking up from her potion. "But my potion will be the best."

"Let’s not turn this into a competition," Josephine said, though her tone was light. "It’s about showing Lyan how much he means to us."

Ravia and Raine exchanged a look. "Still, we want our gift to stand out," Ravia said.

"Yes, after all, he is our Lyan," Raine added with a playful wink.

The hours passed quickly as they worked tirelessly, each putting their heart and soul into their preparations. The House of Roses had never looked more beautiful, and the presents they crafted were a testament to their skills and love for Lyan.

Finally, as the sun began to set, they gathered in the main hall, their gifts ready and waiting. There was a sense of nervous excitement in the air, a feeling of anticipation that was almost tangible.

"Do you think the rumor is true?" Belle asked quietly, her eyes flicking to Josephine.

"In this city, rumors are usually credible," Josephine replied. "But even if it’s just a rumor, we’re ready. And if Lyan is coming back, we’ll be here to welcome him."

The women nodded, their faces filled with determination. They had faced countless challenges together, and they were ready to face whatever came next. The bond they shared with Lyan was unbreakable, and they knew that no matter what happened, they would stand by his side.

As the evening wore on, they waited in the beautifully decorated main hall, their presents laid out before them. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, each woman lost in her thoughts and memories of Lyan.

The door creaked open again, and the women held their breath. A shadowy figure stood in the doorway, and for a moment, hope and excitement surged through them. But as the figure stepped into the light, they realized it was not Lyan.

It was another mercenary, looking just as disheveled as Rolf had. The women sighed in unison, a mix of disappointment and frustration crossing their faces.

"What now?" Xena muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Let’s not jump to conclusions," Josephine said, though she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.

The mercenary, sensing the tension in the room, quickly raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Whoa, whoa, I’m just here to deliver a message."

Josephine stepped forward, her gaze intense. "What message?"

The mercenary swallowed hard, clearly intimidated. "I was sent to inform you that the new baron is indeed on his way here. He should arrive by tomorrow."

The women exchanged looks, their hearts racing with renewed hope.

"Thank you," Josephine said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You may go now."

As the mercenary left, the women turned to each other, smiles breaking out on their faces. "Tomorrow," Alina whispered, her eyes shining. "He’s coming back tomorrow."

They gathered in a tight circle, their excitement palpable. They knew that no matter what, they were ready to welcome Lyan back with open arms and hearts full of love.

_____________________________

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