Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 298: Into Grafen! (2) Bandits

Chapter 298: Into Grafen! (2) Bandits

"Mountain tribesmen," Surena whispered, her grip tightening on her sword.

Lyan raised a hand, signaling for calm. "It’s fine," he said, his voice steady. "We have wonderful bodyguards."

Lyan’s confidence in his summoned monsters was well-placed. As the mountain tribesmen advanced, his creatures emerged from their illusionary concealment, a spectacle that left the bandits momentarily stunned. The monsters had inherited Lyan’s talent for illusion, allowing them to remain hidden until the opportune moment.

The mountain tribesmen were a formidable sight. With their muscular builds and swift, nimble movements, they exuded an aura of menace. The girls exchanged worried glances, their concern growing as they counted the number of enemies—more than seventy or eighty, likely aiming to seize the women and their caravan.

Josephine’s face tightened with concern. "Lyan, there are too many of them," she murmured, her hand on the hilt of her Morningstar as she glanced at the worried girls.

They are a group with lots of women. Not just Lyan’s Arkansas girls (The Valkyries, The Deadly Bouquet, Josephine, Ravia, Raine) only, but they also brought 27 of the House of Roses courtesan girls who said they wanted to follow them to Grafen, and there also Wilhelmina and Solia and their group of 8 former slaves.

Lyan’s eyes sparkled with confidence. "Don’t worry, Jose. Our bodyguards are more than capable."

As if on cue, the mountain tribesmen launched their first wave of attack, firing a volley of arrows. The arrows sliced through the air with deadly precision, but before they could reach their targets, Galia the Galewing Butterfly and the Gryphon soared into action. Galia’s wings shimmered, creating a protective barrier that deflected the arrows, while the Gryphon used its powerful wings to create gusts of wind, knocking the projectiles off course.

The bandits, momentarily stunned by the unexpected resistance, regrouped and pressed forward. The battle began in earnest, a chaotic clash of strength and strategy.

Grimclaw, the Deadlight, led the charge. His skeletal form moved with eerie grace as he faced the first wave of bandits. With a sweep of his hand, he summoned his Goblin Champion Skeletons, who moved to intercept the attackers. The clash of steel on bone resonated through the clearing as the skeletons engaged the bandits in fierce combat.

"Show them what you’ve got!" Xena cheered from the sidelines, her eyes alight with excitement. "Go, Galia! Go, Gryphon!" While Surena watched the fight with sparkling eyes.

The Gryphon let out a fierce screech, diving into the fray with talons bared. It swooped down on a group of bandits, knocking them to the ground with powerful blows. Galia hovered above, its wings creating shimmering waves of energy that disrupted the bandits’ formations, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.

The Papilio Slime, Belle’s monster child, joined the battle with surprising agility. Its gelatinous body absorbed blows from the bandits’ weapons, retaliating with acidic tendrils that burned through armor and flesh. Belle watched with pride as her monster child demonstrated its prowess.

"Good job, Pilia!" Belle called out, her voice ringing with encouragement.

The Rock Golem and the Ice Golem moved as a formidable pair, their massive forms creating an impenetrable wall of defense. The Rock Golem’s powerful fists shattered weapons and bones alike, while the Ice Golem conjured icy barriers to block incoming attacks, freezing any bandits who dared to come too close.

Lyan observed the battle with a keen eye, his hand resting on the hilt of his glaive. He was ready to intervene if necessary, but he trusted his summoned monsters to handle the situation. His confidence was not misplaced.

The Acid Ant Queen commanded her workers and soldiers with precision, their coordinated movements overwhelming the bandits. The acidic spray from the soldiers’ mandibles corroded armor and weapons, rendering them useless. The Fey Mammoth and the Arcane Retriever, though younger and less experienced, fought valiantly, their natural abilities adding to the chaos of the battlefield.

The Primeval Hound, Alice’s monster child, used its psychokinetic abilities to disarm and disorient the bandits. Weapons flew from their hands, and the ground beneath their feet shifted, throwing them off balance. Alice watched with a proud smile as her monster child showcased its remarkable talents.

"You’re doing great, Hound!" she shouted, her voice filled with pride.

The Flame Lioness and the Rune Wolf, though still young, displayed remarkable ferocity. The Flame Lioness’s fiery mane blazed as it pounced on the bandits, its claws leaving scorch marks on their flesh. The Rune Wolf darted through the chaos, its keen senses allowing it to anticipate and counter the bandits’ movements.

The battle raged on, the bandits fighting with desperation and fury. They had underestimated the strength and coordination of Lyan’s summoned monsters, and their numbers began to dwindle rapidly. The girls cheered from the sidelines, their fear giving way to admiration and excitement.

"Go, Monila! Show them what you can do!" Alina called out, her voice filled with pride as her Moonlight Butterfly cast blinding beams of light, disorienting the bandits and creating openings for the other monsters to strike.

The bandits’ leader, a burly man with a scar running down his face, tried to rally his men. "Don’t let them scare you! We can take them!"

But his words fell on deaf ears as the bandits found themselves outmatched at every turn. The Rock Golem’s fists crashed down like hammers, the Ice Golem’s icy breath froze their weapons, and the Acid Ant Queen’s soldiers swarmed over them, their acidic bites dissolving armor and flesh.

Lyan observed the battlefield with satisfaction, his confidence unwavering. "Keep it up, everyone! We’ve got this!"

The battle reached its climax as Grimclaw, the Deadlight, unleashed a wave of dark energy, scattering the remaining bandits. His skeletal form moved with a sinister grace, his power overwhelming the last of their resistance. The bandits fell one by one, their cries of defeat echoing through the clearing.

The girls cheered as the last of the bandits fell, their excitement palpable. "We did it!" Xena shouted, her voice filled with triumph. "That was exciting!"

Josephine breathed a sigh of relief, her grip on her sword relaxing. "Well done, everyone. And thank you, Lyan. Those guys are incredible."

Lyan smiled, his gaze sweeping over his summoned monsters. "They did all the work. I’m just glad everyone’s safe. And..." Lyan held Josephine’s hand. "They are our pals, our family, all of them,"

Grimclaw, the Deadlight, stepped forward, his voice a low rumble. "The threat has been neutralized, Milord. Shall we proceed with the cleanup?"

Lyan nodded. "Yes, Grimclaw. Make sure everything is taken care of."

Grimclaw turned to his Goblin Champion Skeletons, issuing orders in a language only they understood. The skeletons moved with precision, collecting the bodies of the fallen bandits and piling them up. The Acid Ant Queen’s workers and soldiers joined in, their acidic spray dissolving any remaining traces of the battle.

Using his dark magic, Grimclaw froze parts of the battlefield to eliminate any lingering odors, ensuring the group’s comfort. The summoned monsters gathered the bodies and moved them to a distant location, where they could consume them without disturbing Lyan and the others.

Using his dark magic, Grimclaw froze parts of the battlefield to eliminate any lingering odors, ensuring the group’s comfort. The summoned monsters gathered the bodies and moved them to a distant location, where they could consume them without disturbing Lyan and the others.

With the threat neutralized and the cleanup underway, the group began to settle back into the hut. The large wooden cabin, which had been transformed into a cozy sanctuary by Abraham’s skillful hands, now offered a much-needed respite from the chaos of the night. The fire inside the hearth crackled warmly, casting a soothing glow that banished the remnants of fear and tension.

As everyone moved back inside, the women of the House of Roses and the former slaves from Wilhelmina’s group exchanged relieved glances. Josephine took a moment to ensure everyone was accounted for, her maternal instincts kicking in as she counted heads and checked on each woman. The girls from the House of Roses began to talk about the day’s events, their voices a blend of excitement and exhaustion.

"We really did it," Ravia said, her eyes shining with pride. "We faced down an attack and came out unscathed."

Raine nodded, her mischievous smile returning. "I knew Lyan’s monsters were strong, but seeing them in action was something else entirely."

Belle, ever the optimist, added, "It’s reassuring to know that we have such powerful protectors. Grafen will be safe with us around."

Lyan stood by the door, ensuring that everyone was safely inside. His gaze shifted to Grimclaw, who had just finished giving orders to the Goblin Champion Skeletons. Grimclaw’s skeletal form seemed to blend with the shadows, but his presence was a comforting one.

"Thank you, Grimclaw," Lyan said, his voice sincere. "You did well."

Grimclaw bowed slightly. "It is my duty, Milord. Your safety and the safety of your companions are paramount."

Josephine approached Lyan, her expression softening. "Lyan, thank you for your confidence in our safety. Your monsters are truly remarkable."

Lyan smiled, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "They’re more than just monsters, Josephine. They’re part of our family. They’ll always protect us."

The Valkyries, who had been observing the scene with a mixture of admiration and curiosity, exchanged knowing glances. Surena, always the first to speak, approached Lyan with a determined look.

"You’ve built quite the force, Lyan," she said. "It’s no wonder you’re able to handle these situations so effectively."

Lyan chuckled softly. "It’s a team effort. Everyone here plays a part."

Emilia, with her fiery hair and strong presence, added, "We’re ready for whatever comes next. Grafen won’t know what hit it when we arrive."

Alicia, ever the strategist, nodded in agreement. "We’ll help you rebuild and protect Grafen, Lyan. It’s our home now too."

Tesha, the youngest of the group, clung to Lyan’s side, her wide eyes reflecting the firelight. "Master, will we have more battles like this?"

Lyan looked down at her, his expression softening. "There might be more challenges ahead, Tesha. But we’ll face them together. You’re not alone."

As the night deepened, the group settled into the cabin. They arranged their sleeping areas, with the women of the House of Roses finding comfortable spots near the fire. The Valkyries chose positions near the entrances, their warrior instincts ensuring they were ready to defend at a moment’s notice.

Lyan found a spot near the center of the room, where he could keep an eye on everyone. He watched as the women began to relax, their earlier tension melting away. The fire’s warmth and the presence of their comrades provided a sense of security that was hard to find in such turbulent times.

Abraham, always attentive, approached Lyan with a steaming mug of tea. "For you, Master Lyan. It will help you relax."

Lyan accepted the mug with gratitude. "Thank you, Abraham. You’ve done an incredible job tonight."

Abraham inclined his head. "It is my duty and my honor, Milord."

As the group began to settle down for the night, the quiet murmur of conversation filled the cabin. They spoke of their hopes for Grafen, their dreams for the future, and the adventures they had yet to experience. The bonds they had forged through shared trials and triumphs were evident in every word and gesture.

Josephine’s voice, soft and soothing, carried over the group. "We’ve come so far together. Grafen is just the beginning. We’ll build something amazing there."

Ravia, her eyes sparkling with excitement, added, "And we’ll do it together. As a family."

Lyan looked around the cabin, taking in the sight of his companions—the women who had become his family, the summoned monsters who had proven their loyalty time and again, and the new allies who had joined their cause. A sense of contentment settled over him, and he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

As the fire burned low and the night grew darker, Lyan closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift into a peaceful sleep. The journey to Grafen was far from over, but with his companions by his side, he was ready for whatever lay ahead.