Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 307: Rebuilding Grafen with Passion (End) Significant Progress

Chapter 307: Rebuilding Grafen with Passion (End) Significant Progress

Lyan woke up feeling an intense sensation coursing through his lower half, stirring him from the depths of a pleasant dream. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked against the morning light streaming through the high windows of his grand bed chamber. As his senses gradually returned, he looked down to see Raine, her white hair tumbling in soft waves around her face, and her mischievous smile that reached her eyes.

"Good morning, Lyan," she purred, her voice sultry as her hands and mouth continued their expert ministrations. "Did you sleep well?"

Lyan groaned, a mix of pleasure and surprise evident in his expression. "Raine... what a way to wake a man."

She giggled, the sound both innocent and alluring. "I thought you might enjoy a special wake-up call."

He reached down, his fingers threading through her hair, gently tugging her upward. Raine complied, moving up his body until her lips were inches from his. "You’re incorrigible," he whispered before capturing her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Raine’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Only for you, Lyan."

With a playful swat to her backside, Lyan rolled out of bed, stretching his muscles as he moved toward the bath. "Join me?"

Raine’s smile widened. "I’d love to, but I promised Belle I’d help her with some new potion experiments this morning. Rain check?"

Lyan chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, but you owe me."

Raine winked at him before slipping out of the room, leaving Lyan to his morning routine. He stepped into the spacious bath, the warm water instantly relaxing his muscles. As he leaned back, he couldn’t help but think about how far they had come.

A week had passed since they began their concerted effort to revitalize Grafen, and the progress was nothing short of remarkable. The city, once dilapidated and sparse with only 5000 residents, was steadily transforming. The repairs on the roads were well underway, thanks to the tireless work of his skeleton labor force, cleverly disguised with his illusion magic to avoid alarming the townsfolk. Public utilities such as water supply, sewage systems, and waste management facilities were being constructed according to Lyan’s designs, bringing modern conveniences to the town.

The marketplace had been one of the first areas to receive attention. Stalls and shops were renovated, and new vendors began to fill the spaces, drawn by the promise of renewed commerce and safety. The influx of people was encouraging, slowly but surely pushing Grafen towards its capacity of 20,000 inhabitants.

In the agricultural lands surrounding the town, new irrigation systems were being installed, ensuring a steady water supply for the crops. New farming tools and techniques were introduced, boosting productivity and efficiency. The skeleton laborers, disguised as tireless workers, constructed the systems day and night, their ceaseless efforts astonishing the girls.

"This speed is unbelievable," Belle had remarked one evening, watching the disguised skeletons move about their tasks with mechanical precision. "It’s like they never tire."

"They don’t," Lyan had replied with a grin. "And with the illusions, no one suspects a thing."

The defense and security of Grafen were also seeing significant improvements. Under the expert guidance of the Valkyries and Wilhelmina, the militia training progressed rapidly. The new recruits were equipped and trained, and the town’s defenses were bolstered with watchtowers and organized patrols. The newly established systems ensured that every corner of Grafen was monitored and protected.

The ranks now included 40 knights, 120 city guards, and 300 soldiers divided into 150 infantry, 100 archers, and 50 cavalry. Though the recruitment was ongoing, these initial numbers were promising and provided a solid foundation for the town’s defense.

The castle itself had undergone a stunning transformation. Renovations and repairs were completed swiftly, the skeleton labor force working around the clock. The only costs incurred were for materials, as the labor was effectively free and tireless. The grand library, once dusty and neglected, now gleamed with a new look, its shelves stocked with meticulously cleaned and organized books. It became Belle’s sanctuary, where she could often be found lost in ancient tomes.

The gardens were another area of significant improvement. The grounds had been cultivated and planted with a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, creating a beautiful and functional space. It quickly became one of the favorite spots for the girls, a place where they could relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. And since the garden is a private place inside the castle where the access is also limited, Lyan let out all of his monsters outside to play, and with the acid ants, they’ve made a tiny passage to outside the city for the monsters that sometimes wants to hunt. It’s well-protected by the acid ants soldiers and workers to make sure there won’t be any monsters coming inside the city through the hole, as they’ve started making their grand nest beneath the city with the castle as the center.

Perhaps the most luxurious addition to the castle was the grand bath. Improved by Lyan’s design, it featured a system that could generate hot water, providing a constant source of relaxation. The bath was divided into private sections for Lyan and his women, as well as a large communal area for the servants. It was an instant hit, offering a place for everyone to unwind after a long day.

Castle security was a priority as well. Following Grimclaw the Deadlight’s advice, Lyan stationed the 26 goblin champion skeletons as sentinels inside the castle, dressed in armor to enhance their intimidating presence. The 226 hobgoblin skeletons served as castle guards, while the 550 goblin skeletons continued their work as laborers. Plans were in place to eventually convert these laborers into guards, bolstering the castle’s defenses even further.

Lyan emerged from his bath feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. As he dressed and made his way to the Great Hall, he couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride at the progress they had made. His companions had worked tirelessly alongside him, their dedication and enthusiasm unwavering.

In the Great Hall, he found his core team already gathered. Wilhelmina, Surena, Emilia, Alicia, and Josephine were deep in discussion, their expressions a mix of seriousness and excitement.

"Good morning, everyone," Lyan greeted as he took his seat at the head of the table. "How are we doing today?"

"Morning, Lyan," Wilhelmina replied, her eyes bright with determination. "We’ve got some great news on the recruitment front. More candidates have passed the training and are ready to be deployed."

Surena nodded in agreement. "The militia is shaping up well. The new recruits are eager and disciplined. We’ve set up a solid patrol system and the watchtowers are operational."

Emilia grinned, her fiery crimson hair catching the light. "The castle’s security is tighter than ever. Those goblin champions make quite the impression as sentinels."

Alicia, ever the strategist, added, "Our focus on infrastructure is paying off. The roads and public utilities are progressing rapidly, and we’ve received positive feedback from the townsfolk."

Josephine, who had been overseeing the marketplace renovations, chimed in. "The marketplace is bustling again. New vendors are setting up shop, and the economic activity is picking up."

Lyan listened to the updates, his mind racing with possibilities. "That’s excellent news. Our next steps should be to maintain this momentum and ensure we’re prepared for any challenges that come our way."

He turned his attention to the castle improvements. "The renovations are complete, and the castle is looking magnificent. The grand bath is a hit, and the gardens are thriving. But we need to stay vigilant with our security measures."

Grimclaw, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "Master Lyan, the goblin champions and hobgoblin skeletons are performing admirably. We can enhance their roles as we continue to fortify the castle."

Grimclaw now has himself stationed in the war meeting room. As Lyan’s identity as a summoner is well-known to his inner group, they converse with him well as he’s very respectful and they love how he refers to all of Lyan’s girls as "My Queen,". It turns out that his insights in terms of military strategies are very well, and with his control of the undead, he could know what they are doing and where they are, leaving him to be appropriate to be positioned and maintain the castle’s defense.

Lyan nodded, appreciating the undead warrior’s input. "Excellent. Let’s make sure we rotate them and keep everyone on their toes. We can’t afford any complacency."

As the meeting continued, the conversation shifted to the ongoing recruitment efforts. The forums had attracted a diverse array of candidates, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the table. Lyan and his advisors meticulously evaluated each candidate, ensuring they met the high standards required to serve Grafen.

"We need to emphasize the importance of these roles," Wilhelmina said. "Stable employment, fair wages, and the chance to be part of something transformative."

Lyan agreed. "We’re not just filling positions; we’re building the future of Grafen. Every person we recruit should understand the significance of their contribution."

Looking at everyone, Lyan couldn’t help but chuckle looking at how excited all of them are in building the place.

"Seems like they’re getting so absorbed in this. I guess I should try looking for some fun outside,"

___

< -500 Gold (Materials for City Development)>

< -80 Gold (Materials for irrigation systems)>

< -30 Gold (Farming tools)>

< -150 Gold (Training and equipment for militia and skeletons)>

< -180 Gold (Materials for castle renovations)>

< -50 Gold (Library restoration materials)>

< -70 Gold (Garden development)>

< -80 Gold (Grand bath construction)>

< -80 Gold (Materials for watchtowers)>

< -50 Gold (General castle security enhancements)>

< -30 Gold (Miscellaneous expenses)>

<+500 Gold (Hidden Treasure)>

________________________+

< -800 Gold (Total)>

<+1 Summonable Monster: [Castle Guardian Hound]>

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary, Baron Evocatore of Grafen

Money: 2,975,710,950 Elnes / 2975 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), Gryphon (Lv. 1), Flame Lioness (Lv. 1), Primeval Hound (Lv. 1), and Castle Guardian Hound (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