Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 314: The New Morning Routine (End) Mock Wars

Chapter 314: The New Morning Routine (End) Mock Wars

Lyan and Althea stood in awe as the statues from the ruins began to move, forming a neat formation. The sight of the sentinels, guards, cavalry, archers, and magicians, all animated and ready for orders, was both surreal and awe-inspiring. It was clear that Honda, Althea’s Castle Guardian Hound, had somehow awakened and commanded these stone soldiers. The air was thick with the magic that animated them, and Lyan couldn’t help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events.

Althea, still catching her breath from their recent encounter with the barbarians, looked at Honda with wide eyes. "Did... did you do this, Honda?" she asked, her voice a mix of amazement and disbelief.

Honda barked in response, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. The hound stood proudly beside its new army, as if presenting them to its master and Lyan.

Lyan chuckled, shaking his head in wonder. "It seems you’ve gained quite the power, Althea. These statues... they’re now under your control, thanks to Honda."

Althea nodded, still trying to process the situation. "I had no idea Honda could do something like this," she admitted, her voice tinged with awe. "But how are we supposed to bring all these statues back to the castle? It would cause quite a stir if people saw us marching an army of living statues through town."

Lyan pondered the question for a moment, then his face lit up with an idea. "We can use the hidden passage the Acid Ants made. It’s large enough to accommodate the statues, and it leads directly into the castle grounds. No one will see them coming."

With a plan in place, Lyan and Althea led the stone army through the forest, following the path that would take them to the hidden passage. The statues moved in perfect unison, their stone feet making a soft, rhythmic thud on the forest floor. It was an eerie but mesmerizing sight, the silent guardians marching with purpose.

As they reached the passage, the Acid Ants, acting as vigilant sentries, acknowledged Lyan and Althea with a series of clicks and chirps. The hidden entrance opened up, revealing a dimly lit tunnel lined with bioluminescent fungi. One by one, the statues filed into the passage, their presence a silent promise of protection and power.

Back at the castle, the girls were in the garden, tending to various plants and enjoying the peaceful morning. The serene atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the passage opening. Belle was the first to notice, her eyes widening as she saw the first of the stone sentinels emerge from the tunnel.

"What on earth...?" Belle murmured, her voice trailing off as more statues followed.

Josephine, standing nearby, let out a low whistle. "Well, this is a surprise. An entire army of living statues?"

Alina, Xena, Raine, Ravia, Wilhelmina, Solia, and Tesha all gathered around, their expressions ranging from shock to excitement. The statues, now fully out of the tunnel, stood in perfect formation, awaiting orders.

Lyan and Althea stepped forward, looking slightly amused at the girls’ reactions. "Ladies, meet our new defense force," Lyan announced with a grin. "Althea’s monster child, Honda, seems to have the ability to control these statues."

Wilhelmina stepped closer to inspect the statues, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "This is extraordinary. These statues are not just well-crafted; they’re infused with powerful magic. We should test their capabilities."

Surena nodded in agreement, her mind already whirring with tactical possibilities. "A mock battle, perhaps? It would be a good way to gauge their abilities and train with them."

The idea quickly caught on, and the girls eagerly agreed. The garden was soon abuzz with excitement as preparations for the mock battle began. The girls divided themselves into teams, each commanding a portion of the statue army. The sight of the women strategizing, giving orders, and coordinating their stone soldiers brought a nostalgic smile to Lyan’s face. It reminded him of the mock wars the high spirits—Eira and Griselda—often conducted within the grimoire’s space using skeleton soldiers.

Lyan watched as the mock battle unfolded, the garden transforming into a scene of organized chaos. Belle, commanding the archers, directed a volley of arrows at Wilhelmina’s sentinels, who raised their shields in defense. Josephine led a cavalry charge, the stone horses galloping with surprising agility. Althea, using the magicians, cast spells that sent waves of energy through the air, causing the opposing side to scramble.

As they settled in, the first match was announced: Alina versus Raine. The two women stood opposite each other, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Alina had chosen a contingent of archers and infantry, while Raine commanded a mixed force of cavalry and spearmen. The stone soldiers moved with surprising fluidity, their actions directed by the will of their commanders.

Xena, always one for banter, leaned over to Lyan and whispered, "I’ve got a bet on Raine winning this round. Her cavalry and spearmen combination could give Alina’s archers a tough time."

Lyan chuckled, nodding. "Raine’s tactical choices are solid, but Alina’s archers are known for their precision. It could go either way," he replied, taking another sip of his tea.

The mock battle began with a flurry of movement. Alina’s archers loosed a volley of arrows, the projectiles arching gracefully through the air. Raine’s cavalry responded quickly, charging forward in an attempt to outmaneuver the archers. The clash of stone against stone echoed through the garden as the two forces met.

Alina watched intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Keep the archers at a distance! Don’t let them get surrounded!" she called out, her voice clear and commanding. Her infantry moved to intercept the cavalry, creating a buffer to protect the archers.

Raine countered with a quick series of orders. "Spearmen, flank them! Cut off their retreat!" she shouted, her eyes never leaving the battlefield. Her spearmen moved in unison, attempting to encircle Alina’s forces.

The spectators leaned forward in their seats, engrossed in the unfolding battle. Josephine nibbled on a pastry, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "They’re both so focused. It’s like watching a real battle," she remarked, her voice tinged with admiration.

Surena nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on her lips. "It’s impressive, really. They’ve both adapted to commanding the statues so quickly. It’s a testament to their strategic minds."

The battle continued, the tides shifting as each side adapted to the other’s tactics. Alina’s archers proved to be a formidable force, their precision and range allowing them to inflict significant damage on Raine’s troops. However, Raine’s spearmen, once they managed to close the distance, wreaked havoc among the archers, their long spears piercing through the lines with practiced efficiency.

Ravia, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but join in the commentary. "It’s fascinating to see how their different styles play out. Alina’s more cautious, keeping her distance, while Raine’s all about getting up close and personal," she noted, her tone thoughtful.

As the battle reached its climax, it was clear that both Alina and Raine were pushing their units to their limits. The clash of stone soldiers intensified, with neither side willing to give ground. Alina’s archers continued to rain arrows down upon the enemy, while Raine’s spearmen pressed their advantage, slowly chipping away at the archers’ defenses.

In the end, Raine’s strategy paid off. Her spearmen, after sustaining heavy losses, managed to break through Alina’s defenses. The archers, unable to maintain their distance, were overwhelmed. Alina’s final stand with her infantry was valiant, but Raine’s forces ultimately outmaneuvered and outlasted them.

The spectators applauded, a mix of cheers and good-natured ribbing filling the air. "Well done, Raine!" Belle called out, raising her teacup in salute.

Alina, despite her loss, was smiling. She approached Raine, offering her hand. "That was a great match," she said, her voice filled with genuine respect. "Your spearmen were unstoppable."

Raine shook her hand, grinning broadly. "You gave me a real challenge with those archers. It was a close one," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The next match featured Xena and Josephine, a pairing that promised an entertaining clash of personalities. Xena, with her quick wit and unpredictable nature, had chosen a highly mobile force of cavalry and light infantry. Josephine, ever the tactician, commanded a balanced force of archers and heavy infantry, planning to counter Xena’s speed with solid defenses.

As the match began, Xena wasted no time, sending her cavalry in a sweeping maneuver around Josephine’s forces. "Keep moving! Don’t let them pin us down!" she urged, her voice ringing with excitement. Her strategy was clear—avoid direct confrontation and harry the enemy with hit-and-run tactics.

Josephine, however, was ready. She had her archers set up a defensive perimeter, with her heavy infantry forming a protective wall. "Hold your positions! Let them come to us," she instructed, her tone calm and confident. Her plan was to absorb the initial assault and then counterattack when Xena’s forces were overextended.

The two forces clashed, Xena’s cavalry darting in and out, striking at the edges of Josephine’s formation. The heavy infantry held their ground, their shields absorbing the impact of the cavalry’s charges. The archers, meanwhile, fired volley after volley, forcing Xena’s units to keep moving to avoid being pinned down.

The spectators watched with keen interest, their eyes darting between the two commanders as they issued orders. "Xena’s really giving it her all," Ravia commented, a hint of admiration in her voice. "But Josephine’s defense is rock-solid."

Lyan nodded, sipping his tea. "It’s a classic battle of speed versus defense," he remarked. "Both sides have their strengths, but it’ll come down to who can outlast the other."

As the battle progressed, it became clear that Josephine’s strategy was paying off. Xena’s cavalry, though agile, couldn’t sustain their hit-and-run tactics indefinitely. The constant pressure from Josephine’s archers and the impenetrable line of heavy infantry began to take its toll. Xena’s forces started to thin out, unable to break through Josephine’s defenses.

In a final, desperate move, Xena ordered a full charge, hoping to punch through the center of Josephine’s line. The spectators leaned forward, holding their breath as the cavalry thundered toward the waiting infantry. The impact was jarring, the stone soldiers crashing together with a sound like grinding rocks. For a moment, it seemed like Xena might succeed in breaking through.

But Josephine’s infantry held firm, their shields locking together in a solid wall. The archers fired a final volley, decimating Xena’s remaining forces. The mock battle ended with Josephine’s victory, her troops standing triumphant.

Xena, breathless and flushed with exertion, approached Josephine with a grin. "That was intense! You’ve got a solid defense there," she admitted, her voice filled with respect.

Josephine smiled, shaking Xena’s hand. "You put up a good fight," she replied. "Your cavalry was impressive. It kept me on my toes."

Amidst the organized chaos, Lyan couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. It had been some time since he’d checked in on the high spirits within his grimoire. The last he saw, they were engrossed in games on his XStation, enjoying the new experiences and challenges it offered. Griselda, who had been initially troubled by the curse affecting Lyan, seemed to have found some solace in these distractions.

As the mock battle reached its climax, the teams fought fiercely for the top position. The air was filled with the sounds of stone clashing against stone, spells crackling, and the girls’ spirited commands. In the end, the surprising victor emerged: Alicia, whose strategic use of the stone soldiers’ abilities and a clever feint led her team to victory. Wilhelmina came in second, her tactical acumen evident in her maneuvers. Surena secured third place, her experience in combat shining through.

Althea, to everyone’s surprise, finished fourth. Her intuitive command of the magicians and creative strategies impressed the group. Josephine followed, her cavalry’s charge proving effective but ultimately outmaneuvered. Ravia, Belle, Raine, Xena, and Alina filled the next positions, each showcasing unique tactics and skills. Tesha, despite her best efforts, ended up last, much to her chagrin.

Alina and Tesha, still flush from the intensity of the mock battle, voiced their frustrations. "This isn’t fair! We demand a rematch!" Alina declared, her voice half-serious, half-playful.

Tesha nodded in agreement, her cheeks flushed. "I agree! Next time, I’ll show you what I can really do!"

The group laughed, the light-hearted banter easing the competitive tension. It was a rare moment of pure joy and camaraderie, a reminder of how far they had come together.

Just as the laughter subsided, a strange, glowing light appeared around Lyan. The summoning grimoire materialized in his hands, flipping open to a specific page. The page was titled "[Statue Army]" and detailed the abilities and limitations of the stone soldiers. The text revealed that the statues were bound to the territory of their owner, [Grafen], and would not be destroyed as long as they remained within its borders. However, their regeneration depended on the mana reserve of the Castle Guardian Hound, Honda. If Honda’s mana was depleted, the statues would only regenerate once its mana was restored.

Lyan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he read the information. The possibilities this new asset presented were immense. With an army of regenerating stone soldiers at their disposal, Grafen’s defenses would be nearly impregnable. The stone soldiers could be used not just for defense but for various tasks around the castle and town, making them an invaluable resource.

Lyan looked up, meeting the eager gazes of his companions. "This changes everything," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We can use this to our advantage, especially against those mountain bandits."

The girls nodded, their expressions serious but excited. The discovery of the stone army had opened up new avenues for their plans, and the prospect of testing their abilities against a real threat was thrilling. They began discussing strategies and potential uses for the statues, their minds racing with possibilities.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the castle grounds, Lyan stood at the center of his newfound army, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and anticipation. The road ahead was filled with challenges and uncertainties, but with his companions by his side and the stone soldiers at their command, Lyan felt more confident than ever.

"Let’s try this against those mountain bandits," Lyan declared, his voice echoing with resolve. The girls cheered, their spirits high and ready for the adventure ahead. The dawn of a new Chapter in Grafen’s history was upon them, and they were more than prepared to face it.