Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 320: Why Don’t Be The Chief?

Chapter 320: Why Don’t Be The Chief?

Lyan sat at the head of the large wooden table, surrounded by his companions. The room buzzed with a mix of curiosity and tension. The recent battle with the mountain barbarians had left its mark, and now, with new information from Lara and Tara, they faced a decision that could shape the future of Grafen. The two women, once enemies, now sat beside Lyan, a testament to the unexpected twists of fate. Or what could also be said the testament to Lyan’s fruitful effort.

"So, we have a choice to make," Lyan began, his voice steady but commanding. "Lara and Tara have shared some valuable information. Their village isn’t the only one up in the mountains; there are other tribes. And with their chief gone, they’re likely choosing a new leader."

Belle leaned forward, her fingers tapping on the table. "A tournament, right? You said the strongest becomes the chief. That means they’ll be vulnerable, kind of disorganized."

"Exactly," Lyan nodded. "We could use this time to strengthen our defenses, prepare for any retaliation. Or, we could take the offensive and strike while they’re distracted and leaderless."

Alina, sitting to Lyan’s right, frowned slightly. "But attacking could unite the tribes against us. We don’t know how many there are or what kind of alliances they might have."

Surena, the leader of the Valkyries, chimed in. "What about negotiating? If we establish contact and offer terms—maybe trade or alliances—we could turn potential enemies into allies."

Josephine chuckled, shaking her head. "And how do you suggest we negotiate with people who attacked us without provocation? They might only respect strength."

Lyan glanced at Lara and Tara, who were listening intently. "What do you two think?" he asked, curious about their perspective.

Lara, her fiery red hair catching the light, shrugged. "We strong. We fight. But now, we here, not there. Maybe... we find new way. No like blood all time."

Tara nodded, her dark eyes serious. "They care only strength. If strong, listen. If weak, no care. Maybe we show strength, but not kill."

The room fell silent as everyone took in their words. It was a simple view, but there was wisdom in it. Respect didn’t always mean violence.

Xena broke the silence, grinning. "So, what? We walk in there and show them who’s boss? Sounds like fun to me!"

Belle laughed, shaking her head. "Only you would think a barbarian tournament is fun, Xena."

Lyan leaned back, thinking. "It’s risky, but if we can establish dominance or respect without unnecessary bloodshed, it might stabilize the region. It would send a message to the other tribes."

As the discussion continued, the room’s atmosphere shifted. They needed to make a decision soon. Suddenly, Lara and Tara, who had been quietly sitting on either side of Lyan, leaned in closer, pressing their chests against his arms. Their faces flushed, eyes shining with adoration. The room went silent, everyone staring in surprise and amusement.

"What... are they doing?" Alina asked, a mix of disbelief and amusement in her voice.

Lyan, equally surprised, looked down at the two women. "Uh, girls... what are you doing?"

Lara giggled, her cheeks flushing deeper. "We... we like strong man. You strong. In fight... and bed." She winked, causing several of the girls to choke. It’s amusing, but it’s annoying for them to see the new girls clinging to Lyan, their man.

Tara nodded earnestly, her expression serious despite the situation. "Yes. We find happiness. You strong, kind. We love."

Belle, still giggling, leaned over to Surena and whispered, "I guess Lyan’s talents extend beyond just combat."

Surena snorted, trying to suppress her laughter. "I guess there’s not need to question that, Belle,"

Josephine, smiling, shook her head. "Well, that’s certainly one way to win hearts and minds."

Tara suddenly looked thoughtful, as if struck by an idea. "Why not... Lyan be chief? Strongest become chief. Lyan strongest."

The room went silent again as everyone considered her words. It was unconventional, but it had merit. If Lyan could win the tournament and become the chief, he would have significant influence over the tribes.

Alina was the first to voice the obvious concern. "Is that even possible? Can an outsider become a chief?"

Lara shrugged. "They care only strength. If Lyan strongest, they follow. No care where from."

Xena grinned widely, clearly intrigued. "I like it. Lyan, our fearless leader, chief of the mountain tribes. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"

Belle leaned back, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It’s risky, but if we pull it off, it could unify the region under our influence. We’d have control over the mountain tribes and could secure the borders more effectively."

Surena nodded slowly. "And it would prevent any immediate retaliation. If Lyan’s their chief, they’ll have no reason to attack us. It could stabilize the entire region."

Josephine crossed her arms, considering. "But how do we know they won’t see through it? Or worse, what if they see it as a challenge and try to assassinate him?"

Lyan looked around the room, meeting each gaze. He saw a mix of excitement, concern, and curiosity. The idea was bold, maybe even reckless, but it had the potential to solve multiple problems at once.

Wilhelmina, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "You realize what this means, right? It’s not just about winning a tournament. You’re talking about integrating a whole different culture into our own, managing their expectations, traditions, and possibly conflicts with our people. It’s a huge responsibility. And might be a huge amount of work as well,"

Lyan nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know. But if we do this right, we could prevent a lot of future bloodshed. We could bring stability to the region and strengthen Grafen’s position. If we could have their help, it would also extend the amount of hands, or even produce some value from the mountains,"

The room fell silent as everyone contemplated the plan. It was ambitious, with risks and uncertainties. But it also offered a unique opportunity to expand their influence and secure the region’s future.

After a long moment, Lyan stood up, his expression resolute. "Let’s do it! I’ll enter the tournament and become the new chief."

The girls exchanged glances, some smiling, others shaking their heads in disbelief. Xena punched the air in excitement. "Yes! This is going to be epic!"

Belle chuckled, nodding. "Well, if anyone can pull this off, it’s you, Lyan."

Surena smiled, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Just... be careful, alright? This isn’t just about strength. We’ll need to navigate their politics and traditions carefully."

Lyan nodded, appreciating her caution. "I will. And I’ll have all of you with me. We’ll go together and handle whatever comes our way."

Wilhelmina sighed, shaking her head with a smile. "You’re impossible, you know that? But... if we’re all going, I suppose we can postpone some tasks. Even though we’ve got lots of shortcuts in rebuilding this place, it’s still quite a headache to face, especially when we’re still short in hands. I bet Grimclaw can manage things here in our absence as long as you order him to,"

"I’m very grateful for your help, Wilhelmina," Lyan thanked.

"I-It’s fine," Wilhelmina threw her face. Unlike the others, she’s the only one except Abraham of course that hasn’t had any intercourse with him yet. Even Solia that is bashing next to her has already done it with Lyan once.

"Well, we’ve got everyone’s agreement. Let’s kick on!" (Josephine)

The group shared a collective sigh, a mix of anticipation and resignation. They were embarking on a new journey, one filled with uncertainty and potential danger. But they were together, and that gave them strength.

As the conversation continued, the atmosphere lightened. Jokes and laughter filled the room, easing the tension. They discussed the logistics of the journey, what to bring, and how to prepare. The air was filled with a sense of adventure, a reminder of why they had come together.

Lyan looked around the room, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and pride. These were his companions, his friends, ready to follow him into the unknown. It was a daunting responsibility, but one he was willing to shoulder.

As the evening wore on, the group began to disperse, each member heading off to prepare for the journey ahead. Lyan stayed behind, watching as they left, his mind racing with thoughts and plans. He knew this was a gamble, but it was one worth taking.

Lara and Tara stayed close, their presence a silent reminder of the stakes. They were proof that change was possible, that enemies could become allies. Lyan felt a surge of determination. He would not only win the tournament but also show the mountain tribes a new way of life, one that didn’t rely solely on strength and violence.

As the last of his companions left the room, Lyan turned to Lara and Tara, smiling. "Well, looks like we’re heading to the mountains. Thank you for your suggestion. It’s given us a path forward. I’m counting on you to show the way to your village,"

Tara smiled shyly, her eyes shining with admiration. "Yes. We believe in you. You strong, kind. You can do this."

Lara nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes. We with you, always."