Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 338: The Tiny Underground Adventure

Chapter 338: The Tiny Underground Adventure

The basement of the new House of Roses was cold and damp, its stone walls echoing with the distant sound of dripping water. The construction above was only half complete, but the underground network of tunnels that connected various points outside of Grafen had already been excavated. Alina, Xena, Belle, and Josephine stood at the entrance of one such tunnel, their eyes alight with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

"Are you sure we should be doing this without Lyan?" Alina asked, her small frame shivering slightly in the cool air. She clutched the hilt of her sword tightly, the dark magic that coursed through her veins making her petite figure appear even more delicate.

Xena, ever the playful one, flashed a mischievous grin as she adjusted the bow slung across her back. "Come on, Alina. Where’s the fun in waiting? Besides, we’re not exactly defenseless." She gestured to the creatures that accompanied each of them.

Monila, Alina’s Moonlight Butterfly, fluttered gently beside her, its luminescent wings casting a soft glow in the dim light. Belle’s Papilio Slime, Pilia, oozed next to her, its form shifting and pulsating with an ethereal light that reflected the calmness of its mistress. Xena’s Galewing Butterfly, Galia, perched on her shoulder, its wings beating in a rhythm that matched her excitement. Josephine’s Magma Bear, Magria, lumbered beside them, its massive form radiating warmth that countered the chill in the air.

Josephine, the motherly figure of the group, let out a soft chuckle as she hefted her morningstar over her shoulder. "Relax, Alina. We’ve got more than enough strength between us to handle anything that comes our way. Besides, it’s about time we tested these tunnels ourselves. If we’re going to be using them, we need to know exactly what we’re dealing with."

Belle nodded, her calm demeanor only slightly offset by the way she fumbled with a small vial of potion in her hands. "Big Sis’s right. We should make sure the tunnels are secure, especially if we’re going to be relying on them for quick escapes or covert movements."

"Besides," Xena added with a sly wink, "Lyan can’t complain about us having a little adventure. It’s not like we’re breaking the rules... just bending them a bit."

Alina sighed, though the corners of her lips twitched upward in a reluctant smile. "Fine, but if anything happens, I’m blaming you."

With that, the four women set off into the tunnel, their monster children close at their sides. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper, the darkness closing in around them like a living thing. But their spirits remained high, each of them drawing comfort from the presence of the others.

As they walked, they couldn’t help but notice the intricate work that had already been done to fortify the tunnels. The walls were lined with smooth stones, expertly laid to prevent any potential cave-ins. Wooden supports reinforced the ceiling, and the floor had been carefully leveled to make passage easier.

"What do you think?" Xena asked, her voice echoing slightly in the narrow space. "Do you think Lyan’s the one who planned all this?"

"Probably," Josephine replied, her tone thoughtful. "He’s always thinking ahead, always planning. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a hand in designing these tunnels."

"But it’s not just him," Belle added quietly, her eyes scanning the walls. "Look here."

The others followed her gaze to a section of the wall where several small holes were visible, cleverly hidden among the stones. At first glance, they seemed insignificant, but as they approached, the purpose became clear.

"These are ventilation holes," Belle explained, her voice tinged with admiration. "The acid ants must have made them. They’re ensuring that the air in the tunnels stays fresh, and they’re doing it so subtly that you wouldn’t even notice unless you were looking for it."

Josephine raised an eyebrow. "The acid ants are doing all this on their own?"

"It looks like it," Belle confirmed. "They’re not just guarding the tunnels—they’re maintaining them. And not just them. Look."

As they continued, they noticed more signs of the acid ants’ handiwork. In several places, the tunnels split off into smaller passages, each one meticulously hidden from view by a combination of carefully placed stones and illusion magic. The ants had even set up traps at strategic points, designed to catch any intruders who might try to use the tunnels against them.

"It’s incredible," Alina murmured, her earlier anxiety forgotten as she marveled at the work that had been done. "They’ve thought of everything. These tunnels aren’t just passages—they’re a fortress in themselves."

Xena let out a low whistle. "You have to give it to those ants—they know their stuff. Lyan’s got himself some real powerhouses, doesn’t he?"

"Indeed," Josephine agreed, her eyes shining with pride. "And it’s not just the acid ants. Look here."

They followed her to a section of the tunnel where the stone wall seemed to shimmer faintly. As they approached, the illusion flickered, revealing a hidden passageway. Inside, they found a network of tunnels that led even deeper into the earth, the walls lined with an otherworldly web-like substance.

"The Seltas Queen’s drones," Belle whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "They’ve been expanding the tunnels, creating new paths and setting up surveillance systems. This place is even more secure than we thought."

Xena grinned, clearly impressed. "Looks like we’ve got ourselves a real underground empire here."

But as they explored further, the drone of the Seltas Queen appeared, its metallic wings buzzing softly as it hovered in front of them. It seemed agitated, its movements erratic as it led them down a side tunnel.

"Something’s wrong," Josephine said, her expression serious. "Let’s follow it."

The drone led them to a chamber where the tunnel opened up into a wide, cavernous space. The air was thick with tension, and as they stepped into the chamber, they immediately understood why.

In the center of the room, coiled around a large nest of eggs, was a massive Ectra Python. Its scales gleamed in the dim light, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent intelligence. The snake hissed, its forked tongue flicking out as it sensed their presence.

"Well, this just got interesting," Xena said, drawing her bow and notching an arrow. "Looks like we’ve got a bit of pest control to take care of."

Alina, despite her earlier nerves, stepped forward, her dark eyes flashing with determination. "We can’t let it stay here. It’s too dangerous."

Belle nodded, already beginning to weave a spell with her hands. "Let’s take care of it quickly. We don’t want to damage the tunnels."

Josephine hefted her morningstar, her expression fierce. "Right. We take it down together."

The battle that followed was intense, but the women fought with a unity and precision that spoke of their deep bond. Monila and Galia darted around the python, distracting it with flashes of light and bursts of wind, while Pilia and Magria attacked from the sides, their combined magic and strength wearing the creature down.

As the python lunged at Alina, its fangs bared, Josephine stepped in, her morningstar connecting with its head in a powerful swing that sent it crashing to the ground. The creature writhed, but it was too late—Belle’s spell struck it a moment later, draining the last of its strength and leaving it motionless on the cavern floor.

Breathing heavily, the women stood over the defeated creature, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and triumph.

"That was close," Alina said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "But we did it."

Xena grinned, slinging her bow over her shoulder. "Of course we did. We’re unstoppable."

Josephine nodded, though her expression was more thoughtful. "But this is just the beginning. We need to make sure the rest of the tunnels are secure. If there’s one of these down here, there could be more."

Belle, ever the practical one, nodded in agreement. "I’ll have Pilia and the Seltas Queen’s drones continue their surveillance. We can’t let our guard down."

As they made their way back to the entrance of the tunnel, the mood was lighter, filled with the camaraderie that came from a shared victory. They teased and joked with each other, the tension of the battle already fading into the background.

"You know," Xena said with a playful smirk, "I think we should make these little adventures a regular thing. Keeps us on our toes."

Josephine chuckled, though there was a note of seriousness in her voice. "I agree. There’s still a lot we don’t know about these tunnels, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they’re safe."

Alina, despite her earlier reluctance, smiled as she looked around at her companions. "I think I’m starting to enjoy these little excursions. It’s good to know we can handle whatever comes our way."

Belle smiled, though her mind was already racing with plans for further fortifications and surveillance. "And next time, we’ll be even more prepared."

As they emerged from the tunnel into the bright light of day, they found themselves filled with a renewed sense of purpose. The House of Roses was more than just a refuge—it was a fortress, a place of strength and unity. And with each passing day, they were making it stronger.

"Let’s get back to work,"