Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 341: Assassins in Grafen (3) The Anticipated Response

Chapter 341: Assassins in Grafen (3) The Anticipated Response

Lyan leaned back in his chair, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he addressed the war council. The morning light streamed through the tall windows of the dining hall, casting a warm glow over the gathering. Despite the early hour, the atmosphere was charged with energy as the council members discussed the recent events. The table was laden with breakfast—steaming cups of tea, fresh bread, eggs, and an assortment of fruits and meats. Maids moved gracefully around the room, serving food and refilling cups, their presence almost unnoticed amidst the intensity of the conversation.

Lyan’s voice cut through the din, calm yet commanding. "I already know about the greediness of the nobles along our borders. It’s not surprising that they’ve made their move." He paused, his eyes scanning the room, noting the reactions of those present. "But what’s more important is that I’ve received a secret message from William."

There was a ripple of murmurs at the mention of the name. To the others, William was better known as Erich, the crown prince of the kingdom. But to Lyan, he would always be William, the comrade with whom he had subjugated the goblin king—a bond forged in blood and battle.

Lyan continued, his tone measured. "William has given us free rein to take over and devour the territories of these surrounding nobles. He knows as well as we do that sooner or later, they’ll be eradicated by him. He’s giving us the opportunity to strike first and secure our borders."

Wilhelmina, seated to Lyan’s right, leaned forward, her brow furrowed in thought. "So, what’s our plan, then? Do we move on this immediately, or do we wait?"

Lyan met her gaze, his smile deepening. "We take our time. Moving too soon would be reckless. We need to ensure that when we strike, it’s at the right moment, with the right force, and with the right allies. We can’t afford to be caught in a bad position."

Belle, ever the calm strategist, nodded in agreement as she sipped her tea. "Lyan’s right. We need to assess the situation carefully. If we move too early, we risk drawing the attention of other nobles or even the crown itself, despite William’s assurances. Our moves need to be calculated."

Alina, her dark eyes thoughtful, added, "But we also can’t wait too long. The longer we sit idle, the more time the surrounding nobles have to strengthen their positions. We need to gather intelligence quickly and start planning our approach."

Raine, her voice soft but firm, interjected, "The mountain tribes can be our eyes and ears. They know the terrain better than anyone and can move undetected through the forests. We can use them to scout out the nobles’ forces and fortifications."

Ravia, ever the mischievous one, grinned. "And while we’re at it, why not send a few of our shadow servants to cause a little chaos? A few well-placed fires, some poisoned wells... nothing too obvious, but enough to keep them on edge."

Emilia, always the warrior, frowned slightly. "I’m all for weakening our enemies, but we need to be careful not to provoke them into attacking before we’re ready. We should focus on strengthening our own defenses and preparing our forces before we start any aggressive actions."

Alice, the smallest yet sharpest among them, leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of strategy. "What about using the tunnels? We’ve already seen how effective they are for moving our forces undetected. We could use them to position our troops near the borders, ready to strike when the time comes."

Xena, with her characteristic smirk, nodded approvingly. "And let’s not forget about our little friends in the tunnels—the acid ants and the Seltas Queen’s drones. They can be invaluable for sabotage and for gathering intelligence. We can hit the nobles where it hurts without them even knowing we’re there."

Josephine, ever the voice of reason, added, "But we must also consider the aftermath. If we take over these territories, we’ll need to govern them. We’ll need to ensure the people are on our side, or we’ll be facing constant rebellions. We should start thinking about how we’ll integrate these lands into Grafen."

Surena, her tone light but with a hint of seriousness, quipped, "Well, if we’re going to be taking over lands, I call dibs on the best estates. I’ve always wanted a little vineyard of my own."

Lyan chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly at her jest. "I’ll keep that in mind, Surena. But first, let’s focus on securing those lands before we start dividing them up."

Abraham, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "If I may, my lord, I suggest we also consider the political implications. We have allies within the kingdom, but we must ensure that our actions do not alienate them. We should reach out to our contacts and ensure they understand our intentions."

Grimclaw, the Deadlight, stood silently in the corner, his presence a constant reminder of the power that Lyan wielded. Though he did not speak, his glowing eyes conveyed a readiness to follow whatever orders Lyan gave.

Lara, Tara, and Sigrid, the three mountain tribe women, exchanged glances before Tara spoke up. "Our people are ready to fight when you give the word, Chief. But they’ll need clear orders. We’re not used to fighting in large-scale battles."

Lyan nodded, acknowledging their concerns. "We’ll need to train your warriors to fight alongside our forces. It won’t be easy, but with the right preparation, they’ll be a valuable asset."

The discussion continued, the council members debating the finer points of their strategy while enjoying their breakfast. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the atmosphere remained relatively light, a testament to the bond they shared. They were more than just allies—they were a family, united by a common goal.

As the conversation drew to a close, Lyan stood, his expression resolute. "We have our work cut out for us, but I’m confident in all of you. We’ll take our time, gather our strength, and when the moment is right, we’ll strike. The surrounding nobles won’t know what hit them."

The council members nodded in agreement, their resolve clear. The meeting concluded, they began to rise from the table, ready to put their plans into action.

But there was still one matter left to attend to.

The assassins who had attempted to infiltrate Grafen had been captured and were now being held in the cells beneath the castle. It was time to extract the information they held.

Lyan led the way down to the dungeon, the air growing cooler and more oppressive as they descended. The stone walls were lined with flickering torches, casting long shadows that danced eerily as they walked. The sound of dripping water echoed through the narrow corridors, the only other noise being the soft footsteps of the group.

Abraham walked beside Lyan, his expression calm but with a hint of curiosity. "Do you have a plan for the interrogation, my lord?"

Lyan nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. "We’ll start with the usual methods. They’re professionals, so they won’t break easily. But everyone has a weakness. We just need to find it."

Ravia and Raine followed closely, their faces a mix of anticipation and excitement. They were both eager to prove themselves, and the prospect of a challenge only heightened their determination.

Wilhelmina walked slightly behind them, her expression thoughtful. She had been relatively quiet during the council meeting, but Lyan knew her mind was always working, analyzing the situation from every angle. He valued her input and knew she would have something valuable to contribute.

Surena, Emilia, and Alicia brought up the rear, their weapons ready but their expressions relaxed. They were here as a show of force, a reminder to the assassins that they were not in a position to bargain.

As they reached the cells, the guards saluted, stepping aside to allow them entry. The cells were dark and damp, the air heavy with the scent of sweat and fear. The assassins were chained to the walls, their faces bruised and battered from the earlier struggle.

Shade, the leader, looked up as they entered, his eyes narrowing with defiance. But there was a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze, a sign that he knew he was outmatched.

Lyan stepped forward, his voice calm but with an edge of steel. "You’ve made a grave mistake coming here. But now that you’re in my hands, you have a choice. Cooperate, and you might live. Resist, and I’ll make sure you regret it."

Shade spat on the ground, his expression hardening. "You think you can scare us? We’ve faced worse than you."

Lyan smiled, a cold, predatory smile that sent a shiver down the spines of even his own companions. "Oh, I don’t doubt that. But I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to break you."

He turned to Ravia and Raine, his smile widening. "Ladies, would you care to assist me?"

Ravia’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as she stepped forward, her voice sweet but with a sinister undertone. "With pleasure, my lord."

Raine, her expression more subdued but no less determined, followed suit. "We’ll see how long they can hold out."