Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 348: Foolish Confidence

Chapter 348: Foolish Confidence

Hektor’s son, Lucan, stood at the edge of the garden, the morning light casting soft shadows across the estate’s stone walls. The air was crisp, and a light breeze rustled the leaves of the tall oaks that lined the courtyard. Lucan’s gaze lingered on his wife, Clarisse, who cradled their child in her arms. She was radiant in the early light, her golden hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders, her violet eyes catching the sunlight as she looked down at their baby.

He smiled softly and walked toward her, his boots making quiet sounds on the gravel path. When he reached her, Lucan leaned down and gently kissed her chin. It was a small, affectionate gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the bond between them. Clarisse looked up at him, her lips curling into a soft smile as she met his gaze.

"Are you leaving already?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of concern but laced with understanding.

Lucan nodded, glancing briefly at their child, who cooed softly in Clarisse’s arms. "Yes, love. Father needs me at the council. There are important matters to attend to. I won’t be gone for long, I promise."

Clarisse’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I understand," she said softly, looking into his eyes. "You must do what you need to for the family. Just... come back to us soon."

Lucan chuckled, though the weight of his responsibilities pressed against his chest. "I wouldn’t dream of staying away longer than I have to." He leaned in again, brushing a kiss against her forehead, then moved to gently touch the tiny hand of their baby. The child grasped his finger, and for a brief moment, all the weight of duty, of war, seemed to fall away.

"I’ll be back before you know it," Lucan added, his voice warm but firm, as if trying to convince himself as much as her.

Clarisse sighed, adjusting the baby in her arms. "Just stay safe. The world is dangerous, especially with everything that’s happening."

Lucan nodded, his face becoming serious. "I will. Father has things well in hand. There’s no need to worry."

Clarisse smiled again, though it was tinged with worry now. "I trust you, Lucan."

With one last glance, Lucan turned away, walking toward the stables where his horse was waiting. He hated leaving, especially now, but duty called. His father, Lord Hektor, was expecting him. As he mounted his horse and rode off toward his family’s grand estate, the image of his wife and child stayed with him, a reminder of what he was fighting for.

The ride to his father’s estate was short, but his mind was already drifting toward the council meeting. Tensions had been rising for weeks, and the reports they had received about Lyan Arkanium Evocatore had grown more troubling. There was talk of weakness, of internal strife within Grafen. His father, ever the strategist, had been waiting for the right moment to strike.

When Lucan arrived at the estate, the guards greeted him with a nod, and he made his way inside without delay. The council chamber was already bustling with activity. Lord Verlan and Lady Astoria were seated at the long oak table, alongside his father, Hektor. Maps of Grafen were spread out before them, along with reports from various scouts and spies.

"Lucan," Hektor greeted his son, looking up from the maps with a nod. "You’re just in time."

Lucan took his place beside his father, his gaze sweeping over the maps. "Have the reports come in from the last scouts?"

"They have," Hektor replied, his voice low and filled with quiet satisfaction. "Everything is confirming what we already suspected. Lyan’s forces are scattered, disorganized. The man may have built a fortress in Grafen, but it’s a weak one."

Lord Verlan, a stout man with a shrewd smile, leaned forward, tapping one of the reports with a thick finger. "My men have been watching the movements around Grafen for days. The patrols are inconsistent. His forces are far smaller than what we were led to believe. If we strike now, before he can consolidate, we’ll have the upper hand."

Lady Astoria, always calculating, narrowed her sharp green eyes as she studied the map. "We should consider the political ramifications. If we move too aggressively, we risk drawing attention from the crown. But if we make this look like a response to internal disorder, we can position ourselves as liberators rather than conquerors."

Hektor chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Indeed. Lyan’s power is overblown. He’s managed to fool many into thinking he’s untouchable, but these reports tell a different story." He picked up a scroll and tossed it across the table for Lucan to see. "This came in last night. Our spies within Grafen confirm the same: discontent among his mercenaries, unrest within the walls. The man can’t hold his own city together."

Lucan read over the scroll, nodding slowly. "So, the time is now."

Hektor’s smile widened, his dark eyes gleaming with ambition. "Exactly. We’ve waited long enough. The reports are consistent. Lyan’s forces are vulnerable, and we’ll hit them where it hurts. Verlan’s men are already positioned along the southern border, and Astoria’s spies have provided us with the perfect points of entry."

Verlan’s smile turned predatory. "My mercenaries have been itching for a fight. They’ve already been harassing the trade routes, cutting off supplies to Grafen. The people are hungry, frustrated. If we strike now, we’ll face little resistance."

Lady Astoria nodded, her expression cool and calculated. "We’ll need to move quickly, though. If Lyan has any sense, he’ll try to solidify his power before we can act. The longer we wait, the more prepared he’ll become."

Hektor waved a hand dismissively. "He’s scrambling to hold everything together. The man’s a fool, and fools make mistakes. We’ll crush him before he even knows what’s happening."

Lucan felt a surge of excitement. His father’s confidence was infectious, and the idea of finally bringing down Lyan, who had risen to power so quickly, was tantalizing. The nobles had been planning this for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, it seemed, their time had come.

"Then it’s decided," Lucan said, looking at his father. "We move forward with the siege."

Hektor nodded, his smile widening. "Prepare the men. We launch the attack in three days."

___

Three days later, the nobles gathered once more, but this time the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The armies were ready, the strategies finalized. Hektor stood at the edge of their makeshift command post, gazing out over the gathered forces.

Rows upon rows of soldiers lined the valley, their armor gleaming in the midday sun. Mercenaries hired by Verlan, knights loyal to Astoria, and Hektor’s own elite soldiers—thousands strong, all poised to bring down Grafen. Banners fluttered in the wind, bearing the sigils of the noble houses, and the sound of clanking armor and the occasional neigh of a restless horse filled the air.

"Everything is in place," Verlan said as he approached Hektor, a broad grin on his face. "My men are ready to strike at the southern gates. We’ve got scouts in place, and they report no sign of any significant mobilization from Lyan’s forces."

Hektor nodded, pleased. "Good. We’ll attack from multiple fronts, force him to divide his forces. Verlan, your men will lead the charge on the southern gate. Astoria’s forces will move in from the west, while mine will take the east. We’ll surround them before they even have a chance to react."

Lady Astoria approached, her expression as calm and composed as ever. "The scouts report that the secret passages are still accessible. Once we breach the walls, my men will infiltrate through those routes, disable key defenses from within."

Hektor smiled coldly. "Lyan will never see it coming."

Lucan, standing beside his father, couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as the plan fell into place. This was it. The moment they had been waiting for. The fall of Grafen.

"Are the men ready?" Hektor asked, turning to Verlan.

"They’ve been waiting for this," Verlan said with a grin. "Every one of them is ready for blood."

Hektor turned to face his assembled commanders. "Then let’s begin."

The commanders dispersed, shouting orders to their respective forces. The valley came alive with movement as soldiers formed up into battalions, archers took their positions, and siege weapons were prepared. The sound of drums echoed across the valley, signaling the approach of battle.

It was a very bold move, but it shows how confident Hektor and his allies are in taking over the territory of Lyan.

Lucan stood at his father’s side, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "This will be over quickly," he said, more to himself than anyone else.

Hektor nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on the distant walls of Grafen. "It will be. Lyan has no idea what’s coming."