Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 351: The War of Nobes (3) The Offensive

Chapter 351: The War of Nobes (3) The Offensive

Lyan marched at the head of his army, the rhythmic sound of boots crunching against the dirt road filling the early morning air. His black cloak billowed lightly behind him as the sun crested the horizon, casting a faint glow over the assembled troops. Unlike the previous battles where he relied on his formidable summoned creatures, this was different. This was a march of humans, trained soldiers and warriors honed under his leadership, alongside the deadly Valkyries who had fought beside him through countless wars.

Wilhelmina, her sharp gaze always ahead, walked silently by his side, her mind clearly focused on the strategic importance of every step they took. To her left was Alice, the platinum-blonde Small General, whose calm demeanor masked the deadly precision she would unleash on the battlefield. Behind them followed Emilia, Surena, Josephine, Abraham, and the two sisters, Raine and Ravia, all poised for the confrontation with Hektor that loomed ahead.

The decision to leave the summoned monsters behind was deliberate. Lyan wanted this battle to be fought by the soldiers he had personally trained. The Valkyries, fierce and disciplined, were a core part of his strategy, and today their strength, combined with the human army, would be tested in full.

As they marched through the narrow valley toward Hektor’s territory, Lyan’s mind churned with strategic calculations. The battle at Grafen had been a resounding success, but the fight ahead would be different. Hektor’s forces were desperate now. Cornered animals were always the most dangerous.

Wilhelmina glanced at Lyan, breaking the silence. "We should reach the edge of Hektor’s territory by sunset. The scouts have reported that he’s mobilized most of his remaining forces to fortify his stronghold. If we strike tonight, we might catch them off guard."

Lyan nodded, but his thoughts were already elsewhere. "It would be unwise to underestimate him again. Hektor won’t make the same mistakes twice. He’ll be expecting a direct attack, which is why we won’t give him one."

Alice’s voice, calm and measured, cut in. "What are you suggesting? A feint?"

"Exactly." Lyan stopped for a moment, turning to face the group. The army behind them continued marching forward in disciplined lines, unaware of the discussion at the front. "We’ll divide our forces. Wilhelmina, you’ll lead a frontal assault with half the army. Make it look as though we’re preparing for a full-scale siege. Meanwhile, I’ll take the other half through the southern hills. There’s a series of caves there—narrow, but passable. We can come up behind them while they’re distracted with your forces."

Wilhelmina folded her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the map Lyan had unfurled. "It’s a risk. If Hektor has scouts in the hills, they could ambush you."

"Which is why we’ll move under cover of darkness," Lyan said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "We won’t need to hold those caves for long—just long enough to position ourselves behind his forces. Once we’re in place, we’ll strike hard and fast. The moment his attention is focused on the front, we’ll move in from the rear and collapse his defenses."

Raine, who had been listening quietly, nodded approvingly. "A classic pincer maneuver. It’ll divide his forces, force him to fight on two fronts."

Abraham, ever the silent shadow, spoke up for the first time. "What about his commanders? Hektor still has men who are loyal to him. Taking them out early could disrupt his leadership structure."

Josephine nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with a cold calculation. "If we can cut the head off the snake early, the body will crumble. Hektor’s men are bound to him by fear and loyalty, but if they see him fall..."

Lyan’s smile was small but filled with deadly promise. "Hektor will face us personally. He knows he can’t afford to hide behind his soldiers anymore, not after his defeat at Grafen. But if he retreats into his stronghold, we’ll deal with him there."

"Who will handle the assassination?" Surena asked, her voice as calm as the wind before a storm.

"I’ll leave that to Abraham," Lyan replied, turning his gaze to the assassin. "You’ve worked in worse conditions. If you can slip into Hektor’s camp before the battle begins and take out key targets, it will make the battle that much easier for us."

Abraham’s eyes glinted beneath his hood. "Consider it done."

Lyan folded the map back up and tucked it into his belt. "Good. Then it’s settled. Wilhelmina, prepare your troops for the frontal assault. We’ll meet again once we’ve circled around to Hektor’s rear."

With the orders given, the group dispersed to make the necessary preparations. The army’s march slowed as camp was set up in the valley for the night, and the Valkyries moved with practiced efficiency, positioning the men and organizing the supplies for the upcoming siege.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lyan stood alone at the edge of the camp, his eyes fixed on the distant hills where he and his half of the army would travel come nightfall. This was a crucial moment, and he knew that every decision they made from here on would determine the outcome of the war with Hektor.

Behind him, the soldiers trained by his Valkyries stood tall and ready. These men had come far from where they had been months ago—undisciplined and scattered. Now, under Lyan’s leadership and the guidance of his elite warriors, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Emilia approached him, her greatsword slung across her back. "You seem lost in thought, Lyan."

"I’m considering all the variables," Lyan replied without turning. "Hektor’s forces are desperate, and that makes them dangerous. We need to be ready for anything."

Emilia nodded. "And we are. The men are ready. They’ve been trained well, and with Wilhelmina leading the frontal assault, there’s no way we’ll fail."

Lyan allowed himself a small smile. "I trust Wilhelmina’s tactics as much as I trust my own. But this is more than just a battle. Hektor’s defeat will send a message to every noble who has been watching from the sidelines. Grafen is not to be underestimated. And neither are we."

The sound of footsteps approaching broke the conversation. Ravia and Raine appeared from the shadows, their usual mischievous smiles absent.

"Everything is ready," Raine said, her voice low and confident. "We’ve scouted the caves. There are no signs of patrols. We’ll be able to slip through undetected."

Lyan nodded, his mind racing through the final details. "Good. We move as soon as the moon is high. Raine, you’ll lead the scouts through the caves ahead of the main force. Ravia, you’ll stay close to the vanguard. We need to move quickly and quietly. Hektor mustn’t know we’re there until it’s too late."

As night fell, the camp stirred with quiet activity. Wilhelmina was already preparing her half of the army for the frontal assault. She moved among the soldiers, giving orders and ensuring that every man knew his role in the coming battle. Lyan, meanwhile, gathered his own forces—stealthy, disciplined warriors who had been trained by the best.

The moon was high in the sky when Lyan’s group began their silent march toward the hills. The caves, barely visible against the rocky landscape, beckoned like dark mouths, ready to swallow them whole. Raine led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Behind her, Lyan followed with the rest of the vanguard, his senses attuned to every sound, every shift in the wind.

The air was tense as they moved through the narrow passages of the cave system, the echo of their footsteps swallowed by the oppressive darkness. No one spoke, each soldier focused on the task ahead. They moved like ghosts, invisible and silent, creeping ever closer to Hektor’s forces.

Finally, as they emerged from the other side of the hills, Lyan caught his first glimpse of Hektor’s stronghold. The walls loomed high in the distance, and the flickering light of campfires betrayed the presence of soldiers scattered across the field below.

"We’re here," Raine whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustle of the wind. "No sign of any scouts. We made it."

Lyan gave a small nod. "Good. Now we wait for Wilhelmina’s signal."

They took up their positions in the darkness, lying in wait for the battle that would soon begin. Hektor’s stronghold stood before them, unaware of the storm that was about to crash down upon it.

The night was still, but Lyan could feel the tension rising. This was the calm before the storm, the moment of anticipation that always came before battle. And as he looked out across the field, he knew that Hektor’s defeat was inevitable.

It was only a matter of time.

The wind carried the distant sound of footsteps from the other side of the valley, and Lyan’s eyes narrowed. The faint glow of Wilhelmina’s forces approaching the front of Hektor’s stronghold flickered like sparks in the dark. The trap was set.

"Prepare yourselves," Lyan whispered, his voice steady as his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. The soldiers at his back stiffened, readying their weapons.

As the signal flare from Wilhelmina’s assault streaked across the sky, Lyan raised his hand. "Now. We strike."

With silent determination, his forces surged forward, the darkness their cover, ready to bring Hektor’s downfall.