Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 376: The Spirits and The Festival

Chapter 376: The Spirits and The Festival

"Wow~ This seems so fun~!" Lilith’s voice floated in the air, her dark eyes wide with excitement as she looked over the bustling festival. Her pink hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her festival robes—an elaborate gown of soft pinks and deep violets—flowed elegantly as she moved.

Next to her, Griselda stretched her arms, her white hair flickering as if lightning was coursing through it. Her silver robe, adorned with golden lightning motifs, shimmered with each of her movements. "I have to admit, it looks a lot more lively than anything I’ve seen in ages. I guess this is what happens when humans don’t have wars every other day." She gave Lyan a teasing glance, her lips curling into a grin. "Too bad we only have three hours, huh, Master?"

Lyan sighed, rubbing his temple as he adjusted the sash of his robe—a simple black festival attire that allowed him to blend in with the crowd. He shot Griselda a look before turning his attention back to the other spirits. "Three hours is more than enough. Besides, you girls have been lounging around in the grimoire, causing chaos for me,"

Cynthia, her light-blonde hair catching the sun, turned to him, her saintly white robes accentuated by golden embroidery that glowed in the evening light. She gave him a mischievous smile, the edges of her lips quirking up. "Oh, you mean the instant noodles?" She leaned closer to Lyan, her voice teasing. "We had to eat something, you know. And they were quite tasty, weren’t they, Griselda?"

Griselda laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I think we finished about a quarter of all those noodle varieties. But you really can’t complain when it’s so easy to make. And it’s your fault in the first place for not giving us food anymore for quite a while,"

Lyan sighed again, his gaze shifting to Arturia, who was trying her best to keep everyone in line. Her golden robes, adorned with knightly insignias, fluttered as she placed her hands on her hips. "I still think you should be tidier, Griselda. We can’t keep making Lyan’s apartment a mess every time we visit."

Arturia then turned to Lyan, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Besides, I’ve been making sure all the clothes are washed and dried properly! The washing machine is... it’s really amazing, you know?" She tried to maintain her knightly demeanor, though her fascination with mundane household chores was clearly evident.

"Yeah, yeah. I’ll take that as a thank you for not touching anything else besides the noodles," Lyan muttered, a faint smile on his lips despite the slight annoyance in his tone.

Azelia, ever the childlike one, was already skipping ahead, her dark green robe with floral patterns swirling around her small frame. "Enough talking! There’s so much to do! Look, there’s a game over there!" She pointed to a booth where children were tossing rings at bottles. Her eyes lit up, and without waiting, she darted towards it, her laughter trailing behind her.

"Come on, let’s get moving!" Hestia chimed in, her fiery red curls bouncing with each step. Her red and gold robes practically screamed of her elemental affinity. She gave Lyan a quick wink before grabbing Sylphia’s hand, pulling the timid wind spirit along. Sylphia’s green robes, decorated with delicate leaf patterns, fluttered as she stumbled forward, her eyes wide.

"Oh, w-wait, Hestia! I... I’m not ready!" Sylphia stammered, her blush deepening as Hestia dragged her along.

Lyan sighed, shaking his head as he followed them. "Alright, but remember we only have three hours, and I don’t want any trouble."

Lilith chuckled, sidling up beside him and taking his arm. "Trouble? Us? You wound us, Master," she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

"Yeah, I bet," Lyan muttered under his breath, but he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. He looked around at all of them, the eight great spirits in their festival attire, eager to explore the human world—his world.

After reuniting and looking at what kind of mess his apartment room has become inside the grimoire’s space, he couldn’t help but let out a tired sigh and slightly lose his will to invite them to the festival because of it. But he ended up still bringing them, since he already end up inside the grimoire and met them anyway.

They approached a row of game booths, and Azelia, already trying her hand at the ring toss, was having the time of her life. She missed the first two throws, but her excitement never waned. "Big bro, Lyan! Look! I almost got it!" she called, her voice filled with joy.

Lyan nodded, stepping closer. "You’re getting there, Azelia. Just a bit more aim." He adjusted her stance, helping her aim her next throw. The ring soared through the air and landed perfectly on one of the bottles.

Azelia jumped up, her face lighting up. "I did it! I really did it!" She turned, wrapping her small arms around Lyan in a hug.

He patted her head, smiling warmly. "See? I knew you could do it."

Nearby, Eira, the ice spirit, was observing everything with her usual aloof expression. Her icy blue robe seemed to blend with the cool tones of the evening. She approached a booth selling iced treats and examined them curiously. "What are these?" she asked, her voice soft.

"They’re called snow cones," Lyan explained, stepping up beside her. He bought one, handing it to Eira.

She took a small bite, her eyes widening slightly. "Cold... but sweet," she murmured. A faint smile touched her lips as she nodded in approval. "I like it. It’s like the ice cream inside your refrigerator,"

(Seriously? they even have my stock of ice cream inside there?)

Griselda, who had been watching the entire interaction, smirked. "Leave it to Eira to be drawn to anything icy." She grabbed her own snow cone, choosing a bright blue one. "Though I gotta say, these aren’t bad."

Cynthia, meanwhile, had found herself at a small jewelry stall. She admired the necklaces and bracelets on display, her fingers brushing over a pendant shaped like a sun. "Look at these, Lyan," she called, her voice filled with wonder. "They remind me of the old trinkets I used to see in the temples."

Lyan joined her, nodding as he examined the jewelry. "Yeah, it’s similar. People here still have that connection to the past, even if it’s different now."

Cynthia smiled, picking up the sun-shaped pendant. "Then let’s bring a bit of that past into our present." She purchased the pendant, slipping it over her neck.

Lilith tugged at Lyan’s arm, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Master, there’s a dance happening over there. Let’s go! I want to see how humans dance nowadays."

Before Lyan could respond, Lilith was already pulling him towards an area where musicians were playing lively tunes. People were gathered, dancing in pairs and groups, their laughter mixing with the music. Lilith pulled Lyan into the center, her movements graceful as she led him in a dance.

"Come on, Master, loosen up a little!" Lilith teased, her eyes twinkling.

Lyan chuckled, allowing himself to be led. "Alright, alright. But remember, we don’t have all night."

The others soon joined in—Griselda, with her boundless energy, pulled Hestia into a spin, both of them laughing as they tried to outdo each other with their moves. Arturia, despite her usual composed demeanor, found herself smiling as she danced with Azelia, their steps light and joyful. Sylphia, though hesitant at first, was soon swaying to the music, her shyness melting away in the warmth of the moment.

"Eira, come on, dance with us!" Azelia called, waving her over.

Eira shook her head, her expression still aloof. "I’m not much of a dancer," she replied, but Azelia was relentless, grabbing her hand and pulling her in.

"You don’t have to be good, just have fun!" Azelia insisted.

Eira sighed but allowed herself to be led, her movements stiff at first but gradually becoming more fluid as she relaxed. Seeing Eira finally smile, even if just a little, made Lyan’s chest swell with warmth.

After a while, the group moved on, each of them eager to experience more of the festival before their time ran out. Cynthia and Arturia found themselves at a stall selling charms and talismans, their eyes drawn to the intricate designs. They examined each charm carefully, discussing the symbols and their meanings, their conversation reminiscent of the old days.

"Look, Lyan," Arturia said, holding up a charm shaped like a shield. "This one’s for protection. It’s not quite as powerful as the spells we used to cast, but it’s still significant."

Lyan smiled, nodding. "It’s a nice reminder, isn’t it?"

Arturia nodded, her eyes softening. "Yes. A reminder that even in a different world, some things remain the same."

Hestia and Griselda, meanwhile, had found a stall selling spicy food. Hestia took one bite of a spicy skewer, her eyes lighting up. "This is amazing!" she declared, her voice filled with excitement. She handed one to Griselda, who took a bite, her grin widening.

"Not bad. But I bet I could make something even hotter," Griselda said, her competitive spirit flaring up.

Hestia laughed, nudging her. "You’re on. Next time, we’ll have a cook-off."

As their time at the festival drew to a close, the spirits gathered near the center of the square, the lights from the lanterns above casting a warm glow over them. Lilith looked around, her eyes filled with longing. "Three hours isn’t nearly enough," she murmured, her voice soft.

Lyan placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze gentle. "We’ll come back again then. I’m planning on making more festivals in this city, after all,"

Sylphia, her wind chime still clutched in her hand, nodded, her eyes glistening. "I’d like that," she said quietly.

Azelia, ever the optimist, grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Next time, we’ll win all the games!"

"Heh! You’re right. It might be-" Just as Griselda was about to give a rare affirmation, a voice appeared from behind her.

"Lady... Griselda?"

Lyan knows her presence approaching.

But he remained silent.

Thinking that it’s time for him to help them move forward as well one by one.

Starting from Griselda.

"You’re Lady Griselda, right? The Former Captain General of Astellia... The famous, Griselda Alaister Fulmine, right?"

Griselda turned her back, and saw her.

"Wilhelmina..."