Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 378: The Council of South-Eastern Kingdom

Chapter 378: The Council of South-Eastern Kingdom

The grand war room of Varzadia’s royal palace was filled with tension as King Edvard and his council gathered. The war room was vast, its high vaulted ceiling lined with dark oak beams, giving it a sense of formidable strength. Tall windows along one side allowed the late afternoon sunlight to stream in, illuminating the dust motes that hung in the air. A large rectangular table stood at the center, covered with maps of Astellia, each one marked and smudged with ink, showing potential invasion routes. Around the table stood Varzadia’s highest-ranking officials—political advisors, military generals, and strategists, all focused on one matter: the upcoming conquest of Astellia.

King Edvard stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding the room. He was a tall man with a proud posture, his eyes sharp and calculating. He wore a regal dark blue robe trimmed with silver, and a thin golden crown rested atop his graying hair. With a deliberate movement, he rested his hands on the table, leaning forward, his gaze piercing as he spoke.

"The time has come for Varzadia to reclaim its rightful influence. The peace treaty that held us back has expired, and Astellia—our old rival—is vulnerable," he said, his voice echoing off the stone walls. His tone was calm but carried a weight that demanded attention. "After years of internal strife, they are divided, weakened, and ripe for the taking. We must seize this opportunity."

There were nods of agreement from the council members. Chancellor Mordecai, an older man with a thin frame and a cunning expression, stepped forward. His deep-set eyes gleamed with a sense of satisfaction as he unfurled a detailed map of Astellia’s borders, pointing to several key locations.

"Your Majesty, our spies have provided valuable information regarding Astellia’s current situation," Mordecai began, his voice smooth as silk, each word measured. "The recent disputes between the Crown Prince and Duke Hektor have left their borders poorly defended. The internal conflict has stretched their forces thin, and their resources are dwindling. It is the perfect moment for us to act."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. General Valeria, a formidable woman with short-cropped hair and a scar running down her cheek, leaned over the map, her armored gauntlet clinking against the table. Her gaze was intense, her eyes scanning the marked routes.

"I propose a three-pronged attack," she said, her voice carrying the authority of someone who had led countless battles. "We strike their eastern border first. It is the least fortified, and with our forces, we can overrun their defenses quickly. Meanwhile, Admiral Kael can lead the navy to establish a blockade along the coast, cutting off any aid that might come from their allies."

Admiral Kael, a middle-aged man with a stern expression and a neatly trimmed beard, nodded. He had an air of confidence that came from years spent commanding Varzadia’s fleet. "The blockade will be crucial," he added, his voice steady. "We will ensure that no supplies or reinforcements reach Astellia. We can starve them of resources while our ground forces advance."

General Valeria smirked, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "And we have a contingency plan. We will use mercenaries to create chaos within their ranks. Astellia’s military is already in disarray. With a well-placed attack from within, their morale will shatter."

There was a moment of silence as the council absorbed the plan, the weight of the decision before them settling in. The tension in the room seemed to thicken, and then the heavy wooden doors at the far end of the war room creaked open. All eyes turned as Lord Veldran, the Varzadian ambassador to Astellia, entered. His robe flowed around him, and a sly smile played on his lips. He bowed to King Edvard before stepping closer to the table.

"Your Majesty, I bring news from Astellia that may further tip the scales in our favor," Lord Veldran said, his voice oozing with a mix of confidence and intrigue. "There are nobles within Astellia who have grown discontented with the Crown Prince’s recent actions. They feel sidelined and betrayed by his alliances. These nobles are willing to cooperate with us—in exchange for power, of course. They want assurances that, once Astellia falls, they will be given influence within the new order."

King Edvard raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. He folded his arms, considering the information. "Nobles within Astellia willing to turn against their own..." he mused aloud, a thoughtful smile spreading across his face. "This could be the leverage we need to ensure our victory with minimal resistance. If we have allies on the inside, we can undermine the Crown Prince before our forces even reach their gates."

Chancellor Mordecai nodded, his smile widening. "Indeed, Your Majesty. With their help, we can weaken Astellia from within while our forces press from without. The Crown Prince will find himself surrounded—isolated, with no one left to turn to."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, a sense of eager anticipation replacing the tension. The plan was coming together, the pieces falling into place. General Valeria looked to King Edvard, her expression resolute. "Your Majesty, give the order, and we will begin preparations immediately. The time to act is now, while Astellia is fractured and unaware of our intentions."

King Edvard straightened, his gaze sweeping across the room, meeting the eyes of each of his advisors, generals, and strategists. He saw the determination etched on their faces, the hunger for victory that matched his own. He took a deep breath, his voice steady as he spoke.

"Very well," he declared, his eyes sharp. "We will move forward with the invasion of Astellia. General Valeria, Admiral Kael, begin the preparations for our forces. Chancellor Mordecai, ensure our allies within Astellia are contacted and ready to act. Lord Veldran, maintain communication with the discontented nobles—let them know that their loyalty will be rewarded. We will strike swiftly and without hesitation."

There was a unified chorus of "Yes, Your Majesty," as each member of the council bowed, acknowledging their orders. The room buzzed with newfound energy—the anticipation of what was to come. The conquest of Astellia had been set in motion, and there was no turning back.

As the council members began to disperse, discussing logistics and strategies, King Edvard remained at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on the maps before him. He traced a line along the eastern border of Astellia with his finger, a sense of satisfaction settling in his chest. After years of rivalry and tension, Varzadia would finally claim victory over Astellia. He could almost see the banners of Varzadia flying over Astellian castles, hear the cheers of his people as they celebrated their triumph.

"This is the beginning of a new era for Varzadia," he murmured to himself, his voice filled with conviction. "And for Astellia... the end of their defiance."

At the other end of the room, General Valeria and Admiral Kael exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of determination and anticipation.

"I’ll have the troops ready within the week," Valeria said, her voice low but confident. "We need to make sure our forces are at their best. Astellia might be weak, but they won’t go down without a fight."

Kael nodded, his eyes narrowing. "And I’ll make sure our blockade is impenetrable. No ship will leave or enter their ports without my say. We need to cut them off completely—starve them out if we must."

Valeria smirked, her gaze shifting to the map. "Let them try to fight back. We’ll crush them."

Kael’s lips twitched into a smile, his tone dark. "They won’t stand a chance."

Nearby, Chancellor Mordecai spoke quietly with Lord Veldran, their heads close together. Mordecai’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he listened to Veldran’s account of the Astellian nobles who were willing to betray their own.

"This is just what we needed," Mordecai said, his voice barely audible over the chatter in the room. "With allies inside Astellia, we’ll be able to strike from within and out. The Crown Prince won’t know what hit him."

Lord Veldran nodded, his smile sly. "The nobles I’ve spoken to are eager for change. They see this as their chance to seize power, to rise above the chaos that the Crown Prince has created. They’ll do whatever it takes to secure their place in the new regime."

Mordecai’s gaze flicked to King Edvard, who still stood at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on the maps. "Then we must make sure they are well prepared. The more chaos we create, the easier it will be for our forces to advance."

Veldran inclined his head, his expression serious. "Consider it done, Chancellor. Our allies will be ready when the time comes."

As the council members continued their discussions, the sense of urgency in the room grew. There was no time to waste—every detail had to be perfect, every strategy flawless. The fate of Astellia rested in their hands, and they would not allow this opportunity to slip through their fingers.

King Edvard turned his gaze away from the map, his eyes narrowing as he looked towards the horizon through the tall windows. The sun was beginning to set, bathing the room in a golden glow. It was a fitting symbol—the end of one era, and the beginning of another.

"We will show Astellia what true power looks like," he said quietly, his voice filled with a cold determination. "They will bow before Varzadia, or they will burn."