Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 379: Kingdom of Elberia

Chapter 379: Kingdom of Elberia

The war room of the Kingdom of Elberia was a modest, almost humble place, a stark contrast to the grandeur often associated with rooms where rulers deliberated over matters of state. The walls were lined with old banners, each marking a victory or an alliance of the past. A heavy wooden table dominated the center, covered with scrolls and maps detailing the lands of Elberia, Varzadia, and the neighboring territories. The air was thick with tension, the candles flickering, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Outside, the late afternoon sun hung low, sending shafts of light through the narrow windows, illuminating the dust swirling in the air.

King Alric stood at the head of the table, his face set in a thoughtful frown. He was a man in his late forties, his face marked by lines of age and worry. His crown was a simple one—not overly adorned, just a thin circle of silver that rested lightly on his graying hair. He was a cautious ruler, known for his ability to navigate delicate political situations, but today his face showed a trace of uncertainty. He leaned over the table, his hands resting heavily on the surface, his eyes fixed on the map of Varzadia that lay before him.

"They’re moving, Alric," said Marshal Hadrien, his chief military advisor, breaking the silence. The marshal was a burly man with a rough demeanor, his thick mustache quivering slightly as he spoke. He pointed to the northern border of Elberia on the map. "The reports indicate that Varzadia has increased its military presence here. Troop movements. Supplies. It doesn’t look like a mere exercise."

King Alric nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the information. "Yes, Hadrien. This isn’t just a drill. Something is brewing in Varzadia, and I fear we might find ourselves caught in it."

He looked up at his council—a mix of military leaders, advisors, and nobles, all gathered around the table. The room was filled with an uneasy silence, each of them sharing the same apprehensive expression. Varzadia had always been a powerful neighbor, and their ambitions had never been a secret. Elberia, a much smaller kingdom, had managed to keep out of their sights through diplomacy and a careful balance of power. But now, it seemed, that balance was tilting.

Sir Edmund, the head diplomat, cleared his throat, stepping forward. He was a thin, wiry man with a sharp gaze, always attuned to the subtleties of court politics. "Your Majesty, we must consider what Varzadia’s true intentions could be. This kind of buildup is not something they do lightly. If they intend to march on Astellia, we could find ourselves in a precarious position—either caught in the middle or forced to take sides."

Alric nodded again, his gaze drifting to the northern part of the map. "That’s exactly what worries me, Edmund. We must be cautious, but we also need to understand what Varzadia is planning. If they are preparing for a campaign, Elberia could be in their path—or worse, their target."

A murmur of agreement went through the room. The tension was palpable, a sense of urgency beginning to grow among those gathered. The uncertainty of what lay ahead was unnerving, even for those who had seen their fair share of conflict.

Marshal Hadrien crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "We should strengthen our defenses along the northern border. If Varzadia moves, we need to be ready to defend ourselves."

Sir Edmund shook his head, his brow furrowed. "Strengthening defenses might provoke them. We need to tread carefully here. If they see us preparing for war, it could force their hand. We need information—we need to know what they’re planning before we make any moves."

The king took a deep breath, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Both of you have valid points. We can’t ignore the threat, but we also cannot afford to provoke Varzadia unnecessarily." He paused, glancing around the room before continuing. "We need scouts—people we can trust—to keep watch on their movements. Discretion is key. We must know what they intend before we decide on our response."

Marshal Hadrien nodded, his jaw set. "I’ll arrange for our best scouts to be dispatched immediately, Your Majesty. They’ll keep an eye on the northern border and report back anything unusual."

King Alric gave a curt nod. "Good. We must remain vigilant. If Varzadia moves against Astellia, we could find ourselves with a choice—to aid them or to stay out of the conflict altogether. Either way, we must be prepared."

The room fell into a heavy silence, each person lost in thought, considering the gravity of the situation. The flickering candlelight danced across their faces, highlighting the worry etched into their features.

King Alric knew they were at a crossroads. Elberia was small, but they could not afford to appear weak. If Varzadia saw them as an easy conquest, they would surely become the next target. But at the same time, they had to consider their position carefully—one wrong move could lead them into a war they were not ready for.

He looked over to his council, his gaze steady. "Prepare the scouts. Tighten the defenses, but do so quietly. And Edmund, begin diplomatic channels. We need to understand what Varzadia’s intentions are—whether they plan to strike Astellia or if we are in their sights."

There were nods of agreement, and the room seemed to come alive once again as the council members moved to carry out their king’s orders. The uncertainty remained, but they now had a plan—a direction to move in.

King Alric only hoped it would be enough.

King Alric had always been known as a cautious ruler, a man who weighed every option before making a decision. But today, he felt a gnawing sense of urgency that he couldn’t shake. The rumors of Varzadia’s preparations had come to him through multiple channels—scouts, spies, even whispers in the marketplace. Something was happening, and he couldn’t afford to be caught unaware.

He paced the length of the war room, his footsteps echoing off the stone floor. His advisors watched him in silence, each of them waiting for his next command.

"If Varzadia is indeed preparing for war," Alric began, his voice carrying across the room, "then we must consider our position. Are we to be neutral observers, or will we be forced into action?"

Sir Edmund cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Your Majesty, if I may, neutrality has kept us safe for many years. If we can remain out of this conflict, it might be our best chance for survival. However, if Varzadia moves against Astellia and succeeds, they may not stop there. They could turn their eyes southward, towards us."

Marshal Hadrien grunted in agreement. "Aye, Your Majesty. We can’t ignore the possibility that Varzadia might see us as a weak link. If they decide to expand their territory, Elberia could be next. We need to prepare our defenses, especially along the northern border."

King Alric paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered their options. "We cannot afford to appear weak, nor can we afford to provoke them. It’s a delicate balance we must strike. Hadrien, I want our forces ready—but discreetly. No large movements, no open displays of power. I want our readiness to be subtle but effective."

Hadrien nodded, his expression resolute. "Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll see to it personally."

Edmund spoke up again, his voice filled with caution. "And what of diplomacy, Your Majesty? Perhaps we can reach out to Varzadia, see if we can gauge their intentions. A formal envoy might give us a sense of their plans—whether they mean to march on Astellia or if they have other targets in mind."

Alric nodded slowly, his mind already turning over the possibilities. "Yes, diplomacy might give us the answers we need. But we must tread carefully. If they sense any hesitation or weakness, it could embolden them. We need someone who can speak for Elberia without giving away our position."

He turned to Edmund, his gaze steady. "I want you to prepare an envoy. Reach out to Varzadia, but be cautious. We need answers, but we cannot afford to show our hand."

Edmund bowed his head, his expression determined. "It will be done, Your Majesty."

Alric took a deep breath, his eyes moving to the map of Varzadia once more. The pieces were all in motion, and the stakes had never been higher. They were a small kingdom, but they were not without strength. They had survived for centuries by being careful, by knowing when to fight and when to negotiate. This time would be no different.

"We must be ready for whatever comes," Alric said, his voice filled with resolve. "Strengthen our borders, prepare our defenses, and reach out diplomatically. We will not be caught off guard."

There was a murmur of agreement from the council, and the room seemed to come alive with renewed purpose. Each member moved to carry out their tasks, the tension in the air replaced by a sense of determination. They had a plan, and now it was time to act.