Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 407: Chasing The Assassins

Chapter 407: Chasing The Assassins

Lyan stood still for a moment, his senses tingling as he felt an instinctive pull from the depths of his mind—a signal from his winter wolves stationed outside the castle. It wasn’t a message conveyed in words or even coherent thoughts. It was more like a wave of primal instinct washing over him. The scent of someone unfamiliar, mingled with the trail of the fleeing noblewoman, was clear in his mind. The wolves had picked up the scent, and they were ready, restless. Time was of the essence.

Lyan’s gaze flickered over to the shattered window. He could feel the excitement in his wolves—the thrill of the hunt, the urgency of pursuit. There was no time for hesitation. Whoever was behind this, whoever had dared to make such a move during the banquet, they needed to be caught. His hands tightened into fists, his decision made in an instant.

Without warning, Lyan darted towards the window. He vaulted over the shattered frame, feeling the rush of the night air as he propelled himself through it. The courtyard was several meters below, but he wasn’t worried about the fall. With a brief flicker of mana, he activated wind magic, the soft glow of his energy enveloping his feet as he descended. He landed effortlessly, the magic cushioning his impact, allowing him to maintain his balance with ease.

He heard the sounds behind him—footsteps, determined and quick. Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of Alice, Emilia, Wilhelmina, Josephine, and Surena following close behind. They didn’t say anything, but their eyes spoke volumes. They were just as determined as he was, ready to back him up no matter the danger.

Alice—nimble as always—moved gracefully, her steps light. Emilia, her greatsword strapped to her back, kept her pace with a confidence that Lyan found reassuring. Wilhelmina, her combat experience evident in every step, moved swiftly across the ground, her face set in concentration. Josephine had a calmness to her, her gaze never wavering from Lyan’s, while Surena followed with her usual composed demeanor, her eyes scanning for any threats.

Lyan sprinted across the castle grounds, his legs pumping as he channeled wind magic to enhance his speed. He could feel the surge of mana flowing through him, propelling him forward faster and faster. His companions followed, their determination evident in their expressions as they kept up with his pace. The cool night air rushed past him, the adrenaline of the chase already starting to kick in. His focus was unwavering.

Ahead, he saw them—the winter wolves. They stood at attention, their ears perked up, growls rumbling low in their throats. Their eyes were locked on something in the distance, something that Lyan couldn’t yet see but could feel. He knew they had picked up the scent—the noblewoman and those fleeing alongside her.

Reaching the wolves, Lyan knelt beside the lead wolf, his hand resting on its head. He could feel its anticipation, its readiness to leap into action. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting his mana flow into the wolf, creating a connection between them. The wolves’ energy pulsed with his, their loyalty to him palpable.

Lyan straightened, his eyes narrowing as he muttered, "Let’s push your limits." He raised his hand, channeling a supportive illusion spell over the wolves. The magic wove around them, and immediately their bodies reacted. Fur bristled, muscles seemed to ripple beneath their skin, and their eyes took on a fierce, predatory glow. It was as if their very beings had transcended their natural limits, their speed and agility increasing to supernatural levels.

The wolves let out a chorus of growls, each one more eager than the next. Lyan couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as he watched them. These creatures were his allies, and they were ready to take down anyone who threatened their pack. He looked at his companions, a small smile playing on his lips. "Let’s catch them," he said quietly, almost to himself.

The wolves lunged forward without hesitation, their paws barely touching the ground as they surged ahead, gaining speed. Lyan followed, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the dark figures fleeing in the distance. He could feel the presence of his companions behind him—their determination, their focus. The chase had begun, and they weren’t about to let these intruders slip away.

The air was crisp, the night dark and oppressive, but there was something exhilarating about the pursuit. Lyan’s heart pounded in his chest, his senses heightened by the rush of adrenaline. The winter wolves moved with fluid grace, their glowing eyes locked onto their targets. The fleeing black-cloaked figures were now in sight—a group of seven, each moving with precision, clearly experienced in evasion.

But they had not anticipated Lyan’s speed. He motioned to Emilia and Josephine, gesturing for them to flank left. Surena received a quick nod to take the right. They moved into position without a word, understanding his plan. They had worked together long enough to understand each other without needing to say anything aloud.

The wolves, boosted by Lyan’s magic, began closing the distance rapidly. Lyan could see the panic starting to set in among the fleeing figures. They glanced back, realizing that they were being chased down far faster than they’d anticipated. Their formation began to falter, and Lyan knew they had them cornered.

Suddenly, one of the black-cloaked figures pulled something from their belt and tossed it towards the ground. A smoke orb burst, releasing a thick black fog that quickly enveloped the area. The world around them was plunged into darkness, and the sounds of confusion filled the air. Lyan’s eyes narrowed as he skidded to a stop, his mind already racing for a solution.

Another figure tossed binding talismans in their direction. The talismans crackled with electricity, surging towards the wolves in an attempt to slow them down. Lyan acted swiftly, his hands moving in intricate gestures as he cast dispel magic. The talismans fizzled out, the electricity dispersing harmlessly into the air. The wolves, with their enhanced reflexes, dodged the smoke, their growls low and threatening.

Through the chaos, Lyan could see the figures attempting to scatter. He wasn’t about to let that happen. He pushed forward, his magic flowing through him as he cleared the smoke with a gust of wind, his eyes locking onto the silhouettes ahead. "Stay on them!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the confusion.

The figures split into pairs, each moving in different directions. Lyan quickly assessed the situation, his eyes narrowing as he made his decision. He motioned with swift gestures, and Wilhelmina and Josephine broke off, following one pair to the left. Alice and Emilia took another path, while Lyan and Surena continued forward, targeting the remaining two.

The wolves split as well, each pair moving alongside Lyan’s companions, their focus unwavering. Lyan poured more mana into his legs, feeling the familiar surge of power that came with his wind magic. The ground blurred beneath him, his eyes narrowing as he tracked the figures ahead. They weren’t going to get away.

One of the cloaked figures suddenly raised their arm, an artifact resembling a bracelet glowing faintly in the dark. There was a pulse of energy, and Lyan felt the ground beneath him shift. Gravity magic. The earth quaked, the force around him increasing, trying to hold him in place.

But Lyan wasn’t alone. Surena, her eyes focused and fierce, moved forward. Her fingers sparked as she cast a lightning strike, sending a bolt of energy straight for the bracelet. The artifact crackled, the gravity field dissipating as the electricity disrupted its magic.

Lyan didn’t hesitate. He moved in, his hands glowing as he channeled binding magic into the ground. Roots burst from the earth, surging forward and wrapping around one of the fleeing figures, pulling them down. The figure struggled, but the roots held firm, binding their arms and legs.

Elsewhere, the battle raged on. Josephine, her eyes blazing with determination, swung her mace with fire swirling around it, forcing one of the fleeing figures to the ground. Wilhelmina, her holy magic illuminating her rapier, moved with precision, each strike calculated and true. Alice wielded her sword with psychokinesis, her magic guiding her strikes as she pushed her opponent back. Emilia, her greatsword in hand, unleashed a torrent of fire magic, her every movement fluid and powerful. Surena danced across the battlefield, her blade slicing through the air, her wind magic enhancing her agility.

Lyan watched as his companions fought, their skills on full display. He felt a surge of pride, his heart swelling with admiration. They were strong, each of them capable in their own way, and together they were unstoppable.

He turned his attention back to the figure struggling in the roots, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. The figure looked up at him, their face obscured by their hood, but Lyan could sense their fear. He knelt down, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Let’s finish this," he said, his words carrying an undeniable weight.