Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 414: The Concern of War

Chapter 414: The Concern of War

Lyan was led by a servant through the winding stone paths of Prince Erich’s estate, his eyes scanning his surroundings with mild interest. The guest residence offered by Erich was indeed lavish. The mansion stood proudly against the backdrop of the starry night, the soft glow of lanterns casting an amber hue on its elegant facade. The architecture was majestic, with tall archways, intricately carved stone, and sprawling courtyards. Tall hedges surrounded the estate, giving it a secluded and private atmosphere.

The servant opened the massive wooden door, and Lyan stepped inside, taking in the sight of the spacious interior. The ceilings were high, adorned with delicate frescoes, and the floors were covered in soft carpets that muted their footsteps. The estate exuded an air of opulence and comfort—a far cry from the battlefield tents and makeshift lodgings he had grown used to.

But there was a heaviness in Lyan’s heart that dulled the beauty of the place. He had brought his companions here—all of them. Xena, Belle, Alina, Josephine, Raine, Ravia, Alice, Emilia, Surena, Wilhelmina, Solia, Clarisse, the mountain tribe women Lara, Tara, and Sigrid, and even the little halfling, Tesha. Each one of them had followed him without question, placing their trust and their lives in his hands. The weight of their loyalty was something Lyan did not take lightly.

He couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had been gnawing at him since they arrived. The war with Varzadia was inevitable, and bringing his loved ones here, into the heart of a brewing storm, was a risk—one that he wasn’t sure was the right choice. He had always been confident in his decisions, but now, for the first time in a long while, doubt lingered in the corners of his mind.

As he moved through the estate, Lyan’s thoughts were consumed by the potential dangers they could face. He knew his women were not helpless—they were warriors, skilled and capable—but the unpredictability of war was something that couldn’t be ignored. He sighed, his brow furrowed as he made his way to the main hall, where he knew they would all be waiting.

The grand room was already alive with the quiet murmur of conversation. The women had gathered around a large table, and as Lyan entered, their eyes turned to him. Wilhelmina, standing near the entrance, noticed the troubled expression on his face. She moved towards him, her steps graceful, her gaze filled with concern.

"Lyan," she called softly, her voice gentle, "What’s on your mind? You seem troubled." She paused in front of him, searching his eyes for an answer.

Lyan let out a slow breath, his eyes meeting hers. "War," he said simply, the weight of that single word evident in his tone. He glanced around the room, at the faces of those who mattered most to him. "It’s inevitable, Wilhelmina. We can’t avoid it any longer. The situation is on the brink, and soon, it will all come crashing down."

Wilhelmina nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "We all knew this was coming," she said. "The Valkyries and I—we are confident in Astellia’s strength. We doubt Varzadia has the capability to overcome us." She gave him a small smile. "You don’t think the same?"

Lyan hesitated, then shook his head. "It’s not that I don’t believe in Astellia’s strength," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I know our forces are strong, and I know we have capable allies. But war... war is never certain. It can change in an instant—all it takes is one mistake, one unexpected move." He paused, his gaze shifting to the window, where the moonlight filtered in. "I’m afraid of the unknown. I’ve learned the hard way that even the most well-laid plans can unravel when faced with the chaos of battle."

Wilhelmina watched him, her eyes softening. Before she could respond, Ravia and Raine joined them, their expressions calm as they approached.

"You’re right to be cautious," Ravia said, her silver eyes sharp. "War isn’t something to take lightly, and until we have the full picture, it’s wise to be careful."

Raine nodded, her gaze serious. "But that’s why we’re doing everything we can to gather information." She glanced at Lyan, her lips curling into a faint smile. "We’re already taking steps, Lyan. We’re not going in blind."

Lyan’s eyes flickered between them, and he nodded slowly. "What do you mean?"

Ravia exchanged a quick glance with her sister before turning back to him. "We’ve scouted the perimeter," she said. "We’ve been attending noble gatherings secretly, keeping an ear out for anything of interest. Raine and I have collected intel on Varzadia’s plans and the movements of their forces."

Lyan felt a swell of gratitude for their efforts, his expression softening. "You’ve done well," he said, his voice sincere. "It puts my mind at ease to know you’re being so proactive."

Raine smiled, her eyes twinkling slightly. "We can’t let you have all the stress, now, can we?"

As they spoke, Alina, Xena, and Belle approached, their eyes filled with determination. Xena was the first to speak, her tone confident. "We went to some taverns," she said, her arms crossed over her chest. "Mercenaries love to drink and talk, and we got some valuable information from them about Varzadia’s movements."

Alina nodded in agreement. "Most of it is rumors, of course, but there’s enough consistency between what we heard to give us an idea of what’s going on." She gave Lyan a reassuring smile. "We’re doing what we can, Lyan. You don’t have to carry this burden alone."

Belle stepped forward, her gaze softening. "The taverns were lively, and people were eager to talk, especially after a few drinks." She shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Some of them seemed to know things they shouldn’t, and we were more than willing to listen."

Lyan felt a warmth in his chest at their support, the doubt that had plagued him starting to ebb away. He turned to Josephine, who stood nearby, her eyes thoughtful.

"I visited an old friend," she said, her voice steady. "He’s well connected with certain influential people. He gave me some insight into the political landscape—the alliances that might be forming, and the tensions that could lead to betrayal."

Lyan nodded, his expression serious. "You’ve all done well," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "With the information you’ve gathered, we’ll be able to better prepare ourselves for what’s to come. I guess it’s no longer the time to worry but to prepare,"

They all moved to the main hall, a large, richly decorated room with tall windows that allowed the moonlight to spill in, casting a silvery glow over the polished floors. The group gathered around a large table, their expressions serious as they prepared for their strategy meeting.

Lyan took a moment to ensure that the estate was properly secured. The winter wolves patrolled the front yard, their keen senses alert for any sign of danger. Fifty acid ant soldiers were stationed at various strategic points, both inside and outside the estate, ready to defend their master. Four armored hobgoblin skeletons stood guard at the main door and the front entrance, their hollow eyes glowing faintly. Six shadow servants moved silently around the perimeter, hidden in the darkness, ever watchful for threats.

As Lyan finished his inspection, he returned to the main hall, where the women were already gathered. Alice stood at the head of the table, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the group. Known as the "Small General," Alice had earned her title for her keen strategic mind, and Lyan knew that her insights would be invaluable.

Alice cleared her throat, her voice cutting through the quiet room. "Based on the information we’ve gathered," she began, "I predict that war will start within the week. Varzadia will likely make their move sooner, probably in the next two days, while Astellia is still debating its response. They’re trying to take advantage of our hesitation."

Emilia and Surena, standing near the table, exchanged glances. Emilia grinned, her eyes filled with admiration. "As expected of the Small General," she said, her voice warm. Surena nodded in agreement, her expression proud. "You’re as sharp as ever, Alice."

Wilhelmina, who stood beside them, smiled warmly at Alice. "You are as bright as always," she said, her voice sincere. The compliment brought a faint blush to Alice’s cheeks, and she pouted slightly, her gaze dropping. Lyan couldn’t help but chuckle softly, reaching out to pat Alice’s head, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Don’t get embarrassed now," Lyan teased, his voice gentle. Alice looked up, her blush deepening, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.

The mood lightened for a moment before the seriousness of their situation returned, the group focusing once more on the discussion at hand. They weighed their options, considering the pros and cons of different strategies. The topic of Grafen’s forces came up, and Lyan’s brow furrowed as they debated whether to deploy them sooner rather than later.

"If we move too soon," Josephine said, her eyes narrowing in thought, "we risk exposing our hand. Varzadia could easily adapt their plans if they know our forces are mobilizing."

Alina nodded, her expression serious. "But waiting too long could mean losing the element of surprise. If Varzadia strikes first and we’re not ready, it could cost us."

The group fell into a contemplative silence, each weighing the potential outcomes. Finally, Lyan spoke, his voice calm. "We should maintain a passive stance for now," he said. "We’ll follow Prince Erich’s lead. He has a good grasp of the situation, and acting independently could draw unwanted attention."

Alice nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "I agree. That commander guy called Arnold is perceptive. He understands the delicate balance we’re trying to maintain. If we make any moves now, it could jeopardize our plans." She paused, her gaze shifting to Lyan. "You should avoid using your summoner abilities unless absolutely necessary. We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves."

Wilhelmina nodded, her eyes meeting Lyan’s. "She’s right," she said. "You should only reveal your summoning prowess if you are formally recognized at the level of Count rank or higher. Until then, it’s better to fight alone if possible. Minimizing suspicion is crucial."

Lyan sighed, nodding slowly as he took in their advice. He knew they were right. His summoner abilities were powerful, but they also made him a target. If Varzadia realized the full extent of his capabilities, it could change the entire course of the war—and not necessarily in their favor.

"Noted," Lyan said, his voice carrying a hint of warmth. He looked around the room, his gaze lingering on each of the women who had followed him, supported him, and trusted him. "I guess this is all for today," he said, a small smile touching his lips. "Let’s all have a deep rest tonight. We’ll need our strength for whatever comes next."

The tension in the room seemed to ease at his words, the women nodding in agreement as they began to disperse, their expressions softening. Lyan watched as they moved, his heart swelling with a sense of gratitude and pride. He knew the days ahead would be challenging—but with them by his side, he felt ready to face whatever came their way.

He turned towards the window, his gaze drifting to the night sky. The moon hung high above, its light bathing the world in a silvery glow. The calm before the storm, he thought, his expression turning contemplative. He had been through many battles, faced countless enemies, but this—this was different. This was a fight not just for survival, but for the future of everything he held dear.

And for that, he would give everything he had.