Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 426: The Southest Front (2) Smooth Progress

Chapter 426: The Southest Front (2) Smooth Progress

The sun had just begun to climb above the horizon, casting a soft, golden light across the open terrain that stretched out before Lyan’s advancing forces. The southeastern border was still some distance away, but its looming presence was palpable, a reminder of the contested territory they were about to enter. The weather was mild—a rare blessing—and the gentle breeze carried with it a sense of both trepidation and determination. Every step forward was a statement, a message that Astellia would not be taken without a fight.

Alice led from the front, her figure upright and proud as she sat atop her dark chestnut horse. Her armor caught the morning sunlight, reflecting it in fleeting flashes. Her voice rang out across the line of soldiers, crisp and confident. She issued commands with the kind of authority that demanded respect, her words sharp and direct. The troops moved seamlessly, each unit in sync, their steps forming a steady rhythm that spoke of training and trust.

"Maintain formation!" Alice called out. "Keep your lines tight, eyes forward! We march as one!"

The soldiers responded without hesitation, their confidence bolstered by her presence. They had heard stories of Alice, the "Small General" of the Valkyries, and her leadership was already proving to be everything they’d expected. Lyan watched her from a distance, a small, approving smile playing on his lips. There was something about Alice—a blend of determination and fire—that made her an exceptional leader.

He rode beside her at times, his gaze constantly scanning the horizon. His presence was different from Alice’s—less commanding, more reassuring. He moved through the ranks, taking time to speak with the soldiers personally. He leaned down from his horse to exchange a few words with a nervous young man holding a spear.

"How are you holding up?" Lyan asked, his voice calm, almost casual.

The young soldier’s eyes widened for a moment before he nodded. "Good, my lord. I’m ready."

Lyan smiled, nodding. "That’s what I like to hear. Remember, you’re not alone out here. Every one of us is in this together—protect your comrades, and they’ll protect you."

The soldier straightened, his shoulders relaxing a little. "Yes, my lord. Thank you."

Lyan moved on, offering words of encouragement to others as he passed. He spoke of their families waiting back home, of the land they were defending, of the people who counted on them. His tone was measured, calm, but filled with a quiet strength that resonated with the troops. It was in moments like these that Lyan’s true talent as a leader shone through—his ability to inspire, to make each person feel like they were a vital part of something much larger.

Riding up alongside Alice again, Lyan gave her a nod. "You’re doing well," he said.

Alice glanced at him, her lips curling into a slight smile. "It’s easy when the soldiers know what’s at stake. They’re ready to fight for Astellia."

"They’re ready because you make them believe they can win," Lyan replied. He shifted his gaze back to the line of soldiers, watching as they moved in unison. He couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. They were strong, they were united, and they were prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

"Eyes on the horizon," Alice said, her voice dropping slightly as she looked towards the southeastern border. "We’re getting closer. Stay sharp, everyone."

The terrain began to change as they approached the border, the ground becoming more uneven, with small hills rising in the distance. The soldiers’ steps remained steady, their determination undiminished by the changing landscape. Lyan rode back towards the center of the line, continuing to move through the ranks, exchanging words, offering reassurances, reminding them all of what they were fighting for.

Not far behind, Josephine, Raine, Ravia, Lara, Tara, and Sigrid marched alongside the rest of the force, each of them displaying their own unique personalities as they interacted with the soldiers. Josephine, ever the calm and comforting presence, walked with her head held high, her eyes scanning the troops. When she noticed a soldier struggling with his gear, she stepped up, giving him a pat on the shoulder and a warm smile.

"You’re doing fine," she said. "Remember, every step forward brings us closer to victory."

The soldier gave her a grateful smile, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he adjusted his grip on his shield.

Raine and Ravia, meanwhile, moved with a different kind of energy. They walked near the archers, exchanging jokes and playful banter. Raine’s laughter rang out, light and cheerful, a stark contrast to the tension that hung over the march.

"Bet you can’t hit a target from horseback," Raine teased one of the archers, her eyes glinting with mischief.

The archer smirked, shaking his head. "Oh, you’re on. Just wait until we get a chance to show off."

Ravia rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Focus, Raine. We’re not here to win bets."

"Maybe not, but a little fun doesn’t hurt, sis," Raine shot back, giving Ravia a playful nudge.

Lara, Tara, and Sigrid moved together, their presence a source of steady strength. They were no longer the silent mountain tribe women they had once been. Their voices were clear and confident as they spoke to the soldiers around them, reminding them of their training, their shared goals.

"We stand together, no matter what," Lara said, her voice steady. "A single stone can be moved, but a mountain stands firm."

Tara nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "We’re all part of that mountain. Each of us matters."

Sigrid gave a small smile, her eyes reflecting a quiet determination. "We fight for each other. That’s what makes us strong."

The soldiers around them seemed to draw strength from their words, their resolve solidifying as they continued their march. It was these moments—these small interactions—that forged the bonds that would carry them through the battles to come. The unity, the camaraderie, was palpable, a force that could not be easily broken.

Back at the base camp, Wilhelmina moved with purpose, her eyes scanning the rows of supply caravans that had been assembled. She was meticulous in her work, ensuring that all provisions—food, weapons, medical supplies—were accounted for and ready. Every detail mattered, and she wasn’t willing to leave anything to chance.

"Double-check the inventory," she instructed one of the logisticians, her tone firm but not unkind. "We can’t afford any shortages out there."

The man nodded, moving quickly to follow her orders. Wilhelmina sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the distant horizon where Lyan and the others were advancing. She knew that every piece of equipment, every loaf of bread, mattered in the grand scheme of things. They were not only fighting for victory but also ensuring their survival.

"It’s a good thing we’re not shouldering all of this on our own budget," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "Lyan’s barony is still growing—having to provide for this campaign would’ve drained us completely."

Near the perimeter of the camp, Belle and Xena worked alongside Tesha and Solia, their focus on fortifying the camp’s defenses. Belle led the mages, her voice calm as she directed them to create magical barriers around the camp. Her hands moved gracefully, weaving spells that shimmered with energy, forming protective layers that would deter any potential attackers.

"Reinforce the barrier on the western side," Belle called out, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "We need to cover every vulnerable point."

Xena, meanwhile, worked with the engineers, her eyes sharp as she oversaw the construction of ballistae and the preparation of defensive traps. She moved quickly, her commands precise, her presence a steadying influence.

"Make sure those ballistae are ready to fire at a moment’s notice," Xena said, her gaze sweeping over the engineers. "If anything happens, we need to be ready."

Tesha and Solia worked together, organizing supplies and setting up areas for treating the wounded. Tesha’s small hands moved with surprising strength as she helped move crates of medical supplies, her expression focused.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the edge of the camp. Wilhelmina turned, her eyes widening as she saw Abraham approaching, his expression urgent. With him were Ravia and Raine, their faces flushed from exertion. They moved quickly towards the command tent, drawing the attention of everyone around them.

Wilhelmina’s brow furrowed as she made her way towards them, her expression a mixture of concern and focus. Abraham’s usually composed demeanor was now tinged with urgency, and that alone was enough to make her uneasy.

"Abraham, what’s going on?" she called out as she approached.

Abraham didn’t waste any time. He stepped forward, his gaze sharp, and gave a quick, respectful nod. "We’ve just returned from a scouting mission, Lady Wilhelmina. There’s a serious issue. Varzadian reinforcements are advancing towards Lyan’s forces faster than we anticipated, and they’re larger in number than we had expected."