Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love

People are afraid of rain.

It's not because of the sickness that might come from it.

It's not because of the annoying wetness.

Then why are people afraid of them?

It's because rather than coming one by one, they came together in a rush.

Followed by the darkness supporting them, the countless drops of water forced all creatures to hide and take shelter to hide from them.

As the rain got stronger, the winds blows even fiercer, while lightning and thunder appeared, forming ominous lights in the sky whenever they appeared.

The sound of thunder that seems to be the deep voice belonging to the skies instills fear among the ones who hear them, but for the ones that are not bothered by them, are scared by something other than the lightning and thunder that the rain brings.

It's the surfacing memories of their nightmares.

Slowly, droplets of water started to drop from the sky.

Strong wind blows, and the dark clouds gather above the capital city like a bad omen.

Eventually, more and more water dropped with much more considerable force, and the capital of the Astellia Kingdom got basked with the sky water.

Rumblings of thunder, and bolts of lightning that seem to be the god's spear that appeared to threaten the sinners appear all over the place. The city that was lively just an hour ago went silent and the whole city got enveloped by the sound of thundering rain.

"Talking about a coincidence... Just when I was thinking to clear my head from that nightmare, this suddenly appeared..." Lyan that is staring at the outside from the window made a wry smile as the rain completely foiled his plans. He already put his cloak on, and it's visible that he's ready to go out anytime he like. The only thing that halts his steps is the sudden appearance of the rain.

He immediately cut off all the connections with the grimoire's space to avoid unnecessary and annoying comments that might come from them. usually, it's easy for him to set their questions easily and skillfully, but he's currently not in the mood to respond to their curiosity.

"Well, it will give me no good if I stay here and continue to get stuck in those memories. I guess I'll just go and went through the rain," (Lyan)

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Inside the Ravindor residence inside the capital city of the Astellia kingdom, the duke himself is sitting behind his working desk inside his dark working room. The sky is not dark because of night, but it's dark because of the heavy rain falling outside. But despite so, he didn't light up the room and remained sitting at his sit while folding his arms with his eyes shut.

Suddenly, he asked towards the empty space as if he were speaking with a person.

"Is that true? The news about that mercenary that slain the goblin king, Evocatore currently inside the capital," Without opening his eyes, he asked solemnly to the empty space.

"According to our men, they last saw him at the previous town before losing track of him. Considering his aim of going to the Astellia Kingdom's capital before going further to the north, today and several days ahead will be the approximation of the time he arrived inside the city," A voice appeared from the darkness. His words are filled with respect and it's clear from his voice how loyal he is towards the duke.

"How about you? What are your personal thoughts?" The Duke squinted in a certain direction.

"I greatly believe that he's currently inside this capital city, your excellency. Considering how fast he is in his steps, and how swiftly he makes plans, it's very likely that he's currently inside this city," The man reported with a monotonous voice.

"Crow," The Duke opened both of his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed, and a tremendous pressure suddenly appeared inside the room. It is as if the darkness itself shivered in face of the tremendous pressure emitted by the duke as he sharply gazed toward his front.

"Y-Yes, your excellency?" (Crow)

"Tell me, do you think that it is very likely for him to be here? Or do think that he's definitely inside this capital city at this very moment? Don't give me a vague reply!" The duke raise his voice, and it felt like the darkness inside the room slightly jolted when he said the last line.

"Y-Yes, your excellency. I firmly believe that he's currently inside the capital city of Astellia," The hint of fear could be sensed in the man's voice.

Listening to Crow's words, the Duke stands from his seat and hits the table.

*Thud!*

A visible crack could be seen. Crow thought that he has just given him another wrong response, but when he saw the look of the Duke in front of him, he realized that the reason why he slam the table is not because of anger.

With a fearless smile filled with excitement, the Duke voiced his command.

"Spread out all of our men! Circle the city, don't let anyone you think might be his leave! Then search for him all over the city without alarming the other factions! Now, move!!" (Duke Ravindor)

"Yes!" Crow immediately vanished after getting his orders, and went to organize his underlings swiftly to follow the orders of their master.

Inside the room, being left alone, the Duke is making a fearless smile as he sits while looking at the window outside.

"Evocatore... I'm going to make you my sword to victory..." (Duke Ravindor)

******************************************************

On the other side, inside the royal castle of the Astellia kingdom, the crown prince is standing before his loyal subjects with a sharp look on his face.

"Duke Ravindor's men are on the move? Are you sure about that, Julius?" (Erich)

"Yes, your highness. I got the report directly from my closest aide. It happened so suddenly and we still didn't know what is his motive for instructing his members of [Crows] to suddenly move. I believe it will be best to strengthen the defense of the castle especially to this room in case of unwanted things happening, your highness," Julius replied as he kneels. His face is grim, and he's ready to dispatch any moment with just a single order from his master.

After the case with the [Crows] under the command of the Duke Ravindor at the subjugation of the goblin king, Julius has been commanding his men to keep an eye on the Duke, and track the stealthy men under him. To make sure that such an occurrence that might threaten the life of the crown prince won't happen again, he swiftly commands his men and make countermeasures in order to avoid the worst thing of happening.

But in face of such a report, the crown prince, Erich, just shifted his gaze to the side and stared at the outside of the window with a sharp look. It doesn't seem that he has any fear of getting attacked by Duke Ravindor's men.

"Your highness-" His head private guard called him in concern, but the crown prince's eyes remain sharp.

"Vilgira, widen our surveillance to the perimeter of the castle. Julius, spread your men and make sure that you won't take your eyes off the Duke's men," Erich gave out his commands calmly.

"Widening our defense? Why, your highness? It's too dangerous-" (Julius)

"His aim this time is not me, Julius. Now that I think about it, it should be around this time," Erich uttered as he stands and stared out the window with a smile.

"What is, your highness?" (Vilgira)

"The arrival of that guy inside our proud capital. It seems that the Duke had set his eyes on him as well. As the host of the place, it will be embarrassing for us to have our guest's fun tour getting disturbed. Do you understand what I'm talking about?" Erich stared at both Vilgira and Julius.

The both of them became the head of the private guard and the captain of the royal knights not for nothing. They immediately understand what the prince meant, and bowed their head as they kneel.

"Make sure that he won't get any bad impressions about our proud capital, drive off the Duke's men if they try to disturb him. This is my royal command!" (Erich)

""Yes, your highness!" (Julius and Vilgira)

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary

Money: 3,797,710,950 Elnes / 3797 gold 71 big silver 9 big coppers 5 coppers

Weapon: Magic Glaive, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 1 (Decent) bow

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, Breastplate, 2 Health Potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, 3 Valkyrie, Shadow Goblin Lord (Lv. 5), Papilio Slime (Lv. 45), Galewing Butterfly (Lv. 45), Rock Golem (Lv. 50), Deadlight (Lv. 63), Moonlight Butterfly (Lv. 45), Ice Golem (Lv. 50), Acid Ant Queen (Lv. 9), Magma Bear (Lv. 1), Fey Mammoth (Lv. 1), Arcane Retriever (Lv. 1)

Grimoire's Army: 6 Shadow Servants, 800 Skeleton Army