Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love

"Well, that's my definition of 'Freedom', I guess," Lyan uttered under his breath. He's folding his arms as he lay his back on a tree with his eyes closed when he replied to Hestia, oblivious to some of the other members of the elite group that are staring at him with dubious stares.

The separation with the main army and the advance towards the goblin king's lair through the different routes is proceeding smoothly without a hitch. As planned, they are taking an early rest, and will march at full speed towards the goblin king's lair early in the morning.

Since the goblins have a great night vision, commencing battle with them at night will only put them in a disadvantageous position. That's the reason why the march will be continued in the morning.

Everyone had already had the tents and the campfire readied. They've just finished eating some dried meats and hard loaves of bread as rations, and most of them are busy conversing with each other together with the royal knights from the Astellia Kingdom.

(Ah... Now I remember. When Griselda introduced herself, she mentioned a thing about her being a knight from the Astellia Kingdom, didn't she?) (Lyan)

(Oh. I thought you were just feigning ignorance. It turns out that you completely forgot about it, didn't you?) (Hestia)

(Well, sorry for that. Her aggressive behavior made me miss the other details about her. Did she perhaps tell you guys about her past?) (Lyan)

(Of course not. Obviously, none of us share that kind of crucial secret with each other. But about her, you see...) (Hestia)

(What is it?) (Lyan)

(You know that most of us died in a different timeline than the current age, right? I happened to know about the city of Arkansas because it's a city that had been existed since a long time ago. It's just a hunch. But that Griselda girl, it seems that she died not that long ago) (Hestia)

(I see... But I haven't heard any reaction from her yet, though) (Lyan)

If Griselda really died not long ago from the current time, then most of her acquaintances must be alive, and she would have reacted when the name the Astellia Kingdom was mentioned.

(Well, I don't know if it's just her luck, but whenever the Astellia Kingdom is mentioned, she's not in the living room. But rather than her, you know what my greatest concern is, right?) (Hestia)

(I understand. What you mean is, it's very likely that the reason why she died is still roaming around near, right?) (Lyan)

As Lyan had already seen the death scenes of all of the spirits, Lyan knew that all of them died because of being killed, rather than dying because of an accident or old age.

Considering Griselda's strength, the one who killed her must have a strength at least comparable to her. Not to mention that Lyan is currently having contact with the Astellia Kingdom through the subjugation quest. Without asking Griselda who killed her, all of those who are connected to the Astellia Kingdom is a possible suspects as Griselda's Killer.

(Not much reaction, huh) (Hestia)

(Well, with you, spirits, with me, it's almost certain that we could win, right? And it's not like we'll be encountering her killer so suddenly anyway. If we happen to meet him) (Lyan)

"It might be troublesome, but I'll figure things out," Lyan replied as a mysterious smile imprinted on his face. At that moment-

"Whoa! What is that nasty smile!? You're thinking about Belle's and the others' bodies, aren't you!?" Raine's accusing words entered Lyan's ears.

"I'm not. But that's a good idea," Lyan replied without opening his eyes.

"You're not joining the others in their conversation, Lyan?" (Ravia)

"I don't have enough social energy to spare, right now, so I'll pass. If you want to join them, there is no need to worry about me. I'm going in the tent shortly anyway," (Lyan)

*Rustle!* *Rustle!*

"Hm?" Lyan squinted his eyes as he felt contact from both of his arms.

"What are you two sitting next to me for...? There are lots of space to sit around us..." (Lyan)

"There are two beautiful girls sitting next to you, you should be grateful and enjoy it rather than complaining, don't you think? Well, I'm more like a handsome girl, though," (Ravia)

"Well, well, Lyan. Consider this as your reward for noticing the swarm of red goblins from behind," (Raine)

"Is that so? Then I'll be enjoying the company of you beautiful girls then," (Lyan)

The three of them converse for a while before a figure suddenly approached the three of them.

"That's rare. I never saw Raine and Ravia actively conversing with a guy so closely before," (Emilia)

Looking at Emilia and the other Valkyries that are approaching, Ravia and Raine adjust their position and sit slightly away from Lyan.

(Are they embarrassed?) (Lyan)

According to Ravia, the Valkyries are on good terms with the madam since they used to learn to fight with her, and often visit the house to converse with the madam and Abraham. Obviously, they became friendly with the two of them as well.

"We just happened to be on very friendly terms with him, lady Emilia," Ravia replied with the business smile she use for the house's customers.

"Are you done teasing William?" (Lyan)

"Well, he's sitting together with a scary bunch wearing the hoods of their cloaks, so it's a little bit hard for me to approach them, you know?" (Emilia)

Lyan shifted his gaze towards William and saw that he was talking about something with the cloaked people with a serious look.

"I see. So that's why you came here," (Lyan)

"Of course not, Lyan. We're here because we're interested to talk with you as well. It's unfair to be so friendly just with the two of them, right?" (Surena)

As Surena takes a seat a distance in front of Lyan, Emilia and Alice follow her lead as well, and sit on the ground. It looks like a normal scene for other people, they look like they are genuinely interested in talking with Lyan and gathered around him. But Lyan noticed a hidden message from their eyes.

"Let's be blunt, did you all sense it as well?" Lyan's question is vague, but if they sensed the same thing that he had been sensing for a while, then they would understand what he meant.

"Yeah. So you sensed it as well," Surena still wore her friendly smile that didn't match the serious topic to prevent doubt from the other group.

"Raine and I had tried to locate the source of the gaze, but we're unable to find it. is it something sort of magic?" (Ravia)

"I guess so," (Lyan)

As they pitch the tents and eat, Lyan does his work while focusing his mind on the sights of the shadow hobgoblin, but despite so, he didn't find any presence or even a single shadow of the source of the gaze.

"It was just one yesterday, but it felt like there is more today. But the time you enter your tent, it disappears. So it's very likely that whatever looking at us isn't capable of looking inside our tent," (Lyan)

"You sensed it yesterday as well? In our case, we started to sense the strange feeling about at the time when we light the campfire," (Alice)

"Yeah. I've sensed it since yesterday. So what's the plan?" Lyan asked the three of them bluntly. Since they approached him by trying to make sure whether he sensed it as well, they must have some kind of plan regarding it.

"If you've been getting watched for that long, the goblins wouldn't have sent us those groups. They would have an accurate information about our position and our number, after all. If it were from the goblin party, they would have intercepted us in a more effective way. So it's very likely that the one who is spying on us is not on the goblin's side," (Alice)

"So we can't really trust anyone since we don't really know what the motive of the surveillance is, huh..." (Lyan)

"Yeah. You caught up very quick, huh," (Alice)

"So what will you do, Lyan?" (Surena)

"Well, setting aside the reason why the three of you trust me so easily, I guess there is no need to be so alarmed for tonight. Since nothing really happened at the day before as well, tonight should be safe as well. But it's better to keep in mind to be extra cautious on tomorrow's plan," (Lyan)

"You're right. I have the feeling that the real problem will truly come out tomorrow as well. I guess we should quickly take a rest to make sure we're in a top condition tomorrow," (Surena)

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Gold-ranked Mercenary

Money: 49,722,400 Elnes

Weapon: None

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 2 Health Potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin, Papilio Slime, Galewing Butterfly, Rock Golem, Deadlight, Moonlight Butterfly, Ice Golem