Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love

The night is peaceful, and Lyan and company got their full rest along the night. He was rather skeptical at first, but when he went outside the house to practice, he didn't sense any unfamiliar presence approaching or spying on them.

After sparring with Wilhelmina and getting satisfied with his progress in wielding his summonable creatures' magic, he went to sleep without having to get worried about sudden danger. But of course, he still leaves some of Hobu's shadow servants to guard the perimeter and inside the house.

(But that girl, she's capable of seeing through my illusions so easily. It's her innate talent, I guess?) (Lyan)

Lyan is quite surprised when he saw her clapping while staring at him calmly. He has already cast the illusion magic around him beforehand, yet she could see through his illusion as if there is no magic, to begin with. Normal people shouldn't be able to sense the mana residue from his spells in the first place because of the barrier he cast around the perimeter where he's going to practice, yet she managed to sense his presence and traces of mana from his direction.

"Very interesting..." Lyan uttered as he stared at the scenery outside the window of his room.

"Mh... Master... I don't want to go... The north... Is too cold... I will... Die...." A cute voice that seems to be delirious sounded from the bed. Reacting to the voice, Lyan shifted his gaze toward the small girl that is lying on the bed horizontally, taking up the space of the bed.

"This girl's bad habit of sleeping is getting worst by each day..." Lyan uttered bitterly as he stared at Tesha's ridiculous sleeping position.

"Should I throw her out?" Lyan uttered under his breath in a small voice.

"Please... Don't... I'll be... A good girl..." Tesha replied with a small voice.

"OI. You're awake, aren't you?" (Lyan)

.

.

.

"Oi," Lyan poked on her cheeks, but rather than waking up, the girl made a strange and creepy smile instead.

"She's asleep?" Lyan furrowed his eyebrows and observes her for a while longer, but she doesn't seem to be showing the tiniest hint of waking up.

"So she's asleep, huh? Then I guess she won't get any breakfast. Even though the breakfast today is delicious," Lyan said with a sigh as he opened the door, and suddenly-

Tesha's eyes suddenly opened wide with surprise. She then immediately sat up with all her strength, looking around for something that she may find useful.

"Ah. Did I wake you up, Tesha?" Lyan asked with a calm voice.

"A-Ah! Y-You didn't, master!" Tesha uttered in excitement.

Looking at her expression, it's bare to Lyan that she's been feigning her sleep all this time.

(This little brat...) (Lyan)

It's impressive that she could fool him into thinking that she really is sleeping, but at the same time, it annoyed him that he was about to feel sorry for making her too tired for her.

"Go back to sleep. It's still too early," (Lyan)

"N-No! There is no need for me to sleep again, master! I'm fully awake already!! See!? See!?" Tesha raise her body and made some lively movements.

"Today will be another exhausting day. Go to sleep so that you won't get sick. I'll throw you out if you got sick, you hear me?" Lyan pressed on telling her to sleep.

"I-I won't... Sick..." The word about the delicious food still motivates her to wake up, but she didn't know whether she would suddenly get sick or not. And if in the worst case, she suddenly got sick, and getting thrown away by her current master that could be said the best master she would ever have would mean the end of her life.

"I..." Tesha's eyes get teary because of her thoughts. She want the food and don't want to sleep, but she didn't want to get thrown away by Lyan in case if she suddenly got sick.

"Ouch!" Tesha holds her forehead that suddenly got flicked by Lyan.

"It's your punishment for pretending to be asleep. Go and have some breakfast, I won't throw you even if you get sick so go," (Lyan)

!!!

Tesha's face brightens in an instant.

"Thank you, master!!" The little half-halfling half-human girl immediately runs outside and went to the dining room, only to stare emptily at the empty table.

"Ah. I forgot to tell her. The thing about the food is only a lie," (Lyan)

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Erich, the crown prince of Astellia, scanned the room filled with the kingdom's nobles as they mingled with each other at the grand event. Dressed in his finest royal garb, he knew that this event was more than just a social gathering. It was an opportunity to show his leadership skills and solidify his claim to the throne.

However, his attention was quickly drawn to the Duke Ravindor, one of the most powerful and influential nobles in the kingdom. The Duke's open ambition to usurp the throne due to the king's illness was well-known, and it was clear he was trying to use this event to his advantage.

The Duke was surrounded by his own retinue of loyal nobles, laughing and sharing stories over glasses of wine. Erich couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the sight.

"Your Highness," a soft voice called out, drawing his attention to a nearby noble. "May I have the honor of a dance?"

Erich turned to see Lady Alexandra, one of the most eligible bachelorettes in the kingdom. With a polite smile, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

As they danced, Erich kept an eye on Duke Ravindor, who seemed to be surveying the room with a calculating gaze. Erich couldn't help but wonder what schemes the Duke was hatching in his mind.

"So, Your Highness," Lady Alexandra began, breaking him from his thoughts. "What brings you to this event? Is it merely for the social gathering, or is there something more?"

Erich smiled, knowing that Lady Alexandra was a shrewd noble who could see through the political games of the kingdom. "I am here to fulfill my duties as the prince, of course," he said. "And to see what my potential enemies are up to."

"Ah, the wolf Duke," Lady Alexandra said with a knowing nod. "He is quite the ambitious man, isn't he?"

Erich nodded, watching as the Duke moved through the room with an air of confidence. "Yes, he is. But I will not let his schemes come to fruition."

As the dance ended, Erich bid Lady Alexandra farewell and made his way to the Duke, who was surrounded by his loyal followers.

"Duke Ravindor," Erich greeted him with a polite smile. "I am glad to see you have graced us with your presence."

The Duke smirked, eyeing Erich with a challenging glint in his eye. "It is only right that I show my support for the kingdom and its nobles," he said. "After all, we are all in this together, are we not?"

Erich raised an eyebrow, sensing the underlying threat in the Duke's words. "Of course, Duke Ravindor. But it is important that we work together for the good of the kingdom, and not for personal gain."

The Duke chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "Oh, Your Highness, you must learn that in politics, personal gain is what drives us all."

Erich's smile faltered, his grip tightening on his wine glass. "I disagree, Duke Ravindor. Personal gain only leads to corruption and downfall. We must think of the greater good."

The Duke raised his glass in a toast, his eyes never leaving Erich's. "We shall see, Your Highness. We shall see."

Erich waited for a moment before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "I appreciate your concern for the well-being of the kingdom, Duke Ravindor. However, as the Crown Prince, it is my responsibility to ensure the stability and security of the kingdom, and I assure you that I am fully capable of handling any challenges that may arise."

The Duke sneered. "Is that so? And what do you exactly mean by that, your highness?"

Upon the Duke's sneer, Erich's grip loosened and his calm returned. "It means that by that responsibility that I hold, I need to ensure the safety of the people and the country, and prevent any potential harm that might befall us."

"Harm?" Duke Ravindor's face contorted before the prince's confident smile. 

"Yes. So in order to do so, I will need to remove the threats either outside or inside the kingdom, Duke. I believe that you understand the meaning contained within my words," The crown prince uttered with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

___________________________________________________________________________

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), Winter Wolf Alpha (Lv. 12)

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