For Legolas, this elf who had unreservedly demonstrated combat techniques to him and even helped him unlock a new mod, Levi offered a golden apple as repayment.
Elves seemed to quite like this thing—beautiful and practical.
Although he'd been giving out quite a few golden apples lately, Levi really didn't know what else he could offer as thanks. This was the most suitable gift item in his backpack, and he had relatively large quantities of it.
Speaking of which, probably no one could refuse golden apples—they hit the aesthetic sweet spot for most creatures. Even orcs would say they were good.
After unlocking basic swordsmanship, Levi stopped going to the training grounds, which puzzled Legolas somewhat. Why did this person stop learning after just one day?
However, what comforted this temporary instructor was that Levi often went to the nearby areas afterward to cut down some spiders and wandering orcs.
Although he always muttered about "farming drops" or something—no one knew what that meant—all the elves could see his actions. Regardless, what he did benefited the Woodland Realm, and that alone was worthy of respect.
"Today's drop rate is really high."
In the forest, Levi cut down another spider, his face showing satisfaction despite the difficulty.
Over the past few days, he'd killed over a hundred spiders of various sizes, cleared several nests, and his backpack was nearly full of spider eyes. Yet he'd only gotten one basic sword skill and one dodge skill orb.
After upgrading basic sword skills to level two and dodge to level one, Levi sheathed his sword and returned to the Woodland Realm.
Tomorrow would be the Feast of Starlight, and also the appointed day to gather.
"I've detected many orcs lying in ambush at the eastern border of the forest. They seem to be searching for something."
The eastern side of the woodland was the river leading to Lake-town, also an important trade route for the elves. Having orcs entrenched there was definitely not good news.
Returning to the palace, Levi brought this intelligence to the king. After receiving assurance that Thranduil would take it seriously, he set out for the fortress of Dol Guldur.
The day after Levi left, a feast was held in the Woodland Realm. Elves carried barrel after barrel of wine to the banquet hall, raising cups in celebration.
However, on this joyous day, bad news arrived.
"Those dwarves have escaped."
Upon hearing this news, Thranduil lost his mood for drinking and set his wine cup aside.
"Legolas, you lead the team and go..."
As if suddenly remembering something, the king paused, then continued: "Go clear out the orcs in that area. Don't let them disturb our feast."
"What about the dwarves?"
Legolas asked.
"Don't worry about them. Let them follow the river. Whether they live or die is their own affair—I don't care."
"Also, when clearing out the orcs, remember to bring back one alive. I have questions to ask."
Though he had many doubts, Legolas still accepted the order and led a team of elves toward the river mouth.
The king sat on his throne, deep in thought.
Dol Guldur, once a dwelling place of the woodland elves, had remained abandoned since the elves migrated north in the Second Age.
However, in the Third Age, an evil force had occupied this place.
It appeared dilapidated and was surrounded by silence, as if nothing was active there. But this was all just a facade to deceive the outside world. Even the rumors of a "Necromancer" might have been deliberately spread to confuse and buy more time for development.
Levi stepped on dead branches and rotting leaves, approaching the great gate of this fortress step by step.
"Gandalf?" he called out.
"Am I late?"
"No."
Suddenly a voice came from behind a stone pillar to his side. Levi turned his head to see both Gandalf and Radagast the Brown emerging together.
"A wizard is never late," Gandalf said that classic line.
"That's right! With my rabbits, only others can be late!" Radagast chimed in.
"I'm almost certain now, Levi. The great enemy is here."
Gandalf approached and spoke quietly. The three formed a circle and began discussing.
"This place is shrouded in concealment spells. He's doing this because he hasn't recovered his full power yet and doesn't dare reveal himself openly."
"Radagast, you go carry word to the Lady of the Golden Wood and seek support. We must force the great enemy out."
"Whatever you do, don't follow us in, understand? Just the two of us—Levi and I—are enough to investigate here."
Radagast was stunned. So you think my combat ability is lacking, and you're making me run errands?
"Fine, fine, fine, I'll go."
Radagast got on his rabbit-drawn sleigh and quickly departed.
Watching the Brown wizard leave, Levi asked: "What do we do next? Go straight in?"
"There's no other way. We'll go in and investigate. If things go wrong, we retreat immediately."
With that, Gandalf drew Glamdring, holding his staff in his left hand and sword in his right, taking the lead ahead of Levi, who followed behind watching their rear.
Looking at Gandalf's back, Levi couldn't help but think of a phrase: wandering the world with sword in hand—referring to traveling to the ends of the earth with one staff and one sword.
"How about we wait for reinforcements?"
Levi suggested to Gandalf. Honestly, when recalling certain battle scenes, he still felt somewhat apprehensive.
After all, even if Sauron had lost the One Ring and was now just a remnant soul with only a small portion of his power, that power was still considerable—at least enough to easily defeat Gandalf.
He just didn't know if his armor could withstand it when they actually fought.
"There's no time. I must know what Sauron is planning." The usually cautious Gandalf decided to be bold this time.
"Well, it's agreed then—if anything seems wrong, we run. Don't linger here too long."
"I will. Trust me, this life of mine still has use—I can't just throw it away carelessly."
Through careful investigation, the two penetrated deep into this ruined fortress.
Here, the sky was always overcast, with almost no difference between day and night. As they progressed, Levi looked up to see iron cages on both sides filled with nothing but bones of various sizes. Clearly, many people had suffered torture here until death.
The torture they endured might even have been for no reason—simply because orcs enjoyed the act of "torture" itself.
"This is where Thráin was once imprisoned. I encountered him when I came here to investigate long ago."
Gandalf looked at the iron cages overhead and shook his head.
"He was captured and tortured here for five full years. No one knows what he endured. When I found him, he was already mentally unclear, couldn't even remember who he was. He died not long after giving me the key and map."
Just as Gandalf was serving his usual role as Middle-earth's encyclopedia, explaining the history of this place to Levi—
Swoosh!
A shadow suddenly flashed by. Levi spun around but found nothing. Gandalf also looked over, about to ask a question, when suddenly a sword materialized behind Gandalf and struck down viciously.
Clang!
Levi's nameless sword and Gandalf's Glamdring were drawn simultaneously, blocking this strike aimed at vital points.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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