Faced with Thorin's request to trade the black arrow, Bard was somewhat tempted.
Legend had it that the treasure in the Lonely Mountain was piled up like mountains, and even the Dragon was attracted by the treasures within.
If he could obtain one-fourteenth of the treasure, not only would his life undergo a huge change, but he could also help the impoverished residents of Lake-town, and it might even be possible to rebuild the Dale and restore the former glory of his ancestors.
But after careful consideration, Bard still shook his head.
"I cannot risk the lives of the people of Lake-town. Once the Dragon is not dead, the entire Lake-town will be retaliated against by the Dragon, and everyone will be engulfed by the Dragon's flames!"
"Not to mention the Dragon has already awakened."
Being rejected, Thorin's expression became even uglier. His gaze lingered on the black arrow for a while, then he snorted coldly, turned, and sat back in his original seat, a grim expression on his face as he pondered.
And the atmosphere in the room once again turned cold.
Gandalf looked at Thorin like this, his expression a little worried.
Meanwhile, Luke was immersed in the System Sign-in.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Location Lake-town, do you want to sign in?]
"Sign in."
[Sign-in successful, congratulations on obtaining the Transfiguration notes of the Transfiguration Master, Minerva McGonagall!]
Looking at the thick notebook that appeared before him, Luke's eyes lit up.
Professor McGonagall's notebook? What an unexpected surprise!
Luke immediately flipped through it impatiently and was quickly drawn into its contents.
As a Transfiguration Master, Professor McGonagall's notebook not only meticulously recorded various Transfiguration spells, including many spells for mutual transformation between objects and objects, objects and animals, and animals and animals, but also included human Transfiguration, such as Animagus.
There were even spell-casting methods and techniques for transforming elements like water, fire, and earth.
For example, one could condense flames into giant pythons or Dragons, or animate statues to help fight enemies.
It could be said that this notebook was a complete compendium of Transfiguration.
Luke treasured Professor McGonagall's notebook as if it were a rare gem.
Especially as an Animagus with a tabby cat animal form, Professor McGonagall's notebook meticulously recorded various situations that might be encountered during the Animagus process, as well as corresponding solutions.
This was very instructive and valuable for Luke, who was currently practicing Animagus.
He currently had a Mandrake leaf under his tongue, just waiting for the next full moon to arrive, then he would be able to take it out and continue the next step.
And that time would come very soon.
However, before that, Luke decided to use this time to make a broomstick.
Thus, in the following days, the conflict between Gandalf and Thorin remained irreconcilable.
Gandalf tried to persuade Thorin to give up going to the Lonely Mountain.
But Thorin stubbornly insisted on continuing, even if it meant paying a price, he was determined to get the arkenstone.
For this, he found the Master of Lake-town to make a deal, wanting to get some weapons from the town's armory to arm the Dwarves.
He even still remembered the black arrow in Bard's home that could pierce Dragon scales and tried to obtain it several times through coercion and inducement.
The Master of Lake-town was a greedy and blind fellow. After learning about the treasure on the Lonely Mountain, he immediately agreed to provide weapons to the Dwarves, without considering the threat of the Dragon at all.
In his opinion, it was just an investment in some weapons gathering dust in the armory, and it wasn't even his money.
If it didn't succeed, then so be it, but if it did, he would gain endless wealth. It was simply a no-cost business, a huge profit.
For this, the Master even wanted to hold a grand farewell party for the Dwarves to send off the Dwarf warriors.
Gandalf was worried about this but couldn't stop it. As for Luke, he paid no attention to what was happening outside, staying in Bard's home all day, meticulously grinding and carving the willow tree heart with a sharp dagger.
"Luke, the current situation has deviated from my previous plan, and I am truly very worried."
One day, Gandalf found Luke and said with a face full of worry.
"It's not just the Dragon's problem, but also Thorin. The Dragon sickness inherited in their family's bloodline becomes more apparent the closer he gets to the Lonely Mountain's treasure."
"I'm worried that when Thorin comes into contact with those treasures, he might be consumed by that madness before the Dragon's flames can even engulf him!"
Facing the worried Gandalf, Luke felt admiration but also helplessness.
He admitted that he couldn't be as selfless as Gandalf, or even repay evil with good.
After all, in these past few days, Gandalf had truly considered Thorin and his companions, spare no effort to persuade them to give up going to the Lonely Mountain and disturbing the awakened Dragon.
But in the stubborn Thorin's eyes, Gandalf's persuasion was ill-intentioned and even became an enemy hindering him from reclaiming his homeland.
So he directly cast aside Gandalf and chose to cooperate with the Master.
For such a person, if Luke were Gandalf, he wouldn't bother to persuade him, letting him bring about his own destruction.
"If it really doesn't work, Gandalf, you can just knock him out and release him after Durin's Day is over, wouldn't that work?"
Luke suggested.
"Or if you don't want to do it, I can also help. One spell will make him quiet."
Hearing Luke's words, Gandalf was somewhat tempted but immediately shook his head.
"Although I'd very much like to do that, this is Thorin's will. We can only guide and persuade from the side, but we cannot forcibly change his will with power, otherwise it will only lead to more disastrous consequences!"
Then his gaze fell on the item in Luke's hand, and he asked curiously.
"Are you making—a broom?"
Luke nodded and then shook his head.
"I'm preparing to make a flying broomstick to use as transportation."
"A flying—broomstick? You mean it will fly!" Gandalf's eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly asked.
Luke nodded, his hands still working.
Gandalf instantly cast aside Thorin's matter, his attention fully focused on the gradually forming flying broomstick before him.
Flight, this was an irresistible temptation for everyone, even Gandalf was no exception.
Although Gandalf and the Great Eagles were good friends and he could summon them to carry him flying when needed.
But being carried and flying oneself were completely different experiences, so Gandalf was very interested in the flying broomstick Luke mentioned.
However, before Luke's flying broomstick was completed,
Bard hurried back from outside and brought sudden news.
"The Dwarves just left by boat! They are already on their way to the Lonely Mountain!"
"And that Hobbit was also taken by them."
"They left?" Gandalf immediately became agitated, both angry and anxious.
"They left without even telling us! What does Thorin Oakenshield mean by this? Does he not trust us?"
Anger, and a hint of disappointment, showed in Gandalf's eyes.
"No, we can't just let them enter the Lonely Mountain like this! Thorin Oakenshield is leading them to their deaths!"
Saying this, he grabbed his staff, intending to catch up with Thorin and the others.
However, this time Luke refused to accompany Gandalf.
He shook his head, pointing to the broom in his hand: "My flying broomstick will be finished in a few days, so I can't leave for now. If you are willing to wait, Gandalf, we can ride the broom together to catch up then."
Although Gandalf was somewhat tempted, he still refused.
"Never mind, I can't sit still here either. I'll set off first to catch up with them. You can come when your broom is finished."
He then borrowed a boat from Bard and set off by boat to pursue Thorin and the others.
Only Luke remained as a guest in Bard's home.