"I can almost confirm that he chatted with me for half the day just to bring up that last matter. After all, no amount of rumors can cure a groom's headache," Levi remarked. In Lake-town, he penned up the two horses and didn't entrust anyone else to care for them, simply leaving them there.
"Elves are all like this, especially those who've lived so long. But honestly, elves like Oroher are quite rare."
Halbarad spoke with puffs of white breath rising.
The weather was getting increasingly cold.
The Ranger and lord had ended their journey.
"Not staying here a while longer?" Levi asked.
"My kinsmen still need me. I must return."
"You're really busy then."
Halbarad couldn't help turning back to say: "Even if my tasks doubled, I definitely wouldn't be as busy as you. Just look at all the rumors flying about these past years."
Levi was momentarily speechless.
Just as Halbarad had said, not long after seeing him off, another person came looking.
"You're finally back."
Bard looked at the construction site outside town: "That road has reached a critical juncture. There are some things I can't decide on my own."
"What things?"
"It's about the Misty Mountains."
Moments later, the two sat before a warm fireplace. Bard habitually made Levi tea, then spread a map on the table, pointing to the line Levi had drawn:
"The project is proceeding smoothly. It's now reached near the Misty Mountains. But this mountain is the problem I need to discuss."
Bard pointed to a spot near the pass: "If we want to continue the road, we'll need to dig through the mountain. Of course, this isn't difficult. Residents can use that great block magic you shared."
"However, there's a small complication."
"What's the problem with the cave?"
"There is one, and it's significant," Bard said. "Because that place is called Goblin-town, and there are far too many goblins inside. They nearly caused us casualties."
Levi immediately said: "Then I'll go kill them all or drive them out."
These goblins had occupied areas near the pass for ages, harming many travelers. Even though their front hall was blocked, it was merely blocked. They still lived in the deep underground areas nearby.
Goblins were skilled at excavating in caves. No one could guarantee a "side hall" wouldn't suddenly appear someday.
Perfect. Since it was brought up, he'd take this opportunity to clear them all out.
Levi looked at Bard, but regarding his words, Bard didn't respond immediately.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing much. I just think this isn't quite right." Bard sat down, looking at Levi very seriously.
"Not quite right?" Levi didn't quite understand. "Are you pitying those goblins? I told you long ago, Bard. Your compassion shouldn't be wasted on useless places..."
"No!" Bard quite rarely interrupted what Levi was saying. "I've never pitied those goblins or orcs. I just wanted to say this matter doesn't require your personal involvement at all. If every trouble in a territory requires the lord to resolve personally, it only makes everyone seem like infants in cradles."
"Oh?" Levi couldn't help chuckling. "So?"
"So my main purpose in coming this time is actually to report some territorial development achievements and seek your opinion or approval on certain actions. Do you remember what we discussed before? The previous two times we met, you mentioned it each time."
"..."
Hearing Bard's words, Levi was momentarily stuck.
No helping it. There had been rather too many recent events, his memories were all jumbled.
What did I say back then?
Seeing his lord spacing out, Bard was helpless and reminded him: "You once said to strengthen border vigilance and appropriately expand the military. Later, when discussing education issues, you also said to pay attention to physical education."
"Yes."
Memory gradually returned as Levi said: "I did say that. I hope residents can all take up weapons to protect themselves when facing danger, rather than just waiting for death to arrive."
So how exactly did this guy interpret that?
"How are the results?" Levi asked.
Bard replied: "Following these two directives of yours, I assembled representatives from various communities and related practitioners for a meeting. The final result of our deliberations was universal military service.
"During this past half year or so, anyone in good health, regardless of gender or profession, has been taught combat skills during leisure time. It's already showing initial results. We can assemble an army anytime to launch an attack on Goblin-town and completely drive out those goblins. This requires no trouble from you personally. Just a nod is needed."
Bard stated the matter for which he sought approval.
A certain string in Levi's brain finally connected.
With the territory's current production capacity, weapons and equipment were in no short supply, and logistics support wasn't even a problem.
Plus, in the Battle of Five Armies years ago, nearly all adult males had taken up weapons to participate in defending the city. They already had some practical experience, followed by subsequent training...
In other words, theoretically, everyone in the territory meeting standards could immediately don armor for combat, and all with some experience.
Really a universal military service system.
"How about it?" Bard said again. "The new army needs to experience trials. Those goblins, weaker than orcs but with sufficient ferocity, are perfectly suitable."
"Well, thinking about it that way, it is indeed necessary," Levi nodded. "I'll go with you all."
Bard's expression immediately became serious: "We will do our utmost and won't disappoint you."
That's what he said.
Though he could handle those goblins in Goblin-town alone, even just strolling through without lifting a finger, for various considerations, Levi chose to follow Bard's advice.
In their fireside deliberations, this expedition to Goblin-town would have Levi as overall commander with Bard assisting as deputy.
Moments later, having dozily listened to Bard set the attack date and route, Levi walked out of the mayor's office, scratching his head.
Leading troops to war... me?
Levi still hadn't quite reacted.
This matter was actually rather awkward. From arriving in this world until now, over so many years, he'd fought quite a few battles, large and small. Defended cities, slain enemy generals, single-handedly destroyed armies.
But it seemed like most of these things were done alone.
Personally serving as commander leading a large army was a first.
In the Battle of Five Armies, though humans, elves, and dwarves all tacitly accepted Levi as one of the commanders with army command and deployment authority, he'd never used this power because...
Unnecessary.
On the battlefield, Levi had always been the freest existence from beginning to end. Neither commanded by others nor commanding anyone.
The former because no one had the right to do so, the latter because he didn't want to. The only exception to commanding was still orcs. Yes, that time wildly signaling on Azog's command platform.
Regardless, what Bard said made sense.
This time, Levi decided to let the territorial citizens handle things.
Thus, when everything was finalized, news spread.
"The lord personally leading troops to campaign against those goblins in Goblin-town?"
Battle spirit, restlessness, faith... indescribable emotions swept through streets and alleys.
Then converged in one place.
Somewhere Levi didn't know about, Bard hurriedly instituted a temporary decree limiting total expedition numbers.
Everything proceeded methodically.