How many people responded to this call? No one could give a specific number.
But what was certain was that Dale ultimately deployed exactly 3,500 territorial citizens, no more, no less, each wearing high-quality full body armor with maxed defense and exquisite craftsmanship.
So hard it gave Levi himself a headache just looking at it.
Setting aside combat quality, this army was at least on par with dwarves and elves in terms of equipment.
"What's that commotion?"
When the army began assembling, Thorin rushed out from Erebor's great hall.
On the Lonely Mountain's walls, looking at that somewhat stiff but well-equipped army gathering nearby, not only Thorin but also Balin and several dwarf royal family members came out to watch.
Balin squinted at a certain spot and said: "That's the army from Dale and Lake-town. I recognize them. The third soldier from the left in the front row asked me about orc fighting techniques two years ago."
"So what did you tell him?"
"Hit the head. Hard."
"No, I think that explanation is too vague. If orcs charge over, you should first..."
"Stop! What we should be discussing now is that army!"
Seeing the topic drift further off course, Fili quickly stopped these fellows.
"Is Levi going to attack somewhere?"
Coming back to their senses, several dwarves turned to look at each other, all seeing an emotion called astonishment in each other's eyes.
What kind of big deal would require that guy to assemble an army to fight?
And if the target could be handled by this army of several thousand, that meant the army wasn't needed at all.
"Probably military training."
The logic was easy to sort out.
"What's the target?"
"They're heading toward Lake-town."
Thorin pondered: "I heard that road has been built near the Misty Mountains."
Near the Misty Mountains...
"Goblin-town."
Several dwarves said this place name in unison.
Gloin stared wide-eyed: "They're attacking this place and didn't tell us!"
"Exactly!"
A chorus of complaints arose.
The expedition members had never forgotten that they had suffered torture and abuse from goblins in Goblin-town. If their skin hadn't been thick enough, those spiked whips and clubs would definitely have left many scars.
"Thorin, I want to go along. You won't stop me, will you?"
The youngest and most impulsive Fili was first to make the suggestion.
Thorin's gaze slowly moved over, and then his body turned as well. He said: "Of course. And not just you, or all of you. I'm going too."
"Oh!"
Several cheered as if this were just an outing rather than war.
When this activity was settled, even Thorin's steps became much lighter.
They all headed toward the armory.
"Wait," Thorin suddenly thought of a problem. "We haven't discussed this with Levi yet."
Moments later, before Dale, looking at several fully armed dwarves before him, even Levi scratched his head.
"Ahem."
Thorin stepped forward holding his helmet: "I heard you're attacking Goblin-town, so I came to ask if you need help."
"Where did you hear that?"
From my own brain.
But he couldn't say that.
"Anyway... I just heard. With such a big operation, word was bound to get out."
"Alright."
Levi nodded with conviction.
"It's not necessary."
He declined: "Just some goblins. I could handle it alone, let alone with these high-spirited soldiers."
"Those goblins in Goblin-town are perfect for giving them some growth."
Hearing this response, the dwarves were obviously somewhat disappointed.
Thorin quietly approached and whispered: "Levi, of course I know all this, but I hope you haven't forgotten the winding passages in that cave, and the dangers of bridges and hidden doors."
Hearing this, Levi also suddenly paused.
Direct combat was naturally easy. Given the goblins' small stature and shabby equipment, just charging in and beating them up would finish it.
But cave terrain was equivalent to urban warfare. If they got ambushed, there might really be some losses.
"That makes sense. I'll go blow open the mountain cave and fill it in. They'll have nowhere to hide."
Upon hearing this, Thorin felt choked up.
He sighed quietly and admitted: "Since Erebor's recovery, affairs have piled up like mountains. I've been sitting in the great hall for years. My body is practically rusting."
"..."
Levi stared at Thorin, who said this with a straight face, for several seconds before finally relenting: "Alright then, maybe we do need some guides."
"In terms of familiarity with underground environments, dwarves can be called experts."
In the final decision, the dwarves joined this punitive campaign after all.
However, they didn't send troops directly, but only dispatched some guides.
Well, plus most of the royal family members and their king.
They would witness this campaign.
Rumble rumble...
On the spacious plaza, soldiers turned in unison, all raising their heads to face where Levi stood.
Their discipline was strict, with battle spirit boiling in pairs of bright eyes.
As for morale, as long as the existence they had sworn loyalty to hadn't fallen, it approached infinity.
A wind carrying some sand and dust blew by, settling not far away as if pressed down by this fully armed army.
The scene seemed eerily quiet with no movement for a long time.
The soldiers stood motionless like this, watching that equally motionless black figure before the army formation.
After a moment, Bard couldn't help secretly poking Levi's armor from behind, whispering: "Your turn."
"What?" Levi slightly turned his head.
"Speak."
"Huh?"
"..."
Bard was silent for a moment. He took a breath and said: "Many people responded to the call these days. More than expected, so much that I had to persuade some to go back. When the call went out, whether Dale's pastry chefs or Lake-town's fishermen, road workers, or boatmen all put down their work. Even serving maids in inns and housewives cooking at home came asking if they could contribute.
"All this is because of you. You carry the faith and will of the territorial citizens. I'm not trying to pressure you, but everyone is watching. Everyone understands who is responsible for their current life. Don't worry; there's no need to worry about messing up. Even just saying a few words casually is fine. No one will mind."
Hiss.
Levi's expression became serious as he began earnestly examining the young and mature faces below.
All along, though Levi hardly operated within these territories and couldn't be seen all day, like a ghost, more like an adventurer than a lord, as someone said.
However, even unseen and seemingly always offline, everything in the territory couldn't be separated from the abilities he shared. Every miraculous scene happening around them constantly reminded residents that their lord was beside them.
He wasn't there, yet he was everywhere.
"My people."
Levi spoke the first sentence, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor. Facing tens of thousands of enemies, he could shout boldly and look down on everything. But when the target changed to his own people, this attitude seemed overly gentle.
A calm but sufficiently loud voice rang out ahead: "I know what you're thinking now, and I truly feel the flames and battle spirit burning fiercely in your hearts. You're willing to heed my call and follow me to campaign against enemies, regardless of whether enemies are strong or weak, because I brought you a beautiful life far exceeding the past.
"But what I want to say is that all the prosperity here was not forged by me alone. It was built through everyone's collective diligence. All wealth and beauty were personally created by you, by every person in the territory with their own hands! Now, for a better life, for greater goals, and more lasting peace... Forward!"
An ordinary speech with neither praiseworthy poetry and literary talent nor any passionate emotions and intonation.
Yet that day, Dale and the great mountain trembled for it.