A great army departed grandly from the spacious plaza, advancing rapidly along the level road to Lake-town.
Among them were also several dwarves who happened to... happen to be able to help.
"Why didn't they call us?"
"Just some goblins. Probably thought it wasn't necessary."
"That makes sense."
Inside the Lonely Mountain, the dwarves discussed enthusiastically about that earth-shaking passionate call, speculating when the combined army from Dale would return. The atmosphere was quite lively.
But some didn't think so.
"I have matters that need reporting to the king." A dwarf responsible for various industrial district affairs approached the great hall.
"The king isn't here," Balin said, guarding the entrance and stopping him. "Let me handle it."
"But..." The dwarf hesitated somewhat.
"Before going out, our king temporarily entrusted all affairs to me. Speak if there's something." Balin, still wearing armor, spoke with considerable resentment.
"Where is the king then?"
"Your curiosity could be reduced a bit."
...
"I'm very glad to fight alongside you again, Levi. I really wish there could be more times like this." Beneath the massive support pillar decorating the Sky Road, or rather, that extremely high viaduct, Thorin watched batch after batch of soldiers transferring upward in an orderly fashion via elevators, sighing with emotion.
"Haha, my aim has never fallen behind. I hope those fellows can let me have some fun." Dwalin swung the two throwing axes in his hands.
Fili chimed in: "Me too. I've trained too long, and there are no orcs nearby to hack. If this continues, my sword will rust."
"Aha, my axe can't wait any longer!"
"Alright, don't get so excited, Gloin," Levi said, pressing down with his hands to signal the dwarf before him to calm down a bit.
"What's wrong, Levi?" Gloin asked from behind.
Levi turned back puzzled. "Why are you here?"
"Where else would I be if not here?" Gloin was confused.
"Then this is..." Levi turned around, pointing to the dwarf in front, who was so excited he was practically jumping.
Gloin slapped his forehead. "Oh! Look at my memory. I forgot to introduce you. That's my young lad. He recently moved here from the Blue Mountains. Hearing you were attacking Goblin-town, he insisted on coming to serve you."
"I see. Quite spirited. He'll surely achieve great things in the future," Levi said, looking at the young dwarf.
Hearing this, Gloin immediately grinned from ear to ear, shouting: "Come greet your Uncle Levi!"
"Stop!" Levi quickly intervened, changing the subject. "Let's talk about the attack instead."
Gimli... Though to the dwarves present, he was still just a young child.
But the problem was, calculating his age, this "child" was already over sixty years old this year. That "uncle" title couldn't be used!
"What's there to discuss? Didn't we already agree? Goblin-town only has so many main passages. You and Bard are already very clear about it. We just charge in and chop those goblins to pieces."
"Aha, I know, of course, of course, this isn't difficult..."
Routes, passages... These naturally weren't problems.
Even without blasting through mountains to open roads, there were other methods.
Levi glanced at his map. It had an option called "Cave Map."
The so-called "Cave Map" was a record of underground terrain. Not just Goblin-town, but even Moria's routes were now recorded in the cave map. It could guarantee at least not getting lost in places already traversed.
As for Goblin-town, during the last pursuit of the Goblin King there, he'd already run through more than half of it.
"Did you all bring enough food?" Levi casually brought up another topic.
"Of course. No one will lack food. Everyone brought enough provisions for many days, the kind that hardly spoils."
"That's good." Levi reminded everyone again: "Remember to find me if you're injured. We don't lack healing supplies."
As long as no one in this army died, they could be saved.
Trivial matters were quickly passed over.
From the map, if advancing to the Misty Mountains from ground level, considering various obstacles and possible problems during the march, it would take at least ten days or even a month.
That was now past tense.
During road construction, there might not have been much feeling, but when it truly began functioning, the efficiency amazed everyone.
A pure road that spanned all rugged terrain and obstacles, capable of excluding interference from any unexpected factors.
Without much urgency, just advancing at steady speed, the nearly 500-kilometer distance was completed within days. This was without using transportation tools like minecarts. Otherwise it could be even faster.
Thud!
Soldiers arranged neatly at the road's end.
From digging into Goblin-town to the army assembling at the entrance, only a few days had passed. So quick that the goblins inside hadn't reacted yet.
Levi crossed the army formation and connected the road to the mountainside.
Moments later.
BOOM!
Continuous explosion sounds rang out.
On this day, goblins suddenly discovered they could actually see light from the outside world underground.
Waking up, the sky had fallen.
"Get up, you worthless scum!" At the commanding shout, goblins still in a daze immediately snapped to attention and organized counterattacks. They crawled out from cave tops, underground, and various caverns, densely packed like ant swarms holding broken weapons, all surging toward the main road.
A rough count showed at least twice the number of Dale's army.
The battle erupted quite abruptly. Facing ferocious goblins charging with shrill cries, many first-time battlefield participants couldn't help gripping their weapons and shields tightly, fearing they might slip. Unlike previous training, this time a single mistake meant the difference between life and death. No one could remain completely calm.
A tense atmosphere brewed within the formation.
Until at that massive gap in the mountainside, a black figure stood holding a sword, dividing light and dark at this place. He raised high that long sword emitting azure radiance and shouted:
"Prepare for battle!"
Thus people found their anchor.
"Charge with me!"
Levi shouted and charged forward first.
Bard was stunned, suddenly realizing something was wrong, quickly turning to shout: "Wait, don't..."
Wrong timing. Don't charge yet!
They all came out themselves. Don't run inside!
However, it was too late.
Soldiers passionately raised their weapons, screaming hoarsely with fury, following that figure in the charge. Unease and fear all transformed into overwhelming battle spirit and further elevated faith.
Bard bit down hard, deciding that after this battle, even risking his life, he'd capture his lord and give him a proper lecture.
Seeing the momentum couldn't be stopped, he could only draw his long sword and charge forward with the army.
"Well then." Thorin helplessly spread his hands and drew the precious sword he'd personally forged from his waist. "Let's go too! For peace and tranquility!"
BOOM!
At the very front, goblins went flying.
When Levi revealed his sword, goblins had already recognized the person before them. When he alone collided with thousands of goblins, some goblins were already in disarray, retreating uncontrollably.
Their charging momentum was thus forcibly stopped by one person, even showing signs of collapse.
"Worthless scum! Anyone who dares step back, I'll chop into mincemeat!" The voice organizing the goblins came again from behind.
With these words, goblins could neither advance nor retreat. Finally thinking it over, they could only bite the bullet and circle around that black figure, hoping the army behind him would be easier to handle.
Around Levi appeared a vacuum zone with an extremely exaggerated radius. Like repelling magnets, goblins were pushed away, only able to pass through the edges.
Levi ran several steps into the mountain cave but couldn't find the existence giving orders to the goblins.
Swoosh.
An arrow suddenly shot from behind, passing by Levi's side straight into the cave depths.
The commanding voice was heard no more.
"Got it!" Bard shouted from behind.
"Well done!" Levi waved, responding.
Marksman Bard once again verified the authenticity of his title today.
At this time, the large batch of goblins bypassing Levi finally crossed this distance, neither long nor short, and formally collided with Dale's army.
"For our lord!"
Soldiers raised their weapons high, shouting as they swung at enemies.
How are they so tough!
The goblin vanguard looked in horror at this fully armored elite army, thinking their side's parachuted commander was definitely a huge fool.
Rashly emerging from the mountain cave was somewhat reckless.
BOOM.
The goblins' first wave of assault ended. After the first contact, both sides directly fell into fierce combat, comparing raw strength.
"Ahhh!"
A soldier surrounded by five or more goblins was knocked to the ground with clanging sounds as they hammered his armor, feeling intermittent sharp pains throughout his body.
About to fall?
No!
"For our Lord Levi!"
Courage echoed in his heart as the soldier shouted and stood up. When Levi's name rang out, goblins shuddered all over. Fear crept into their hearts, making their bodies stiffen for that instant.
Even though that person wasn't nearby.