When the war had not yet erupted, Levi had just passed through Halfway Town, having just advanced to the western side of the Misty Mountains.
The forest showed abnormal activity. Large numbers of trolls seemed to have been driven out by something, wandering around outside the forest.
Since he saw this, he could not just ignore it. So at the Sky Road entrance at the Last Bridge, Levi led his people down from the main road early to launch an extermination operation against the trolls.
While fighting, Glorfindel came running out with some Rivendell cavalry.
Brilliant golden radiance pierced the eyes as an elven sword forged in ancient ages cut through skin hard as stone like cutting paper.
Under tremendous force, the troll was nearly severed at the waist.
Thud!
When the troll fell, Glorfindel who had swung the sword behind it also revealed his form.
"I did not expect you to come," Levi said.
He kicked the troll corpse on the ground. It did not budge.
So he had to walk around it.
"Border scouts brought news that the Troll Forest showed some anomalies. Lord Elrond sent me to investigate the situation and support our allies."
In the area between the Troll Forest and the Last Bridge, Glorfindel explained the situation to Levi.
"But it seems you do not need support."
"Lord Elrond was overly concerned."
Glorfindel shook his head.
With someone like Levi here, this group of trolls could not cause much trouble. He was confident Levi could handle it.
Just as he was confident he could do the same.
"I have received Rivendell's goodwill. You can return and report back to Elrond," Levi replied.
"Just watch our performance from here on."
While speaking, some commotion came from behind.
"One, two, heave!"
"Hah!"
Not far away, large numbers of fully armored elite soldiers launched group attacks on the remaining trolls. Though they used methods like ropes to restrain the trolls, preventing them from making effective attacks, their own side was fighting quite hard.
They were simply too tough.
"A bunch of weak insects!" the troll roared angrily, nearly yanking away the rope-holders with one fierce pull.
Clang!
Standard Roadside Keep fine swords struck the troll's body, but like using pickaxes to mine, they made crisp clanging sounds. Some people's weapons even bounced back.
Not many could damage trolls with ordinary weapons. Some relied on their own inherent great strength, others on special properties.
Against such creatures, perhaps ordinary people using pickaxes would actually cause more damage than swords.
Levi sighed.
"Let's talk later. I will go clean up the remaining trolls first."
"I will join you," Glorfindel said.
Both charged toward the besieged troll. Soldiers quickly released ropes and moved aside to give them space.
When the ropes were released and the troll regained freedom, just as it was about to excitedly roar and charge the soldiers, it turned and saw two tiny figures actually daring to charge forward.
So it slammed down hard.
Thud!
Levi raised his hand to block, not even using a shield, withstanding this blow like a massive stone collapse. His steps did not move an inch.
His body emanated amber light different from Glorfindel's. The runic shield faithfully blocked all damage for him.
Swish!
Another golden flash passed as Glorfindel's sharp sword followed, making the troll half-kneel.
Levi also drew his sword. The next moment, two sword lights passed from both sides of the troll, each circling halfway around, actually cutting the troll in half at the waist directly.
Thump.
The troll fell, split in two.
Other trolls saw their companion's fate and collectively stepped back two paces.
Some trolls stared at Levi for a long time, suddenly pausing and pointing at him, shouting:
"It is the Treasure-Devourer! It is the Treasure-Devourer!"
"Ahhhhh!"
It ran toward the forest but seemed to remember something. When approaching the forest, it temporarily changed course north, trying to return to the Ettenmoors, the trolls' homeland.
But no matter how fast it ran, how could it match the two behind it?
Glorfindel leaped powerfully, jumping directly onto the troll, raising his sword, and thrusting down forcefully, executing the fleeing troll on the spot.
He landed with light steps, only his armor making slight sounds.
Looking up again, not even his hair was disheveled.
Seeing these light steps and form, watching soldiers began quietly discussing:
"Who do you think could fight better, our lord or him..."
"Ally..." Glorfindel called out.
He turned his head to find Levi simultaneously chasing two trolls.
"What is up? Anything wrong? I just dealt with twice as many enemies as you," Levi replied.
Crack.
After executing the trolls, Levi turned around to respond, his expression maintaining its usual seriousness.
Glorfindel smiled politely, somewhat helplessly saying, "Nothing... I just wanted to say we need to speed up. Those trolls are fleeing north."
"Good, then let us see who kills more!"
Leaving these words, Levi mounted his horse and galloped off, charging toward the troll group.
A moment later.
Glorfindel looked at Levi and stated a number: "Nine."
Levi's expression stiffened as he switched to elytra and flew north.
Before long, he flew back.
"What a coincidence. I killed exactly one more than you."
"You won," Glorfindel said, blinking and saying nothing more.
"Ohh!"
With victory decided, soldiers behind them joined in cheering.
The elves remained silent.
Strictly speaking, both their records should add half more. Yes, the troll they had jointly bisected at the beginning.
But these details were no longer important. Things here were temporarily concluded.
Under Levi's leadership, the great army immediately changed direction, not taking the Sky Road but proceeding directly south toward Riverside Keep.
This stretch of road was not rough anyway. All plains and wilderness.
As for Glorfindel and the elven cavalry behind him, after cleaning the battlefield, they prepared to head east back to Rivendell.
But just as they finished cleanup and were about to mount and return, an eagle's cry from above attracted all their attention.
A great eagle was circling downward.
Glorfindel stepped forward and waved to it.
"Messenger of the King of Arda, what news do you bring?"
Whoosh!
The great eagle slowly descended, stirring up some dust.
It spoke of news from east of the Misty Mountains.
A pattern of action formed in Glorfindel's mind.
"There is still time. I will go pursue Levi immediately."
Understanding the seriousness of the great eagle's message, Glorfindel immediately mounted and galloped south.
But as he had said, not all horses ran as fast as Roadside Keep's horses.
Roadside Keep's horses were all of king-level standard.
In Valinor, such things were normal, but in Middle-earth, it was somewhat outrageous.
Glorfindel felt somewhat embarrassed.
After thinking, the great eagle also followed, accompanying Glorfindel southward from above.