I took flight, circling the skies over Erebor before intending to return to the Dragon's Tower. However, a signal suddenly came from the [Nano Buckle]. It was from the ring I had given to Arwen. Strangely, the signal wasn't coming from the west, where the Dragon's Tower was located, but from the south.
"Huh? Why is the signal coming from the south?"
Leaving my questions behind for the moment, I flew rapidly toward the source of the signal. As I traveled, I passed through Mirkwood and arrived at 'Lothlórien.'
This was the realm of the Elves living in the Lorien Forest, ruled by the famous Elf, 'Galadriel.' I wondered why the signal was coming from here. Because the forest was so dense, it was difficult to enter in dragon form, so I shifted into my human form and walked inside.
At the entrance to the Elven realm, I saw Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond, and Radagast waiting. I asked Elrond.
"Why did the signal come from here?"
As I asked, Elrond spoke.
"Radagast has informed us that Gandalf is held captive in Dol Guldur. We would like your help."
"I believe I told you before. This has nothing to do with me."
When I spoke firmly, Elrond replied.
"I know. But didn't you promise to protect me? Please keep that promise."
"Elrond... you're really going to exploit the promise like this?"
"My apologies. Please think of it as a request from your father-in-law."
"Good grief... Fine! I'll help."
Once I agreed, we followed Radagast's guidance and hurried toward 'Dol Guldur' in Mirkwood. While moving, I heard the story of how the ring ended up in Elrond's hands. When they sought help from the Dragon's Tower, Arwen apparently asked the birds to deliver the ring I had given her.
'I'll have to give Arwen a spanking the moment I return to the tower.'
To be honest, I wasn't pleased that Arwen had handed the ring—which I gave her specifically to contact me if she was in trouble—to someone else, even if it was Elrond. Regardless of how much she worried about her father, I really need to scold her when I get back to the tower. With my powerful, large club, of course.
We arrived near Dol Guldur. Galadriel entered first, and the rest of us decided to follow after assessing the situation. I drew the [Moonlight Greatsword] (Holy Moonlight Sword), which I had obtained through a Gacha draw, from my inventory and prepared myself.
Some might ask why I wasn't using 'Guts's Greatsword' (Dragonslayer) or the 'Soulcutter' to deal with spirits, but based on my experience fighting these kinds of entities several times, simply infusing mana into a blade was enough to face them. Therefore, it didn't really matter which sword I used.
As I suddenly pulled a massive sword out of thin air, the others looked at me with wonder. Saruman looked ready to bombard me with questions, but since it was time for battle, he just watched and didn't actually ask anything.
We waited outside until Elrond signaled us after seeing the situation inside, then we slowly entered. Within, the spectral forms of the Nazgûl were present, and in the center, Galadriel was cradling a wounded Gandalf with concern.
Saruman looked at Galadriel and asked.
"Are you in need of assistance, my lady?"
When the Nazgûl grew wary of us, Elrond drew his sword and spoke to them.
"You should have stayed dead!"
With that signal, the battle began. I infused mana into the Moonlight Greatsword and started fighting the Nazgûl. When mana was poured into the blade, it glowed with a faint sky-blue light. It was a sword that felt good to swing because of the brilliant and beautiful trails it left behind.
The spectral Nazgûl attacked us by vanishing and reappearing instantly, but both Elrond and Saruman held their own quite well. To be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed. Aside from their teleportation act, they only had slightly superior swordsmanship.
While dealing with them moderately, I lightly sliced through the ones being annoying and fired blue sword beams from the Moonlight Greatsword to protect Elrond or Saruman whenever they seemed to be in danger. Then, I approached Galadriel, who was checking on Gandalf.
"Move aside."
Galadriel stared at me blankly. She had a look on her face that said, 'What is this guy talking about right now?'
"Geez, I said move aside for a moment."
When Galadriel stepped back from Gandalf at my words, I placed my hand on Gandalf's chest. I cast [Heal] and used my [Energy Drain] ability in reverse to pour magic power into him as well. Gandalf's wounds were healed instantly, and he began to regain his vitality.
"Wait, what in the world..."
Galadriel was flustered by the sight. Regardless, I slapped Gandalf's cheeks to wake him up.
"Hey! Gandalf, wake up!"
Slap! Slap!
With my slaps, Gandalf quickly regained consciousness.
"Ugh... stop hitting me, I'm awake! Do you have no respect for your elders?"
"Don't give me that respect-for-elders talk when you're a Maia. Keep it up, and I might just keep attacking this elder!"
"My goodness! Alright, alright. I'll get up."
Gandalf stood up grumbling. Galadriel then asked him with a worried face.
"Are you alright?"
"I feel better thanks to the magic power our friend here provided."
Currently, Gandalf wasn't just 'better'; he was completely fine. I don't know why he just told Galadriel he felt 'better.' I suppose there's something going on between those two.
Anyway, I took up the Moonlight Greatsword again and started fighting the Nazgûl. With my rejoin, the Nazgûl were quickly cleared out. Suddenly, a massive amount of energy began to gather before us, taking the shape of a giant eye.
Then, Sauron's spiritual form emerged from within the eye and spoke to us.
[It has already begun. The kingdoms of the East have fallen, and the Kingdom of Angmar shall be rebuilt. The age of Elves is over, and the Orcs shall rule.]
Sauron then looked at me and made an offer.
[O dragon, one of the few remaining in this age, join me. I shall grant you whatever you desire.]
I pondered for a moment before asking Sauron.
"There is something I want. Will you grant it?"
Everyone stared at me with shocked faces. Gandalf, especially startled, said to me.
"You, what are you doing?"
I ignored Gandalf and looked straight at Sauron. Sauron then answered my question.
[Anything!!]
"Then I want the total annihilation of Morgoth. Aren't you tired of being under a talentless, jealous guy like him? He's the type who would even become jealous of you if you grew too powerful."
Sauron remained silent for a while before speaking again.
[Trying to drive a wedge between us... that is truly a novel experience.]
"And also, I have one more thing I'm curious about. Suppose you or Morgoth eventually win and the whole world falls into the hands of those stupid orcs. What do you plan to do with them on a desolate land? Do you plan to dance with them? Or perhaps you intend to share some 'love' with them?"
At my words, Galadriel, who was behind me, covered her mouth and giggled.
[How dare you insult me!]
Sauron, seemingly enraged, suddenly began to emit intense heat. I immediately used [Mystic Arts] to create a large shield to protect those behind me.
"Maia friend, don't be so angry. I'm only asking because I'm genuinely curious."
When my shield wouldn't break no matter how much power he exerted, Sauron took his followers and simply flew away to Mordor. Seeing that, Gandalf patted my shoulder and spoke.
"Hahaha. That was truly satisfying. To defeat Sauron in a battle of words."
"Stop laughing. Seeing how he lashed out like that, he seems like a pitiful fellow who doesn't want others to find out about his love for orcs. My goodness... my heart aches. One should respect another's preferences."
Galadriel and Elrond burst into laughter at that.
Pwahahaha!!!
At the sound of our laughter, Radagast, who had been waiting outside, entered Dol Guldur and asked us.
"Why are you all laughing?"
Gandalf looked at Radagast and said.
"It is nothing. Let us head back first."
We wrapped things up and returned to Lothlórien. There, Gandalf spoke to us.
"I must go to Erebor. Sauron is a problem, but I saw many orcs from Dol Guldur moving north. Their destination is likely Erebor. The humans and Elves in the north, and Thorin's company, are in danger. I must warn them. Therefore, Arcadizine, please give me a ride there."
"I was just there before this whole mess, and I flew all the way here because of Elrond, and now you want to go back?"
"Yes, please. Every second counts."
"This is ridiculous. Trying to work a dragon like a horse."
When I looked exasperated, Gandalf tried to make a deal with money.
"In that case, I shall give you a chest of gold coins I have hidden. What do you say?"
"You should know I have little interest in gold coins?"
As I prepared to leave, Galadriel spoke to me.
"Then, how about Mithril?"
"Hmm... Mithril, you say... fine, how much will you give?"
Galadriel brought out a chest containing Mithril. Inside were lumps of unrefined Mithril.
"Would this be sufficient?"
"Good grief... I don't know why you're doing this. Can't you just ride an Eagle?"
When I asked, Gandalf explained the reason.
"Eagles cannot cross Mirkwood, as there is nowhere for them to rest in the middle. They would have to take a long detour."
"Sigh... fine."
I took out the single largest piece of Mithril from the chest and said.
"I'll just take this one."
I went outside and transformed into dragon form. Seeing my dragon appearance for the first time, Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, and Radagast watched in awe.
"Get on, quickly."
Gandalf slung the backpack Galadriel had packed for him over his shoulder and settled on my back. I slowly took flight and headed toward the Lonely Mountain.
"I'm traveling around quite a bit unintentionally. If I'd flown this much, I would have already reached Valinor (the Undying Lands) across the sea."
"Hmm... quite possibly. By the way, I heard you defeated Smaug at Lake-town. How on earth did you kill him?"
Gandalf was curious about how I caught Smaug. I answered his question with another question.
"If a dragon that can use magic and a dragon that cannot fight, who do you think would win?"
"I see. I understand."
"I'm curious about something too, let me ask. You're a wizard by title, so why don't you use magic and instead beat things down with your staff? I thought you were a master of staff martial arts."
This was something I had always wondered while watching the original works. Gandalf was flabbergasted by my words.
"Hah... to hear myself called a master of staff martial arts... listen closely. Maiar like myself restrain our power out of fear that we might become intoxicated by it and fall into corruption, like Morgoth or Sauron. We do use it when it is absolutely necessary, though."
"Right. Staff martial artist."
At those words, Gandalf grimaced and said.
"You're quite the expert at getting under people's skin, whether it's when you're talking to Sauron or to me."
Gandalf sighed, rummaged through the backpack Galadriel had packed, and pulled out some Elven bread to eat. It seemed he hadn't had a chance to eat because we had left in such a hurry.
Certainly, with a person on my back, I couldn't reach full speed, so it seemed it would take a long time to reach the Lonely Mountain. Even so, it wasn't exactly slow.
After flying for about three days, the Lonely Mountain finally began to appear beyond Mirkwood. Gandalf then spoke.
"We've almost arrived. Flying like this for three days was quite an ordeal."
"You've got to be kidding me. You ate and slept on my back and did everything you wanted."
It was true. During the flight, Gandalf had stayed on my back as comfortably as if it were his own home.
"Let's descend around here. People will be startled if a dragon suddenly appears."
I dropped Gandalf off somewhere between Lake-town and Erebor and returned to my human form. Seeing as there were no people in Lake-town, it seemed everyone had moved to Dale, below Erebor.
Dale was the human town that had gained immense wealth through trade with the Dwarves before Smaug had settled in Erebor. When Smaug attacked, the survivors of Dale had settled in Lake-town.
Now that Lake-town was ruined and Smaug was dead, it seemed they intended to rebuild Dale and resume trade with the Dwarves as before. Not even dreaming of what was about to happen.
First, Gandalf and I moved to Dale. Since I had arrived in human form, the people didn't recognize me. Gandalf decided to meet Bard, the man leading the village, to hear about the situation. Bard was busy moving around, taking care of the people. Thus, Gandalf and I were able to hear what had happened while following Bard around.
"When Smaug set fire to Lake-town, Arcadizine suddenly appeared and fought him. I don't know if it was a territory dispute or some other reason, but we were very lucky. Many people survived because of it."
Hearing that, Gandalf glanced at me. His gaze seemed to say, 'Hey, this guy is talking about you.' Regardless, Bard continued his story as he worked.
"Arcadizine was truly a powerful dragon. After suppressing the fearsome Smaug who had dominated the Lonely Mountain region, he simply left. It's true many survived because of it, but due to Smaug's breath, a massive fire broke out, and we ultimately had no choice but to bring the people here."
In the story Bard told, the part about the Mayor was conspicuously missing. He probably found it difficult to say that the Mayor died because of him.
"Then what do you intend to do now?"
When Gandalf asked about future plans, Bard answered.
"For now, we plan to request help from our associates, the Elves of Mirkwood, and rebuild Dale with the compensation we receive from the Dwarves occupying Erebor."
"Hmm... I see."
After listening to Bard, Gandalf sat atop the wall of Dale, pulled out the pipe tucked into his staff, and pondered while smoking. I then asked Gandalf.
"Aren't you going to tell him about the threat of the orcs?"
"Now that I've seen things here, my thoughts have changed. According to what I heard previously, the Dwarves of Erebor were once commissioned by the Elves to craft jewelry using the 'White Gems of Lasgalen.' However, whether out of greed or otherwise, the Dwarves made excuses and didn't hand the jewelry over even after making it. Because of that, the relationship between Elves and Dwarves has been poor. Now that Smaug is dead, the Elves of Mirkwood will try to reclaim the White Gems of Lasgalen."
"Then an Elven army will come."
Gandalf continued while smoking.
"Thorin knows this, so he will likely request aid from the Dwarves in the Iron Hills."
"Hmm... they'll gather on their own even without a warning."
"Exactly. If I were to warn them, they might actually withdraw their armies instead."
I found this situation quite amusing.
"It seems it was more peaceful when Smaug was around."
Gandalf agreed and said with a sigh.
"Indeed it was."
"So, what will you do now?"
"When the Elven army arrives, I must try to buy time by encouraging them to negotiate."