Chapter 240: Kill Monsters and Drop Equipment, Wolf Scout
"They must have come from the Ettenmoors."
Thorin was somewhat puzzled, "When did Trolls start wandering so far?"
"It hasn't happened for an age," Gandalf's expression grew more solemn, "Not since the Age of Dark Dominion."
Hearing this, Thorin frowned slightly but didn't take it too seriously.
Aaron, however, involuntarily swallowed.
Age, Age of Dark Dominion—these two terms contained too much information.
His curiosity was almost uncontrollable, but he also knew that the more he knew, the more dangerous it would be. Keeping a low profile before understanding this world better was the way to go.
"They can't move during the day," Gandalf murmured.
"Which means there must be a cave nearby."
Thorin immediately led everyone to search, and they found a filthy cave behind the Troll camp.
Leaving half the men outside as a lookout, Thorin led four Dwarves inside, and Gandalf pulled Aaron in as well.
The dark, damp cave was full of disgusting flies, and a foul stench assaulted their noses.
"Why does it smell so bad?" Nori frowned.
"This is a Troll treasury," Gandalf explained, "Be careful not to touch anything."
After only a few steps, Nori heard the sound of coins.
Looking down, he saw a pile of scattered gold coins.
"It's a shame to leave them lying around like this," Norishook his head, "Anyone can take them."
Aaron's eyes lit up, not caring if they were dirty or not, and stuffed the gold coins into his pouch.
After his pouch bulged, he grabbed another handful and put them in his pocket.
"You're really not polite," Nori said with a wry smile, "If I were you, I wouldn't do that.
Money is good, but our company will hardly have a chance to spend money before reaching the Lonely Mountain, and once we reach the Lonely Mountain, it means we won't lack money."
"You can't think that way. Money isn't everything, but you can't do anything without money," Aaron said earnestly, "One of the truths I've always believed in is that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
Gloin opened a chest full of gold coins, then patted Nori's shoulder, "Get me a shovel. Let's bury them first."
Thorin stopped, transfixed, in front of a wooden chest, his gaze deeply drawn to several swords covered in cobwebs.
As a Dwarf Prince who had participated in countless battles, he had a special feeling for weapons and knew there were true treasures here.
He put down his torch, ignored a pile of inferior items, and picked up the two most distinctive ones, "These swords are not made by Trolls."
"Even an idiot can see that. They don't have the intelligence to forge," Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly, then took one of the swords from Thorin's hand.
The longsword slowly slid out of its scabbard, accompanied by a crisp clang, and a cold, silver gleam flickered faintly in the dark cave.
Aaron flicked it with his finger, listening carefully to the sound of the sword.
"Tsk! Good stuff, absolutely good stuff.
Time has left almost no trace on it. There isn't a single seam on the blade, top or bottom. It's simply the most exquisite work of art.
This is from the hand of a master smith, though it can't compare to…"
"Can't compare to what?" Gandalf looked at Aaron with a half-smile, "Are you saying you've seen a better sword?"
"I am not, I have not, don't talk nonsense."
Aaron immediately denied it, but he was indeed thinking that.
These swords were all top-grade, but there was still some gap compared to the magic swords forged by Algol; they couldn't even rank in the top three.
Gandalf examined the sword in Aaron's hand, "This was forged by the High Elves in Gondolin during the First Age."
When Thorin heard the word 'Elf,' a flicker of resentment crossed his eyes. He didn't even look at it and disdainfully put the sword back in the chest.
"You won't find a better sword," Gandalf immediately warned.
Thorin struggled for a moment, but finally decided to switch to a new weapon.
After all, they had only gone a short distance before encountering Trolls, and the road ahead would not be so smooth.
"Gaius, you use this sword!" Gandalf said with a smile, "Your combat experience is far richer than mine."
"No need, you keep it for yourself, old man!" Aaron said indifferently, "It's too conspicuous for a child like me to use such a legendary weapon."
"I can use this."
Aaron rummaged through the box and pulled out a bow, then slung a quiver of arrows onto his back.
The quality of this bow and arrow set was far inferior to the swords forged by the High Elves; it was just common goods, but without using magic, he needed some means of long-range attack.
Gandalf raised an eyebrow, offering no objection, and fastened the sword to his waist.
Returning to the cave entrance, Nori, Bofur, and Gloin were busy burying the treasures in the dirt.
"You guys…" Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly, "Is it really necessary?"
"Long-term savings are very necessary," Gloin said heartily, adding another shovel of dirt to the pile of treasures.
"Let's leave this foul place," Thorin said, then led the way out.
As Gandalf walked out, he felt something under his foot.
Using his staff to clear the mud beneath him, an unfamiliar short sword appeared in his sight, and his brows unconsciously relaxed.
"This is…" Aaron drew the short sword, unable to help but smack his lips, "Your luck is really too good. The quality of this sword is no less than the one in your hand.
And it seems to have been enchanted with magic, possessing a special power."
"A spell for detecting Orcs," Gandalf said with interest, "I think it should find a suitable master."
Aaron smiled without speaking, already guessing who he was referring to.
After leaving the cave, Gandalf went directly to Bilbo, "Here, this size suits you."
Bilbo took the short sword. He didn't know much about weapons, but looking at the exquisite patterns on the hilt, he knew this sword was valuable.
After a few seconds of silence, he handed the sword back. He didn't consider himself a warrior, and such a fine sword in his hands would only be a waste.
"This short sword was made by Elves. It glows blue when Orcs are near."
"But I've never used a sword in my life."
"I can teach you," Aaron volunteered.
Hearing this, Bilbo was somewhat flattered.
He had witnessed Aaron's battle with the Trolls with his own eyes, and even a peace-loving Hobbit couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at such a scene.
"Is this really appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it.
But you have to be mentally prepared. My teaching skills are average, and you have almost no combat talent."
Bilbo: …Sure enough, I'm still not suited for this sword.
"That's why this sword is suitable for you," Gandalf said meaningfully, "Bilbo, when this sword comes in handy, please remember: true courage is not about taking a life, but about sparing one."
Bilbo was stunned for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"Something is approaching," Dwalin suddenly said.
Thorin drew his new equipment, vigilantly looking around, "Everyone, don't scatter."
Gandalf also recovered, drawing the longsword from his waist, "Quickly, arm yourselves."
The entire expedition gathered together, nervously watching the direction from which the sound came. Once they confirmed it was an enemy, they would attack without mercy.
Aaron looked at Bilbo, who had drawn his short sword, "Now, the great teacher Gaius will teach you how to use a sword."
"What?" Bilbo was stunned for a moment, "Are you sure now?"
"First, the hand holding the sword must not tremble," Aarongrabbed Bilbo's right hand, "Are you ready?"
Bilbo took a deep breath, then nodded.
"Secondly, you must grasp the timing, strength, and speed of the attack.
Victory, or rather life and death, often lies in that instant."
"Thieves, fire, murderers…"
A group of rabbits suddenly darted out of the jungle, pulling a sled, and rushed over at an extremely fast speed.
The Dwarf formation was slightly chaotic, while Aarontightened his grip on Bilbo's right hand and pushed forward.
The shouting stopped abruptly. The small old man with a staff on the sled stared at the blade by his neck, too scared to move.
The Dwarves immediately surrounded him, but almost everyone cast part of their attention on Aaron.
"Don't look at me like that; staying calm in a crisis is basic skill!"
"Can you teach me? That move was so cool," Kili asked excitedly.
"I can't teach that. You have to practice it yourself in actual combat.
The more you swing a sword, the more naturally you'll get it."
"Um… can you take this sword away first?
I am Radagast the Brown Wizard, not your enemy."
"How do I know if you're real or fake?"
"He's real," Gandalf said, "Radagast the Brown Wizard."
Aaron raised an eyebrow and released his right hand.
Bilbo nervously retracted the sword, "Aaron, you should teach me something else! Fighting really isn't for me."
"Uh… I'll try!"
Gandalf walked up to the Brown Wizard, "What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you, Gandalf," Radagast was very anxious, almost incoherent, "Something bad has happened, something very bad."
"What do you mean?"
Radagast was about to speak, but hesitated, "Give me a minute to think.
I just thought of it and forgot. The words were right on the tip of my tongue."
As he spoke, he thought of something and stuck out his tongue.
Gandalf slowly reached out and removed a stick insect from Radagast's tongue.
"We need to talk alone," Radagast lowered his voice, "This matter is not suitable for too many people to know about yet."
Gandalf looked at the Dwarves, his gaze settling on Thorin.
"Go! But make it quick."
"Aaron, you come too."
"I'm not going," Aaron refused outright.
Are you kidding? The Brown Wizard was already saying 'something bad has happened'; he wasn't foolish enough to seek trouble.
"You are a Wizard; you have a responsibility to know."
"I've never admitted I'm a Wizard."
"Oh dear! I didn't expect that besides Dwarves, you, a child, would also give me a headache."
Radagast looked Aaron over, "Are you sure he's a Wizard? I don't think I've ever seen him."
Aaron gave an awkward laugh, "My ancestors might have some connection to Wizards, but that has nothing to do with me, and I have amnesia."
"How much longer are you going to use that excuse?" Gandalf said exasperatedly.
Aaron pouted. This excuse was already full of holes, but as long as there was no evidence to prove he didn't have amnesia, he could keep using it.
Seeing his indifferent expression, Gandalf helplessly pulled Radagast aside.
The Grey Wizard and the Brown Wizard stopped not far from the company.
Radagast said with a solemn expression, "The Greenwood is sick, Gandalf.
Darkness covers the land, everything stops growing, only bad things grow, the air is filled with putrefaction, and the worst are the webs."
"Webs?" Gandalf's heart sank, "What do you mean?"
"Spiders, Gandalf.
Very large ones, they must be descendants of Ungoliant, or I'm not a Wizard." Radagast said seriously, "I tracked them; they came from Dol Guldur."
...Aaron watched the two Wizards from a distance, feeling restless, a large 'DANGER' sign even appearing in his mind.
He had also learned lip-reading, and the conversation between Gandalf and Radagast couldn't escape his eyes, but the information he deciphered made him regret 'eavesdropping.'
Sick forests, giant spiders, abandoned ancient castles, unprecedented dark power, ancient terrifying shadows, and a Necromancer who summons the undead.
Nima! All these words were signs of an impending storm.
He had only been in this world for a short time and encountered such trouble; one misstep and he could be swept into it.
Just then, Bilbo patted his shoulder, pulling him back from his thoughts.
"Aaron, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Bilbo glanced at the two Wizards and asked with some confusion, "This is a Wizard's meeting. Aren't you curious?"
"Because I'm afraid of trouble," Aaron spread his hands bluntly, "Past experience tells me that trouble is unavoidable; it always appears at unexpected times in unexpected places.
But actively seeking trouble and passively encountering it are two completely different things."
Bilbo seemed to understand and yet not understand, but he deeply agreed.
If Gandalf hadn't arranged the Dwarves' meeting at his house, he wouldn't have signed any contract and would now be comfortably lying in his chair, smoking.
Awooo!
Just then, a wolf howl echoed in the forest.
The Dwarves immediately became alert, and Gandalf and Radagast quickly returned.
"That's a wolf howl. Are there wolves here?" Bilbo asked.
"No, that's not a wolf," Nori gripped his weapon tightly, looking around with tense nerves.
"It's a Warg," Aaron saw a brown Warg over a meter tall staring down at them, immediately drew his bowstring, and shot an arrow.
Puff!
The arrow pierced the Warg's skull, and it dropped from mid-air just as it was about to pounce.
A second Warg charged down from another direction, and a group of Dwarves swarmed it, attacking with swords, axes, and hammers.
Thorin swung his sword, cutting the Warg's neck and killing it.
But he wasn't happy at all; instead, his face was grave, "Warg scouts, which means an Orc army is nearby."
"An Orc army?" Bilbo was in a panic. He hadn't even emerged from the shadow of the Trolls before falling into an even greater shadow.
"Besides your kin, who else did you tell about the expedition?" Gandalf asked Thorin anxiously.
"No one else."
"Who did you tell?" Gandalf asked again, his tone becoming somewhat stern.
"I swear, no one else."
Hearing this, Gandalf grew even more agitated.
Because the expedition plan was set by him and Thorin. If Thorin hadn't leaked it, then it could only be him who leaked it, but that was simply impossible.