I took off, circled above Erebor once, and was about to return to the Dragon's Tower. Suddenly, I received a signal on my [Nano Buckle]. It was from the ring I had given Arwen. But the signal came not from the west, where the Dragon's Tower was, but from the south.
"Huh? Why is the signal coming from the south?"
Leaving the question aside for now, I flew quickly toward the signal. I crossed Mirkwood and arrived at Lothlórien.
This was the realm of the Elves of Lórien, ruled by the famous elf Galadriel. I wondered why the signal had come from here. The forest was too dense to enter in dragon form, so I transformed 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 I get a signal from here?"
Elrond answered:
"Radagast informed us that Gandalf is imprisoned at Dol Guldur. We were hoping you would help us."
"I told you before. This has nothing to do with me."
Elrond said:
"I know. But you promised to protect me. Keep your promise."
"Elrond... using my promise like this."
"I'm sorry, but please think of it as a favor from your father-in-law."
"Geez... Fine! I'll help."
When I agreed, we followed Radagast's guidance and hurried to Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. On the way, I learned how the ring had come into Elrond's possession. When they asked for help from the Dragon's Tower, Arwen sent the ring I had given her via birds.
'I'll spank Arwen as soon as I get back.'
Honestly, I didn't like that Arwen had given the ring — which I had given her to contact me in case of an emergency — to someone else, even if it was her worried father. When I return to the tower, I'm going to give her a good spanking with my strong, thick club.
We arrived near Dol Guldur. Galadriel entered first, and we waited outside, ready to follow based on the situation. I prepared by taking out the [Moonlight Greatsword] I had obtained from the gacha.
One might ask why I wasn't using Guts's Greatsword (Dragon Slayer) or the Soul Reaver against spirits, but from my experience, simply infusing any sword with mana was enough. So any sword would do.
When I suddenly pulled a greatsword out of thin air, the others looked at me curiously. Saruman seemed ready to ask all sorts of questions, but it was time to fight, so he just watched.
We waited outside until Elrond signaled the situation inside. We slowly entered. Inside were Nazgûl in spectral forms. In the center, Galadriel was holding Gandalf, looking at his wounds.
Saruman asked Galadriel:
"Do you need help, my lady?"
The Nazgûl turned to guard against us. Elrond drew his sword and said to them:
"You should have stayed dead!"
That was the signal. The battle began. I infused mana into the Moonlight Greatsword and started fighting the Nazgûl. When infused with mana, the blade glowed a faint celestial blue, leaving beautiful trails with every swing — truly a pleasure to wield.
The spectral Nazgûl would vanish and reappear, attacking us. But Elrond and Saruman fought capably. Honestly, aside from the vanishing act, they were just decent swordsmen.
I dealt with the annoying ones, sending them flying with light slashes. Whenever Elrond or Saruman was in danger, I fired blue sword energy from the Moonlight Greatsword to protect them.
Then I approached Galadriel, who had been tending to Gandalf.
"Step aside."
Galadriel stared blankly at me — as if wondering what I was saying.
"Geez, step aside for a moment."
When she moved away from Gandalf, I placed my hand on Gandalf's chest, used [Heal], and also infused [Energy Drain] to replenish his magical power. His wounds healed quickly, and he began to revive.
"What is this..."
Galadriel was surprised. I ignored her and slapped Gandalf awake.
"Hey, Gandalf! Wake up!"
SLAP SLAP!
Gandalf quickly came to.
"Ugh... Stop it, I'm awake! Have you no respect for the elderly?"
"You're a Maia, talking about 'respect for the elderly.' At this rate, I might hit senior citizens!"
"Geez! Fine, fine. I'm getting up."
Gandalf grumbled and stood. Galadriel asked him anxiously:
"Are you all right?"
"Thanks to the power he gave me, I'm better."
He wasn't 'better' — he was fully healed. But he only told Galadriel he was 'better.' Those two must have something going on.
Anyway, I picked up the Moonlight Greatsword again and resumed fighting the Nazgûl. Once I rejoined, they were quickly dispatched. Then, suddenly, a massive energy gathered before us and formed the shape of a great eye.
From within the eye, the spirit of Sauron appeared.
[It has already begun. The kingdoms of the East have fallen. The Kingdom of Angmar will be rebuilt. The age of Elves is over. Orcs will rule.]
Sauron then looked at me and made an offer.
[Dragon, one of the few remaining in this age, join me. Anything you desire, I will grant.]
I thought for a moment, then asked Sauron:
"I do have something I want. Will you grant it?"
Everyone looked at me in shock. Gandalf was especially surprised.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Ignoring Gandalf, I stared directly at Sauron. He answered:
[Anything!!]
"Then I want the complete annihilation of Morgoth. Aren't you tired of serving a master with no power who only envies you? He would envy even you if you became too powerful."
Sauron was silent for a moment, then said:
[Sowing discord between me and my master... an unusual experience.]
"And another thing: suppose you win, or Morgoth wins, and the world falls into the hands of stupid orcs. What will you do then in an empty, barren land? Dance with them? Make love to them?"
Galadriel covered her mouth, snickering.
[You dare insult me!]
Angry, Sauron began emitting intense heat. I immediately used [Mystic Arts] to create a large barrier, protecting those behind me.
"Don't be so angry, Maia friend. I was just curious."
Unable to break my barrier no matter how hard he tried, Sauron gathered his minions and flew off to Mordor. Gandalf patted my shoulder.
"Hahaha. That was exhilarating. You've bested Sauron with words."
"Stop laughing. The way he got so angry, he must be a poor fellow who doesn't want anyone to know he's in love with an orc. It's sad. We should respect his taste."
Galadriel and Elrond burst out laughing.
PWAHAHAHAHA!!!
Radagast, hearing the laughter from outside, entered and asked:
"Why are you laughing?"
Gandalf said to him:
"Nothing. Let's head back."
We returned to Lothlórien. Then Gandalf spoke:
"I must go to Erebor. Sauron is a problem, but I saw many orcs at Dol Guldur moving north. Their target is likely Erebor. The people and elves of the north, and Thorin's company, are in danger. I must warn them. So, Arkad Jean, would you fly me there?"
"I was just there before this, and I only came here because of Elrond. Now you want me to go back?"
"Yes, please. There's no time to lose."
"This is absurd. You're treating a dragon like a horse."
When I objected, Gandalf tried to bribe me.
"How about a hidden chest of gold coins? What do you say?"
"You know I'm not interested in gold."
As I was about to leave, Galadriel spoke:
"What about mithril?"
"Hmm... Mithril... Fine. How much will you give?"
Galadriel brought a box containing raw, unrefined mithril.
"Is this enough?"
"Geez... I don't get it. Why not just ride an eagle?"
Gandalf explained:
"Eagles cannot cross Mirkwood — there is nowhere for them to rest. They would have to turn back."
"Sigh... Fine."
I took the largest piece of mithril from the box and said:
"I'll take only this."
I went outside and transformed into my dragon form. Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, and Radagast — all seeing my true form for the first time — looked on in awe.
"Hurry up."
Gandalf shouldered the pack Galadriel had packed for him and climbed onto my back. I lifted off slowly and headed toward Erebor.
"I've been flying around a lot. At this rate, I could have reached Valinor by now."
"Hmm... I suppose so. I heard you killed Smaug at Lake-town. How did you manage it?"
Gandalf was curious. I answered his question with another.
"Who would win — a dragon who can use magic, or one who cannot?"
"I see. Understood."
"I have a question too. You're a wizard, yet you never use magic — you just hit things with your staff. I thought you were a master of staff martial arts."
This was something I'd always wondered while watching the original. Gandalf looked dumbfounded.
"Good heavens... To be called a master of staff martial arts... Listen well. We Maiar restrain ourselves for fear of succumbing to power and falling, like Morgoth or Sauron. But when truly necessary, I do use magic."
"I see. Staff martial artist."
Gandalf frowned.
"Whether with Sauron or me, you certainly have a way of getting under people's skin."
He sighed, rummaged through Galadriel's pack, and pulled out lembas bread. We had rushed here without eating.
Having a passenger on my back meant I couldn't go full speed, so it would take time to reach Erebor. Still, it wasn't slow.
After three days of flight, we crossed Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain came into view.
"Almost there. Flying like this for three days must have been tiring for you."
"This is ridiculous. You've eaten and slept on my back."
It was true. Gandalf had made himself at home.
"I'll get down here. A dragon suddenly appearing would frighten people."
I landed between Lake-town and Erebor, let Gandalf off, and returned to human form. No one was visible in Lake-town — they had all moved to Dale.
Dale was a human town that had prospered through trade with the dwarves of Erebor before Smaug's attack. After Smaug attacked, the survivors founded Lake-town. Now that Lake-town was destroyed and Smaug dead, they were rebuilding Dale.
Not knowing what was to come.
Gandalf and I went to Dale. In human form, no one recognized me. Gandalf decided to meet Bard, who was now leading the town. Bard was busy running around, helping people, so Gandalf and I followed him and listened to his story.
"When Smaug was burning Lake-town, Arkad Jean suddenly appeared and fought him. I don't know if it was a territorial dispute or something else, but we were very lucky. Thanks to him, many survived."
Gandalf glanced at me. His eyes said, 'You're the one Bard's talking about.' Bard continued as he worked.
"Arkad Jean is truly a powerful dragon. He subdued Smaug — the terrifying dragon who once ruled the area around the Lonely Mountain — and then left. Many survived, but Smaug's breath caused a huge fire, and we had no choice but to come here."
Bard's story conveniently left out the Master's part. Probably because he didn't want to mention that the Master had died because of him.
"What will you do now?"
Gandalf asked Bard about his plans.
"First, we will ask the Elves of Mirkwood — with whom we have traded — for help. Then, we will receive compensation from the dwarves of Erebor and use it to rebuild Dale."
"Hmm... I see."
After hearing Bard's story, Gandalf sat on the wall of Dale, pulled a pipe from his staff, and smoked, lost in thought. I asked:
"Aren't you going to warn them about the orc threat?"
"Having seen it myself, I've changed my mind. Long ago, the dwarves of Erebor were commissioned by the Elves to craft jewelry from the 'White Gems of Lasgalen.' But whether out of greed or something else, they made excuses and never handed them over. As a result, elves and dwarves have been at odds. Now that Smaug is dead, the Elves of Mirkwood will come for the White Gems."
"So an elven army is coming."
Gandalf continued, smoking his pipe.
"Thorin knows this. He will ask the dwarves of the Iron Hills for help."
"Hmm... So they will assemble, even without my warning."
"Yes. If I warn them, they might even call off their armies."
I found the situation amusing.
"It seems it was more peaceful when Smaug was here."
Gandalf sighed in agreement.
"Indeed."
"So what will you do now?"
"Guide them toward negotiation to buy time."