Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1117 1099. Shadow

In Lake Town, although Lan En and Bard are heroes who fought against Smaug, after welcoming them and confirming the death of the dragon again, people still have to be busy with the current difficult living conditions.

It did snow last night, but the fire in Changhu Town was too strong. The heat melted all the snow over the town, leaving only falling gray-white wood ashes, so Lan En and Bud didn't notice it.

But the snow at night has turned part of the valley city white again, and the snow line on the upper half of the lonely mountain seems to have extended a lot further downwards.

 It is now after snow, the temperature is cold and humid. This group of townspeople had just experienced repeated shocks, and most of them were still malnourished before.

 If something is not done, it will soon be impossible for someone to hold on.

 “I think, why don’t we go into the lonely mountain?”

A male town citizen struggled to push away a large piece of rubble blocking the house, while complaining to the people around him who were also working.

“There are a large number of rooms carved out by the dwarves. The mountains are insulated and dry. It’s quite safe. After all, the dragons are dead, right? And while the dragons are still alive, nothing dares to sneak in.”

“Although it will smell like a dragon, women can clean it up.”

"And there are quilts and clothes that are old and dusty, but thick enough. They can keep us warmer, and of course there is a little gold."

 The speaking townspeople paused to take a breath.

His body was in tatters and smelled of rancid fish oil. He wore a soft leather hat like a turban covering his tangled, shiny hair.

Handling heavily, the hot air came out of his mouth and was turned into a white mist by the cold temperature, which stuck to his face and made him feel wet and cold.

 This is a street in the ruins of River Valley City.

A dozen townspeople who could work were clearing rubble in front of a tall building destroyed by dragon fire on the street, hoping to open the way for people to enter.

 Longyan is not only a high-temperature flame, but also has physical impact. The door of this building is entirely made of stone.

Every stone on the door frame cannot be moved by ordinary people and can only be rolled on the ground.

But even so, Smaug sprayed out a puff of dragon flame during his flight, and the entire door made of stones stuck together instantly collapsed into a messy pile of rubble.

People working with the talking townspeople also stopped to take a breath with their shovels and wooden sticks.

Looking at their exhausted looks, it’s hard to tell whether they agree with this statement or not.

At this moment, the sound of wooden wheels turning on the stone road was heard from the other end of the street, as well as Bud's voice.

"That is the country of the dwarves, and there are still dwarves in it. We should not go in without permission."

Bard pulled a shabby wooden cart over. He was the person responsible for transporting the cleared gravel.

At this time, he spoke seriously and resolutely, as if he wanted to seriously dispel the thoughts of these townspeople.

“And regarding gold, the gold is cursed. We only take the share that Thorin Oakenshield promised us, the share that is enough to rebuild our home, and we cannot ask for one more gold coin!”

"How many people have been killed by their greed for gold? The dwarves kept digging deep into the lonely mountain, and finally the news of the treasure and their greed attracted the evil dragon. We are now standing in the destroyed river valley city!"

There is no one here more qualified to say these words than Bud.

 Because he was originally a descendant of the city lord of this destroyed city, but now he was reduced to living side by side with a group of fishermen.

Bard's three children are all well-behaved and sensible, but this is not because of the rich material he provided, but just because of his good education.

 In fact, Tilsa and Sigrid didn't have any new clothes, and Barn, who had always followed Bard as an example, didn't even have a bow of his own.

 There is no more suitable person than Bard to come forward to express his attitude towards the gold in the Lonely Mountain.

And thanks to the prestige that Bard gained among the townspeople with the help of Lan En, even those who had just started to complain nodded their heads to express understanding.

Although Smaug is dead, the horrific impression still remains in the hearts of the people here.

It has only been one night since Changhu Town was raided and massacred by orcs at night, and then completely burned by an evil dragon. Gold seems to be nothing.

　　When the townspeople saw the white corpses of acquaintances floating on the lake during the day, with their wounds soaked, it was the most sobering moment in their lives.

But in River Valley City, the surviving townspeople of Changhu Town have Bard to keep them awake and look rationally at the Lonely Mountain and the gold in the Lonely Mountain.

But what about inside Gushan now?

The four stragglers heading towards the Kingdom of the Lonely Mountain saw hobbits and Ellu standing outside before they entered the door that Smaug had knocked open from the inside.

 After meeting the four dwarves, they seemed very happy.

 “You’re still alive! That’s great!”

 But the strange thing is that this happiness only lasted for a moment.

The hobbit's smile turned into a pout, and Ellu's towering little triangular ears drooped again.

 “No, I really don’t know if you came at the right time.”

 “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Kili, who had just recovered from the arrow wound, didn't think much. He went up to him and pulled Bilbo and Velvet Ball into his arms forcefully. He laughed and gave them a generous hug.

 “We are alive, and you are also alive! Is there anything better than this? Haha!”

 The young and lively dwarf even jumped up like a little girl.

But the expressions of Bilbo and Fluffy Ball did not improve. "It's true, Kili, Fili, Bofur, Oin. You'd better not go in, in fact no one should go in!"

 Bilbo's words aroused Fili's doubts.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’re scared out of your wits. You’re a hobbit who can talk nonsense with three trolls face to face!”

 “Listen to me.”

Bilbo pressed his hand down, sorting out his thoughts and gesturing for himself to speak slowly.

"Something's wrong with Thorin. Ever since we kicked Smaug out last night when everyone was almost exhausted, he won't eat or drink, and won't let anyone else eat or drink. He'll stay down there."

"I tell you, there is something wrong with this place! There is an evil atmosphere in it!"

 “Evil spirit?”

Feili said it unconvincingly at first.

He and Qili were both young dwarves born outside the Lonely Mountain. They only longed for this former home and hometown in the stories of their elders. The beautification of the filter certainly made them unwilling to believe that there was any 'evil' in their hometown.

 However, when Fili tilted his head and looked past Bilbo, he seemed to have suddenly seen something, his eyes were straight and dazed.

　　Abandoning the hobbit who was still talking to him, he walked toward the broken door.

The people behind him quickly followed up, while Bilbo and Fluffy Ball looked at each other and sighed.

ˆ “.”

　　Fili, who was the first to break into the lonely mountain and follow the psychedelic golden light, stopped in vain.

The three dwarves following him were pretty much the same.

 Because after the gate of the Lonely Mountain, walking a little further in, there is the King's Hall where Thorin and the others melted the golden statue of Thror and almost crushed Smaug to death.

Although the dwarves didn't have many people, they still lit the brazier where lighting was needed, and the firelight swayed onto the huge golden plane that covered the hall.

 Then it is reflected into a golden light with a psychedelic glow.

　　When the four dwarves saw this scene, they even breathed less consciously.

But Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief after watching them for a while. Fortunately, it was only for a short while after seeing this shocking scene that the dwarves were lost and confused.

Later I woke up. Although I still glanced at the huge golden plane unconsciously, my eyes were normal at least.

“You said Thorin and the others are still down there?”

Bofur turned to ask Bilbo. The hobbit pursed his lips and nodded.

 A group of people headed deeper into the Gushan Mountain, led by Bofur and Ouyin who were familiar with the road.

All the way through the layers of excavations, stairs, and load-bearing columns as thick as a house.

 Finally, the shocking mountains of gold and silver in the treasure room appeared in front of the four dwarves.

Fortunately, the golden plane in the entire hall just after entering the door gave the four dwarves an adaptation period, and the four dwarves did not remain stunned for too long in front of the glittering gold mountains and silver sea.

In the mountains of gold and silver, which were originally only slightly reflective, many braziers are now lit, reflecting the charming luster of gold and silver.

The remaining dwarves were feebly bending down and rummaging through the mountains of gold and silver.

And just below the stairs where a few people were, there was a sound of gold coins being trampled.

Fili and Kili looked down and saw Thorin walking out of a small room in the treasure room.

 But it’s completely different from how it was a day ago.

The dwarf warrior who once lived in the open without even complaining about being tired now wears a luxurious and grand fur cloak.

Fili and Kili recognized this image. It was the cloak that their grandfather, Thorin's grandfather, wore when he was King Under the Mountain.

The expensive and exquisite fur has now accumulated a layer of dust, but it has not been damaged or reduced in appearance due to its superb quality.

Thorin couldn't wait to put it on just one day and one night after entering the Lonely Mountain.

And as he walked, Thorin was still humming.

 “Gold. Countless gold.”

His voice sounded like he had lost his soul, and while he was muttering to himself in a low voice, he seemed to want to put all the gold in the treasure room into his sight, turning his head around to admire the magnificent scene.

 “Enough to make up for all the sorrow and pain.”

As he turned his head and greedily admired the treasure room, Thorin saw the four dwarves who had just entered the Lonely Mountain.

He naturally opened his hands to them, and his fur cloak formed a thick black shadow.

The flames swayed, and although they reflected the luxury and splendor of the gold mountains and silver seas, they also left a deeper shadow, just like the dark circles under Thorin's eyes that had become thicker at some point.