Bear School Astartes

Appeasement policy.

In Lann’s homeland, this refers to the policy before the outbreak of World War II, represented by the United Kingdom, where nations did not prevent or curb increasingly intense acts of aggression globally.

Turning a blind eye, even assisting aggressors, with the intention of reaching an agreement after helping.

Until, finally, these acts of aggression spread like wildfire and even threatened the countries executing the appeasement policy, only then did these nations seemingly wake up to see the evil deeds of the aggressors and began mobilizing resistance.

Officially commencing World War II.

Lann has a solid background in history, and this content was required world history knowledge during his education.

The causes of the appeasement policy are complex and profound, but they generally revolve around three major directions.

After World War I, the countries that participated in the war suffered significant casualties, and every citizen still remembered those horrific times, leading to a collective fear and reluctance to face war.

Furthermore, the global economy was in a deep depression, and the weakened domestic economy made the gold-draining act of war less feasible.

At the time, the countries executing the appeasement policy were always optimistically estimating the threat from their enemies. In other words, to avoid war, they forced themselves to believe in these optimistic estimates.

Believing the ambitions of the enemy weren’t too large, that they would wisely stop after gaining enough benefits.

Believing the enemy wasn’t very bold, that they should feel guilty after obtaining so many benefits under the watchful eyes of various nations.

Believing the enemy’s strength wasn’t too strong, that being on the losing side in the last world war, the cost of defeat would keep them from rising again.

There were all sorts of optimistic estimates.

Looking at Saruman in front of us, these traits couldn’t be more obvious.

Saruman as the Dark Enemy of Middle-earth continent, the battle in which he was defeated was called the ’Battle of the Last Alliance.’

This clearly shows the resolute mindset the Light Camp had going into this battle.

Though Lann didn’t know much more about this battle, he could imagine its fierceness.

Participants and witnesses of the war must have been terrified.

They never wished for such a brutal war again; such subconscious psychological avoidance is understandable.

Saruman didn’t need to worry much about economic problems, but his disdain for Saruman was even more severe than the optimism of countries executing the appeasement policy.

It was because his demeanor exuded a natural arrogance, coupled with his powerful strength...

Such arrogance is predictable.

In his eyes, Saruman was a failure forged into a fait accompli; what was there for a failure to still care about or make a big fuss over?

’In conclusion...’ Lann grumbled to Mentos in his mind, ’I think you should give your British accent to Saruman. He’s way too United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!’

The biological quantum brain could only respond with a series of ellipses.

’...’

”Great!” Saruman fully understood what Lann meant, and without a change in expression, tapped his finger joint on the surface of the stone table.

”I gather what our young, Radagast’s agent means is: that we deceive ourselves into believing the Dark Demon Monarch does not exist out of fear?”

”Allow me to meticulously rephrase my words.” Lann considered his words carefully.

In important meetings, preventing others from misinterpreting your meaning was an essential aspect.

”I don’t believe any of you fear battle; I just want to say: placing hope on the enemy not being strong enough, or not having recovered, is too passive. It’s also not wise.”

”Forming a Dwarf Expedition Team is wise, then?”

Saruman retorted unkindly.

”Risking waking a dragon to help dwarves reclaim their kingdom...hmph, when it would be better to slowly weaken the leaderless Dark Forces, you insist on provoking them and fighting a war, and that’s wise?”

Saruman’s lips curled beneath his hooked nose, seemingly wanting to say more.

But before he could speak, light but rapid footsteps echoed up the stairs.

The steward of Rivendell, Lindir, approached the meeting platform with urgency but maintained his elegance.

All eyes were on him at that moment.

The elf only bowed his head and said, ”Those dwarves, My Lord...”

”What about the dwarves?”

Elrond inquired of his steward.

Lindir’s face bore a hint of embarrassment and a timidness of having done something wrong, expressions that were quite rare for elves.

”They, they left!”

The scene fell silent for a moment, and finally, Elrond waved his hand, dismissing his steward.

”A hope ignited by those with ulterior motives...”

Saruman’s expression was displeased, and looking pointedly at Gandalf and Lann, he shook his robe and stood up.

”Such unfounded hopes often cost lives. Had they consulted me before setting out, I would never have let them entertain the notion of ’success.’”

”Indeed,” Lann said, arms crossed. ”Might as well let that evil dragon continue sleeping in the Lonely Mountain; it might just sleep itself to death.”

Saruman paid no heed to Lann’s retort and was the first to walk away.

This meeting was originally convened to discuss how to handle the expedition team of the Dwarves.

The reason why a small team of merely fourteen people necessitated a Holy White Council-level discussion is partly due to the presence of the evil dragon, and partly because of the strategic significance of Lonely Mountain’s location.

Lonely Mountain is situated in the north of the Middle-earth Continent, where it divides the evil forces located in the northeast from the already defeated Angmar Kingdom.

This separation prevents the evil forces from uniting and supporting each other, thus providing a foundation for the strategic layout in the northern part of Middle-earth.

However, if the dragon in Lonely Mountain really collaborates with those evil forces... the entire northern continent will fall.

The legitimacy of Sorlin’s reconquest is indisputable; even if one wants to stop it, there must be persuasive reasons. If force were used without reason, then who is truly the evil side?

Can the good people still gather together to work in collaboration afterwards?

Before the Dwarves left, there was still room for negotiation, but now that they’ve gone, intercepting them halfway would equate to using direct force.

Elrond is not that kind of person; he possesses noble character. Furthermore, considering the bigger picture, they cannot possibly intercept Sorlin’s team.

”I always feel Saruman seems to have a problem with you.”

Once the silhouette of the White-robed Mage completely disappeared below the stairs, the young Demon Hunter complained to Gandalf.

”Has he always been like this? How do you endure it?”

The Grey-robed Wizard chuckled nonchalantly.

”It’s all for the bright future, you know, bear with it.”

Seeing Elrond also walking towards the stairs, Lann raised an eyebrow at Gandalf.

”Did you know they left beforehand?”

”I do not deny this point.”

Gandalf smiled slightly, somewhat embarrassed.

The Demon Hunter understood; most likely, this old fellow here prolonged the meeting to buy time.

”Lady Galadriel sensed it too, didn’t she?”

Gandalf complimented the Elf Queen, who stood under the arch at the edge of the platform, gazing into the dawn.

Only the three of them were left on the platform now.

The moonlight had faded away, leaving only the warm, gentle golden sunlight shining on the mountains and forests.

”I acknowledge Sorlin Oak Shield’s Reconquest Expedition Team.”

The Elf Queen smiled at Lann and Gandalf. Her soft voice, though light, naturally overpowered the noise of the waterfall.

”But I am indeed worried that the retrieval of Lonely Mountain will provoke those forces lurking in the shadows.”

”They have been quietly accumulating strength since the war. Like that... the Blade of Mogul, which should have never seen the light of day again.”

Gandalf nodded solemnly.

”But why did you involve Bilbo in this, Gandalf?”

Lann frowned as he inquired from the side.

”Hobbits are powerless; you said you needed a Master of Flying Thieves. However, aside from their innate gifts, Hobbits have zero experience and skills... It’s too dangerous for Bilbo, Gandalf.”

”Do you truly believe Bilbo could deceive the dragon?”

A look of deep thought appeared in Gandalf’s eyes.

”Do I trust Bilbo? To be honest... I don’t know, Lann, and Lady Galadriel.”

”But, Saruman thinks only great power can suppress evil. I do not share this view.”

”Where do the forces of justice that can confront evil come from? They can only stem from ordinary people whose day-to-day actions converge to form a force capable of defeating evil.”

The Grey-robed Wizard’s voice was low, neither passionate nor entirely convinced, merely stating his beliefs calmly.

But it is precisely this calmness that reveals his steadfast faith.

Just like the dawn sunlight shining upon him, it endures perpetually.

”People nurture their offspring with love, and heroes are born among countless descendants. These heroes inspired by kindness and love will bring about more goodness... Thus, this cycle is what allows goodwill to curb darkness.”

”Is the goodness of little people worth nothing?”

”No.”

Gandalf shook his head.

”Why did I choose a Hobbit? Bilbo Baggins?”

”Because darkness frightens me, but this small Hobbit... he gives me courage!”

Lann pursed his lips as he looked at Gandalf. After a long pause, he exhaled and shook his head, then headed down the stairs.

”You’d better take good care of ’your courage’, Gandalf. Rong Buqiu has already become friends with Bilbo. It will be very sad if something goes wrong.”

”Of course, of course! After all, you’ve got a heart of stone, right? So only the little cat will be saddened.”

Gandalf chuckled sarcastically, then prepared to turn and leave; he was going to catch up with the Dwarf Expedition Team.

Without his help, it’s hard to imagine what trouble these Dwarves might encounter in the dangerous wilderness.