Bear School Astartes

When speaking about ’those things,’ even Elrond’s usually calm and steady voice inevitably carried a weighty tone.

The former Great Dark Enemy, Sorun, crafted sixteen rings. Disguising himself as an Elf known as the ’King of Gifts,’ he gave these rings to the most powerful and strong-willed King heroes among the Dwarves and humans.

Since obtaining these rings, the greed of the Dwarves intensified, and they began to be utterly captivated by gold and jewels.

The cities of the Dwarves also dug deeper and deeper in their increasingly fervent mining surges.

To this day, even the royal lineage of the Durin Race has fallen prey to a mental condition known as [Dragon Sickness].

And humans had even less resistance than the Dwarves.

The nine Kings who accepted the rings were all leaders of ancient and powerful nations.

But with the rings’ corruption, they became the servants of Sorun, from their souls to their bodies.

They wore black robes, rode black horses, galloping in the night.

They were called the Nine Ringwraiths of Sorun.

The Angmar Witch King was the leader of the Nine Ringwraiths.

”When?”

Lann began to enter work mode and asked succinctly.

”As soon as possible.” Elrond also stood up from his chair, ”That’s why I personally brought you this good sword.”

The Demon Hunter nodded and began to pack things simply, preparing to set out.

Elrond stood behind Lann, watching him busily organizing.

”And also thank you, Yadanisil.”

”Thank me? For what?”

”Lady Galadriel hasn’t been so relaxed and happy in a long time as she has these past few days.”

Elrond walked to the window, gazing at the gentle sunlight outside, speaking quietly.

Lann turned his head with some curiosity, though his hands didn’t stop packing.

”According to you, she is the last Elf in Middle-earth who bathed in the light of the Two Holy Trees, and these days she’s simply been happy to hear news from an old friend, I didn’t really do anything. Speaking of which... what is your relationship with Lady Galadriel?”

After all, it seemed Elrond’s concern for Lady Galadriel exceeded normal relations.

”She is my wife’s mother.”

”You’re married?” Lann realized his mistake just after blurting it out. ”Oh, sorry. I haven’t seen your family in these weeks.”

”And your wife? Is she not in Rivendell? Is she in Lothlorien?”

”No.” Elrond did not turn around, standing in the sunlight streaming in through the window with his back to Lann. ”She is no longer of this world.”

Lann pressed his lips together, his expression froze.

”Oh, but also, please don’t misunderstand, she hasn’t entered Mandos’ halls.”

As if knowing Lann’s reaction, Elrond deliberately spoke in a tone that seemed a touch indifferent.

”She was just... once captured by Beastmen and suffered torture. Her body and mind have reached their limits, so we sent her to Valinor, hoping the Blessed Land can provide her rest.”

”I’m sorry.” Lann spoke, filled with regret.

He could discern that Elrond was hurting inside.

”No, it’s nothing.”

The Elf Lord outwardly remained as calm as ever, shaking his head, leading the already packed Lann outside.

”It’s time to act, Yadanisil. To prevent you from losing your way, I’ve also arranged for a guide.”

”Who?”

Lann asked casually and, as he walked out the door, let out a loud whistle from his mouth.

The sharp whistle traveled far, finally producing a chaotic clattering sound from the thicket across from the room, separated by a small waterfall.

Then Rong Buqiu emerged from the messy underbrush, clutching its little helmet with its paw.

”Here I am, meow!”

It was holding a small fish snack in its mouth.

The Elves of Rivendell were indeed very fond of it and the Qilin, always kindly feeding them plenty.

Rong Buqiu agilely hopped on the smooth rocks exposed under the waterfall, then landed on Lann’s shoulder.

”Your paws are wet, Rong Buqiu!”

”Never mind, meow! We’re finally going on an adventure again, aren’t we?”

With a smile, Elrond waited for Rong Buqiu to grip Lann’s shoulder securely before he continued speaking.

”Your acquaintance, he should be waiting for you just outside Rivendell.”

-----------------

The ’clip-clop’ of horseshoes stepping on rocks echoed along the narrow yet deep rocky path.

This was the road out of Rivendell.

Strangely, Lann remembered the way in was not here, but it might be the magic enveloping the entire valley taking effect.

”Neigh!”

”Crash! Bang!”

The Qilin’s size was much larger than ordinary horses, making this path too confined for it, and consequently, it was quite displeased.

Thus the Ancient Dragon grumbled with a whinny, using its Qilin horn to hit the rocks causing the path to be so narrow.

The long crystal horn, which the Golden Lion once shattered with its fist, proved unstoppable against ordinary rocks.

Combined with the Ancient Dragon’s physical prowess, typically a single headbutt from the Qilin could dislodge a rock half the size of a person.

He was actually a bit happy about leaving Rivendell.

The lifestyle of an Ancient Dragon requires a lot of space, so Lann never really restricted the freedom of Qilin, allowing it to run as it pleased.

Though Rivendell was peaceful, and the Elves all liked it, Qilin felt a bit cramped and stifled after staying for a long while.

But upon stepping out of the valley, a vast meadow spread before the eyes.

In the early autumn, the meadows had already turned yellow, growing on small hills, and these endless, uneven hills stretched way to the east.

Finally, the strength of the map’s terrain created peaks, connecting into a continuous mountain range.

The sunlight slanted across those majestic mountains, sometimes overshadowed by passing clouds.

Desolate yet magnificent.

”Is this the place, meow? Can’t see anyone!”

Rong Buqiu climbed onto Qilin’s head, straightened up holding the horns, and used its little paws to make a tent over its eyes, looking around.

”No, they’re already here.”

Lann’s ears caught sounds from afar, and he turned his head.

On their side, the chaotic sound of footsteps and sliding on grass grew louder.

From the other side of a small hill, several giant rabbits emerged!

Their big paws thudded against the ground, pulling wooden sleds behind.

”Huff!”

Qilin snorted upon seeing familiar faces and retreated two steps.

The rabbits took a sharp turn, tossing the wooden sleds to the spot where Qilin had backed up.

Clearly, these Rossga Castle rabbits were well acquainted with Qilin.

”Good morning! Lann, lovely little cat! And lovely Qilin!”

A scruffy old man on the sled joyfully jumped down, promptly petting Qilin’s fur and stroking Rong Buqiu’s chin.

”Radagast, are you the guide?”

Lann, sitting on Qilin’s back, tilted his head in question.

”You’re awesome, you couldn’t be bothered to say much at the time, just dumped me here.”

Radagast didn’t even bother to turn toward Lann, his eyes fixed solely on Qilin and Rong Buqiu.

”So what do you expect me to do? I was supposed to guide you out of the Dark Forest, didn’t you get out? Even found the Elves! I had to hurry back. Who knows what those poor, helpful species might suffer at the hands of the darkness?”

”Tsk.”

The Demon Hunter clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, waved his hand, and let the matter slide.

”How did Elrond notify you? To drag you out of the woods?”

”Oh, I didn’t want to come out. But Lady Galadriel sent a butterfly with a message.”

Radagast removed his hat, revealing his hair tangled into a bird’s nest and smeared with bird droppings.

Three birds immediately returned to their nest, then Radagast put his hat back on.

The scruffy old man’s face turned solemn, his voice lowered, leaning closer to Lann.

”She said... the situation isn’t looking optimistic.”

”What was the result of the meeting?”

”If you really wanted to know, you should have attended yourself.”

Lann first complained, then responded candidly from horseback.

”No result, the white-robed one among your Wizards kept saying ’It’s not that serious,’ ’Don’t act rashly,’ ’Don’t cause panic,’ all that nonsense. I think he just wants to downplay a big issue and maintain peace.”

”But in my observation, when Elrond and Lady Galadriel saw that short sword we brought over, they still resisted, but they also kinda accepted the reality.”

”Reality...” Radagast murmured worriedly, ”The darkness is approaching.”

”Alright, let’s go.” Lann tugged on Qilin’s mane.

The Ancient Dragon cooperatively turned direction, the broad runic fabric flowing in waves revealing Qilin’s agile form, and the muscle beneath its blue and white scaled skin surged.

”First head to Rudolph Plateau, see if that evil spirit we dispersed was actually a Ringwraith that escaped.”

Radagast nodded heavily, then stepped back onto his wooden sled.

The chaotic thuds of giant rabbits and the crisp sound of Qilin’s hooves melded together.

They raced northwards across the expansive meadow.

Rivendell is located in the middle of the west side of the elongated Mist Mountains, while Rudolph Plateau is to the north.

Not far from leaving Rivendell, the land remains green and beautiful, the occasional yellow tinged with autumn’s crispness.

The road, though simple, is relatively smooth. Travelers like humans or Dwarves are seen on their way occasionally, and every dozen miles or so, there might be a simple wooden lodge.

Many of them gawk in amazement as Lann charges past on Qilin, as if witnessing a ’giant and giant horse’ leaping out from a story.

Yet as they deeper venture into the wild, human traces began to dramatically dwindle.

The road grew rugged and difficult, the scents of earth and grass no longer fresh.

One could even see from afar eerie hills stretching towards the sky, covered in twisted, dried trees and sinister ancient castle ruins.

Everything carried a hint of gloom.

”These are signs of evil spreading!”

Radagast spoke sorrowfully, looking at the grasses and forests.

In this world, the power of evil not only brings a peculiar atmosphere, this atmosphere also tangibly affects the environment.

And in such an environment, giant rabbits and Qilin galloped for about two days, arriving at Rudolph Plateau.