Bear School Astartes

After Lann received the Aken Gemstone, he didn’t tuck it into his chest; instead, he bent down and earnestly looked at the Hobbit who delivered the gemstone.

”And you, Bilbo Baggins?”

”After handing me the gemstone, what’s your plan?”

”Me?”

Bilbo first froze, as if even he hadn’t considered this matter about himself.

It made him somewhat helpless in the face of unexpected situations, yet ultimately, he never changed his mind and didn’t glance at the radiant gemstone again.

Bilbo’s hand subconsciously rubbed the edge of his clothes.

”According to the contract, I have a one-fourteenth share of the treasure in the Lonely Mountain. Though I don’t know if it’s appropriate, I think exchanging this one-fourteenth for the Aken Gemstone makes some sense?”

”I now hand it over to you, hoping you can use it to save Sorlin, uh, that’s it.”

Bilbo spoke with pursed lips, clearly lacking confidence in his own words. After all, the King’s Gemstone was far too valuable, and it wasn’t just about value—it was about power too.

Yet Lann frowned and didn’t relax.

”I wasn’t asking about the legality of the gemstone, I was asking: after this arduous and dangerous journey for a year, do you intend to abandon all your gains?”

”Aha.”

Upon hearing this, Bilbo chuckled and breathed a sigh of relief, as if the question Lann raised about interest was much easier than the earlier moral and legality issues.

”You mean the gains from the adventure? No, I don’t care. Truly, I don’t care at all.”

The Hobbit seemed relaxed when discussing this aspect, standing tall and placing his once-restless hands, clutching his clothes, spiritedly on his belt.

”Of course, traveling in the wilderness, being hunted by Beastmen, being blocked by all sorts of monsters and having to flee—these experiences are tough and dangerous. But... it’s enough, Lann.”

The Hobbit’s face showed a contented smile.

”I met many friends, saw many things, and when I return, the book I write will certainly include all of these happenings!”

”I even picked up an acorn at Skinchanger Beorn’s home, and when I get back to Bag End, I’m going to plant it in my garden.”

”These are the rewards of my adventure. Having gold as compensation is certainly nice, but now...”

The Hobbit’s tone became serious and apprehensive.

”Clearly, there’s something wrong with Sorlin. And his problems might drag all the Dwarves into danger; they’re all my friends, and of course, you’re my friend too.”

”I know the Dwarves are very stubborn, hard to deal with, suspicious, secretive, with bad daily habits, but I’ve traveled with them for a whole year. I also know they’re brave, kind, and loyal to friends.”

”If I can give up wealth to let my friends escape danger, I think there’s nothing for me to mind.”

”Lann, I love my friends, so I’m willing to do everything I can to save them.”

The temporary fire pits set up by the Dwarves on the city gate emitted ’poof poof’ small explosive sounds, and the firelight flickered on the few of them.

Lann earnestly looked at the equally solemn face of the Hobbit opposite him, remaining silent for a long time.

Suddenly, the Demon Hunter’s mouth broke into a smile.

That smile was a sincere compliment, therefore it shone brightly and beautifully, even making the Hobbit temporarily forget the brilliance of the Aken Gemstone and somewhat dazed.

”This truly honors me, Master Baggins.”

”What?”

Bilbo asked in a daze.

”To be your friend,” Lann repeated, explaining, ”it’s my honor.”

The Hobbit gaped, unsure of what to say.

But beside him, the Elu Cat had already pounced onto Bilbo, whiskered face rubbing fiercely against the Hobbit’s face.

”So cool, meow, Bilbo!”

Three-Floral Kitten looked at the Hobbit, almost eyes sparkling.

Bilbo helplessly tried to push Rong Buqiu away: ”No, wait! What? Your fur is sticking to my head!”

Lann, having straightened up, became serious again, heading deeper into the Lonely Mountain.

He walked inward, passing through the King’s Hall filled and solidified with liquid gold, the breathtaking golden floor shimmering with illusionary light.

It seemed like just a glance would indulge someone in a lavish, luxurious dream.

But Lann noticed more that this gold emitted an entrenched dragon’s stench.

This gold had all been occupied long-term by the wicked dragon, carrying the dragon’s evil aura.

Lann had proven his resilience and resolve in the Flame World, under the eldritch darkness of Elderidge, so this gold meant little more than being pleasing to the eye for him.

Following the trail, Lann arrived at the Kingdom Treasure Vault within the Lonely Mountain.

However, before entering, he discovered several dwarves standing dejectedly at the entrance.

”Is Sorlin inside?”

Lann asked directly and decisively.

Qi Li, who was sitting on a large piece of rubble by the door, supporting his knees with his hands, nodded slowly and dully.

At this moment, all the dwarves were clad in armor and wielding weapons.

The dwarves’ armor, like their architectural style, featured many geometric lines, making it look angular, robust, and solid, like an iron pillar.

When Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain in those years, there was still an abundance of weapons and equipment in the armory that were not depleted. Coupled with the high skills of the dwarves and quality mineral materials, these weapons and equipment can still be used after a little polishing.

”Are you preparing for war?”

Lann asked, looking at the group of disheartened and apparently dispirited dwarves.

”To defend the Lonely Mountain, each of us is willing to lay down our lives,” Qi Li said first, but then he struggled and bowed his head again.

”But... it shouldn’t be like this. This isn’t the kind of glorious battle we imagined.”

Sitting opposite Qi Li, Philipp also listlessly embraced a helmet and said, ”We’re not afraid to sacrifice for the Lonely Mountain, but at least we should die with honor to count as a sacrifice, right?”

”Sorry, Lann. We had just invited you as a guest. We also ate the food that refugees in River Valley City shared with us, and used the blankets they gave us to keep warm, but now...”

Philipp’s fingers rubbed against the helmet in his arms, causing a monotonous sound of steel friction to echo in the dead and desolate Lonely Mountain.

”These are hard times now.” In the monotonous and empty voice, Ouri sighed. ”Even starving, braving the elements in the wilderness feels more comfortable than now. At least our hearts were clean and full of hope.”

Ouri was a dwarf with similar hobbies to Bilbo, always carrying a notebook and pen to record his observations.

However, Bilbo wanted to write a wonderful book, while he simply wanted to document things for reference.

The always laid-back and plump Bombo nodded frequently.

”The people of Long Lake Town have suffered because of us and took care of us. We should provide compensation and reward, which they are not asking for much, even if it’s deducted from my share? But it turns out like this, making us feel uneasy.”

After finishing, seemingly realizing he misspoke, Bombo quickly corrected himself.

”Of course, I wasn’t complaining about Sorlin. May his beard grow ever lush. But I must say... why has he suddenly become so stubborn these past few days? I even think he’s being stubborn.”

After Bombo finished speaking, Qi Li first nodded in agreement, then raised his head to look at the Demon Hunter.

”Lann, aren’t you a Wizard? Like Gandalf? Can you use magic to find the Aken Gemstone? Sorlin was a humble and sensible leader. Now his focus is all on that gemstone. If we find it, it might just make things better!”

Lann had not yet responded when Gorion, standing by with an axe, spoke up in retort.

”You don’t understand, Qi Li. You and Philipp were born and raised in the Blue Mountains. You’ve never seen the Aken Gemstone and don’t really know what it is.”

”But I’ve seen it.”

Gorion held a necklace pendant containing small portraits of his wife and children. Lann heard that the child was named Jimli.

”When the Aken Gemstone was unearthed, I was young, but I remember the Lonely Mountain Kingdom becoming a bit odd. Thror became increasingly agitated, making the dwarves dig deeper.”

”As if he’d forgotten our ancestors awakened something deep within Moria due to reckless digging, ultimately leading us to flee from our original home.”

”The gold that was smelted also decreased in circulation. If it doesn’t circulate, isn’t it just stone? But Thror liked to watch the gold pile up, just like in the treasure vault.”

”In my opinion, Sorlin took up the mantle of King in our most difficult times and performed admirably. He led our displaced dwarves back to a stable life. Who could do better?”

”Now he’s reclaimed Elbo. He’s the King! He doesn’t need any gemstone to prove it!”

Qi Li still held hope for the Aken Gemstone.

”But I’ve heard in stories that the gemstone glows brilliantly and can grant power to its owner!”

Gorion’s response was direct, as the dwarf snapped the pendant shut with a clatter, chuckling.

”Heh, that’s bullshit!”

Qi Li and Philipp, being young, had never really seen the Aken Gemstone and thus lacked the confidence to refute Gorion.

Each of the dwarves expressed their opinions more or less, and Lann gently nodded, indicating he understood.

”I’ll go in and talk to Sorlin, regardless, the situation cannot drag on any longer.”

Lann patted the stone wall of this Dwarf City.

”The townsfolk of Long Lake Town can’t wait any longer, the Elves are furious, and the dwarves’ reputation will only worsen with delay.”

”Indeed.” Philipp couldn’t help but nod, ”Family reputation and honor are more important than anything!”