Hearing this name, Bard was stunned for a moment.
Regarding Balrogs, ancient creatures that only had traces of activity before the First Age, as a human living at the end of the Third Age, he really didn't understand much about them.
But... being able to single-handedly destroy an entire prosperous dwarven kingdom and even fight Levi Stonecraft for several days without a decisive outcome.
That was definitely a more terrifying existence than evil dragons.
"Alright."
"But I still maintain what I said. As long as there's need, I won't retreat a single step."
This topic was temporarily set aside.
Seeing Levi still strong and capable, Bard drank some tea and felt much more relaxed.
"Has there been any noteworthy situation lately?"
"Yes."
"Oh?"
This answer was truly somewhat unexpected. It was just a casual question. Was there really something?
"To the east."
Bard cleared the table and spread out a detailed map.
"Since Dale developed, many merchant ships from Dorwinion pass through here. According to the merchants aboard, their old neighbors haven't been very quiet recently."
"Old neighbors."
Levi picked out this phrase, thought about it, and said:
"That should refer to the Easterlings. What's wrong with them?"
"Reportedly there's been some internal unrest among them. Border guards have become very vigilant, even refusing to let Dorwinion merchant caravans enter their territory."
"That's quite unusual."
Levi lightly tapped the table with one finger, recalling the scene he'd witnessed using the palantír at the tower of Orthanc.
There was a great army, an army from Mordor crossing valley passes, marching north toward the Easterlings' rear.
What had happened there?
Weren't the Easterlings and Mordor allies? Why send troops there? And with such a murderous appearance at that.
Surely the Easterlings weren't switching sides to the forces of light.
"Gather more information about this, and strengthen border vigilance. You can appropriately expand armaments and army size."
"'Appropriately' means..."
"Expand as much as possible."
"I understand."
Levi said this casually, but he didn't know what kind of chain reactions and consequences this simple statement would trigger.
All along, though he quite enjoyed leisure in normal times, when it came to serious matters, this current administrator of Dale had never slackened even slightly.
Dale was thriving, and Lake-town was flourishing. Regarding neighbors, trade and cooperation with dwarves and woodland elves proceeded smoothly. Externally, various product imports and exports and expansion of influence came naturally.
On the surface he liked to slack off, wanting to drink tea and rest at any leisure moment, but upon careful observation, one would find that whether it was territorial development or projects Levi initiated, every single matter was arranged properly by Bard without any flaws.
Even exceeding expectations.
"Mm."
Levi nodded: "I trust you can handle it well."
Easterlings...
Activity there had been quite frequent lately.
"If I have time, I'll go see what's really happening..."
After briefly chatting with Bard, Levi set down his teacup and left Lake-town, continuing north.
The Lonely Mountain.
Before the open gate, dwarves greeted visitors with hearty salutations.
"It's that big eater, drinking champion, and top chef among humans, the Legend of the Wild... Levi Stonecraft!"
A group of dwarves exclaimed with obvious delight.
Obviously, Levi had accumulated more titles among the dwarves over time.
Though some titles were really unnecessary...
Just as he stepped through the Lonely Mountain's gate, a dwarf approached with enthusiasm.
"Haha, Levi, I saw you coming from far away!"
Glóin came up with wide eyes and gave Levi a bear hug, though he couldn't even reach his waist.
Out of politeness, Levi didn't move for a moment. Only after he let go of his legs did Levi cough and shake hands with him, saying:
"I'm here to find Thorin. I have something to give him."
"Of course, it's nothing unseemly. You can come along too."
"I see. I happen to be free anyway. Let's go. He's in the great hall."
A moment later.
On the main seat of the great hall, Thorin wiped his sweat, recalling various reports from the recent meeting. He leaned back in his chair, slowly raised his head, and closed his eyes.
The restoration of various projects was still somewhat challenging.
As more and more returning kinsmen arrived recently, Erebor's population base had grown. Increasingly more abandoned facilities had sufficient personnel to restart, and the entire region's development was getting better. It seemed that way.
But there was a hidden problem:
Resources that could be directly put into use for startup were really quite scarce.
Making grand promises to Levi earlier had seemed generous, but who would make up for these lacking resources?
This region had developed a problem similar to the Iron Hills.
The Iron Hills had resources but no money; the Lonely Mountain had money but no resources.
However, unlike the Iron Hills, the Lonely Mountain's undeveloped resource reserves were quite abundant. The current problem would soon resolve itself as subsequent mining progressed.
Just a short-term minor issue. Though small, it was still troublesome.
"Maybe I should contact Dain to exchange some resources for emergencies..."
As he was thinking, two figures, one tall and one short, entered from outside the hall.
Thorin immediately stood up.
"Levi."
He walked over while greeting: "How have you been lately?"
"Quite well. How about you?"
"Also decent."
"Decent? That means not too good. What problems have come up?"
"Nothing much, just short-term minor issues that will disappear on their own before long."
"Really? I hope everything goes smoothly."
"Thanks."
In the time it took for greetings and a few words, the three had already seated themselves at a table.
Levi didn't dawdle. Under Thorin and Glóin's curious gazes, he directly pulled out a silver-white axe.
Swoosh.
The instant he saw this axe, Thorin suddenly stood up, eyes wide with shock.
Glóin also opened his mouth wide, his large head involuntarily leaning closer. He asked somewhat uncertainly:
"This, this is..."
"This is our clan's treasure, Durin's Axe!"
Thorin's voice trembled slightly. He solemnly took the axe, stroking the ancient text on it and saying:
"Once upon a time, it represented the royal authority of Durin's clan in Khazad-dûm."
"Where did you find it, Levi?"
There was undisguisable excitement in Thorin's eyes, though some puzzlement followed.
"As you said, naturally I found it in Moria."
Levi said: "I also found some mithril there, enough to make one mithril coat. You don't mind me taking it for use, do you?"
"No, of course not. If needed, we can process it for you."
Thorin slowly sat down, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning up. He couldn't suppress his joy.
Compared to Durin's clan treasure, what did a few blocks of mithril matter?
Even doubling that mithril and offering it as a reward for recovering Durin's Axe, there might not be anyone who dared accept such a task.
"I don't know how to repay you."
After calming down, Thorin stroked the axe and looked at Levi.
"It's meaningless. I don't need anything."
"That's exactly what makes it troublesome."
Thorin sighed softly.
"What's troublesome about it? Do you take me for some tomb robber who risks life and limb for treasures, or some mercenary who abandons life for rewards?"
"No, you're not that kind of person. I won't allow anyone to call you that."
Levi smiled and said: "Speaking of which, I originally called myself an 'adventurer.' Back then I really enjoyed adventuring everywhere, though I'm still doing exactly that now."
"Just consider this axe something an adventurer happened to find during an adventure."
Hearing this, Thorin shook his head slightly, but thinking along with Levi's words, he suddenly smiled.
"Alright, very much your style."
"Compared to a lord, you're indeed more like an adventurer."
After all, what lord spent a year rarely staying home and wandering around every day?
"Ah!"
Glóin beside them suddenly exclaimed.
This fellow had just fully recovered from his shock.
Slam!
He slapped the table and said: "No way, I have to tell them about this!"
"Dwalin, Balin, Kíli, Fíli, Dori, Nori... come see what Levi brought!"
Glóin ran out while shouting his friends' names excitedly.
"I want to announce this to the entire clan."
Thorin also slapped the table and made a decision.
"By the way, I haven't asked yet. How's the situation in Moria?"
"Not good."
Levi said:
"Large numbers of orcs are stationed there breeding. They're even more vicious and violent than the Misty Mountain orcs. And it's not just orcs. There are many giant beasts and trolls there too. They blocked me so badly I almost couldn't get out."
"How dangerous indeed."
Thorin said seriously: "I hope you won't fall into such peril again."
"It was alright. Orcs and giant beasts are actually manageable. I can deal with them. If I want to leave, they can't keep me."
"The main issue was the Balrog. That thing was too clingy; couldn't shake it off. I fought it for several days, from the west gate to the east gate. Neither of us could kill the other."
"Ah..."
Thorin listened seriously, nodding from time to time. After Levi finished, his brow suddenly furrowed with some confusion and bewilderment.
Wait, what did he just say?
What does "fighting the Balrog from west gate to east gate" mean?