"East, royal capital, orc army, mysterious person."
This morning, Levi and Halbarad gathered together and simultaneously spoke these pieces of crucial information.
"There's an orc army gathering in the Easterling royal capital, apparently to help the Easterlings deal with some troublesome force."
"It's said that the leader of that force is a detestable traitor who spreads rumors harmful to the unity between Easterlings and Mordor all day long, with an evil wizard supporting him from behind."
Halbarad shared intelligence he'd painstakingly gathered from various sources:
"Unlike previous armies, this force is quite brutal. Not just orcs, but also some species called Uruks that are almost as tall as humans, plus many terrifying beasts."
"There was a vagrant whose house was crushed by one of these beasts, and his family lost their lives because of it. No one stood up for him, no one cared about the matter. To escape those brutal fellows and that sorrowful place, he fled from the royal capital all the way here."
"Pretty much matches the intelligence I gathered."
Levi said without blushing or stammering: "Mm, roughly the same. Compared to your intelligence, mine just lacks some specific details."
"I see."
Halbarad immediately believed him and asked: "What do we do next?"
The initiator and leader of this adventure was ultimately Levi. All he could do was help as best he could.
"We go to the royal capital."
"That place isn't very close."
Since the smuggling method didn't support bringing horses along, the swift horses they'd brought from the territory had been left safely in Dorwinion.
But no matter.
As an important trading port of the Easterlings and border area with Dorwinion, this town regularly sent convoys to the royal capital, transporting various essential supplies and wines.
Of course, such convoys definitely didn't allow ordinary people to board.
But there were always exceptions, especially when that exception was very wealthy.
"Listen carefully. You must not stick your heads out or make any noise. Get off immediately when we arrive."
Using connections Halbarad had skillfully found, the two boarded the Royal Capital Express.
They traveled with stops and starts like this.
Several days later, when the glorious palace and city showed a corner on the distant horizon, the cart horses began restless agitation.
Through a small gap in the canvas, Levi peered outside.
That city was brilliantly golden, even its massive walls reflecting some kind of ethereal halo in the sunlight.
Unfortunately, the surrounding scenery was truly ominous.
Outside the city walls were orcs in black armor everywhere, with massive beasts wandering about, casually grabbing sheep and gnawing them raw without even bothering to remove the wool.
The carts continued driving forward, passing this sprawling orc army camped outside. This activity quickly attracted many hungry gazes.
Several trolls and orcs stared at those supplies, the transport horses, and the drivers, drooling visibly.
Slap!
A taller orc, or rather, an Uruk, struck a restless orc's head with his palm, looking down and scolding it harshly. The orc then withdrew its hungry gaze.
Even the nearby trolls became more obedient under the Uruk's authority.
"Mordor's Uruk tribe. A new type of orc."
Halbarad recognized that creature and explained quietly:
"It's recorded in Gondor's history books. They first appeared in 2475, causing Ithilien's fall in their very first battle."
"They consider themselves vastly superior to the smaller orcs. Usually the Uruk tribe calls orcs..."
"You stinking snaga! All of you behave!"
The roar rang out almost beside their ears.
These Uruks held high status among orcs. They could not only command orcs and treat them as slaves, but some stronger-looking ones could even direct trolls.
"They look even harder to deal with."
Levi couldn't help frowning.
These fellows, just looking at their size and appearance, could each be called teenage Azog versions. Though individually far inferior to the latter in quality, they made up for it in sheer numbers.
A thousand orcs wielding cleavers and spears might not count as a very strong army.
But a thousand sturdy Uruks wearing steel armor and wielding butcher knives and battle axes, with stronger discipline and execution, would require careful consideration.
Levi licked his lips, feeling an urge to draw his weapon.
This bunch of bigger, stronger, more robust fellows would definitely be more satisfying to cut down.
But impulse was impulse. He still had to distinguish the situation clearly.
Now wasn't the time yet.
Somehow, the Uruk suppressing the restless orc group beside the cart felt his heart tighten, feeling as if a blade had just swept over his head but was narrowly dodged.
"Get back!"
Roaring replaced fear. This Uruk stood before a massive troll, baring his fangs and shouting fiercely.
The troll swallowed its saliva, looking at the Uruk squad leader before it, then at the cart that had already gone far, finally choosing to turn around.
"If you won't let me eat, then don't. Why shout so loudly..."
It grumbled as it walked away.
Under the protection of several Uruks, the convoy passed smoothly. The agitation of those less sensible orcs and beasts was quickly suppressed.
One full meal versus meals every day. If they couldn't distinguish such simple things, they might as well not live.
In a corner of the royal capital, the driver looked around alertly. Confirming no one was nearby, he quickly knocked twice on the cardboard.
"It's really chaotic outside."
Levi emerged from under the opaque cloth covering and gave his assessment of the outside situation.
"This is my first time seeing orcs so well-behaved."
Halbarad followed closely behind.
"This is as far as I go."
The driver kindly reminded: "Remember, never wander around at midnight, especially don't run toward outside the city."
"Those orcs, most are well-behaved, but you can't guarantee one or two won't lose control."
"Civilians are very dangerous in such situations, unless you have sufficient skills..."
The driver sized up the two before him.
One looked like a vagrant with a somewhat blurred face. Couldn't tell where he was from, but he was strong enough and carried a dagger. Clearly not to be trifled with.
The other looked much more presentable. Under his robes he seemed to wear armor, and that bearing, no one would believe he hadn't seen blood.
"Forget I said anything. Good luck to you both."
"Good luck to you too."
A pleasant transaction was thus completed.
Halbarad couldn't help sighing: "My life's operations have never gone this smoothly."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because I had no money."
"That driver just now, the payment you gave him is enough for him to live extravagantly for several months, even if he does nothing during those months."
"In the past, I would definitely think of other methods."
Levi smiled warmly.
"Don't worry."
He said: "Our future operations will always go this smoothly."