If you ignored the large mass of orcs surrounding the area outside, just looking at that glorious palace in the center of the royal capital, this place was still quite impressive.
However, though the architecture was magnificent and the kingdom appeared quite wealthy, those who should be poor were still desperately poor.
Like that elderly man walking on the street who looked lonely and destitute, aged and without support.
Shabby robes draped over his frail frame, appearing quite ill-fitting. A wooden staff was held in his weathered hand, perhaps to help him continue traveling when he had no strength left.
His face was covered by cloth starting from the nose, apparently to prevent prolonged exposure to the harsh sunlight.
"Such a person must have traveled to many places. If we offer some payment, he'd surely be willing to share information."
Halbarad made a suggestion based on past experience and was the first to approach and strike up conversation.
After some exchange, the old man frowned. He carefully examined this tall Ranger before him, as if recalling something from distant memory.
"I'm no beggar."
"But you look somewhat familiar..."
Shaking his head slowly, the old man said:
"What do you want to ask? If I know something, it's not impossible to tell you."
At this point, Levi also walked over.
The old man glanced to the side, and with this look, couldn't take his eyes away.
Now he could no longer be bothered talking with Halbarad, leaning on his staff and walking directly toward Levi with purpose.
"You don't look like you're from here."
He said with certainty: "Perhaps you have some facial similarities with the people here, but fundamentally speaking, you and they are completely different. Most commoners cannot detect this, but if any nobles come, you'll be exposed immediately."
"What?"
Levi's heart tightened with alarm.
Exposed?
"If you don't want to be besieged by tomorrow morning, follow me."
Halbarad looked toward Levi, one hand gripping his concealed dagger tightly.
Levi shook his head at him and followed first.
They walked with heads down through clusters of buildings until reaching an uninhabited pavilion.
The old man turned around, pulled off the cloth covering his face, then removed his hood.
"Is that you?"
Halbarad cried out in genuine surprise.
Accompanying his exclamation, the old man continued removing the ill-fitting cloak from his body, revealing a sea-blue robe underneath, along with a wide hat hanging at his waist in the same color as his clothes.
Everything suddenly became crystal clear at this moment.
"Allow me to introduce myself formally."
The old man bowed gracefully and said: "My name is 'Alatar.' As you can see, I am a wizard. Of course, you might be unfamiliar with this name, since I rarely mention it to others."
"However, you can match this name with many rumors here, such as evil conspirator, rumor-spreader, or Morinehtar, the Dark-slayer, and such."
"I didn't expect you would return, Ranger of the West."
"Actually, I didn't really want to come back either..."
Responding briefly, Halbarad turned to introduce Levi: "This is the old man I mentioned who helped me leave the ford safely."
After speaking, he took a deep breath and introduced Levi to the old man: "This is the Legend of the Western Wilds, Master of Block Magic, Founder of the Free Cities, Dragon-slayer... Levi Stonecraft."
Whew.
After finishing this sentence, Halbarad hurriedly caught his breath, taking several deep breaths before recovering.
"Since setting foot on this land, I have never traveled to the West. I never imagined such a great figure would emerge in these thousands of years."
This old man with rather heroic features couldn't help stroking his upturned beard thoughtfully.
"Are you also a Dúnadan?"
"I am not," Levi replied simply.
"May I inquire who sent you here?"
The Blue Wizard looked westward, obviously meaning something else with this question.
"I came on my own."
"On your own..."
"Well, good, remarkable."
I feel like I've been misunderstood again.
Levi didn't want to dwell on this topic. He said: "I was just asking about news of you. I heard you say you can't return?"
"Yes, it's very difficult."
At the mention of this, Alatar couldn't help sighing deeply.
"In a past confrontation, the Great Enemy left an indelible mark in my consciousness. That mark corrupts my mind, bringing me closer and closer to darkness..."
"I can gradually no longer remember what home looks like. I only know it was a beautiful place."
"My time is running short, Legend Levi."
He said with quiet resignation: "At most a few decades, or a century, and perhaps I will no longer be myself."
"Why do you say that?"
Alatar didn't answer, only shook his head sadly.
"You don't understand the terror of that power. It cannot be dealt with by ordinary means."
"Let's talk about you instead. What did you come here for?"
"I heard Sauron's power here is quite massive, and the situation here isn't very good either."
Levi didn't rush to dig deeper into the meaning of those few sentences. He followed the Blue Wizard's question and said: "So I came to see what's happening, and if possible, I hope to suppress Sauron's forces. He hasn't been very peaceful recently."
"Indeed very urgent."
Alatar said gravely: "The army I painstakingly raised is about to face joint attack from orc armies and Easterlings, and we don't even have proper defensive fortifications yet."
"Army? Where?"
There are actually allies here?
"Due east of Mordor, in a place not too far from Mordor."
Alatar recalled with effort.
"Originally, though everything couldn't be called smooth, at least it was all developing in a positive direction, until the Great Enemy suddenly appeared openly in Mordor and issued a call to the entire Eastern region."
"Even when weakened, the Great Enemy's power cannot be resisted by mortals. Even if there are some strong people, they will quickly be erased by Mordor's power."
"Now, in the further East, there remains one last sanctuary established by those who resist. I hope it won't vanish with the arrival of the Shadow."
Though mixed with quite a few riddles and not particularly detailed, the Blue Wizard had roughly explained the dire situation here.
"You say you worry about that last sanctuary, so why are you in the enemy's stronghold yourself?"
Halbarad also understood, but the only thing he couldn't comprehend was this point.
Wizards, in many factions, were wise men or strategist-type beings.
A strategist, instead of staying in the rear thinking of solutions, running to the enemy's home base?
"I had a premonition that I should make this trip."
Alatar glanced meaningfully at Levi and said: "This is... a wizard's premonition. And even without this premonition, I would have come."
"Western Dúnadan, descendant of Númenor, you don't understand what wizards can accomplish."
"Sometimes, one person's power and methods can exceed your imagination."
Saying this, Alatar smiled confidently.
"Indeed it is."
Halbarad didn't refute.
After all, there was a perfect example right beside him.
"I'll go to the palace right now to find their king. As long as I can remove the Great Enemy's corruption from him, even if after the control is lifted they still remain hostile to the free nations of the West, or still want to eliminate the last sanctuary in the East, that would at least buy some time. The orcs outside would be enough to keep them busy for a while."
"Need help?"
Levi seemed somewhat eager to try.
"No, young legend and lord of new forces. Though I don't know why you would risk yourself to personally campaign, bringing only one Dúnadan companion."
"But you'd better wait here. As I said before, if nobles see you, they'll immediately spot your difference and call armies to swarm you."
"I'll bring back good news."
With that, the Blue Wizard nodded to both of them, turned, and walked toward the palace with determined steps.