Chapter 272: The enemy is at the gate, but he still refuses to give
Aaron took out the Dragon Slaying Magic Crystal, and in his eyes, its crimson glow was incredibly scorching.
Dragon Slayer Magic, a magic to confront Dragons.
If he had learned this magic a day earlier, he would never have fought so hard last night, and would even have had the confidence to directly confront Smaug.
"System, fusing the Dragon Slaying Magic Crystal won't be too painful, will it?" Aaron asked with some concern.
"The host can choose not to fuse it."
Aaron:...Alright, I asked for nothing.
He had worked so hard to activate the Dragon Slaying Magic Crystal; how could he give up because of a little Pain!?
"Then do I need to make any preparations?
For example, enough food, enough time, a safe place, and so on."
"The host doesn't need to prepare anything as long as he can endure it."
Hearing this, Aaron was silent for a long time, and finally made up his mind.
He first cast a silencing spell on the room, then set up a layer of defensive barrier, not sparing the door, walls, floor, or even the ceiling.
Only after feeling a little sense of security did he pick up the Dragon Slaying Magic Crystal and silently absorb it.
As the crimson crystal slowly merged into his body, he felt an immense Pain! all over, as if every inch of his skin was immersed in boiling lava.
The tearing Pain! twisted his face, made him tremble uncontrollably, and sweat quickly soaked his clothes.
"what the f... This is definitely much more stimulating than the Cruciatus Curse." Aaron gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to cry out, but after not long, his vision was swallowed by darkness...
The next morning, Aaron opened his eyes in a daze.
Recalling yesterday's experience, he couldn't help but shiver; it simply shattered his understanding of Pain!.
He checked his clothes, they were intact, and the phenomenon of being naked had not occurred.
Standing in front of the mirror, his appearance hadn't changed, but a closer look revealed a hint of composure.
"System, open the personal panel."
"Okay, host."
[Host: Aaron Gaius]
[magic Power: 9564 (High-level Magister, high-end combat power in the Magical World)]
[Talent: Once in a Lifetime (magic Power increases by 4 points daily)]
[Items: moon drop (can remove any negative magic), Resurrection Potion (can revive any creature that died within an hour), magic carpet]
[magic Points: 310]
"Has my talent undergone a transformation?" Aaron raised an eyebrow in surprise, but also felt it was reasonable.
The Dragon Slaying Magic Crystal not only gave him Dragon Slayer Magic, but also greatly improved his physique.
His current physical quality was twice as strong as before, and if he were to punch a Troll again, he had full confidence he could smash it.
Bang!
He spread his palm, and a crimson flame burned in his hand.
The temperature was very high, but he felt no Pain! at all, instead feeling a little warmth.
Fire Dragon Slayer Magic?
Aaron was slightly dissatisfied with this attribute; fire attribute is the most common, and the Dragon's breath of most Dragons is fire.
But thinking about it from another perspective, it was actually not bad; at least the threat of Dragons to him would be greatly reduced.
Moreover, in addition to basic moves like Roar, Iron Fist, and Wing Attack, he also mastered the Dragon Slaying Secret Arts, which was a pleasant surprise, saving him time and effort in developing moves.
As for the deeper Dragon Power, he couldn't awaken it yet; it would probably only be possible after his magic power increased by one or two more ranks.
"Thank you, Smaug." Aaron mourned for Smaug in his heart for three minutes, then proceeded to sign in for the day.
As soon as he opened the door, Bilbo rushed over, "Thank goodness, you're finally awake."
"What's wrong? Did something happen while I was asleep?"
"Thorin blocked the city gate with stones."
"Isn't that normal?" Aaron said indifferently, "This is originally a Dwarf city; let alone repairing the city gate, we can't even interfere if they tear it down."
Bilbo's face twitched slightly, "Under normal circumstances, perhaps, but that city gate has blocked all the residents of Lake-town outside.
You came from Lake-town, so you should know that the people there are already homeless; hundreds of refugees have flooded into the ruins of Riverrun, but Thorin doesn't intend to help them."
Aaron frowned slightly, and after a moment of silence, he said, "It's understandable."
"What?" Bilbo looked at Aaron in surprise, "Those are hundreds of lives, and Bard's family is among them."
"I know, but Thorin isn't wrong to do this.
There isn't much food and water within Erebor, barely enough for us to last for a while, but it's a drop in the bucket for the refugees.
This city doesn't lack places to live, but the treasure is real; can you guarantee that after Thorin lets them in, they will honestly follow arrangements?
Don't forget the behavior of those townspeople the night before we set off; their craving for gold is no less than anyone else's."
Hearing this, Bilbo swallowed, "It shouldn't be that bad!"
Pfft!
Aaron couldn't help but scoff, "Is'should' appropriate at this time?
If Erebor was still a glorious Dwarf kingdom, with strong soldiers and horses, there would naturally be no need to worry, and I would actively persuade Thorin to let those refugees in.
But now there are only a dozen of us in this city; what if they turn against us and drive us out?
The greed of human nature is the most unpredictable; they might be grateful when they first come in, but who can guarantee that they won't covet the Dwarf treasure later, won't usurp the nest, and treat Erebor as their new home?"
Bilbo opened his mouth, finding himself speechless.
Thorin had finally reclaimed the Lonely Mountain with great difficulty, and would absolutely not allow any uncertain factors to enter.
"So we just watch? Watch them starve and freeze outside?"
"We can provide them with warm clothes and charcoal for heating," Aaron said in a deep voice, "This is enough to help them get through the severe winter, and it's already benevolent."
Bilbo sighed and nodded in silence.
But then he suddenly thought of something and immediately said, "Oh, and there's something worse: there's an Elf army outside."
...what the f...
Aaron also couldn't remain calm; he had thought that killing Smaug would give them a few days of ease.
Although Erebor would face the invasion of evil forces later, at least it would give them some time to rest.
After Thorin inherited the throne and gathered the Dwarf army, it might not be impossible to overcome this crisis.
But he didn't expect an army to be stationed outside on the second day, and it was even the Elves, the former allies of the Dwarves; it was simply life's unpredictability, like a big intestine wrapping around a small one.
Without delay, Aaron quickly followed Bilbo to the top of the city wall.
Seeing the opposite Riverrun filled with Elves in golden armor, Aaron only felt his head buzzing.
Nima! Thranduil's timing was too precise!
At this speed, it's estimated that the Dragon had just died, and he immediately dispatched a large army.
"Welcome, my friend." Thorin smiled at Aaron, "I know you're very tired, so I didn't inform you when we were building the city wall yesterday."
"Uh... thank you." Aaron chuckled, then looked opposite, "What's the situation?"
"It's just the despicable Elves trying to seize the fruits of victory." Thorin said indifferently, "But Thranduilunderestimated the Dwarves too much; his plan is doomed to fail."
"Thorin, you might not be happy if I say this, but I have to.
There are only a dozen of us; outside is an army, and we can't defeat them."
"Yes, that's right, we are outnumbered." Bilbo nodded in agreement, "We should try to avoid war; if we can negotiate, I suggest..."
"Impossible." Thorin directly interrupted Bilbo, "They are already at the city gates; this is coercion, and the Dwarves will never compromise."
Bilbo immediately felt incredibly weary; he didn't understand where Thorin got such great confidence.
At this moment, the sound of hoofbeats came from the opposite side, and Bard, riding a white horse, came alone to the city gate.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain." Bard said, looking at the people on the city wall, "It's a delight to see you alive."
"Why do you come to challenge the King Under the Mountain's city?" Thorin asked indifferently.
"Why does the King Under the Mountain hide inside the city walls like a coward?"
"Because I'm worried about robbers coming to plunder."
"Your Majesty, we won't rob you; we just want to solve the problem.
Are you not going to talk to me?"
Thorin paused, nodded slightly, and walked down the city wall.
"This one is probably here to collect a debt." Aaron smiled meaningfully, "But this debt, he is absolutely justified in collecting."
"What debt?" Bilbo asked, puzzled.
"The King's promise." Aaron shrugged and followed him down the stairs.
Bilbo also remembered Thorin's promise in Lake-town and nodded thoughtfully.
Bard came to the bottom of the city wall, and across a city gate made of giant stones, he began to talk with Bard.
Thorin leaned against the city gate, showing Bard his side profile, "I'm all ears."
"On behalf of all the people of Lake-town, I ask you to keep your promise and share some of your wealth to help us rebuild our homes."
"We have no promise to keep." Thorin shook his head in refusal, looking at Bard provocatively, "Because your people are already at the city gates."
"Thorin," Aaron couldn't help but interject, "I have to remind you, that was a promise you made in the name of a Dwarf Prince."
Thorin waved his hand, "Let him finish first."
"Our demands are reasonable," Bard said, "My people helped you, but what you brought them was destruction and death."
"Reasonable?" Thorin retorted, "You did that for generous rewards, both you and those townspeople."
"That was a fair trade," Bard said eagerly.
"Are you referring to exchanging dignity for blankets and food to survive and continue?" Thorin's voice was tinged with anger, "Is that fair? We had no choice.
So, Bard the Dragon Slayer, why should I abide by those terms?"
"Because that was your promise to us; is it worth nothing?"
Thorin lowered his head, avoiding Bard's gaze, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "Go away, or I'll shoot you with an arrow."
Bard closed his eyes in disappointment, "You are inciting war, forcing us to fight our way up the mountain."
"Wait, Bard." Aaron hurriedly stopped him, "Give me some time, I will persuade him."
Bard looked deeply at Aaron, "I will try my best to dissuade King Thranduil, but you'd better persuade Oakenshieldbefore the end of today."