"I'm almost certain he talked to me for half the day just to get to that final point."
"After all, no amount of rumors can cure a groom's headache."
In Lake-town, Garrett secured the two horses in the stables. He didn't leave them in anyone else's care, just settled them in personally.
"Elves are all like that, especially those who've lived for so long. Though honestly, elves like Orothir are still quite rare."
As Halbarad spoke, white puffs of breath rose from his mouth.
The weather was growing colder by the day. The wanderer and the lord had finished their long journey.
"Not staying longer?" Garrett asked.
"My kinsmen still need me. I must return."
"You really are busy then."
Halbarad couldn't help but glance back and say, "Even if I had twice as much to do, I still wouldn't be as occupied as you. Just look at all the tales that have been spreading these past few years."
Garrett was momentarily silent.
Just as Halbarad had said, not long after seeing him off, another person came seeking Garrett.
"You're finally back."
Bard looked toward the construction site outside the town and said, "The road has reached a critical point, and there are some decisions I cannot make on my own."
"What kind of decisions?"
"It concerns the Misty Mountains."
A short while later, the two sat before a warm hearth. As usual, Bard brewed a cup of tea for Garrett and then spread out a map on the table. Pointing at a line Garrett had drawn, he said, "The construction is progressing well. We've reached the foothills of the Misty Mountains. But this peak, this is where the problem lies."
He pointed to a spot near a mountain pass and said, "If we want to continue the road, we'll need to tunnel through the mountain. Of course, that's not a major issue. After all, the workers can use that remarkable crafting magic you taught us."
"It's just that... there's been a small incident."
"While following the route you marked, the workers accidentally uncovered a massive cave system."
"What's wrong with the caves?"
"There is a problem, quite a significant one."
Bard said, "That place is called Goblin-town. There are far too many goblins in there, and they nearly caused us casualties."
Garrett responded immediately, "Then I'll go clear them out, or drive them away."
These goblins had occupied the area near the mountain pass for ages. Many travelers had suffered at their hands. Even though their Front Porch was sealed off, it was only blocked, they still lived deep underground in the surrounding tunnels.
Goblins were skilled at cave networks, and no one could guarantee a new "side entrance" wouldn't suddenly appear one day.
Perfect. Since the issue had arisen, this was a good opportunity to deal with it once and for all.
He looked at Bard. But Bard didn't immediately respond to what he'd just said.
"What is it?"
"It's nothing. I just feel... this isn't right."
Bard sat down and looked at Garrett very seriously.
"Not right?"
Garrett didn't quite understand.
"Are you feeling sympathy for those goblins?"
"I've told you before, Bard, your compassion shouldn't be wasted on..."
"No!"
Bard unusually interrupted Garrett mid-sentence.
"I've never pitied goblins or orcs. What I'm saying is... This isn't something you need to handle personally. If every problem in a territory must be solved by the lord himself, then it just makes everyone else look like children in need of constant protection."
"Oh?" Garrett chuckled slightly.
"So?"
"So, the main reason I came today is actually to report on the progress of the territory's development, and to seek your opinion or approval on certain actions."
"Do you remember what we discussed before? During our last two meetings, you brought it up both times."
"..."
Listening to Bard's words, Garrett suddenly found himself at a loss.
He couldn't help it, too many things had been happening lately, and his memory was a mess. What had he said back then?
Seeing his lord looking puzzled, Bard sighed and reminded him, "You once said we should strengthen border security and expand our forces where appropriate. And later, when we were discussing education, you also mentioned the importance of physical training."
"That's right."
As his memory gradually returned, Garrett said, "I did say that. I want the people to be able to pick up weapons and defend themselves when danger comes, instead of just waiting for death."
So how exactly had Bard interpreted this?
"How did it go?" Garrett asked.
Bard replied, "According to your two instructions, I gathered representatives from each community and related professions and held a council."
"The final consensus was universal conscription."
"In the past six months, everyone in good physical health, regardless of gender or profession, has been taught combat skills in their spare time. It's already showing results."
"At any moment, we could raise an army to march on Goblin-town and drive out the goblins there completely."
"There's no need for you to handle it personally."
"All we need is your approval."
Bard finally brought up the matter he'd come to seek approval for.
Something finally clicked in Garrett's mind.
Given the current productivity of the territory, weapons and equipment were in ample supply. Logistics and supplies weren't even a concern.
Plus, during the Battle of Five Armies a few years back, almost every adult had taken up arms to defend the city, they already had real combat experience. Combined with the recent training... In other words, in theory, everyone who met the standards could immediately don armor and enter battle, and most already had experience.
It truly was universal conscription.
"Well?"
Bard spoke again: "The new army needs tempering. Goblins, though weaker than orcs, are still savage and make perfect opponents for training."
"Well, put that way... it does make sense."
Garrett nodded.
He said, "I'll go with you."
Bard's expression immediately grew serious. "We'll give our absolute best. We won't let you down."
That was what he said.
Although Garrett could have dealt with those goblins alone, or even just intimidated them with a simple walk-through, he chose to follow Bard's suggestion for various reasons.
During their discussion by the fireplace, it was agreed that Garrett would act as the commander-in-chief for the campaign against Goblin-town, with Bard as his deputy.
A short while later, after sleepily listening to Bard confirm the attack date and route, he walked out of the steward's office scratching his head.
Leading an army... Me?
He still hadn't fully processed it.
It was honestly rather awkward. Since arriving in this world, he had fought in countless battles over the years, defended cities, slain enemy generals, even wiped out entire armies on his own.
But it seemed... most of those things he'd accomplished alone.
This would be the first time he personally led an entire army.
During the Battle of Five Armies, although Men, Elves, and Dwarves had all tacitly acknowledged him as one of the commanders with authority over troop deployment, he had never used that power, because... There was no need.
On the battlefield, he was always the most independent presence, he neither followed orders nor gave them.
The only exception was that one time with the orcs, when he messed around with signal flags on Azog's command platform.
Regardless, Bard was right.
This time, Garrett decided to entrust it to the people of his territory.
So, once everything was settled, news began to spread.
"The lord is personally leading the campaign against the goblins in Goblin-town?"
A mix of fighting spirit, eagerness, and something more swept through the streets and alleys. And then, it all converged into one place.
In a place unknown to Garrett, Bard hurriedly enacted a temporary law to limit the total number of volunteers joining the campaign.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.