Soon, the area Talion had chosen was filled with the Leyndell Legion, with some having no room to stand, and as the waygate continued flashing with light, they began spreading outward.
However, despite the space being somewhat cramped compared to the spacious streets of Royal Capital Leyndell, the Leyndell Legion soldiers didn't fall into disorder. Instead, they maintained strict discipline as they changed formations under the command of various Leyndell Knights, methodically arranging themselves into military arrays.
At this moment, Tarnes gave Talion a reassuring look. "I'm temporarily sending an elite thousand-man legion from the Golden Tree to support you. Now you shouldn't need to worry about the Black Gate's safety."
Looking at the Leyndell soldiers before him who made no sound except for the collision of armor and weapons as they walked, Talion took a deep breath, then heavily exhaled, showing a relieved expression. "Never mind a thousand-man legion. Even if you'd sent a hundred-man unit, it would have relieved considerable pressure on us."
Hearing this, Tarnes raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Has the Black Gate become so strained? Are Nazgûl leading those Orcs?"
Talion shook his head, showing a bitter smile and sad expression. "No, ever since you confronted Sauron last time, the Nazgûl have disappeared to who knows where, as if they vanished completely. However, the Orcs have gone mad, attacking the Black Gate day and night without cease. Though those creatures aren't strong in combat, they have the advantage of sheer numbers. The Black Gate's ranger garrison was already sparse, yet there are too many places to defend, causing our defensive line to be further stretched and weakened. At first, we weren't familiar with the Orcs' new attack rhythm and lost quite a few comrades. Though we later adapted, without spare personnel for reinforcement, plus my comrades gradually falling in the defense process..." He paused, his voice heavy with grief. "If not for Gondor's abundant support of arrows, fire oil, and other supplies, I probably couldn't have held out until your arrival."
After listening, Tarnes observed several seconds of silence for Talion's fallen ranger comrades, then patted his shoulder. "Regarding Gondor, when I met with the Steward, I tried to persuade him to send some soldiers to help the rangers defend the Black Gate, but he refused."
Talion sighed helplessly and forced himself to rally. "I know. Dirhael told me about this. This can't be blamed on anyone. I also understand Gondor's situation. Indeed, as the Steward said, they're already stretched thin just resisting dark forces from other directions. Even so, the Steward has been very generous in supporting the Black Gate with abundant supplies, and the materials sent over have no corners cut. This already shows his attitude clearly."
Hearing this, Tarnes asked curiously, "Why is only Gondor resisting these dark forces that constantly try to invade? What are the other human kingdoms doing?"
Before Talion could speak, Bernahl's voice came from in front of them. "What else could they be doing? Hiding under the shelter of Gondor, this behemoth, to keep warm. Besides, I think that Gondorian Steward definitely wouldn't want to entrust his country's borders to other untrustworthy people to defend. Moreover, this involves many political factors. Like how many soldiers other countries should send each year, whether to send elite soldiers or useless cannon fodder, how much money Gondor should spend on this annually, whether they might invade while domestic forces are weakened, and so on. In short, just thinking about it is troublesome as hell."
Talion first performed a ranger's salute to Bernahl, then looked at Tarnes, wanting to learn his name.
Tarnes understood Talion's meaning and introduced Bernahl to him, also calling over Igon and Millicent to introduce them as well.
After hearing all three names, Talion's eyes widened in surprise, saying with some excitement, "Sword Demon Bernahl, Divine Marksman Igon, and Sword Princess Millicent. You three who participated in that recent dragon-slaying epic?"
Tarnes blinked in confusion, looking at the three of them. "When did your titles become what he just said?"
Bernahl held his forehead and sighed, while Millicent also looked at Tarnes with some confusion. Only Igon laughed heartily. "Haha, these were all given by those Dwarves! Thorin said to commemorate our journey to the Mountain, he commissioned minstrels to write a song about us. Later, the Elves heard it and added some artistic embellishment, so our titles became like this."
Following Igon's words, Talion nodded admiringly. "I indeed heard your complete story from those minstrels. Lord Bernahl, who single-handedly fought several Nazgûl and counter-killed them; Lord Igon, whose arrows never miss; and Lady Millicent, who wields her sword as gracefully as a dancing girl. I've always admired heroes like you, and I never expected to meet you all here."
Then he showed a completely relieved expression. "I never imagined Tarnes would ask you three to come support the Black Gate. Now we don't need to worry about what those Orc scum might do to the Black Gate."
Tarnes smiled and nodded. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
He had originally planned to summon one or two Round Table Knights belonging to Royal Capital Leyndell, but on second thought, the friends he summoned had no reputation in this world yet. While the probability was small, there might still be cases of insubordination when they came to help.
To avoid this extremely low-probability event, Tarnes prioritized choosing Bernahl's trio, who had gained great fame after the Battle of the Mountain.
Of course, the most famous from the Battle of the Mountain was General Radahn, who had single-handedly faced and killed Smaug in direct combat. However, Tarnes still needed Radahn in the territory as a contingency, so he didn't make Radahn his choice for this support mission.
Having the demigod Radahn there was Tarnes's peace of mind for daring to leave Golden Tree territory for so long.
However, after Talion finished his exclamations, Tarnes still told him the three's original titles from the Lands Between, asking him not to use those strange names to address them.
But this also caused new confusion for Talion.
Igon and Millicent's titles were fine, but Bernahl's title of Lord Candidate left Talion somewhat troubled.
Because he clearly remembered that Golden Tree territory currently had one and only one king, Tarnes. Did Lord Candidate mean Lord Bernahl had thoughts of usurping Tarnes's throne?
Then Talion looked at the smiling Tarnes and Bernahl conversing happily. They didn't look like a king and would-be usurper, making him even more confused.
Both Tarnes and Bernahl noticed Talion's confusion. The former helped explain. "In my homeland, only the strongest person can become king, while the Lord Candidate title is given to those powerful individuals who once had the opportunity to become king. This title symbolizes that his personal strength approaches that of a king, hence Lord Candidate."
At this point, Bernahl also shrugged. "That's exactly what it means. Whoever wants that damned position can have it. Seeing how busy Tarnes is every day without his feet touching the ground, I'm too lazy to compete with him for that seat. Moreover, I didn't accept the Lord Candidate title because I wanted to become king..." He paused, noticing movement. "Lord Talion, it looks like your man has urgent business."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a young man who resembled Talion running over anxiously, even startled upon seeing the golden Leyndell Legion.
Talion, seeing his son Dirhael approach, asked, "What's wrong, Dirhael?"
Dirhael caught his breath and replied, "The Orcs are attacking again."
Hearing Dirhael's words, Tarnes and Bernahl exchanged knowing glances, realizing the Leyndell Legion would soon have work to do.