"You finally came back."
In the Lake-town mayor's office, as soon as Levi entered, Bard clicked the door lock shut, afraid he might run off again if he let his guard down.
Levi had no doubt that if he got up and walked over right now, Bard would immediately blurt out, "You shall not pass."
"Can't you have a little faith in your own lord?"
"Yes, I do, lots of faith. I believe that with just one moment of inattention, our lord will vanish without a trace."
Though saying this, Bard still went to brew hot tea. Drinking tea was also one of Levi's habits. Every time he came, Bard would consciously go boil water.
"I visited Roadway Town."
Levi accepted the hot tea and took a sip. Mm, still the same taste.
"Very good. Rather than calling it a town, its actual scale is already larger than most cities."
"Should we rename it Roadway City then?" Bard also poured himself tea and sat across from him.
"Sounds weird."
Levi shook his head. "Let's keep it this way for now. No rush. We can wait for it to develop more."
"When are you returning to Roadside Keep?"
After the Roadway Town topic ended, Bard immediately brought up another matter.
"That road is just a tiny bit away from completion. Everyone's waiting for you now, and residents are all looking forward to its opening, even though it could already be put into use."
"Soon."
Levi ate a soft little cookie from the table with his tea: "I'm back now, aren't I? I'll host the opening ceremony soon."
"Good."
Bard sighed in relief. One item down.
"By the way, I'm still curious. Where have you been recently?"
Though annoyed by the lord's routine absences and disappearances, Bard was still interested in Levi's adventures.
"I went south this time."
Levi recalled: "You should have heard there are many fruits and crops in the south that we don't have here, like lemons, oranges, pomegranates, dates, and watermelons. All good things."
"I went there to buy some. Just right, we can plant some in the nearby empty land too."
Bard nodded. "Good, I'll plan out new areas for growing these things."
While responding, he also breathed a sigh of relief. So he just went south for supplies. That's fine. Seemed like just an ordinary trip, which was good.
"The scenery there is actually quite nice. The architectural style is different from ours, very distinctive. And the residents have darker skin, a bronze color. They're just not very friendly."
"Not very friendly?" Bard had a bad feeling.
"Yeah, I just rescued a prisoner, and they sent thousands to chase me, including several war-mumakil. I had no choice but to beat them all back."
"Alright, very normal. I guess you rescued some important person."
"Right, a Gondorian frontline strike team captain."
"That's really nice. His team members must be very grateful to you."
"Yeah, the team members... not one was lost. Hmm, I think that's right. He shouldn't be dead."
Skipping this topic, they continued chatting about other things.
When hearing that Levi had fought a Nazgûl and restored Gondor's dignity, even receiving the Steward's highest gift, Bard felt genuinely happy. Partly for the courtesy and respect Levi received, and partly because the Free Cities had gained another powerful ally.
It seemed they could cooperate more with Gondor in the future.
"Then what? Did you come back after that?"
"No, then I went to Rohan."
"To Rohan. Did we gain another ally?" Bard muttered, lifting his cup for a sip of tea.
"I beat up their king."
"Oh... pff, wait, what?"
Bard coughed twice and hissed. Major diplomatic incident!
"What are you getting worked up about?"
Levi patted Bard's back, took a towel from his son Bain, and wiped the table.
"Yo, young man's gotten so tall."
Glancing to the side, Levi noticed that Bain's height had almost caught up to his own.
"Yes, uncle, I'm already an adult."
Bain puffed out his chest and looked up at Levi with a confident smile, accepting his inspection like a soldier.
"Good lad, your voice has changed quite a bit too. That youth who used to tremble holding a sword has really grown up."
Levi sighed with emotion.
"He also enlisted in the army and just finished training recently. Incidentally, Bain's archery skills were the best among that group of young men. He has very steady hands."
"Very good."
Levi nodded. "If you're skilled with bows, you can become a Ranger. Roadside Keep has professional Dúnedain instructors who'll tell you what to do, and you'll have many real combat opportunities."
Dale was too peaceful. Since the half-orc town was cleared out, they'd rarely seen orcs or goblins nearby. They'd all retreated to Gundabad or Mirkwood's dark mountains, basically all been driven up into the hills.
"I will." Bain responded.
"Let's wait until the road opens." Bard waved his hand, sending Bain away to do his own things.
But after this interruption, he figured it out. Right, Rohan's king was beaten by Levi. Rohan should be the one getting nervous. Why am I worked up?
"What was Rohan's reaction? Did they apologize?"
Beating up their king and expecting them to apologize. This sounded absurd, but here... it was probably fine.
"It's quite complicated."
Levi explained briefly, and Bard understood.
"Seems his rule won't last long. When Prince Thengel returns to inherit the throne, everything will be fine."
This wouldn't be too far off. At most a few years.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Just when Levi thought they'd finished discussing everything and could finally enjoy a small pastry in peace, Bard brought up another piece of news.
"Do you remember Beorn's clan from the Anduin Valley?"
"Of course."
"Their leader Beorn asked if you'd accept their allegiance. Beorn's clan is willing to merge into the Free Cities as a whole, becoming one of the many territories."
Pff!
This time it was Levi's turn to spit out tea. He really hadn't expected this, or rather hadn't paid much attention to it.
After all, even Dale territory as a whole had been half-reluctantly incorporated into his domain. His expansionist desires were truly minimal.
In terms of fundamental philosophy, Levi respected and supported every independent group's choices. Both Roadside Keep and Dale territory's various towns had already demonstrated his intentions through actions.
Regardless of whether they pledged allegiance to him or joined his territory, no one in the areas his influence could reach went hungry or homeless. This was the current situation.
The Free Cities truly wouldn't target or force anyone for any reason. As long as the other party harbored no ill intent, its goodwill could be unconditional.
Bain came over again at the sound, offering a clean towel.
"Thank you."
Levi wiped the table while asking: "When did this happen?"
"Just last month. He said this was his carefully considered decision."
"Alright then, since he's willing, let him do as he pleases."
After cleaning the table, Levi said: "I'll make a trip there on the way and claim that area as territory. That should satisfy them, right?"
"You say that like they're forcing you."
Hmm? It seems like they really are...
Bard shook his head, dismissing the random thoughts in his mind: "From my perspective, this is ultimately a good thing for both sides."
"Then that's settled."
Finishing the last sip of tea, Levi stood up.
"Where are you going?" Bard also stood.
"Don't worry, I'm not leaving. Just wandering around."
"I'll come with you."
"Suit yourself."
The two left the office and, after a while, boarded a special carriage to Dale. Following the smooth main road, they soon arrived at the foot of Erebor.
"This city is still the same."
Prosperous, lively, and bright.
"Wait for me a moment. I remember there's a pastry shop over there. Oh, it's still open."
Levi walked over, picked out a cream bread, and then was stuffed with a large basket of pastries by the owner, who refused payment.
Just like last time he came, except last time the owner gave him a large basket of honey cakes. Hmm... he still hadn't finished those. They were stored in his backpack.
"Alright, alright, no need for so many. Speaking of which, your skills have improved again. Haha, this time's little bread is tastier than last time's honey cakes."
"Thank you. Your praise is the best reward for me."
The pastry chef was so happy his mouth nearly twisted skyward.
Carrying the large basket of pastries and walking along, Levi came to a small alley again. Years ago, right here, he'd chatted with an old man while waiting for Gandalf. He hadn't eaten then and shared half a biscuit and a honey cake with the old man.
"Eh?"
"What are you doing?"
Suddenly, several residents moving furniture caught Levi's attention.
"My lord."
One resident put down the old item in his hands, greeted Levi, and then said: "The owner of this house has passed away. We're organizing his belongings."
Levi was stunned, nodding blankly.
"Ah, was its previous owner an old man?"
"Yes, my lord. He died of natural causes without experiencing any illness. He was very peaceful when he left this world."
"Mm, good."
The resident picked up the item and continued organizing the house.
Levi stood in place, holding the basket of bread, feeling lost about what to do next or where to go.
Time was beginning to show its power.
After a long while, Levi sighed and bowed slightly toward that house.
Just like that old man had done to him back then.
When leaving, his expression was much heavier, and his mind couldn't help thinking about various things, becoming increasingly anxious.
"My lord!"
At this moment, the resident who'd been moving things called out from behind and quickly caught up.
"Please forgive my interruption, my lord, but I found this... it was left for you by the house's owner."
He pulled out a letter.
Levi quickly put down his basket of pastries, forgetting to even use his backpack, and directly took the letter, opening it on the spot.
Crooked, not very neat writing filled an entire page, looking like it was written by a child just learning to use a pen.
"To my beloved lord, Levi:"
"My life wasn't so wonderful. Since my wife left me due to illness and my son was killed by orcs on the road, loneliness and poverty have accompanied me for decades."
"Though you might not remember an old man like me, I was very happy to meet you, to receive your protection, and even to have my own house, though only I lived in it."
"When talking with you, I felt quite relaxed and happy. The bread you gave me was delicious. That was the first time in my life I tasted honey. I'll remember that flavor forever."
"My beloved lord, I can sense my time is running short. I regret not being able to see you again."
"But even if I could see you again, I don't think I'd have much to say. I think I just wanted to say one thing to you:"
"Thank you."
The letter ended there. No signature.
"My lord, there's also this. It was found beside the letter."
The resident handed over a honey cake wrapped in paper.
This style of bread is rarely seen nowadays.
Years later, the old man shared what he considered the most delicious bread with Levi.
Just like Levi had done for him back then.