Chapter 212 Lava Lord

Looking at the evil dragon that blotted out the sky and cast a shadow of terror, Azog couldn't help but let out a low growl.

Who could have imagined that Smaug would actually choose to join the Light?

This thick-eyebrowed, big-eyed fellow had also become a traitor?

The problem must lie with that figure on the dragon's neck; otherwise, the evil dragon should have been their ally.

Although he didn't know exactly how Chen Nuo had done it, Azog had no way back now.

If he didn't launch this war while the dwarves had just reclaimed the Lonely Mountain and were still unstable, was he supposed to wait until they held the absolute geographical advantage?

So what if they had a dragon?

The Orcs' ballistae might not be able to kill Smaug, but could they not kill the rider on top?

This was the perfect opportunity to settle the blood feud for his son with Chen Nuo.

"Shoot down that human on the dragon for me!"

Azog roared at his subordinates.

His command went out and was quickly converted into waving flags, signaling the waiting Orc units.

This also simultaneously exposed the commander's position.

Seeing Smaug turn and head towards him, Azog cursed. His body was very honest as he left the high tower, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

The Orcs' heavy weapons were all equipped on the Olog-hai, which greatly increased the flexibility of these weapons.

The Orcs responsible for operating the weapons were considered elite units within the tribe. Even facing the crushing dragon might, they still methodically operated the machinery, launching an attack on Chen Nuo on the dragon's neck.

The three-meter-long, arm-thick ballista bolts, when fully powered, could cause some damage to Smaug.

While not enough to pierce the dragon's scales, they could still cause it considerable pain and impact.

"Damned insects!"

Smaug failed to dodge in time and took a hit to the belly, his fury erupting along with his dragon breath.

He directly cleared a patch of Orcs.

However, the range of the dragon breath was limited. While launching an attack, Smaug also had to lower his altitude, which gave the Orcs the best opportunity to counterattack.

Over a dozen ballista bolts were fired simultaneously at Chen Nuo.

Most were swatted down by Smaug's wings, but a few still slipped through the net.

Azog watched all this secretly. Just as he was about to raise his arm in triumph, he saw Chen Nuo catch one of the incoming bolts with one hand and use it to knock down the others.

"..."

These were ballista bolts that could pierce right through a Troll's body?!

Azog's breathing couldn't help but quicken.

Even if he was unwilling to admit the emotions churning inside him, the fear seeping from the bottom of his heart was reflected truthfully in his trembling limbs.

Right at that moment, a change occurred in Smaug.

His originally dark body became like a red-hot branding iron.

It looked somewhat like the precursor to breathing fire.

But usually, that change was mostly concentrated in the abdominal area, from the inside out.

This time, the starting point of the change was at Smaug's neck, the area where Chen Nuo sat.

Looking further up, one would notice that Chen Nuo had changed his appearance and posture at some point, carrying a sacred majesty that was impossible to look at directly or offend.

A crown symbolizing the authority of fire hung over Chen Nuo's head, resonating with Smaug.

"Roar—!!"

Smaug could feel his blood boiling at this moment. The erupting power was hard to suppress, finally turning into an incredible blast of dragon breath.

The originally towering mountain peaks now looked like melting sundaes, turning into rolling lava that flowed down and submerged a large number of Orcs. They could only thrash a couple of times in the magma before falling silent.

However, the release of this dragon breath did not mean the end.

On the contrary, it was more like a threshold being broken.

The authority of the Flame Lord was most intuitively manifested in Smaug. Fire condensed into substance, draping over Smaug's body like armor, making his originally slender form appear powerful and majestic.

Similarly, this fire of authority also burned away the dark power that had originally tainted Smaug, adding another indescribable pressure to him.

"I am fire!!"

Smaug roared, skimming low over the battlefield. The shockwave he created could directly crush Orc bones.

However, these cockroach-like creatures of the dark had no chance to feel that pain, because before that, the moisture in their flesh had already been evaporated by the high temperature surrounding Smaug.

After the shockwave passed.

The charred and shriveled Orcs crumbled into a ground full of debris.

In the eyes of those who didn't understand, it looked as if an invisible aura of death surrounded Smaug, harvesting lives across the battlefield as he soared.

At this moment, Smaug truly became the symbol of fire as he had roared; even the blazing sun could not completely mask the radiance he emitted.

This was not Smaug's own power.

It was merely Chen Nuo using the magic within the dragon to manifest the authority belonging to the Flame Lord.

Now, no one could ignore the knight on the dragon's neck.

Set against that crown, Smaug looked more like a throne holding up an Archon.

In the crowd, some had already begun to whisper in awe and worship, calling him the Lava Archon.

After this battle, Chen Nuo would gain an even more resounding title in Middle-earth.

However, after the surge of power, Smaug instantly became withered.

As if drained dry, he crouched on the mountain peak, panting heavily. His scales, which were once like obsidian, had lost their original luster and appeared somewhat dull.

"My Lord... I'm a bit spent..."

Smaug was out of breath, feeling like he was about to die, with none of the dragon might from just before.

"I don't need you for now. Go and rest."

Chen Nuo looked down.

After Smaug's rampage, half of the Orc army had been wiped out, as if they had experienced a natural disaster.

Now, even if the Orcs still held a numerical advantage, their morale was long gone. Their only commander who could rally them, Azog, had vanished after that blast of dragon breath.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Thorin finally overcame his mental illness and rushed out of his palace, leading the dwarven soldiers in a counterattack.

Standing on high ground, Chen Nuo could clearly see the change in the situation.

There was no need for him to continue fighting.

The war ended at dusk.

The orange-red afterglow fell on the Lonely Mountain and on the tired but excited faces of Thorin and the others.

The dwarves had finally truly reclaimed their home and achieved a great victory under their king's leadership.

"I hate the House of Durin; those are all my treasures."

Smaug muttered in a low voice.

But he was immediately kicked by Chen Nuo. With a whimper, he flew away aggrievedly.

At first glance, he looked like a black dog.

If it wasn't necessary, it was better not to let Smaug appear in front of the dwarves.

After all, this fellow was the culprit who caused the dwarves to lose their home.

However, Chen Nuo had misjudged this time.

The dwarves were actually quite happy to see Smaug now.

Especially seeing him crouching at Chen Nuo's feet, acting submissive and flattering. It would be even better if they could hurl some verbal abuse at him in person; just thinking about it made the dwarves feel great.

One could understand it with a little empathy.

In the dwarves' eyes, losing freedom and becoming a mount was a punishment more painful than death for an arrogant and unyielding dragon.

But a dwarf is not a dragon; how could they know the dragon's joy?

Smaug actually quite enjoyed his current status and position.

So, there is no such thing as true empathy in this world.

"My friend, my brother, thank you for helping us reclaim our homeland. The dwarves will forever sing of your great deeds."

Seeing Chen Nuo, Thorin approached with a warm attitude and opened his arms.

Seeing this, Chen Nuo could only squat down; otherwise, with their height difference, the scene wouldn't look very good.

In front of the dwarven soldiers, he had to give the king some face.

...

...

Shortly after, Thorin and the others confirmed Azog's death.

They found his prosthetic right arm weapon in a patch of solidified lava. As for Azog's original body, it had already merged with the surroundings.

Thorin used this prosthetic blade as an offering to his grandfather and father.

Subsequently, under the witness of many parties, he was formally crowned as king.

Afterward, Thorin, in his capacity as the King Under the Mountain, granted the ruins of Dale and its surrounding area to Chen Nuo as a fief.

Actually, Dale did not belong to the dwarves' territory, but Thorin was wealthy. With a pile of gold coins thrown at them, the survivors of Dale had no objections.

After all, even Bard, who was considered the only legitimate heir of Dale, had expressed his agreement.

In truth, when his ancestor failed to protect Dale, it meant the territory had lost its owner.

The reason for getting Bard's nod was to silence other human kingdoms; it was a form of legitimate succession.

The title of Lava Archon was worthy of a kingdom.

Bard had only one condition: the residents of Lake-town had to be moved there.

Life on the lake was not easy.

Chen Nuo naturally did not refuse this. In fact, even if Bard hadn't spoken up, he would have found a way to bring people over.

However, the population of Lake-town could not fill Dale.

There were still many refugees in the Misty Mountains whom Chen Nuo could recruit.

With Smaug circling above Dale, there was no need to worry about the refugees being of mixed quality; dragon breath would help Chen Nuo purge the bad elements.

As for the hero unit Bard, Chen Nuo wouldn't waste him either, keeping him in the city to build and lead the city guard.

Rebuilding Dale was not difficult. The dwarves were very happy to provide help to Chen Nuo; they were natural master craftsmen.

And don't look at dwarves as if they are a bit scruffy; their aesthetic style is actually not bad at all. Just look at those famous dwarven kingdoms.

As for short-term supplies, they would be provided by King Thranduil.

Of course, it wouldn't be for free, but it was at cost price. The gold coins Chen Nuo had accumulated in Moria just happened to have no place to be spent.

After Thorin woke up, he immediately returned the white gem necklace to Thranduil.

The dwarves and the Woodland Elves thus cleared their conflict and rebuilt their friendship and connection that had been severed for many years.

The three parties subsequently established a new alliance to jointly resist future threats from the Orcs.

As said before, darkness cannot be completely eliminated from Middle-earth; they will only continue to make a comeback.

But with the mutual support of the three kingdoms and a dragon standing guard, it was likely the Orcs would no longer have the chance to break through from the north and threaten Middle-earth.

In this way, the pressure faced by the human kingdoms was greatly reduced.

Gandalf was deeply gratified by this, feeling that all the hard work had not been in vain.

But looking at the documents that seemed like they could never be finished, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

The price of this peace was perhaps too painful for him.

How long would he have to serve as the Archon's deputy, administrative officer, high judge, financial supervisor, royal supervisor, and palace supervisor?

Did they really think that because a wizard couldn't die, they could work him to death?

"Gandalf, where did Nuo go? Why is even that dragon gone?"

Tauriel had brought winter supplies to Dale on behalf of the Woodland Realm. After completing the handover with Bard, she asked as if casually.

"I heard from Gandalf that the Archon took the dragon to visit Rivendell."

Bard methodically directed his men to move the supplies into the storage warehouse.

Winter was coming soon.

With the help of the Woodland Realm and the houses built by the dwarves, this year would surely be very warm.

Although Chen Nuo usually didn't care about anything and just flew around on his dragon, Bard was very satisfied with his Archon.

After all, he could bring the people food to fill their bellies and a peaceful environment, which was already very competent.

As for other kingdom affairs, wasn't there still the wizard? He was doing a very good job.

If he had to make any suggestion, it was that he hoped his Archon wouldn't flirt with his two daughters for no reason.

This was a suggestion as a father, not as a subject.

The two young girls were so infatuated with Chen Nuo that they clamored every day to go and be the Archon's maids.

Thinking of this, Bard couldn't help but complain about Chen Nuo.

"Rivendell? What is he doing there?"

Tauriel had a faint bad feeling.

But she couldn't do anything. She had her own duties and couldn't just run off to Rivendell to find out. She could only return to the Woodland Realm with a heart full of worry.

...

...

Inside Rivendell.

Lord Elrond looked in a very good mood today, with a smile always on his face.

All the elves knew what was going on.

Several days ago, Elrond had already started talking about it.

The Evenstar Princess, whom he cherished as a treasure, was returning to Rivendell to visit her old father who was living alone.

Aragorn had always held great expectations for this sister he had never met.

However, at only ten years old, all he carried was a longing and desire for family.

However, Elrond's beautiful mood was soon forcibly tainted with impurities.

A dragon's shadow swept over Rivendell.

There was no need to think to know whose visit this was.

Elrond's face darkened as he watched Chen Nuo descend from the sky. Although his voice was polite, it wasn't hard to hear the perfunctory attitude. Clearly, he didn't welcome Chen Nuo much, at least not now.

Yes, very unwelcome.

"Lava Archon, what brings you here today?"

"I'm here to meet Princess Arwen. We made an agreement in our letters before."

Chen Nuo said with a beaming smile.

"..."

The corner of Elrond's eye twitched.

How come he didn't know about this?

What on earth had you two been talking about behind his back?