Being an otaku in the world of American comics

#158 - Forest Kingdom

Under the guidance of the forest elves, the group quickly left the dense forest area polluted by black magic.

Gradually, the once-narrow road began to widen, and the lush green returned to everyone's view.

After about half an hour, the residence of the Gloom Kingdom was already faintly visible, a building constructed behind a rushing river.

In the shade of the trees and the dappled sunlight, it appeared very tranquil.

Looking ahead, its style was elegant and mysterious, with several sturdy tree-root-shaped marble pillars at the entrance, covered with plant vines.

But the overall structure of the building was embedded within a large rocky mountain.

Compared to Rivendell's otherworldly paradise architecture in the Sunset Valley, the overall style of the Forest Kingdom seemed somewhat gloomy, which indeed matched the name of their kingdom.

According to Liang Yue's understanding of the plot, the main part of this gathering place for the forest elves seemed to have originally been a continuous and wide stone cave.

To some extent, it was similar to the goblin nest from before, both being built inside a mountain.

But these elves obviously knew how to live better, and even in a rocky cave, they could create a kind of dark elegance. In comparison, the goblins were at most hovering on the edge of rudimentary wooden punk...

It is worth mentioning that although the group was brought to the elves' settlement in a somewhat forced manner, the location of this Gloom Kingdom was actually in the same direction as the Dwarf Kingdom's Lonely Mountain.

As long as they drifted downstream along the river in front of the elf cave, they would soon reach the foot of that majestic mountain.

Liang Yue remembered that there was a large lake there, with a cold climate, and a human town built by the lake.

Therefore, the dwarves were very quiet at this time, and on the way, they would occasionally look towards the already faintly visible Lonely Mountain through the gaps in the forest.

Their expressions were full of nostalgia and excitement.

After a while, the group stepped into the gate of the forest elf settlement, and what came into view was a vast mountain cave.

The interior of the cave was extremely wide, with winding paths in all directions, and the terrain undulating, but the main road seemed very flat.

Chandeliers hung from the top of the cave and around the pillars, illuminating the cave with dim yellow light.

Underground water flowed through the low-lying areas inside the cave, bringing moist, fresh air to this country that was almost isolated from the outside world...

Led by Legolas, the group quickly arrived near the main building of this elven kingdom, and through an oval stone arch, King Thranduil was sitting on a high throne.

Of course, not everyone in the team was qualified to meet the head of the elven race.

In the end, only Arwen, Liang Yue, Thorin, and the white-bearded dwarf approached the stone hall, and before entering, the two dwarves were forced to disarm.

"Dear Arwen, I am very happy that you can come to the Forest Kingdom as a guest, but as your elder, I would like to remind you that you should not have joined this expedition with your noble status."

Seeing Arwen for the first time, Thranduil stepped down from the throne, looking at her with a kind smile and a very gentle voice.

"Respected King Thranduil, thank you for your concern, but this is my choice, and I think this will be a very meaningful journey."

Arwen gave a very proper salute to the other party, her crystal clear eyes full of determination.

The symbol of the Dwarf King, the Arkenstone, right?"

Speaking of this, Thranduil's face showed a knowing smile, and then he continued.

"For you, its value is immeasurable. With that gem, you can reassemble the dwarf clans scattered all over the world, so as to reunite the divided Dwarf Kingdom.

I can understand your plan, and I also, very much support your idea."

"What do you want?"

Thorin's eyes seemed a little deep at this time, staring straight at Thranduil opposite him and asked.

"Don't you know? What I want has always been very clear, that is the white gem that radiates like starlight. I gave it to your dwarves to make jewelry back then.

As a result, your grandfather, the Dwarf King Thror, broke the agreement we made because of his greed, and ultimately led to the breakdown of the racial alliance.

I can offer you help Thorin, but on the condition that you return the Arkenstone to me."

"Hahahaha! You said that my grandfather broke that alliance? Do you still think so now?"

"Don't you think so?"

"It was your timidity and cowardice that broke the alliance between the two races! You coward! You stationed your army next to the Lonely Mountain at that time, but because you were afraid of Smaug's ferocity, you sat idly by as the evil dragon slaughtered our dwarves!

Afterwards, when my clansmen were torn apart and looted and slaughtered by the orcs, you did not come to support us according to the alliance! Thranduil, you are just looking for an excuse for your cowardice!"

Thorin roared, spraying his saliva, and Thranduil's face turned green, his original elegance turning into anger.

"You! You rude and stubborn dwarf! Just like your grandfather..."

"I don't believe you, Thranduil, you treacherous..."

"Thorin Oakenshield! I am in the name of the king..."

"I don't need your help! You villain! Even if we dwarves are at the end of our rope..."

"You are insulting the forest elves..."

"I witnessed you betraying your allies! Once we were displaced, starving and freezing..."

Seeing the scene of the two people mocking and scolding each other, Liang Yue felt a headache for a while and scratched his head unconsciously.

Seeing that the situation was about to collapse, this guy hurriedly stepped forward a few steps and interrupted the two people's quarrel.

"Um ~ can I interrupt?"

Liang Yue's sudden intervention unexpectedly diverted the attention of the two people for the time being, and then they looked at him panting.

As the ruler of this elven kingdom, Thranduil realized his gaffe just now. He, who claimed to be noble and elegant, took a deep breath, and then looked at him calmly.

"Hello, mysterious knight, say what you have to say."

"What I mean is, since you two now have your own persistence, and neither of you will give in, then why not choose to let a third person intervene and be your middle ground?"

Liang Yue smiled at this time, scanning back and forth between the two people.

"What do you mean?"

Thranduil raised his chin slightly at this time and continued to ask.

"King Thranduil, what you want now is the Arkenstone, and what Thorin needs is your release, and then to get to the foot of the Lonely Mountain as soon as possible. Both sides have their own demands.

Then now I have a good proposal. According to the agreement signed when I joined the dwarves' expeditionary army, if the dragon is successfully slain and the dwarves are helped to reclaim their capital.

Then I will have one-fifteenth of the wealth in the Dwarf Kingdom's treasury. I think I will also be qualified to add that Arkenstone to that one-fifteenth share at that time."

Speaking, Liang Yue put on a solemn look, looked at Thranduil next to him and continued.

"So ~ I promise that after it's done, I will return the Arkenstone to King Thranduil as a reward for the Forest Kingdom's help to us now."