Misty Mountains Anomaly

If everything they had seen before could be matched to something similar in their memories, leaving some trace to follow, then the door before them was truly unimaginable.

Whether it was magic, Wraiths, or incomparably exquisite forging techniques, they were all things that had originally existed in this world.

But this alone...

"This is not something that should exist in this world."

Gandalf gazed at the Nether Portal before him and pondered for a long while.

"Yet since it exists, it must have received approval. I believe it must be part of a new song."

"What a pity that I cannot witness what lies within with my own eyes."

"There's not much to see." Li Wei spoke up at just the right moment. "There's only lava, red stone, some abandoned ruins, and a few lingering creatures."

That was what he said, but if one really dug into it, then according to the setting, the entire Nether was very likely the skeleton of some enormous creature, and the ruins within were genuinely remnants of an ancient civilization.

"It sounds a little like the depths of Moria."

Gandalf shook his head and sighed.

"To be honest, everything here has truly startled me, especially the fact that such a vast Territory is managed by you alone. Before entering, I thought there would be many residents inside, not constructs."

As he spoke, an Iron Golem slowly approached, sizing up this rare visitor before scratching its head.

It offered him a small red flower.

"Oh, thank you."

Gandalf gently accepted the little red flower and carefully put it away.

Clank, clank. Having delivered the flower, the Iron Golem returned to its route with heavy steps and continued its patrol.

This Iron Golem was a good one—it gave flowers even to people who weren't children.

"There are many things I can only do myself." Li Wei offered only that explanation.

Still, if there really were residents in need of protection, he would not be stingy about it.

Perhaps it was time to give it some thought...

Unlike Falrodan, who had come and gone in a hurry.

When Li Wei invited Gandalf to stay for a few more days, the wise old man agreed without a second thought and immediately claimed a guest room.

Of course, his manners remained impeccable. He was always courteous to Li Wei, and whenever Li Wei had a question, Gandalf answered everything he knew without holding anything back.

Li Wei found getting along with Gandalf very natural. This wizard's breadth of knowledge and bearing in dealing with matters were no less impressive than the Lord of Rivendell's, though the two gave off somewhat different impressions. Compared to Elrond, Gandalf was more easygoing.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. That morning, Gandalf found Li Wei and greeted him.

"Thank you for your hospitality during this time, Li Wei, but I must continue on my journey."

"Alright. May your road ahead be free of obstacles."

Gandalf nodded. "This has truly been an unforgettable encounter, especially your cooking. I'm almost reluctant to leave."

"Haha, I have a Hobbit friend who says the same thing."

"A Hobbit friend? Indeed, with your cooking, it would be difficult to find any Hobbit who would not welcome you."

"Well then, time waits for no one. I must continue with some adventures."

With the provisions Li Wei had given him, Gandalf prepared to set out once more.

"Adventures?" Li Wei asked.

"Yes, adventures."

Li Wei felt a slight itch in his hands. Setting the Nether aside, it seemed like it had been quite some time since he had last gone out.

On the other side, Gandalf looked at Li Wei and nodded again.

"Yes, adventures. I happen to have some adventuring work here, of course, if anyone is willing to come along..."

A moment later.

Wearing a full set of pitch-black Netherite Armor and mounted on a 20-speed horse clad in Diamond Horse Armor, Li Wei asked, "Where are we going?"

Gandalf fell silent for a while.

"Li Wei, we are going on an adventure, not to war."

"As for that horse, I suggest you lead it back. And you should keep a lower profile, like I do. It will help us hide ourselves better in the wilderness."

"Alright, you have a point."

Li Wei agreed. He looked at his equipment, then at Gandalf's attire.

It had to be said that Gandalf's gray robe was indeed excellent clothing for adventuring and traveling. It could shield one from wind and rain while remaining inconspicuous—practical in every way.

But Li Wei had grown used to wearing full armor whenever he went out recently. Suddenly making him take it off still felt rather uncomfortable, leaving him with a slight lack of security.

In the end, under Gandalf's repeated urging and reminders, Li Wei reluctantly removed his helmet and put it into his backpack. He then draped himself in an unremarkable, loose Linen Cloak, completely concealing his pitch-black armor. With the hood up, he looked just like another wizard.

In truth, Netherite Armor had quite a good cut. It did not look bulky or heavy when worn. It did not appear especially thick and was even somewhat fitted. As for armor impeding movement—well, it did not affect Li Wei anyway.

At that moment, Li Wei looked exactly like a weather-beaten wilderness ranger, except ordinary rangers generally wore leather armor.

No. Looking at it this way, he was less a ranger of the wilds and more a wandering knight.

"This... could work, I suppose, if you don't mind the weight of the armor."

"It's fine," Li Wei replied.

The matter of carrying weight could be completely ignored for Li Wei.

"Then let's set off." Gandalf swept a hand out and pointed in a direction.

Li Wei glanced over.

"The Misty Mountains?"

"Yes. The Orcs in the Misty Mountains have been rather too active lately. They've even grown bold enough to wander near Rivendell. Perhaps they are carrying out some unspeakable secret operation. I must investigate their intentions."

Li Wei fell silent for a moment.

"As for that, I do know a little. Uh, actually, they might be coming for me. Some time ago, there were several hundred Warg riders sent to attack me, but I wiped out more than half of them."

"Besides, this area has felt pretty quiet lately. Since the last attack, no Orcs have come near here again."

"...What exactly did you do to make them hate you so much?"

Li Wei checked his reputation.

Misty Mountains Orcs: -370 (Mortal Enemies)

"Nothing much. Like I said, I killed several hundred of their Warg riders."

Gandalf stared at Li Wei for a while.

"All right, let's say that's the case. That clears up half of our doubts."

"However, aside from the unusual activity west of the Misty Mountains, they have also deployed large numbers of spies east of the mountains. Many fortresses destroyed in the great war between Dwarves and Orcs over a hundred years ago have now been reoccupied by the Orcs. For the time being, I do not know what they intend."

Gandalf shook his head, worried about the situation in the eastern regions.

"I see. Then it really is worth going."

So far, Li Wei had never been farther than Rivendell. Having a guide familiar with the roads of Middle-earth lead him on an adventure was quite nice as well.

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