"Congratulations to the host for unlocking the new function - shop! Please pay attention to check." Roland opened the system to the shop, but his study was interrupted by Bud.
"It all feels like a dream," Bud said, staring at the sea of fire behind him in disbelief.
"Yeah, such a big town... overnight..." Roland echoed, filled with emotion.
"Let's go!" Roland handed the reins of a horse to Bud.
"Why aren't we leaving?" Bud asked, puzzled.
"I need to wait for my soldiers. River State City needs you, King Bard!" Roland called out after him.
...
"Carlos! Bring all the horses. Let's find our archers!" Roland instructed Carlos, who gathered the horses and began searching for the remaining archers along the lake's shore.
"Here!" An archer climbed up from the shore, exhausted and lying flat on the ground.
"Come on, man! We have to search for the others!" Carlos encouraged him.
"Quick, quick, quick! Time is life! Spread out and look for our brothers!" Roland urged, using all his strength to find the shooters who had escaped.
...
"Thank you, Dragon God! May Lagrand's glory bless you!" Roland addressed the group, who could now be called soldiers.
In the Battle of Smaug, the Batanian archers had miraculously survived, save for a few who died when houses collapsed. Their excellent physical fitness helped them recover quickly.
"Let's rest, everyone. It's been a long day," Roland said, leading the group into the woods.
"My lord, aren't we going to Lonely Mountain? The dwarves owe you a lot of money!" Carlos, Roland's first squire, reminded him.
"To Lonely Mountain?" Roland looked at Carlos strangely. "I don't plan to go there now. It's too dangerous. We don't know if the dwarves and elves will fight first. If they do, who do we help? The whole Lonely Mountain is a trap!"
Roland shook his head, dismissing the thought. He turned his attention to the new system function. A light curtain appeared before him, showing the new function - the shop. It displayed 12 different products daily, purchasable through wealth value. Roland frowned at his wealth value: 5.
After some fiddling, he discovered the conversion rate: 10,000 gold coins equaled 1 wealth value.
"Hehe, poverty limits my imagination!" Roland realized he couldn't afford even the cheapest item. The Dragon Hunter cost 10 wealth points. A Forbidden Curse scroll required one million wealth points, which forced Roland to recognize his limitations.
Roland dismissed the system light curtain and stepped out of his tent, looking at the burning Long Lake Town in the distance, sighing softly.
"Sir, when can we go back to Lagrand City?" Reynold asked quietly.
"Lagrand City has been gone for years..." Roland could only use white lies to dissuade Reynold. He couldn't tell him Lagrand City doesn't exist.
"Lagrand City was the capital of the Lagrang Empire," Roland explained. "Built on the north bank of the Rapid River and Red River confluence, it was majestic with nine city walls. The Lagrand Empire stationed 13 dragon knights, royal guards, and paladins there. The city guards were the most powerful and sophisticated non-professional units."
"Lost people may need the guidance of the Holy Light of Lagrand..." A crisp female voice came through the dark night.
Roland's expression changed to joy, while Reynold quietly drew his sword, looking at the white-robed figure warily.
"Ivy, the priest of the Lagrand Empire, at your service." The visitor greeted with a salute.
"Temple priest? Which god do you worship?" Reynold asked, curious.
"May the Dragon God bless you," Ivy replied, a pure white holy light falling from her.
"A priest of the Temple of the Dragon God?" Roland showed interest.
"Carlos! Arrange a tent for Miss Ivy!" Roland shouted.
Carlos reluctantly crawled out of the tent, sleepy-eyed, and went to set up the tent.
"Okay, everyone, rest early. There might be a battle tomorrow," Roland said, looking at the familiar faces around him, his heart sinking. He didn't know how many would still be there if they fought tomorrow.
...
History seemed to repeat itself. The elves came to River Valley, Bilbo gave the Arken gem to Bard and the others, and Thranduil and Bard arrived at Lonely Mountain with their men.
"You want peace or war?" Bud gave the ultimatum.
Thorin glanced at the eastern mountains and solemnly said, "I choose war!"
"Boom~Boom~" Heavy steps sounded as the Ironfoot Army of the Dwarf King Dain from Ironhill appeared on the hillside.
"Oh roar! The raven spread our news to the dwarves all over Middle-earth!" The dwarves in Elub City cheered.
Meanwhile, the orcs were also approaching Lonely Mountain.
Roland and his party slowly marched towards Lonely Mountain.
A war at Lonely Mountain, destined to be different from history, was about to begin.
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