I reforged the glory of the magic ring in Middle-earth

Chapter 176 The Battle of the Black Gate (Part 1)

In the afternoon, the Black Gate fortress on the outskirts of Mordor stood silently in the shadows, like a colossal beast lurking on the filthy earth.

The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and decay, constantly seeping into the nostrils of the rangers, causing them to furrow their brows slightly.

However, the main reason they were frowning was the Orc army below the towering walls of the Black Gate.

The air seemed to be torn apart by the surging clamor below the city. Sauron's Orc army, like an endless, boiling black tar, filled every inch of the desolate land within sight, all the way to the distant horizon obscured by smoke and dust.

The ground trembled, and the vibration could be felt even on the high walls.

The rough animal hides and rusty iron armor of the Orks rubbed against each other, making a harsh scraping sound. The knives and axes gleamed with a twisted, ferocious light in the dim light, and countless ugly, ferocious faces bore naked bloodlust.

"How is the situation, Beckett?"

Talion rushed over and, upon seeing the Orc army below, asked the ranger captain on duty.

Meanwhile, Tanes, Melina, and Bernal followed Talion.

Tanes, who came with Talion, had some recollection of the young ranger captain's appearance; he had sat near the traitor when Tanes helped Talion catch him.

So Tanes gave a brief introduction of this person to Bernal and the others who had followed behind him.

However, after only a few months, this once energetic young swordsman now had wrinkles on his forehead, and his chin was covered with bluish-gray stubble. He looked as if he had aged ten years and was lifeless.

The loss of his comrades and Oak's attacks ultimately left indelible marks on Beckett.

Beckett first noticed Tanes and his group behind Talion, paused, and then said to Talion in a hoarse voice, "It's serious. This time the Orks are not to be trifled with. Their numbers and quality are more terrifying than before. Even the Uruk and Orok ogres, which are rarely seen before, have been mobilized."

As he spoke, he pointed to certain formations in the Orc army below that were clearly distinguishable from the shorter Orcs.

Before Tanes could say anything more, Egon's aged but spirited voice broke in. He chuckled at the sky and said, "I think your adversaries are getting impatient. Look at the clouds above; three Ringwraiths are hiding in there."

Talion and Beckett both looked up in surprise, but no matter how much they squinted or used the binoculars at their waists, they could not see any trace of the Ringwraiths.

Egon waved his hand: "Don't look anymore. They must have noticed me looking over there and are hiding in the clouds again."

Beckett instinctively wanted to question Egon, but remembering that Egon had also come with the wizard Tanes, he cleverly changed his tone: "How did you find them?"

Egon laughed loudly, "Just look up at the sky and you'll see them. They probably saw us too, which is why they hid again."

I saw it as soon as I looked up. How good must one's eyesight be to notice that?

Just as Beckett's face showed surprise, Talion coughed lightly and whispered in his ear, "Lord Tanes brought the members of the Lonely Mountain Expedition with him this time. The one you were just talking to is [Sharpshooter] Egon, but Tanes told me his real title is [Dragon Warrior] Egon. Also, haven't you been wanting to see Lord Bernard, who was fighting several Ringwraiths? That golden-eyed man in silver armor is him." Talion then pinched Beckett, who was unconsciously getting excited, and said, "But now is not the time for reminiscing. Lord Tanes used his magic to bring the army of the Golden Tree. You'll have a chance to talk when you hand over the troops."

Beckett glanced at Bernal a few more times, then turned back and nodded vigorously to Talion.

This puzzled Bernal somewhat.

However, this did not prevent Bernal from speaking to Talion and Beckett at this moment: "With the presence of Ringwraiths, we need to be wary of their strange aura. No matter how strong a warrior is, he can easily panic in that instant, and soldiers with weak minds will simply give up resistance and lose their ability to fight."

Talion nodded: "We have also had experience fighting the Ringwraiths several times. Although we are not as brave as you, Lord Bernard, in taking on multiple opponents, we have no problem maintaining our composure under the interference of the Ringwraiths. Please rest assured, Lord Tanes, our men will not hold you back in the battle."

Bernal shook his head slightly: "No, what I mean is that I will cast some kind of prayer... cough cough, witchcraft for you rangers later, which will make you immune to the interference of the Ringwraiths, so you don't have to be distracted by defending against them."

Then he pointed to Tanes and added, "This magic was also taught to me by Tanes, and he will also perform this unique magic from the Golden Tree with me."

Tanes glanced at Bernal, knowing that Bernal didn't want to perform the sorcery on so many rangers by himself, so he came up with a lame excuse to drag him into it.

Bernal winked at Tanes, implying that with him present, the rangers were more likely to accept the Golden Tree Prayer.

Melina then spoke softly from behind Tanes, "Benaar was probably referring to the Golden Tree's blessing in the Golden Tree Prayer branch. I can also help share some of your work."

Tanes nodded slightly and said to Melina, "Then I'll leave it to you."

Just then, the sharp-eyed Egon said, "The Orks in the distance are starting to move. The final assault is about to begin. We don't have much time to dawdle here."

Tanes took a deep breath and said to Talion, "Send the one among your rangers who is most familiar with the structure of the Black Gate to the Rodel army with Egon and tell them where the fortifications and weak points are on the Black Gate walls."

Talion immediately shouted to his son, "Dieher, did you hear that? You know the layout of the Black Gate best. Go and tell Lord Tanes' reinforcements about the situation here!"

"Yes!" Dehel shouted, without saying anything more, and immediately left with Egon.

Bernal frowned as he looked down at the suddenly agitated Orc army and said, "I'm afraid it's too late to cast a prayer now. They're marching much faster than the Orcs we encountered at Lonely Mountain."

Tanes coldly stared at the ugly, gray-black Orc wave below and said, "I see. These Orcs are probably the main force that Zoro has been secretly cultivating."

As he spoke, a staff appeared in his hand. While gathering magic to prepare to cast a spell, he said to Melina and Bernal behind him, "I'll buy you some time to cast your prayer. Millison, if the Ringwraiths dare to swoop down on the walls, they're yours."

Millison didn't speak, but the Seschel sword she gripped tightly in her hand represented her answer.

(End of this chapter)