A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"Why did you buy so much medicine?" Barn asked.

"Why bother with all that?" Aaron pulled out three gold coins. "You're all locals, so please help me categorize these medicines. As for the ones you don't know, just leave them to me."

......

As night fell, a commotion broke out in the town.

Aaron, who was decocting medicine, heard the warning sound and looked at the torches that were rapidly lighting up outside the window. His expression turned grim.

Because a group of guards were escorting the dwarfs toward the mayor's residence, the residents stopped sleeping and spontaneously went to watch the spectacle.

"They were arrested?" Barn's face paled as he looked at Aaron with suspicion and uncertainty. "Does that mean my dad doesn't have to stop them anymore?"

"Maybe!" Aaron shrugged. "I thought of everything, but I didn't expect them to stumble on the first step."

You all stay home and watch my earthenware pot. Once the medicine is brewed, pour it into a bottle and seal it.

Stepping outside, I saw heavy snow falling, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Aaron wrapped himself up so that only half of his face was visible, and slowly made his way through the crowd, stopping in front of the mayor's gate.

A moment later, he felt someone tapping his shoulder. He turned around and saw Bud looking at him with a sullen expression.

"If this gets out of hand, it could be very difficult to handle."

“Then I’ll give you an idea,” Aaron said in a low voice, “Don’t be the first to stick your neck out.”

"But..."

“No buts. I am a wizard. I will save them if necessary,” Aaron said. Breaking in wasn’t too difficult for him, but getting them out was.

But with so many guards and ordinary residents, ordinary magic probably won't be enough. Should we use a large-scale spell?

Bud's heart tightened. "What are you planning to do? I warn you not to harm the innocent."

"Don't worry, I won't hurt anyone indiscriminately." A glint of shrewdness flashed in Aaron's eyes. "What do you think about taking the mayor hostage?"

Bard: ......

Does this sound like something a teenager would say?

"Are you sure?" Bard asked with some doubt. "Although the mayor is a piece of trash, he has quite a few guards around him."

"Don't worry, I'm experienced, and very experienced."

"I've kidnapped trolls and orc kings; if it weren't for me, Thorin and the others would have died countless times."

Bard's eyes twitched slightly, and he no longer had any doubts, but he unconsciously moved a little to the side.

Damn, what kind of family raised such a ruthless person?

The door opened, and a middle-aged man with a bloated belly and thinning hair walked out. Alfred stood respectfully beside him.

"What's going on?" the mayor asked angrily.

"We caught the thief stealing weapons on the spot, sir."

"Oh!" A sly smile appeared on the mayor's face. "Our enemy?"

“They’re probably a bunch of mercenaries, sir,” Alfred said.

"Shut up!" Dvalin roared. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

This is no ordinary thief; he is Thorin, son of Thelein and grandson of Therol.

Thorin slowly stepped forward and revealed his identity in front of everyone in the town.

He didn't want to do this, since it was too high-profile, but he had no other choice now.

“We are the dwarves of Irubor, and we have come to reclaim our homeland.”

I still remember the bustling prosperity of Changhu Town in its heyday. The harbor was filled with fleets laden with silk and jewels; Changhu Town showed no signs of decay then, having been the trading center of the entire north.

These words resonated with the townspeople, who recalled their past lives, a stark contrast to their current state of just getting by or even barely surviving.

"I hope to see prosperity return, I hope to restore the glory of the dwarves, and let wealth flow from the Great Hall of Irubor once again."

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted from all around, and even the mayor's heart started pounding.

This isn't a thief! He's clearly a god of wealth.

In the crowd, Aaron struggled to pull Bard back, who was trying to rush out, saying, "Don't go, it's no use going."

"But if we let him continue speaking, we really won't be able to stop him."

"You can't stop them now. Look at these people, their eyes are full of joy and anticipation. They won't listen to you at this point."

"But life is more important."

"I completely agree with that; nothing is more important than life."

The problem is that not everyone thinks this way. At this moment, money is more important to these people.

Do you know what it means to cut off someone's livelihood, which is like killing their parents?

Bard was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "Let me try, otherwise I'll feel guilty even if I die."

Upon hearing this, Aaron pursed his lips and released his arm.

Bard breathed a sigh of relief, solemnly stepped out of the crowd, and said loudly, "Death is what you will bring us, the dragon flames that will destroy everything. If you awaken that beast, it will kill us all."

Thorin looked at Bard with some surprise, but quickly composed himself. "You can listen to this dissenting opinion, but I assure you, if we succeed, we will..."

"Cough cough!"

Thorin was interrupted by a series of coughs as Aaron stepped out from the crowd.

"Gaius, what do you mean by this?"

"Uh, don't get me wrong, I didn't mean anything by it. I just feel that the King's promises shouldn't be taken too lightly," Aaron said with an awkward yet polite smile. "I suggest at least rebuilding the entire Laketown. What do you think?"

Thorin paused for a moment; he had almost suggested sharing Irubb's wealth.

But in reality, this is impossible. If all the money is given to these townspeople, how can the dwarves rebuild Irubor?

“That’s right.” Thorin lowered his standards silently, then roared, “We will help rebuild the entire Esgaros.”

The townspeople were overjoyed. They had lived in such a dirty and chaotic environment for decades, and they were naturally very happy to have someone help them rebuild their homes.

Aaron secretly breathed a sigh of relief; not everyone can resist the temptation of immense wealth.

If we reach this verbal agreement now, it won't be too embarrassing if things fall apart later. If all else fails, we can just hand over our share of the compensation.

He didn't value money much; one-fifteenth of the treasure should be enough to rebuild this place.

Chapter 259 Stubbornness Passed Down Through Generations

"Everyone, please listen to me, please listen to me!" Bard looked at the crowd anxiously. "Have you all forgotten what happened to Riverdale? Have you all forgotten those who perished in the flames?"

The townspeople's enthusiasm was immediately dampened, and many lowered their heads, hesitant and undecided.

“For what?” Bard looked at Thorin with disappointment. “For the ambition to become the King of Lonely Mountain. He was driven by greed and blinded by his own desires.”

"Quiet, quiet, everyone, don't rush to... shirk responsibility." The mayor suddenly interrupted, "Don't forget that it was Mayor Ji Rui'an of Long Lake Town, who is also your ancestor, who failed to kill the dragon."

"Is Girion your ancestor?"

Aaron looked at Bard in surprise. If this was true, it meant that Smaug's left flank was very likely hit by a black arrow, giving the dragon a fatal weakness.

Alfred chimed in, “We all know the story. He shot arrow after arrow, but he missed every time.”

The winds shifted again, and the previously hesitant townspeople began to side with the dwarves.

Bard walked up to Thorin and said, “You have no right, no right to go into the mountains.”

“I am the only one with the authority to go in,” Thorin said calmly, then looked at the mayor, “May I ask the mayor of Longlake Town, do you wish to see the prophecy come true?”

Would you be willing to share in the immense wealth of my people?

This was a heavy blow to the mayor's heart. Of course he was willing; who doesn't like money?

“I will tell you…” the mayor said with a smile, rubbing his hands together. “Welcome.”

Welcome, and I'll say it again, welcome, King of the Mountain.

With the mayor having spoken, the townspeople naturally wouldn't waver and burst into laughter, as if they could already see a bright future beckoning to them.

Unable to dissuade Thorin or the townspeople, Bard returned home in despair.

The mayor warmly welcomed the expedition team, bringing out all the fine wines he had treasured. As for weapons, armor, supplies, and food, he assured them that they would be ready by tomorrow morning.

"Do you want to die?" Aaron looked at Qili, who was sitting alone in the living room, with a hint of pressure in his eyes. "The poison you have is difficult to cure, but I am confident that I can suppress it. The medicine is already being prepared."

But the prerequisite is that you must recuperate properly. You cannot move around or participate in the following operations until I have prepared the antidote.

"How long will it take?" Qili asked weakly.

Aaron raised an eyebrow, thinking that Aaron had come to his senses.

"You're lucky. The orc's poison, though strange, is too crude and not carefully prepared at all."

And I happen to be a student of the Potions Master, so I can develop an antidote using only ordinary herbs, which will cure the poison in less than seven days.

However, because your leg injury wasn't treated in time, it will take longer to recover.

"I'm asking you how long it will take to brew the medicine?" Kili said with a bitter smile. "This expedition is too important for the dwarves. I must be there when the gates open."

Aaron: ......

Your mother is right; you were too rash.

"Qili, do you really not value your life at all?"

"Some things are more important than life itself."

Snapped!

Aaron slapped him across the face.

"Why did you hit me?"

"Just trying to wake you up," Aaron said irritably. "If you're really beyond saving, I'll definitely respect your opinion. Dying on an expedition is a kind of manly romance."

But now you have a chance to live, and I'm confident I can cure you. The fact that you're still thinking about suicide means either the toxins have seeped into your brain, or you've lost your mind.

"I do not have."