Novel Full Chapter 632
Chapter 632: Chapter 565: Allied Nations Requesting Troops Chapter 632: Chapter 565: Allied Nations Requesting Troops Theoden was Rohan’s seventeenth King, having ruled the Kingdom for nearly forty years.
However, due to Arrodes’ proximity to Rohan, Saruman had placed a Treacherous Courtier, Grima, at his side, who, through Saruman’s witchcraft, had accomplished the erosion of Theoden’s will.
The relatively weak defenses at the gap of Rohan were, in fact, partly due to the King’s bewitchment and manipulation.
Nonetheless, Rohan had an alliance with Gondor and was historically a vassal state to it.
On seeing the identity presented by Boromir and hearing the Gondorian horn, Grima was powerless to stop it.
He could only arrange for a somewhat wooden-looking Theoden to receive them.
Within the less-than-glorious Royal Palace, Theoden, though wearing a crown, appeared utterly haggard.
His eyes were lifeless, resembling a decrepit old man on the verge of death.
His lips moved silently, hardly producing any sound.
But by his side stood a minister clad in black, whose cunning countenance was clear to see, he leaned in to listen and kept nodding in assent before looking up at everyone to ‘translate’.
“Welcome to Rohan, yet His Majesty is quite unwell.
What urgent matter brings you to Rohan?”
Tao Yu and Gandalf both clearly sensed something was amiss with King Theoden.
They exchanged a glance but did not immediately expose the truth.
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The King’s physical condition was dire, and any rash action could provoke a backlash.
“The situation is thus, the Gap of Rohan has suffered an attack…”
Gandalf, who had friends everywhere and was acquainted with Theoden, now took it upon himself to offer a brief explanation before presenting a handwritten letter from Prince Theodred.
“…Therefore, we wish to borrow some of Rohan’s military strength.”
Gandalf was prepared; should they be refused, he was ready to quickly restrain the man who stood closest to the King, ensuring no harm would come to King Theoden.
Then they would gradually devise a plan.
“Since it’s a personal letter from the Prince, we naturally must trust it.
I will arrange for Eomer to lead seven thousand five hundred brave Rohan warriors to accompany you.”
Yet to the surprise of Tao Yu and Gandalf, after hearing Theoden’s whispered words, Grima translated accurately and readily agreed to their request.
Furthermore, he arranged for Theoden’s nephew, Eomer, the mainstay of Rohan’s military power, to lead a team in support.
Their sincerity was unmistakable!
It even left Gandalf momentarily astonished, unsure whether they would need to take action after all.
Only Tao Yu’s eyes lit up slightly.
He knew that Theoden was under Saruman’s control, and the current turn of events suggested that Saruman, back in Arrodes, had chosen to agree!
“After witnessing my lead of the Rohan cavalry charge, he’s willing to commit a cavalry corps of 7,500 men.
This…
is he planning to use me as a pawn against Sauron?”
Tao Yu also understood Saruman’s change of heart.
He was in the dark about what the Fortune Thief aimed to achieve with the orchestrated floods and glaciers.
But now, with more information at hand, it was clear that Saruman had opted to push him to the forefront.
“On my own, I am not afraid, so I don’t mind doing this, as long as Gandalf and the Elven Lady are willing to take my side; our chances of victory are not slim.”
Tao Yu did not mind being used, as it was yet unclear who was using whom.
Now, about King Theoden…
Tao Yu conveyed his thoughts through a telepathic whisper to Gandalf,
“Mr.
Gandalf, it seems King Theoden is currently under someone else’s control.
If we act hastily, we could endanger his safety.”
Gandalf’s barely perceptible nod acknowledged Tao Yu’s words.
“But if we let this continue, it could be equally dangerous.
And if Eomer takes the main forces with us, Rohan might well come under attack again.”
“So, we return to the Gap of Rohan, launch a counterattack on Arrodes, and directly take out those threats—or at the very least, deal a heavy blow to those monsters.”
Tao Yu’s plan left Gandalf slightly taken aback.
Though he had treaded back the same path, upon further reflection, it indeed seemed feasible!
Their request was to lead the Rohan cavalry to Gondor and prepare to attack the Black Gate.
Yet it posed no problem to first turn back and eliminate the threat behind them.
A commander in the field may not strictly obey the monarch’s orders…
…
Given Theoden’s poor health, after agreeing to the request for cavalry, he excused himself to rest.
He entrusted them to Eomer.
Eomer, clad in full armor, exuded strength and carried an untamed aura about him.
He was considered Rohan’s finest warrior, with the strongest command ability,
And he had always protected the capital, restraining Grima.
It was also his interference and the presence of his troops that allowed Rohan to maintain a precarious stability, even with the King bewitched.
The Eomer now standing before them, however, bore a somewhat displeased expression.
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He was unaware of what would happen here after being excused from the capital on the pretext of the cavalry loan.
Nevertheless, faced with the Fellowship of the Ring and the Prince’s letter, he could not well afford to show an ugly countenance.
He just offered Gandalf a slight bow, as a sign of etiquette.
“General Eomer, there’s been a change of plans.
We must first return to the Fords of Rohan, unite with Prince Theodred, and then counterattack Arrodes,”
Tao Yu said directly to Eomer.
This caught him off guard momentarily.
“Weren’t we headed for Gondor?”
“You wouldn’t want the Dunlendings to break through Rohan after we just got attacked from behind, would you?”
Tao Yu employed a slight bit of provocation.
Instantly, Eomer’s blood boiled.
No, absolutely not!
“I think you’re right.
Now that the cavalry has been lent to you, do as you see fit.
My duty is solely to fight.”
Eomer was no stickler for old ways; he was quite adaptable.
“Moreover, I hope you could share some of the command authority over the troops with me,”
Tao Yu didn’t ask for complete command authority.
Just like with Prince Theodred before.
The troops of Rohan were not like the Fremen led by Prophet Paul who had pledged their loyalty.
They had their own minds and loyalties.
Thus, the most Tao Yu could rely on was temporary control through the commander’s orders.
However, that was sufficient for Kaji.
After all, these were but ordinary troops, and Tao Yu had no intention of leveraging such mundane forces.
Their efficiency was too low—whether it was their individual strengths or their level of trust and coordination with him, all too poor.
Even in great numbers, they were of no real use.
He might as well rely directly on the Alien’s Kaji, let alone the more valuable cards like Flame Demon or Dreadlord.
But currently, Saruman’s slight misunderstanding about him was quite convenient.
He would first chop down Saruman’s minions.
If Saruman rebelled, he would join forces with Gandalf and beat him down.
If Saruman continued to conceal himself, then after pushing through the strong Orcs and slowly absorbing them, he’d make his way to Gondor to counterattack the Land of Darkness…