Chapter 102: Confronting the Dragon

Kael didn't answer Smaug's question. Dragon speech carried magical power, similar to hypnotic words that could bewitch the mind and make people involuntarily obey. Even Smaug's gaze could directly impose mental control, creating illusions and manipulating victims through words and staring. Ordinary humans and dwarves couldn't resist at all. Once they met its gaze, they might fall under its control. Even treasure the dragon had been in contact with for years would possess magical power, driving people into obsession and madness. The dragon-sickness inherited in Thorin's bloodline originated from this curse. Dragons were creatures with almost no weaknesses. They were not only extremely intelligent with extraordinary perception but also knew evil curses and mental control, could breathe scorching dragon fire, and had extremely high physical and magical defense. They were powerful, perfect creatures created by the Dark Lord Morgoth. Facing Smaug, the only active dragon in Middle-earth, Kael immediately unleashed his most powerful attack. "Avada Kedavra!" A brilliant green light shot from Kael's wand, instantly striking Smaug. The dragon let out a shrill scream, then fell among the treasure, the light in his eyes extinguishing. "Is he dead?" Bilbo asked with wide eyes from behind Kael. Kael was somewhat surprised and uncertain. Could the dragon have been killed so smoothly and easily? But before he could check, hurried footsteps approached. Gandalf and the dwarves rushed over quickly. Seeing the dragon lying motionless on the treasure, the dwarves were first shocked, then burst into intense celebration. Especially Thorin Oakenshield. Wild joy covered his face beyond words. His nightmare had actually died! His treasure, his kingdom, belonged to him again! Gandalf was startled to see Smaug's corpse, but his face suddenly changed. "Get away quickly! The dragon isn't dead yet!" Before he finished speaking, flames reignited in the dragon's eyes, filled with endless hatred and malice. He opened his huge mouth to spray scorching fire toward everyone. "Protego Maxima!" Kael reacted quickly, casting the strongest protection. The scorching dragon fire collided with the magical barrier, producing an intense reaction. The temperature was incredibly high. Wherever it went, gold instantly melted into liquid, and even Kael's magical barrier swayed precariously. Even though they blocked the direct burning, the scorching temperature made everyone uncomfortable. Even more deadly, while Smaug breathed fire frantically, he swung his powerful tail like a war hammer, smashing toward everyone. Gandalf made a quick decision. "Retreat to the great hall quickly! Don't stay here!" The dwarves quickly retreated, using giant stone pillars as cover, running toward the great hall. Gandalf followed closely behind. Kael and Bilbo, who left last, rode their flying broomstick to dodge just before the defensive barrier shattered. "Revenge! I will have my revenge! Wizard, dwarves, hobbit... I shall incinerate you all with dragon fire!" the dragon bellowed in rage. Kael carried Bilbo on the flying broomstick, constantly circling around giant stone pillars and caves, avoiding the dragon's flames and pursuit. Smaug used his massive body to crash through thick stone walls and his hammer-like tail to smash stone pillars, trying to bury them alive. Smaug's hatred for Kael far exceeded that for others, chasing him frantically. Although Kael's Killing Curse hadn't killed Smaug, it had made the dragon feel the threat of death for the first time. If his soul hadn't been strong and resilient enough, that curse would have almost shattered it! Smaug had never been so terrified and enraged. He could feel that curse had the ability to kill him. Once that young wizard became stronger, he would be the one to die. "Ah! Kael, the dragon is catching up!" Bilbo turned to see Smaug spreading his wings and flying up, screaming in terror. Kael quickly made a sharp turn, dodging the flames Smaug breathed out. Seeing the dragon pursuing relentlessly, Kael suddenly remembered a spell from the magical world used against fire dragons. He immediately turned direction and charged toward Smaug, pointing his wand at the dragon's eye and casting a Conjunctivitis Curse. Smaug was unprepared, very confident in his body's magic resistance. But the next second his eyes plunged into complete darkness. He lost direction completely and crashed heavily into the mountain. Obviously, although Smaug's body was powerful, his eyes were still vulnerable parts. Kael wasn't sure how long the curse's effect would last, but seeing the dragon frantically breathing fire in all directions, he chose to avoid it for now. Having temporarily escaped the dragon's pursuit, Kael quickly rode the broomstick with Bilbo toward the great hall. When they arrived, Gandalf, Thorin, and the others were already waiting there. "Bilbo, did you get the Arkenstone?" Thorin immediately asked. Bilbo shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't have time to get it. Smaug had already discovered me." Thorin's face instantly darkened, and he sneered, "Obviously our burglar didn't complete his task, only concerned with saving his own life!" Bilbo felt very guilty and lowered his head. "I'm very sorry." Kael pulled Bilbo behind him, looked coldly at Thorin, and mocked, "Now that the dragon has been attracted by us, you could perhaps sneak to the treasury to look for your precious stone. But you'd better pray that gem is hard enough and hasn't been destroyed by dragon fire, otherwise you probably can't become your King Under the Mountain." Thorin's face became even uglier and more anxious. The other dwarves looked at each other. Dragon fire wasn't ordinary. Normal metals melted upon contact, and even four of the seven Dwarf Rings had been destroyed by dragon fire, showing how incredibly hot it was. If the Arkenstone in the treasury encountered dragon fire, it definitely wouldn't survive. "Alright, the most important thing right now is how to deal with Smaug!" Gandalf spoke up to remind them. "If we don't deal with him, not only will we suffer heavy losses, but the residents of Lake-town will also be implicated!" Except for Thorin, who was still obsessing over finding the Arkenstone, the other dwarves provided suggestions. Elder dwarf Balin proposed, "We could perhaps lure Smaug into the forge, using molten lava to attack him." Balin's brother Dwalin also suggested, "I know of an acid pool. The acid can even corrode metal, perhaps it could corrode the dragon's hard scales!" "And we could prepare explosives. Even if we can't blow up Smaug, we could attract his attention," Fíli also said. After everyone discussed excitedly, they began to quickly divide work and operate. Meanwhile, Kael's attention was drawn by a system prompt. Hogwarts Check-in System: Location detected - Lonely Mountain. Check in? "Check in!" Check-in successful. Congratulations on obtaining "The Book of Abraham"! The Book of Abraham? Kael was somewhat puzzled. He opened the first page to look, and instantly his pupils contracted and his breathing became rapid. [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter! Thanks for reading and supporting the story!