Chapter 148: Clearing Out Giant Spiders

"I say one thing to you, and you get unhappy?" Kael looked at this eaglet that was taller than him and laughingly patted his head. "I heard from Edward that you haven't been eating your meals properly lately. Turns out you've been begging for food here with Arwen." Hearing this, Thorondor felt somewhat guilty and didn't dare look at Kael, like a child who had done something wrong. Ever since Kael moved the nest from the tower to the mallorn tree, Thorondor had become familiar with Arwen, who often stayed in the treehouse and frequently received food from her. Having developed refined tastes, he naturally preferred the food made by Elves over ordinary dried meat. "Alright, Kael, Thorondor is still a child. If he likes eating lembas, then I'll just make more for him," Arwen said, lovingly stroking Thorondor. "Besides, his body is still growing and he needs nutrition. The energy contained in lembas is beneficial for his growth." Well, since they were both willing, what could he say? He just looked with some envy at that fellow nuzzling against Arwen. Truly, people didn't fare as well as birds. He hadn't even tasted lembas yet! Yet this one was already eating it as regular meals. "Arwen, are you interested in taking a trip to the Woodland Realm?" Kael invited. Arwen was somewhat surprised. "You're going to the Woodland Realm?" Kael nodded. "Wasn't the Woodland Realm previously invaded by giant spiders? This time they're preparing to launch a counterattack to drive the giant spiders out of Mirkwood. Legolas is preparing to go back and join the battle, and he invited me to come. I've already agreed." Arwen didn't hesitate. "Then I'll go too. Apart from Rivendell and Lórien, I haven't visited other Elven territories yet." Hearing this, Kael smiled. "Then prepare yourself. We're planning to leave tomorrow." Thorondor beside them also made cooing sounds, saying something urgently. Kael immediately rolled his eyes at him and said irritably, "What are you getting involved for? You can't even fly properly. Going to Mirkwood would just make you an extra meal for the giant spiders." Thorondor immediately became unhappy, turned around to point his rear at Kael, then looked pitifully at Arwen. But this time Arwen didn't agree either. She smiled and shook her head. "Thorondor, you're still too young and not suitable for battle. Stay home and wait for us. When we return, I'll make you Lórien mallorn nut cakes." Hearing this, Thorondor was somewhat pacified. After some haggling, with the addition of a month's worth of lembas, he finally completely quieted down. Kael watched from the side, shaking his head. Truly, a doting mother spoils the child. That pitiful little fellow who was almost abandoned by his clan was now being spoiled to the point of lawlessness. The next day, after leaving Edward to guard the castle and take care of Thorondor, Kael, Arwen, Legolas, and Elladan and Elrohir all set off together for Mirkwood. As for Beorn, he had long since returned to the Anduin Valley to tend to his livestock. Before leaving, Kael also brought a suitcase. Everyone was somewhat curious about what was inside, but no one asked. Kael didn't volunteer an explanation either. The group used the fireplace to teleport one by one to the palace of the Woodland Realm. Thranduil was already waiting in the great hall. "Welcome, welcome! The Lord of Amon Sûl graces the Woodland Realm with his presence!" Thranduil descended from his throne, spread his arms, and elegantly welcomed Kael with regal grace. He also didn't forget the three visitors. "And of course, my three kinsmen!" Perhaps because of the impending battle, Thranduil was now wearing magnificent armor, his noble majesty carrying a hint of sharpness. "Your Majesty Thranduil, it's been a long time. I haven't thanked you for the gift you sent last time," Kael bowed slightly in greeting, showing the white gem brooch on his chest. The white gem brooch contained the blessings of the Wood-elves, enabling secret communication with nature and receiving the forest's protection. Kael had specifically worn it for this trip. Seeing the brooch Kael was wearing, Thranduil's smile deepened as he nodded with dignity. "I'm glad you like it. As for thanks, that's unnecessary." "On the contrary, I should thank you for taking care of Legolas. He looks much more energetic and has made more progress than when I last saw him." Thranduil looked at Legolas with eyes full of love, immediately noticing the traces of magic he had learned from Kael. For this, Thranduil was very grateful. Magical knowledge had always been held by only a few. That Kael could selflessly teach Legolas meant Thranduil remembered this favor. Seeing Thranduil fully armed, Legolas couldn't help but frown and ask, "Father, are you preparing to act today? Why so urgent?" Thranduil nodded, his voice somewhat grave. "Those spawn of Ungoliant are cunning. They seem to have sensed something amiss and are already summoning their confederates from the southern forests. To prevent them from organizing resistance, we must destroy them swiftly with thunderous force!" "Father, please allow me to join the battle!" Legolas immediately said seriously to Thranduil. Thranduil didn't refuse Legolas's request and nodded in agreement. Then he said somewhat apologetically to Kael and the three Elven siblings, "I'm afraid I cannot properly welcome you all today. After we finish the battle and clear out the forest's malignancy, I'll hold a feast for everyone." Kael shook his head. "Your Majesty needn't be so courteous. We came here at Legolas's invitation, prepared to do our part. So when Your Majesty departs, please allow us to accompany you!" Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen also nodded, requesting to contribute their modest efforts. Thranduil didn't refuse this. He had originally planned to completely eliminate the giant spiders in Mirkwood, so he naturally welcomed the assistance of Kael and the others. Soon, with a horn's call, all the Elven warriors of the Woodland Realm assembled. Legolas separated from Kael and the others, joining the army as a vanguard leader. The Elven army moved swiftly through Mirkwood, forming horizontal lines as they moved south. Kael, Arwen, Elladan, and Elrohir traveled alongside Thranduil. Kael rode a great elk, one of several mounts Thranduil kept in his stables, and the gentlest among them. This was Kael's first time riding an elk. Looking at the massive antlers on the elk's head, he found it quite novel. Seeing Kael's interest, Thranduil generously said, "If you like it, this elk is yours!" Kael waved his hands repeatedly. He already had enough animals at home. If he added more, he could open a zoo. Seeing Kael refuse, Thranduil didn't insist, and his attention began to focus entirely on the approaching war. Kael's attention at this moment was focused on the white gem brooch on his chest. This brooch began to take effect in the forest. Kael now felt that he and the surrounding environment had become very intimate. Even the surrounding trees seemed to come alive, forming a subtle close connection with him. He seemed able to sense nearby conditions through the surrounding trees: the breathing of trees, the crawling of insects, panicked fleeing animals... and giant spiders hidden in trees a hundred meters high! Kael was startled and immediately looked toward the giant spider in the distant tree preparing to ambush. But before he could voice a warning, the Elves had already noticed. Several arrows instantly hit the giant spider's head in the tree. When it fell, Elven warriors quickly finished it with a single strike. The entire process from reaction to completion took only a few seconds, executed cleanly and efficiently. Kael swallowed the warning still stuck in his throat. In Mirkwood, the Elves displayed combat prowess far superior to what they had shown at the Lonely Mountain. However, looking at the giant spider corpse the Elves had left behind, he said to Thranduil beside him, "Your Majesty, could you leave these giant spider corpses for me?" Hearing this, Thranduil was somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand what Kael wanted with these spiders, since such dark creatures would pollute the environment even when dead. But since Kael wanted them, he naturally wouldn't refuse. After all, he had originally planned to pile all the giant spider corpses together and burn them after the battle ended. Otherwise, if left alone, they would not only make the surrounding area barren but also pollute the nearby soil and water sources. Since Kael needed them, he was happy to give them. With Thranduil's agreement, Kael immediately used a Summoning Charm to bring the giant spider corpse over. Then he dismounted the elk, conjured glass bottles to collect the giant spider's venom, and stored the spider's corpse in a space bag. Seeing Kael's actions, Elladan curiously asked, "Kael, what do you want giant spiders for?" Kael didn't hide anything. He shook the bottle containing the greenish venom and explained with a smile, "Giant spider venom is quite useful. It can not only be used to make powerful antidotes but also to enhance magical items." Kael had long discovered that giant spiders were not only similar to the Acromantulas from the wizarding world, but their venom could completely substitute for Acromantula venom, with even stronger effects. Acromantula venom was expensive in the wizarding world market and was a rare resource many wizards craved. Naturally, Kael wouldn't pass up giant spider venom that was even more potent than Acromantula venom. In his eyes, these giant spiders were sources of precious potion materials. He planned to capture several live giant spiders during this Mirkwood expedition, then create a dedicated breeding space in his tower to raise them. Otherwise, once all the giant spiders in Mirkwood were eliminated, giant spiders would become an endangered species. Moreover, besides the useful venom, Kael didn't plan to waste the giant spider corpses either. He intended to collect the giant spiders' nerve fibers as wand core materials. Then use the giant spider corpses as food for his basilisk, Herpo. Acromantulas were basilisks' favorite food, and giant spiders were even more delicious, highly nutritious delicacies. The two giant spiders Kael had originally kept in his tower had already been devoured by the basilisk Herpo. Giant spiders, as dark creatures, emanated dark auras throughout their bodies, with poisonous blood and flesh. If eaten by other animals, even giant eagles would be poisoned. But for basilisks, they were highly nutritious supplements. After eating those two giant spiders, basilisk Herpo had undergone molting, becoming larger with enhanced magical power. So Kael's visit this time wasn't just to accept Legolas's invitation to eliminate Mirkwood's giant spiders. It was also a pet food collection expedition.