The Silmaril.
This was something prepared to seduce Galadriel.
It was full of dark magic.
Not for corruption, but simple imprisonment.
A joke.
She was a treasure he would dedicate to the gods. How could he dare use spells carelessly?
What if she later ascended to the realm of the gods?
It would be terrible to trouble himself.
Inside the imperial city of Gondor.
The subjects were practicing the spells of the Eternal God, and the statues of the gods throughout the city had been replaced with plaques dedicated to the Eternal God.
It had taken less than two months.
Saruman had used magic to control the king and changed an entire country.
Then he began to change their beliefs.
"Saruman, are you ready to go?"
"Yes. I leave things to you next. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, my lord."
This person was the Prime Minister of Gondor. He had been imprisoned by Saruman for half a month before finally having his mind controlled through dark magic.
He had become his sincere servant.
As for the original soul, Saruman had already killed it.
Saruman had no time to waste on these godless people.
Early the next morning.
The three great Elven Kings gathered together.
They discussed their next escape route.
Now that they couldn't return to Lothlórien, and Rohan was also known to be the orcs' accomplice.
That left only Gondor.
This morning, they had received a letter from Thranduil, but it said he had encountered the Dark Lord's army and couldn't provide any support at all.
Wasn't this nonsense?
"We now have two options. Either we don't enter Gondor and retreat from their border."
"But in that case, we won't have any supplies. Our food ran out when we were in Rohan's capital."
Although elves didn't consume as much food as humans.
But in this current season.
There was no morning dew or fruit.
Supplies were also a problem.
Galadriel stood up at this moment and said, "Why don't I take part of the army to investigate? Even if I have to promise something, it's fine as long as we can get supplies."
"No. Splitting our forces now would be falling into the enemy's trap."
Galadriel sighed. "Then what do you suggest? The soldiers need time to rest, and the wounded need treatment, but we have nothing."
"I..."
King Elrond lowered his head silently.
The facts were clear.
Either he took the risk.
Or Galadriel took the risk. Thranduil was already injured and couldn't travel far.
That meant the best candidate right now.
Was Galadriel, the Elven Queen.
But at this moment, Arwen, King Elrond's daughter, interjected. "I suggest that everyone should act together."
"Arwen, now is not the time for you to speak. Step back!"
Those meeting here were all kings.
How could she, a mere junior, speak freely?
Galadriel raised her hand, signaling King Elrond not to be angry.
The beautiful queen looked at Arwen and asked, "Just say what you want to say, child."
"At this time, our spirits are exhausted and we're stuck in a quagmire. Even if we're taking risks, we should go together. Otherwise, we'll only become easy targets for the enemy.
"We don't even know who the mastermind behind all this is.
"Given this, we shouldn't split our forces."
Arwen's words were well-reasoned.
Although she was young.
She had indeed voiced the sentiments of countless young elves.
"Yes, I also think it's better to do this. It only takes seven hours to reach Gondor's border. Let's go together so we can look after each other."
Thranduil persuaded from the side.
"This... very well, then we'll go together. If there are no problems, all the better. Otherwise, don't blame us for not complying with the original agreement."
As long-lived elves.
They had always been bound by a constraint.
That was, they couldn't take the initiative to provoke war.
Now they had been outmaneuvered again and again.
The elegant queen could no longer keep calm.
Although the soldiers were tired and hungry, they also understood that if they didn't advance, they would be waiting to die on the spot.
So they had no choice but to continue on the road.
After a long journey.
Galadriel and the others finally arrived around one o'clock in the afternoon.
At the border city of Gondor.
Surprisingly.
The other party not only provided food but also gave them comfortable lodging to rest.
The garrison officer said to Galadriel and the others, "I apologize, but we can only provide you with simple fare. After all, our resources are limited."
"It's fine. This is already the best help. Please thank your lord on my behalf..."
The three great elves breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, they had a place to stay.
At that moment, a soldier ran over from a distance and whispered to the garrison officer.
The latter nodded and smiled at the Elven Kings. "The reception is ready. Everyone, please follow me..."
"How embarrassing. We only came here seeking refuge."
"Just now you mentioned you needed to speak with our monarch. An official has just arrived."
"This... very well."
The three Elven Kings, plus Arwen and Legolas Greenleaf.
The five of them followed the garrison officer to a mansion.
The reception was very quiet.
There weren't even many people present.
Only a few smiling merchants and a few indifferent politicians.
Their attitude was the exact opposite of the enthusiastic garrison.
But thinking about it.
Providing so much food for elven soldiers was no small amount.
And there would be no return in the short term.
Galadriel's heart stirred. She raised her cup and said, "The supplies consumed by our elves this time will be repaid twofold when we return to our homeland."
Humans were greedy.
But they were also easy to negotiate with.
There were advantages and disadvantages.
Before this, Galadriel had looked down on any humans.
Even those wizards.
Had never caught her attention.
But now circumstances were compelling, and she couldn't stand those contemptuous looks.
That was why she had spoken up.
Sure enough, after hearing this.
Some people couldn't help but smile.
King Elrond sneered inwardly, but he too raised his cup in agreement.
The same went for the rest of the elves.
Then a maid walked over and handed a note to Galadriel.
When she opened it, her pupils contracted sharply.
"You all liven up the atmosphere a bit. I have something to attend to."
Thranduil warned, "What are you going to do?"
"I just ran into an old friend. I'm going to ask him to help investigate some things."
"Should I come with you?"
"No need. Don't you trust my strength?"
Galadriel pursed her lips, turned, and left the room, following the maid.
They walked all the way to another manor.
There they stopped.
Galadriel's face no longer held the smile from before. Instead, there was a touch of cold sarcasm.
"I really didn't expect to see you here, White Robe Wizard Saruman..."
That figure was very familiar to her.
Saruman.
A treacherous villain as timid as a mouse.
"No... now you should call me the High Priest of the Black Robe. I am no longer a running dog of those decrepit gods. I have gained even greater power."
"Hmph. Hand it over, and I can pretend I never saw you."
"Here... the Silmaril."
The beautiful gem flew over from his hand.
Galadriel caught it.
Her breathing began to quicken.
This was it—her treasure.
Carrying the longing of two thousand years, it had finally returned to her.
Looking at the excited Elven Queen, Saruman couldn't help but remind her. "Seeing you so excited, I really can't bear to disturb you, but Your Majesty the Queen..."
He lowered his voice and said with a smirk.
"A good and beautiful woman like you is truly the best treasure to dedicate to the gods."
"Saruman, you..."
Her emotions were interrupted.
The Elven Queen glared at him angrily. Just as she was about to lash out.
Her slender legs gave way involuntarily.
Galadriel cried out and fell to her knees.
Had she been cursed?
When had this happened?
Although she had understood that Saruman had some conspiracy, Galadriel had believed that as long as she wrapped the Silmaril with her magic power, she would be fine.
The result was far beyond her expectations.
"Stupid elf. Has your brain been eaten by dogs? Don't you realize why I'm here?"
"You..."
Galadriel's eyes widened as a terrifying thought appeared in her mind.
Saruman grinned and said, "Yes. The orc army is under my command. Rohan is also under my control. Even Gondor is under my control.
"This continent—no, the entire world should belong to my god.
"Those stinking gods hiding in the immortal realm actually think they can control the world.
"Heh heh..."
The Elven Queen trembled all over.
She had never imagined that Saruman would be so terrifying.
More terrifying than Sauron had been in the beginning.
"The god you speak of is Morgoth, isn't it? Kill me—I will never submit..."
In order to protect her chastity.
The Elven Queen looked very calm.
Begging for death.
But Saruman shook his head and said, "You are the treasure I'm dedicating to the gods. There can never be any damage. As for Morgoth, he's nothing... Soon you will be able to witness the birth of a great god.
"The supreme Eternal God is the creator of the world. You are merely reptiles who want to enjoy protection under the gods."
A black magic net.
Imprisoned the Elven Queen inside a crystal ball.
Saruman grabbed the sphere and walked outside.
He saw the elven soldiers who had been resting in the inn—but now they were all thrown out onto the street.
All weapons on their bodies had been taken away.
Every elf was foaming at the mouth, uncertain whether alive or dead.
These were just the elves stationed in and around the city. Those outside didn't know what had happened here.
When Saruman brought Galadriel into the reception hall.
She finally fell into despair.
All her friends had collapsed to the ground.
"It's over. Our elves will be destroyed..."
Just as Galadriel despaired, an ancient voice suddenly rang in her mind.
[The elves who turned their backs on their gods to come to Middle-earth will eventually encounter disaster.]
Was this a curse?
Galadriel smiled bitterly.
"Hmm... I didn't expect to buy one and get one free. There's another little girl here who looks quite nice. Another treasure to dedicate to the gods."
Saruman looked at Arwen, whose figure and appearance were both excellent.
He smiled with satisfaction.