Crassus said he would need some time to prepare the gift. Dineen guessed that finding the right item from a collection of tens of thousands of years would not be something that the dragon could accomplish quickly. He still had doubts about the reason, but the Red Dragon Mage kept his mouth shut, only assuring him that he had no ill intentions.

"Dragon," Dinen muttered as he finally walked towards the portal to Dalaran in vain, "they love to be so deceitful. ”

It wasn't until the end of the month that Stratholme's affairs came to an end. Although there was no shortage of mages in the city who could open portals, Arthas decided to ride back. After some simple preparations, they set out for the royal city, and the news had already flown before them like wings. Despite Alsace's order not to disturb the populace as much as possible, the procession was greeted with enthusiasm as it passed through the town. Dinen was very unhappy about this. Whenever the crowd gathered, he pulled up his hood, tightened the reins, and let himself fall to the back of the line, leaving the task of negotiation to the others.

One night, when they had escaped from the crowded inn and hid by the stables to drink, Arthas asked him, "Why are you not willing to accept thanks for the good you have done, since you do not shy away from the consequences of the bad things you have done?" ”

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

Arthas frowned at him: "No one should risk their lives again and again for the sake of people they don't know without expecting anything in return, and that is too much for even the greatest heroes. ”

"I've been rewarded." Dineen gestured to his brand-new armor and sword.

"That's because you'll need these essential gear for your next adventure. Nothing more than that. ”

"I don't need any more."

"But, you can't live this way forever." Arthas insisted.

Dineen took a sip of wine and thought for a moment. He had an amazing talent for swordsmanship, but he knew nothing about poetry. He could memorize military maps at a glance, but he never figured out the genealogy of any noble. He had crafted many weapons and armor in front of the forge, but had never tried to make pans and hoes. Everywhere he went, he made low-quality spirits from local sources, but he didn't know anything about the distillery's workflow. He had met every enemy he could meet and knew how to defeat them. The only thing he didn't know was how to live outside of the battlefield.

"I don't know what else I can do." He said.

***

Four days later, they arrived at the royal city.

Dinen had never seen the city with his own eyes. He couldn't help but compare it to the capital of another kingdom he knew. Unlike Stormwind, Lordaeron's royal city has a majestic and majestic presence, with straight lines and white stones that reflect dazzling light in the sun. It has an elegant temperament, with soft lines but not as slender as the elves prefer, and the sun smooths over the elaborate curves before falling into the city, creating a subtle visual effect, as if the city itself is radiating a warm light, giving it a different kind of peaceful atmosphere.

"She's beautiful." Dineen said with a slight surprise. He rarely uttered such emotional exclamations, but he was still a Lordaeron after all. In his childhood impressions, the city was the embodiment of all kinds of beautiful meanings, the dreams and expectations of a country boy. He could not help but be touched by the fact that he was able to witness the scenes that had been depicted countless times in rumors and stories.

Arthas glanced at him and smiled.

As they passed through the city gates, the avenue was already crowded with excited people, and when they saw them, they threw bouquets of flowers. Dinein's shoulders slumped in the earth-shattering cheers, and his good mood was swept away, but Arthas had already spoken to him about it in advance. He had no choice but to stay in his place and follow the procession. He could feel many eyes watching him, wondering why he was able to stay with Uther by the Prince's side. He didn't care what answers they came up with, just staring blankly ahead as the others nodded and beckoned.

At the gate of the palace, they dismounted and walked. Behind the door is a large courtyard flanked by carefully cultivated flowers and plants, surrounded by clusters of small pavilions. The path went straight ahead, through several open gates, leading to the throne room.

Instead of waiting on his throne, Terenus Minahir II, the present-day king of Lordaeron, stood at the gate to meet them. Time had shown its effect on him, his back was not as straight as that of a young man, his gray-blond hair was mixed with a hint of silver, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were quite noticeable. But time may have taken away the king's energy, but not the wisdom contained in his blue-green eyes, which his son had inherited from the past.

He was unarmed, and he did not gather the guards standing guard in various places, but his majesty did not diminish in the slightest. His authority is reflected in the city's rich and confident bearing, in the history symbolized by these flags and walls, and in his words and deeds. It was only when his gaze fell on his son that Terenus's expression softened, becoming more like a father than a king.

"Father."

Arthas stepped forward quickly, guilt in his voice. He tried to get down on his knees, but Terenus stepped forward and gave him a hug before he could do so.

"Thank the Light, you have returned safely, child."

"I'm sorry." The prince whispered, "I shouldn't be so willful, father. ”

Terenus looked at him for a moment and sighed.

"It's not willful, my son, you've just grown up."

He didn't say any more, but patted Arthas on the shoulder, then turned his gaze to them.

"Uther, my old friend, it is reassuring to see you again at such times. And this one must be my son's friend. ”

Dinin saluted the king in the manner of Uther: "Dinen Ellund, it is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. ”

"I've always wanted to meet you, too." Terenus said meaningfully, "But for now, I hope you will understand the feelings of an old man, and let me and my children talk about family affairs first." You can also take a break to relieve the fatigue of this journey. ”

Dinen nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty." ”

The attendants stepped forward and led them to the room prepared for the guests. As a regular visitor to the royal family, Uther kept his room here, while Dinen walked a little further. The house is beautifully decorated, with all the utensils and fresh fruits. But Dinen had no interest in any of this, and fell asleep in bed.

He slept until the squire came and knocked at the door and informed the king that he wanted to see him now. Dineh washed his face briefly and followed the other party through the corridor. They did not go back to the throne room, but went into another room. Except for a few guards standing in the corner, only Terenus sat alone at a long table, with a roll of maps spread out in front of him and various papers in his hands. He spread out a hand and motioned for Dineen to sit down across from him.

"I've always wanted to meet you." The king repeated.

He looked at Dineen carefully. Something reminded Dineen of Varian. These two men are not similar, but they are both masters of the same kingdom.

"You helped my son and got many orcs out of the camp. You indirectly led to the destruction of a village and directly saved a city. He pushed the map open and clasped his fingers together, "Is there anything you have to say to me about that?" ”

"No, Your Majesty." Dinen replied calmly. Arthas and Uther must have given reasons to the king, and there was no need for him to repeat them, "I am willing to take full responsibility for my actions." ”

"You don't seem to feel guilty or remorseful about it."

"Even if I show those emotions, will they help solve the tribe's problems?" Dinen asked rhetorically, "I know very well what I have done and what the consequences will be. I had to do it then, and now I have to make it up for it. ”

"Sounds like you've got a solution."

"That's up to you, Your Majesty. If you want to do that......" Dinen paused and said slowly, "I have a way to wipe out the tribe once and for all. ”

Terenus raised an eyebrow.

"As far as I know, you made a promise to the leader of the orcs?"

"My personal glory is nothing in the interests of the alliance as a whole."

The king nodded slowly, "I see." ”

Dinen continued, "But it is precisely in the interests of the Alliance, Your Majesty, that I want you to allow the Horde to continue to exist. ”

"How can the existence of a tribe be beneficial to the Alliance? If they come out of that strange burnout and come back on top, we're going to face another disaster. ”

"What if an even greater catastrophe is coming? A catastrophe that endangers the entire world, no matter which corner of the race, will not be spared? At that point, the Alliance and the Horde will have to join forces, as neither side can cope with it alone. ”

He could feel the guards stretch out their ears and glance at them covertly. And the king was silent for a while, and asked, "What kind of being brought about such a catastrophe?" ”

"Demons." "It is the demons of the Burning Legion who hide behind the Cursed Cult and the army of the undead, plotting in the distant void to weaken our power so that they can eventually invade this world on a massive scale, just as they have done to countless other worlds." In fact, they came close to succeeding. I'm sure the mages of Dalaran are aware of this as well. And then there's the elves of Quel'Thalas, and it's the catastrophe that brought them across the ocean to the continent. And now that they're going to make a comeback, we have to be prepared, because no amount of preparation is too much for the Burning Legion. ”

"Are you sure the Horde will fight alongside us?"

"They were also victims of demonic machiam. And now they are trying to get out of it and become a more sane and noble race than before. Dineen pursed her lips, "At least that's what most of them thought. ”

"Giving them a space to live on another continent would ease the conflict between the tribes and the alliance, and it would also help them transform internally. Besides, we don't just let the tribes expand their territory. I believe that the Alliance should, and will be able to, find allies on that continent to monitor the Horde's movements. When they make a move, the Alliance can respond in a timely manner. ”

He could feel Terenus listening intently, but that was about it. Varian would smile or snarl at him, hammer the table with his fist, or pace back and forth in the room. But Terenus was motionless, with no body movements, and his expression barely changed, leaving Dinen unable to read his inner thoughts.

"One more point, Your Majesty, though I can give up my glory, the Prince of Arthas should not do it."

"He is the future ruler of this kingdom." Terenus said slowly, "Shouldn't a king sacrifice his glory for the good of the kingdom?" ”

"He can and will sacrifice many things, but glory cannot, Your Majesty. I think it's better for the people to have a ruler who has the ability to break his principles and doesn't. Because if he crosses this invisible line, nothing can stop him from going too far. ”

Terenus was silent for a few moments. Then, for the first time since Dineen walked into the room, he smiled.

"Many years ago, there was a man who came from the South to warn of the crisis we were about to face. His words sounded incredulous at the time. But the first time I saw him, I knew that whether I agreed to his request or not, he would not hesitate to turn around and fight his enemies to the death, even if it was a war that could never be won. So we prepared and fought that battle. It was the victory in that war that forged the alliance it is today. ”

He raised his eyes and looked at Dinein: "And today, another man has come from the south to warn me. ”

"I'm afraid I'm not qualified to be compared to Sir Lothar." Dinen hesitantly said, "He is a noble leader, a great hero. No one can reach his heights. ”

"We don't have to rush to judgment on that," Terenas smiled, "and time has its conclusion. ”