Teleportation was only a matter of moments, and the next moment they were standing by the lake. Arthas's heart was still pounding, and he felt dizzy again. After standing on the rocky ground for a long time, the grass under his feet seemed too soft, and he was a little unsteady on his feet. Or maybe it was because the monster's scream still echoed in his head, like a file rubbing back and forth. He raised his hand to block out the bright sunlight that was making his eyes ache. But a strange whistling sound forced him to open his eyes again, and forced himself to look in the direction of the lake.

A huge whirlpool appeared on the otherwise calm surface of the lake, swirling and roaring, devouring everything around it with irreversible force. He saw that the swimming fish, aquatic weeds, and sand and gravel were swept away by the swift current, and they were carried away into the abyss below.

"Oh my God." Gianna said softly, apparently noticing the same thing as him.

At this time, others also ended adapting to the sudden change in the environment. Dinen let go of his shoulders and growled, "Are we missing anyone, huh?" ”

After a few seconds, Farrick replied, "No, sir." Everybody's here. ”

Dineh snorted, sounding a little better, and then asked, "Why are you two so depressed?" ”

"That whirlpool on the lake," Gianna said, "means that a huge hole suddenly appears underwater." ”

"That means we brought down Tyre's mausoleum." Arthas was tired and annoyed now, and didn't want to go around in circles anymore, "and King Soladin was there." ”

"We?" Dinen roared, his voice tinged with an unsubdued anger that seemed to have hurt his sense of victory greatly by not being able to execute his opponent with his own hands, "Allow me to remind you that it was the spell cast by the old god's dog cub that broke the roof of the cave, not an act of swinging an axe, throwing a few arcane missiles, or rolling two on the ground. ”

He paused, took a breath, and said in a slightly softened tone, "I don't think Tyr would mind this. He was willing to sacrifice his life to destroy his enemies during his lifetime, and he must have been willing to sacrifice his mausoleum to do so after his death. It's the same with Soradin. Don't say anything stupid about disturbing the peace, a warrior can only achieve true peace after his enemies have been completely destroyed. Now their enemies have been wiped out, and they have not been able to escape their cages until they die. The battle is over, and it is not bad, then it is enough. ”

Turning to look at the swirls in the lake, Dineen added mockingly, "Besides, these stones and water are more effective than ever at holding out the panicked tourists or amateur archaeologists." ”

Arthas had long been accustomed to the vitriol sarcasm he occasionally came up with, or at least they were telling the truth. However, he was surprised that the previous words reflected a completely different concept than he had thought. He had hoped to find the relics of the venerable king after the battle, and if he had, send them back to Riptide. After the collapse of the mausoleum, this thought naturally became impossible. But if Soladin thinks the same as Dinin said, it can alleviate some of the regret and guilt in his heart.

"Makes sense. But I still hope that you have a stumka in your hand, so that we don't have to run in vain. Gianna said.

"It is." Dinen said with a hint of pride, "I pulled it out of the monster's skull." ”

A quick glance in the crypt had only allowed Arthas to confirm that the two-handed sword was not Dinin's own weapon, and now he could see what it looked like. Sdomka's look was much rougher and more brutal than he had imagined. Even today's Riptide Castle is still known for its pragmatism and durability among human nations, but it is a little more refined in comparison.

However, even after spending such a long time deep underground, the sword did not rust and fade. The purple blood of the servants of the Old Gods was sliding down the blades, rapidly eroding the small patch of lush grass below into lifeless sand, but the surface of the Stumka was still smooth, with no rust or pits blocking the flow of blood. It wasn't long before the blade was so clean that it didn't even need to be wiped by Dineen's hands.

"Good." "Even though we almost got stoned to death, I lost my hammer, and I'm sure to have nightmares these nights," he said, "but it's still rewarding." ”

"You said you lost your hammer," Dineen gestured at his feet, "and what about this one?" ”

Arthas looked down.

A hammer, certainly not the one he had lost, was lying there quietly. Its square hammer head was carved from white marble and wrapped in a layer of silver, extending down and tightly bonded to the same textured hammer handle. But when he bent down to pick up the hammer, it was surprisingly light compared to the two materials, and it was clearly not what he thought it to be. The feeling reminded him of something.

"I was trying to find my hammer, but I found it." "It was so chaotic that I didn't even bother to see what I was caught." ”

He examined it again. The hammer was so small that it couldn't even fit the size of a one-handed hammer, and even a dwarf wouldn't feel too good when he picked it up. But it's beautifully crafted, every detail is a testament to an unimaginable master's workmanship, and the more he looks, the more wonderful he discovers. As he gently turned his wrist, the silver edge scattered sunlight, and a hazy halo of light surrounded the hammer, revealing a divine beauty.

"It doesn't look like something made by the Arasso." Gianna looked at it curiously, then commented, "But if it's a Titan's craft, it's too small. Do they have children too? ”

"Her genius brain always comes up with questions that make me feel like I'm alone." Dinen muttered, barely audible enough for Arthas to hear.

Then he said in a normal volume: "If you like it, then keep it." Think of it as compensation for your hammer. ”

Arthas hesitated. Their sole purpose in entering the mausoleum was to retrieve Sdomka, and taking anything extra would be considered theft in his opinion. However, he didn't mean to take it out for himself, and now he can't send it back. Rather than leaving it here and waiting for an unknown newcomer to find out, it might be taken to the market and sold for a profit, so it is better for him to keep it safe.

"Okay." He said, "Then I'll keep it." ”

***

“…… Then King Soladin said to us, 'Now I'm going to go to the other side of time.' My friends and family have been waiting there for a long time. There, I will ride again through the canyon and up the high slopes to look out over the lake. Farewell, little brothers, and may you never stray from your path. If one day you are walking on the high ground and you hear the sound of bagpipes, don't forget that it is my greeting. Arthas let out a long sigh, "and with that, he's gone." ”

Terenus quietly listened to his son's story and shook his head: "He was a great king, both in life and after death. ”

Then he looked down at the two-handed sword that was placed horizontally on the table: "So, this is the Exterminator." It's incredible, I never thought I'd be able to see it with my own eyes. ”

He reached out to the sword, as if he wanted to take it in his hand and try it. But in the end, he just flexed his finger and touched the blade of Stoneka's sword with his fingertips, and then retracted his hand.

"Put it away, young man." He said to Dinein, "Now that King Soladin has chosen you, don't live up to the prestige of the War-Destroyer. ”

Dinen took his sword back as he had spoken, and his respect for the king in front of him rose to another level. Terenus must have known what the sword symbolized, but he was equally aware of what a warrior's weapon meant to its owner, and chose to respect the latter. Few nobles would do this, especially even less when the other option was a legendary sword.

Terenus turned to his son again and asked, "What would Uther say if he knew that you had lost the warhammer that was awarded at the sanctification ceremony?" ”

Alsasson grimaced and said dryly, "It was just an accident, I'm sure he can understand it." ”

Dineen was taken aback. Of course he noticed the hammer, but only as one of many alternatives that could be replaced and compensated, and as a blacksmith, he had that confidence. It didn't occur to him that the meaning it represented was unique.

Every time, every time he thought he could make some kind of compensation, he realized that he actually owed more money.

Perhaps his face was too gloomy, Arthas turned his face and nudged him with his elbow.

"I'm not the first person to lose a weapon in battle, they'll send me another one."

It is not wise to argue in front of the king. Still, Dineen couldn't stop himself: "That's different. ”

"That's ......," Arthas paused halfway through. He sighed and admitted, "Well, I really can't say they're the same. But that's not your fault either. You only have two hands, and that hammer is the least important option. ”

Dinen knew he was right, but it still didn't make him feel better.

"Speaking of Uther, I have another thing to say." Terenus took over the conversation empathetically, "He found someone who was willing to go south with Dinein. Coincidentally, you've seen this guy before. ”

"Lord Fordin?" Dinen blurted out. He'd seen a lot of people, but if anyone was rational enough — and qualified — to take on a burden to face the orc problem, it was Tirio Fordin.

The king looked at him with a slight surprise and smiled, "So you do get along well with him." ”

Dineen didn't know how to answer this. He still respects his former mentor and is reluctant to speak ill of him, and he still has a grudge against him, and he no longer wants to trust him easily. It's not quite like meeting the criteria for "getting along well".

"Is it really Tirio, father?" Arthas was equally surprised and asked, "Is the reconstruction of Stratholme over?" ”

"At least it's been able to get him out of it. Considering his ......," Terenus thought for a moment, and finally summed it up briefly, "experience, I think he could come in handy on this journey." ”

Dinen tried to find some displeasure in the words, but the king's tone was very flat. He replied cautiously, "The orc he befriended had a high reputation among the tribe and was tired of war. This would be a positive factor. ”

"Good." "Then I've done everything I can and now there's only one thing left." ”

The king walked out from behind the table, put his hand on Dineen's shoulder, and looked him in the eye. This makes Dineen a little uncomfortable, his gaze is always judged to be aggressive, so he tries to avoid looking at people who need him to show respect, lest he be perceived as provocative. But Terenus didn't seem to mind that.

Without asking questions or asking for a promise of success, he simply said, "May you return safely." ”