In the evening, Kael'thas and the others arrived at Fort Riptide.

The city had just been lit up, and from the outside you could hear some of the noise inside.

"Looking at this, who could tell that it was still occupied by orcs a few months ago?"

Kael'thas looked up at the walls of Riptide with some sighs, surprised at the speed with which humanity had forgotten and recovered.

When he came to the city gate, he didn't need to be informed, and the guards, who had already received the news, immediately opened the gate.

Then, the scene unfolding in front of Kael'thas was a big surprise.

Lothar, Uther, Antonidas, and many other high-ranking members of the Alliance stood in the square of Fort Riptide, greeting Kael'thas with a happy face.

No one has welcomed the return of Kael'thas more than the commanders of these alliances.

Defeating Deathwing and tackling the aerial threat of the orcs, Kael'thas has done to save the now-crumbling alliance from the abyss.

In the darkness of this battle, Kael'thas's actions bring hope to all of humanity.

"His Highness Kael'thas ..."

Lothar took the lead and walked over, bowing gently to express his gratitude:

"You've helped us again, and the league will thank you for all you do."

He looked up at the elven prince in front of him, his expression a little dazed.

I haven't seen him for a few months, but the elf with the appearance of a teenager has grown into an adult elf.

But that same temperament and warm eyes made everyone not mistaken him, but even when he grew up, Kael'thas was still his junior, and Lothar suddenly felt the urge to hug him.

【Thank you...】

Lothar wanted to show her gratitude to the child with a hug.

But he didn't do it, not just because the other party had grown up, and not just because of the status of the High Elf prince.

More often than noted, Lothar sensed that the elven prince's resolute face no longer needed such comfort and gratitude.

Lothar had always felt that Kael'thas was not like an elf, that he had a much clearer purpose and ability to act than a human of his age. Before, Lothar could see a little stubbornness and childishness on Kael'thas face, but now these things are gone... He's grown up.

"I'm also a member of the Alliance, so you don't need to be so polite."

Kael'thas hurriedly returned the salute to Lothar, then nodded to the remaining leaders.

"But..."

He looked at the lively square behind Lothar and the others, and found a large number of soldiers and a stage preparing to celebrate—the noise he had just heard outside the city gate turned out to be the sound of a banquet preparation.

"Doesn't that matter?"

Kael'thas frowned.

He couldn't help but be worried, it was impossible for there to be no orc spies in Riptide Castle, how could they not pay attention to such a grand banquet for humans?

Now that Kael'thas is back to prepare the Alliance for the Twilight Heights, it would be too much to be alerted by the orcs.

"Haha, it's okay!"

Uther, who was standing aside, burst out laughing:

"We're just going to let the orcs know."

After he explained this, Lothar then added softly:

"Your Highness Kael'thas, you don't think that Grimbaatar's news can be hidden from the orcs, do you?"

In any case, Grimbaatar is the territory of the orcs, and what happens inside is certainly impossible to hide from the orcs.

Even if there is no news of the Red Dragon's alliance with the Alliance, the wise Orc Great Chief Orgrim must have guessed the Alliance's next move - to attack Twilight Heights.

"I think those orcs must be preparing their forces to support the Twilight Heights."

Lothar raised her eyebrows and smiled lightly:

"In that case, let's hold a banquet for you to celebrate, and by the way, confuse them from time."

Kael'thas had a flash of inspiration in his mind, and asked thoughtfully:

"It's not just a banquet that's going on right now, right?"

"Yes."

Lothar smiled and nodded:

"So this banquet must be grand."

He believed that this grand banquet would definitely have an effect.

Kael'thas finally understood, and did not shirk any longer, and took the elves into the banquet.

The lights of Fort Rapids Square then bloomed throughout the night.

"Your Majesty Soras, what about Lord Mograini and Kalia?"

In his free moments, Kael'thas suddenly realized that he didn't see the three familiar figures, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Soras. His Majesty Thorbain is resting, he was wounded in a battle, but don't worry too much. ”

"As for Mograine, they fought in the hills of Hillsbrad."

The old mage Antonidas took a sip of wine with a red face and replied.

Kael'thas looked at Lothar suspiciously.

"There's a lot of turmoil over there in the Hillsbrad Hills, and some Death Knights have been spotted recently..."

Lothar explained to Kael'thas:

"After a period of research, we finally found some ways to deal with these monsters."

"And this method can only be done by paladins who use the Holy Light, so most of the paladins have been sent over."

Lothar put down the food in her hand and suddenly laughed again:

"His Royal Highness Kael'thas has cultivated a powerful princess for us."

He was referring, of course, to Kalia. Minahill.

The human princess had been very strong before, but Kael'thas thought that there must be another reason why Lothar had admired her at this moment.

Kael'thas waited for Lothar's next words.

"Actually, there was no little princess of Lordaeron on the battle dispatch in the hills of Hillsbrad, she had another mission."

Lothar said slowly:

"Maintaining the stability of the Alterac Empire is what she should do now."

"However, to the surprise of none of us, she took on both tasks."

"At night in Alterac and during the day in the Hillsbrad Hills... Her Royal Highness the princess has done a better job than everyone expected. ”

Kael'thas fell silent.

Just hearing it could tell it was a very hard job, but it also matched his impression of Kalia.

That little princess is a very stubborn fellow.

We are all growing and changing. 】

Kael'thas is deeply aware of the changes that are taking place around him, not only for him to grow alone, but for others to follow their own paths.

That's not a bad thing.

"When are you leaving?"

Kael'thas intends to change the subject:

"I mean the attack on Twilight Heights."

He asked Lothar, after all, the person in charge of the command was still the human commander.

“……”

"Tomorrow morning."

Lothar looked around, then replied in a low voice.

This answer surprised Kael'thas secretly.

"So fast?"

Kael'thas finally understood how useful the banquet was now:

"Is the team almost ready?"

He was sure that Lothar had prepared in advance.

"Now that everything is ready, the navy of Kurtilas will take them to the Twilight Heights early tomorrow morning."

Lothar laughed mysteriously:

"I'm scattered, and I think this must be something to take the orcs lightly."

"Kurtilas?"

But Kael'thas sensed something wrong with this action:

"So what about our maritime defenses?"

There are definitely quite a few troops attacking Twilight Heights this time, and there are too many ships needed to transport the past from all over the place, which will inevitably make the defense line of the sea empty.

"We don't need a marine line of defense."

At this time, Uther interjected and replied:

"The orcs don't have the heart to attack right now."

In the Alliance's previous discussions, the Orcs now have the most important thing to do with the safety of the Twilight Heights, so it is unlikely that they will continue to attack the north.

"What if they attack?"

Kael'thas asked.

Who can be sure of this?

"They're not coming."

Lothar shook her head:

"I know Ogrim and he wouldn't make such a decision."

His tone was so affirmative that Kael'thas couldn't find room to refute.

"Let's hope..."

Kael'thas had no choice but to give up:

"So, who is the commander this time?"

All the human leaders have their eyes on Kael'thas.

“……”

"It can't be me, right?"

Kael'thas pointed to himself and raised an eyebrow.

"Is there anyone else besides you?"

Lothar laughed.

"This is the glory you deserve."

Uther laughed.

"As the commander, those red dragons are more assured."

Antonidas thought farther than the two people in front of him.

They are all right, Kael'thas is not stupid, and naturally he will not refuse such a position.

Compared with listening to others, no matter what you say, you can only feel at ease by taking things into your own hands.

"Your Highness Kael'thas, although you have advanced to the Legendary, you have enough self-protection ability."

Lothar poured Kael'thas a glass of wine and said:

"But the orcs won't take this battle lightly, just in case, let Lord Uther and Lord Antonidas follow you!"

Kael'thas looked over to the remaining two.

"We will do what you tell us to do."

Uther and Antonidas held large wooden glasses and raised them towards Kael'thas.

“…”

Kael'thas then laughed:

"With you here, there will be no pressure in this battle."

He held up his glass, and when Lothar had raised it, they laughed a few times at the same time, and then raised their heads and drank it in large gulps.

There is no etiquette for clinking glasses in this world, but raising a glass at the same time is a sign of acknowledgment.

After this glass of wine, Kael'thas was taken to rest.

With the exception of Lothar, who was drinking alone outside Fort Riptide, the other commanders slept.

The next day, before dawn, Kael'thas led his team out of Fort Riptide again.

Kul Tiras's ships came and went quickly, and tens of thousands of human soldiers quickly gathered on the land of Twilight Heights across the ocean.

Once again, the pace of the war is picking up ...

(To be continued)