Theramore, Lord's House.

The midday sun shines through the window and into the study.

Under this golden tone, the admiral, reclining on the wide lord's chair, supported his slightly tilted head with one hand, and his gaze was like a falcon, as if nothing could escape his control.

"Leoric, you've worked hard this time!"

Straightening up slightly, the admiral thanked his old comrade-in-arms with a sincere face. Thanks to this duke and marshal who holds military power and has great prestige, he can do his best to assist his daughter.

As a wise monarch, the skilled Daillin Prodmore knew that without the support of this old friend, Gianna's prestige alone would not be enough to convince the public. Duke Leorrick's presence not only stabilized the morale of this complex and ocean-traveling army in Theramore, but also eliminated many hidden and imperceptible troubles and troubles for this newly opened territory.

It can be said that the establishment and stability of the city of Theramore, and the Duke of Leorrick, who wholeheartedly assisted Gianna, contributed to it!

"We don't need to say thank you, Dalin." In the face of the solemn and sincere thanks of his old friend, Leorik, a marshal from a paladin, smiled and waved his hand, leading the topic to the female mage: "Gianna is a good girl, and it is all thanks to her that we can gain a foothold and survive in this land. I didn't actually do anything as an uncle, haha. ”

The two veterans who had formed a friendship on the battlefield and had been friends for decades looked at each other and smiled, and looked at the female mage who was sitting quietly and listening.

……

Dalein Proudmoore and his main fleet of the Kurtilas Navy landed in Celemore in the early hours of this morning and landed in Kalimdor.

In the night, the defenders of Theramore, who recognized the number of the fleet, suddenly erupted into a violent cheer, and when the huge body full of oppressive power of the "Sea King" appeared in front of everyone's eyes, the cheers went up a step and went straight to the sky.

The migration across the sea called by Gianna was originally to avoid the undead catastrophe to resist the soldiers, so that the origin of the inhabitants and soldiers of Theramore was quite complicated.

Other races such as dwarves and gnomes are not mentioned for the time being. Humanity alone has several factions of identity.

Fugitives from the kingdom of Lordaeron, survivors from the Magic Kingdom of Dalaran, refugees from Fort Riptide, and even one of the Gilneth Brigades and the Alliance's elite Seventh Legion, who also crossed the oceans...... But more. It was Admiral Kul Tiras, who followed them Gianna's "Highness the Princess".

"Sea Kingship" is the flagship of the Kurtilas Navy and the "car" of Admiral Dalein Prodmore. Now, this sea fortress and magic warship has appeared in Theramore, which means that the monarch of the kingdom of Kurtilas, Admiral Dalin, is also Drew Kalimdo, standing with his subjects!

How can this not be heartened by the many naval officers?

After the initial panic and surprise. It took more than half a night and a morning for the first batch of 50,000 Marines to settle down after a busy day. And Admiral Dai Lin had the opportunity to sit quietly in the study of the lord's mansion with his daughter and old comrades-in-arms who had not seen him for many years, talking and catching up.

……

"You're doing well on this strange continent, Gianna."

"Repair docks, build towns, reclaim wasteland, train the army, and even ...... Also take the initiative to make allies. As the lord of a new land, you have taken on the obligations and responsibilities of a lord to the fullest...... Even I can't be harsh on you anymore, my dear. ”

A majestic gaze that pierced the heart swept over the face of the slightly restrained mistress of Theramore, who had always maintained the image of a strict father. Daillin Prodmore, who was not smiling in front of Gianna, was shining with an undisguised and comforting glint in his blue eyes at the moment:

In the blink of an eye, the little girl who used to babble has grown into a qualified leader. Even better than your brother did! ”

"As a father, I'm proud of you!"

Perhaps it was far from the image of the strict father that he once remembered, and the admiral's praise at this time made the female mage who showed her strong and courageous face slightly stunned, and only after a while did she show a bright smile at her father.

In Gianna's memory, the last time she received her father's affirmation was when she advanced to the hero level and became a member of the Dalaran Great-Mage......

Looking at the furrow-like wrinkles on her father's handsome and tough face and the white hair that was already silver and white without variegation, Gianna suddenly found that before she knew it, her father who was brave and fearless and seemed to have infinite energy...... It's old!

And he has never been a good companion to the man who gave him life. When he went from the prime of life to old age. What are you doing?

Maybe...... Walking with Alsace in the flower garden of Dalaran?

Alsace......

A forbidden name and his figure flashed through her mind once more, touching the softest part of the female mage's heartstrings...... Before she knew it, the heart of the female lord of Theramore was already full of bitterness......

"Gianna, Gianna?"

The voice of confusion and worry woke the female mage from her trance and bitter memories, and she looked blankly at Admiral Dalin's puzzled and concerned face on the lord's chair, and Gianna realized that she had just lost her mind......

"Your face is not very good. What's wrong? ”

"Huh? Sorry, Dad. Well, recently...... I didn't sleep well, just a little tired...... It doesn't matter. Reluctantly giving an explanation, Gianna had already pulled herself together to shake off the figure of the man in her mind and refocus on the conversation with her father:

"Although you are still young, you still have to pay attention to your body and don't work too hard." Admiral Dai Lin saw his daughter's somewhat pale face, and put on a strict father's face and said "lesson": "The power of a country or territory, even if there are endless things, no one can handle everything well......

"I'm okay dad, I'll pay attention in the future, well... Where did we just go? ”

Feeling her father's concern, Gianna, who was a little unaccustomed to it, smiled bitterly in her heart and diverted the topic away from herself.

"It's just catching up with your Uncle Leoric, nothing important." The admiral waved his hand, and suddenly as if he had thought of something, his eyes froze. Revealing a fierce murderous intent, he asked casually, "By the way...... I've heard that those green-skinned scum have also come to this continent? ”

"The orcs did migrate to Kalimdor. The Grand Chief was a young orc named Sal...... "Unexpectedly, the admiral suddenly asked this question, and the other two in the study looked at each other. After a while, Duke Leorik replied in a deep voice, "There are also several orc generals and clan chiefs such as Grom Hellroar and Sarufen ...... also"

"Those notorious, wicked butchers too? Very good! ”

Standing up from the lord's chair with a bang, Daillin Prodmore's gaze suddenly became fierce and gloomy, and his hard face was extremely hideous, and he almost gritted his teeth with a cold smile.

"In that case...... This time, blood debt and blood repayment! Catch them all! ”

"Wait, father. You're going to war with the orcs? Startled by the admiral's sudden burst of anger and hideousness, Gianna, who was not prepared, widened her eyes and said urgently: "No, you can't do this! It was not easy for us to win a rare peace! ”

"Huh?"

The daughter's "gibberish". Much to the displeasure of the admiral. A cold snort erupted from his nose, and the Admiral's eagle-like sharp gaze was already staring at the face of the Arch-Mage Gianna......

"Dalin... You calm down first. Duke Leoric's face was bitter, and he interjected in a slow voice to try to ease the atmosphere: "What happened is a bit complicated...... However, we do maintain a rare peace with the orcs now......"

"I need an explanation!"

The admiral shook off a sentence and said no more, holding his arms and glancing coldly at his daughter and best friend.

Interpretation?

How to explain it?

Duke Leorik smiled wryly. Marshal Leorick was clear about Dalin's stubborn character. He knew how much his best friend hated his enemies. And there are too many reasons for forming an alliance with the orcs to fight against the Burning Legion, and it can't be explained clearly for a while.

Moreover. Even if it makes sense, will Dalin be able to listen?

In fact, even the Duke himself couldn't believe that he would have fought alongside his former mortal enemy in the first place......

"The Burning Legion invaded Kalimdor...... Realize your previous gaffe. Gianna organized her words and told the story of the holy war in Mount Hyjal some time ago.

“…… And just like that, we and the orcs became short-lived... The allies also tacitly agreed that there was no resumption of war after the war......"

Raising her head to meet her father's eyes, the female mage pleaded almost in a pleading tone, "Father, peace is not easy to come by...... Theramore, and indeed the entire human kingdom, are in a period of desperate need to recuperate, and we should not start another war and let the flames of war be rekindled! ”

"An alliance with the orcs? Hum! Listening to Gianna's explanation, the admiral couldn't stop sneering, and he didn't care about the so-called peace between the alliance tribes at all. Unceremoniously retorted sharply, "Do you think that the bloodthirsty and murderous orcs will live in peace with you?" Amusing! ”

"I've been dealing with those green-skinned mongrels on the battlefield for half my life, and you know their nature better than I do?"

"You're basically fighting the tiger...... Father, the orcs are no longer the savage creatures they used to be corrupted by the blood of demons, they have changed, they ......"

I saw that the admiral was still clinging to the old views and impressions of the past, confusing orcs and demons. Insisting on the hatred in her heart and stubbornly wanting to start a war, Gianna, who frowned, had to speak out to defend her former "comrades-in-arms".

"Enough! You shut up! ”

Unfortunately, before she could finish speaking, a roar of annoyance interrupted her voice:

"You're bringing sharks back to the sea...... When they come to their senses, the first one will point their teeth at you! Immature! ”

"I have made up my mind, no need to say it anymore......" Arrogantly flicked his arm, stopping Gianna who did not dare to insist on persuasion, the admiral had already taken a step forward, and strode towards the door of the study: "I will let all the marines land one after another, and in five days they will merge with the defenders of Theramore and crusade against the orcs!" ”

"Now, go down and get ready, Gianna!"

But the mage ignored the admiral's orders. A flash stopped in front of his father, and his face resolutely blocked his way.

"Don't challenge my patience, Gianna! I am your father, the monarch of Kul Tiras! This is not Dalaran. You should learn to obey! Seeing his daughter's "willful" appearance, Admiral Dai Lin scolded almost palely.

But his reprimand did not have the desired effect, and the female mage was still stubborn, and retorted without showing weakness:

"It's true that this is not Dalaran, but this is Theramore! I am the lord of Theramore, and I am responsible to my people! Peace is not easy to come by, and I cannot allow my people to be drawn into the whirlpool of war. Senseless sacrifice! ”

"Admiral Dalin, as Lord of Theramore, I have the right to oppose your war orders!"

……

Between father and daughter, this moment almost tears the skin. But it's not because of the discord between father and daughter, in fact they both know how important the person in front of them is.

But Gianna and Dahlin represent the doves and hawks of the league respectively, which is an irreconcilable clash of ideas. As a politician and leader...... At this moment, family affection makes way for ideas!

"Hahahaha! Good! Good! Good! With a gloomy face, he stared at his daughter, who was already slim and only a head shorter than himself, and the admiral, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly burst out laughing: "What a Lord of Theramore! I'm going to take a look at it today. How will you disobey your father, disobey your king? ”

"Guards!"

Roaring angrily outside the study, the admiral who was smiling angrily at this moment looked extremely hideous and cold......

"See Your Majesty!"

Four heavily armed Gianna's guards heard the shouts and pushed open the thick door. Striding in, he knelt on one knee in front of the admiral with a look of adoration, waiting for orders.

"Princess Gianna is unwell! The four of you escort her back to her room and keep her protected! I'll send another team to work with you! No one is allowed to enter or leave without my orders! ”

"Including Her Royal Highness the Princess!"

In the face of outsiders, the admiral had already restrained the annoyance and anger on his face, and ordered with a stern expression on his face.

"Nope! You can't do this! Tyrant, you can't put me under house arrest! ”

Hearing the admiral's order, not only the four Gianna's guards were at a loss for a while, but the female mage herself was even more stunned in disbelief. A moment later, he shouted with the same shame.

It's a pity that Gianna's struggles were directly ignored by the admiral......

"What are you doing? Execute the command! ”

Ignoring the woman's annoyed words, the admiral looked at the four hesitant guards with a displeased face and scolded sharply.

"Obey your will, Your Majesty!"

After a loud shout, the four guards from the Kul Tiras Navy no longer hesitated. He hammered his chest hard and responded in unison. With that, he stood up at the same time and walked quickly to the female mage......

At this time, Admiral Dai Lin grabbed his daughter who wanted to cast a teleportation spell, and clenched her hands to interrupt her spell. Immediately after that, in the ear of the female mage, she said in a cold voice word by word:

"I'll teach you a lesson today, father!"

"Remember, Gianna!"

"All the people of Kurtilas, including the navy sons of the officers of Theramore, are loyal to their king first, and then you, Lord of Theramore!"

"Have a good dream, my daughter ......"

As soon as the words fell, the admiral's metallic palm was already pointing like a knife, and a knife struck the back of the mage's neck.

Gianna's eyes slowly closed unwillingly, and she fell into darkness...... The guards had taken the unconscious mage back to her boudoir.

The admiral's twelve additional marines from his own guard also rushed to take turns outside the bedroom, placing the lord of Theramore under house arrest.

After arranging this qiē, Daylin Prodmore squeezed his temples hard, and returned to the lord's chair in silence. Duke Leorik's hands, which were frowning on the side, loosened and tightened, and his hesitant words stopped......

After a long silence, the admiral finally spoke out to break the awkward atmosphere in the study.

"The little girl has grown up...... I have my own ideas. She was also forced to put her under house arrest...... I just hope she doesn't hold a grudge against me for that......"

Looking at the hesitant and hesitant expression on his old friend's face, Admiral Dai Lin said with a solemn face: "Leorick, let's discuss the plan to send troops!" 80,000 Marines, 50,000 Theramore Defenders, plus your Seventh Legion...... This time we're going to uproot the greenskinned dregs. Eradicate it completely! ”

"Orc...... Must die! ”

The admiral's declaration was categorical and murderous. But Duke Leorik poured cold water on the head of the ambitious King Kultiras......

"Even if we draw out 200,000 troops, it is impossible for us to annihilate the orcs, and even the possibility of victory is very small!" Ignoring the admiral's frowning brow and displeased expression. The commander of the Seventh Legion still said to himself: "In this continent, orcs are not alone! They also have allies! ”

"Allies? Trolls or ogres? Suppressing the displeasure in his heart, the admiral patiently asked: "After all, there is a rabble, there is no need to worry!" ”

"A rabble?" Daillin Prodmore's nonchalant attitude made Duke Leorik feel bitter in his heart, and then retorted with a solemn face: "Let's not mention what kind of strength do those Dark Spear Headhunters who survived the fierce battle with the demons from the Battle of Hyjal Holy Mountain have...... But you should have heard of the prestige of Shuharu and the Minotaur, right? ”

"The big guys who have been praised as "the strongest on land" are also a rabble? ”

"As allies who have fought alongside them in the past. In the name of the Light, I vouch for the accolade of 'the strongest on land' is by no means an exaggeration...... Don't talk about attacking orc towns, just if you want to set foot in the barren land, just wait for them to pass through the level first! As he spoke, Duke Leorik had already opened a map and spread it in front of the admiral, and said in a deep voice to a certain point on the map: "This is the terror totem sentry, I have to say." The young Grand Overseer of the Minotaur is a rare military talent, and he has a vicious vision when it comes to strategic layout! ”

"As the connecting point between the barren land and the dust swamp, it's not only strategically located. The terrain is also easy to defend and difficult to attack! With this military outpost, stuck here, it only takes a small number of troops to hold this choke point, and to limit the pace of Theramore's entry into the barren land! ”

"Why, Leoric, are you scared? It's been a long time, have your guts and bloodiness been smoothed out by time? Defending glory with blood, this is the credo of our alliance! ”

"What about the 'strongest on land'? Alliance warriors are never afraid before a fight! ”

Listening to Duke Leoric's explanation, the admiral looked annoyed and provoked in a disdainful tone.

"Watch your words, old friend!"

Daillin Prodmore's words really made Leoric, a paladin with a strong sense of honor, angry. He stood up with a solemn face. The commander of the Seventh Legion replied with an awe-inspiring expression and a solemn tone:

"Humility, honesty, mercy, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, and spirit are the eight tenets that I declared to uphold all my life and pour with my blood and life when I became a paladin!"

"Faith is not extinguished, and the holy light is never stopped!"

"Bravery, honor, sacrificeAs a king of a country, you should not be rude to question the faith of a paladin!"

The verbal exchange between the two made the atmosphere unconsciously tense. Duke Leorek's rebuttal made Admiral Dalin angry! "Bang" slapped the table, and the admiral also roared in a cold tone:

"In that case, as a paladin, you should think all the more about the suffering we have experienced, and think of the civilians, women, and children who have been slaughtered by the greenskinned dregs! Think of those comrades in the robe who once died on the battlefield! Think of the fallen General Anduin Lothar, and think of the Five Heroes of the Alliance who crossed the Dark Gate to pursue the orcs! ”

The sudden quarrel and the confrontation between the two old friends because of their different ideas made the atmosphere in the study more tense and embarrassing.

After a long time, Duke Leorik, who had regained his composure, softened his tone and said what he wanted to say before:

"I'm sorry, Dalein, but I'm on Gianna's side this time...... Peace is not easy to come by, and it is against my beliefs and my principles to be a human being to face each other with my allies who have just fought side by side...... You have to admit that the orcs have changed, and they are no longer the bloodthirsty and brutal race they once were! ”

"If war does start, it is my duty to do so when you need my help, when the people of Theramore need to be protected! But...... The Seventh Legion will never take the initiative to wage war against the current tribe! ”

"Because ......"

"The blessing of the Holy Light is for me to protect the weak with my sword and shield, and to expel evil with the Holy Light, instead of killing in vain!" (To be continued) Q