〔1〕

"I'm already tired of the endless study of magic, and this time, I'm working on a very important study that will take weeks to prepare!"

In a small room in the magical temple of Dalaran, the lights were dim.

He was forced to wait here for hours before he was allowed to confront the accused, and he was deeply unhappy with the humiliation.

Among the accusers of him, Durandon and Modra, had always been very hostile to him, and had never even approved of his magical studies. However, the two of them will definitely not start the investigation until they get Antonidas' approval, and Antonidas has not expressed any opinions at this time.

What did the old man want?

"It's the first time I've heard of your 'subtle magic'. ”

Denlandon's slightly mocking words pulled Kel'thugard back to reality from his thoughts, and he realized that he still had to confront these abominable questioners.

"Nonsense, don't listen. Kel'thugad replied coldly.

A light flashed, and immediately, a gray-haired mage dressed in a purple high-level mage robe with an angry face appeared in the hall, and he also had a small wooden box under his arm, "If it wasn't for what I said, I wouldn't believe it at all." You've made us impatient last time, Kel'thugad. ”

"Dear Antonidas, it makes us feel so honored that you finally showed up, and I thought you were sick. ”

When they saw the visitors, not only Derlandon and Modra, but even the always unruly Kel'thugad had to bow his hand.

"My health problems are causing you to panic, aren't they?" Antonidas, holding the Crystal Staff, angrily interrupted Kel'thugad, "You know there's only one way to solve these problems. ”

Hmph, if that makes the old man feel better, let him be pleased.

Kel'thugad secretly discussed.

Antonidas paused for a moment, then continued, "As for my health, I don't need you to worry about it, I'm just busy with other things. ”

"Busy rummaging through my room, looking for evidence of forbidden magic?" Kel'thugad looked at Antonidas with an unkind gaze, his tone full of provocation, "You should see the results!"

"That's right, Kel'thugad, we found no evidence in your room. But on the other hand, you're in the warehouse in the Northlands—" Antonidas glanced at him in disgust.

This self-righteous voyeur is a fucking goddamn thing, he thought that place wouldn't be discovered by these guys...

Unexpectedly...

"You don't have the right..."

Before Kel'thugad's words of accusation could be uttered, Antonidas interrupted him.

Antonidas tapped the floor with the staff in his hand, signaling him to be quiet, and then turned to the other mages: "Noble mages, look. He's turned that basement into an evil research chamber with filth and filth, and look at the results of his research!"

Antonidas opened the small wooden box and tilted it over so that everyone could see its contents.

As soon as the wooden box was opened, the stench of erosion and the fluctuations of dark magic instantly intertwined and filled the hall as if they had broken free.

Several mages hurriedly covered their noses, lowered their heads, and squinted at the wooden box in Antonidas' hand.

Inside were several rotting rat carcasses, but there were two more alive rats, still clumsily crawling around the edge of the crate, trying in vain to escape.

A frightened shout...

Kel'thugad scoffed at the cowardly magicians, and he turned to the rats with a blank face, watching them slowly decay from their dying throes to complete decay, and finally to become motionless.

It is clear that this experiment failed again.

But it doesn't matter, one day he'll use those spells to create stable undead creatures, and it's only a matter of time before his hard work pays off.

Lately, a distant and friendly voice has been haunting him, trusting time and his mysterious ally to help him get closer to his goal.

Another light flashed through the room, and a young blonde woman appeared. She has a beautiful face and a noble temperament, as well as a neck like a white swan, and the plain mage robe clings to her delicate body, and she actually wears the feeling of gorgeous aristocratic clothing.

She gave Kel'thugad a strange look with those blue eyes, and then took the wooden box from Antonidas. The latter explained: "This is my new apprentice, Gianna Proudmoor. She's going to dispose of the filth, and the crate and its contents will be burned to ashes. ”

Gianna bowed slightly, and then teleported out of the room.

On other occasions, Kel'thugad might have found the mime interesting. However, Antonidas began to continue his impassioned tirade, and with a wordless agitation, Kel'thugad began to try to extricate himself from it.

"We've put up with you long enough, Kel'thugad. We keep reminding you not to engage in those evil studies and try to guide you on the right path. As a result, we now find that you are still undissuaded and obsessively practicing evil spells. ”

"Do you know? Kel'thugad, because of your actions, the sacred name of the Kenrito Council is rapidly evolving into a curse in the mouths of the local villagers. ”

"You're lying!"

Kel'thugad shouted, his clenched fist trembling, "This is an incomparably sacred study, and if successful, these powers will make the magicians stronger, and we will be more capable of protecting the common people!"

"To raise an army of dead rats? Those unnatural things can only be measured in hours. Antonidas asked coldly, "That's right, my child, I also found your diary." You've been keeping a meticulous record of this filthy plan. You shouldn't use these dark spells that have been banned by Kenrito to try to save the world and correct the world with violence, this is fundamentally a mistake!"

"Being younger than you doesn't prove that I'm still a kid. Kel'thugad replied, "Those rats are just a yardstick I use to assess progress, it's just a standard experimental rule." ”

Antonidas let out a sigh...

"I noticed that you've been spending most of your time on the north side these days, and you're always absent from meetings, so I noticed it right away. As you may have heard, the country has been in turmoil lately, and your selfish experiments in the pursuit of power will incite the peasants to revolt, and the lords will be forced into civil war. ”

What the?

He hadn't heard of any of these things, and Antonidas must have been bluffing.

What's more, a true Holy Magus should focus on more important things than these, such as studying more powerful magic.

"I'll be more cautious. Kel'thugad replied through gritted teeth.

"An experiment of this magnitude, no matter how cautious, simply cannot be kept a secret. Durandon scoffed.

He had always been disgusted by this evil study of Kel'thugad.

Modra followed: "You know, we at Kenrito have always had a powerful force that is the envy of everyone, so we are all on a proper path to ensure that we don't become another threat while protecting our people. We cannot sacrifice our humanity, not only on the outside, but also on the inside, your methods will only bring disaster to Kenrito and make us accused of heresy. ”

"Enough!"

Kel'thugad was really fed up with the cowardice of these magicians, and many of the magicians present had already stepped into the realm of great magicians, but why were they still so mediocre and pedantic, and did so-called, prosaic magical research in a regular manner?

"We have been treated as heretics for many years, and the Church, the Royalty, will never like our methods. But despite this, we always do what we should do. ”

Modra nodded: "Because we have always avoided using those forbidden spells, otherwise it will lead to degradation and bring great disasters to the people of the continent!"

"No, stupid magician, let me tell you. Kel'thugad retorted, "The reason for all this is that we are indispensable to this continent, and we control a force that can shake the imperial power. Those so-called royal families, the church is afraid of our power, so they will let us assert that we are the masters of this world!"

"Enough!"

Antonidas could not listen any longer, and he said to Modra and Derlandon, "He has gone mad, and if words alone could convince him, he would have been persuaded long ago." ”

Hearing Antonidas's words, everyone fell silent.

"I hear you. Kel'thugad's voice was furious, "O merciful gods, I don't want to hear the nonsense of you guys, I'm fed up with you!

"You misunderstood the purpose of our visit. Antonidas interrupted him, "We're not here to debate, now, all your possessions will be thoroughly searched, and all items related to dark magic will be confiscated, and once identified, destroyed immediately!"

Antonidas' warning echoed throughout the hall, filling the already small room with a tense air.

"You damn cowards!"

Kel'thugad gritted his teeth, his face contorted with anger. His nameless ally had warned him of this, but he didn't believe it.

Strangely, when things finally came to this point, he actually felt a little relieved. Previously, he had to limit the scope of his work in order to maintain secrecy, which apparently hindered further research.

Now, he can finally do whatever he wants. However, he must solve the problems at hand, even if it is by violent means.

"Now, we have the evidence. ”

In the hall, Antonidas was still trying Kel'thugad's crimes, and he even accentuated his tone, "Here I judge you in the name of the Council of Kenrito. If you don't stop this madness, then you will be stripped of your identity and banished from Dalaran and even the entire kingdom of Lordaeron!"

Very good...

Kel'thugad gritted his teeth with rage, which means that now, he doesn't need to restrain himself anymore...

He recited the incantation, and a purple sigil symbolizing death appeared in the palm of his hand.

"There has been, Dark Spell!"

Modra shouted, and everyone present took a few steps back towards Kel'thugad.

"Don't panic, everyone!"

Antonidas took a step back and took a fighting stance, at the same time, he was also trying his best to command all the magicians, "Don't panic, although this heretic uses dark spells, his strength is not enough to fear, as long as he combines the power of all the mages present with us, he will not escape the fate of destruction after all!"

Everyone nodded, and they all used their best spells accordingly, and for a while, countless brilliant lights and shadows burst out in the hall.

As Kel'thugad continued to guide, the dark energy in his hands swelled more and more.

"Hmph, ignorant fools, feel the power of hell!

"Dragon's Breath!"

"Arcane Missile!"

Rumble!

With a roar that resounded through the sky, countless gorgeous magic suddenly exploded, and a corner of the Violet Temple was suddenly turned into ashes under the impact of this huge elemental energy...

〔2〕

When Kel'thugad woke up, he didn't know where he was. He only felt that his body was lighter than before, but around him, there was darkness that could not be seen.

I don't know how long later, a light suddenly appeared in front of his eyes, and with a violent friction sound, this faint light was gradually expanding.

As this point of light continued to enlarge, he finally ushered in the light.

Over here...

Where...

Kel'thugad was half-open, a cold wind howled, and around him, there was a white expanse of snow as far as the eye could see.

To his surprise, he didn't feel the slightest chill in the cold wind and snow.

"Welcome to this icy wasteland, human mage. ”

Not far away, a shuddering sound was heard, and as the sound approached, Kel'thugad appeared before his eyes a huge, beetle-like creature with a massive body covered in scars and bandages, and a black carapace covered with terrifying barbs.

For some reason, after seeing this behemoth, Kel'thugad subconsciously wanted to escape, but driven by curiosity, he still stopped in place to meet the monster's arrival.

It's close!

It's closer!

As the monster staggered in front of Kel'thugad, the mage noticed that there was more than one man (well, so to speak), and several spider-like creatures were following behind its massive body.

The body of each spider creature is supported by six thin legs, and green pus overflows from the dark spider legs.

Although the monsters struck with the familiar stench of corpses, they showed no signs of confusion like his lab rats.

These spider creatures must still have intelligence, strength, and coordination, otherwise they would be very vulnerable.

Their creator is undoubtedly a highly skilled necromancer.

Kel'thugad thought so.

"Welcome to Northrend. ”

As he thought about it, the giant creature had walked up to Kel'thugad, greeting him in a deep voice.

Its voice shuddered, reverberating through its body, and in its words, there was always a strange buzzing sound, like a bug: "I am Anubrak, a human mage, my master, and I am looking forward to your presence. ”

It has both wisdom and a talent for speaking!

It's amazing!

Wait a minute...

It mentions its owner.

Could it be!?

Kel'thugad recalled the voice that had been echoing in his head before.

"That's right, I want to be his apprentice. Kel'thugad looked a little cautious.

But also, it is impossible for anyone to be calm in front of this terrifying behemoth, let alone Kel'thugad.

He cleared his throat nervously, "Can I see him?"

"Of course, but only in due time. ”

Anubarak looked down at him, his voice a little heavy and hoarse: "So far, the master has been silently observing you. You have devoted yourself to the pursuit of dark spells, much to the delight of your master!"

"Your loyalty to dark magic is unquestionable!"

Kel'thugad swallowed nervously as he waited for Anubrak's next words.

"But despite this, you are not experienced as a necromancer, and you are not ready to serve your master!"

What made this behemoth say such things?

Could it be that it feels like a competitor?

Kel'thugad was a little anxious, he wanted to have powerful magic too much, and for that, he could do whatever it takes!

"As a member of the Council of Six, I have more magical abilities than you can imagine. I'm fully ready, no matter what task my master throws at me!"

"We'll find out!"

Anubarak let out a rueful laugh...

Anubrak and his spider creatures carried Kel'thugad through the snow and ice, through tunnels underground, and deep beneath the surface.

After a long journey, they finally reached their destination.

The wooden torch on the wall is lit by sapient spider creatures, and the darkness fades away, revealing a vast subterranean space. A magnificent pyramid building, just like that, came into Kel's eyes.

The castle, made of solid magic stones, is tens of meters high and is divided into four wings. As you can see from its structure, the building was built by a half-spider creature.

On both sides of the castle, two huge stone skulls are carved respectively, shining green in the slightly dark space.

"Go ahead, human mage, if you want to meet your fate. ”

Anubrak nudged a somewhat stunned Kel'thugad with his hard front paws.

"Oh, good... Okay..."

Before entering the castle, he still did not forget to look at this city of wonders with amazement...

〔3〕

The air inside the castle was even more turbid than outside, mixed with the smell of rancidity, and the dark and confined space was dotted with white bones, making the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.

The dark, damp first room was filled with undead creatures, with bone skull guards and spider creatures patrolling back and forth from time to time. They quickly crawled among the undead creatures, busy weaving webs and laying eggs.

Kel'thugad hid his disgust, and he didn't want Anubaraq to feel complacent.

"You are somewhat similar to them, are you derived from the same species?" Kel'thugad pointed at an undead spider creature spewing disgusting saliva.

"That's right. ”

Anubarak replied, "When the master appeared, his influence was far and wide, and I led the swarm in a protracted war against him, and we foolishly thought that there was still a chance of victory. As a result, many compatriots were killed and then turned into undead creatures. ”

At this time, I realized that the strength of the master had far exceeded my imagination. I was a king when I was alive, and now I am a Crypt Lord!"

Anubarak's voice buzzed...

"So, in this way, you have attained immortality?"

Kel'thugad suddenly realized, "That's why you agreed to serve him?"

Agree, that is, choose!!

This means that the necromancer can force undead creatures to submit to him!!

And the news that he might be the first living creature with his own will made him a little uneasy. So Kel'thugad moved on to another topic: "This magnificent building is full of your people, are you ruling here?"

"After my death, I led my people to occupy this pyramid and dedicated it to our new master. I was also in charge of overseeing the entire building and renovating it according to his designs. But it's not under my rule, it's not just my people, it's just one of four wings, and there's more to come!"

At this point, the big bug made a gurgling, frightening sound, which made Kel'thugad feel a little uneasy.

"Let's go, Crypt Lord..."

Kel'thugad forced himself to calm down, and pretended to be calm and said, "Take me to other places!"

The second wing is full of things that Kel'thugad is interested in...

Magical artifacts, lab tools, and other high-end items that make Kel'thugad's old lab look humiliating.

A large room could hold as many assistants as an army.

Some bloated undead creatures have been cleverly sewn together from a hodgepodge of animals and organs, and there are even some undead creatures, whose body parts come from various human races, stitched together.

It's a pity that the third wing is not so interesting.

Anubaraq showed him a military factory and a training camp.

Next, the Crypt Lord led him through a room containing hundreds of sealed barrels and wicker boxes.

Kel'thugad even thought that even if it were under siege, the supplies would be enough to last for a few years. Moreover, the supply methods of the undead legion are never limited to this.

In the end, he and Anubaraq reached the last wing.

In the empty garden, huge mushrooms grew in the garden, and they emitted a poisonous gas that made Kel'thugad feel a little sick.

The soil beneath each mushroom doesn't look healthy, with a putrefined, dark green.

He wanted to get closer to observe, but there was a "creak" under his feet, and he stepped on something. Kel'thugad looked down and saw that it was a wriggling maggot.

Kel'thugad retched a little...

Disgusted and terrified, he teleported himself outside the castle and vomited profusely.

He picked up a few tufts of pure snow in his hands and wiped them vigorously on his face and mouth, feeling as if he could never be innocent again.

What kind of thing did he get caught up in?

Kel'thugad's chaotic thoughts became clear.

It seems that the necromancer is more than just a scholar interested in the field of dark spells, and his plan is more than just strengthening the building's defenses.

He was mass-producing a liquid that could turn people into zombies, and the pyramids were stocked with supplies, weapons, armor, and training grounds, which were clearly far more than needed for defense.

They seem to be preparing for a war to the death in Azeroth...

Suddenly, a gust of yin wind struck, and a group of terrifying yin spirits appeared in front of him.

A few years ago, he had read about them in the Violet Castle in Dalaran. They are made of translucent, cloud-like material, and their eyes are always filled with intense resentment.

One of the ghosts floated closer, and said in an extremely cold voice, "Human mage, your little cleverness has no effect on the great master, let alone the desire to escape from the master. Where can you expect to flee to, what to do, and more importantly, who will believe you?"

The words of the Shadow gave Kel'thugad a head start...

Fight or Flight?

Of course, he could have made heroic choices, but there was no point in dying.

If he could become the necromancer's apprentice, then he would be able to take his forbidden spell practice to the next level. With enough training, you can surpass the wizard, or even end the necromancer's life behind your back.

Thinking about it, Kel'thugad nodded at the ghost: "Very good, then take me to meet him." ”

〔4〕

Led by the Shadow, Kel'thugad traveled long way through the snow to a huge cavern deep underground, and the cold moisture penetrated through the bones.

In the middle of the cave is a snow-capped pinnacle that leads up into the sky, and a stone staircase hidden by a thick layer of snow spirals up the icicles.

Kel'thugad looked up at this magnificent ice-like structure and let out an exclamation of amazement!

What has been experienced on this journey has been more and more shocking every time...

He and the Wraith began to climb the stairs, staggering up the ice ladder.

Under the biting cold, Kel'thugad has long forgotten time. He stumbled upwards, the throne glowing with a faint sheen at the top, a sense of oppression that forced him to bend his head.

Gradually, Kel'thugad felt that he was able to speak directly to the necromancer, a voice that sounded kind and yet distant.

"Very well, that's your first lesson, I don't care about you or your people. On the contrary, I will carry out a great purge of humanity on this continent. There is no doubt that I can do it!"

The ghosts relentlessly urged Kel'thugad onwards, struggling upward, his hands and knees slicing at the knife-sharp ice, leaving blood trails in his wake.

Finally, he came to a place a few steps away from the throne, but he was instantly stopped by the overwhelming coercion and hatred, and could not take a step forward.

As the feeling of oppression hit, Kel'thugad was full of doubt, his eyes widened, and he reluctantly searched around for the figure of the man who had caused him great pain.

It was a metal armor encased in thick ice crystals...

It sits on a throne, but looks more like it sits on a throne of ice crystals. The black armor was empty, but it seemed to swallow up all the light, the hope, and the mind.

At the behest of that black armor, Kel'thugad began to call it the Lich King!

"As my deputy, you have access to undead knowledge and power far beyond your ambitions. But in exchange, you will always serve me, whether you live or die. If you choose to betray, then I will turn you into one of these minions of death, still serving me!"

The Lich King's demonic voice haunted Kel'thugad's head...

Serving this ghostly being will bring him great strength... And the Curse of Immortality!!

This powerful power is exactly what he is after, but the price is too great. However, this realization seems to have come too late.

With the strong power of the other party, he has no choice...

"I'm yours. Kel'thugad said hoarsely.

In response, the Lich King showed him the castle, which he called "Naxxramas".

Black-robed necromancers formed a large circle around the perimeter of the glacier, their arms swirling with dark magic, humming with incantations that Kel'thugad didn't understand, and their arms bobbing up and down.

The ground shook beneath their feet, and the ice cracked, but they turned a blind eye and continued to channel the spell.

"You will bear witness to my power!"

The Lich King's voice echoed like a nightmare, "I have brought you back to life at great cost, and you will be sent to Azeroth as a spirit to bring me a mighty warrior!!"

"You will lead him and assist him. And in my place, he will gather like-minded people to establish the Azeroth I control through the power of deception, persuasion, sickness, and death!!"

To his astonishment, the ice began to move and break, and the top of the pyramid underneath gradually pierced the frozen ground and rose from the ground.

The black-robed man chanted more and more hard, and the huge pyramid rushed out of the ground in disbelief. Large chunks of soil and ice were pushed apart by the explosive force. Soon, Naxxramas began to slowly but surely break free from the shackles of the earth, and finally, he floated proudly in the air!!

And this will be your flagship!