Chapter 36: Interlude

"It's safe for now. Until Deathwing finds a new set of plate armor that I can't break with a skill from one of the Kryptonite Drop City worlds, he won't come out. Zhao Kun raised his face to look at the dragon's disappearing figure, and then lowered his head to look at the entrance of the tossed and unshaped, Grimbaatar, "It's the entrance to the fortress that needs to be repaired." If you can, it's best to remodel the entire fortress. ”

"However, I don't have enough manpower to build a fortress, and it's good for the Holy Cult to keep dragons in check now......" Thinking of the population problem, he quickly frowned, "Ah, why aren't the Draenei mitossy?" So I still have to fool a bunch of cannon fodder and RBQ from the alliance. ”

"Calculate the time, if Lothar and they haven't made it to Lordaeron, I will definitely make him and Khadgar the exclusive RBQ of the orc brothers when I go back......"

Zhao Kun laughed as he bombarded the gate of the fortress that had been collapsed by Deathwing with his magic.

Although his available manpower is limited, it will soon be full of life when the human kingdom forms an alliance. Then, the first red dragon with a harness on its body will fly out of this cave. The red and black dragons will enter the fortress, the mother dragon will stay, and the male dragons will strap on their harness and fly out.

Dragons hate this, of course - dragons are so independent that no one has ever dared to ride on them. But his paladin will do it.

That's right, Paladin. Long before he fell to Stormwind, he had come up with a plan to combine the Light with the warriors. Both the human infantry and the priests were too weak in front of the orc warriors, not to mention the stronger ogres in their ranks. So, a new backbone must emerge. Otherwise, humanity will not even be able to maintain the battle line. Stormwind City is proud of its heavy knights, who are heavily armored even for men and horses, with a total weight of five hundred kilograms, which can be grabbed by orcs charging and thrown more than ten meters away.

In this case, although it is said that there are chaplains in the army who are ready to treat them, it is useless to treat the dead.

Most of the time, heavy knights who are blessed with Shingon Tenado and Shingon Shield will receive a bento directly. The rest of the soldiers were only killed in seconds, and the ones who resisted the orcs and launched a counterattack were all high-level professionals, at least a captain-level officer.

- What a? The heavy cavalry couldn't rush, the spear forest and the shield array couldn't be maintained, and they were chaotic when they were rushed. As for spellcasters, academic mages are clearly no match for orc warlocks. Therefore, humans can only barely defend by virtue of their geographical advantages.

The only class of troops that the kingdom can be proud of at the moment is probably the Griffin Knight. Humans have herds of infantry and cavalry, but none of these can defeat orcs. Fortunately, the orcs did not have air power and fleets.

In order to reverse this situation, Zhao Kun proposed a plan to Lothar, and obtained the permission of the Archbishop of the Stormwind Kingdom. Unfortunately, Stormwind fell so quickly, and most of the priests had already died in the Northcounty Monastery, so it was just a plan on paper.

But he had promised Lothar and the archbishop that it would be their secret weapon. Paladins are not just a mix of warriors and priests, warriors bathed in light also ride dragons - dragons who are said to have a contract with Zhao Kun's ancestors and will help the Vortagen family according to the situation (they pay a sufficient price).

The paladin's mount will be a dragon, and they will attack the orcs from the air and then retreat out of their range. These dragons are very powerful in their claws, mouths, and tails. But their flame breath is the most threatening thing. Flames will rain down on them, destroying them and their equipment, and there is nothing they can do to stop it. And the exquisite martial arts and the power of the holy light of the paladin on the dragon's body have the effect that one plus one is greater than two. They can even heal dragons.

When the dragon is on their side, the kingdom will be invincible.

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Just after Zhao Kun issued a curse on Lothar and Khadgar, Lothar was nothing, and Khadgar, who had just entered the city, began to sneeze one after another.

"What are we going to do now?" After his anomaly was gone, the mage had time to ask questions to the old warrior who was in a trance.

As a formidable warrior, the Lord Regent reacted quickly, but instead of replying immediately, he turned to look at the Master, and the look of pain in his deep, sea-blue eyes hid the wisdom of his master.

"We'll have to talk to the King." Lothar said simply. He glanced at the young man who was traveling with them, and then touched the hilt of the sword behind his back with his hand. The runes and gems on the sword's body sparkled in the afternoon sun. "Although the Kingdom of Stormwind is gone, Varian is still her king, and I am still her warrior. I've only met King Terenus a few times, and that was years ago, but even if he doesn't recognize me, he must recognize Varian. So we can tell him what's going on and what he's supposed to do. ”

"So, what should we do about ourselves?" Khadgar asked, though he thought he already knew the answer.

"We've got to gather all the rulers on this continent." Lothar replied just as Khadgar had expected. "They must be forced to understand and see the threat that is coming. No country can face an entire tribe alone. Our homeland tried this and fell because of it. We can't let the same thing happen again. All the people must unite and fight together. He grasped the leash of his horse with both hands, and Khadgar saw once again a mighty warrior who had once led the entire army of the Stormwind Kingdom and defended the frontier for years.

"I hope they'll listen." Khadgar said softly.

"They will." Lothar assured. "They don't have a choice!" None of them said what was on their minds. They have all seen the power of the tribe. If the nations are unwilling to cooperate, if the rulers are not aware of this terrible threat, the fate of these kingdoms will be the same as that of the Stormwind Kingdom. And the Horde will sweep across the continent, destroying everything in their path.

"Two adults." A Stormwind royal guard who had come with the party interrupted the two of them, "I don't want to admit it, but we do get lost......"

Stormwind is a tall and majestic city with many minarets, all of which are made of solid stone, but at the same time they are as bright as a mirror, and they are not afraid of the sea breeze. But the city doesn't resemble Stormwind right now, the most obvious thing being that she's not that tall, but it's much more expansive than her. Obviously, the city isn't organized enough for a group of outsiders to know how to get around right away.

――――――――――――――

Lordaeron doesn't have as many tall buildings as Stormwind, but they have an elegant temperament. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Lordammere, against the silvery white surface of the lake. Not as dazzling as Stormwind, she can make the sunlight seem like it's coming out of the city without overshadowing her. Peaceful, peaceful, and sacred.

"It's a great kingdom." Khadgar said beside him. "But if you want to ask my opinion, it would be better if the climate could be warmer." He looked into the distance, "On the south shore of that lake, there was another city. Her lines are as graceful as those of Lordaeron, but her walls and minarets exude the gentle hues of violet. That's Dalaran. Kenrito's Wizard's Lair. It was also my hometown before I was sent to be Medivan's apprentice. ”

"Maybe you'll have a chance to come back there, even if it's just for a short while." Lothar said. "But mage, no matter how much you change the subject, you can't hide the fact that you're pointing the wrong way the fourth time!"

"This ......," the white-haired mage smiled reluctantly, "now we have to focus on the city. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with my magic, it seems that the mages in this city have changed the magic logo, so my path magic can't find the Royal French Society's Mage Tower and Lordaeron Palace......"

He looked around again. "I think ......" Seeing the listless young King Varian and the unsightly Lothar, "okay, let's find someone to ask for directions." ”

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About two hours later, they arrived at the main entrance of the inner city. There were soldiers guarding it, but the two gates were completely open, enough for two or three convoys to enter side by side. The guards had already spotted their approach early in the morning, and a warrior in a red robe approached, his armor trimmed with gold ornamentation, as did his helmet.

His movements were very humble, even reverent, but Lothar was a little unaccustomed to his unsuspecting approach. At this distance, he can kill the opponent with a single sword. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, forcing himself to relax and accept the peaceful atmosphere. This isn't Stormwind. Its inhabitants are not experienced warriors, nor have they developed a sense of vigilance in the midst of endless warfare. For now, at least, they haven't been through a fight to the death.

"You are very welcome, please feel free to come and go." The captain of the guard bowed. "The Court Mage has been summoned. His Majesty has been informed of the arrival of your country and the current predicament of your country. You can meet the King in the Throne Room. ”

"Thank you very much." Khadgar nodded in acknowledgment. "Come, Lothar." He clamped his mount between his knees. "Now let me be a tour guide again."

They rode through the gates of the inner city. Walking freely on the main roads, this time Khadgar did know the way it was, and never stopped to ask for directions or hesitate at the fork in the road - for the distance from the south gate of the inner city to the palace was not far, and it was enough to go straight down. When he arrived at the palace, he handed over the mounts of the men to a few of his men to look after. After doing all this, he suddenly realized that Lothar and Varian had already walked up the stairs, and he hurried up.

They walked through the outer gates of the palace and into a wide courtyard. It's almost an outdoor garden, with a string of small kiosks on either side, and Lothar believes that these boxes must be packed with people during the holidays. A few steps further at the end of the courtyard were gates, all now open to the throne room.

It is a majestic hall with a vault high above and the corners hidden in the shadows. The whole room is circular in shape and is surrounded by arches and columns. Golden daylight shone through the glass in the center of the vault, illuminating the intricate pattern on the ground: a series of interlocking rings, each distinct, with a triangle in the center inscribed with Lordaeron's golden emblem. High above the walls hung several indoor balconies, which Lothar reckoned to be the exclusive use of the nobles during meetings, but he also appreciated their tactical value. With just a few archers, it is easy to snipe at any corner of the hall from those vantage points.

On the other side of the pattern there is a round table. At the end of its concentric staircase is a massive throne, seemingly made of glowing stone. The surface is flat, and the corners are full of strength and momentum. A tall figure appeared on the chair, his blond hair tinged with a tinge of gray, his armor shimmering, and the crown on his head more like a thorny helmet than a crown. It was a very suitable king, and Lothar immediately realized that a king, like Lane, would not hesitate to fight for his people. Hope reignited in him.

Nowadays, many people have gathered here, from citizens to laborers to farmers. They all kept a suitable distance, facing the throne. They carry a variety of items, from small pieces of parchment to various foods. However, as Lothar and Khadgar approached, they automatically parted and quietly retreated to either side.

"Huh?" The man on the throne spoke. "Report your name, what do you want me to get from here?" Even at that distance, Lothar could notice that the king's distinctive eyesβ€”blue and greenβ€”were sharp and clear. Lothar's hope was even stronger, and he believed that the man in front of him was a great man who could see the truth.

"Your Majesty." Lothar replied, his deep voice effortlessly weaving through the hall. He took a few steps in the direction of the round platform and bowed. "I am Anduin Lothar, a knight of the Stormwind Kingdom. This is my companion, Khadgar from Dalaran. ”

He heard the whispers of the crowd behind him. "And thisβ€”" He turned sideways so that the king could see Varian behind him, and the young king seemed frightened by the strange atmosphere here. "β€”King Varian Ureon, heir and new king of the Stormwind Kingdom." Realizing the young man's noble status, the whispers of the people around him seemed to become noisier, but Lothar ignored them, and he focused ******** on the king. "We must talk to you, Your Majesty. This matter is very urgent and important. ”

"Absolutely." Terenus rose from his throne and approached them. "Let's talk about it alone, please." He told the crowd around him that although the language was very polite, it was also a command. The people immediately obeyed, and in the blink of an eye, only a few nobles and guards remained. Lothar's entourage also stepped aside, leaving only Lothar, Khadgar, and Varian.

"Salute you, Your Majesty." Terenus stepped forward and bowed to Varian as if the two were equal.

"Greetings to you, too, Your Majesty." Varian responds that his court education since childhood has helped him overcome his fears.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of your father's death." Terenus said calmly. "King Lane is a good man, and we treat him as a close friend, both privately and nationally. You can rest assured that we will do whatever we can to help you regain your homeland. ”

"Thank you." Varian replied, his lips still shaking.

"Come and sit down and tell me what's going on." Terenus pointed to the staircase of the round platform, then sat down on the top floor, motioning for Varian to sit next to him. "I've seen Stormwind with my own eyes, and I must admit that she's very powerful and beautiful. What could destroy such a city? ”

"Tribe." Khadgar spoke for the first time since he walked into the throne room. Terenus turned to face him, and at such a close distance, Lothar noticed the king's eyes narrowing slightly. "The tribe did it."

"This ...... What is a tribe? Terenus looked at Varian and Lothar with inquiring eyes.

"The name of an army, but it's actually more than that." Lothar replied. "It's so large that it's incalculable, so many that it could flood an entire continent."

"Who is the leader of these people?" Terenus asked.

"They're not people." Lothar corrected, "It's orcs." ”

To answer the king's doubts, Lothar explained. "A new race that didn't exist in this world in the first place. They were as tall as us humans, but much stronger, with green skin and blood-red eyes. There is also a pair of fangs on the lower jaw. ”

A nobleman on the side couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Lothar asked, turning around. "You doubt me?" His gaze then wandered all the balconies, looking for the person who was laughing. "You're lying to me?"

He slapped his fist hard against a visible dent in his armor. "It's the orc's warhammer!" He patted the other. "Here's the orc's tomahawk!" He pointed to the scar on his ear again. "And the wound came from a fang, and an orc pounced on me, and our weapons slashed at each other at the same time! Those filthy creatures have ruined my country, my land, my people! If any of you have any doubts about this, stand down for me and talk to me face to face! I'm going to show you what kind of person I am, and I'm going to show you what happens to those who doubt me! ”

"Enough!" Terenus's shouting halted any possible response, but as he turned to Lothar, the battle-hardened warrior found that the king's wrath did not seem directed at him.

"That's enough." The king repeated, his tone softened considerably. "No one has the right to question your words, warriors of Azeroth." He assured Lothar as he glared around, stopping any of the nobles' possible objections. "I know your glory and loyalty. Even though this creature may sound strange to us, I will take your word for it. He turned to Khadgar and nodded. Not to mention that there is a Dalaran wizard to witness to you, and we cannot doubt the veracity of what you say, but at the same time, we have not seen such a race before. ”

"Thank you, King Terenus." Lothar replied politely, regaining control of his anger. He didn't know what to do next. Luckily, Terenus knew.

"I'll gather the kings of the neighboring countries." He announced. "It's going to involve all of us." He walked back to Varian. "Your Majesty, I will provide you with my accommodation and protection, and you can stay here for as long as you want." At the same time, he raised his voice so that everyone could hear him. "Settle down with confidence, and when you're ready, the Kingdom of Lordaeron will assist you and help you retake your country."

Lothar nodded. "Your Majesty, you are the most generous person I have ever met." He said for Varian. "I don't think there's a better place in the whole capital than here for my king to grow up, it's nice and safe. However, I must state that we are here for the purpose of not simply looking for a place of refuge. I'm here to warn you. He straightened up, his voice echoing through the hall, but his eyes never took off the ruler of Lordaeron. We have to let you know - the Horde won't settle for just one Stormwind. Their goal is to take over the entire world, and they have enough numbers and strength to help them achieve that dream. They also don't lack the support of magic. Once they're done dealing with my hometownβ€”" His voice became muffled, but he forced himself to continue. "They'll find a way to cross the ocean. The next target will be here. ”

"Then you're telling us that we have to prepare now, because there's going to be a big war here." Terenus said calmly. It wasn't a question, but Lothar answered.

"That's right." He glanced around at the people around him. "A great battle that will decide the fate of our raceβ€”"

A loud bang interrupted Lothar's speech.

"What happened? Guards, guards? ”

However, the guards were also at a loss.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that a few of the embarrassed guards appeared, like the King's report.

"Your Majesty! Oh no, the residence of His Excellency Archbishop Fao has been attacked, His Excellency the Archbishop ...... Dead. ”

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"Master, Your Excellency the Archbishop of Lordaeron is not as easy to fool as you think."

"So what, Miledi?"

"I did as you instructed me to finish him off with what you gave me."

"Well done, I'll be heading to Lordaeron soon, and that's when the game really begins......" (To be continued.) )