Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

A cool breeze ruffled Arthas' white hair, caressing his cheek, and he smiled.He likes to come back to cooler regions.The kingdom of elves seemed to be in the early summer forever, and the rich fragrance of blooming flowers made him feel uncomfortable.Remind him of the time he spent with Jaina in the Dalaran gardens, and the blooming snapdragons at Barnir's farm.And the cool wind wakes him up, and the cold ends the memory.These memories serve no purpose but to weaken him, and there is no room for weakness in Arthas Menethil now. As always, he rode on the back of his loyal steed Invincible.In Quel'Thalas, that bastard king Anasterian cowardly attacked an innocent steed instead of confronting its owner.Invincible's legs were broken, just like the accident before his death, Arthas felt terrible, as if he had revisited that terrible moment, trembling from the bottom of his heart.He burst into a cold rage, which he managed to take out on Anasterian.

In front of and behind Arthas, his armies crossed the snow-covered roads tirelessly and coldly.In this huge army, there is a banshee floating.Arthas had no time for her, and his interest was now in Kel'Thuzad.Kel'Thuzad glided peacefully beside him, if that word could be used to describe a lich.It was he who led the Scourge to this frigid land, and Arthas had never asked.On the way to the army, he became more and more bored, so the curious prince pursed his lips and smiled. "So," he said jokingly, "do you mind if I kill you once?" "Don't be a fool," replied the resurrected necromancer, "The Lich King has told me how our encounter will end."

This surprised Alsace. "The Lich King knew I was going to kill you?" He frowned, looking down at the sword across his lap.Now it sleeps silently, no whispers, no radiance of energy shining from the runes. "Of course." Kel'Thuzad replied, with a bit of complacency in his gloomy voice. "He chose you to be his champion long before the Scourge was formed." Alsace felt increasingly unhappy.He was never consulted, or even informed of his fate.But now that he knew his fate, would he still accept it?No, he decided to himself.He doesn't want to be someone else's puppet, but he also knows the truth of Bao Jianfeng's sharpening.He has to move towards his destiny step by step, otherwise he should have refused, so that he and Jaina can still be together, and Uther and his father can-"If he is really omniscient, how can he Controlled by the fearful demon kings?"

"Because they serve the One who created our lord: the dreadful Lord of the Burning Legion." The word made Arthas shudder.The Burning Legion, with only a few numbers, somehow seemed to reveal an intoxicating power.Frostmourne also flickered slightly on his leg. "That is a huge army of demons that have destroyed countless worlds." Kel'Thuzad's voice seemed hypnotic. Alsace closed his eyes, and as the lich narrated, scenes gradually appeared in his mind.He saw a red world shrouded in a red sky.A herd of creatures swarmed down the ridge, running like hounds, but not wild beasts—they had monstrous jaws full of sharp teeth, and strange tentacles growing from their shoulders.The huge boulder with a green tail flame descended from the sky, and it seemed to be alive and charged towards the enemy.

"And now it's coming to burn the world. My Lord was born to pave the way for the Legion's coming. And the dreadlords were sent to make sure he did it." The scene in Arthas' mind changed. He saw a portal with ornate carvings. Although he had never seen it with his own eyes, he knew it was the Dark Portal.Green flames radiated from the door, and hordes of demons surrounded it.Arthas shook his head, and the scene in front of him receded. "So the plague of Lordaeron, the fortress of Northrend, and the massacre of those elves...are all preparing for the large-scale invasion of demons?"

"Yes. Sooner or later you will find out that this coming war will affect our entire history." Alsace thought carefully.Frostmourne had clearly come to life, so he took off the armor on his right hand and stroked it gently.Cold, bone-chilling cold.Even his bloody hand, the death knight's hand, felt a sting when it touched the blade. He heard whispers again, and laughed. "More than that, eh lich?" he asked, looking back at Kel'Thuzad. "You said those dreadlords imprisoned our master. Now tell me." Kel'Thuzad is no longer flesh and blood, so he doesn't have facial expressions to betray the inner workings.However, from the subtle changes in his undead body, Arthas could see the uneasiness in his heart.Even so, he said.

"The first phase of the Lich King's plan is to build the Scourge and destroy any organization that might stand in the way of the Legion's arrival." Alsace nodded. "For example, the army of Lordaeron... and the high elves." He felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest, but he didn't think much about it. "To be precise, the plan for the second stage is to summon the demon king to launch an invasion." The lich raised a bony finger, pointing in the direction they were heading. "There is an orc camp nearby, and they control a demon gate that is still functioning. I must use this portal to contact the demon king and listen to his instructions."

Alsace sat silent for a while on Invincible's back. He recalled fighting the orcs with Uther the Lightbringer in Steinbrad, recalling how the orcs had sacrificed humans to their demon masters.Both he and Uther were disgusted and horrified then.Arthas even flew into a rage, so Uther preached to him not to go into battle in anger. "If we let our rage turn to bloodthirsty, we'd be nothing more than orcs," Uther said. Well, Uther was dead, and Arthas was still killing orcs, but now he was working with demons.The muscles in the corners of his eyes twitched slightly. "Then what are we waiting for?" He shouted loudly, motivating Wudi to run forward.

The orcs fought valiantly, but it was pointless, any attempt to stop the Scourge was pointless.Arthas rode forward, nimbly over the orc-stretched corpses.He stared at the portal for a long time. For such a savage race, the three stone slabs that constituted the gate seemed a bit too elegant, even though there stood a huge animal skeleton with a dark red luster beside the gate.There is green energy slowly rotating in the space surrounded by the stone slabs.This is a passage to another world.Jaina would be interested in this, but it was too scary to pursue further.This is exactly her weakness.

This... is why she is Jaina... "The beasts are all killed." Arthas spat on the ground, "The Devil's Gate is yours, Lich." Trembling with excitement, the skeletal skeleton floated forward, raising its arms imploringly.There were several steps in front of the arch, and Arthas noticed that the lich did not go up.He just stood at the foot of the steps at a distance, either out of respect or simply to avoid being hurt. Arthas stepped back, looking intently from Invincible's back. "Here I come, Archimonde! Your humble servant requests your audience!" The green mist continued to swirl.Next, Arthas felt that he could vaguely discern a shape, a face, which was both similar and different from the dreadlord he was more familiar with.

Arthas guessed the creature's skin was bluish-gray, though it was difficult to see against the green light.However, there is no doubt that this demon's body is extremely strong, his chest is as strong and strong as a bucket, his arms are thick and powerful, and his lower body looks like a goat - Archimonde's legs are bent back, and he has a long On sheep's hooves instead of feet.In contrast to Archimonde's calm and controlled demeanor, his tail wags behind him.His shoulders and limbs are covered in shining golden armor, adorned with skulls and spikes.Two slender tentacles dangled from his chin, but the most striking thing about that long face were his eyes, which shone with an evil green light even brighter than the green mist swirling around him.Even though Archimonde wasn't here and didn't really enter this world, his presence moved Alsace. "You called my name, little lich, and here I come." The demon rumbled, and Arthas felt every bone in him vibrate. "You are Kel'Thuzad, aren't you?" Kel'Thuzad bowed his horned head, but Arthas noticed that he showed no sign of subservience. "Yes, great Lord, I am the one who summons you. I beg you, tell me how to open the passage to this world for you. I exist only to serve you." "You must find a special tome." The demon king chanted loudly. He looked at Arthas for a moment, and then turned his eyes away without seeing him.This made Arthas secretly annoyed. "That is the only remaining spell book of Medivh, the last guardian. Only his lost spells are powerful enough to bring me into your world. That tome is preserved in Dalaran, the city of mortals. Where can I find it? It. Three days later, at dusk, you can start summoning." Archimonde's image disappeared, while Arthas stared at the place for a long time. Dalaran, which is the largest magic center on the continent of Azeroth except Quel'Thalas. Dalaran, that's where Jaina Proudmoore was trained.She might still be there now.A burst of pain flashed through his heart. "Azeroth's most powerful mages defend Dalaran," he said slowly to Kel'Thuzad. "It is impossible for us to hide our whereabouts, and they will take the time to fight us." "Like Quel'Thalas?" Kel'Thuzad let out a hollow laugh. "Think about how easily this army crushed them. Dalaran will end the same way. Besides, don't forget that I was also a member of the Kirin Tor and had a close relationship with Antonidas. When When I was a mortal, Dalaran was like home to me. I knew its secrets, its defensive spells, and how to sneak in where they couldn't guard. Those guys wanted me to give up my Road and fate, and now it's my turn to punish them with terror, and it feels so sweet. Fear not, Death Knight, we will not fail.No one, nothing, can stop the Scourge. " Out of the corner of Alsace's eye, he caught some movement. He turned his head and saw the floating spirit that had been Sylvanas Windrunner.Apparently she had heard all of their conversation and had seen his reaction to this new assignment. "You were moved by this talk about Dalaran," she said slyly. "Shut up, ghost." He whispered, but in his mind he recalled the scene when he escorted Jaina through the gates of Dalaran for the first time, and the innocence of that time would never return. "Maybe, there is someone you care about? Good memories?" The damned banshee refused to stop.He let himself go into rage, raised a hand, and made her writhe in pain for a moment. "Don't say another word," he warned. "Do your thing." Cirvanas was silent, but there was a cruel and satisfied smile on her pale and terrifying face. "I can help." Jaina's voice was so calm that she didn't expect it.She was standing in Antonidas' sweet, lovely, and surprisingly messy study, staring gravely at her master. "I've learned enough." The archmage stared out the window with his hands behind his back, with a calm expression as if he was watching the students practicing. "No," he said softly. "You have other responsibilities." He turned to look at her with a look on his face that made Jaina's heart sink. "That was me and Tenaris, may the Holy Light rest in his soul... The two of us have shirked responsibility. Because of refusing to listen to that strange prophet, he died under the murder of his own son, and the entire kingdom was destroyed. Death rampages for the ruins." Until now, Jaina hadn't dared to face the reality he was telling.Alsace... still can't believe it.She had loved him so much...even until now.She always prayed silently in her heart, thinking that he must be swayed by some irresistible force.Because, if he said it from the heart..." He asked me too. And I was arrogant and self righteous. So, dear, we are where we are today. We have to do what we choose Live...or die," Antonidas said mournfully, and Jaina blinked hard to keep the tears from flowing. "Let me stay. I can-" "Protect those you have promised to protect, Jaina Proudmoore," Antonidas said, with a stern tone in his voice and expression. "One more and one less...it doesn't make any difference. There are other people counting on you." "Antonidas..." She couldn't speak any more, and rushed forward to hug him.She had never dared to hug him before, he always looked so intimidating.But now, Antonidas looked... old. Yes, old and feeble, and worst of all...resigned to fate. "Baby," he said affectionately, patting her on the back and laughing. "No, you're not a child anymore. You're a woman now, and a leader. And, you'd better go." A voice came from outside, clear, powerful and familiar.Jaina felt like she had been hit hard.She gasped, and broke free from her mentor's embrace. "Mages of the Kirin Tor! I am Arthas, the number one death knight of the Lich King! I want you to open the city gates and surrender to the Scourge immediately!" Death knight?Jaina turned to look at Antonidas in shock, and the archmage smiled sadly at her. "I should have told you earlier...but at least now you know." She felt dizzy for a while.Arthas... right here... the archmage strode to the balcony.His old and withered hands trembled a little, and his voice was as loud as Alsace's before. "Hello, Prince Arthas." Antonidas said loudly. "How is your honorable father?" "My lord Antonidas," Arthas replied. Where is he?right outside?Would she be able to see Antonidas if she stepped out of the balcony and stood next to him? "You don't need to be sarcastic." Jaina turned her head and wiped her eyes. She wanted to say something, but it was stuck in her throat. "We are ready for your arrival, Arthas." Antonidas continued calmly. "We have already set up a defensive enchantment, which can destroy any undead that breaks in." "Your poor magic can't stop me, Antonidas. You must have heard what happened to Quel'Thalas? They thought they were invulnerable, too." Quel'Thalas.Jaina felt nauseous.She was there when the survivors who managed to escape reported to Dalaran, and so was Prince Quel'dorei.He had never seen Kael'thas so... so enraged, so shocked, so pained.She wanted to comfort him with gentle words, but Kael'thas turned his head and stared at her furiously, making her swallow the words that came to her lips. "Don't say anything." Kael'thas clenched his fists and roared.Jaina was horrified to see that he could hardly contain himself from touching her. "Silly girl. Is this the monster you slept with?" Jaina blinked, stunned, not expecting such crude words to come from such an educated mouth. "I--" But he didn't want to hear what she said at all. "Alsace is a butcher! He killed thousands of innocent civilians! The blood on his hands would not be washed away by the sea. And you still love him? Choose him instead of me?" His normally melodious, self-contained voice became hoarse as he spoke the last few words.Tears welled up in Jaina's eyes, and she suddenly understood.Kael'thas attacked her because he couldn't attack the real enemy.Powerless and helpless, he can only vent his anger on the nearest target.Take it out on her, Jaina Proudmoore; he had courted her love and failed in the end. "Alas... Kael'thas," Jaina called out softly, "he did...terrible things," she began, "the suffering of your people—" "You don't even know what pain is!" he cried. "You're just a child, a simple-minded child. Give your heart to that—the—he killed them, Jaina, and then Turn corpses into undead!" Jaina watched him in silence, she understood his feelings now, and the words no longer stung her. "He killed my father, Jaina, as he killed his own father, and I—I wish I was there." "Die with him? Die with the rest of your people? What's the use of committing suicide like this—" As soon as she opened her mouth, she realized that she had said the wrong thing.Kael'thas immediately interrupted her sharply. "I can stop him. I should stop him." He straightened up, his anger was suddenly dispelled by coldness, and then he leaned over exaggeratedly, "I want to leave Dalaran immediately. Saying it is worthless." The emptiness and meaning in his voice frightened Jaina. "What an idiot I was to think you humans would help. I bid farewell to this place of the folly of the old and the ambition of the young, and you can't help at all. My people need me to take over the leadership Burden—” He was silent, then swallowed hard. "I must go to them. To the few survivors. Those who endured and were born again by the blood of the dead. And the dead, who now serve your beloved." He walked away, furious in every inch of his graceful, slender frame, and Jaina felt his pain. And now, here he was; Arthas was here, commanding an army of undead, himself a death knight.Antonidas' voice brought her back to her senses suddenly, and she blinked, trying to return to reality. "Take your army and retreat, or we will have to go all out against you! Make up your mind, death knight." Antonidas retreated from the balcony and turned to look at Jaina. "Jaina," he said in his usual voice, "we're about to set up the anti-portation barrier. You have to go now or you'll be stuck here." "Maybe I can persuade him... Maybe I can..." She fell silent suddenly, thinking about these unrealistic thoughts of her own.She hadn't even stopped him from killing innocent citizens of Stratholme, or from traveling to Northrend, even though she knew it was a trap.He hadn't listened to her even then, and if Arthas was indeed swayed by some dark force, how could he be dissuaded by her now? She took a deep breath and stepped back, Antonidas nodded tenderly.She had a thousand words she wanted to say to this man, to her mentor, her guide.But all she could do was smile hard at him.They both knew it was probably his last battle, but she couldn't even say goodbye. "I'll take care of our people," she muttered, before casting a teleport spell and disappearing. The first phase of the battle is over, and Arthas has had his way.He had already obtained the Book of Medivh, a large and heavy tome bound in red leather inlaid with gold, with a black raven with outstretched wings elaborately engraved on the cover.The book was still stained with Antonidas' blood, and Arthas wondered if it would make it more effective. Invincible moved under him, stepped on his front hooves and shook his neck, as if it still had a body that was infested by mosquitoes and flies. They looked down on Dalaran from the top of a hill, the city's towers glowing with gold and white and purple despite the blood in the streets.The mages who fought him not so long ago are now at his side.Most of them were too physically damaged to be used as cannonballs for incoming enemies, but some... some could still be useful.The skills they learned in life are now used by the Lich King after death. Kel'Thuzad was as excited as a child on Winter Veil morning, flipping through the Book of Medivh, preoccupied with this new treasure.So Alsace was a little unhappy. "The ring of power has been arranged as you requested, Lich. Are you ready to start the summoning?" "Almost there," replied the undead, turning a page in the book with his skeletal fingers. "There's so much to absorb. Medivh's knowledge of demons alone is astounding. I suspect he's actually far more powerful than anyone ever imagined." As Kel'Thuzad spoke, a dark green vortex began to form, and Tichondrius emerged just as he finished speaking.The dreadlord's tone was as haughty and conceited as ever, and Arthas was even more upset. "What is certain is that he is not yet strong enough to escape death. In a word, the work he started will be completed by us... just today. Let the calling begin! " He disappeared just as quickly.Kel'Thuzad drifted toward the summoned location.In the middle of the area marked by four small obelisks, there is a shiny circle with arcane symbols engraved on it.As Kel'Thuzad took his place with the book, the circle's borders glowed purple with life.At the same time, with a slight explosion, eight pillars of fire shot up from his side.Kel'Thuzad turned his head, staring at Arthas with shining eyes. "Survivors in Dalaran can sense the power of this spell," Kel'Thuzad warned. "Don't let them interfere with me, or we're done." "I will protect your bones, lich," Arthas assured her. As Kel'Thuzad had promised, it would be fairly easy to go into Dalaran, kill those who had warded them off, and get what they needed.Alsace even killed the Archmage Antonidas. He thought how powerful this man was. Had Jaina been there, he believed she would have come out to him and begged him as before.But she hadn't succeeded before, and she wasn't going to have better luck this time, unless—he was glad he didn't have to fight her. Arthas suddenly brought his attention back to the present. The gates of Dalaran flew open, and Arthas pursed his gray lips into a smile.Previously, natural disasters had the advantage of surprise attacks.Yes, there will always be many powerful mages in Dalaran, but they don't have well-trained soldiers, and it's not like all the mages of the Kirin Tor are in the city.But now after so many hours, and they are not idle. They teleported an army. very good.He needed a tough fight just to get those thoughts about Jaina Proudmoore and his teenage days buried in his mind. He held up Frostmourne, felt the excitement of the sword in his hand, and heard the soft voice of the Lich King in his head. "Frostmourne is hungry and thirsty," he said to his army, pointing his sword at the armored defenders of the great mage's city. "Let us satisfy its thirst." The Scourge roared, and Sylvanas' scream of pain was louder than the piercing roar, which made Arthas laugh even more.Even though she was dead and unable to disobey his orders, she still defied him, and he took pleasure in forcing her to kill those she would rather protect.Under him, Invincible curled up, and then rushed forward at full speed with a long hiss.Some of his terrifying host stayed behind to protect Kel'Thuzad, but the vast majority followed their leader.Among the soldiers sent by the Kirin Tor to defend the city, Arthas recognized the uniform patterns of many.They had been friends once, but that was all in the past, as irrelevant as yesterday's weather.It was so much easier to come down, to think of nothing but contentment.Frostmourne feasted on souls just as merrily, rising and falling, chipping through plate as easily as flesh. The first wave of soldiers has fallen, either resurrected to fight the Scourge, or left behind worthlessly.At this moment, a second wave of attacks rushed up again, this time with the help of mages in the team. They wore Dalaran's purple robes with huge eye emblems embroidered on them.However, Alsace also had his reinforcements. It seems that demons also want to protect themselves. Huge meteorites whizzed down from the sky, trailing green fel flames behind them.Their impact shook the ground, leaving a huge crater, and then stone golem-like things crawled out, bound and controlled by evil green energies. Arthas glanced over his shoulder, Kel'Thuzad suspended in the air, hands outstretched, horned head thrown back.Crackling energy shot out of him, gradually forming a green sphere. Then, the Lich suddenly lowered his arms and stepped out of the circle step by step. "Come on, Lord Archimonde!" Kel'Thuzad shouted: "Enter this world, let us bathe in your power!" The green sphere radiated light, expanding and rising, becoming brighter.Suddenly, a pillar of fire shot straight into the sky, as if in response, several bolts of lightning crackled down and hit the outer edge of the ring.Then, where there had been nothing, rose a figure—tall and strong, with a certain dark and dangerous grace.Arthas turned his attention back to the battlefield.The sound of retreat sounded, apparently the mages saw what was going on, their army turned around and rushed back to Dalaran, the sanctuary - although in Arthas's view, it was only temporarily safe.As they fled, a low, booming voice rose above the din of the battle. "Tremble, mortals, despair! Destruction has come to this world!" Arthas raised his hand, and with a simple gesture, the Scourge army stopped and retreated.As he galloped towards Kel'Thuzad, keeping his eyes on the gigantic demon, Tichondrius teleported over.As usual, he waited until all danger had passed. The dreadlord bowed deeply.Arthas pulled the rein from afar and watched. "Lord Archimonde, all preparations have been completed." "Very well, Tichondrius," replied Archimonde, nodding casually at the lesser demon. "The Lich King is useless to me. The Scourge is now under the command of your Dreadlord." Arthas was suddenly grateful for the time he had spent in his meditation training.It was only in this way that he could control his shock and anger from showing.Even so, Wudi felt the change in him and jumped up nervously.He yanked on the reins to calm the undead steed.Is the Lich King already useless?Why?Who the hell is he and what happened to him?What will happen to Alsace? "Soon, I will order the Legion to begin the invasion. But first, I will use these tiny wizards to make an example...and make their cities the dust of history." He strode down, standing proud and majestic, his hooves pounding the ground with every step, his armor changing rose and gold and lavender in the twilight.Beside him, Tichondrius followed suit, always bowing respectfully. Arthas waited patiently for them to go away, and then turned to Kel'Thuzad and shouted: "Are you kidding! What's the matter? " "Be patient, young death knight. This is also in the Lich King's predictions. There may be a place for you in his grand plan." perhaps?Alsace quickly turned his head to look at Kel'Thuzad, he stretched his nose, and finally suppressed his anger.Whether it be the demons or the Lich King himself - if anyone thinks of Arthas as a disposable tool, he will let them know how wrong that idea is right away.He's done too much—lost too much, and given up too much for it. All this cannot be for nothing.All this must not be for nothing. The earth rumbled and shook.Invincible moved restlessly, raising his horse's hooves as if trying to minimize contact with the ground.Arthas cast a quick glance up at the Mage City.The city's towers are always a lovely sight at this time of day, shining with pride and glory in the growing twilight.But when he looked, there was a low cracking sound.Suddenly, slowly and relentlessly, the spire of the tallest and most beautiful tower in the city fell, rolling and falling, as if an invisible giant hand had grasped the middle of the tower by its waist. The rest of the city soon shattered and collapsed, and the sound of destruction echoed in Arthas' ears like thunder.The sound frightened him a little, but he didn't move his eyes away. He single-handedly contributed to the fall of Silvermoon City and led the natural disaster army to break it.But this—it's like a wave of your hand, it's easy... Silvermoon City is the prize of bloody battles.And Archimonde seems to be able to destroy the greatest city of mankind without being on the battlefield. Arthas scratched his chin thoughtfully, mulling over Archimonde and Tichondrius. Between his legs, Frostmourne shone brightly.