Chapter 21 Chapter 21

Arthas waited patiently on top of a grassy hill, knowing that the man would appear.At the same time, he couldn't help thinking how useful it would be to have a lich like Kel'Thuzad by his side. He is loyal to the Lich King, and even if he begs for mercy in front of Archimonde and Tichondrius, it is for the sake of secret operations.Arthas chose to remain silent. He didn't believe that he could lie like Kel'Thuzad without changing his face.Those two demons, who thought Arthas and Kel'Thuzad were nobody, would soon know how wrong they were.They carelessly left the Book of Medivh in the bony hands of the Lich.The spells and spells Kel'Thuzad had learned were so powerful that Arthas knew he would never understand them.

"The third part of the plan," Kel'Thuzad said after the demons had departed, as casually as if talking about the weather. "That is the real core part of the Legion Invasion." Arthas remembered what Kel'Thuzad had said before.The first step is to create the Scourge, then summon Archimonde.He now took a keen interest in Kel'Thuzad's words. "The Burning Legion came to this world solely to seize all magic and devour all life. They have always planned to absorb the powerful energy enriched in the Well of Eternity of the elves. To do this, they must destroy the thing that contains the most original and purest life essence of Azeroth.The Well of Eternity is located on the continent of Kalimdor on the other side of the ocean.And the thing that hinders the legion's plan is called Nordrassil... the tree of the world.It immortalized the Kaldorei, and they were bound to it. "

"Kaldorei?" Arthas was confused, "I know the Quel'dorei. Are they another kind of elves?" "It's the original species." Corrected Kel'Thuzad, he waved his hand indifferently, "Don't pay attention to these details. The key is that we must prevent the Legion from getting what it wants, and among the Kaldorei, there is one person who will help us. " So just like that, Kel'Thuzad magically transported Alsace to this distant continent, and looked around from the top of this hill.The forest was lush and lush, but Arthas had seen the effects of the Legion from afar.The earth, the vegetation, the animals, they are not dead, they are corrupted.Devours all life, indeed.

A figure appeared on the top of another hillock below, Arthas smiled, the person he was waiting for finally came. These "night elves" were indeed very different.The elf's lavender-hued skin was engraved with swirling tattoos and scars, as if left over from some ritual.He was blindfolded with a black cloth, but it seemed that he had no effect on the mountain crossing.The style of the weapon in his hand was never seen by Alsace, unlike ordinary swords with a sharp blade attached to the handle.No, the weapon had two serrated blades that shone with a sickly green light, the kind of brilliance infested with demonic energy.So, this guy has dealt with demons before.

Arthas watched patiently for a while.The night elf, whom Kel'Thuzad called Illidan Stormrage, was secretly losing his temper.Clearly he harbored a grudge and, as Kel'Thuzad said, longed for vengeance and power. Alsace laughed. "I've been imprisoned for 10,000 years, and my own brother still thinks I'm a big villain!" Illidan roared. "I'll show him my true power. I'll show him the demons that are fighting against me!" It's vulnerable to a single blow!" "Are you sure it will be like that, demon hunter?" Arthas' voice came from afar.Hearing the words, the night elf turned around and waved the weapon in his hand. "Human, you have the breath of death in you. You will regret being close to me."

Arthas sneered.He longed for a good one-on-one fight. "Come on, then," he said invitingly, "and you'll find we're evenly matched." Invincible reared up and rushed down the hill, as eager as his master was.With a low growl, Illidan rushed forward. It was almost like a dance, Arthas thought as the two fighters faced each other.Illidan is strong and graceful, and his combat skills are enhanced by demonic energy.But Arthas is no ordinary pawn, and Frostmourne is no ordinary soldier.The battle was fierce and fast.They are indeed evenly matched.After a short while, both fighters stepped back, panting heavily.

"We could fight like this forever," Illidan said. "What do you want?" Arthas lays down Frostmourne. "From what you said to yourself earlier, I have heard that you and your allies are haunted by undead. The dreadlord who commands this army of undead is called Tichondrius. He wields a powerful sorcerer's artifact called ancient The Skull of Er'dan. It is this thing that has corrupted the forest here." Illidan raised his head. "You want me to steal that? Why?" Arthas raised his white eyebrows slightly.The guy's reaction was really fast, and he decided to give him a plausible answer. "Let's put it this way, I have no love for Tichondrius, and the downfall of the Legion...is beneficial to the master I serve."

"Why should I believe your words, small human being?" Arthas shrugged. "Good question. Then let me explain. My master foresaw everything, Demon Hunter. He knows that you have been seeking power all your life. The power is now within your grasp! He raised one armored hand toward Illidan's blindfolded face and clenched it into a fist. As he expected, the night elf turned his head at his gesture. "Hold it and let your enemies Ashes and annihilation. " Illidan raised his head slowly, turning his face to Arthas.The blind man's apparent ability to see disturbed him a little.The elf stepped back, nodding thoughtfully.Alsace didn't say another word, turned his invincible horse's head and left.

Kel'Thuzad will call him back soon.Everything is going according to the Lich King's plan.He just hoped that Illidan would do what he said on the surface.Otherwise... it will be troublesome. She was not alive and powerless to resist the orders of the man who had transformed her into this new form. But Sylvanas Windrunner has a will of her own. For some reason, Arthas did not break her will.He has done this to everyone else, why does it seem that she is the only one who has not completely succumbed to him?Is it because of her own strength?Or did he take pleasure in the torture?As a banshee, she may never know.But if Arthas took pleasure in giving her free will, she would have the last laugh.

She made a vow to herself, and Sylvanas always kept her promise. Since Alsace?After Menethil and the Scourge decimated her beloved homeland, the world of the living ticked away in time, with many events happening one after the other. Her so-called "master" does not want to be someone else's pawn.That haughty Kel'Thuzad, a pile of bones floating around, corrupted precisely because of his glorious Sunwell.Arthas conspired with him against the dreadlord Tichondrius, and Kel'Thuzad personally introduced Archimonde, the demon lord of Azeroth.Sylvanas was watching closely, and any information Arthas leaked, including how he thought about how to fight, would be useful to her.

He did not kill Tichondrius with his own hands, as he did with Melganis.Oh no, that cunning ex-human prince went to someone else to get rid of the Dreadlord.That poor guy was called Illidan, and Arthas felt Illidan's desire for strength, so he used this weakness to drive him to steal a magic weapon, the skull of the famous warlock Gul'dan.As a result, Illidan had to kill Tichondrius. Arthas can get rid of the dreadlord, and Illidan can get the treasure that satisfies his desire.Presumably everything will work out according to plan.Arthas and Sylvanas have not heard from Illidan since then. As for Archimonde, the demon so powerful that he could destroy Dalaran, the city of great mages, with a single spell, fell under the life energy he came to devour. Sylvanas now hated the living as much as the Legion, so Archimonde's death brought her mixed feelings. The night elves sacrificed their immortality to defeat him.The pure, concentrated force of nature destroyed the demon from within, and the World Tree violently released its huge energy, bursting out a violent shock wave.Archimonde crashed down, leaving only a bare skeleton, and the Legion's plan to gain a foothold in this world also came to naught. A name came to Cirvanas' ears suddenly, causing her to turn her attention from meditation to reality. The name of the Demon King, no one would regret his death. "I haven't heard from Lord Archimonde for several months." Their leader Detherok said, impatiently stamping the ground with his hoof. "Spying on these rotting undead is killing me! What are we doing here?" The place where they were was once the palace gardens, and it was through here that Arthas went to assassinate his father, and then bring destruction to his own people, and it seemed like three autumns before his eyes.Now the garden is as corrupt and withered as the people. "We are responsible for overseeing this land, Detheroc." Another demon named Balnazar reproached. "It's our job to make sure we're prepared to act in natural disasters." "Yes," said the third demon, Varimathras, "though we should have received some orders by now." Sylvanas could hardly believe what she heard, and she turned to Kel'Thuzad.Sylvanas despised him as much as she despised the death knight he served so faithfully, but she hid her distaste well. "The Legion was defeated months ago," she whispered. "How did they not know?" "Who knows," replied the lich. "But the longer they command, the more the Scourge gets messed up. If not—" His words were suddenly interrupted, and Sylvanas never expected to hear such a voice here—it was a door being slammed into pieces.Both undead looked in the direction of the sound. The demons roared angrily, and then bent their black webbed wings vigilantly. Cirvanas slightly widened her shining ghost eyes, and it was Arthas himself who rushed through the door.He was riding on that undead army horse, without a helmet, letting his long white hair hang down on his pale face, showing a smile that Cirvanas hated. Her disembodied hands wanted to clenched into fists, but the control Arthas exerted on her only allowed her to move her fingers. Alsace's cheerful voice echoed. "Hello, Dreadlords." They all stared at him, belittling such arrogance. "I have to thank you for running my kingdom while I'm on tour. But now I don't need you." For a moment, they just stared at him dumbfounded. Then, Balnazar regained consciousness and retorted. "This land belongs to us, and the Scourge belongs to the Burning Legion!" Ah, thought Sylvanas, now begins. Arthas laughed even harder, and there was palpable joy in his voice. "Not now, fiend. Your master is defeated. The Legion is destroyed. Now you need to die." He held up Frostmourne with a sneer, and the runes on the blade danced brightly.He tightened the reins, and the skeleton warhorse rushed towards the three demons. "There's no end to you, human!" Deseroc shouted in protest.The dreadlords were faster than Arthas' skeleton steeds—the demons had already opened the portal and disappeared before Frostmourne fell.The runeblade that cut through the air in vain let out a low hum of defeat.Arthas frowned angrily, but soon became happy again.Sylvanas knew that he had driven the dreadlords away, and it was only a matter of time before they were finished. He raised his head, met Sylvanas' eyes, and motioned for her to go over.Sylvanas was forced to obey.Kel'Thuzad didn't need to be forced, he was like a tame and loyal dog, happily floating to his master's side. "We know you will come back to us, Prince Arthas." The Lich said happily. Arthas barely glanced at his loyal servant, only focusing on Sylvanas. "I'm so touched." He said sarcastically, "Then you also know that I'll be back, little banshee?" "Yes." Cirvanas said coldly.Indeed, he had to come back, or she would never have the chance for revenge.He twitched his fingers involuntarily, so she gasped and felt a violent tremor all over her body. "Prince Arthas," she added. "Ah, but you'll have to call me king now. This, after all, is my country.I was born to rule this land, and I shall reign over all.if only--" His words came to an abrupt end, he took a deep breath, his eyes widened, his face contorted with pain.He fell on the horse's bony neck, his armored hands clutching the reins, and let out a scream of pain. Sylvanas watched as she was happiest since that nightmarish day when Quel'Thalas fell.She regards his pain as nectar.Despite not knowing what happened to him, Sylvanas savored every second of it. He lifted his head with a grunt, gazing at something she couldn't see, then reached out his hand pleadingly. "This pain...is unbearable." Alsace said through clenched teeth. "What's wrong with me?" He listened attentively, as if an inaudible voice was answering him. "King of Arthas!" Kel'Thuzad exclaimed, "Do you need help?" Alsace didn't answer right away, he took a deep breath, sat up slowly, and calmed himself down. "No...no, the pain is over, but...my strength...weakened." His voice was bewildered.If Sylvanas had a beating heart, it would have jumped out for those words. "Something's wrong, I—" The pain struck again, he twitched and threw his head back, the veins on his neck burst out, and he opened his mouth silently to cry out in pain.Kel'Thuzad floated anxiously beside his beloved master, like a worried and bewildered nanny.And Cirvanas just watched the spasm pass coldly.Arthas climbed off Invincible's body slowly and carefully, his boots slipped on the slate, and he fell heavily to the ground.The lich hurried forward and reached out to support the prince—no, the self-proclaimed king stood up. "My old room," gasped Arthas. "I need to rest—and then get ready for a long trip." Sylvanas watched Arthas stagger away feebly, walking towards the room where he lived since childhood.She curled her lips into a smile... and her insubstantial fingers twitched hard for a moment, clenched into a pair of angry fists. The forest of silver pine was eerily still, and the mist swirled softly over the damp earth strewn with pine needles.Sylvanas knew that if she had a body, she would feel the softness under her feet and breathe the evergreen fragrance of the moist air.But she couldn't feel or smell anything.Her ethereal body floated towards the meeting place.It was only her eagerness to talk that kept her from lamenting the loss of her senses. After having "success" in her, Arthas took pleasure in turning the beautiful, proud, strong Quel'dorei women into banshees.He handed them over to Sylvanas, the living Ranger-General to command them like a bone to a loyal hound.He would soon learn what a loyal pet she would be, and after overhearing the conversations of the dreadlords earlier, she sent a banshee to confer with them and get information.The demons gladly received the emissary, and invited her mistress to come and join them tonight to discuss "mutually beneficial cooperation as far as the Banshee Queen is concerned." Deep in the woods, she saw a faint green flash and floated there.Sure enough, they were waiting for her as they said—the three tall demons turned towards her together, flapping their wings to reveal their inner worries. Balnazar spoke first: "Ms. Sylvanas, we are very glad that you can come." "Why don't I come?" she replied. "For some reason, I can no longer hear the voice of the Lich King in my head. I have regained my will." Indeed, it was this will that kept her from showing the triumph in her voice Affection.They just need to know what she lets them know. "You dreadlords seem to know why." They gave each other a wink and laughed together. "We find that the power of the Lich King is draining," Varimathras said, with wicked pleasure in his voice. "After he becomes weaker, his ability to control undead like you is also declining." If true, that's really good news.But it wasn't enough for Sylvanas. "And what about King Arthas?" she pressed, unable to hold back a sneer as she called the death knight's title. "And what about his power?" Balnazar waved his hand with black claws indifferently. "He will haunt us no more, like a summer mayfly. While his runeblade, Frostmourne, is magically powerful, Arthas' own power will wane with time. It is inevitable. of." Cirvanas is not as sure as he is.She herself had underestimated Alsace, and in addition to the cold hatred in her heart, she also felt remorse and guilt for his bloody victory. "You want my assistance in trying to overthrow him," she said bluntly. Deseroc seemed to be their leader, standing quietly by while his brothers spoke to Sylvanas with anger and excitement.Now, he finally spoke, with complete disgust in his cold voice. "The Legion may have been defeated, but we are Narezim, and we cannot let nouveaux-like humans ride on our heads." He paused and looked at them one by one. "Alsace must die!" Shining green eyes fixed on Sylvanas. "You're watching us, little ghost, and we're watching too. Obviously, the lich Kel'Thuzad is too loyal to betray his master. Those two seem to be... in love." His gray Lips curved into a dangerous smile. "As for you, that's another matter..." "I hate him." The hatred in her heart was so strong that even if she wanted to hide it, she didn't believe that she could hide it. "We are here to join forces, Dreadlord. I have my own reasons for revenge. Arthas killed my people and turned me into this... monster." Sylvanas paused, she said to Arthas The loathing of having committed crimes with him was so strong that she could hardly speak for a moment.And they complacently waited patiently. They thought they could use her, and they were wrong. "I will join you in a bloody coup, but I will do it my own way." She needs them as allies, but they must know that she is not to be manipulated. "I don't want one master to fall and another one to come. If you want me to help you, you must accept this condition." Deserock smiled. "Then let's kill that death knight together." Cirvanas nodded, a smile slowly appeared on his terrifying face. "Your time is numbered, King Arthas Menethil. And I... I am the hourglass that keeps time."