Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 11 11. Well, kid, is there you too?
The Enlightener, Thal'kiel, is known as the most influential spellcaster leader in the history of the development of the Eredar civilization after the first wizard, Augure.

This statement is certainly suspected of being exaggerated and self-serving. After all, the First Wizard was a figure from the "mythological era" tens of thousands of years ago. To put it bluntly, many people have doubts about whether this person actually existed in the history of the Eredar.

And Sachir is not a genius that came out of nowhere.

No matter how talented he is, he still needs to study the ancient traditions, receive training from a mentor, and practice hard on his own to achieve his current status, which is as prestigious as the two-person ruling group. Ignoring the efforts and accumulation of such a person and simply describing him as "talented" is a humiliation to his entire life.

But what no one can ignore is that the Enlightener's reputation in the Eredar civilization is indeed terrifyingly high.

There are rumors that thousands of years ago, the two archons considered inviting the Initiate to join the two-person ruling group and share the supreme power of the Eredar with them, but the Initiate, who was immersed in studying the path of arcane truth at the time, rejected the temptation of power without hesitation.

He believed that the pursuit of practical power would interfere with his passion for arcane truth.

Regardless of whether this rumor is true or false, it proves that in the eyes of the former enlighteners, the worship of material things is undoubtedly a betrayal of their spirit.

However, no matter how wise a person is, he or she cannot avoid mental troubles. Once deeply trapped in troubles, it can easily have a very bad impact on one's firm will and noble character.

Thal'kiel began to study the mysteries of fel energy more than ten years ago. He once declared to the two archons that the power of fel energy was the only hope for the Eredar to break the bottleneck they encountered in the arcane field. He personally demonstrated a series of fel energy secrets, including summoning demons, to Commander Kil'jaeden and Archon Velen.

He hoped that the Way of Fel Energy could be incorporated into the Eredar civilization system through formal inheritance.

That attempt failed.

Grand Archon Velen believed that the ways of fel energy and the ancient arcane arts were in serious conflict with the rapidly developing teachings of the Holy Light, while Lord Commander Kil'jaeden praised the demons' fighting prowess but expressed concern about whether spellcasters could perfectly control these violent creatures of the starry sky.

They jointly rejected Sachir's proposal, which dealt a heavy blow to the Enlightener, who announced his retirement a few days later.

His power and status were basically inherited by Archimonde, but Sachir did not really lose his determination and "stubbornness" as a spellcaster.

The Awakener Cult was the product of that failure.

This organization, originally founded under the name of "Spellcaster Exchange Group", has become a snake with its tail hidden in the shadow of the Eredar civilization after more than ten years of development due to the terrifying reputation bonus of Sachir among spellcasters.

The city of Oronaar is their base camp, but they are not only here.

Basically, wherever there are spellcasters gathered, you can see or hear the voice of the awakener cult.

Although there are still pure spellcasters who are fond of the righteous path of arcane in advanced institutions such as the Arcane Academy, it is undeniable that under the leadership and manipulation of Thal'kiel, the spellcasting group of the Eredar has essentially rebelled and stood in opposition to their own civilization.

Dick dared to say that if all the current Eredar arcanists were taken back and shot, there would definitely be false charges and wrongful convictions, but if every other one was shot, there would inevitably be some that slipped through the net.

The reason why it caused such a big uproar but did not cause social unrest before the coup was simply because even in the Eredar society, which is naturally energy-friendly, skilled spellcasters are a minority among the minority.

Their number is small, but that doesn't mean they have little influence.

The real situation on the eve of the coup was so troublesome and exaggerated, otherwise Archimonde would not have been so confident that as long as he quelled the rebellion crisis, he could leap into the political center of the Eredar civilization.

But in Dick's eyes at this moment, the Enlightener himself, who possessed such terrifying power, was in an extremely bad condition.

The once high-spirited and talented spellcaster leader now looks old and frail.

His neck was bent forward, his spine was visibly twisted and mutated, his once handsome face was covered with wrinkles, and strange, visible gray patches appeared on the iconic blue face of the Eredar.

The pair of clear eyes that were once praised for being able to decipher arcane truths had become cloudy. His hands had transformed into claws due to years of exposure to fel energy, and the skin on his arms and neck was so rough that it looked like some kind of scale armor.

That's not an illusion.

That is the "magic armor" technique brought about by symbiosis with demons.

He sat on the jeweled throne belonging to the leader of the arcanists like a walking corpse that had lost its spiritual support, with his once beloved ruby staff placed next to him and a rather hideous skull weapon toying with in his other hand.

Although that thing also had horns, its ferocious face definitely meant it was not some unlucky Eredar spellcaster.

The most outstanding spellcasters in all of Argus stood beside him, but the brilliance of arcane light was gone, replaced by a strong smell of sulfur and an aura of violence that was no longer concealed.

There were green lights flashing in their eyes, and the arcane sigils on their foreheads had all transformed into more violent sigils of fel energy.

That was the beginning of the body's alienation after being deeply contaminated by evil energy.

Most of their servants had already completed some kind of evil ritual, causing their skin to completely transform into a more glaring red. Black bone spurs and dark green fel energy crystals burst out of their bodies, leaving them with smelly scars on their faces and bodies.

But for these fel servants who call themselves "Man'ari (the Fallen)", this is just a "small price" to gain power.

Although it is still within the scope of spellcasters, compared to the flexibility, delicacy, ingenuity, elegance and infinite changes of arcane magic, the more brutal and intuitive destructive power and "not picky about talent" adaptability of fel magic are obviously more suitable for those who need strength to do "big things".

Dick was certain that among those standing beside him there must be individuals disguised as demons.

On the eve of the coup, the Awakener Cult no longer concealed their hypocrisy and had fully revealed their hidden power.

It was in this situation, surrounded by dangerous enemies, that the disarmed Dick revealed the news of Archimonde's betrayal and betrayal under the cold gaze of the Enlightened One.

When he first said this, he immediately drew undisguised sneers and ridicule from the Awakeners' top leaders.

But as Dick presented more and more evidence, as he dissected Archimonde's thoughts and desires and described his actions, the mocking voices quickly faded.

When Dick told them that Archimonde's followers had gathered in the Academy of Mysteries and would come to the core of the cult at midnight to carry out a decapitation operation against the Enlightened One, even the Enlightened One himself became interested, while the others were already silent.

Smart people always believe in the power of logic.

They believed that they could deduce the truth of what was about to happen based on a series of facts, and the news brought by Dick and a series of inferences made them realize that the most powerful individual among them seemed to have betrayed them in order to seek some more realistic reward than the "blessing of evil energy."

"You should have prepared in advance, when Archimonde entered here with the heart of a beast and tried to kill the Enlightened One, to execute the traitor in a more cold and ruthless manner! You should have killed him and regarded it as a cruel sign that the fel was destined to possess this world."

At the end of his speech, Dick said this.

His proposal was cold and cunning, causing some spellcasters to exchange glances with each other. It was obvious that they enjoyed this dramatic and ironic scene of the traitor's captivity.

But no one spoke at this time.

All eyes turned to the Enlightener who sat on the throne of the spellcaster leader.

He is the leader of their fel path, the spokesperson of the Burning Legion on Argus, and the pioneer favored by the infinitely powerful "Benefactor".

The Enlightener's gaze, shimmering with dark green light amidst the turbidity, fell on Dick. Dick could feel the cold scrutiny and the sharp gaze that almost penetrated his soul. He was thinking in his mind how to respond to the sharp questioning that might come from the Enlightener.

After nearly a minute of silence, the Enlightener finally asked the question Dick had been preparing for:

"And you, Diakham?

Those who have left and returned, those who harbor murderous intentions, betrayers, seducers, those abandoned by the Holy Light, tell me, Diakum, who almost died in our hands, what exactly drove you to ignore the inevitable risk of death and come here to expose your former employer, even at the risk of being sacrificed to the devil by us?

Is it justice?

Or is it your broken Holy Light and morality that is driving you to make some kind of pathetic and helpless martyrdom attempt?

Do you wish to atone for your sins?

Do you think that atonement can make the Holy Light shine upon you again?"

This series of cleverly worded questions left Dick silent, but he didn't let those who were expecting answers wait too long. He quickly raised his head and looked directly into Sachir's sharp gaze.

He said in a sincere tone:
"I hope to see Archimonde die at your hands. This is my most honest thought at this moment! I don't want Archimonde to live, and I don't want him to ascend to a high position of power by stepping on your skulls.

Excuse me for being blunt, everyone, but none of you is a good person. If the Eredar have a hell, you are destined to be its permanent residents.

Just because you are a bunch of black-hearted bastards doesn't mean that Archimonde, who wants to end you, is the better choice for the world.
In my eyes, the danger he brings is ten times or even a hundred times greater than yours!
Although both sides may reach the same destination, you will only destroy the order of the Eredar that has existed for tens of thousands of years. However, the guy whom I regard as my enemy will break our backbone in a more cruel and crazy way.

That's the answer I came here for.

I wanted to see two pests bite each other, I wanted to see a poisonous snake strangle a toad, but I was alone and weak, and after escaping Archimonde's assassination, the craziest way I could think of to retaliate against him was to send me into another dead end.

If this is a chess game where only great men like you have the right to make moves, then I am the chess piece that jumped into it voluntarily. If this is a hunt where all is lost, then I have already put myself in the crosshairs.

"it is good!"

This answer made Sachir very satisfied.

Let this old devil worshipper, who has become delusional, stand up from the throne with his staff.

When the burly spellcaster stood up completely, his gray beard and the hair on the back of his head fluttered, and against the backdrop of the green glow lingering in the lecture hall, his hideous shadow stretched longer and longer, eventually forming shadow lines that enveloped others.

He responded with a roar:

"A sincere man! A self-destructive man who tried to use the truth to provoke evil and slaughter. A revenger who put himself in a desperate situation in exchange for the annihilation of his enemies. A martyr whose light of determination and courage burned like fire. Friends, brothers, servants!

As the age of darkness draws to a close, we have once again discovered a neglected gem.

Archimonde's betrayal is heartbreaking, but we already have another choice to replace him. I realize that the honor bestowed upon Diak'um as a sacrifice is not enough to fully tap his potential. In the final sacrificial ceremony, I will infuse his body with the most precious power of destruction.

We will finally have a fel vanguard bent on vengeance and destruction.
Take him away!" The Enlightened One waved his ruby staff and ordered:

"Grease him, carve patterns on him, and prepare him for his 'promotion'. As for the others, haven't you heard yet?
The desperate herald bird brought us news of a traitor, but that was no bad thing.

My apprentice and successor, Archimonde, has amazing talent, ambition, and a burning desire that make him the perfect sacrifice tonight! The Benefactor will grant us even greater power through this magnificent sacrifice, and his flesh, blood, and soul will belong to the Legion.

But his skull will be left to me!
Well, children, you may not know this, but I have also measured the head circumference of my disciple. His skull is surprisingly similar to the perfect skull of the First Wizard. He is also qualified to become the next First Wizard.

Unfortunately, he could not see the glorious day when he would stand at the pinnacle of power.

For betrayers, drowning in the blood of failure is the only outcome they can have.

Go ahead.

children. "

Sachir sat back on the throne and returned to his old and frail appearance.

He waved his hands and said casually:
"Disperse! Let this ambitious fellow lose his last bit of vigilance, let him confidently step into the trap prepared for him, let him see the hope of grasping power, and then cruelly shatter his future and everything he already has.

Well.
This kind of drama is really something you never get tired of watching.”

"Ha ha ha ha"

The fel warlocks accompanying Thal'kiel laughed.

Their shadows were also stretched and distorted in the glow of evil energy. In this true "dance of demons", Dick was taken down by two strong Manari.

He did not struggle or resist.

It's not the right time yet.

------

It was soon midnight.

Led by Archimonde himself, riding his magnificent jeweled thunder elephant, a team consisting of spellcasting instructors, guard garrison officers, and carefully selected senior students from the Arcane Academy is entering the city of Oronaar.

Of course, they did not openly come to overthrow the Awakeners on the eve of the coup under the name of "eradicating evil", but instead advanced covertly in the name of "Awakener branch".

In name, this was Archimonde summoning the Awakener faction from the Academy of Mysteries to come and "join in the celebration" with his mentor.

Archimonde's plan for tonight was simple.

He has already obtained the approval and support promise of the Grand Archon. He only needs to lead his men into the Grand Lecture Hall, remove the arcane defenses there, and personally complete the assassination of the leader Sachir, and things will end naturally afterwards.

After all, Archimonde was also afraid of his mentor.

He was well aware of the terrifying appeal that Sachir had among the spellcaster group. He believed that the lecture hall tonight would be "full of stars" and that those world-renowned spellcasters would be "all gathered". He had no chance of winning a head-on battle with them with the strength he had accumulated.

However, he was also familiar with the cunning nature of those spellcasters!
Once he executed Sachir, and then promised him an invitation to not pursue the case and to restore order, as well as the external environment of the Grand Archon's army approaching, there would inevitably be people who turned against him on the spot.

By then, the Awakener Cult will fall apart, and not only will he be able to achieve a great victory, but even the fel warlocks under the Enlightened One will become his servants in the shadows.

Ah, mentor, I will accept your final legacy without hesitation!
Driven by this train of thought, Archimonde felt both apprehensive and anticipatory about what was to come. On his way to the old city, the perceptive Archimonde noticed that in the darkness around him, there were sneaky shadows moving frequently on the tops of those dome-shaped buildings.

He recognized them as members of Lord Commander Kil'jaeden's Court of Assassins.

He knew that the "external help" he needed was already in place, and perhaps there was a large army hiding near the city of Oronaar.

Those are all “our own people”.

"Principal, the commander's support and dispatch arrived so promptly. This shows that they had indeed discovered the Awakener Cult's unusual movements. We have the advantage tonight."

The Grand Vizier Galasum beside him said something flattering, causing Archimonde to nod, and then he took a sheathed sword from Galasum's hand.

A classic Eredar-style prop, the exquisite and intricate handle is embellished with spell gems that can enhance magic power. When the sharp blade is pulled out, you can see the thin metal blade is wrapped in a layer of faint gem edge, and the blade is covered with inscriptions.

"According to your request, I had the magic craftsmen spend several months to create this magic blade."

Galasum whispered:
“It possesses astonishing spell-breaking power. Although over-strengthening the spell-breaking power has severely affected the durability of this knife, and it will break after two or three uses at most, you only need to use it once at the right moment.

Yes!

I can chop off that old bastard’s head in one blow!

One well-timed swipe and it can propel you to the pinnacle of power."

"Yes, I knew it wouldn't go wrong if I left this kind of thing to you."

Archimonde looked at his sharp eyes reflected in the rune blade, and he saw his own ambition in the mirror-like blade.

He knew that he was only one step away from all his desires.

"You will lead the instructors to disperse and destroy the arcane defense nodes of the Grand Lecture Hall. Let the garrison officers and students disperse and await orders."

Archimonde warned:
"Once my assassination is complete, you will begin your actions! Have the instructors keep an eye on them. Although the students are talented, this is their first time doing something like this. They are all excellent spellcasters and will become pillars of society in the future. It would be best if they could survive longer."

"Ah, it's their blessing to have a kind principal like you."

Garasum looked at the lecture hall right before him. He also grasped the spellcasting sword at his waist and said with an exaggerated but heartfelt tone:

"Although the noise of this night is short-lived, its glory will live on this land forever. Even thousands of years later, there will be people who will tell the story of tonight's feat. I know that you will never enjoy this glory alone.

Honorable Archon Archimonde! Please continue to lead us."

"Hahaha"

For the first time, Archimonde did not rebuke Galasum for his transgression.

He calmly accepted the title that was destined for him, then jumped off the Thunder Elephant and led his followers into the heavily guarded lecture hall as members of the Awakener Cult. Galasum stayed on the periphery with the mentors and students, while Archimonde went alone to meet the Enlightener.

He soon noticed that there were not many high-level warlocks guarding the Enlightener, which made Archimonde think.

Then, he took out the "Mark of Enlightenment" inherited from his mentor with one hand, held high this arcane relic that symbolizes wisdom in the Eredar society, and walked towards his mentor who was as old and frail as a piece of rotten wood.

With every step forward, Archimonde could see more clearly the aging and uselessness of the Enlightener. The sulfurous smell of the fel energy obscured the weak and ugly appearance, making him nauseous.

With every step forward, Archimonde could hear the roar and cheers of his own ambition more directly. The Eredar of Argus should be led by someone more powerful and far-sighted like himself.

Nearly.

Closer!
So he shouted loudly:

"For the glory of you and the Benefactor, I will humbly offer you this vessel of wisdom to bear witness to your transformation. My honorable mentor and my beloved father, I will follow you on that path of advancement and bear witness to your eternal glory."

"Haha, you're thoughtful."

The Enlightened One laughed and stretched out his claw-like hand to take the Enlightenment Mark handed to him by Archimonde.

At this moment, the rebellious disciple grabbed the wrist of his foolish mentor with his backhand, and drew his sword like the best warrior amid the shocked shouts of the other warlocks.

As the Enlightener's body was pulled forward, the rune blade was suddenly unsheathed.

"Swish"

Blood splattered in the perfect decapitation.

When Archimonde turned around holding Thal'kiel's head, his face was filled with the smile of a victor and ruler.

However, the smile didn't last even for a second before it froze on his face.

Because he saw Thal'kiel holding a ruby staff and walking out of the shadows, guarded by two burly fel lords. Seeing the other's regretful and disappointed eyes, Archimonde looked down and found that the head in his hand turned into the charming head of a high-level succubus with some fear still lingering in the glow of the magic.

"Are you among them, my child?"

Sachir sighed:

"I sold my soul to the devil in order to seek a glimmer of hope for my people, but you sold your soul simply for insignificant and vulgar power. Alas, perhaps before my heart was shrouded in despair, my dim old eyes would have already gone blind.

I take back all the praise I've ever given you, Archimonde, my child. Without any conviction, you are nothing but a piece of rotten wood with nothing but a facade."

Ps:

Thanks to "chuck·wesley" brother for the reward, the additional chapters are on the shelf, and now the accumulated additional chapters are [35] chapters. Now this level, including the originally planned explosive chapters, is close to 50 chapters.
According to previous experience, the upload limit of Qidian backend will never exceed 50 chapters per day. Therefore, if you give more rewards, the number of updates per day will not be more, unless you contact the editor to unlock the permission. But the editor does not have the permission, so you still have to apply for it in advance. But it's the New Year, right? Let's not trouble others.

(End of this chapter)