Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 221, Section 44: Varian Wrynn Decides to Become a Warrior!

"Push these ladders down!"

Major Windsor wiped the blood from his face, raised his sword and roared. Several soldiers followed him to the city wall, swung their swords to cut the hooks that the rough ladder was hanging on the wall, and then pushed it with all their might.

The gnolls climbing the ladder screamed in terror, but as the ladder crashed down, a string of fools howled and slammed into the ground below, their skulls cracking open.

But the warriors had no time to rejoice before they had to face the ghostly wolves that pounced from the shadows.

These "assassin wolves" that can constantly move in the shadows are really troublesome; most of the casualties on the walls of Stormwind are caused by them.

This is only because Stormwind City currently has a large number of spellcasters who are helping to seal off the space, preventing these damned dire wolves from entering the city directly. Otherwise, the city would definitely become a living hell.

"Go to hell with the Black Wolf God! You son of a bitch, get the hell out of here!"

The major felt he had inexhaustible strength throughout his body. He swung his sword to kill the demon wolf in front of him, then swung his shield and smashed it hard against the wolf's ferocious face. He smashed it several times until the demon wolf stopped moving, then turned around to look behind him. Because of the demon wolf's delay, some jackal bandits rushed up the city wall again.

Windsor cursed, and at that moment he was like Superman!

Without hesitation, he charged forward with his sword and shield, cutting down two small gnolls. He then took dwarven explosives from the remains of his fallen comrades, lit them on a torch, and, lying prone by the city wall, aimed at the gnoll overseer shouting below before throwing the explosives down.

Amidst the billowing smoke, the explosive device bounced a few times on the ground before a violent explosion engulfed all the surrounding gnolls.

The warlord personally appointed by Hogger has been killed in an explosion!
Even though the Black Wolf God was still roaring, the gnolls, having lost their commander, scattered in all directions. These guys had only just been held together by the faith in the Black Wolf God, so don't expect them to have much fighting spirit after losing their leader.

That's how wild animals are.

This scene made the soldiers fighting fiercely on the city wall cheer. They mustered their strength and followed the major in a fierce charge, killing all the jackals who had climbed the city wall and throwing their bodies down.

After nearly an hour of hard work, this section of the city wall could finally take a break.

But it's just this section of the city wall.

Stormwind's walls are quite long, divided into several sections, each requiring a commander to be assigned to it.

Major Windsor was no longer thinking about supporting his fellow countrymen in other areas. After killing the last gnoll, he sat down on the ground, panting as he loosened his grip on the shield with his numb fingers. He then shakily took out some chewing tobacco and put it in his mouth to perk himself up.

He wasn't actually a very talented warrior, nor did he think he was particularly brave.

Before the orcs arrived, he was just an unknown lieutenant in Redridge Mountains. He was lucky enough to be noticed by General Gavinrad and thought that he would be lucky to retire with the rank of major.

After all, his family had been honest and hardworking farmers for three generations.

But in addition to one's own struggles, one must also consider the course of history. From the Battle of Redridge Mountains to now, it has been about twenty days, and he has been promoted from second lieutenant to the end of his dream. Moreover, Major Windsor is certain that as long as he survives the Stormwind War, his rank will definitely rise even higher.

That alien sage once asked himself if he wanted to be a marshal.
At the time, I thought it was just a joke, but now I hear that Lord Diakum is a prophet. In other words, what he said back then might not have been a joke at all!
I might become a marshal someday!

Good heavens, if my untimely father knew this news, he would be overjoyed and slaughter all the piglets in the family to cook a big feast for me.

He could become a marshal, provided he lived to see that time.

The major chewed on his tobacco and suddenly slapped himself to clear his head. "We're fighting a war, don't think about these nonsense things."

How many of our brothers were killed or wounded?

He struggled to his feet and asked a question, but the adjutant resting nearby shook his head and said:
"I didn't count, but at least two squads are gone. These gnolls are insane and have the help of their packs; our casualties are terrible. These are the gnolls! The orcs haven't even been on the battlefield yet. Major, I heard you fought orcs to the death in Redridge Mountains. Are the greenskins really that strong?"
I heard it takes three of us to kill a green-skinned creature?

"Nonsense! That's only necessary in a one-on-one duel. There's no such thing as a one-on-one duel on the battlefield."

Major Windsor cursed:

"Don't overthink it. Greenskins are human too. They'll die if their heads are chopped off. I've killed seven or eight greenskins myself. They're not as scary as you think."

"But I've heard that greenskins can tame dragons?"

The adjutant glanced fearfully at the overcast sky and said:

"Our walls can hold off gnolls and demon wolves, but not demon dragons."

The major fell silent.

He couldn't think of any way to stop the green-skinned dragon, but he couldn't give up now, so he made up a story on the spot:
"The King and Marshal have invited the Elven Ranger General! Have you heard of the Ranger General's reputation? Let me tell you, those savage trolls we saw in Stranglethorn Vale, weren't they formidable?"
But the wandering general only needs one arrow to kill them!
It seems that no matter how powerful the dragon is, it cannot stop the archer general's arrows.

They even possess divine artifacts, artifacts crafted by their ancestors—they're incredibly powerful.

The major's rambling immediately aroused the curiosity of the exhausted soldiers. Windsor knew that this was the time to boost morale, so he embellished his experience in Redridge Mountains a little, making the soldiers marvel at what they heard despite their fatigue.

But soon, his jinxed words brought big trouble to the city wall.

"Dragon! The orcs' dragon is here!"

Someone screamed, and Major Windsor jumped up and looked up at the sky.

Sure enough, a huge green dragon carrying the greenskin warriors roared down toward the city wall. At the major's roar, the greenskins of the Dragonmaw Clan jumped onto the city wall and began to fight. The gnolls below also howled and built ladders to run up again.

The demonic dragon circled the city wall, spewing deadly venom onto it. Its terrifying wings blotted out the sky, creating a gale that made it difficult for the warriors to stand. The sight made the adjutant's teeth clench and his eyes widen in fury. He shouted:

"Major! Where is the Elven Ranger General?! Quickly, bring her out to slay the dragon!"

"How the hell am I supposed to know where they are?"

Windsor cursed as he used his shield to block the orc's battleaxe, praying that the Holy Light would grant him mercy soon, or the city walls would be destroyed.

But to be fair, Windsor might actually have some kind of "luck" about him.

While they were fighting on the city walls, on a high tower behind the city, General Lireza Windrunner, expressionless, used her taut leg to open a giant war bow taller than herself, and a thick black magic arrow was nocked on the bowstring and aimed at the dragon.

Although the major's boasting stories were all hearsay, there was one thing he actually said correctly!
The Ranger General does indeed possess "black arrows" specifically designed for hunting large creatures. These are crafted by the mages of Quel'Thalas and are theoretically high-level magical items. Each one is extremely expensive and can only be used to snipe the most valuable targets.

Even for elves, dragons are considered valuable prey.

"Alleria! Take command of Sarsdora and help me slay the dragon!"

The general gave the order, and her eldest daughter immediately drew back the Windrunner family's most precious treasure. As the bowstring was drawn, streams of wind element converged to form a fierce arrow, circling around the nocked sniper arrow.

The moment General Lireza released the bowstring, the black arrow, poised to be released, whistled through the air, creating a thunderous roar.

The dragon, which was wantonly destroying the city wall, roared angrily. A sharp black arrow pierced its scales through its belly, causing blood to splatter everywhere. The powerful paralyzing magic attached to the arrow caused it to lose its balance and crash into the city wall, breaking off its horn.

Major Windsor was nearly thrown off his feet amidst flying bricks and stones, but the dragon still raised its head, intending to kill him with its breath.

The major was terrified.

But instead of retreating in fear, he gripped his sword and shield and charged toward the beast, driven by terror.

Perhaps he simply wanted to die with dignity, to die bravely like a marshal.
"puff"

The Windrunner Warbow - Sardora's sniper arrow came with the wind and, under the precise control of Alleria Windrunner, struck the dragon's left eye. Then, seven more Gale Arrows were fired in rapid succession like a Gatling gun, instantly blasting open the dragon's eye socket.

The impact of the artifact tore apart the behemoth's brain, causing it to writhe in agony as it tore through the city wall.

Khadgar, who had teleported to the top of the city wall, also gathered all his arcane energy and slammed it into the wound on the dragon's abdomen. The brutal arcane power cut and tore through the dragon's body, and the filthy dragon blood was splattered everywhere.

At that very moment, the major leaped up and, amidst the cheers of the others and the din of the dwarven cannons firing, plunged his sword into the dragon's other eye.

Of course, his sword was not long enough to pierce the dragon's brain, but the dragon was already at its last gasp after being hit so hard. Losing its sight was the final straw, causing it to whimper and fall to the ground.

"puff"

Major Windsor fell to the ground, nearly tumbling off the city wall, but was hurriedly dragged back up by several soldiers. His bloodied adjutant, clutching his waist, pounded on the major's breastplate and shouted:

"Ha, sir, you're a 'dragon slayer' now!"

Before he could finish speaking, the adjutant fell to the ground and was caught by the major. His waist had been almost completely torn open by the orc's battle axe, and the injury was beyond saving.

"Ahem, I used to think you were just bragging, but I never imagined you actually knew."

The adjutant coughed and grasped Major Windsor's hand, whispering:
"Hold the city, sir! My wife and children are in the city, please, hold this place!"

The adjutant fell silent, and the surrounding soldiers fell silent as well.

Windsor, the newly crowned "Dragon Slayer," embraced his fellow warrior and let out a hoarse roar.

He vowed to make the greens pay for their blood debt!
When the dragon crashed down, the gnolls in the vicinity fled in terror, but those who survived on the city walls littered with corpses felt no joy.

"Major Windsor, proceed to Stormwind Cathedral immediately!"

Khadgar witnessed this scene, and even as a mage, his eyes welled up with tears. He sniffled, and the young mage stepped forward and said:

"I will take over guarding this place from you. Go quickly, this is Marshal Lothar's order."

"But the city walls"

Major Windsor had barely uttered a question when he saw squads of fully armed elven rangers and warriors ascending the city walls.

The elite troops from the Farstrider Legion, led by several commanders, took over the defense of the city from the humans. Their armor gleamed, they wore uniform marching cloaks, carried halberds and bows, and were clearly well-trained. "Go on, we didn't come to Stormwind on a trip."

The mysterious female warrior, clad in armor and wielding two phoenix-shaped swords, spoke to Major Windsor:

"I'm sorry, warriors, I had a low opinion of you before, but I must apologize. After witnessing your battle, I finally understand why my grandfather and his people were willing to ally with humanity three thousand years ago."

At least in this city, you still retain the courage of the Arathor barbarian lords.

The alliance of Arathor will be reignited today.
With your blood, our blood, and the enemy's blood!

------

Major Windsor rode to Stormwind Cathedral in his blood-stained and scarred armor, without even changing out of his battle armor. Many warriors had already gathered there, all of them having just returned from the battlefield, just like him.

The major even saw the still-wounded Duke Bolvar Fordragon, Stormwind's famous "battle hero" Major Coulson, and Major Marcus Jonathan, who had fought orcs with Windsor in Redridge Mountains.

The latter was supposed to be stationed in Sunshine Forest, but he was also summoned back, and like Windsor, Major Jonathan's armor was covered in battle scars.

They faced the Wolfmane Clan, led by the Wolf Spirit Priest, in the Sunlit Forest.

Although the battlefield there is smaller, the combat pressure is no less than that in Stormwind.

In addition, there were the commanders of the royal knights, and even some of the cathedral's original priests and a bronzebeard dwarf blacksmith master standing here.

"Oh? Miss Marlan, didn't you return to the Northern Frontier?"

Windsor saw someone he knew.

He stepped forward and asked:

What are we gathered here for?

"It's a consecration ceremony. The Marshal said that a foreign saint will consecrate us collectively here, so that the holy light will bless us and give us the power to wield divine power."

The female warrior Marlan whispered:
"As for the Northern Frontier, I can't go back for the time being. The mages say that a plague sent by demons is raging there, but King Varian has a way to cure the plague. I must stay here to fight and win the antidote for my family and homeland."

"Plague? Demon?"

Major Windsor cursed:

"This world is fucking doomed! It's turned into this overnight. I just killed a dragon, and now I have to face demons?"

"The world is inherently dangerous, Major. We have been living in ignorance for a long time. Now the Holy Light has unveiled the truth for us and let us see the real threat."

A gentle voice sounded behind Lieutenant Windsor, who turned around and saw Chief Priestess Natalie Serin, whom he had fought alongside at Redridge Mountains.

He said in surprise:
"Do you also wish to receive the Holy Light's blessing in battle here? Shouldn't you continue on the path of a priest?"

"A pastor's gentle words can indeed heal the heart."

Natalie Salin stroked the religious text in her hands, shook her head, and said:

"But what the people need now is a protector. Saint Diakum suggested that I become a Knight of Light, saying that I could save more suffering beings on this path. I believe this is the enlightenment of the Holy Light, and I will therefore don the armor of a warrior."

Instead of condemnation, use weapons; instead of sentencing, use executions.

Holy Light, may you protect us.

"quiet!"

Marshal Lothar's voice silenced the soldiers and commanders in the square, and everyone looked up at him.

The marshal, clad in armor and leaning on the Lionheart Slayer sword, proclaimed:

"Our city is in imminent danger, so there is no need for so many ritualistic steps. Everyone, please line up in order and apply the sacred oil first. Then, Saint Diakum will bring us the blessing of the Holy Light, let the Holy Power fill our bodies, and let the Holy Light grant us the power of punishment, protection, and healing!"

We will become the holy knights of humanity!
We will become humanity's shield of protection, blade of destruction, and hand of blessing!
The Holy Light protects our city and people in this way; under the light of faith, Stormwind will never fall!

Stormwind will never fall!

Major Windsor raised his fist and shouted, followed by a chorus of cheers.

The tall half-elf Fina Goldsword, still a little dizzy from just passing through the long-distance portal, looked around. She was quite pleased with the fervent fighting spirit, so this tall and strong half-elf warrior also raised his fist and shouted that Stormwind would never fall.

Even though this was her first time in this city.

But it doesn't matter, this city is full of good warriors, so she likes it here. It's so much better than Silvermoon City, that effeminate place full of sissies!

------

"I don't understand! Why can't I become a paladin with you?"

Wearing a small suit of armor and carrying a short sword and a round shield that he had somehow acquired, Varian Wrynn looked on with great disappointment at his father, who was about to receive the consecration.

The little prince said loudly:

“I can embrace the Holy Light, and I want to protect the city! I can climb the city walls and kill the gnolls, just like you and Sir Lothar did when you were kids.”

"We were forced into this situation, kids."

King Ryan knelt down, stroked his son's face, and said remorsefully:

"I will never forget that night after the victory, when your grandfather got drunk and hugged me and Losa, saying he was sorry to us. He said it was his incompetence that made kids like us risk our lives with him."

I knew then that for a king, letting his children climb the city walls was the worst thing he could do.
I'm sorry, son. I tried my best to be a good king and a good father, but it seems I have failed your grandfather's expectations. Let your poor father retain the last bit of dignity.

Stay here!
You are a warrior of the kingdom, and you can only step forward to turn the tide in the most dangerous moments.

After saying this, the king rose and walked out of the church.

Varian wanted to follow, but General Tirazalan held him back. The tall Draenei general looked at him sternly and said:
"Everyone has a duty in war, Your Highness. Your duty has been clearly defined. After the Sage retrieves the artifact, you will represent the Kingdom of Stormwind to seek support in Draenor. This is a responsibility far beyond what you should bear at your age. Do not add any more pressure to your father and your people."

"I"

Varian clenched his fist.

He knew the city was in imminent danger, and he only regretted that he was too young to fight alongside the soldiers. He even felt guilty for letting down his parents and country.

This sense of guilt was noticed by Griselda Blackhand, who was standing nearby. The Great Chieftain of Mag'har was stroking the legendary weapon he had acquired from the elves while scrutinizing the human prince.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she could always sense a special aura emanating from Varian Wrynn. Although he was still just a child, the way he got angry always reminded her of Grom Hellscream or her father when he was furious.

"You will become the best warrior in the world."

Griselda said:
“You do not belong to the Holy Light! Yes, you are a miracle forged by wrath, but now you should learn to hide your sword. Unforged steel is easily broken.”

"It's none of your business!"

Varian broke free from General Tirazalan's control and rushed into the church, where he found Diakum, who was preparing for the consecration ceremony, breathless.

He rushed to the foreign saint's side and pleaded:

Let me touch that sword again.

"Oh?"

Diakum looked at Varian and said:
"But you didn't feel anything when you touched it last time, which means it's not the right time, child. Suppress your anger, conserve your power, and release it when the time is right."

"No, my brain is about to explode."

Varian's eyes became bloodshot.

The nine-year-old boy clenched his fist and said:
“I must touch that sword. You said the best warriors draw power from it! If Father won’t let me embrace the Holy Light, then I should at least receive that power. Every warrior is important; I can’t be a burden to them!”
If I can't go to the battlefield, at least I can protect the people in the city!
This is my duty!

Didn't you say that?

Everyone has their own destiny to face, and I want to take on my responsibilities.

Let me try it once. Last time I just treated it as a legend and a joke, but not anymore.

"Okay, if that's really what you want."

Dick took out the Blazing Blade and placed it in front of Varian.

The little prince took a deep breath and placed his hand on the cold, black blade. He murmured something, and under the saint's astonished gaze, a faint flame rose from the blazing blade.

It's just like.
A ray of light in the darkness.

It's just like.
A ball of fire in anger.

(End of this chapter)