Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 234, Section 57. Good heavens! Red Blackhand is chasing after Drake Proudmoore and hacking at him! Isn't anyone going to do anything about it?

"That's a human fleet? So many ships! Are they reinforcements from Stormwind?"

The morning after the Battle of Stormwind, near the Great Lighthouse at the northern end of the Western Wilderness, Rend Blackhand put down his goblin telescope, leaned nervously on his battle sword, and said to his younger brother beside him:
"They seem to be heading to shore around here, and the battle flags on those ships are different from those in Stormwind."

"They must be from Kul Tiras."

The more cunning Maim Blackhand stroked his chin and said:

"According to the goblins, only the human naval power of Kul Tiras can muster such a fleet to support the Stormwind Kingdom at this time."

You're right, that number is a bit too exaggerated. We don't even have a quarter of their ships, and those ships have an alarming number of cannons. If they open fire in one round, it would be enough to overwhelm us.

"I think we should retreat first?"

The Blackhand brothers both looked at Warlock Saurfang, the overseer who could make decisions, standing beside them.

This man is now their commander. He had previously received orders from Chief Fenris Wolfline to send the Blacktooth Grinning Clan to attack the Western Fertile Lands. However, they encountered such a troublesome situation just after landing here and before they could even launch an attack on the local Moonbrook Town.

Once they are discovered by the Kul Tiran fleet, this newly established clan will likely face annihilation.

"Don't panic, it's not that we can't fight."

Overseer Warlock spent several minutes observing the fleet through his binoculars. He squinted and said:
"That fleet came from Booty Bay. We all know that the goblin ports have been afflicted by the plague, and humans can also be infected with it, so don't be intimidated by the Kul Tiran fleet! Those ships are currently carrying a bunch of weak patients. Of course, their cannons won't be infected with the plague, so don't expect to fight a boarding action."

Before our dilapidated boat even gets close, they'll smash it into a pile of firewood floating on the sea.

But they'll definitely land here.

The high-ranking warlord pondered for a moment, then turned to the Blackhand brothers and said:
“Mam, take half of your people to Moonbrook and conquer it as planned! Red, take the rest of the people and come with me. We’ll find a place to hide and wait for the Kul Tirans to land and set up camp before launching an attack!”
Nobody knows what the situation is like in Stormwind City right now. It would be best if Chieftain Fenris could conquer Stormwind City.

But if he fails, then the fertile western plains, the core area of ​​our long-term war with humanity, must be controlled by us.

However, there's something I need to remind you of!

Valok, leaning on his battle axe, emphasized to Maim Blackhand:

"No massacres are allowed in Moon Creek Town! Especially the local farmers, they must be protected. Soldiers and those weak jackalmen are not allowed to harass them."

"This is so difficult."

Maim said, feeling utterly exasperated:
"Who can stop those guys when they're on a rampage? Once the demonic blood goes berserk, it won't recognize even its own family, and the gnolls are a bunch of beasts. Aren't you just making things difficult for me?"

"That's okay too."

Warlock waved his hand and said:
"Without farmers, you and your soldiers will have to farm!"
If you can't grow enough food, you'll be whipped. I've heard there are many mines in the fertile western plains, rich in various ores that are important resources for forging military equipment. You'll not only have to farm but also mine, but I bet that won't be too difficult for you.

You guys have plenty of energy anyway.

Maim Blackhand curled his lip and whispered:

"I will try my best to restrain them, but if the humans resist fiercely, then there's nothing I can do."

“I don’t care what you do, but I want to see enough farmers here to manage the land. If we are to stay here for a long time, we also need a fortress. If there aren’t enough people to work, then you can go and quarry stones.”

This is the bottom line!

The warlord rebuked:
"You two spend all day secretly plotting how to reclaim the Blackrock Clan. With such lofty ideals, you can't even manage to select good soldiers. I think that's all you'll ever amount to. As fellow members of the Blackrock Clan, I'm just saying a few more words."

Get out of here and get to work.

Maim Blackhand didn't dare to provoke Warlock, so he could only grumble as he selected soldiers. However, this time he was careful and didn't choose the most capable fighters, but rather a group of the most obedient ones.

This scene prompted Warlock to nod slightly, then he gestured to Red Blackhand, signaling him to follow him and prepare to move.

This place is too close to the coast now. Once Kul Tiras discovers it, a salvo of naval gunfire will wipe them out.

Meanwhile, the Kul Tiras First Fleet was turning at sea. They couldn't go directly to Stormwind Port, and the sight of the city billowing black smoke in broad daylight was suspicious. Prince Drake Proudmoore thought they might be too late.

Stormwind may have already been captured by the Greenskins.

"Immediately dispatch a fast transport ship to the port to investigate. Cough cough, I need the information immediately."

The prince, coughing violently and looking haggard, issued the order, but seeing the warriors on the deck, ravaged by the plague, His Highness knew that even if Stormwind really needed support, they couldn't muster a single soldier.

"Your Highness, we must reach the shore immediately and use small boats to get the soldiers ashore. Their condition is no longer suitable for staying at sea."

The only healthy tidal sage on the ship, looking worried, offered the following advice:
"Our soldiers need to replenish their nutrition, preferably with some fruit, and they need clean fresh water, which can be found in the fertile western plains. We must establish a wounded camp immediately, and for the sake of the war, we should avoid frequent contact with the warriors of Stormwind Kingdom."

Their situation is bad enough already; if the plague spreads on a large scale again, the war will be over!

"I know, I'll do it your way."

Drake's head was throbbing. This damned plague, though it wouldn't kill anyone, was damaging his mind. He was finding it hard to think clearly, and the ship's doctor's treatment was having no effect. Even the formidable naval officers were finding it difficult to maintain their fighting spirit.

This was after he left the most seriously injured soldiers in Treasure Bay to recuperate.

The plague was like an impenetrable shadow, shrouding the fleet and filling the prince with despair. After the Tide Sage relayed the orders to each warship, Prince Drake asked in his captain's cabin:

"King Ryan has sent messengers to warn other countries of the plague, and he also claims to have a cure for the demonic plague. What do you think?"

"He's most likely lying!"

The sage Thomas Zelin squinted and whispered:
"Although I don't want to speculate about a wise king with malicious intent, the fact is that Stormwind Kingdom is now mostly lost and in dire need of support. The spread of the plague in various countries is an undeniable fact. Under these circumstances, if he claims to have a cure, whether the kings believe him or not, they will have to ensure that Stormwind Kingdom is not destroyed by the Greenskins."

However, there is a small chance that it might be true.

We've all heard about those 'visitors from another world' in Booty Bay. They're currently in Stormwind Kingdom, and maybe they really do have the antidote for the Demon Plague. Do you remember those healthy goblins we encountered in Booty Bay?
They were recruiting under the guise of Baron Grimra Fizlkrank, a trader with a venture capital firm, and claimed they could cure the plague.

"Of course I remember. It was you who stopped the sailors from asking those arrogant goblins for help."

Drake coughed, trying to stay awake, and said:
"You've identified the problem with those goblins?"

"Yes, they have the aura of evil energy on them, although it is very faint, but it is definitely related to demons."

Master Hai Chao shook his head and said:

"This is a terrible conspiracy, Your Highness."

The origin of the Demonic Plague is definitely inextricably linked to demons. The monsters from other realms are spreading the Demonic Plague at this time to prepare for a larger-scale world invasion. I have received information from the tides these past few days that several 'doomsday prophets' have appeared in the Northern Frontier.

They spread doomsday prophecies in areas ravaged by plague, and also spread dangerous claims that only by embracing the evil sovereign could the plague be cured.

Even more terrifying is that they actually can do it; the tides of Southsea Town have recorded images of infected people who drank the strange potion quickly recovering. Do you know what this means?

"Just tell me the conclusion, Master. My head hurts whenever I think about it."

Prince Derek sighed and said something, and the Sage of the Tides sighed and said:
"The Northern Frontier is about to descend into chaos, Your Highness! Don't be fooled by Stormwind's current predicament with the Greenskin invasion. I can guarantee that once those doomsday cults gain power, the situation in the Northern Frontier will be more than ten times more chaotic than in the Southern Frontier!"
I can foresee that by then, many people from the Northern Frontier will flee to the Stormwind Kingdom! And if King Ryan truly possesses a cure for the Demonic Plague, then…

He didn't continue speaking, but there was no need to.

Drake, an elite who had received royal education since childhood, immediately thought of a person with a special identity in Stormwind.

Anduin Lothar!
The last descendant of the emperor of the human empire.

If Master Zelin's prophecy comes true, and if Lothar truly harbors wicked intentions, the Second Arathor Empire will likely rise and establish itself faster than any king predicted, even in this turbulent time. "It's already beyond saving."

The prince shook his head and said:
"If we can't stop the plague, we can't prevent this from happening. We must tell Father immediately so he can prepare. We must... cough cough cough, ah..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt dizzy from a violent cough.

Amid Master Zelin's exclamation, His Highness the Prince fell to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Quickly! Get Prince Drake ashore immediately! Ah, curse this damned plague!"

------

Drake regained consciousness in the evening.

He struggled to open his eyes in his tent, followed by a heart-wrenching cough that made him want to pick up a water cup, but then a bowl of water with a herbal flavor was handed to his lips.

The weak prince took a few sips and miraculously felt a warmth dispelling the chill. He felt better and turned his head to look, only to find someone sitting next to him who shocked him.

"Eldest sister! What are you doing here? Am I dreaming?"

He looked in surprise at the expressionless half-elf paladin Fina Goldsword sitting beside him. She snorted and, without answering, told her half-brother to finish the medicine in his hand first.

she says:

"This is a potion concocted by the Archdruid 'Riddler' of the Cenarion Circle. It is said to stimulate your vitality and temporarily combat the weakness caused by the plague, but it cannot cure you, so you still have a long way to go."

Don't ask me why I'm here; it has nothing to do with you or Dailin!
"I just can't bear to see you, you fool, die here so haphazardly."

"But your armor is scarred and stained with blood, and the bloodshot in your eyes means you are exhausted and haven't had a proper rest."

His Highness looked at his elder sister and whispered:

"So, you were fighting in Stormwind before? What was the situation there? Were the Greenskins repelled?"

"We won, but the city was destroyed."

Fina brushed her long golden hair aside and sighed:

"A truly pyrrhic victory. Even King Ryan was knocked unconscious by an orc assassin, but thanks to the Holy Light, the kingdom will not be destroyed, well, not for the time being."

"King Ryan was assassinated? What about the antidote for the plague he promised?"

The prince sat up with a start, then lay back down weakly.

He looked at his sister and said in a hoarse voice:
“You are family, and I will not hide the situation of our homeland from you. The damned plague has already spread throughout Kul Tiras!”
Following the advice of that alien saint, we brought back his disciple. My father also went to the mountains of Drustvar in person. He brought back the ancient Drust Druids, but those half-giants had no good way to deal with the plague. They could only work with that alien shaman to make potions to ensure that the plague would not corrupt people's minds, but they could not protect their increasingly weak bodies.

We need that antidote!

"I'm not from Kul Tiras! I never want to have anything to do with you guys in my life, so why are you telling me this?"

Fina fiercely pinched her brother's mouth and forced him to drink all the medicine.

But seeing her younger brother's emaciated state, tormented by the plague, she couldn't bear it and whispered:

"The antidote is real, but it's not in the king's hands; it's in another world. Don't worry, that saint is trying to contact the forest spirits in Draenor. If we're lucky, we'll get help within half a month."

"You stay right here and don't wander off until your plague is cured."

As the siblings were talking, the tent flap was pushed open, and the orc shaman Gaiara walked in, saying casually to Fenna Golden Sword:

"These humans are very weak, with symptoms exactly like those of the plague. The good news is that they haven't started to degenerate yet, but the bad news is that they are close. Many sailors have suffered intellectual impairment, and if they are not treated soon, even if they are cured, they will only be able to drool for the rest of their lives."

"Orcs!"

Prince Drake shouted and reached for the dwarf pistol beside him, but his elder sister slapped his hand away.

"Are you blind? It's brown skin!"

Fina scolded:
“These are the good orcs on our side, unlike those bad greenskins.”

"Tch, I'm used to people judging by appearances."

Gaiara sneered, then said in surprise:

"But are you sure this guy is your brother? Why doesn't he have pointed ears?"

"This brings me to my mother, who has a penchant for alcoholism and a rather peculiar aesthetic sense."

Fina Goldsword sighed, her wistful expression making it hard to stay calm. But before she could begin recounting the embarrassing story of "Gina Goldsword, the Archmage, getting drunk and trying to hook up with a rich guy, but accidentally sleeping with a pure human prince," a low horn sounded from the outskirts of the camp.

Having fought the Greenskins to the death in Stormwind, Fenna immediately drew her battle sword, while Gaiara drew the legendary weapon she had just acquired, the Staff of Disintegration, and shouted:
"Oh no! It's Greenskins! This camp is full of wounded, we can't stop them at all! Fina, take your brother and get out of here! I'll summon elementals to hold them off."

"stand up!"

With a burst of strength, Fina carried her weakened brother on her back. When she rushed out of the tent, she saw the orcs charging into the camp under the cover of wolves, hacking and slashing everywhere.

How could the plague-infected sailors possibly be a match for these ferocious orcs? A large group of them were taken down in a single encounter, but Fina keenly noticed that these orcs were holding blunt weapons.

These bastards
Are they going to capture prisoners?

"Watch your strength, all of you!"

Red Blackhand's booming voice echoed in the twilight:

"Capture them alive! If too many die, you can all prepare to farm and quarry stones."

Before she finished speaking, a gust of wind swept around the camp, and the flying sand and stones made people dizzy. Fina, holding the Phoenix Sword, fought her way out, but her outstanding performance among a group of patients quickly attracted trouble.

She has been targeted by Valok Saroufar.

"Run! You're no match for him!"

When Gaia saw that Fina was about to stop fighting the powerful orc overlord, she was so anxious that she jumped up and down. But the next second, Drake was thrown over and landed right behind Gaia's dire wolf.

"Take him away!"

Fina, sword in hand, turned and charged back amidst the holy light, shouting:
"If we can't stop this guy, none of us can leave. We need to call for help from Stormwind."

Gaiara knew this was the same, so she broke through the encirclement with the weakened Derek, intending to use Astral Teleportation to bring the two back to Stormwind City, but unexpectedly a blade flashed in their direction.

Red Blackhand leaped out with a sinister grin and shouted:

"Look who this is! Isn't this the Great Prophet of Mag'han? How did you end up in such a sorry state? Traitor!"

"Hey, hang in there!"

Gaiara herself was unharmed, but Drake was slashed by Blackhand, and blood flowed from his back, making him look extremely miserable. Facing the approaching Rend Blackhand, the Frostwolf Daughter was not afraid; she, a shaman, could easily defeat a warrior.

However, before the battle began, Gaiara sent a message using elemental language.

“Griselda, I’ve found your brother. He’s near the Western Wilderness and Long Beach. Bring the Dark Hand here quickly! It’s time to claim your absolute right to the Blackrock Clan.”

(End of this chapter)