Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 245, Part 2: Tragedy – The old king, angered by his incompetent son, has risen from the dead!
"Are you sure that seed won't give me diarrhea? I'm not feeling well. Maybe we should pull over and go to the forest to empty my stomach."

Kurdran Wildhammer soared through the sky on his magnificent war gryphon, the powerful Wildhammer dwarf rubbing his stomach as he shouted loudly to Lothar, who was also riding a gryphon beside him.

The marshal was too lazy to bother with that fuss over nothing.

He and Kurdran were indeed old friends.

For a time, when Kurdran represented the Wildhammer clan and was stationed in Ironforge, Lothar happened to be there learning how to use dwarven firearms. The two often drank together, and later, it was through Lothar and Kurdran that the first gryphon riders of Stormwind were brought in and trained by people specially sent from Ark's Nest.

Dwarves generally prefer to live in the mountains and like to dig around. They have a natural talent for ore and forging, as do the Bronzebeard and Dark Iron dwarves, but the Wildhammer dwarves are an odd exception.

These wild creatures are close to nature, even though they also live in Eagle's Nest in Hinterlands.

But their favorite sport is soaring through the skies with their gryphon companions, riding the thunder, a trait that makes the Wildhammer Dwarves the premier "flying race" of the Eastern Continent and even the whole of Azeroth.

They are the only force on the entire continent with a formal air force.

However, as a consequence of their powerful air force, the Wildhammer dwarves have virtually no ground forces, which forces them to form an alliance with the Bronzebeard dwarves, who excel at ground warfare, in order to safeguard their interests.

The relationship between the three dwarven races is quite complex and abstract, but they don't like to talk to outsiders about their less-than-glorious history. Therefore, humans don't know much about the inside story of the War of the Three Hammers that took place more than two hundred years ago. They only know that it was that war that led the Dark Iron dwarves to go to extremes, ultimately summoning the Balrog and directly causing the Burning Steppes to appear.

Redridge Mountains were also permanently altered by the disaster, which lasted less than ten minutes, leaving the area desolate.

However, Diakum was quite interested in Kurdran Wildhammer. He deliberately slowed down Sunwing, allowing it to follow Kurdran with ease, and asked:
"Have the Wildhammer dwarves returned to Grim Batol in all these years? Haven't you ever thought about reclaiming your homeland?"

"That place is beyond saving! The city is shrouded in a terrible, living darkness, with some very morbid things inside. Moreover, the Three Hammers War destroyed the mountains, making our homeland impossible to repair, and even the water source has been cut off."

When his hometown was mentioned, Kudran's rough voice turned sorrowful, and he shook his head, saying:
“Grim Batol is gone forever. Now Ark's Nest is home to the Wildhammer dwarves. It’s a great place, except for the pesky trolls that you can never get rid of. Our gryphons love the climate there too. It’s a land the heavens have bestowed upon Wildhammer.”

"But the plague is spreading in the northern frontier."

Dick reminded him:
"You were also infected with the plague, which proves that this stuff is effective on you too."

Although the dwarves' physical strength weakens the plague's effect on you, infection is never a good thing. Repeated infections will eventually allow the plague to find a way to defeat you. Your people should perhaps prepare in advance.

"Didn't you bring back the forest spirits?"

Kudran sized up the foreign saint.

He had never seen Diakum's half-giant form, but had only heard that the Vigilant was over 4 meters tall, a terrifying height that was unimaginable for dwarves who were generally 1.4 meters tall.

Therefore, Kudran maintained a necessary "warness" towards Diakum, much like a short person doesn't really like to befriend a tall person.

他 说:

“I’m going back to Eagle’s Nest in a few days. If your forest spirit friend can come along, I think my people will be willing to swallow the seeds to ensure their health.”

"It's not that easy."

Dick explained:
"The Seeds of Nature that the Forest Spirits bring out are shaped by their own life force. Those things cannot be preserved for a long time. The birth of Forest Spirits depends on the flourishing life force of the forest. In other words, you will have to wait for some time before more Forest Spirits appear in Stormwind."

Or perhaps after the Dark Portal opens, more forest elves will arrive in this world, but I pessimistically believe that even bringing every single forest elf from Draenor wouldn't be enough to heal you, as the population of Azeroth far exceeds the imagination of the Draenors.

Perhaps you could rally your infected tribesmen to come to Stormwind Kingdom for treatment.

"Hmph, I have a feeling you big alien have ill intentions!"

Kudran said with a sidelong glance:
"Has Lothar really accepted you as his 'godfather'? He's making you bring all sorts of good things to him. What are you two planning? Something doesn't seem right about what's going on in Stormwind Kingdom!"

"Wow, you're pretty sharp for a little guy like you."

Sitting in front of Dick, Nelly, who was riding with him, joked:
"I thought dwarves were all muscle. And when you brought us from Seaview Cliff to Wildhammer Castle, didn't you give me a bouquet of flowers and ask me out, Kurdran? Well, here's my mighty boyfriend. Why don't you talk to him?"

If he agrees, it's not impossible for you and I to go out for a meal.

"Tch, that's just how the Wildhammer dwarves express friendliness, don't overthink it."

When Kurdran's shameful act was exposed, he blushed and hurriedly flew away on his griffin, as if he were afraid that Nelly's mighty half-giant boyfriend would cause him trouble.

This guy is a great dwarf, good in every way, the perfect "buddy" candidate, but he just likes to flirt with women. Although dwarves are generally like this, Manchu has a "previous record".

In the official lore, when his fellow countrymen Falstad Wildhammer and Rhonin teamed up with Vereesa, they even wanted to invite Vereesa to join them.

I don't know where these 1.4-meter-tall dwarfs got the courage to ask out Vereesa, a tall girl who's only 1.9 meters tall. Their heights are completely mismatched, buddy.

"He does know how to appreciate the beauty of other races."

Diakum chuckled and said to Nelly:

"But isn't he afraid that one mistake from you will crush him?"

Am I that heavy?

Nelly stared coldly at the vigilant who had spoken out of turn, prompting the latter to quickly pull on the reins without a word, urging Sunwing to stop slacking off and get to Goldshire as soon as possible to see what was going on there.

Goldshire is no longer a town. After the warriors recaptured it, with the help of Mag'har shamans, they quickly built a low wall around the town along Crystal Lake and the Forest Hills, and then erected barricades all around it.

Inside the town, three watchtowers are still under construction to form a semi-permanent defense system.

Many civilians from Northshire Abbey participated in the construction, making the place noisy, like a large construction site. Forest spirits were also setting up pots to cook medicinal soup, but the soldiers had already gathered outside the town.

Despite the constant coughing and the soldiers' visibly weakened state, they still struggled to maintain their formation.

Colonel Daenerys, leading the way, stood at the forefront, leaning on her signature barbarian battle axe, facing off against several sinister figures standing in the forest not far away.

Daenerys had just taken the Seed of Nature, and her condition was somewhat better. However, some gray spots could still be seen on her neck under her half-elf helmet. For high elves, who are naturally vain, these spots were a terrible form of torture. So, for the past few days, Daenerys had been wearing her armor even when she slept, and she had been avoiding Lothar.

"Where is he?"

Lothar leaped down from the griffin, landing beside Daenerys and asking a question. The colonel pointed ahead and whispered:
"He didn't bring many men. It wasn't a surprise attack. It was more like a meeting before a declaration of war. He specifically asked you or Ryan to come forward. I've never met King Baratheon, but the old priest in town said that it was indeed the armor the king wore at his burial."

Considering the fact that the king's tomb was looted during the previous battles, it should indeed be him.

But you need to be careful!

The half-elf said warily:
“The sword in his hand is dangerous; it’s a real demonic sword! I think I’ve seen it in my grandfather’s encyclopedia of artifacts. If I remember correctly, the sword is called ‘Apocalypse’.”

"One of the artifacts of the Death Force, forged by a god from another world."

Diakum stepped forward to fulfill his duty as the marshal's bodyguard, reminding him:

"That demonic sword is a prototype of another, even more terrifying demonic sword. Its own combat power is extremely strong, and it can also summon undead within a certain range. But you can rest assured that Apocalypse will not allow its sword wielder to be controlled by others. Therefore, King Baratheon is currently in a state of clear-headed rationality."

But he had become the Death Knight Commander of the War Tribe.

This means that after today's meeting, the Stormwind Kingdom may be entering a more difficult new phase of this war.

Lothar did not answer. He stared at the familiar figure under the shade of the trees ahead, straightened his armor, and then strode forward, accompanied by Diakum and Lieutenant Colonel Windsor.

As he drew closer, the marshal finally confirmed that the tall human knight before him was none other than King Baratheon, whom he regarded as his "adoptive father."

The former king of Stormwind Kingdom was highly respected in human society for his leadership in defeating several sieges by gnolls and trolls. Some bards in the Northlands gave King Baratheon the nickname "The Rock." Indeed, the old king's character was as unbreakable as a rock.

It was under his leadership that the brave warriors of Stormwind stormed into Redridge Mountains, crushed the gnoll tribes, and expanded the frontier to the edge of Black Marsh and Burning Steppes. It was also he who trained the elite Kurson Brigade and personally led them to seize a piece of territory on the border of Stranglethorn Vale, which became the kingdom's new frontier.

Of course, Stormwind Kingdom's policy of "pride and isolation" was also established during the time of this old king.

Deeply hurt by his fellow human beings during the war, His Majesty Baratheon completely severed diplomatic ties between the southern and northern borders, which indirectly led to his son Ryan having to do everything in his power to restart diplomacy in previous battles.

But no matter what outsiders say, in the hearts of the people of Stormwind, King Baratheon is a symbol of courage and strength!
Most importantly, Lothar, Lane, and Medivh were all children whom the king had watched grow up. Medivh's situation was special, but Lothar lost his father at a young age, and he truly regarded the old king as a senior.

At this moment, Lothar felt a deep sense of guilt upon sensing the cold indifference of the old king's spirit.

He stopped five paces away and said:
"I am sorry, Your Majesty, I failed to protect your mausoleum, causing you such a disgrace."

"Shame? No, I prefer to see it as a new beginning."

A hoarse voice rose from beneath the weathered helmet, as emotionless as the grinding of rocks. The old king, riding a skeletal warhorse adorned with spirit fire, turned around, sized up Lothar, and said:

“I entrust a prosperous country to my two sons. Before I died, I held your hand and begged you to help Ryan protect the people of this land. You and he both agreed to my request.”

However, when death brought me back to my homeland, what I saw was a weeping earth.

Foreign invaders have ravaged my country, wild beasts have ravaged my people, and even the city founded by the late King Langdon has been razed to the ground, its ruins filled with the horrors of death.

Losa, my child, I ask you.
Is this how you and Ryan protect the country?

The marshal was speechless.

The King Baratheon he remembered spoke so directly, never hiding his likes or dislikes. From his questioning, one could see that the resurrected old king was very dissatisfied with the current state of the Stormwind Kingdom, and he was also full of disappointment with the successor he had chosen.

But Lothar would not lose his will to fight because of these words.

He suppressed the pain in his heart and said loudly:
"You were resurrected by the Greenskins through evil means. Death has changed your perception of the world, but since you've come here today, you must want to convey some message to me. Speak, what do you want us to do?"

"leave!"

Riding a skeletal warhorse and carrying the demonic blade Apocalypse, a chilling aura emanated from beneath his helmet. He spoke in a cold voice:

"Take the survivors and leave this place, to the northern frontier or somewhere else to rebuild the kingdom! Death has given me a mission, to make me reclaim my kingdom. I am powerless to resist, but I do not want to see you and Ryan die by my sword."

Let's leave as soon as possible while I can still think rationally.

Otherwise, you incompetent descendants will have to fight me. The resentful dead on this land are awakening, and I will lead them to accomplish what the greenskins failed to do.

"and many more!"

Diakum interrupted the high-ranking necromancer before him, staring at him as he said:
"Frostmourne and the Lich King have truly arrived in Azeroth? When you said you were about to have your ability to think taken away, did you mean you've heard the call of the demon sword?"

"Hmm? You're from another race, you know a lot."

King Baratheon let out a hoarse laugh, pointed to the other death knights beside him, and said:
"They obey me not because of my kingly aura, but simply because the Demon Sword demands their obedience!"
I was able to remain conscious not because I was so powerful, but simply because Apocalypse's unruly nature wouldn't allow me to submit to its 'brother,' yet Apocalypse had no aversion to its mission of death.

This means that I am also unable to betray my current allegiance, and I am the only one who still retains this ridiculous choice!

The undead have risen on this land, sharing the same mission as the greenskins: we are the vanguard of the Burning Legion's invasion of Azeroth! If you cannot even withstand us, you should flee for your lives.

"I understand, you are warning us."

Diakum nodded, bowed slightly to the undead before him, and said:
"So, that bastard Zul'jiiva isn't in Elwynn Forest right now? Is he busy with his own business?"

"The greens are regrouping and licking their wounds, that's all I can tell you."

King Baratheon waved his hand and said:

"Until you gain sufficient power, do not attempt to approach the 'Shadow Tower,' which is guarded by several liches and something far more terrifying."

Get ready, Losa, my child.

I will depart again at dusk, and after nightfall, you and I will become true enemies. I will show you no mercy, and I expect you to demonstrate your true abilities and let me see how much you have grown over the years.

They must fight us, but they cannot fight only us.

We are but a wisp of wind released by the hand of destruction; a far more ferocious storm lies ahead of us.

After saying this, the old king waved goodbye to Lothar one last time, and led his death knights away, skimming across the frozen surface of Crystal Lake.

Losa's expression was complicated as he stood there, and he said softly:

"If His Majesty Baratheon's consciousness remains rational under the influence of that demonic sword, then could we..."

“You have misunderstood the evil of the Apocalypse, Lothar.”

Diakum shook his head and said:
"The reason why Apocalypse does not want to bow down to Frostmourne is due to the opposition between weapons. This does not mean that Apocalypse is a benevolent sword. The longer King Baratheon's soul spends with the demonic blade, the more painful it will be tormented by Apocalypse."

The sword is essentially a greedy and insatiable sadist; it will never have a true master, and every wielder will only serve as nourishment for it.

You can't save your adoptive father, so you can only try to give him a way out!
But Apocalypse will always find the next sword wielder strong enough, until one day in the future it will meet its brother in a powerful form.

Death has issued its declaration of war, Lothar. You cannot refuse the war it has waged. From this day forward, every grave, every corpse, and every night in Stormwind will no longer be safe.

The good news is that you have just received the double support of Holy Light and life.

Alas, the wheel of life and death has begun to turn.

------

"Ok?"

In the Sunlit Forest, Bolvar Fordragon, the "White Wolf" who had just returned from battle, moved his majestic wolf muzzle in confusion and sniffed around with his keen nose. He sensed that this forest seemed different.

Something mysterious is running through the forest, lurking in the darkness and watching you.

"Quack, you silly werewolf! Bring your god out!"

Old Ansu's voice blew through the forest wind, causing Fordragon to turn and dash towards the tree branch like lightning, but he missed. The Midnight Raven God cawed and manipulated his raven into flight, casually sprinkling a pile of fresh bird droppings on Bolvar's leather armor.

"Bring Goldrin out!"

Ansu's voice echoed through the forest; it screamed:
"The life force of Draenor has brought reinforcements to its packs. The power of wild nature is more suitable for you than the weakness of harmonious nature! Diakum said that the war between the white wolves and the black wolves is also a war of life and death!"

Let it out; old Ansu is waiting for it.

Also, quickly move your pack away; the wolves of Lecanthos are trying to surround you, you fools.

Let's go to Elwynn Forest!
Go to the forest of the World's Sacred Tree; only there will your hunting party gain the upper hand.

(End of this chapter)