Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 302, paragraph 59: When core members choose to switch jobs, the collapse of the entire system is only a matter of time.
“I had some doubts about Lyran’s talent before, but now I’m sure my adopted daughter may indeed have some kind of ‘diplomatic’ bonus, persuading stubborn dwarves to do what we asked for in a single day.”
"Hiss, if my battle brother Maldran and I weren't both pure warriors of light, I'd suspect that Lyran might have inherited some strange 'succubus' talent from her father."

As Diakum stepped out of the portal personally guided by Aegwynn, he was still complaining to Nelly beside him about Lyran's feat.

The archbishop, still somewhat drowsy from the "exhaustion of debating with the Vigilantes" last night, wholeheartedly agreed with this statement. Not only did Dick have doubts, but she also wondered if Lyran's talents had been misplaced.

"Lightforged, seal off this place!"

Captain Faria, who was accompanying them, did not participate in the complaints about Lyran. She looked around and then gave an order. Thirty fully armed Lightforged warriors and five Lightforged war machines strode forward and quickly took over the outer defense of the Uldaman archaeological excavation site, under the surprised and slightly wary gazes of the elite guards of Ironforge.

The dwarves had indeed received orders, so under the watchful eye of Prince Brann Bronzebeard, the brave Bronzebeard warriors did not resist the "blue-skinned giants," but peacefully relinquished temporary control of this important excavation site.

"The dwarven dignitaries did not leave; they are currently resting in a camp less than five kilometers from here. But the dwarves have indeed kept their promise, and no organized military force has been detected in the vicinity."

Saloras used her exaggerated psychic powers to scout the area surrounding this rust-red wasteland, and she reported in a low voice:
"However, there is a group of lower-level black dragons active in the mountains deep in this area. Their highest level of power is only legendary, so they are not a great threat. A team of fanatics can take care of them."

"There's no need. Let them stay there and continue their underhanded schemes. There will always be greedy adventurers who will come looking for trouble for various reasons."

Diakum displayed the air of a great general, surveying his surroundings before turning to Aegwynn.

The latter retrieved the Heart of Azeroth that she had previously given to Lyran. Holding the golden pendant, she seemed to be sensing something. After a few seconds, she said:
"Right beneath our feet lies an underground palace divided into inner and outer sections!"
The dwarves have dug into the outer crypt but have not yet ventured into the core area, nor have they broken the 'biological seal' set up by the Titan guardians. They have not yet made a grave mistake and still have a chance to make amends. But what we are looking for is in the inner crypt, where there is a complex Titan defense system.

But they couldn't stop our group.

Aegwynn glanced at her entourage, which included herself and old Merri. Including the twins and Diakum, there were five demigods in the group, with tanks, healers, and DPS. There were indeed few places in the world that could stop them, not to mention the four dragons and Archbishop Nelly who accompanied them. This group was large enough to attempt a frontal assault on the outer outposts of the Titan city of Ulduar.

The "Uldaman" before us is merely a peripheral "biological laboratory" within the Titan Guardian system.

It's important, but not that important.

"Faria, you and your men guard the outer perimeter. Do not venture into the depths of the underground palace rashly. If you truly need help, I will issue a 'gathering' order to you."

Dick gave his disciple a few words of advice, and Faria, the outstanding commander, nodded, then glanced at the old dwarf beside her who was looking at her strangely.

She always felt that Brian Bronzebeard's eyes looked strange.

But Old Bronzebeard wasn't one of those vulgar dwarves; he had no particular fondness for hoofed people. This strange look wasn't directed at Captain Faria, but rather at all the Draenei present.

Wow, you guys are amazing!
Brann Bronzebeard, who was just over 1.5 meters tall, considered himself "tall" among his fellow Draenei, but at this moment he felt like a "real dwarf" in front of these Draenei. This completely ignited the dwarves' obsession with height and made Brann feel very insecure.

If any of these hoofed people makes a mistake, they'll be trampled to death.

"Hello, Master Brian."

In his human form, Diakum bent down and shook hands with Brian Bronzebeard, smiling as he said:
"I have long heard that you are the most outstanding explorer and enthusiast in the Eastern Continent, and today I see that this is indeed true. We will keep our promise and take you into the true secret chamber of Uldaman, which has been sealed for at least 30,000 years. The secrets contained therein are destined to make you leave today with a full harvest."

"I believe your promise. I have heard about what you have done in Stormwind. You are trustworthy and good people."

Although Brian Bronzebeard was an upright dwarf, he was still somewhat pleased to be flattered by a saint from another race. He tried to maintain a serious expression and said:

"But before we enter Udaman, I need to figure out one thing: what exactly are you planning to do here with all this big fuss?"
You should know that this place is very likely the birthplace of dwarves and gnomes!

It was here that Highlord Khaz'goroth, the god of forging, wielded His omnipotent hammer, forging the dwarves from fire and earth, and bestowing His astonishing wisdom upon the gnomes. But then something happened that caused us to leave the abode of the god of forging.

This isn't just our mythology!

Our years of excavation in the desolate lands have proven that this myth is not unfounded.

"No, the origin of dwarves is not here, but you and gnomes were indeed brothers, and even the ancestors of mankind were your ancient brothers."

Diakum shook his head and said:
"Uldaman is a 'sad place' for dwarves, but I won't tell you the specific reasons directly. I can't deprive you of your right to find out the truth for yourself."

As for what we should do here.
You can rest assured that we will not destroy it.

We're taking something from here that will have a significant impact on the world. After we leave, the dwarven archaeologists can continue to excavate the hidden riches and treasures. We have no interest in those things.

Brian Bronzebeard fell silent.

He sensed the goodwill of the foreign saint before him.

Although he was neither a fierce warrior like his two older brothers nor a shaman, Brian was a skilled hunter. Therefore, he could sense the terrifying power emanating from Diakum, who could ruthlessly destroy everything here. The dwarves could not stop him and his terrifying army of tall hoofed men, but he was still willing to resolve the matter peacefully.

Brian knew he couldn't be so rude as to ask for more after the other party had shown him kindness.

So he sighed, patted his notebook, and said:
“I will go in with you and record everything I see, but all artifacts related to the origins of the dwarves must be transported back to Ironforge.”

"No problem, it's settled."

Diakum nodded, but as he entered the ruins through the cave dug by the dwarven archaeologists, he suddenly remembered something very important and said to Nellie, whom he trusted most:

"You and Lyran will serve as His Excellency Brian Bronzebeard's temporary protectors. You must ensure his safety while preventing him from touching anything he shouldn't! Keep a close eye on his 'magical hands,' which are often beyond his control."

The Titan Guardians have left behind security measures here, and to be honest, even Lady Aegwynn couldn't guarantee our safe arrival deep within Uldaman's dungeons.

Nelly rarely saw Diakum attach so much importance to a mortal he had just met, even personally assigning her to "keep an eye on" him, but as someone who was connected to Diakum in spirit, the archbishop could indeed sense a certain worry in Dick.

So she grasped Redthroat's Fang, glanced at the old dwarf beside her who was adjusting various devices, and nodded very seriously.

However, at this point in time, the dwarves' excavation had not yet damaged Uldaman's "bio-sealing device," so the dungeon was not yet teeming with frenzied "caveman." The journey downwards was not too dangerous until they reached the deepest point the dwarven excavators could reach, where a peculiar white wall blocked their way.

"Look! That's proof of the dwarf myth."

Blake, wearing a miner's helmet, stepped forward and touched the cracks in the unusually textured wall. He exclaimed:

"The height of this crack is just enough for a group of dwarves to pass through. We previously found a sophisticated stone hammer here, which was the weapon used by our ancestors. But there seems to be some force on the other side of the wall preventing us from returning, which has meant that the excavation over the years can only be carried out on the outside."

"Since you can't get in, you're trying to blow up this magical wall?"

Yrel stepped forward to investigate, and upon seeing the massive amount of dwarven explosives piled up nearby, Little Hoof exclaimed in surprise:

"Are dwarves' archaeological style really this wild and hardcore?"

"Ahem, that's just the idea of ​​'radical archaeologists.' I've always disagreed with such a crude archaeological method."

Brian Bronzebeard blushed and waved his hand, saying:
"It was because of my intervention that the plan to blow up the wall was stopped beforehand."

"But you can't stop them forever! Those stubborn dwarven archaeologists will always find a time when you're not around and sneak off to do it."

Chromie, dressed as a dwarf, leaned on a staff taller than himself and muttered a sarcastic remark:
"You will definitely do this. If these explosives can't break through the Titan Guardian's walls, you'll keep increasing the amount until those crazy guys among you plant enough explosives here, and then blow up Uldaman's biological prison, causing the troublesome things inside to 'escape' and directly triggering the disaster that almost wiped out the dwarves."

"Sigh, being neighbors with you rude fellows is the worst luck for dwarfs."

"Hey, don't talk about these 'things that never happened' in front of mortals!"

Teregosa tapped Chromie on the head and whispered:
“We’ve come this far, and we won’t allow the ‘official history’ you’ve witnessed to happen again.”

"Hmph, I was just warning them not to do anything stupid like that again."

Chromie pursed her lips.

This troublemaker has been "letting loose" since leaving the Bronze Dragonflight.

A few days ago, she told the other four dragons all about what would happen to them in the future. As a result, this "Bronze Dragon Ghost Story" terrified the four female dragons. After all, in Chromie's "ghost story," apart from Mylinsera, who "only lost her mother and became an orphan," the other three did not have a good ending.

"go in."

Diakum stretched out his hand, clenched it into a fist, sensed the thickness of the wall, and then punched it. Under the old dwarf's wide-eyed gaze, the high wall that had blocked their way for more than ten years collapsed into powdery fragments in an instant.

An ancient wind, sealed for 30,000 years, blew out from the smoke and dust, making Brian's eyes light up.

“Yrel, you, Lyran, and Teregosa go and deal with the ‘failed Titan creations’ in the Biological Imprisonment Grounds. Get rid of all those stone-jaw monsters that have no reason whatsoever and only a destructive desire.”

Diakum pointed to the edge of the underground palace before him and said:
"That was a 'mistake' left behind by the Titan Guardians. They should have corrected it tens of thousands of years ago, but instead they chose to leave these destroyers behind to cause more trouble."

"What's a Stonejaw Monster?" Brian Bronzebeard asked curiously. Diakum turned to him and said:
“They are your ‘distant relatives,’ or more accurately, ‘failed products’ from before your ancestors were created. Do you want to go and see what kind of disaster those guys would bring to the Khaz Modan region if you released them?”

Old Copperbeard, not believing in superstition, ran over to take a look. When he returned, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. He looked at the smug-looking Chromie with a strange expression.

This guy didn't seem to be talking nonsense just now.

If those bloodthirsty, destructive monsters that only know how to wreak havoc were to escape, the Khaz Modan region would truly be doomed.

However, this "potential disaster" is not even a problem for the current vigilant; he doesn't even need to deal with the source of the disaster himself, but can continue forward.

The group walked through a desolate dungeon, where giants made of rock could be seen everywhere, maintaining ancient routines like mindless security guards. But whenever they saw Brann Bronzebeard, these powerful giants would roar and charge at him, only to be crushed by the dragons under the Vigilantes' command.

Why do they hate me so much?

The old dwarf was completely baffled, until Aegwynn answered his questions. The Star Soul Guardian said:

"You are a product of the Curse of Flesh, Brann Bronzebeard. These guardians will kill all 'infected' according to their masters' orders. Your ancestors did come from this place, but why do you wonder why 'Moodys Anvilmar, the King of the Mountains', led the awakened dwarves to flee from here?"

Don't ask me what the 'Curse of Flesh and Blood' is; there's plenty of information deep within the dungeon to answer your questions.

The others prepare for battle; the Titan Guardians are ahead!
That big guy sealed himself away.

Aegwynn pointed ahead, and after everyone was ready, she went forward to examine the miniature model of the Uldaman dungeon. Then she picked up a dusty staff from the side and inserted it into the hole in the center of the model.

A beam of light shot out from nowhere, and through reflections from the hidden focusing lenses, it finally projected a golden arc of light toward the closed stone door ahead.

With a series of cracking sounds and tremors, a colossal creature was awakened.

Before Brian Bronzebeard's horrified gaze, a terrifying rock colossus, several meters tall, emerged with a tremor-like movement, carrying a heavy warhammer. Her physical body was clad in magnificent golden armor and robes, complete with boots and gauntlets, clearly indicating that she was an intelligent stone statue.

But she had been asleep for so long that she was somewhat disoriented when she was awakened by external forces.

She leaned on her warhammer, looking at the people before her, and exclaimed upon noticing Brian Bronzebeard:
"Earthling, how did you get infected like this? Wait! Aren't you Modimus Anvilmar, the security chief of Uldaman? You're his descendant?"

Old Bronzebeard's mouth dropped open in shock.

The giantess's first words contained a terrifying message for the dwarf, but he had no time to ask further questions, for the giantess had already noticed the golden ornament in Aegwynn's hand.

"The Heart of Azeroth? Wasn't that failed creation sealed away?"

She angrily rebuked:
"This is not something you should possess! Sea Witch, didn't your master, Chief Administrator Odin, teach you not to touch important experimental subjects casually? And this blue giant, you possess the violent aura of chaotic life!"

You are exactly the kind of 'source of chaos' that Odin is most wary of.

I also caught a whiff of the void. Did you become tainted by the void while walking in the holy light?

Ha, you pathetic fellows, you should not have set foot in this sacred place!
Now, return your precious test subjects and get out! I won't warn you a second time!

Faced with the giantess's stern rebuke and feeling her terrifying power, Brann Bronzebeard gripped his shotgun tightly, but he doubted whether this weapon, which could kill gnolls, could protect him in this situation.

But Diakum stepped forward expressionlessly, without even drawing his weapon, and stopped Aegwynn from launching an immediate attack.

He scolded:

"Elonaia, follower of Tyr, traitor to the Titan Guardians!"

Stop pretending!
I know everything about what you and Azadas encountered in Ulduar and why you sealed yourself in Uldaman. You released those gnomes and dwarves who were twisted into carbon-based life forms by the Curse of Flesh without my permission, didn't you?

With their power, it was impossible for them to break Uldaman's seal and escape to the outside world.

You may pretend to be a loyal servant of the Titans here, but we all know very well that once Ulduar learns that you are still alive, Loken, the 'King of Wisdom,' will immediately come after you.

Your fellow countrymen are more eager than I am to kill you and your companions.
The 'Forger' Azadas has been forging these statues day and night all these years not to start a war, but only to protect himself and guard the terrible secret left behind by Tyr.

You two loyal, pathetic bastards!

I am the 'enemy of the Titans,' but you two are too, in fact.

The vigilant waved his hand, and the old lich stepped forward with a hint of wariness, opening the weapon case on his back to reveal the Silver Hand warhammer inside.

Upon seeing this relic from the Titan Guardians, a very human sadness appeared on Elona's stone face.

Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, the formidable Elonaya dropped the giant hammer in her hand. She collapsed to the ground, utterly helpless, as if she had lost all her goals and power and had her true nature exposed.

At this moment, she no longer resembled a strong and steadfast guardian, but rather a confused and even somewhat cowardly mortal.

She said to Aegwynn in a dejected tone:
"You obtained the Heart of Azeroth, so the Star Soul has awakened? And you, appointed 'World Spokesperson,' know everything?"

"Not all, but enough for me to know the truth about the Titans."

Aegwynn looked at the female giant, whose emotions were too vivid, with curiosity, and said:

"But Diakum calling you two 'traitors' is quite intriguing. There seems to be more to your story about hiding here with that blacksmith?"

"That's complicated, it can't be explained in a few words."

Elonaya stroked the Silver Hand warhammer that had been presented to her, and sighed:

"But you came here with Tyr's warhammer, and you also have the Heart of Azeroth, which is enough to show that you are not the enemies that Azadas and I are wary of."

I noticed that three of the four dragons among your companions have already broken away from the Guardian system. It seems you have indeed received the blessing of the Star Soul. I can imagine how much He hates us jailers. However, Lord Tyr did leave a message here.

Considering his 'friendship' with the Dragon Kings, you may indeed have the authority to access those messages.

That was a 'suicide note'.

Once you've read it, you'll know what really happened between the Titan Guardians in ancient times.

"That's exactly why we're here."

Diakum nodded, then asked:

"Since you no longer intend to resist, how would you like us to deal with you?"

"Destruction? Punishment? Torture?"

Elonaya shook her head, and the Giantess said in a forlorn tone:
"Do as you please. When Tyr's master died fighting for his stubborn principles, the meaning of my and Azadas's existence was already gone. For us, the time that followed was all tragedy."

"What if I told you that Tyr didn't actually 'die'?"

Diakum stared at her and said:
“What if I told you that Tyr foresaw his fate before embarking on that adventure, and thus took precautions? What if I told you that the master you and Azadas secretly followed and served, abandoning the Guardian Code, could be ‘resurrected’?”

"bang"

Elonaya clenched her fists, glaring at Diakum. Realizing he wasn't joking, she hesitated, wanting to ask directly but falling silent. After much thought, she whispered:

What do you need the two of us to do?

"Of course, it's about going to the 'judgment seat'."

Diakum shrugged, and with the rationality befitting a Warrior of Light, said:
"You were once the jailers who guarded the Star Soul Lord. Only those you harmed have the right to decide your and Azadas's fate. I have no intention of acting as judge and executioner in this matter. So, leave Uldaman with us and go to the Chamber of the Heart."

You should honestly accept the judgment you deserve!
As for Tyr, the 'greatest traitor' in the Titan Guardian system, what will become of him in the future?
The Star Soul Lord will decide.

Ps:

Thanks to the guild leader "Lingjinggan from overseas" for the generous donation. Currently, I'm 132+5 chapters behind. Ah, the Holy Number is back.

(End of this chapter)