Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 327, Section 17. Congratulations, 'Dragon Heart' Luo Ning, the Salvation Army welcomes you.

Margok and Kael'thas left.

Those two bastards abandoned a responsibility and burden that left Khadgar in a dilemma. When he returned to his room, Rhonin, who was lying in bed drinking a potion but unable to sleep, immediately noticed his terrible expression.

Luo Ning coughed a few times, enduring the pain, and joked:
"What's wrong with you? You look like you've bitten into an apple and found half a worm inside."

"Your analogy is disgusting, Ronin."

Khadgar sighed, sat down beside his friend's bed, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered:
“Some annoying guy has put a heavy shackle on me.”

"Huh? What harsh and unacceptable demands did they make on you?"

"Atiesh, the Guardian's Staff! Margok and Kael'thas demanded that I become the Guardian of Tirisfal. What a pair of ruthless bastards!"

"cough cough"

Rhonin coughed violently, and after several seconds, clutching his chest and staring at Khadgar, he said:
"Are you sure this is a heavy shackle? I get the feeling you're just being smug after getting a good deal. That's the Guardian of Tirisfal! A dream that no spellcaster in Dalaran, no! The entire Eastern Continent, could even dream of in their wildest fantasy."

Why do you see this as a burden?

Khadgar did not answer.

He kept his head down, his face pale, seemingly unwilling to explain, but after a moment, Garona's voice rang out from the shadows of the room:

"Because this coward was scared."

Garona emerged from the shadows, holding a vial of potion that glowed faintly in the darkness. She tossed it to Ronning, gesturing for him to drink it.

Then, the orc assassin leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, and said in a mocking tone:

"He stayed by Medivh's side during his madness and witnessed Medivh's journey to the end. Although it cannot be generalized, Khadgar believed that Medivh's fate was due to the pressure of being the Guardian that drove him mad."

This is at least part of the reason.

This can be seen from Medivh's deliberate attempt to lure the Greenskins into an invasion of the Eastern Kingdoms. Under the influence of his dark mind, Medivh used the most extreme methods to forge unity.

Although, judging from the current situation of Stormwind Kingdom, Medivh actually made the right gamble.

In a very short time, the kingdom gathered power that was previously unimaginable, and Anduin Lothar did indeed embark on the path of restoration according to Medivh's plan.

But is it all really worth it?

Garona shrugged.

Her eyes, hidden beneath her visor, were fixed on the silent Khadgar. As Rhonin sighed, she said:
"Regardless of what others say, in Khadgar's mind, Medivh is a qualified mentor. He is used to acting according to Medivh's teachings, so he is very afraid that he will become a second Medivh in the future."

He feared that in the future he too would make the same ruthless choices as Medivh when faced with decisions, mercilessly sacrificing innocent people for a grander goal.

“I’m not afraid, I really will do it in the future! I’ve seen firsthand how terrible my future self will be.”

Under the watchful eyes of Rhonin and Garona, Khadgar finally spoke.

He said softly:

"Do you remember those rifts of fate, Rhonin? I saw them in the corridor on my first day in Karazhan, and I saw my future there."

At that time, I was old and gray, holding the Staff of Atiesh, the Guardian.

A haggard Jaina Proudmoore begged me to mobilize forces to avenge the destroyed city of Theramore, where the Greenskins dropped a horrific bomb that killed hundreds of thousands of humans.

I should have protected them, but I didn't.

After the disaster, as a guardian of humanity, I should have avenged them, but I still didn't!

Instead, I used a hypocritical tone that disgusts me now to persuade Jaina, urging her to think about the bigger picture, to maintain friendship with the 'Horde,' and to prevent the creation of more 'war orphans.'

I advised the Grand Mage, who had just lost his city and people, not to start another war.

Jaina denounced me as a 'cold-blooded political monster'.

I think so too.

I never imagined that I would one day stand by and watch my own people be destroyed for the benefit of a group of alien races.

I don't know when that future will happen, but I do know it will happen after I inherit the Staff of Atiesh, the Guardian. I can't hold that staff anymore, neither can Garona, nor Rhonin.

I don't want to become that kind of 'cold-blooded monster'.

"and many more!"

Luo Ning's eyes widened.

He looked at Khadgar and said:
"I saw in the rift of fate that I would be reduced to dust in the explosion of 'Theramore,' which means that after my miserable death in the future, you will refuse to avenge me in the name of 'peace'?"
How could you do this! Khadgar, what have I done to offend you?!

I even considered you a friend.

Then, Luo Ning belatedly remembered what had happened in the past few days, and he pursed his lips and said:
"No wonder you've been so nice to me since we met. I thought you were planning to become my godfather, giving me the magic book and helping me get into high society. So that's what it was all about. Are you confessing to me for your future self?"

"Yes, although I know those things haven't happened yet, I still feel guilty towards you."

Khadgar sighed and said:

"Therefore, I cannot accept the Guardian's Staff; I cannot allow such a cold-blooded version of myself to exist!"

"Okay, then I forgive you."

Luo Ning waved his hand casually, as easygoing as a father and son in the dormitory, but then he reminded him:

"In that case, you should make things clear to Prince Kael'thas and Lord Margok, lest they think you don't know what's good for you. This holy staff isn't just about those two families; many people are watching."

After all, it is the Guardian's Staff, one of the symbols of human civilization.

"If you two gentlemen really wanted to find a mage to inherit it, you could gather no fewer than a thousand volunteers in an instant."

"You two idiots!"

Garona, who had been watching this scene from the sidelines, finally couldn't hold back anymore.

She strode forward and slapped Khadgar across the face, then turned and slapped Rhonin across the face again. The two grown men stared blankly at the angry orc assassin, their innocent expressions conveying a kind of abstract beauty, as if saying, "Sister, hit me again."

They didn't know why Garona was so angry.

“Fate can be changed! The future is never static, especially for you, Khadgar. You’ve followed my grandfather for so long, and you still haven’t grasped this?”

Garona scolded:

"What does it matter if you see a cold-blooded version of yourself in the future! When the Vigilant awoke in Draenor, he knew that if he let the fate of the world go to waste, our homeland would sooner or later become a pile of broken landmasses floating in the universe."

If Grandpa were like you two cowards, only daring to submit to fate and let it pound on him, then Draenor would have been finished long ago!
The truth is, the Vigilante single-handedly shouldered the fate of Draenor, shattering that dark future with his own hands and bringing light to the entire world.

Anyone who has heard the story of the vigilantes should no longer blindly believe in fate!
But what I saw were two idiots who, despite their extraordinary talent, were trapped in place like cowards, too afraid to act because of the constraints of fate. That's why the vigilant can be revered by all, while you two are only fit to hide here, covering your eyes and sobbing.

"Just like a useless woman!"

The orc assassin grew angrier and angrier, so he kicked Khadgar and then turned and jumped into the shadows.

After she left, Rhonin glared at Khadgar and said:
“Hey, she seems angry. You’ve really pissed her off. And she’s right, Khadgar. I saw my fate in Theramore in the Rift of Fate, but then fate changed.”

Right in front of me!
I saw Miss Vereesa and me sitting warmly by the fireplace, with her two lovely children beside us.

"You son of a bitch!"

Khadgar abruptly stood up, glaring at Rhonin, and snapped:

"Why didn't you say something so important sooner! If your fate has already changed, then the future I'm worried about doesn't exist anymore."

"You didn't even ask."

Red-haired Ronin said with an innocent look:
"What kind of decent person would casually tell other people their future wife's name? Even if we're friends, it wouldn't be right. So, would you accept the Guardian's Staff?"

"I can!"

Khadgar said:

"I want to go to the northern frontier to rescue people. Before the most terrible demons land, I want to teleport as many innocent people as possible back to the Storm Kingdom. To do this, I need a lot of magic."

but.
But I will not inherit the title of Guardian of Tirisfal. In fact, I think the title of 'Guardian' should have been forgotten when Medivh died.

Over the years, Dalaran has done far too many foolish things in its efforts to reclaim this legacy, and I was even part of it.

I'm done!

Since that thing can cause disaster, then everyone should stop using that name!
Starting with me, the power of the Guardians will only be passed down in secrecy among the mages, and becoming a Guardian will be a heavy responsibility rather than a glorious honor revered by thousands.

That would only create unnecessary trouble.

Yes.

We cannot become saints like Commander Diakum, but we can learn from him. Mages should not be burdened by power, and guardians even less so.

He turned around, his face still bearing the slap mark, and said to Luo Ning:
"There will be no more 'Guardians of Tirisfal' from now on; everyone can become a Guardian!"
I will learn from all past lessons, carefully select and nurture my successor, and conduct all of this in the shadows. The Holy Staff will only reappear when the Empire faces a crisis.

"Cool! That's how it should be!" Luo Ning swung his fist, but it aggravated his wound, causing him to wince in pain. He said:
"If something brings countless benefits, then everyone will want it; but if something only brings endless responsibility, then those who dare to take on it are true heroes."

You're right, human mages should have been more pure a long time ago.

"Stop talking and get some rest. You look like you're about to die."

Khadgar told Rhonin to lie down immediately, saying:
"I'm going to find those two bastards and explain my thoughts. There's no need for any inheritance ceremony. Anyway, I don't care about fame or fortune. I'll take the Holy Staff tomorrow and leave here to go to the Northern Frontier to rescue people."

"Take me with you."

Luo Ning said:
"My good friend is about to accomplish something great, and although I am not very talented, I am willing to do my best to help him."

"But aren't you going to stay here and pursue your future wife?"

Khadgar joked:

“Miss Vereesa is right here, and I just saw a Wildhammer dwarf giving her flowers.”

"Hmph, what's meant to be mine will come to me, and what's not meant to be mine, I can't force it."

Luo Ning, however, took it all in stride. He waved his hand and said:
"Besides, with my current weak skills, how dare I even try to get close?"

I should at least become an Archmage before I have the guts to pursue members of the Windrunner family. They are a thousand-year-old noble family of Quel'Thalas. In my current state, I can't even get into their house.

Let me train under your guidance for a few years first.

After making arrangements with his friend, Khadgar left the room.

A few minutes later, Luo Ning heard the door open again. Still feeling drowsy from drinking the healing potion prepared by the Holy Light Legion's apothecary, Luo Ning said without looking up:
"What's wrong? Did you forget something?"

"I just came to see what the 'great hero' who dared to face Deathwing was like in private. As it turns out, you're not exactly a perfect gentleman, but you're not bad either."

A hoarse, teasing voice rang out in the room, causing Luo Ning to shudder and get up despite the pain. He already had a wand in his hand, but before he could raise it, it snapped in two with a crack under the influence of the other person's magic.

This scene terrified Luo Ning.

Holy crap, using pure magic to burst the wand?
Is the weaver here?
“The Weaver? If you really want to compare me to that big blue lizard, I’ll be very angry, Red-haired Ronnin.”

Wearing a raven hood and leaning on the Staff of Aluneth, amidst the incessant shouts of the Arcane Staff from its lackeys who yelled, "Little noobs, why aren't you kneeling down to greet the Star Soul's spokesperson?", she said to Rhonin:

"Khadgar should have told you that this battle wasn't just about choosing the Guardian of Tirisfal; it was a trial. Unfortunately, under my watchful eye, very few people were able to pass the trial."

Alas, my son's worries about the world are well-founded; Azeroth is now suffering from a severe shortage of talent.

"what?"

Luo Ning blinked and said:

"You mean you think I passed the trial? That doesn't make sense."

I was just a bystander the whole time. My magic couldn't even defeat the elite warlocks of the Shadow Council. Of all the spellcasters participating in the trial, I was the weakest.

“Power? No, power is the least significant factor in what we do.”

Aegwynn casually remarked:

"What the Star Soul Lord needs are guardians with sincere hearts. He never looks at whether a warrior has power when choosing one, since no one in this world can threaten him with power."

What Your Excellency truly values ​​is a person's fundamental character!
This indispensable characteristic only becomes apparent when a person faces a crisis. For example, Vereesa Windrunner, whom you saved three times, is equally brave and fearless, but she also wavers when faced with the temptation of the Dragon Soul.

The mere soul of a dragon was enough to shake her.
How could Star Soul Lord entrust her with even greater power with such a mindset?
Kael'thas was good, but his disgraceful display during his mana addiction flare-up disappointed the World Mother, who concluded that the elves were not fit to wield true power until they had completely resolved their mana addiction.

"A mere dragon's soul."

Luo Ning clicked his tongue and sighed:

"Only powerful beings like you and the Vigilant are qualified to comment on an artifact that even dragons fear. I don't think it's Vereesa's fault; I've also wavered at times."

"Your mind and true nature have been revealed if you can face the terrifying vision of Deathwing without wavering."

Aegwynn raised her hand, and a pendant of the Heart of Azeroth, crafted from rock, floated up and was presented to Rhonin. She said:

“Our organization may relax its standards when recruiting warriors in the future, but I think it’s better to keep the requirements strict since we’re just starting out.”

Wear it, Ronin.

Use this power with care. I will call upon you when the world needs us.

Luo Ning reached out and respectfully accepted the exquisitely crafted pendant, though made of stone. He hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Does Khadgar have it? Doesn't he meet the criteria either?"

“He didn’t fit the bill. We don’t want a coward who doesn’t even dare to defy fate. The Salvation Army isn’t a garbage dump; we can’t just throw any kind of person into it.”

Aegwynn said in a very sarcastic way:

"But he's starting to look interesting now. I'll keep an eye on him. Okay, you should wake up now. Watch your mouth. If you dare to say anything out of line, you'll know how serious the consequences can be."

"Ok?"

Luo Ning's eyes widened.

The next second, he opened his eyes in bed.

The bewildered redhead Rhonin looked around. The room was quiet; Khadgar had locked the door so he could rest properly when he left, and no one else had come in.

"Oh, it was just a dream. Sigh, I was fantasizing about becoming a superhero again. I knew it, how could a newbie like me possibly achieve that?"

Before Luo Ning could finish his lament, he saw the stone pendant he was holding in his palm.

His back was instantly covered in cold sweat.

He was a spellcaster, and he knew what that scene meant. Being able to entrust a physical object in a dream already demonstrated Lady Aegwynn's current strength.

Luo Ning sat up and examined the pendant carefully.

He stroked the strange engravings on the pendant and the blue "gem" at its center that was neither gold nor jade, which seemed more like a convergence of some kind of energy.

An extremely powerful and magnificent force.

On the back of the pendant, there is a line of small print.

"The one who possesses this item shall enjoy the glory of saving the world. Remember that loyalty itself is a reward! May Mother World bless you, 'Dragon Heart' Luo Ning."

"Dragon Heart? That's a really cool nickname!"

Red-haired Ronin grinned.

Although he didn't know what power the pendant had, he felt satisfied to be praised by Ms. Aegwynn, and then he put the pendant on his neck with great ceremony.

As a result, the moment he reached out to touch it, his will was caught off guard and was drawn to face the Star Soul directly.

Rhonin's red hair danced in the air, as if he were witnessing the entire birth of a world. As he held his breath and watched, everything that Azeroth had experienced in the past poured into his mind like the "Big Bang."

Finally, he saw Ysera, the slumbering being they had rescued, lying peacefully in the light of Mother World, fast asleep, just like a child, within the brilliant, deep blue arc of cosmic power.

Luo Ning felt the Star Soul Lord's gaze.

He finally understood why Ms. Aegwynn was so careful in selecting members of the Salvation Army.

This power, which comes from the very origin of the world and breathes and shares the same fate with the entire world, should not be casually bestowed upon those with weak wills.

Ah, now the Dragon Soul has truly been reduced to a "mere trifle".

"boom"

The knocking on the door jolted Luo Ning out of his ritual to see the Star Soul, causing the red-haired mage to jump up in a fit of rage, rush to the door, and yank it open.

He wanted to see which bastard dared to do such an evil thing at this time. How could someone dare to have an audience with the Star Soul, a sacred matter?
"What's wrong with you? Why are you so angry?"

Vereesa Windrunner, carrying a basket of elven healing potions, looked at Rhonin with a puzzled expression and said:
"I've come to bring you medicine and to thank you for saving my life. My mother taught me to be polite."

"Uh, well, I was just meditating, nothing. Would you like to come in and sit down? I'm leaving tomorrow to go with Khadgar to the Northern Frontier to rescue people. Khadgar is reluctant to leave his sanctuary, but I'm really worried about those innocent people in the Northern Frontier who are being threatened by demons."

"Oh, I didn't realize you, a newbie, were so concerned about the common people?"

"For a savior, power is the least important thing. Does that mean I can't help others if I don't have power?"

Ronin scratched his head, modified Ms. Aegwynn's "sayings of the strong," and made a grand display of arrogance before inviting Vereesa into his room.

A dozen minutes later, when Khadgar returned carrying the Atiesh Guardian Staff wrapped in black cloth, he was astonished to see his good friend chatting happily with an elf girl by the fireplace.

He looked at Luo Ning suspiciously, wondering when this guy had become so uninhibited.
"You're back, Khadgar. I have good news for you."

Rhonin waved casually, winking at Khadgar and saying:

“Miss Vereesa is just about to return to Quel'Thalas. We can go to the Northlands together. As a member of the Windrunner family, she has a duty to save lives.”

"I have no problem with you taking girls to rescue people, but please tell me, what's that thing on your neck? So, you're the first mortal to be recognized?!"
Why!
This is outrageous!

(End of this chapter)