Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 329, Section 19: Elune in the Sky Remains Silent, Anvina on the Ground Misses Her Mother - Bonus Chapter [15]

(Bonus chapter for "Huo Zheng Ting Hao" [1/5])
At the triangular intersection of Elwynn Forest and Redridge Mountains, Lothar, covered in blood and utterly exhausted, stood beside his warhorse, its tongue lolling out in weariness. Yet, the Marshal and his iron-clad knights remained in high spirits after two days and two nights of battle and pursuit.

Not only them, but even the soldiers who were constantly rushing from the forest into the hills ahead were shouting victory in a hoarse voice.

They finally drove the orcs out of Elwynn Forest.

This battle killed countless greenskins, but it was indeed the most glorious counterattack launched by humanity in the months since the War Horde invaded Stormwind Kingdom.

They reclaimed their land!

This alone is enough to allow humanity, which has been holding back for the past few months, to finally unleash its full potential today.

But Lothar was, after all, a commander. He was not blinded by the victory before him, nor did he intend to lead his already exhausted warriors into the Redridge Mountains.

This kingdom province, the first to be conquered by the orcs, has now become the "base camp" of the greenskins. Near the Stonewall Fortress in Redridge Mountains, the greenskins have built a rather extravagant mountain fortress. Moreover, Redridge Mountains was once controlled by the gnolls, so conquering it will be no easy task.

Lothar decided to wait until the dwarves' steam tanks and gnome gyroplanes arrived before discussing the advance.

"The next step is the fertile western plains! Lothar, we must stabilize the rear as soon as possible while we rest on the front lines."

King Llane soon arrived at the camp in Lothar with his retinue. The Lightforged were also showing signs of fatigue from the continuous battles. The human life force was not as exaggerated as that of the Eredar. Veterans of the Light Legion could fight for more than seven days without sleep on a high-intensity battlefield, but the human Lightforged could not.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that His Majesty Llane has only been a Lightforged for a short time, and his understanding of the power of the Holy Light is still insufficient.

“You’re right, that’s what I think too.”

Faced with Ryan's strategic advice, Marshal Lothar nodded and said:

“Redridge Mountains is a tough nut to crack, and it’s impossible to take it in one battle like Elwynn Forest. The high warlord in charge there, Eitrigg, is a truly intelligent orc. He has managed this mountain area so well that it’s completely well-organized.”

Aside from relying on dwarf tanks and gnome gyroplanes for a direct assault, I can't think of any other good methods.

Therefore, there is no rush here. The exiles from the northern frontier are being transported here ship by ship by Prince Drake and his mother, Queen Catherine. Elwynn Forest can become a new home for these innocent people, but food cannot be conjured up immediately.

Most importantly, the harvest season is just around the corner.

Lothar, munching on jerky, said to Ryan, who was pulling out his pipe to enjoy his tobacco:

"Our scouts have uncovered the orcs' plans in the western wilderness. Lady Pasonia's grandson, Matthias, even disguised himself as a fleeing teenager and worked for a few days on an orc-occupied farm."

According to the intelligence he sent back, the goblins from the venture capital firm, who were in cahoots with the orcs, had brought in a lot of engineering harvesters.

Those greens also realized the changes in the war, and they planned to seize the grain; I guess they wanted to run away too.

We can't let them get away.

"Then we need to be quick! The faster the better."

Ryan exhaled a smoke ring and said:
"But our main army is currently in Redridge Mountains, and our warriors need to rest. It will be difficult for the newly formed Guardians of the Faith to independently support the battle in the Western Fertiles, even with the help of the valiant Mag'har orcs. The territory of the Western Fertiles is too vast, and we need more warriors."

“We have them, Ryan.”

Lothar grinned and said:
"When the first group of exiles arrived in Stormwind, I instructed Brigadier General Windsor to select soldiers from the Northlands to form the 'Seventh Legion.' That matter went very smoothly, and Windsor has already assembled an army of six thousand men for us in the military camp at Westfall Keep."

They were all veterans from the northern border region. They lacked command, but that was not a problem.

I will temporarily place Sir Fordring's Defenders under the command of the Seventh Legion. The paladins selected for the Defenders are the most devout and valiant believers. With their leadership, the framework of the Seventh Legion has been established.

The first batch of steam tanks brought by the dwarves can also be used on the flat plains of the western wilderness. I heard about the Holy Light Legion's 'mechanized assault' tactics from Captain Faria before, and I think we can also imitate advanced military experience.

Using steam tanks as the vanguard, they swept across the fertile western plains in a swift storm.

We pinned the orcs down along the line between Moonbrook and Dagger Ridge, forcing them to fight us in the Demont Wilds!

"You have a plan. It seems you haven't stopped thinking about how to reclaim the kingdom's territory these past few days. Very well, then proceed according to your plan!"

King Ryan nodded in satisfaction and said:
“I’ll stay here to prepare the army, Lothar, my brother. You’ll lead the Iron Horse Knights back to Stormwind to begin the reconquest of the Western Wilds. It’s going to be a grueling, non-stop operation, and you must hold on.”

However, venture capitalists have placed a heavy bet on the Greenskins, and I'm worried the goblins will form mercenaries to assist them in the Western Wilderness. Those damned goblin merchants have been plundering our veins for months; they won't let such huge profits slip away.

"Wouldn't that be better?"

Lothar said with a sneer:
"Prince Drake's First Fleet and Queen Catherine's Third Fleet have been reorganized into a mixed fleet for a special period. Apart from the second and third class warships that constantly transport exiles, Drake has eleven capital ships equipped with more than 170 cannons."

Such a fleet is enough to roam every coast of the eastern continent. If the goblins from the venture capital firm dare to hire pirates to cause trouble, Drake will, like a true Kul Tiran, help us sink every pirate ship for free.

He was seething with anger.

Not only because the plague caused Kul Tiras to lose its absolute dominance over the South Sea trade route, but also because poor little Jaina was captured by demons, Drake, who has always been a "good older brother," is now filled with the terrifying thought of rushing into the North and exploding with the demons.

He would have no liking for such a demonic lackey as the Greenskin.

"Ah."

Ryan exhaled a smoke ring, then turned back helplessly and called out:
"What are you hiding there for? Aren't you ashamed to show your face? Get over here!"

Lothar looked at the man summoned by the king with surprise.

He was a tall human warrior with a truly impressive physique, dressed in the fine plate armor of the Royal Guard, but carrying a very imposing elven double-edged sword on his back. The runes on the blade revealed it to be an absolutely rare and precious sword.

But Lothar had never seen this royal guard before; the man was wearing a full-face helmet and seemed "too ashamed to show his face."

"Take off your helmet!"

Ryan angrily shouted, and the "guard" sighed, took off his helmet, and revealed a face that looked seven-tenths like Ryan's.

"By the Holy Light."

Lothar was so shocked that he threw away the jerky he was holding. The Iron Horse Knights around him all turned their heads in surprise, and even Gavinrad, the alpha wolf of the Lightfang Clan, let out a howl of "werewolf shock".

"Varian? Is that you? Varian! How dare you die! You underwent the Trial of the Forest Spirits in Draenor?"

Marshal Lothar immediately recognized the grinning, head-scratching fellow, while Gavinrad whispered a reminder:

"He was the one who fought alongside King Llane against the late King Baratheon, and it was he who pierced the late king's psychic body with that elven sword, allowing him to rest in peace. According to my wolf cubs, they heard King Baratheon praise Varian before his departure, saying he would become a more outstanding ruler than His Majesty Llane."

No wonder Ryan's expression looks like he just ate orc poop. And King Baratheon, why are you also playing the "grandparental affection" card?

"Sigh, it's a good thing that the child is successful."

Lothar offered a helpless reassurance, but then glanced at Varian, who, despite his large stature, seemed rather dim-witted, and shook his head, saying:

"Alright, you come with me to the Western Fertile Lands first. Don't wander around the dangerous Redridge Mountains. But let's get this straight! Varian, since you've taken the path of the Forest Spirits to grow up early, and since you're willing to make some contributions to the people, then first learn to be a good soldier!"

"Once you're on the battlefield, you must obey orders. Do whatever I tell you to do, understand?"

"Yes, Marshal Losa."

Varian snapped to attention, puffed out his chest, and shouted to Lothar:
"Private Varian Wrynn reporting for duty!"

"Who uses that name on the battlefield? Are you afraid your identity won't attract trouble?"

Lothar scolded:
"Just use your own code name, think of one for yourself."

"Oh, then let's call it 'white pawn'."

Varian scratched his head and said loudly:
“I met a formidable ‘Black Pawn’ in Draenor. That guy was incredibly powerful. I personally witnessed him kill a Fel Lord with a single axe blow. He was truly an idol for warriors. I want to become a warrior as powerful as him.”

Unfortunately, the black soldier never removed his helmet, so I never saw his face.

“Very well, that’s the rule for ‘white pawns’.”

Lothar picked up Varian's helmet, placed it on the prince's head, and said:
"From today until the end of the war, you are not allowed to take off your helmet, understand?"

"And take that demon sword back with you."

King Ryan pointed to the "Demon Sword Apocalypse" sealed in the weapon case by holy light, and whispered:

"Although Father's body has been purified, his soul was devoured by that demonic sword. While you're at it, go and ask the Watchers if there's any way to release Father, even sending him to the realm of death would be better than him suffering like this now."

—————— "Quel'Thalas Expedition reports to you! Prince Kael'thas, we have been ordered to come to Stormwind to support the war. The Sun King has commanded us to take command of you and Marshal Lothar."

Just as Lothar returned to Stormwind with his White Walkers to prepare for the War of the Western Wilds, a high elf army emerging from a portal in Stormwind's mage quarter was reporting to Kael'thas.

Prince Sunstrider was still a bit weak from his mana addiction, but he leaned on his Quel'dorei golden staff, nodded to the elven priest he had never seen before, and then smiled at Captain Lor'themar Theron, whom he knew well.

"This is Ms. Liadrin."

Ah-Qiang proactively introduced Prince Kael'thas to Liadrin's achievements at the Sunwell. Upon hearing that she was the chosen one of the Vigilantes, His Highness immediately nodded and said:
"Quel'Thalas thanks you for your sacrifice and dedication, Liadrin, you are a hero of the people."

"Please don't do this, Your Highness. I'm already under enough pressure."

Wearing a suit of golden armor, carrying a phoenix greatsword, and with a holy covenant beside her armor, Liadrin said with a bitter face:

"It's not because I'm so great, but merely that the Watchers used me to do great things. It's not my achievement, and I shouldn't steal the glory of the saints. However, I have a secret mission on my side, so please allow me to take my leave for now."

"Ok?"

Kael'thas looked at Lor'themar with a puzzled expression. Ah Qiang immediately stepped forward and whispered an explanation. The Sunstrider prince was immediately shocked, and a trace of fear appeared on his handsome face.

"What did you say? Grandfather appeared to us? And right there in the Sunwell?"

"Yes."

A-Qiang said somewhat awkwardly in a low voice:

"After the war, King Dathremar reprimanded His Majesty Anastarian with some harsh words, putting His Majesty under great pressure. His Majesty asked me to tell you not to worry about domestic affairs, as he will handle them."

All you need to do is build reputation with Quel'Thalas and Quel'dorei in this demonic war!

Furthermore, Guardian Farondis also asked me to convey to you that this expeditionary force will not only fight on the eastern continent, but after the army of the corrupted invades Kalimdor, we will also travel to our former homeland to fight against the demons alongside our ancient brethren and recreate the glorious unity of the War of the Ancients.

And you
He was the commander of the Queldore forces in this battle.

"Wow, this is a bit too much pressure."

Kael'thas was having a headache.

But this was an order from his grandfather, which he couldn't refuse. He couldn't help but think blasphemous words: "You should just lie still, why are you acting like a zombie? Now everyone is in a passive position!"
Accompanying this expedition were some elven archmages from the Silvermoon Council, led by Romans and Lady Gina Goldsword. Lady Gina was not in the Mage Quarter at the moment, but had gone to Goldshire to find her daughter, Fina.

After the mother and daughter met, before Fina could even tell her mother about her recent experiences, her mother bombarded her with questions:
"You met with Drake Proudmoore?"

“Uh, yes, Mother.”

Fina looked pained, knowing that her mother's "heart disease" had flared up again.

She secretly observed her mother's expression and whispered:
"My brother told me that Her Majesty Daelin has always been kind to you."

"Tch, who wants to hear his news?"

Ms. Gina scoffed and said:

"I just want to tell you to stay away from the men of the Proudmoore family, not even your half-brother!"

"But I have an appointment to keep later."

Fina Golden Sword sighed and said:
"Queen Catherine knows I'm here and insists on inviting me to the Golden Rose Banquet. She's leading her fleet to the northern frontier tomorrow morning to continue transporting exiles, so she only has time tonight. Now that you mention it, should I attend the banquet or not?"
I deliberately kept my stomach empty, waiting tonight for a big meal. I heard Queen Catherine specially hired the royal chef from Stormwind Kingdom to cook for us.

"What? That damn man's wife is here too? And she wants to invite my daughter to dinner? Isn't that a provocation?"

Ms. Gina was furious.

The alluring high elf noblewoman gritted her teeth, grabbed her daughter by the pointed ears, dragged her into the house, and screamed:

"You're planning to wear this armor to the banquet? Haven't you embarrassed the Golden Sword family enough? Change into your dress and sit down! I'll do your makeup, and I'll do mine too."

"Oh? You're going too?"

"Nonsense, the women of the Golden Sword family never fear the provocations of their enemies!"

I want to see what right she, a woman who rose to power through a political marriage, has to swagger in front of me, her 'senior.' Although I despise that bastard Dai Lin, I'm certain that the feelings between us are genuine."

"Oh, you're crazy, really."

"Shut up!"

Regardless of whether the Golden Rose Inn, a high-class hotel in Stormwind Kingdom, would be torn down tonight by the mad high elf archmage, Diakum, who had just finished his prayers for the day, saw what Liadrin handed him in the cathedral.

She held the golden crystal ball she had brought out of the Sunwell in her hands. After leaving the Sunwell, the divine object seemed to quiet down, and from the outside, it was no different from an ordinary crystal ball.

Has she always been like this?

Diakum took the golden crystal ball and asked Liadrin:

"Didn't Farondis tell you anything else?"

“The Phoenix Guardian told me that the Sun Holy Spirit is currently in a dormant state.”

Liadrin knew what the crystal ball was and also knew the Star Soul Lord's attitude towards the high elves, so she answered honestly under immense pressure:
"Because the Sunwell is to be used for ambush, the Holy Spirit has voluntarily entered a period of dormancy, temporarily transferring control of the Sunwell to the late King Dathremar. If you wish to awaken it, simply infuse it with your holy light."

Although the Holy Spirit was born of the Sunwell, she is not an arcane being, but a true energy being.

"Yes, I guessed so. After all, she is the 'daughter' of the Star Soul Lord, so it's only natural that she has great supernatural powers."

Diakum's fingers stroked the golden crystal ball, and as the holy flame was poured in, the crystal ball quickly floated up, devouring the scorching fire with such a voracious appetite that even the Watchers were somewhat surprised.

After feeding him for several minutes, Diakum's eye twitched.

He couldn't help but say:
"That's enough! My Holy Flame didn't come for nothing. If you keep eating like this, I'll become weak."

"Tch, do you, a dignified Saint of the Vigilant, need such a measly bit of holy flame from me?"

A pleasant voice rang out from the crystal ball, followed by the sound of an eggshell shattering, and a typical high elf jumped out of it.

She has long golden hair, pointed ears, and a slender, well-proportioned body.

There was something odd about that face. Diakum and Liadrin stared at each other for a few seconds, then Liadrin exclaimed:
"This face isn't it."

"Yeah, a gender-swapped version of Kael'thas."

Diakum sighed:
"I guess he was too lazy to customize the character's face, so he chose the appearance of the Sun Chaser lineage. I have to say, the Sun Chaser prince's effeminate and handsome appearance is indeed very suitable for this kind of male body with female appearance setting."

What are you all babbling about?

Lady Anveena, the Sun Saintess, floated beside the two like a spirit. She stood with her hands on her hips, scrutinizing Diakum, her gaze finally settling on the Heart of Azeroth ring on his finger. She bit her lip and whispered:

"Is that... a divine artifact bestowed upon you by my 'mother'?"

"What you really want to ask is about the Star Soul Lord's attitude towards you, right?"

Diakum removed his Heart of Azeroth and handed it to Anveena, saying:
"Ask Him yourself. Don't be afraid. The Star Soul Lord is a kind-hearted person. Years of suffering have taught Him to cherish good children. Although you were born in an accident, I believe the Lord will give you the care you deserve."

Anvina hesitated.

She looked at the Heart of Azeroth before her, hesitated for a moment, and said:
"But as you said, my birth was a mistake, and the high elves suffer from magic addiction because of me. I feel like a symbol of disaster."

"You are merely a spirit of the Sunwell. It was Dath'Remar and Farondis who decided to build it. What does it have to do with you?"

The Vigilant forcibly shoved the Heart of the World Ring into Anvina's hand, saying:
"Talk to her, we outsiders won't get involved."

After saying that, he led Liadrin out of the cathedral. He was about to ask Liadrin about her understanding of the doctrine of the Holy Light. After all, she was his "temporary chosen one". If she was completely ignorant of the way of light and shadow, wouldn't she be making a fool of herself when she went out into the world?

Before he could even ask the question, he saw Gaiara, the Frostwolf Daughter, flying down on a fear raven.

After landing, she rushed up to the guards and shouted:
"Quick! My brother is missing!"

"Huh? Who did you say is lost?"

(End of this chapter)