Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 338, Section 28: The White Wolf's Heart of War - The Demon Who Steps into the Hunting Ground is the Perfect Prey.

"cough cough"

The violent coughing signaled a painful awakening, and when the weak Ronin opened his eyes, he was greeted by Vereesa's worried face.

"Are you alright? Have some water. I added some healing potion to it. You look so pale, like you might die at any moment."

The ranger captain helped the red-haired mage to the side of the bed and brought him a red drink laced with potion.

Parched and thirsty, Ronin tried to take the water glass, but found that he couldn't lift his hand at all. His whole body was as limp as a noodle, a sign of exhaustion and even his soul was weak. He could only be fed water by Vereesa.

"Where are we now in the city of Stromgarde?"

The monk regained some strength and said in a hoarse voice:
"How did I survive? I remember being shot down by Manonos. It was too powerful. I was no match for it."

"Don't say that. It was because of your persistent fighting that we had the opportunity to escape the city. You held off the Great Demon for a full thirty minutes, which was nothing short of a miracle."

Vereesa sighed and said:

"We are now on the Wall of Thoradin. General Danas brought us here. Some of the refugees from Stromgarde are also here. As for the city of Stromgarde, it has collapsed, and the demons have used it as a stronghold."

From here, you can even see the city ablaze, like a 'magic city'.

Luo Ning fell silent.

He struggled to raise his hand and grasp the rock pendant on his chest, which gave him a sense of relief.

He had realized that this pendant could be connected to the Heart of the World and was empowered by the Star Soul Lord. Once such a divine object was taken away by a demon, it would definitely bring great trouble to the Star Soul Lord.

He tried hard to recall what had happened before he lost consciousness.

He recalled his war against the Destroyer Manonos, empowered by the power of the world. In his memory, Manonos was like a god of magic descending, single-handedly holding off the demonic attacks of the entire city and buying the city's residents time to escape. But he should have been stronger; the power of the world poured into his vessel could have shaped something great. However, his vessel was too weak.

If Khadgar had possessed such an artifact, he would certainly have done a better job than he did.

Luo Ning sighed.

The red-haired monk touched his numb cheek with his fingers again, and felt a slightly burning scar there; it was a wound.

That was the mark of shame left on him by Manonos when he struck him down with fel magic; it was a symbol of defeat.

"How many people escaped from the city?"

He asked a question.

Vereesa fell silent, but this silence itself was the answer, plunging the room where Rhonin was into a deathly stillness, and causing the red-haired mage to clench his fists.

“I have disappointed Lord Star Soul.”

He whispered:

"Even with divine weapons in hand, I cannot stop the disaster that erupts before my eyes. How can I, in this state, bear the name of 'savior'?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Archmage Ronin!"

A clanging sound rang out from outside the door.

As the door opened, Danas Trollbane, clad in armor, entered the room carrying a simple meal.

The brave but already balding general placed the plate on the table, pulled up a chair and sat on the edge of the bed. He spoke earnestly to the remorseful Luo Ning:

"If it weren't for your sudden appearance, Lady Vereesa's, and Master Khadgar's, Stromgarde would have been absolutely destroyed in the chaos of that night. I've reviewed the situation, and with our usual response speed, facing the double blow of the undead and demons, even if we fought to the death, less than one in ten people would have been able to escape the city."

"It was the arrival of the three of you that provided Stromgarde with another option in this disaster. Although many of our compatriots did not escape, we who survived should pay the highest tribute to the three of you."

He looked at Luo Ning's gloomy face and said in a more serious tone:
“I am a soldier, and I am not good at persuading others, but I can distinguish between the concepts of ‘total annihilation’ and ‘preserving strength’. The legitimacy of Stromgarde still exists, all thanks to the three of you.”

And we need you to be resolute now, Master Rhonin, the calamity of Arathi Highlands is not over yet.

I have gathered the warriors who hold the Wall of Thoradin, forming a temporary legion. I will lead them across the entire highlands to the northeastern valley, where my uncle and the kingdom's warriors are trapped by demons.

"Khadgar is there too."

Vereesa grasped Ronin's cold hand and whispered:
"That night, the breakouts from Stromgarde split into three groups to escape. The weakest civilians, led by Prince Garin Trollbane, entered Fadir Bay, where they awaited the support of the Kul Tiran fleet."

Strong and able-bodied commoners, led by the kingdom's knights, traveled overland across the Sador Bridge into the wetlands.

This group of civilians is quite large, but I've heard that the dwarven musketeers of Dun Mordeka have already received them and are arranging for them to take refuge in Menethil Harbor. King Magni Bronzebeard is personally overseeing that city, providing sanctuary for the Arathi exiles.

The last breakout force was led by His Majesty Thoras Trollbane; this force consisted entirely of warriors and soldiers who had not left the Arathi Highlands.

On one hand, because the demons were pursuing them closely, they could only retreat to safe areas that were not blocked. On the other hand, it is said that King Solas also wanted to buy some time for his people, who were currently trapped by the demons in a valley in the northeast corner of the Arathi Highlands.

There are small paths leading to Eagle's Nest, but they are not wide enough for a large army to pass through.

The Wildhammer Dwarves have already sent gryphon riders to assist this isolated force in its defense, but if they don't receive reinforcements soon, the exhausted troops will surely be completely annihilated by the demons.

"You've wounded Manonos the Destroyer; it's still in Stromgarde, but it won't stay there forever."

“My uncle isn’t that noble.”

General Danas Torbairn pursed his lips and muttered:

"They were most likely forced to retreat by the demons, but since they have defended the valley, I can't just turn a blind eye. I'll set off with the warriors this afternoon. I know we're no match for the demons, but we can't do nothing."

"I'll go with you!"

Luo Ning gritted his teeth and said something, then his fingers trembled as he picked up the plate and used a spoon to put the not-so-delicious fried rice into his mouth. He actually had no appetite at all, but he had to recover as soon as possible.

Khadgar said that the "spellcasting resource" of the Heart of the World is his own energy, and as long as he can sustain it, the Heart of the World will continue to bestow power upon him.

However, Ronin was a mage after all, and his mind worked quickly. After eating a few bites, he looked up at General Danas and said:
“We need a plan. We can’t just rush in recklessly. That would only make more food for the demons. When I was in Dalaran, I read documents from before the founding of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. I heard that during the Arathor Empire, there were legends about the ‘Earth Princess’ circulating on this land.”

Legend has it that a powerful elemental princess was sealed away within Stonehenge in Arathi Basin by evil giants?

"Uh, that's not a legend."

General Danas also remembered this incident. The outstanding commander immediately stood up, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes. He paced back and forth in the room, pondering, and then explained:
"That's a secret known only to the Thorbein family, from Emperor Thoradin's notes. Popular stories are all just rumors, but the spellcasters of the Imperial era recorded the truth: the real troublemaker was the elemental princess named 'Missley,' and the stone giants who sealed her away came from her homeland."

She is said to be a servant of the elemental sovereign Stone Mother, who sealed her in the material world as punishment for her unruly daughter.

I know how to break the seal; it's said the wand to unlock Stonehenge is in the hands of that ancient giant who roams the Arathi Mountains. But we can't communicate with it, and its kobold minions attack any strangers who approach the giant.

"I'm going to find that ancient megalith."

Luo Ning ate his fried rice in big bites and said:

“I will try my best to get that wand from it. The Stonehenge where the Earth Princess is sealed is not far from the valley where His Majesty Solas is trapped. As long as we release the Elemental Princess, whether she likes it or not, she will become the target of the demons’ attack.”

The rage of higher-level elemental beings can create widespread earthquakes, which could buy the king a chance to escape.

"I will go with you."

Vereesa grabbed her warbow and quiver and said to Rhonin:

“I can ride the griffin and take you with me. You are too weak right now, and I don’t feel comfortable letting you act alone.”

"Okay, we'll be leaving soon. Let me meditate for a bit."

Luo Ning nodded.

He could clearly feel Vereesa's concern for him, perhaps because they had been through life and death together. This was probably the only bit of joy left in Ronin's bitter heart at this moment.

However, Rhonin soon discovered that perhaps the Heart of Azeroth had sensed the chaos in the Arathi Highlands, and therefore the power of the world was helping him recover. Especially when he entered meditation, he felt his consciousness being drawn out by the Heart of the world, like an uncontrollable "signal source".

Just as Ronin tried to regain consciousness, he was suddenly "captured" by a powerful consciousness as intense as the sun. That light protected him, rapidly strengthening his weakened spirit and soul in a "healing" manner. "Red-haired Ronin? Where are you now?"

A majestic voice rang out from the light, startling Ronin. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to the "Warrior," and quickly recounted what had happened at Stromgarde and Arathi Highlands.

"You are worthy of the name 'Salvation Army,' Dragon Heart Ronin!"

Diakum exclaimed in admiration:
"When I first obtained the Heart of Argus, I only thought about how to hunt demons, but you used the world's gift to save it. You are truly worthy of this artifact's reward."

"But I couldn't save everyone."

Luo Ning poured out his troubles to the saint, but the vigilant asked in return:
Did you do your best back then?

"I tried my best! But I still couldn't succeed."

"You've done your best!"

If destruction is a fervor, then salvation is a conviction. Even the most stringent doctrines of the Holy Light would not condemn a savior who is willing but unable. It's not a matter of ability, but of attitude. And you have a positive and proactive attitude, so there is no need for self-blame.

Diakum advised:
"If you are deterred by this mistake, many more lives that might have survived because of your rescue will die because of your hesitation. So don't be too hard on yourself. Do your best to save them if you can, and avenge them if you can't!"

I am preparing my army in Stormwind and will soon be heading to Arathi Highlands.

Please tell Danas Torbaien not to classify this operation as an 'aid breakout,' but to change it to 'holding the line'!
"I will use you to set a trap, to lure the Destroyer Manonos to the 'Hammerfall,' and I promise you and the Arathi, Rhonin, the culprit who caused all this will fall on this land."

"You're coming in person?"

Luo Ning exclaimed:
"Is it to hunt down destroyers?"

"To be precise, it's to send a signal: after the demons of Arathi Basin fall, I need to get to Kalimdor as soon as possible, where the situation has reached a fever pitch. The outcome there will directly determine the fate of Azeroth. If you still have the strength by then, I would welcome you to join me."

With a gentle push from the vigilant, Ronin's consciousness returned to his body.

Under Vereesa's astonished gaze, when the red-haired Ronnin opened his eyes, golden rays of light swirled and burst forth around him, imbuing his weakened body with the blessing of the saint and rapidly replenishing his spirit.

"Let's leave now!"

He jumped up and said to Vereesa:
"The Vigilant must come to Arathi Highlands in person, and Manonos the Destroyer will surely face divine punishment! That bastard is doomed!"

------

"General, something strange is approaching Thoradin's Wall from Hillsbrad Foothills!"

Hours after Rhonin and Vereesa rode griffins into the mountains to search for ancient megaliths, and as Danas Trollbane was making his final preparations for departure beneath the ancient imperial walls, a sentry ran up to him with some breaking news.

What do you mean by 'strange thing'?

Danas looked at the sentry in surprise, who didn't know how to describe it and could only say vaguely:
"A pack of 'wolves' walking upright are approaching the city wall. They have also sent a 'messenger' to ask us to open the gates of the Wall of Thoradin. They want to cross the wall to conduct some strange 'hunting battle'."

I noticed that the werewolves' armor bore the insignia of Gilneas; perhaps they came from Gilneas?

"Ok?"

Danas was stunned.

He knew that the Gilneans loved the symbol of the wolf so much that the wild wolves in Gilneas had gone extinct hundreds of years ago.

But even if you like them a lot, it's not enough to turn all the Gilneans into werewolves, is it?

How come even the species have changed?
However, recalling the news he had received from Gilneas some time ago, Danas had a vague suspicion. He followed the sentinel to the outpost of the Wall of Thoradin and saw the "messenger".

"Lord Crowley?"

Danas couldn't distinguish between the werewolves, but he recognized the sword at the waist and the battle axe on the back of the werewolf in front of him—the standard weapons of Darius Crowley, the northern lord of the Kingdom of Gilneas.

His territory, Silverpine Forest, borders the Hillsbrad Foothills of the Kingdom of Stromgarde, so General Danas and this lord had several meetings to deal with border conflicts.

The two were not exactly acquaintances, but they had a nodding acquaintance among nobles.

"What are you doing?"

Danas wanted to ask more, but was interrupted by the ferocious gray-maned werewolf waving his claws. The armored werewolf lord said in a hesitant tone:
"The White Wolf God has commanded us to hunt down demons, and the Black Wolf God's servants will also join this battle. This has nothing to do with you Arathi, but I suspect you desperately need reinforcements. I can see the exaggeratedly large demonic flames burning in Stromgarde from here; it's like a city from a nightmare."

So, open the walls, Darnass Trollbane!

My pack will go first; you and your weak warriors follow behind us, but don't get too close!

Lord Crowley warned:

"Not every werewolf is as capable of maintaining this pathetic sanity as I am."

This request put General Danas in a very difficult position.

Finally, he asked:

"How many werewolves did you bring?"

"Twenty thousand? Fifty thousand? No, my brain is no longer capable of handling such a complex problem. All I know is that all the werewolves of Silverpine Forest are here."

Lord Crowley let out a painful whimper, as if thinking had become an extremely difficult task for him.

it says:

"Gen is fighting demons in the country. He is defending our territory. It's not just Stromgarde that has demons. New demons are appearing in every city. Your Hillsbrad Foothills has become a demon-infested land, and Tirisfal is no less so."

Northern Xinjiang is finished, Danas
This place is beyond saving!

Leave.

After you leave, my pack will continue hunting here. This is Goldrinn's call to war, one I cannot defy, nor do I wish to. If this curse can be used for revenge, then I am willing to forge it into power.

"You think beautiful!"

Danas scolded:

“This is Arathi land, and I will not give up my ancestral territory to a bunch of werewolves. I will stay here and continue to fight.”

"Heh, then you'd better get rid of this frail body."

Lord Crowley let out a strange, sinister laugh.

it says:

"Humans can no longer survive in this land of demons. Those who can persist here are not human. There is no point in saying more. Open the city gates. Today you will walk with wolves."

After saying this, Lord Crowley turned and left the outpost as swiftly as lightning. Soon after, a series of wolf howls echoed from the other side of the Wall of Thoradin, causing the guards beside the general to exchange bewildered glances.

At that moment, they truly realized some terrible changes taking place in northern Xinjiang.

If the Gilneans transformed into werewolves to survive the demons' rampage, what terrifying price must the rest of the land pay to hold on?

the most important is
What did it mean by what it just said?

Danas Torbjörn frowned.

He felt that Lord Keure was subtly conveying some kind of message to him, that those who could persist in the northern frontier were all "inhuman".
What exactly is this werewolf trying to imply?
"General, should we open the city gates or not?"

The sentry asked tremblingly, and Danas pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said:
"We need reinforcements! Since these werewolves dare to fight demons, they are the temporary allies we need! They were all human before, brothers, even if they have changed their appearance, they are still human."

Treat them as brothers, even if only for today. Damn it, this world is in chaos!

Let the werewolves pass, then we'll follow them and march on the demons!

(End of this chapter)