Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 487, Section 26. Mr. St. Tony, you have a new order. Please check your mail.
Losing Sargeras' Scepter prevented them from freely "opening doors," forcing Aegwynn and Diakum to travel to Ironforge only through the magical portal in Karazhan's portal. This situation was reminiscent of a wealthy person who had lost their "private jet" and was now forced to commute to work in a supercar—a situation that felt both helpless and pathetic.

Fortunately, this semi-permanent portal is much safer than a temporary portal because its spatial coordinates at both ends are fixed.

And they didn't go alone.

Moroes provided the two nobles with a "spellcasting guard." Although these two were capable enough to roam freely throughout Azeroth, nobles cannot handle every matter they encounter personally, so it is still necessary to have servants who can both do the work and maintain appearances.

Thirty meticulously trained Light Eater battle mages followed Dick into the Mysterious Halls of Ironforge.

The Nightborne elves, dressed in the standard violet robes of Karazhan, were impeccably dressed and highly skilled in security. As they rushed out of the portal, they formed a very professional security formation nearby, led by "The Steadfast" Runaan.

Holding the Star and Moon Wand, this guy unleashed a wide-range detection spell while warily eyeing the astonished dwarves and gnome spellcasters in the Hall of Mysteries, as if an ancient god was lurking among them, ready to assassinate the vigilant at any moment.

This approach was indeed a bit too "high-profile," making even the usually low-key Diakum somewhat uncomfortable.

"We're just passing by, don't disturb the peace like this. Put away your detection magic! It's very impolite. Didn't you see that dwarf warlock disguised as a mage next to us is almost scared to death?"

"Hurry up and drag him out to change his pants. How disgusting!"

Dick gave a rebuke.

Immediately, two Nightborne rushed forward and dragged the screaming gnome warlock away from the hall, while a Light Eater took out a magic broom and quickly swept the filth off the floor, making it so shiny that you could see your reflection in it.

All I can say is that Moros is truly exceptional in this regard; look how he's managed to train these unruly Nightborne into capable individuals.

Hearing the commotion, the administrator of the Hall of Mysteries rushed out to pay his respects and invited the esteemed saint to the King's Hall. Upon receiving the news, His Majesty Magni Bronzebeard also temporarily put aside his current affairs to personally welcome the Vigilant's arrival.

"There was no large-scale conflict between the two sides at Menethil Harbor. The Lordaeron navy that occupied the port decisively withdrew after seeing Marshal Lothar lead his troops to land on the swamp coast."

Magni Copperbeard looked haggard.

The king's haggard appearance stemmed not only from the recent war but also from the various "troubles" caused by his daughter. The dwarf kingdom had been in turmoil recently, which greatly distracted Magni Bronzebeard.

But he still roused himself and explained to the attentive observers and to Aegwynn, who was standing in the form of a raven atop a sculpture in the King's Hall:
"The casualties in Menethil Harbor all stemmed from the evil deeds of the Tide Sage who unleashed a storm that swept through the port. We lost nearly a hundred men, and the city's guards were disarmed and imprisoned."

The good news is that the dragonborn did not mistreat them.

The bad news is that all usable supplies in the entire Menethil Harbor have been looted!

They didn't even pay!

They brutally looted enough armor and weapons to arm thousands of men, several ships of gunpowder and cannons prepared for Marshal Lothar, various precious ores, and a batch of lightcast steel that the dwarven paladins and priests had just finished making.

Those relics were supposed to be sent to the Church of Light's Wish.

The king was furious.

Even for a large and powerful company like Ironforge, such a loss would be considered crippling.

Menethil Harbor is the window for the Bronzebeard Kingdom's foreign trade and their only port. The dwarves rely on this port to transport goods for their forging business. The Lordaeron navy took advantage of this and launched a heavy attack on the dwarves during the chaos in Quel'Thalas.

"This is a demonstration, and also a warning."

Diakum said seriously:

"I suspect that King Terenas left you a letter?"

"He wanted me to accept the so-called goodwill of the 'Empire of Lordaeron' and to keep the dwarves at a distance from Marshal Lothar's army, otherwise the Khaz Modan region would suffer retaliation when they swept across the central part of the continent."

They are humiliating me and the entire dwarf kingdom!

Magni's eyes blazed with fury as he roared:
"That dragon-born king thinks he can frighten us like this? He really underestimates the courage of the descendants of the mountain kings. I have ordered that Marshal Lothar's army be provided with the best military supplies."

My brother Muradin has also been appointed commander of the Dwarven Revenge Army, and the most skilled and battle-hardened Stormpike Dwarves will follow Marshal Lothar in launching an attack on the North Frontier.

They shamelessly stole our wealth and humiliated the dwarves; let the arrogant Lordaeronians pay with their blood!

"Marshal Lothar's next plan is Arathi Highlands, isn't it?"

Dick asked a question, and the dwarf king nodded, sitting on his warm throne, and said:
"According to my information, Lothar is preparing a 'land and sea offensive.' He is leading the Seventh Legion across the Tador Bridge into the Arathi Highlands, while the Kul Tiran fleet will launch a military operation against Fadir Bay below Stromgarde. Once they capture it, they can use troop transport ships to bring the soldiers ashore."

Lothar will launch an attack on Stromgarde in five days, so the two of them have returned at just the right time.

I've heard that your iconic 'Exodar' ship has appeared near Arathi Highlands, and your Lightforged will participate in the great recapture of Stromgarde.

"That's only right. That's the land of demons, a place where the holy light must shine."

The watchman nodded solemnly. He glanced at the sand table Magni had placed in the King's Hall, then pointed to the wetland mountains depicted in the sand table and said to the dwarf king:
"I heard that a black dragon appeared in this area?"

"Uh, to be precise, it's near the old city of the Wildhammer dwarves, in Grim Batol."

Magni stood up, walked to the sand table, picked up an exquisitely crafted push rod, pointed to the lifelike city model sculpted in the mountains, and said to the watchman:

"That city was abandoned at the end of the War of the Three Hammers. The Wildhammer dwarves had no choice but to abandon it. The wicked Dark Iron Witch Queen Mordgud cursed the city, causing it to be haunted ever since."

After many dwarves went mad, the Wildhammer clan was forced to flee to distant lands, but they continued to keep watch over their old city.

They were also the first to discover the black dragon that roamed that area.

Those black dragons must have been plotting something shady in that city in the last few months. The black dragons that are now hostile to them are said to come from the Broken Isles overseas, but to me they are no different.

Black dragons are all equally evil!
Their actions in the Kingdom of Lordaeron prove this point.

But the leader of those 'Black Dragon Rebels' is a strange minotaur who visited me a few days ago. He was very polite and quite magnanimous.

It chatted with me about some interesting anecdotes from the ancient wars and told me the legend of Huon Highmountain, the hero of the Highmountain Minotaur.

At this point, the dwarf king clicked his tongue and said with a strange expression:
"That guy is really good at telling stories. He makes you feel like you're there when he tells them. It's just that the story is too exaggerated. I don't really believe that a mortal can block a portal and slaughter demons of the Burning Legion."

Not every ordinary person can accomplish those extraordinary feats like you.

Oh, that guy called 'Blackhorn' even left his contact information!

They welcome the Bronzebeard dwarves' willingness to participate in the recapture of Grim Batol, since the Wetlands are their territory. However, the Bronzebeard dwarves are currently unable to spare enough manpower to assist their Wildhammer brothers in reclaiming their homeland and can only provide some weaponry support.

The frequent activity of the Dark Iron dwarves on the border foreshadows war, and I must take defensive measures.

Magni Bronzebeard stared at Diakum with a resentful look.

Although there is no concrete evidence, the saint has put in a great deal of effort to ensure that his daughter Moira is deeply involved in the politics of the Black Iron Kingdom.

Diakum did not explain his relationship with Moira, but simply stood up and said:
“I also have a pure black dragon under my command that serves the Holy Light, so I have a reason to participate in the purification of Grim Batol. If you wish, I can participate as the ‘Ironforge King’s Envoy’.”

This way, you'll have an explanation for the Wildhammer Clan's request for help.

"Well, that's perfect. You truly are a righteous man of the Holy Light! You do not turn a blind eye to any darkness. Although you are as tall as a mountain, there is no doubt that you are a true 'honorable dwarf'."

They are our forever true friends.

Magni's eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed to the statement. After offering a series of abstract praises, he immediately appointed Diakum as "Honorary Warrior of Ironforge" and authorized him to be fully responsible for representing the Bronzebeard dwarves in matters concerning Grim Batol.

He had no connection with Diakum, but he knew of the saint's abilities.

With his intervention, the black dragon scourge of the wetlands will surely be easily eliminated.

As king, Magni Bronzebeard could also sense the "hint" that the Vigilant Saint was doing this.

Dick solved the black dragon problem for the dwarves, and Magni stopped blaming Diakum for the "failure of family education."

One fact that both of them knew was that, given the complicated relationship between Moira and her father, even without Diakum's intervention, the dwarf princess's defection was only a matter of time.

However, Magni was a real dwarf when it came to "stubbornness." In the official history, he and his daughter did not truly reconcile until after he had gone through a very complicated life, even "life and death."

That was even after he already had a grandson and an heir.

From a darker perspective, Dick felt that in the official history, the reconciliation of the dwarf king's family must have been partly due to Magni finally fulfilling his desire for a "male heir".

Sigh, that's just how dwarves are—their stubbornness can drive onlookers to the brink of a stroke.

After the two sides agreed, Magni planned to send a group of gryphon riders to escort Diakum to the vicinity of Grim Batol, but the Vigilant declined, saying that since he had come all the way to Khaz Modan, he wanted to experience the local "culture and customs".

Therefore, Dick ultimately chose a mode of transportation with a "Kaz Modan feel".

A dwarf transport plane with a cool "shark head" paint job.

Right there in the military airfield on the back mountain of Ironforge, amidst the snow-covered landscape, the "air force" that the gnomes had built for the dwarves was stationed.

The dozen or so engineered rotorcraft were reconnaissance models, along with propeller-powered fixed-wing bombers. These aircraft, which resembled "World War II style" aircraft, were equipped with large-caliber steam cannons at the front, making them look very intimidating.

But it really only looks like it. Once you take this thing apart, even a top-notch ground crew from World War II couldn't put it back together. This is truly "fantasy technology."

Diakum, for one, found it hard to understand why a wooden airplane would need such a high-tech device as a "gyroscope".

“Your weight is outrageous, Saint Diakum. This transport plane of ours can carry a steam tank, but it’s already close to its load limit just transporting you.”

Wearing flight goggles and a cool flight jacket, the dwarf pilot's shrill voice, accompanied by the roar of propellers and engines, echoed through the cold airspace of Khaz Modan, making Diakum in the cabin deeply regret experiencing this "dwarf technology."

The main problem is a lack of security.

This toy looked decent on the outside, but after it took off, its violent shaking and the sounds of its parts colliding made Diakum feel that it would go out of control and crash at any moment.

Although he certainly wouldn't die from falling from such a height, it's still unknown how these dwarfs designed the airplane or how they made the actual object.

The tolerances on your aircraft parts are ridiculously high!

"Heh, once Lord Overspark returns from Pandaria with Titan knowledge, you'd better redesign these aircraft."

Diakum shouted loudly to the two dwarf pilots:

"Replace this crappy engine with electric propulsion. The noise this thing makes when it flies will keep the harpies from laying eggs."

"Yes, yes, we have heard about the Mogu's terrifying technological prowess. Overspark has sent back some data, and we will soon replace all mechanical engines with energy-powered ones."

The dwarf pilot, sporting a mohawk and dyeing his hair red, shouted:
"Next time you come, you'll be able to ride in a quiet and comfortable super-large transport plane. The Craftsmen's Council is discussing the design of the next generation of 'airships.' We plan to move warships into the sky! Hmm, let's leave the ocean to the Kul Tirans. The skies of this world will be ruled by gnomes!"

Long live technology!

Long live tech geeks!

"Well, I advise you not to be so ambitious. First, understand the concept of 'aerial combat' before you talk about anything else. The flying creatures in Azeroth are incredibly diverse."

Diakum complained:
"I won't even mention the dragons. Just those wyverns and the Loa's familiars are beyond the capabilities of your crappy plane. Forget it, I'm not a professional engineer, so I won't offer any advice."

How much longer until we reach Grim Batol?

"Ten minutes later!"

The dwarf screamed:
"Are you planning to parachute out? We've prepared a special parachute for you, the kind used for steam tanks!"

"No, I'll just jump. Gravity won't kill me, but the noise from your planes will."

Diakum made a very sarcastic comment.

He recited scriptures in the cabin in an attempt to "appease the spirit of the plane," hoping that the broken-down aircraft would at least wait until he jumped out before disintegrating.

The Watcher, who had never felt ten minutes in his life so long, finally arrived over Grim Batol. The moment the cabin door opened, the Watcher jumped without hesitation.

The sweltering wind of the wetlands whipped at him, causing him to plummet through the air at freefall speed. A faint light flickered in the mountains; it was Aegwynn, who had been teleported over, guiding him to his landing position.

Dick shot a beam of holy light energy behind him, changing his position in the air and constantly adjusting his landing point as he crashed into the mountains near Grim Batol. Upon landing, his golden wings suddenly opened, flapped several times to dissipate the force, and then landed on the ground, creating an impact crater.

He could have simply used a more direct and brutal Divine Shield to envelop himself and then slam down on her.

But this isn't an "orbital strike," so there's absolutely no need to use such an extreme landing method.

"I already told you to teleport here with us."

Seeing Diakum's terrible expression, Aegwynn couldn't help but complain:
"The dwarfs invited me to ride in their gyroplane back then, and I tried it once out of 'youthful ignorance,' and ever since then I've kept my distance from all of their creations."

Those guys are certainly clever, but they never consider the 'comfort of riding' of their creations.

I reckon only rough and tumble races like dwarves and gnomes can withstand that kind of terrible noise and strange sounds. Okay, stop stern-faced. I've already contacted Onyxia and the leader of that black dragon resistance army.

They'll be here soon.

In fact, they've already breached the outer layers of Grim Batol and captured some young dragons. Even if we hadn't come, this matter could have been resolved within a few days.

"No, we must come."

Dick looked back at the dwarf city built on the mountain ridge and said:
"On the one hand, I have to resolve the problem of Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons; on the other hand, the dark power of Grim Batol was unleashed by Xal'atath with the help of Mordgood, the Dark Iron Witch Queen."

This is where the power sample of that Void Herald is studied.

I need to figure out her power dynamics.

They're here!

As soon as Dick finished speaking, a beam of light flashed in the sky, and then Onyxia's exaggerated body fell from the sky, crashing into the valley like a meteorite.

As she spread her spiked wings and glided down near the camp of the Light Eater elves, another guest appeared at the edge of the camp with a slight tremor in the ground.

A black minotaur.

The biggest difference between it and Cairne Bloodhoof and Hamuul is that this guy has huge antlers on his head, which makes him look taller than the tauren of Desolace.

However, apart from that, it is no different from other minotaurs.

This large black bull is dressed in a very religious robe, carries a huge and exquisite totem on its back, holds a peculiar animal bone incense burner in its hand, and also holds an ancient stone hammer in its other hand.

"You actually brought this all with you?"

Diakum looked at the rock hammer with a hint of resistance and disgust, and waved his hand, saying:
"Put it away, Blackhorn! For your safety."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I heard about some of your taboos from my 'sister,' it was my oversight."

The big black ox apologized gently, then casually tossed the stone hammer into the ground, where it seemed to "melt" and disappear into the earth.

This scene greatly intrigued the Light Eater elves who were preparing a temporary resting camp for the distinguished guest, even opening picnic umbrellas and brewing tea.

They clearly didn't sense any magical fluctuations, which meant that the unassuming stone hammer might be a magical artifact they couldn't comprehend.

"Your sister?"

Aegwynn looked at Blackhorn with curiosity.

She could see that the guy had an illusion, but a strange force prevented Aegwynn from seeing the body beneath the illusion clearly, which was quite a magical experience.

"Yes, my sister. Although she still refuses to acknowledge our familial relationship, the fact remains."

Blackhorn looked at Onyxia, who had transformed into human form, and said, swishing its tail:
"Onyxia and I share the same father, and compared to her and poor Nefarian's fate, my life has been far happier and brighter. In fact, before I was found by Sabelian, I had no intention of getting involved with the Black Dragonflight."

“You don’t need to emphasize this point repeatedly, Blackhorn.”

Onyxia stood beside Diakum and said in an annoyed tone:
"You told everyone you met that, and now everyone knows you're actually a black dragon who wants to become a minotaur. You've really disgraced us!"

"However, that is the truth. I have the body of a black dragon, but I perceive myself as a Highmountain Tauren elder."

Blackhorn sighed somewhat sadly and said:

"Unfortunately, one cannot choose one's birth. Sabrian convinced me that there are some things I cannot escape, and those shared dark memories must be cleared away before I can walk towards the future I desire."

Therefore, I am here, and will participate in the 'funeral' of the Black Dragon Legion.

It raised its head, looked at Diakum, and asked:
"You've come here for this reason too, haven't you? Saint Vigilant, may I ask you for a favor?"

Don't agree to it!

Princess Black Dragon said through gritted teeth:

"It learned of the power of your flesh-and-blood reshaping from me, and it is now obsessed with having you mold it into a Highmountain race. It wants to get rid of its black dragon identity. What a coward."

"Don't misunderstand me, sister!"

Blackhorn said seriously:

"I hope that Lord Diakum can separate 'Soulwalker Blackhorn' from 'Black Dragon Abithian,' just as I acknowledge my responsibility to the Black Dragonflight."

For the past ten thousand years I have protected the descendants of Huon, and I also have my own responsibilities to Highmountain.

You and Saberian both want to rebuild the Black Dragonflight, and you both invited me. I cannot refuse, but I also cannot abandon my other duty because of this.

I'm stretched too thin, so perhaps it would be better for me, for you, and for Highmountain to completely separate these two identities.

what do you say? "

(End of this chapter)