Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 702, Section 70: Azshara's Royal Thieves in Action
Now that she had decided to go to Zaremotis, Azshara decided to start preparing now.

As a supreme queen and a supreme spellcaster, Azshara understood the importance of preparation. She needed to conserve as much energy as possible for her journey to the Tomb of the Firstborn, and planned to finish her ongoing research as soon as possible while dealing with the ambitious Emperor Denathus.

Diakum told her that the Firstborn's "cipher system" was a power unique to the Creator, and that the magical ciphers contained the Firstborn's power to shape reality.

However, the Firstborn's ciphers are a "self-encrypting" system, revealing their secrets only to those "qualified" souls.

This means that Azshara must ensure that she is in the best possible condition when she actually comes into contact with the Firstborn Cipher.

A spellcaster like her clearly understands that, in many cases, the opportunity to come into contact with a powerful force is only once.

Once you miss it, it's truly gone forever.

However, when Azshara returned to her "bedroom" in the bustling and vibrant Brokers Market, she happened to see her royal steward, Wey Nari, comforting her cursed sword.
Uh, just saying this sentence makes it sound like "psychopathic literature".

But the truth is, Remonia's magic sword has its own magical abilities; when necessary, she can truly transform into a "sword girl" and fight while wielding her own sword.

However, ever since Demon Sword joined Azshara, she rarely appears as a sword maiden unless necessary, which seems to indicate the resistance and rebellion deep within Demon Sword's heart.

The Queen could sense it, but she chose to ignore it.

She believed her charm could conquer all things, and that a mere magic sword would eventually win her heart.

However, Azshara also knew that Remonia had indeed been "spoiled" by Denathrius. This demonic sword was violent and behaved like a bloodthirsty madman in battle. Although its destructive power was indeed amazing, it did not conform to Queen Azshara's "high-class aesthetics".

During this time, Azshara has been trying to correct the distorted nature of the demon sword.

Regrettably, with little success.

Remonia will outwardly feign obedience and perform courtly etiquette as Azshara demands, but in private she remains the same "tattooed, drinking, fighting delinquent girl" she always was.

This is "resisting reform"!

If this were Azshara's old personality, she would have already taken that unruly demon sword and had it reforged. But as I said before, the queen is no longer the same as before.

If she wants to rebuild her empire, she will have to adapt to a state of "frugality".

Anything of value must be used properly, which is why Azshara hasn't melted the Demon Sword down with her own hands.

It was rare to see Remonia crying so miserably. Under the Queen's astonished gaze, her magic sword, in the form of a sword maiden, lay in Wey Nali's arms, sobbing and cursing.

That's really embarrassing!
Thinking this to herself, the Queen then pretended to be very interested in this trivial matter and stepped forward, asking in a low voice:

"What's up with her?"

Royal Household Officer Wee Nari immediately embellished the information she had gathered and relayed it to the Queen to whom she currently served. When Azshara heard that Emperor Denathrius was about to acquire a new sword, she immediately realized that this was definitely a "conspiracy" by Diakum.

But she didn't make a fuss; instead, she said with pity:

"So she was abandoned. How pitiful."

The Queen reached out and gently stroked the sword maiden's long hair as she wept.

She said softly:

"Actually, I've always known that you're just pretending to obey, Remonia. Even though I've modified your perception with my research on the power of domination, old habits die hard."

You are Denathrius's spiritual blade, and you have an existential connection with Him, a connection sufficient to allow you to maintain your sanity under my guidance.

I know you've been looking for a chance to escape my control.

You want to return to the hands of Emperor Denathrius; you believe that is your true destiny.

Ah, what a touching display of loyalty!

Thenas is a king, and so am I.

Thenas desired such loyalty, and so do I.

Therefore, I did not point this out, but let you suffer in the gap between the past and the present. I believe that the power of time is enough to make you realize who your perfect master is.

Therefore, I would say, why let such an unexpected event shatter your precious convictions?

"Ok?"

The demonic sword, weeping pitifully, looked up at its mistress, sobbing as it gazed at her.

She couldn't understand Azshara's meaning, so the Queen took the handkerchief from Vena's hand and gently wiped the blood-red tears from the cursed sword, whispering:
"Didn't you ever suspect that this chance encounter was just a conspiracy with ulterior motives? Why would it be such a coincidence that while you were taking care of yourself, that strange fellow who is loyal to Emperor Denathrius would appear in front of you with the blank of a new sword?"
Shouldn't this kind of thing be kept secret?
Therefore, I can conclude that this is just a conspiracy!
Perhaps the people you offended in Venthyr have realized your disappearance and are planning to present a new demonic sword to Emperor Denathrius in order to take your place.

You told me that Revendres is a place rife with intrigue, and that something like this is highly likely to happen.

Therefore, I advise you to have some faith in Thénardier.

The Queen patted Remonia's head and said:

"Let's not rush into a decision. Maybe your former owner is still eagerly awaiting your return."

We need to see for ourselves!
You see, Denathrius is the Lord of Revendreth, the true eternal one of death, and no one can force Him to take that new demonic sword.

This means that even if those schemers present you with a new demonic sword, if He is still waiting for you to return home, He will absolutely not use the new sword. But if He eagerly takes the new demonic sword, it means…

"Will not!"

At that moment, Remonia was like a drowning person grasping at a last straw; she shouted:
“That bastard Denathrius wouldn’t do that. He’s definitely still waiting for me to come home. I’m the only soulmate that bastard has. Ah, this vicious change of perception. I can’t call him a ‘bastard’.”

"It's alright, I am a queen of taste, Remonia."

Azshara straightened up, waved her hand, and said:
"I am also tired of your resistance to change. Therefore, if Emperor Denathrius is really waiting for you, I will let you go. Your mistress is not lacking in weapons. However, a magic sword only has meaning if it has a master."

Therefore, in order to win this opportunity for freedom, I want to make three rules with you!

From today onwards, you shall obediently accept my admonitions until the day the mystery is revealed. In the process, I will no longer use my power to alter your perceptions.

I don't like a treasure to be distorted.

Therefore, if I require your obedience, then I require you to serve your mistress wholeheartedly.

"it is good!"

Remonia gritted her teeth and said loudly:
"You must unravel the changes in your perception of me, and then wait for that day to come. I believe Denathius will believe me!"

"Very good, that's it. Maintaining absolute loyalty to your master is one of your few remaining virtues."

Azshara let out a seductive laugh, happily making a "lady's pact" with her magic sword.

This scene was witnessed by the royal housekeepers nearby, causing V. Nalley to sigh inwardly for Remonia's fate.

She was destined to shatter her past self in the face of that terrible and painful answer, and then accept all of Azshara's transformations like a walking corpse. In the end, she would become a demon sword whose body and soul were absolutely loyal to the queen.

Is this Azshara?
How could they be so adept at scheming? This scene solidified Will Nellie's belief.

She cannot stay by Azshara's side for long, otherwise she will eventually end up in the same situation as Remonia.

I must find an opportunity to leave gracefully. Yes, after fulfilling the loyalty required by this agreement, I must decisively withdraw.

This queen is terrifying, in every sense of the word.

However, Venus also had her own professional ethics, so after the Demon Sword's emotions improved somewhat through "self-hypnosis," she immediately reported:

"Your Majesty, I just sold those psionic orbs that you bestowed upon me to Soria, the wealthy tycoon of the Soria Consortium. He offered a very reasonable price and also included a message."

I guess you'd be interested.

"Go ahead."

Azshara was now seated in a chair and had opened her spellbook, made of the leather of a Maw Wyvern, seemingly preparing to study the various death spells she had collected in the Shadowlands.

Will Nellie whispered beside her:

"Rafaam, the Supreme Thief of the Void. I don't know if you've heard of this name, but in our race, this fellow is a legendary figure, as famous as his uncanny thieving skills and his eccentric behavior."

Rafam was preparing to go to Revendres ahead of us, supposedly to steal the extravagant and famous Nathria Castle, the residence of Emperor Denathius the Great.

This matter seems to have the support of the Vigilantes, who have even suggested that Rafam steal the entire Fort Nathria as spoils of war.

I vaguely remember that when we were in the Maw, you were very uncomfortable with the cave where we were temporarily staying. Once, when you were criticizing it, you said that you would give up everything you had to have a temporary palace like Nathria Castle.

“That was just a rant when I was emotionally unstable, my dear Royal Household Officer. I didn’t really have anything to say about your pragmatic taste.”

Azshara stopped flipping through the spellbook, turned to look at Wee Nari, and said:
"But I think I guessed what you meant. You're suggesting that after I complete that outrageous theft in Rafaam, I buy Nathria Castle as a royal palace?"
Hmm, not a bad idea.

I must say, Denathrius had impeccable taste, and I also admire the castle he once tried to use to imprison me.

The castle's dark and gloomy aesthetic design suited my taste perfectly, but unfortunately, my empire was about to be rebuilt, and as queen, I could not use my already meager treasury to purchase such a luxurious palace during this time.

Although I was really looking forward to it, let's just forget about it.

"No, no, Your Majesty, you don't need to spend money."

Will Nellie displayed the keen business acumen of a shrewd businesswoman, rubbing her hands together as she said:

"Although Rafaam's thieving skills are superb, stealing the Eternals' palace right under their noses is clearly beyond his capabilities. This is no small matter like stealing the Sunwell; Rafaam obviously needs help."

The most interesting thing is that the Supreme Thief King is not actually interested in wealth.

What that guy truly enjoyed was the thrill of stealing while walking on a knife's edge; in other words, who ultimately got the loot was irrelevant to him.

You can provide the help it needs.

"Given your esteemed status, it seems perfectly reasonable for you to request Nathria Castle as your royal residence in the Shadowlands afterward, wouldn't it? If you'd like, I can go and negotiate with Rafaam on your behalf right now."

"Um"

Azshara stroked her chin with her fingers, and after a moment's thought, she nodded and said:

"It is indeed a very tempting offer, my steward. So, you shall have it. How dare you sneak into the Queen's bedchamber to spy on her?"

Before the Queen could finish speaking, she turned her head and scolded.

She raised her finger, and arcane light, capable of destroying everything, gathered from her fingertip but was held back. Amidst the piercing pursuit of the whistling magic sword, Rafaam, hiding in the shadows, screamed and tried to escape.

The Supreme Thief King activated a device, causing it to escape from the palace in an instant, even beyond the Veiled Market. Screaming and flailing its arms, it plunged into the storm of the Interdimensional Realm. But a few seconds later, the disheveled Rafaam was pulled back into Azshara's temporary palace by a time-reversal spell.

The Supreme Thief King decisively raised his hands, knelt down, and surrendered.

At the same time, the demonic sword, which was already in a bad mood and looking forward to cutting something, was pressed against its back.

"Is this all you've got?"

Azshara, her face frosty, sneered:
"With this little skill, you dare to claim you're going to steal the palace of an Eternal? I don't think you have any chance of accomplishing it! Perhaps I should throw you into the Maw right now and let you take on the challenge of stealing Zova's palace?"

"Oh dear, you queen, how can you be so venomous!"

Rafam immediately objected.

This bandaged lunatic can tolerate others insulting its personality, since it doesn't actually have that kind of thing anyway, but it cannot tolerate anyone humiliating its abilities as the Supreme Thief King.

Therefore, even with the demonic sword pointed at him and his life hanging in the balance, Rafaam still raised his head and screamed:
"If I am truly that incompetent, then Your Majesty, please tell me, where is your magic book?"

"Ok?"

Azshara glanced back at the empty desk.

I clearly left a book here recording my spellcasting insights. Hmm, this guy's got some skills! No wonder he was entrusted with such an important task by my court advisor, Diakum.

As Rafaam chuckled, he pulled the grimoire from his filthy bandages and presented it with both hands. Azshara waved her hand dismissively, saying:
"Here you go."

In most cases, I don't like using things that other people have touched. But now that you've demonstrated your strength, what's your answer to the deal your queen is about to offer you?

"I need the core blueprints for Nasria Castle, Your Majesty."

Rafam didn't hold back either.

It whistled as it tucked Azshara's grimoire into its bosom, then winked at the queen and said:

“I know it’s a magic castle, but it doesn’t have the ability to fly, so we’ll have to figure out a way to steal it. Alas, the Scepter of Sargeras isn’t in my possession, making this not as easy as it used to be.”

"Denasius the Great is the symbol of Revendreth's existence. You must understand this concept, Rafaam."

Azshara chuckled and said:
"You need to understand correctly what the symbol of the Shadow Kingdom means. The entire Revendreth is the embodiment of Emperor Denathrius's will. In other words, if Emperor Denathrius wants it, then Castle Nathria can fly."

It can even transform into a free domain, allowing free passage through the interdimensional realms of the Shadowlands.

"Then the question arises, my beautiful Majesty."

Rafam, with his smooth-talking manner, spread his hands and sighed, saying:

“How can we get Denathrius to want to do this? Stealing the ‘heart’ of the Eternal One is much more difficult than stealing his castle.”

"Hmm, it's not as difficult as you think."

The queen glanced impassively at the demonic sword floating beside her, then waved her hand and said:

"Go and lie low for now. When the time comes, your Majesty will send you the help you need. Don't disappoint me, my palace thief."

(End of this chapter)