The Alliance and the Horde have amassed an army of 100,000, plus tens of thousands of soldiers from the Argent Crusade, making a total force of over 100,000 ready to launch an attack on the Fordragon Legion.
Deep down, Thrall was extremely wary of the Scourge. Even after receiving news of the Scourge's decline, he remained cautious and dared not confront them directly.
In order to leave room for negotiation, Thrall used the pretext of annihilating the Fordragon Legion to actually engage in direct combat with the Scourge. If things went wrong, there would still be room for negotiation.
After all, Thrall had not formally declared Scourge.
With only about three thousand soldiers, the Fordragon Legion faced an overwhelming force of over one hundred thousand. Duke Bolvar knew he could not withstand the attack and abandoned the relatively simple Fordragon Fortress, instead retreating to the heavily guarded Icecrown Citadel.
As planned, Robbie ordered his soldiers to take cover in the deepest part of Icecrown Bulwark, preparing to enter the New World.
Soldiers of the Scourge, forged from the flesh and soul of Orcs, donned the armor of the Fordragon Legion and were stationed at the Wrathgate. Their appearance was identical to that of the other races of the Alliance, and they became the main force in the battles against the Alliance and the Horde.
The Alliance and Horde armies were still on their way, but the Argent Crusade was the first to arrive at the Wrathgate, capturing the deserted Fordragon Fortress without firing a shot.
Tirion Fordring dared not claim credit for himself and hastily wrote to the Savior, Thrall.
King Varian, eager to make his mark, led 30,000 Alliance soldiers from Valiance Keep on a relentless march toward the Wrathgate, even before the 20,000 soldiers were being conscripted.
They had only gone halfway when news of their victory arrived from the front lines.
Garrosh led the Horde army, breaking through three lines of defense of the Scourge in succession, eliminating a million Scourge Army, and successfully capturing Fordragon Fortress.
The Fordragon Legion suffered over 50,000 casualties, with the remaining remnants retreating into the Wrathgate and holding their ground.
King Varian was taken aback. At that moment, the Horde's 50,000 soldiers were still sailing at sea and had not yet reached Northrend. Only Tirion Fordring's Argent Crusade Dragonblight.
After hesitating for a while, King Varian, still somewhat doubtful, asked his advisors:
"I think there's something wrong with this battle report. Garrosh couldn't possibly have been that brave."
The aide exclaimed, "General Garrosh is exceptionally talented and brave, even more so than his father. He alone is worth an army of 100,000!"
King Varian chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Garrosh, after all, just an Orcs. How could he possess such terrifying strength? This battle report is far too exaggerated."
The advisor argued vehemently, "Garrosh's father, Grom, resisted the Roaring Howl and once killed the Wild God Cenarius. Can't the methods of the Wild God be comparable to those of an army of 100,000?"
Varian found himself unable to refute the argument, and could only counter from another angle. "But the Fordragon Legion only had three thousand soldiers, how could their casualties exceed fifty thousand?"
The advisor remained unfazed, stating confidently, "Since entering Northrend, with the support of the Scourge, the Fordragon Legion has expanded its forces several times, and its numbers have long exceeded one hundred thousand."
"One hundred thousand?"
Varian was speechless, and with a hint of doubt, urged the army to continue advancing.
The Alliance's 30,000-strong army marched day and night, and the next day, more good news came from the front lines.
High General Dranosh attacked the Wrathgate and successfully killed Lord Marrowgar, the Scourge's guardian.
Legendary that Lord Marrowgar was meticulously crafted from the bones of a thousand dragons, a masterpiece of the Lich King Arthas, and that even the combined might of the five Dragon Aspects was no match for him.
King Varian was affected; jealousy drove him mad, and he remained silent, hastening the pace of the march.
During the Alliance's march, the battle reports that came in over the past few days showed that the Fordragon Legion suffered more than a million casualties, the Scourge lost tens of millions, and the number of Scourge generals killed in action reached hundreds.
King Varian's expression grew increasingly grim as he finally led his army to Dragonblight and entered Fordragon Fortress, which was occupied by the Argent Crusade.
Tirion Fordring came out to greet him, and said arrogantly:
"King Majesty, you are too late. The Scourge has almost been wiped out."
Varian frowned and asked unhappily:
"I've heard that Horde generals like Garrosh Dranosh have annihilated countless enemies, and even Eitrigg Execute over 100,000 Scourge soldiers. Why haven't they come out to greet us?"
Tirion Fordring, beaming with pride, said:
"Although the Horde's generals have not yet arrived in Northrend, their ability to fight the enemy from a thousand miles away is truly unmatched in the world."
"Killing enemies a thousand miles away?"
Varian felt this was a joke; he never expected such an absurd thing to happen right before his eyes.
"Your King, if you do not believe me, please come with me. Trust me, you will soon accept it."
Tirion Fordring led the way, guiding King Varian into the fortress. In a small hut, Varian encountered a Kobold with golden fur.
Big Candle Gagg was the Horde's army editor, but being just a cowardly Kobold, he immediately stood up upon seeing King Varian and said respectfully:
"Your King, it is so good to meet you."
Varian snorted and snatched Gagg's draft, finally understanding how the Horde generals had fought across thousands of miles to kill their enemies.
Following the wishes of Thrall, the Savior, Gagg fabricated Horde of Horde generals bravely fighting the enemy, which, after being embellished, were published in authoritative publications throughout Azeroth, bringing glory to the Horde.
Under this formidable propaganda offensive, the people of all races in Azeroth developed an immense admiration for the Horde's heroes, who became their idols and were filled with reverence.
Gagg, with a fawning expression, whispered:
"King Majesty, I will immediately fabricate a heroic tale for you, inventing several Scourge generals to become the Restless Souls of your sword. The ignorant people will surely regard you as a hero."
Varian's face was ashen, but he waved his hand confidently and said:
"I don't need this false propaganda; what I need is real merit. The Alliance army has arrived, and Duke Bolvar has only three thousand soldiers. How can they possibly be my enemy?"
Tirion Fordring, upon hearing this, wore a disdainful expression. "King Majesty, the Scourge's defenses are formidable. The Wrathgate is easy to defend but difficult to attack. You will soon be forced to retreat."
Varian glared fiercely at Tirion Fordring: "I'm not Imp like you."
Ignoring the soldiers' exhaustion from the march, Varian personally led an army of 30,000 to attack the Wrathgate.
When Varian arrived at the Wrathgate, his lack of combat experience left him dumbfounded.
Angrathar, the Wrathgate, is a majestic and imposing pass with walls hundreds of meters high, gleaming with a metallic black light. There are no signs of construction, as if it were built from a single piece.
Faced with this incredibly formidable fortress, King Varian felt waves of dizziness.
Let alone withstanding the defenders' attacks, simply climbing up this cliff-like city wall was almost impossible.
Moreover, there are thousands of soldiers patrolling the city walls.
After a long silence, Varian reluctantly gave the order:
"Retreat."
Upon returning to Fordragon Fortress, Varian ordered the entire army to rest.
After much deliberation, Varian reluctantly made up his mind and went to find the Big Candle Gagg.
"I need a press release about my heroic battles, preferably one that portrays me as a heroic and imposing figure."
Gagg gave a mysterious smile and said ingratiatingly:
"Your King, it will certainly be as you wish."