"What, you are King Varian?"
In the Kingdom of Stormwind, the name Varian represents greatness and sublimity, inspiring awe and reverence, making one want to kneel down and worship.
These starving people, almost driven to madness, still held the name in awe, and many timidly retreated.
However, some people held different opinions. One person whispered:
"I heard that King Varian is over five meters tall and can kill a dragon with one punch. Black Dragon Princess Onyxia was cleaved in two by King Varian's sword. How could she look like this?"
"Yes, yes, I've heard that King Varian is protected by the Goldrinn, and there's a giant wolf's shadow behind him. He's incredibly strong and can eat five cows in one sitting."
"Absolutely right. King Varian possesses a pair of ancient Elf swords, radiant with light, shining like the sun, certainly not in this ugly state before us."
To consolidate King Varian's rule, the Peace Dove employed various means to publicize King Varian extraordinary qualities, making him almost like a great god in the hearts of the people.
Varian felt a chill run down his spine after hearing this, unsure how to explain it.
"He's a fraud!" one of the villagers exclaimed.
"How dare they impersonate the great King Varian!" another disgruntled commoner grumbled.
"Disgusting! This is blasphemy against the King! Tear them apart! Eat them!"
The enraged crowd surged forward like hungry wild beasts, their mouths agape as they viciously tore at the guards.
Hunger drives people mad; they disregard everything, forgetting their pain. Even after their limbs are severed by swords, they still tear at each other with their teeth. The guards are outnumbered and quickly become unable to resist.
"Your King, let's go quickly!"
A dozen or so brave guards tightly protected King Varian as they struggled to break out of the encirclement.
One by one, the guards fell to the ground, and the starving people surrounded them, tearing at their flesh and blood, devouring them until not even bones remained.
King Varian drew his sword and fought desperately, finally managing to break through the encirclement.
All of Varian's guards were dead. His clothes were torn to shreds, hanging in strips from his body. He was bitten in many places, and his clothes were covered in blood.
"Damn scum, once I return to Stormwind City, I will lead my army to slaughter you all and hang your corpses at the gates of Stormwind City."
Varian painstakingly bandaged his wound, and after experiencing the pain, he dared not walk on the main road again, instead taking the side path.
Varian walked until dark, exhausted and hungry. Seeing a house with lights on ahead, Varian was secretly delighted and decided to stay the night.
He knocked on the door, and two young women opened it, their bright yet wary eyes fixed on Varian.
Having learned his lesson from last time, Varian hid the sword, claiming to be a merchant passing through the area and asking for lodging for the night, and produced several gold coins.
A woman looked at her with pity and sighed:
"It's not easy being away from home, so we should all look out for each other. Come in."
Valian was extremely grateful, at least he didn't have to sleep in the wild anymore.
The house was small, with two floors, warmed by candlelight, and simply furnished. It housed two young women, one named Helenni and the other Adler.
Through conversation, it was learned that the two women's husbands were originally farmers who, in order to protect their homeland, answered the King's call and went to the Battlefield, gloriously participating in the Battle of Undercity.
Varian sank; he knew they were all gone.
Helenni brought over a bowl of Fresh Water and said politely, "Guest, please wait a moment; dinner will be served shortly."
Varian, parched with thirst, drank the water in large gulps, finding it more delicious than any fine wine.
The cool water flowed into his stomach, Varian felt great. Suddenly, he felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground.
When Varian awoke, he found himself tightly bound, with a woman named Helenni holding a sharp dagger, its gleaming blade playfully dancing between her fingertips.
"What are you going to do?" Varian asked in alarm.
Helenni chuckled and said:
"Judging from your fair skin, strong physique, and rosy complexion, you must be a well-off nobleman. We sisters are very lucky; we'll be able to eat our fill for a few more days."
Varian was terrified. "Wait, I have gold coins, I can give them to you!"
Adler, who was standing nearby, brought over a large basin and said calmly:
"Those glittery things are useless now. Famine is rampant in Kingdom of Stormwind, and food is more precious than gold coins. We're lucky to have found such a fat sheep like you. Just accept your fate; it's your own fault for being born in Kingdom of Stormwind."
"Damn it, why is this happening?" Varian said with a bitter expression.
Helenni chuckled and said:
"Blame our great King for taking our last grain of food. We had no choice but to do so to survive. I will carefully skin you, ensuring not a single drop of blood is shed. In Elwynn Forest, no one is more skilled than me."
Upon seeing the sharp dagger, Varian nearly fainted. He suddenly remembered that the ring he was wearing was a precious magical item, containing a Blink.
Varian dazedly activated the magic within the ring, a flash of light appeared, and he vanished from the room, leaving Helenni and Adler both looking on in surprise.
Having found the hiding place of the sword, Varian used the blade to cut the ropes, intending to take the sword back for revenge. However, considering that he was tired, hungry, and exhausted, and that the two women were no ordinary opponents, he probably couldn't defeat them and had to give up for the time being.
Having memorized this place, Varian made up his mind to return and take revenge.
After a long and arduous journey, enduring wind and rain, feeding on grass roots and tree bark, and carefully avoiding human habitation, Varian finally made it back to Stormwind City.
Gazing at the towering and magnificent Stormwind City and its imposing gates, Varian finally smiled with relief. He hurriedly took out the token and went to see the Guards at the city gate.
General Jonathan Marcus, the High Commander of Stormwind City's defenses, was marginalized during the reign of the Night Watch King.
However, the Kingdom of Stormwind had been engaged in continuous warfare, resulting in heavy casualties among its soldiers and a sharp decline in the number of able-bodied men. Various industries were short of manpower, so Veterans like him, who were experienced in battle, had no choice but to come out of retirement.
Varian produced his seal and handed it to General Marcus, saying in a low voice, "I am King Varian, and I have just returned from Undercity."
Marcus stared in astonishment at the man before him, his face covered in dust, his clothes tattered, and who looked like a beggar. After carefully examining the seal and confirming its authenticity, he quickly lowered his voice and said:
"Your King, please come with me."
Varian followed Marcus into the watchtower beside the city gate.
"Your King, you've had a long journey. Please come in," General Marcus said politely.
Finally, I can rest, have a meal, and take a hot shower.
Varian breathed a sigh of relief and went into the guard tower.
A whooshing sound came from behind him, followed by intense pain. Varian's vision went black and he collapsed to the ground. Several Stormwind City guards surrounded him, their eyes drooling as they stared at him.