The purpose of the three thousand soldiers was to test the strength of the Scourge. Tirion Fordring hid in the rear and observed, waiting for the battle reports from the front.
A battle cry rang out from the Icecrown Citadel, but soon fell silent, as Anjing as a terrifying tomb.
Tirion Fordring calculated the time; he had lasted longer than he had expected.
A Sentinels returned with news, Tirion Fordring asked anxiously, "How is the battle going?"
The Sentinels's Potion of Strength had worn off; he was terrified, drenched in sweat, and trembling as he said:
"Tirion Fordring, the Scourge is truly terrifying. Our first encounter was with a group of Ghouls, about two thousand in number, which we thankfully defeated. But then we faced a massive army led by a Scourge general—horrible monsters made of countless skeletons, wielding a gigantic Battle Axe. Our forces quickly collapsed, and we were completely wiped out."
They were only wiped out by the Scourge's leader, which was much better than expected. Tirion Fordring asked in a low voice, "How many Scourge soldiers did you eliminate in total?"
The Sentinels thought for a moment and replied, "Around three thousand."
"A one-to-one casualty ratio."
Tirion Fordring's eyes lit up; he suddenly saw a glimmer of hope for victory and thought to himself:
"The Emissary told us that after the Battle of the Argent Tournament, the Scourge fell into an unprecedented state of weakness, and it seems to be true. With the Argent Crusade numbering over 50,000, plus the 100,000-strong army from Kingdom of Stormwind, how could the Scourge not be destroyed? I've decided to become the Lich King."
Tirion Fordring was secretly pleased, but put on a sorrowful expression:
"We paid a heavy price to destroy the Scourge. I grieve for the fallen soldiers, but this will only inspire greater courage in us, for Azeroth."
The probe yielded encouraging results, Tirion Fordring immediately launched a full-scale attack.
The Argent Crusade, the loyalist army of Stormwind City, though ragged, poorly armed, and starving, were in no way diminished in their determination to fight the Scourge.
After taking the Potion of Strength, they kept charging into Icecrown Citadel.
The battle lasted all day. After sacrificing 10,000 soldiers, they finally established a foothold on the first level of Icecrown Citadel and successfully killed the Scourge general, Lord Marrowgar.
Unfortunately, Tirion Fordring didn't know that these were merely the remains of Malogar.
News of the initial victory quickly reached Thrall, Jaina, and others.
An excited Thrall threw a grand feast, slaughtering five Tauren and three Pandaren to celebrate Tirion Fordring's victory. Thrall, munching on beef, said smugly to Daolin:
"You had the chance to become King Varian and share in the glory of this victory, but unfortunately you chose the wrong allegiance. The Scourge's destruction was inevitable, and Tirion Fordring will become the new Savior."
Despite his victory, Tirion Fordring remained humble before the great Savior Thrall, Thrall rewarded him with a bone, for Tirion Fordring was extremely grateful.
Daolin didn't care; at this moment, he was extremely calm, as if he were dead.
Wrathgate.
A massive Orcs army advanced under cover of night and set up camp near the Wrathgate.
Garrosh stroked his sharp fangs and Emissary beside him:
"My Emissary, I have used all my resources to assemble an unprecedented Orcs army. The Wrathgate is an obstacle, hindering the army's advance. We cannot use Dalaran to transport soldiers in order to launch a surprise attack on Thrall and Tirion Fordring. What should we do?"
The Emissary, with a composed expression, waved his hand and said:
"Thrall is unruly and, relying on his reputation as Savior, has gradually become disobedient, repeatedly disappointing Moon Goddess. Tirion Fordring seems honest and submissive, but he is actually ambitious. You must trust Elune; you can completely replace her. Don't rush things; we need final confirmation."
Not long after, battle reports came from the front lines.
Just today, Tirion Fordring led the Argent Crusade and the Stormwind City Loyalists in an attack on Icecrown Citadel, successfully killing a Scourge general and eliminating approximately ten thousand Scourge soldiers.
The Emissary showed no surprise, and chuckled, "Very well, Garrosh, your chance has come. The Scourge has indeed fallen into decline."
Garrosh was overjoyed and grinned broadly:
"My soldiers are well-equipped, each as strong as an Ogre, well-fed, and each one can take on ten Argent Crusade. Finally, we can avenge Arthas."
The Emissary stood up and said to the air, "Red Dragon Queen Alexstrasza, the time has come. You may begin your operation."
Suddenly, a large burst of firelight blazed up in the pitch-black sky above the Wrathgate Punishment.
The Red Dragon Queen, leading ten adult Dragons of her race and accompanied by thirty Fel Demon Dragons of the Burning Legion, launched a surprise attack on the Wrathgate.
Thirty Fel Demon Dragons Charge ahead, spewing terrifying Flames and Fel Dragon's Breath.
A torrent of Fervor heat swept down, and the patrolling soldiers, caught off guard, were instantly reduced to dust. The Red Dragon Queen was taken aback; the Fel Demon Dragon's power far surpassed that of Adult Red Dragon.
With their continuous breaths of Dragon's Breath, the Red Dragon Queen and her ten subordinates quickly exhausted their magical energy.
But the Fel Demon Dragon seemed to possess limitless magical power, its endless Dragon's Breath turning the entire Wrathgate a fiery red, leading the Red Dragon Queen to believe that no living thing could survive.
Unexpectedly, a bright light shone forth, the Power of the Holy Light particularly dazzling against the crimson Wrathgate. Duke Bolvar, sword and shield in hand, gazed at the Dragon formation in the sky:
"The Burning Legion's Fel Demon Dragons, quite unexpected, Alexstrasza. You think you can conquer the Wrathgate like this? Our soldiers are all hidden deep within the fortress. Even if you melt the Wrathgate, it will be futile. The Wrathgate will never fall."
Having said that, Duke Bolvar disappeared into a dark passage.
The Red Dragon Queen hesitated for a moment, guessing that this was likely a trap.
Unexpectedly, the thirty Fel Demon Dragons were simple-minded and landed on the city wall, transforming into the Legion Demons with curved demonic horns on their heads and wearing thick Legion armor. They charged into the passage without hesitation.
The Red Dragon Queen chuckled inwardly; the Fel Demon Dragon was terrifyingly powerful, but unfortunately, its intelligence was rather lacking.
"Your Majesty, shall we follow them?" a Red Dragon asked.
The Red Dragon Queen sneered, "With the Fel Demon Dragons clearing the way for us, there's nothing to worry about. We can just follow at a distance; at least we'll have something to report to the Emissary."
The Red Dragons also transformed into human form and disappeared into the dark passage. The Red Dragon Queen cautiously sensed the presence ahead. The winding passage was riddled with ambushes and traps, but unfortunately, the Fel Demon Dragons were too powerful; even in their Legion Demons form, their combat strength was still extraordinary.
With an almost overwhelming force, the Fel Demon Dragons were reaping the lives of Duke Bolvar's soldiers.
The Red Dragon Queen found a relatively intact soldier's corpse, examined it carefully, and muttered in surprise:
"No blood in their bodies, Runes on their bones, driven by magic—so that's it. Bolvar's soldiers have long been replaced by Scourge soldiers, even though they look exactly like humans."
The Red Dragon Queen had a vague sense of unease, but the Fel Demon Dragon's terrifying power gave her a lot of confidence, causing her to gradually lower her guard.
The narrow passage widened, leading deeper into the fortress. The Red Dragon Queen cautiously approached and heard the sounds of fighting.
That familiar aura of Holy Light, accompanied by the loud roar of clashing weapons, belonged to Duke Bolvar.