The military operation against the Scourge was of great importance, and it was led personally by Prophet Velen, while Maraad remained in Exodar.
Thrall personally came out to greet the Draenei upon their arrival.
Thrall's expression was slightly awkward. Ever since the Draenei fled to the Azeroth, Thrall had anticipated that such an awkward meeting would happen sooner or later, and he didn't know how to face Velen.
It's important to understand that the Orcs and Draenei locked in a deep-seated, irreconcilable feud, a blood feud that has led to the annihilation of their race.
Velen smiled kindly and said magnanimously:
"Thrall, let bygones be bygones. History has turned a new page. I, Velen, am by nature benevolent and will never hold grudges over the past. The Draenei will join hands with the Orcs to create a bright future for Azeroth."
Upon hearing this, Thrall was immediately relieved.
Everyone says that the Prophet Velen is a complete fool, and now it seems they're right. What's so difficult about dealing with such a stupid old man?
Thrall gave a fake smile and said to Velen in a friendly tone:
"Prophet Velen, you are the eldest and most respected leader of Azeroth. As a junior, I hold you in the highest esteem. The Draenei have a long history and a unique culture, serving as a fine example for us Orcs to learn from."
The two chatted happily and found they got along very well, almost becoming sworn brothers despite being from different ethnic groups.
Thrall offered Velen a delicious meal of Tauren meat, Draenei set up camp near the Argent Crusade.
The Draenei arrived far too quickly; the other races were currently adrift at sea.
With nothing else to do, Velen decided to visit the renowned Tirion Fordring and witness the Scourge's nemesis, the infamous Argent Crusade.
The Stormwind City loyalist army has officially joined the Argent Crusade and is under the leadership of Tirion Fordring.
When Velen entered the Argent Crusade camp, he was shocked to find that the tents were dilapidated and drafty, the soldiers were thinly dressed, most of them were emaciated, had pale faces, and walked unsteadily, looking weak and frail.
Looking at the food the human soldiers ate, it was thin broth with barely any Mili, and it tasted sour and foul, making it difficult to swallow. They could only eat one meal a day.
Rumors circulated that Tirion Fordring had defeated the Scourge countless times, but Velen, of course, didn't believe it. When he witnessed this, he became even more Steadfast that Tirion Fordring was a fraudulent charlatan seeking fame.
Velen couldn't help but feel compassion and politely said:
"Everyone says the Argent Crusade faces harsh conditions, yet they persisted in fighting the Scourge and achieved a major victory, which deeply moved me. Tirion Fordring, the Draenei are willing to provide food as free support to the Argent Crusade."
The Draenei possess advanced technology, and although their weaponry is very primitive, they are well-prepared in terms of food and warmth.
The proud Tirion Fordring immediately refused.
Tirion Fordring had just finished lunch; he was a plump Pandaren, and he was very full.
After wiping the oil from his lips, Tirion Fordring said loudly:
"Thank you for the Prophet's kindness, but you may not understand humanity. We humans have dignity. The Argent Crusade would rather starve than eat a single grain of Draenei food."
Tirion Fordring's insistence embarrassed Velen. After all, Velen had lived for countless years, and he knew very well that this was not the dignity of a human soldier, but Tirion Fordring's own dignity.
To receive the Draenei's aid would be tantamount to acknowledging Tirion Fordring's incompetence.
Tirion Fordring's dignity was not to be trampled upon, even if countless soldiers froze and starved to death.
Velen frowned slightly and tried to speak tactfully:
"Tirion Fordring, the Draenei have brought too much winter clothing and don't know how to use it. Why don't you sell it to the Argent Crusade at a high price? You can pay me back after you conquer Icecrown Citadel. Consider it a favor to me."
Such a tactful explanation preserved Tirion Fordring's dignity, and there should have been no reason for him to refuse.
Unfortunately, Velen underestimated Tirion Fordring's pride. Tirion Fordring could easily choose between the possibility of ordinary soldiers freezing to death and his Tirion Fordring dignity.
Wearing a thick Tuskarr skin coat, Tirion Fordring's eyes widened, his face filled with pride and arrogance as he roared, "Velen, you are trampling on human dignity! Our soldiers would rather freeze to death than wear a single piece of Draenei clothing! Guards, show him out!"
Velen was utterly helpless, unable to comprehend Tirion Fordring's pride, and could only leave in frustration.
Upon learning that Tirion Fordring had refused Velen's aid, many human soldiers shed tears of emotion, and some Veterans remarked with deep feeling:
"Great Tirion Fordring did well, did the right thing. We humans have pride. We'd rather freeze or starve to death in Northrend than accept any help from the Draenei."
"Life has a price, but dignity is priceless. Tirion Fordring is mighty! Tirion Fordring is domineering!"
"Tirion Fordring did a great job. If we had accepted the Draenei's aid, even if we survived, we would actually be dead. As long as we maintained our dignity, even if we froze or starved to death, we humans would have gained immortality. Long live dignity!"
That night, a cold front swept in, and the temperature plummeted. Thousands of Argent Crusade froze into icicles, most of them Veterans with poorer constitutions. Tens of thousands of Argent Crusade suffered frostbite of varying degrees.
The Argent Crusade Warrior who froze to death were transported to the Orcs camp and made into Tough Jerky. The Argent Crusade who suffered frostbite lacked medical care and medicine and could only wail incessantly inside their tents.
Tirion Fordring showed no mercy in executing the seriously wounded, and their corpses were used as rations for the Orcs.
As the temperature continued to drop, many Argent Crusade soldiers realized they could not survive, and large numbers of deserters fled to Icecrown Citadel, not far away, to surrender to the Scourge.
The appearance of deserters infuriated Tirion Fordring.
Even so, pride still wouldn't allow Tirion Fordring to compromise, and he once again refused Velen's aid, but he hoped that Velen could send Draenei soldiers to help stop the deserters from appearing.
Velen granted Tirion Fordring's request, and thousands of Draenei soldiers patrolled outside the human camp.
On this cold, dark night, a group of Draenei soldiers were astonished to find a dark mass of people pouring out of the human camp— the Argent Crusade, unable to bear the cold and hunger.
A fierce battle broke out. The starving and freezing deserters were no match for the Draenei, and it quickly turned into a one-sided massacre, with corpses piling up like mountains and blood flowing like rivers.
Prophet Velen never imagined that the Draenei's first opponent after entering Northrend would be the Argent Crusade.
Icecrown Citadel.
The Soul Prison of the Scourge Army is constantly receiving a large influx of human souls.
These were all fallen members of the Argent Crusade. Kel'Thuzad sighed softly, saddened by the deaths of these soldiers.
Above the Soul Prison, a thick tentacle suddenly opened its eyes.
N'Zoth's voice echoed within Icecrown Citadel, beginning with a mocking remark:
"Look what I see! Is this the great hero Tirion Fordring? Poor Argent Crusade, I hope you never encounter a bastard like Tirion Fordring in your next life. I have good news for you all: I finally know the final destination of Orcs souls, and you probably won't believe it."