Stormwind City Valley of Heroes.
King Varian looked up at the walls of Stormwind City. Above the most prominent city gate hung a giant billboard, its words emblazoned in large, golden letters:
"Join the Argent Crusade and reach the pinnacle of your life."
Varian muttered a curse under his breath, "Damn Tirion Fordring."
According to incomplete statistics, the Argent Crusade killed at least 500,000 humans, most of whom became food for the Orcs, but this still could not diminish Tirion Fordring's status in the hearts of the people.
Right before Varian, a group of Stormwind City citizens were loudly protesting, demanding that a statue of Tirion Fordring be added to the Valley of Heroes to commemorate Tirion Fordring greatness and service to the nation and its people.
Varian's anger did not stem from his contempt for Tirion Fordring's actions, but rather from his dissatisfaction with Tirion Fordring poaching talent from Stormwind City, since these were the people he had brought to Azeroth.
That is, it was King Varian's private property.
But as Tirion Fordring's reputation grew, many people voluntarily joined the Argent Crusade.
"Tirion Fordring has gone too far," Varian muttered to his subordinates. "If we hadn't suffered a defeat at Icecrown Citadel, getting thrashed by a swarm of Plague Rats, he might have really gained the upper hand."
Varian was very grateful to those Plague Rats; otherwise, there would have been another statue of Tirion Fordring in Valley of Heroes. Tirion Fordring, who had successfully saved the world, would probably have had to bow down to Varian.
A trusted aide whispered in Varian's ear:
"But Thrall, the Savior, aided Tirion Fordring, Tirion Fordring acted with impunity, doing whatever he pleased."
Varian scoffed resentfully, "If it weren't for Thrall supporting Tirion Fordring, I would have torn him to pieces long ago. This is a good opportunity to storm the Frozen Throne with Tirion Fordring. Tirion Fordring, Thrall, Sylvanas, Jaina —we can wipe them all out in one fell swoop."
The confidant asked nervously, "Your King, have you made up your mind?"
Varian said fiercely, "How can a woman's compassion accomplish great things?"
With the help of magic, the whispers of the surrounding people reached Varian's ears.
"Tirion Fordring has once again defeated the Lich King Arthas, thwarting the Scourge to destroy the world. He's truly a great man."
"Thank you, Tirion Fordring. Without him, Azeroth would have been destroyed countless times over."
"Tirion Fordring is a man of high moral character and excellent qualities. He treats his subordinates with gentleness and respect, and is a perfect person. I think he should be canonized."
"Yes, Tirion Fordring's character truly makes him worthy of being called the greatest saint of all time."
There is no concept of saints in Azeroth; it's a unique cultural phenomenon found in Parallel Worlds.
Varian glanced specifically at the old woman who had proposed canonizing Tirion Fordring.
Her three sons all gloriously joined the Argent Crusade. One of them, a young man over 1.8 meters tall, died of exhaustion in the mine. He weighed less than 50 kilograms when he died. The other two, because of their delicious meat, were selected through a series of processes and successfully made it onto Thrall's dinner table.
"A bunch of fools. I really want to send them to the Argent Crusade so they can experience Tirion Fordring's methods firsthand. When they're begging for mercy, they'll regret their assessment today."
The confidant shook his head and advised:
"Your King, everything will change. Once we reach the Frozen Throne and destroy the Lich King Arthas, the Argent Crusade will be useless, and Tirion Fordring will lose his value."
Varian frowned, looking worried. "I don't think Tirion Fordring will give up so easily. Perhaps Tirion Fordring's already planning to become the Lich King himself, which is why I'm trying to steal his Helm of Domination."
Northrend, the camp of the Argent Crusade.
Tirion Fordring ate a Tuskarr, lost in thought.
Tirion Fordring believed that once he conquered the Frozen Throne, he could rightfully replace Arthas and become the new Lich King. He believed that Arthas's fate was only due to his excessive mercy.
Tirion Fordring will definitely learn his lesson.
But because of Tirion Fordring's mistake, the leaders of various races had the opportunity to divide Icecrown Citadel, and Tirion Fordring's plan completely failed. He gave up everything but gained nothing. How could Tirion Fordring accept this?
Just as Tirion Fordring was feeling agitated, he noticed a guard peeking into the tent. Tirion Fordring, not wanting anyone to disturb his meal, picked up Ashbringer and slashed at it without mercy.
Fording had expected the guard to be reduced to ashes by Ashbringer, but to his surprise, the Ashbringer caught Ashbringer with just his bare hands. Then, with a smirk, he tightened his grip, Ashbringer to tremble strangely. Tirion Fordring lost his grip on the hilt and the sword fell into the guard's hands.
Tirion Fordring was shocked, never expecting such a master to be hidden within the Argent Crusade. In the dim moonlight, Tirion Fordring suddenly noticed that the eyes of the guard who had taken Ashbringer were somewhat different.
Those are the eyes of the Undead.
Could it be that the Scourge has infiltrated?
Tirion Fordring was terrified and was about to tear open the Teleportation Scroll to escape when he heard the guard coldly say, "Tirion Fordring, Archmage Meryl Winterstorm wishes to see you."
Meryl Winterstorm, one of the founders of the Council of Tirisfal, a legendary figure in Azeroth, and Undead Mage has lived for over three thousand years.
So, the Undead before him were subordinates of Meryl Winterstorm, Tirion Fordring was immediately relieved.
The guard returned Ashbringer to Tirion Fordring, and shortly afterward, a ghostly figure appeared beside Tirion Fordring, removing his cloak to reveal a withered face.
Meryl's voice was harsh, like a cold, icy wind:
"When I entered Northrend, I encountered countless Restless Souls, all soldiers of the Argent Crusade, who wept and recounted their tragic fates. Tirion Fordring, I must say, you have done an excellent job. I have witnessed the rise and fall of countless nations, and history has proven that the more people are slaughtered, the more miserable their lives become, the greater the leader."
Tirion Fordring smiled slightly and said modestly, "It's what I should do."
Meryl gently raised his right hand, and somehow, Ashbringer slipped from his grasp and landed in Meryl hand again. Meryl casually stroked the legendary weapon radiating Holy Light, nodding in praise, "Such warm Holy Light, truly a fine weapon."
Meryl displayed formidable strength; despite being Undead creature, Ashbringer could not harm him in the slightest, and Tirion Fordring immediately abandoned his contempt.
"Every great hero possesses a Legendary weapon, just like Emperor Thoradin's sword Strom'kar. Tirion Fordring, your achievements will surely surpass those of Emperor Thoradin."
Meryl calmly praised Tirion Fordring and then exchanged Ashbringer for Tirion Fordring.
Tirion Fordring was delighted and hurriedly invited Meryl into the tent. Meryl, without any hesitation, sat in the main seat and shared the Tuskarr flesh with Tirion Fordring.
After eating a few pieces of Tuskarr flesh, Meryl said enigmatically, "Tirion Fordring, there's nothing in this world I don't know. Thrall and the leaders of various races have divided the spoils of Icecrown Citadel, but things aren't that simple. You must plan ahead."
Tirion Fordring humbly replied, "Please teach me, Master."
Meryl lowered his voice and said mysteriously:
"Thrall harbors malicious intentions, wanting to repeat the events of the Frozen Throne, and wipe out Varian, Jaina, Magni, Sylvanas, and you all in one fell swoop."
Tirion Fordring was suspicious. Last time Thrall used the Burning Legion, so how could he ambush those armies again? Were there not many Orcs in Orgrimmar?
Meryl added, "And Varian Sylvanas, they too harbor treacherous schemes. The Frozen Throne is destined to be turbulent; a bloody storm is brewing."