Kael'thas nodded almost imperceptibly. The more detailed the information, the more countermeasures he would have.
Thrall, with a smug look on his face, spoke eloquently:
"I took control of the Earthen Ring organization a long time ago. As we all know, this organization's goal is to maintain the balance between the elements. They have established observation points throughout Azeroth and accumulated a considerable amount of data."
The Earthen Ring is an organization with a long history that has made many contributions to the elemental balance of Azeroth. Kael'thas's expression shifted slightly, regretting the organization's fall from grace.
Thrall said with a smug look on his face, "The Corruption of the Earthen Ring is my masterpiece. Although on the surface the Earthen Ring is dedicated to balancing the Elemental Power, many Shaman in the organization wanted to obtain elemental power, and I granted their wishes. However, the Earthen Ring alone is not enough; I also corrupted the Cenarion Circle, and most of those nature-worshipping Druids became my subordinates."
Kael'thas glared at Thrall quickly suppressed his smugness and cautiously said:
"Through the records of the Earthen Ring and the Cenarion Circle, I discovered that after the Sundering ten thousand years ago, the elements of Azeroth gradually returned to balance, thanks to N'Zoth's efforts. However, those weak points were not repaired in time, such as the Maelstrom. As long as these weak points are exploited, the balance of the elements will be broken. The unbalanced elements desperately need an outlet. The Titans Shield protects Azeroth, and the only exit is the Dark Portal."
Kael'thas interrupted Thrall, asking impatiently, "What I need is a success rate. I don't want to raise another arrogant Ner'zhul."
Thrall proudly declared, "With the cooperation of the Earthen Ring and the Cenarion Circle, I am 100% confident in saving Outland."
Kael'thas snapped his fingers, Thrall felt a splitting headache, as if a hundred worms were tearing at his brain. He collapsed to the ground, rolling around and begging Kael'thas for mercy.
What I need is the truth, not lies and exaggerations.
Sweating profusely, Thrall, enduring a headache, replied, "I was wrong, Prince Highness. In fact, I only have an 80% chance of success. Controlling the Elemental Power is not easy, and accidents can easily happen."
Kael'thas raised his right hand again, Thrall hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowing and weeping, "Prince Highness, spare me! I've estimated the success rate to be less than 50%!"
Kael'thas wasn't surprised. He looked up and said, "Destroying all life on Azeroth with less than a 50% chance of saving Outland isn't worth the risk."
Kael'thas was deliberately saying this to A'dal; the Naaru A'dal had been monitoring everything at the Black Temple.
Jaina hesitated for a moment, then added, "This plan is extremely complex. The Earthen Ring and the Cenarion Circle alone are not enough. If we add the mages of Dalaran, with Dalaran's vast knowledge, we can at least increase the success rate to 30%."
Damn it!
Kael'thas cursed inwardly, but it didn't end there. Jaina pondered for a moment before adding, "If we add Magni Bronzebeard, and given the Humans' understanding of the land, the Titans Relics accumulated by the Ironforge Explorers' League are enough to increase the success rate to fifty percent."
The clever Thrall saw a glimmer of hope and quickly added:
"If we add the Guardians Aegwynn and her son, the Holy Light forces led by Tirion Fordring, and unite the Alliance and the Horde, the success rate can increase to at least 80%."
Kael'thas absolutely hated those two, but he remained unmoved.
Not long after, A'dal's authoritative voice rang out again:
"Feasible."
A'dal, the leader of Outland, agreed to the plan, and Thrall and Jaina both showed their delight. Kael'thas smiled and said, "Congratulations! The Alliance and the Horde will once again join hands to work together to save the world. When will you begin your operation?"
Jaina blinked, then suddenly realized something and exclaimed in surprise, "We forgot about the green-haired Kobolds of Azeroth! Both the Alliance and the Horde will be destroyed!"
"What are green-haired Kobolds?" Kael'thas asked, puzzled.
Jaina and Thrall recounted everything that had happened at Icecrown Citadel, and Kael'thas simply nodded and arranged for the two to stay at the Black Temple.
At the top of the Black Temple, Kael'thas and Akama stood side by side, awaiting A'dal's orders.
A bright Holy Light appeared above their heads, A'dal's majestic voice rang out. "Akama, you shall immediately cross the Dark Portal and enter Northrend to scout the green-haired Kobolds."
Akama accepted the order and left, leaving Kael'thas alone.
After a long silence, Akama calmly said, "Kael'thas, I know you're worried about the safety of Azeroth. With your intelligence, you should understand that Thrall's plan will not succeed."
Kael'thas remained silent, his face expressionless. Akama continued:
"Elune, is like a venomous snake that has entered a bird's nest, waiting for Azeroth to hatch so she can devour it whole. If Thrall's plan succeeds, it will be like breaking the eggshell, Elune will absolutely not allow it."
Kael'thas said coldly, "So you're testing me, aren't you? Using all the living beings of Azeroth as a wager to test Elune's reaction."
A'dal did not deny it. "For some unknown reason, the Army of the Light will not directly confront Elune, but that does not mean giving up. Elune's favor towards the Orcs may yield valuable information that can help us find Elune's weaknesses."
Kael'thas looked down at the ground and asked, "So what do I need to do?"
A'dal, in a loud and clear voice, gave the order:
"Go do what you want to do, Northrend, Frozen Throne. Go see your old friend Arthas and tell them that disaster is coming and Azeroth must have a Lich King."
Akama, accompanied by a few trusted followers, successfully landed on Northrend's soil, crossed the Wrathgate, and entered Icecrown Citadel to conduct reconnaissance.
Icecrown Citadel remained wide open, empty like a tomb, with nothing to be found except for a few Plague Rats.
Akama inwardly scoffed at the leaders of the Alliance and the Horde, especially King Varian, for destroying Stormwind City and Elwynn Forest for this.
Akama sent several trusted men back to report the news, but he wasn't in a hurry to go back. He wanted to go to Exodar to see an old acquaintance, the garrison commander Maraad.
Exodar.
The two old friends met privately, a fact that Velen must not know, otherwise it would surely arouse Velen suspicion.
Maraad opened his arms warmly. "My old friend Akama, it's great to see you again! I thought we'd never meet again after the fall of Shattrath City."
When the fall of Shattrath City was mentioned, Akama gritted his teeth and said:
"How is Velen doing? Has he forgotten me, the sinner he personally punished, simply because I acted on my own initiative to resist the Orcs invasion?"
Maraad sighed, "Archbishop Akama, you still haven't forgotten your hatred. Ironically, Velen has never repented; he greatly approves of Thrall."