"As the Warchief of the Horde, I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders."
Vol'jin flaunted his Warchief in front of Thrall, acting as if he had suddenly risen from the serfship to become the master, radiating an overwhelming sense of superiority.
"The safety of the Horde rests on my shoulders, as does the responsibility of protecting Azeroth. It's time to make a decision."
Baine panicked and asked in alarm, "Vol'jin, you're not planning to cooperate with Garrosh to open the Dark Portal, are you?"
Vol'jin pretended to think for a while, then nodded with a look of surprise:
"Baine, your suggestion is excellent, though somewhat Recklessness. I need to consider it carefully."
Baine's mane stood on end in his anxiety, and he said in a pitiful voice:
"I'm innocent! This wasn't my suggestion!"
Vol'jin said earnestly:
"Baine, although this is your suggestion, please don't hesitate. If it truly brings disaster to Azeroth, I will pardon you as the Warchief. Everyone, please speak freely about Baine's proposal."
Baine's face was ashen; he could clearly feel a heavy, black cauldron pressing down on his back, making it hard for him to breathe.
Lor'themar Theron declared loudly, "I agree to Baine's proposal to open the Dark Portal, destroy Garrosh's Iron Horde, and make Garrosh pay for his crimes."
Sylvanas said Anjing, "Baine's suggestion is good. We can't rely on the foolish Alliance. Perhaps they are also worried about the Horde cooperating with Garrosh. Whoever makes the first decision will have the advantage."
Trade tycoon Gallywix whispered, "I disagree. Opening the Dark Portal will cost a fortune; even selling all the Tauren of Thunder Bluff for beef wouldn't be enough."
Baine glared at Gallywix.
Thrall immediately noticed the wind direction, and with a quick glance, said:
"I had originally planned to retire, but with such a devastating event in Azeroth, someone had to step up and save the world. No one is more suitable than me; I need to fight for Azeroth once again."
Vol'jin looked concerned and said kindly:
"Thrall, no one knows your body better than me. To save Azeroth, you've toiled day and night, working tens of thousands of hours a day. Your body has long since given out. You can rest assured and retire in peace. Azeroth still has us."
Clearly, Vol'jin has no intention of bringing Thrall back to power; he wants to completely eliminate this biggest political enemy besides Garrosh.
Thrall stubbornly shook his head. "Vol'jin, you've only just become Warchief, and you've already encountered such a major event. Your lack of experience could easily lead to mistakes. Although I'd love to retire peacefully, what do personal honor and safety matter for the sake of Azeroth? Especially at this critical juncture, my conscience prevents me from giving up."
Vol'jin understood the underlying meaning: if he continued to oppose Thrall's return to service, he would be at a disadvantage in terms of moral high ground.
With a quick glint in his eye, Vol'jin had an idea. He took Thrall's hand affectionately and said:
"Old comrades are always the most reliable in times of crisis. Azeroth is facing an unprecedented crisis, and I am very grateful that the Savior can share my burden. However, there are two things I would like to ask the Savior to do his utmost to help me with, and I hope he will not refuse."
Thrall immediately sensed something was wrong. He had thought that even if he got involved, he would only be a peripheral figure, cheering from the sidelines, and that his personal safety would be guaranteed.
Seeing Thrall hesitate, Vol'jin quickly added:
"If Your Savior finds this difficult, I can find someone else. Your Savior has already made countless contributions to Azeroth; it's time for you to enjoy a peaceful life."
Thrall knew very well that retreating into seclusion would only lead to his death, so he could only bite the bullet and say:
"To save Azeroth, I have overcome countless hardships and obstacles, and I am confident that I will succeed this time as well."
Vol'jin praised admiringly, "Well done, worthy of being called the Savior."
Then, Vol'jin, looking worried and uneasy, said:
"Gallywix reminded me that Garrosh is tyrannical, and the Horde is struggling financially, unable to afford sufficient funds. The Alliance has an obligation to participate in the plan to open the Dark Portal, and must at least share half the responsibility. Savior, the Alliance greatly admires you; the task of contacting the Alliance will be yours."
Getting the Alliance to assist in opening the Dark Portal, providing manpower and resources, is undoubtedly extremely difficult.
Suppressing his displeasure, Thrall nodded and said:
"Okay, I'm very confident about this. No one is more suitable than me."
Vol'jin continued, "Saving Azeroth is everyone's responsibility. I will select elite warriors to form a mighty army. After the Dark Portal opens, we will fight to the death against Garrosh's Iron Horde. I don't trust anyone else, Savior. I hope you can become the leader of this army, leading everyone into Charge as before, slaying enemy generals and vanquishing foes."
Thrall felt a headache coming on after hearing this. As a great Savior, he had always been a strategist who planned and won battles from afar.
Leading troops into battle personally is inconsistent with Thrall's illustrious status.
Vol'jin's actions were clearly intended to use the Iron Horde to eliminate Thrall.
But Thrall couldn't refuse. Clever as he was, Thrall quickly devised several solutions, grinning as he said:
"The Warchief Charges ahead, it's a fine tradition of us Orcs. Leave it to me, I swear I will take Garrosh's head."
Compared to the Horde's swift response, the Alliance's reaction was much slower. King Varian could never have predicted that someone would be foolish enough to open the Dark Portal and let the Iron Horde in.
Varian left the Temple of the White Tiger and prepared to take a boat back to Stormwind City.
At the pier of Kun-Lai Summit, Malfurion and Tyrande arrived under the cover of night.
Malfurion immediately launched into a tirade of accusations:
"I truly don't understand, is a human King really suitable to be the leader of the Alliance? Your Majesty, the young King is facing imminent disaster."
Varian was utterly astonished and asked curiously, "What happened?"
Tyrande sneered:
"A qualified leader should have foresight, not react passively when things come to a head. Varian, couldn't you guess? The Horde is going to cooperate with Garrosh to open the Dark Portal."
Varian was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing:
"That's impossible. Vol'jin and Thrall are sworn enemies of Garrosh. No one in the Horde is willing to cooperate with Garrosh; they're not stupid."
"You're the fool," Malfurion said Pride, hoping to enlighten Varian: "If the Horde cooperates with Garrosh, your Stormwind City will be reduced to ruins."
Varian said nonchalantly, "I won't worry about things that are impossible."
Tyrande rubbed her forehead, hesitatingly saying, "I overestimated human intelligence. Well, Varian, just a heads-up, the Horde is also worried about the Alliance cooperating with Garrosh."
"So they preemptively allied themselves with Garrosh."
Varian was very displeased and felt offended, so he politely saw his guest out.
"It's getting late, you two should head back now."
Malfurion and Tyrande had little hope of persuading Varian, and shook their heads as they took their leave.
Not long after the two left, King Genn Greymane of Gilneas came to visit.
"King Majesty, according to intelligence, the Horde leaders have not left the Temple of the White Tiger; they are plotting something."
"Are they plotting to cooperate with Garrosh?"
Varian looked disdainful:
"I'd rather believe they're planning an attack on Stormwind City."