Rhonin was increasingly struck by the realization that human talent is indeed limited.
Meditating near the Red Dragon Queen was no longer effective; Rhonin's mana and mental strength had both reached their limits.
Although the Red Dragon Queen in human form didn't say anything, the shadow that inadvertently swept across her pretty face expressed her dissatisfaction with Rhonin.
A single spell can stack up to 3,200 Holy Words; that's the limit Rhonin can achieve.
Calculations show that the success rate of Rhonin's Holy Word spell against creatures of the same level as the Red Dragon Queen is around 67%.
Success cannot be guaranteed.
Because of the Red Dragon Queen's displeasure, Nekros's attitude towards Rhonin changed drastically. Not only did he lose his seat, but the food delivered to him every day was also filthy and inedible.
Fortunately, Vereesa was there to comfort Rhonin.
On this day, a Goblin named Kreel arrived at Nekros's camp.
It's important to understand that the Dragonmaw Clan hides deep in the mountains. Orcs never engage in production, but they still need to buy food, weapons, equipment, medicine, and clothing.
The mountains of Grim Batol are rich in minerals, but unfortunately most of them have been occupied by Chief Zuluhed. Nekros has been able to survive until now by selling the precious Red Dragon.
Those who can afford the Red Dragon are either powerful Archmages, extremely wealthy individuals, or royalty and nobles from the Seven Kingdoms of the Alliance.
These important people don't usually appear in person; they generally delegate their role to intermediaries.
The Goblin Kreel was a middleman whose caravan was so powerful that it could transport everything Nekros needed to Grim Batol without any obstacles.
Kreel had a cigar in his mouth, wore a thin magical armor, and had an exquisite sword hanging at his waist.
Compared to the towering Orcs, the green-skinned Goblin appeared so small, not even as big as an Orcs's arm, yet this Goblin possessed an extraordinary aura.
The notoriously Nekros Skullcrusher followed Kreel respectfully, smiling obsequiously and speaking fawning words.
Kreel shook his head and pointed at Nekros the whole way.
"You lowly green-skinned bastard, do you know how furious my employer was when one of the Dragon Eggs you gave me failed to hatch? If I hadn't stopped him, he would have torn the mountaintop of Grim Batol apart."
Nekros gleaned some information from the conversation. After all, hatching Dragon Eggs is extremely difficult, and the Dragonkin keeps it a closely guarded secret.
People usually buy Dragon Eggs either for magical research or simply to collect them.
Apart from the Dragonmaw Clan, no other race in the history of Azeroth has ever kept dragons.
"How dare you hatch Dragon Eggs? Aren't you worried about the wrath of the Red Dragonflight?"
Several options immediately flashed through Nekros's mind, the most likely being the Guardian Medivh, and he became even more respectful.
"Lord Kreel, this time we guarantee quality; all the hatchlings will be successful. We can even lower the price a bit more."
Nekros has quoted a price.
Kreel sat down with a smile and looked intently at Nekros.
"I know everything. Your chieftain Zuluhed suffered a defeat in Alterac, which is a good opportunity to seize the chieftainship. This time I have brought everything you need: enough weapons and armor, much-needed medicine, Catapults, crossbows, and so on. It's just that I haven't made up my mind yet."
The little Goblin toyed with the sword at his waist. "I'm hesitant about whether to sell it to you or Zuluhed."
Nekros stared wide-eyed in surprise. "Zuluhed doesn't have Dragon Eggs, he only has some rough ore."
"He'll have it if I defeat you. Besides, my employer is very interested in rotting dragon corpses."
Nekros gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing his surging anger.
"Okay, name your price."
Kreel calmly quoted a price, less than a tenth of the usual price, requiring the depletion of half of the inventory.
"I know these Dragon Eggs aren't from the Red Dragon Queen's lineage, so she won't care. Nekros, if you refuse, then you'll have nothing."
In order to seize the chieftainship of the Dragonmaw Clan, Nekros had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
Kreel raised an eyebrow, seemingly asking casually.
"I heard that a Dalaran Mages is a guest here. May we meet him?"
Nekros was secretly puzzled, and Kreel immediately added, "This is the employer's intention."
Previously, Nekros would definitely have refused.
Now that the Red Dragon Queen looks down on Rhonin, and in order not to affect business, Nekros nodded in agreement.
After finding a room, Kreel met with Rhonin and Vereesa, unfastened the sword from his waist and placed it on the table, a faint light enveloping the entire room.
"The Orcs are eavesdropping; they can only hear us chatting about the past, so you can rest assured."
The Goblin before him was completely unfamiliar, but Rhonin sensed a familiar aura emanating from him; this Goblin was imitating someone's mannerisms.
Lord Prestor, Rhonin recalled his brief encounter with Lordaeron.
Lord Prestor's reputation is now very high, and his name is being talked about everywhere within the Dragonmaw Clan.
"My employer wants to know what you've discovered?" Kreel asked.
Rhonin hesitated for a moment. As a prisoner of the Orcs, he couldn't expect Dalaran come to his rescue. If he could get Prestor's help, his chances of being rescued would greatly increase.
Therefore, Rhonin Ning spoke frankly and recounted his recent experiences in detail.
"The Red Dragon Queen and Talanastrasz are plotting against the Rotting Dragon Corpse, and my Holy Word is crucial."
Rhonin aptly expressed his importance.
Kreel remained silent for a while, then shook his head and said, "My employer must be very disappointed, Rhonin. You haven't found any useful information."
Rhonin asked in surprise, "What does Lord Prestor want to know?"
Kreel leaned forward slightly. "Haven't you figured it out yet? The Rotting Dragon Corpse is the Red Dragon Queen's physical body. Who is the real Red Dragon Queen, Alexstrasza?"
Rhonin suddenly realized, muttering, "Nekros told me that the Rotting Dragon Corpse was forged from the Corpse of the Red Dragon Queen into Undead Dragon."
Kreel scoffed, "Do you believe Orcs possess such technology?"
Rhonin was dumbfounded. Not to mention Orcs, even Dalaran couldn't do that.
The person with the deepest understanding of Undead magic in Dalaran is Kel'Thuzad, one of the Council of Six, in an area that was originally forbidden by law.
Kel'Thuzad was powerful enough, but he couldn't transform a death Dragon.
Rhonin panicked a little. "Please give me some time, I will try my best."
Kreel said regretfully:
"Time is running out, Rhonin. Without your employer's help, regardless of who wins between the Red Dragon Queen and the Rotting Dragon Corpse, you're unlikely to survive."
Vereesa had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "I know which of them is the real Red Dragon Queen."
Kreel looked at the Elf suspiciously. "We need evidence-based information, not wild guesses."
Vereesa's expression was aloof. "I am an intelligence agent sent by Silvermoon City. Although I am not a mage, my knowledge of magic far surpasses that of the oldest mage in Dalaran."
With a self-deprecating laugh, Vereesa added, "Because I've lived longer and seen more than they have."