"The mages of Dalaran have arrived, led personally by Archmage Antonidas."
At the pre-battle meeting in Stratholme, Baron Rivendare coughed, his wrinkles deepening.
The Dalaran Mage Kingdom, renowned for its powerful magic, is a very powerful magical organization.
It can be said that for nearly a thousand years, the most intelligent and Elite small group of humans have been concentrated in the Dalaran Magic Kingdom, which has always been the center of magic and Arcane research in the entire history of mankind.
However, Dalaran's performance in both Orcs Wars was unsatisfactory.
During the First Orcs Wars, Dalaran largely inactive due to the presence of Guardian Medivh, observing the situation with a detached and indifferent attitude.
During the Second War, Dalaran finally paid the price for their indifference. First, the Blackrock Orcs used Dragonkin to fight against the Dalaran Mages, resulting in the deaths of many mages and the destruction of Violet Citadel.
Later, in order to obtain the arcane artifact Eye of Dalaran, the Death Knight Teron Gorefiend and his minions destroyed the still-reconstructing city once again, Dalaran to collapse for the second time.
Now, they have appeared outside Stratholme, bringing with them Orcs -needed military rations, war machines, siege weapons, powerful magical golems, and fully armed airships, becoming accomplices to the Orcs.
It's finally here.
Arthas was also murmuring.
Prince Highness knew very well what it meant for everyone to kick someone when they're down. Lordaeron, on the verge of destruction, was a delicious piece of meat, and Dalaran wanted to take a bite before the Orcs could swallow it whole.
He clutched Robbie's Axe of Tyranny to his chest. Although he had received guidance from the World of the Dead, he had not yet deciphered the meaning of the fifth Runes of the Dead.
Robbie was also having a bit of a headache.
Mages possess all sorts of strange abilities; they are a profession adept at creating miracles with their wisdom. Just like Rhonin was able to defeat Deathwing with a simple spell, you never know what kind of abilities they might use.
All hope now rests on Arthas.
Meanwhile, inside the Orcs' central command tent, the allied forces' strategic meeting was about to convene.
Archmage Antonidas was the first to enter. The old mage stroked his beard, his sharp gaze sweeping over the Orcs decorations hanging on the wall. He shook his head disdainfully and took the seat of honor without any politeness.
Jaina stood behind him, massaging her elderly mentor's shoulders.
Thrall paused for a moment, knowing that the Archmages of Dalaran were always esteemed and accustomed to being high above others.
The Savior bit his lip. Although he was very dissatisfied, he knew very well that without the participation of the Dalaran mages, the Orcs Legion would have no choice but to retreat. He could only silently endure and remain in second place.
Next was Sylvanas, looking serious, and Uther, looking exhausted with dark circles under his eyes. The constant flight of the Silver Hand Paladins was causing the Lightbringer a lot of worry, and Uther's Sleep was getting worse and worse.
Dalaran's entry into the battle at this crucial moment was something Archmage Antonidas had been preparing for all along.
He looked around at the crowd and said in a measured tone, "We have come with a common purpose: Stratholme is the last Evil of Lordaeron, and to save the Azeroth Continent, Stratholme must be destroyed."
"Your esteemed Savior, great Orcs chieftain, Invincible dragon slayer Thrall, before the meeting begins, Dalaran has a few small requests, which we humbly request your Savior."
Jaina took a list from Antonidas and then handed it to Thrall.
Thrall read the contents of the list, his expression growing increasingly serious, anger brewing in his eyes, almost as if he were about to slam his fist on the table.
Archmage Antonidas slowly sipped his magical crystal water, not in a hurry at all; he was waiting for Thrall's decision.
Dalaran made many demands, the three most important of which are:
First: After the Orcs established their kingdom in Lordaeron, they were required to pay a portion of their taxes to Dalaran every year as a cost for maintaining Dalaran's operations.
Second: Cease part of Lordaeron's territory to Dalaran. The territory that Antonidas demanded was in Tirisfal Glades, a fairly large area near the sea, and one of the most fertile lands in Lordaeron.
Third: Orcs nobles must periodically send a portion of their children to Dalaran learn the ways of magic.
Thrall was having a headache dealing with Antonidas's demands. This white-bearded old man was simply taking advantage of the situation, especially the third demand, which was the most outrageous. It was tantamount to trying to control the next generation of Orcs Elites through their thinking.
"That's perfectly reasonable, absolutely no problem!"
Thrall displayed the wisdom expected of a leader, remaining calm and composed, and said with a forced smile, "I have only one request: Dalaran must bring us victory, a victory without any suspense."
Antonidas nodded in satisfaction, and the elderly mage revealed a sly smile.
"Rest assured, victory will surely be ours. In fact, Dalaran long been prepared for this victory."
A map of Stratholme lay on the table, marked with fifteen red dots.
"Long before the war, our men infiltrated Stratholme as refugees," Antonidas stroked his beard, saying smugly.
"They brought twenty-three Magic Beacons, fifteen of which have been successfully placed in their designated locations."
"What?"
Sylvanas and Uther looked at the map, both showing surprise.
Archmage Antonidas was most proficient in three spells.
Blizzard, Summon Water Elementals, and Mass Teleport.
The Blizzard is powerful and covers a wide area, but unfortunately its casting range is limited. It is effective only when the enemy is within the range of their arrows, and it kills both friend and foe indiscriminately, making it ineffective in the chaotic Battlefield.
The Water Elemental is fairly powerful, but on the Battlefield it's only equivalent to a few strong individuals, so its role is limited.
Antonidas's most prized spell was Mass Teleport, a skill even the Guardian Medivh had to acknowledge, admitting that Antonidas had unique insights into teleportation.
The massive amount of war materials, as large as a small mountain, was sent from Dalaran by Antonidas and his mages after Jaina planted a Magic Beacon.
The fifteen Magic Beacons within Stratholme can teleport fifteen groups of people into the city at any time, causing them to spread throughout Stratholme and rendering the city walls ineffective.
Sylvanas and Uther nodded in unison. With the most powerful human mage on their side, the war was practically a foregone conclusion; victory was almost assured.
Only Thrall was thinking.
With these fifteen Magic Beacons, Thrall knew that the goddess of victory was beckoning to him.
But he didn't trust Antonidas, after all, he was a human.
What if the Magic Beacon is a trap? Or what if it's all a conspiracy, a scheme conspired by Antonidas and Baron Rivendare?
"We Orcs will defeat our enemies fair and square, and we disdain such underhanded tactics," Thrall declared righteously, turning to look at Uther.
"How about the Order of the Silver Hand handle the quest to teleport you into Stratholme?"
Uther understood Thrall's concerns, but he trusted Antonidas far more, so he nodded in agreement.
Antonidas leaned back and said with a smile:
"Very good. I greatly admire the Orcs' courage. Teleporting within sight, without the need for Magic Beacon, is something my mages and I promise to use magic to send you Orcs to the city walls."