Although Saurfang the Great lived in seclusion in his villa, he was not oblivious to the fact that he had heard about Tirion Fordring Uther's two major defeats.
Terenas needed a highly respected Orcs to lead everything, something Saurfang had anticipated.
Saurfang hesitated for a moment, then said wearily:
"I'm tired of killing; I just want to enjoy a Tranquility life."
Having said that, he pointed to the cups and plates in front of him and said:
"Look, I drink only Fresh Water and eat coarse flatbread. I live a simple life, free from desires and wants. The glorious past is like a fleeting cloud."
The messenger was in a hurry; if he failed to complete the mission, how could he explain it to His Majesty the King?
However, no matter how the messenger and Daphne tried to persuade him, Saurfang refused to agree.
"My heart is at peace. Killing and bloodshed are not for me. Recently, I have been studying poetry and preparing to write my memoirs, reflecting on the crimes committed by the Orcs. Lordaeron has shed too much blood. Both humans and Orcs deserve to enjoy peace."
The messenger said helplessly, "Your Majesty, although the Orcs desire peace, some despicable people refuse. Blackmoore is slaughtering unarmed Orcs."
Saurfang sighed, a compassionate expression on his face:
"This is the Orcs' fate. I can no longer lead Orcs. Why don't you go and invite Chieftains Orgrim Doomhammer and Grom Hellscream?"
The messenger said sorrowfully, "My lord, these two chieftains are now nowhere to be found. Only you can save the great Orcs."
Saurfang rose to see his guest out. "My mind is made up, there's no need to persuade me further. Terenas King Terenas's kindness."
The messenger had no choice but to return and report to King Terenas.
King Terenas exclaimed, "Truly worthy of Saurfang the Great! Such noble character and integrity! Who in Lordaeron can compare to him? Only he can lead Lordaeron out of its predicament. What will we do if he refuses to come out of seclusion?"
Anachronos pondered for a long time, "Heroes have always been proud and difficult to persuade. King Majesty, it's not time to give up yet. Perhaps you should send another messenger."
Who should be sent?
"The High Archmage Antonidas, who knows Orcs best," Anachronos replied.
At the King Terenas, Antonidas went to persuade Saurfang the Great to come out of seclusion.
Antonidas was an old friend of the Orcs; Saurfang the Great waved his hands repeatedly upon seeing him.
"Antonidas, go back. My heart is dead. Look, I drink Fresh Water and eat..."
Antonidas twitched his nose, interrupting Saurfang:
"The Fresh Water you drink comes from the snow-capped mountains of Northrend, costing fifteen gold coins a bottle. Your last meal was from a seventeen-year-old girl; her agonizing screams pleased you."
Saurfang the Great paused, then revealed a cunning expression. "Old man, nothing escapes your notice."
Antonidas understood the nature of the Orcs and said directly:
"You rejected King Terenas for one reason only: the terms offered weren't enough. What do you want?"
Saurfang leaned forward, staring at Antonidas's face, and said:
"My conditions aren't many. How many wandering Orcs are there in Lordaeron? At most, five thousand. I can't afford to lose face by becoming their chieftain."
Antonidas nodded. "I understand. You want to rule all the Orcs and become their Warchief."
Saurfang raised an eyebrow. "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. If Terenas trusts me, hand over all the Orcs to me. Lordaeron only needs to handle logistics. In less than seven days, I will take Blackmoore's head, ensuring the kingdom has no worries about its rear."
Antonidas pondered for a long time:
"King Terenas does have this intention, but he can't give it all to you at once. If you achieve great merit, how will he reward you? You must understand that even the King has his difficulties; things must be done step by step."
Saurfang's eyes darted around, and he made a suitable concession:
"Actually, I'm not that greedy. If there are any inconveniences, just let me command the Orcs at the Tirisfal Glades Internment Camp."
Antonidas hesitated for a moment. "Very well, I can grant your request on behalf of the King."
"I have one more condition," Saurfang said with a sinister smile.
Antonidas was long accustomed to the Orcs' greed and said indifferently, "Speak."
Saurfang said solemnly, "I need to leave a place for the Orcs to settle down. The Lake Darrowmere are lush with water and grass, Four Great Farms have fertile land, suitable for Orcs to live on."
The Lake Darrowmere have already been ceded to the High Elves, Sylvanas has stationed troops there. To give them to the Orcs would be tantamount to breaking faith.
Antonidas shook his head. "I cannot make this decision myself; it needs to be discussed with His Majesty the King."
Saurfang smiled. "Since your word doesn't count, then let King Terenas come to see me."
Antonidas had no choice but to return to Lordaeron to report.
King Terenas said with concern, "Saurfang wants to be the chieftain of all Orcs, which I can accept, but he needs to cede land. What should we do then?"
Anachronos advised, "King Majesty, Lake Darrowmere and the Four Great Farms belong to the Barov Family. I've heard that Tirion Fordring has shares in those Four Great Farms. Now that the Barov Family is on the verge of collapse, Tirion Fordring has been vaporized by the Holy Light, why offend Saurfang the Great for the sake of an outsider and a dead man?"
King Terenas looked troubled. "But I have already given the Lake Darrowmere to the High Elves."
Anachronos laughed, "The High Elves are taking advantage of the chaos; it's inherently unjust. Let them fight the Orcs."
Terenas agreed, "Very well, I've long admired Saurfang the Great; I'll go see him now."
At the Agamand Family, King Terenas and Saurfang the Great held a historic meeting.
Saurfang the Great spoke with a sincere and friendly expression:
"King Terenas, I have long admired you. Back then, the Orcs were unstoppable in Lordaeron. Orgrim Doomhammer and Grom Hellscream, thinking that the destruction of Lordaeron was just around the corner. Only Lord Gul'dan did not think so, and I still remember his words."
The most valuable opinions come from enemies, and King Terenas was very interested, asking, "What did Gul'dan say?"
Saurfang the Great said, "Gul'dan said: 'Lordaeron has King Terenas and Uther; as long as these two are alive, it is invincible.' Gul'dan originally wanted to use the same tactic he used against Kingdom of Stormwind, sending the assassin Garona, but because His King is blessed with good fortune and destined by heaven, the assassin is useless against you, so he had to give up."
Terenas was secretly frightened, but pretended to be calm and said:
"I didn't know there was such a thing."
Saurfang added, "Gul'dan only took half his army because he feared you and Uther. You are the hero who saved Lordaeron."
King Terenas was very pleased with this and said in a serious tone, "I dare not accept such praise. A mere Blackmoore is already giving me a headache. I beg Your Majesty for help!"
Saurfang slammed his fist on the table and stood up, declaring with absolute certainty:
"I've tolerated Blackmoore for far too long, Your King. Most of the Orcs in the Tirisfal Glades Internment Camp are my former subordinates. If I hand them over to their command, Blackmoore is doomed."