The Contest for Leadership of the Allied Forces

Ironforge, Throne Room.

With his mechanical limbs repaired, Uther the Lightbringer straightened his armor, stood up, and prepared to deliver his speech.

At this moment, the Throne Room was filled with people.

The Dwarf King Magni Bronzebeard personally oversaw the operation.

On the left is the representative from Stormwind City, Duke Bolvar Fordragon, and right next to him is the representative from Silvermoon City, Prince Kael'thas, dressed in a flamboyant manner, who also represents Dalaran.

On the right is the Gnome High Tinker Mekkatorque, and then King Genn Greymane of Gilneas.

Ashvane, the representative of Kul Tiras, occupied an entire table with her stout figure, Pride surveying the crowd.

Beside her, Blackmoore's mysterious Black-Robed Man subordinates kept their heads down, seemingly unwilling to speak.

Representatives were sent from Stromgarde, the old nobles of Alterac, the Wildhammer Dwarves of Aerie Peak, the Dark Iron Dwarves of Blackrock Mountain, the Vilebranch Trolls of Hinterlands, the Amani Trolls of Zul'Aman, and the Goblins of Booty Bay.

This was an unprecedented grand gathering, with almost all the tribes of the Eastern Kingdoms coming together.

Uther's voice boomed. "Gentlemen, I believe you all know what has happened in Lordaeron. King Terenas has become Lich, and innocent Orcs are being slaughtered. You are all patriots of Azeroth, and you must be filled with immense grief and indignation. The Holy Light will not tolerate such treatment of the Orcs."

"My heart is at peace, without any grief or anger," Kael'thas said casually, trimming his nails. "In fact, I'm a little excited."

Uther slammed his fist on the table in anger. "Kael'thas, the Orcs are suffering, how can you bear to do this?"

Kael'thas chuckled softly:

"A few days ago, I passed by the gates of Lordaeron and found you pinned to the city wall by Saurfang. I recorded it with the Scrying Gem; why don't we all watch it together?"

Uther's face flushed with anger. "Prince Kael'thas, these are two different things. Saurfang has become the Lich King's henchman and shouldn't be held responsible for this."

Kael'thas, with a nonchalant expression, said, "Uther, if it weren't for the Lich King, you'd still be hanging on the city walls."

"Alright."

Magni Bronzebeard interrupted their argument, "The Lich King is not only a threat to the Orcs, but to the entire Eastern Kingdoms."

Ashvane struggled to get out of the cramped chair and stood up, saying:

"Whom has the Lich King threatened? As far as I know, King Terenas has remained in the Royal Palace and behaved himself since becoming the Lich King."

Uther roared defiantly, "The Lich King is gathering his power! If left unchecked, the Undead army will devour all of Azeroth!"

Mrs. Ashvane lowered her head and said with a mocking laugh, "Evidence? I hope you can produce enough evidence."

Uther paused, then said, "The guidance of the Holy Light is the best proof."

Kael'thas noticed Lady Ashvane's unusually voluptuous figure, and, slightly distracted, blurted out:

"Uther, unfortunately, I also received guidance from the Holy Light advised me to wait and see."

"I am the spokesperson for the Holy Light, I represent the Holy Light." Kael'thas's sarcasm nearly drove him to madness.

Seeing that Uther was unable to control the situation, Bronzebeard no choice but to step in once again:

"Gentlemen, death is the greatest enemy of life. Three thousand years ago, the Trolls used Undead magic in a desperate situation, bringing terrible disaster to Azeroth. It took a thousand years to eliminate the influence of the Undead on the Eastern Kingdoms. The same tragedy must not be repeated. We must be prepared before Terenas makes any move."

Lordaeron is located in the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms, and is most threatened by Silverpine Forest, the Kingdom of Gilneas, and the High Elves who occupy the Lake Darrowmere.

Ironforge is quite a distance from Lordaeron, Stormwind City practically a rear base.

The Gnome High Tinker Mekkatorque said in a deep voice, "I propose that we establish a coalition army and build a formidable fortress to prevent the Lich King's expansion."

The crowd started chattering and discussing amongst themselves.

Kael'thas sneered, "That's a good idea. So, who will lead the coalition?"

Uther looked around Pride, with an air of self-importance.

Magni Bronzebeard laughed, "Of course it's the embodiment of the Holy Light, Uther the Lightbringer. I think no one is more suitable than him."

Kael'thas shook his head. "I disagree."

Uther, barely containing his anger, said, "Prince Kael'thas, state your reasons."

Kael'thas asked absentmindedly, "Sir Uther, the Lich King is attacking with his army. How will you deal with it?"

Uther smiled, "As the leader of the allied forces, of course I will lead the army to meet the enemy."

Kael'thas pursed his lips and nodded, looking directly into Uther's eyes. "If the Lich King sends Undead Orcs, what will you do?"

Uther's smile vanished, and he murmured:

"Orcs are kind and compassionate. Although they have become Undead, it is not their fault. I must give the Orcs a chance. There must be a way. I will find a solution."

Kael'thas cleared his throat, took a step forward, and said:

"Sir Uther, the Undead are irreversible. In the brief moment you hesitated, your army was wiped out by the Undead Orcs."

Uther sat back down, looking distressed, and just kept saying:

"There must be a way, there must be a way. I will never lay a hand on the Orcs, even if they become Undead."

Lady Ashvane sized up Uther and sneered, "An Imp as the leader of the coalition will only bring defeat."

Magni Bronzebeard was at his wits' end with Uther's cowardice and could only abandon him. After thinking for a moment, he asked:

"Duke Fordragon, would you be willing to serve as the leader of the allied forces?"

The Duke Bolvar Fordragon, who had been lost in thought, waved his hands repeatedly upon hearing his name called.

"No, King Varian needs my help."

The young King Varian was not yet able to handle state affairs independently and needed the Duke Fordragon's assistance.

The position of leader of the coalition forces is too demanding and cannot be held by a King.

Uther was unsuitable, Duke Fordragon declined, Bronzebeard couldn't think of a suitable candidate for the time being.

Prince Kael'thas said with a grin:

"Gentlemen, have you forgotten me? I am the oldest among you all, and the most suitable to be the leader of the coalition forces."

Everyone cast distrustful glances at her, Ashvane said disdainfully:

"Prince Highness, if you were the leader of the allied forces, the military camp would be filled with perfume and powder."

King Bronzebeard ignored Kael'thas and declared loudly, "I hope everyone can recommend a suitable candidate."

The Black-Robed Man had remained silent until now, said, "Lord Blackmoore is willing to serve as the leader of the allied forces."

Uther immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up, angrily saying, "How can this be? Blackmoore killed so many Orcs, I don't agree to it!"

Compared to the forces represented here, Blackmoore's foundation is still shallow, and he has a history of slaughtering Orcs. Inviting the Black-Robed Man is already a great honor for him.

The crowd immediately echoed Uther's strong disagreement.

Prince Kael'thas, seeing that the time was ripe, played a card he had prepared long ago:

"The leader of the allied forces has long been in place. My Ranger-General Sylvanas of Silvermoon City is stationed on the Lake Darrowmere, and her experience in leading troops in battle far exceeds that of everyone present combined."

King Bronzebeard took a deep breath. "Ranger-General Sylvanas is a seasoned warrior, arguably the best general in the Eastern Kingdoms, but there is someone more suitable."