"Thrall wasn't lying. Medivh really is going to attack Dalaran?"
Shocked, Antonidas looked at his beautiful female disciple with great relief and comfort, "Thank you, Jaina. In this most desperate moment, you are on my side, which is a great comfort to me."
"My mentor, don't you know what Medivh and Thrall did to me? I was forced."
Tears welled up in Jaina's beautiful eyes as she recalled Thrall biting off her arm. Finally, she couldn't hold back her tears as they streamed down her face, and this time it wasn't an act.
"My child, you have suffered." Antonidas sighed, then said resolutely, "Medivh has brought us too much pain and helplessness. Since he has forced me into this situation, Dalaran has no choice but to ally with the Scourge to protect itself."
"No, my mentor, you can't do this. It's the wrong decision."
Jaina's voice was shrill and distorted. This was the most crucial moment. If Antonidas allied with the Scourge, it would truly backfire, and all of Thrall and Jaina's efforts would be in vain.
"My mentor, can't you see the situation clearly? The Scourge is destined to fail in the long run. Besides, I know Arthas's character. He's obsessed with power, and he's passionate about conquest and destruction. Once he tastes the power, he could very well be the next Medivh. No, even more cruel and ruthless than Medivh."
"This!" Antonidas frowned deeply. He had always trusted Jaina completely, and now that Jaina was on his side, Antonidas considered her one of his own. He had to consider Jaina's opinion.
"Without uniting with the Scourge, how can Dalaran possibly contend with the Guardian? He has the four Dragonflights behind him, the Dreadlords of the Burning Legion, and numerous unpredictable and powerful forces. Who knows how many connections the Guardian has, or how many races of Azeroth serve him? Oh, and he also has the Focusing Iris, which is precisely what Dalaran fears most."
Jaina's beautiful eyes sparkled; she knew she needed superb acting skills at this moment, and she said sincerely:
"Medivh is not omnipotent, my mentor. You must have heard rumors that Medivh serves the Burning Legion, and his greatest asset is the Burning Legion."
Antonidas nodded. Ever since Medivh opened the Dark Portal and lured the Orcs into Azeroth, Antonidas had already sensed the conspiracy and roughly guessed who Medivh's mastermind was.
As for Medivh being Sargeras's possession, that's pure nonsense, a clumsy excuse he made to exonerate himself, Antonidas didn't believe.
"We cannot fight the Burning Legion. It is better to tolerate the Orcs' evil deeds than to provoke the Burning Legion's arrival. This is also why Dalaran chose to remain on the sidelines back then," Antonidas said worriedly.
Jaina nodded, Antonidas abandoned the idea of allying with the Scourge. Her brows finally relaxed, and she began to methodically carry out her scheme:
"But Medivh didn't do a good job. I overheard his argument with the Dreadlord Tichondrius, the rise of Arthas, the appearance of the artifact Frostmourne Scourge's sweep through Lordaeron, driving out the Orcs, all of which made the leaders of the Burning Legion increasingly dissatisfied with Medivh."
The Scourge's appearance was too unexpected, completely disrupting Medivh's plans. Antonidas, upon hearing this, had no doubts. If the Burning Legion wanted to conquer Azeroth with the help of the Orcs, they had clearly failed now.
"But Medivh still holds the initiative. If Dalaran also destroyed, even if the various races know that Medivh is behind it, no one will step forward, otherwise they will become the Orcs' next target."
Antonidas was once again caught in a dilemma, feeling that allying with Arthas's Scourge was the best option.
Jaina knew she had to dissuade her mentor, so she "revealed" something once again.
"The Burning Legion is very interested in Frostmourne and wants to send High Overlord Archimonde into Azeroth to personally defeat Arthas, but Medivh refused. He wants to seize Frostmourne along with the Scourge. Medivh's ambition has already aroused the dissatisfaction of the Burning Legion, and in fact, they have been looking for other proxies."
"Archimonde? You mean?"
Antonidas took a slight breath. Archimonde the Defiler, the second-in-command of the Burning Legion, he knew just how terrifying this ancient Demons was.
As the Head Mage of Dalaran, he needs to consider all aspects of a problem, unlike ordinary adventurers who have a clear sense of right and wrong; he values interests more.
"If someone can summon Archimonde at this moment, then Medivh will be rendered useless. The Burning Legion has always been very generous, and those who join the Legion will surely receive ample rewards," Jaina whispered.
"You mean you want me to lead Dalaran join the Burning Legion?"
Antonidas hesitated; this was no small matter and required careful consideration.
"My mentor, I know you always cared for Azeroth, but now there's nothing more you can do." Jaina was clearly trembling with tears. "I so wanted to save the people of Lordaeron, to lead the survivors to live, but now there's no chance. Medivh has disappointed me so much."
"But the Burning Legion cannot be trusted," Antonidas said gravely, his expression heavy with worry. "They will bring disaster to Azeroth."
"My mentor, what is Argus Planet like now? Have the Eredar gone extinct? And look at Velen and his Draenei, who are resisting the Burning Legion —what kind of lives are they living? Do you want to see humanity suffer such a tragic fate? Do you want to become Velen, or do you choose to become Kil'jaeden?"
Antonidas remained silent; he knew all too well what the Burning Legion would bring.
Perhaps a small number of people, or a specific race, will gain the favor of the Scourge. When the real catastrophe approaches, how many will die, how many innocent will be sacrificed?
The Scourge, the power of Fel, the safety of Azeroth, the wails of countless Restless Souls.
For Archmage like Antonidas, the Scourge's vast knowledge, immense power, and long lifespan were extremely tempting; the only obstacle was his conscience.
"I need to think about it, Jaina. Besides, I don't have a way to summon Archimonde. Although I am the Archmage of Dalaran, this is not my area of expertise."
Summoning powerful creatures to Azeroth is no easy task.
Summoning the fallen titan Sargeras requires the power of the Well of Eternity.
While Archimonde cannot compare to Sargeras, he still needs a powerful energy source, exquisite magic, and an indispensable powerful artifact as a support tool.
As Antonidas walked step by step into the trap, Jaina's voice trembled with excitement, her voice alluring like that of a bewitching Banshee: "My mentor, what do you need?"
"I need the right magic, coordinates and data, and the Book of Medivh." Antonidas was stunned; he still didn't know if his decision was right.
"You will be satisfied, my mentor. No matter the cost, I will help you steal these things from Medivh, for the sake of Azeroth." Jaina's expression was solemn.
"For Azeroth," Antonidas said somewhat guiltily.