As the current head of Dalaran, Rhonin has a private reception room. Although it is not large, it is exceptionally luxuriously furnished, with exquisite works of art or antiques with historical significance on display, and the layout is ingenious.
The maid was beautiful and polite. She served two glasses of fine fluorescent amber wine and then left very courteously.
Savoring the amber-colored wine, Varimathras raised his eyebrows, gaining a new understanding of Rhonin.
In the eyes of the Dreadlord, all human emotions are weaknesses that can be exploited.
Greed, extravagance, vanity, and even modesty, rationality, and intelligence can all become excuses for making a fuss.
"I'm not here to cause trouble." Although he tried his best to hide it, Varimathras, who was good at reading people, still noticed Rhonin's nervousness and chuckled, "The Dreadlord isn't a hateful person. Seizing someone's weakness and then coercing them? Oh! That's just a low-level scheme. I wouldn't stoop to such tactics."
Rhonin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He believed that everyone in this world had secrets they couldn't hide. However, as rational as Rhonin was, he wouldn't lower his guard just because of a single sentence from the Dreadlord. He asked directly:
So what do you want to get, or what do you want to know?
"Relax, you have nothing to attract powerful Nathrezim. I just wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you, nothing more. People generally think of us as a bunch of heartless villains, but I don't think that's true. For example, infighting is inevitable in any race, but we've eliminated it at the root," Varimathras said proudly.
Rhonin flashed his signature mocking and sarcastic smile. He was well aware of the Dreadlords ' ability to bewitch people. "So you want me to become your follower? Or are you trying to control my mind?"
Varimathras shook his head. "I told you, I just wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. I had no intention of prying into your secrets. Perhaps we have some common ground. I know you have a happy marriage, which seems like a rare Wealth."
Rhonin's guard returned. Vereesa was his safe haven, but also his weakness. The astute Rhonin decided to change the subject, speaking with a pointed remark, "You see, Varimathras, we are not enemies. We humans have weaknesses, such as vanity. We know what we are doing, but we still find some high-sounding reasons to cover it up."
"Well said." Varimathras leaned forward, mocking, "Just like the Guardian Medivh, who knew perfectly well he couldn't defeat Arthas and was helpless against the Scourge Undead, yet refused to ask the Legion for help. A defeat he could have avoided was about to be ruined because of his vanity."
Rhonin's emerald eyes gleamed with a hint of curiosity as he asked, "Do you represent the Burning Legion, or Medivh the Guardian Medivh?"
"No, I'm here representing myself," Varimathras said with a sarcastic smile. "Besides our proud ability to seduce, the Nathrezim aren't particularly strong in combat. Fortunately, we've found our place in the Legion, otherwise we would have perished along with countless other races from those myriad worlds."
Rhonin shuddered; he heard a strong sense of threat.
Varimathras continued:
"Do you think the ability to bewitch people is innate? You're wrong. Take me, for example. I lived in Azeroth in human form for hundreds of years. I was a blacksmith, a farmer, a tailor, an adventurer, a peddler, a guard, a beggar, and I even served as Priest in Stormwind Cathedral for a time. I observed your lives as an outsider. I understand your greed and ambition, or rather, no one understands your nature better than me."
Rhonin stared at Varimathras; if what he said was true, this was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous fellow.
Varimathras seemed lost in thought, hesitating for a long while before saying, "In my opinion, you humans possess a particularly precious Wealth: love. Don't laugh at me, we Dreadlords have never known what love is. I have traveled through countless worlds, and only you humans have truly been able to Transcendence love to its highest level."
What was going on? Rhonin was a little confused. Was he really going to listen to a Dreadlord talk about love?
"That was Lakeshire in Stormwind City, a place that haunted my dreams. To be honest, before I met Lisa, I scoffed at human love, thinking it was nothing more than a disguise for base desires, an excuse for one's animalistic instincts. It wasn't until I met that human girl named Lisa that I learned what love was. At that time, I was a guard in Lakeshire, and the happiest thing every day was seeing Lisa walk past me. Every time I looked at her back, I felt truly alive, my heart overflowing with happiness."
The cunning and ferocious Dreadlord actually showed a shy expression, which surprised Rhonin greatly. He suspected that this was a disguise, a trap to lure him in.
However, the Dreadlord remained obstinate, disregarding Rhonin's feelings, and suddenly revealed an unexpected look of infatuation. "It's really cruel to say, I know I'm a Dreadlord, coming here with the goal of overthrowing Azeroth, but I can't control my emotions. Fortunately, I have enough reason; I know we're not suitable. Do you know what I fear most? I fear seeing her grow old, shattering the perfect image I have of her."
"Human life is too short. Perhaps it is precisely because of this that so many precious emotions are poured into a mere few decades, making human love all the more precious, unlike some immortal beings whose love has long since faded into ordinariness over thousands or tens of thousands of years. Carrying deep love, I had to leave Lakeshire. For the next few decades, I lived in constant fear, terrified of hearing news of Lakeshire, of hearing that she had married, had children, or even died. I feared I would lose control of my anger, commit a cruel act, and expose my identity, so I had to return to the Void. I lived in this state of anxiety for many years, exceeding the limits of human lifespan, before my heart gradually calmed down."
Rhonin didn't quite understand the Dreadlord's purpose, and he commented frankly and contemptuously, "Are you trying to tell me that in the face of love, your Nathrezim race are Imp?"
"No, this is reason enough, it is kindness."
Varimathras retorted, "It's better for both sides to avoid a tragedy before it's inevitable. Another human weakness is impulsiveness, focusing only on immediate gains without considering the consequences. Rhonin, as you grow older, have you ever considered Vereesa's feelings?"
Rhonin visibly shuddered; he finally Dreadlord's purpose in coming here.
Varimathras grinned with triumph.
"Give up, stop arguing, admit it, you are a selfish and despicable person. Compared to High Elves, human lifespan is but a fleeting moment. Your life may be fulfilling, but how cruel it is to Vereesa, a devoted High Elf, who will face thousands of years of Destiny. Do you think that's fair to her? I must admit, you are more heartless than we Nathrezim."
Rhonin suddenly stood up, his breathing rapid, wanting to use his wisdom to refute the argument.
But he couldn't do it. He knew how cunning his opponent was, and any rebuttal would only become a reason for ridicule.
Varimathras stared at the blushing Rhonin: "Love High Elves and humans has existed for thousands of years, and without exception, it has always ended in tragedy. If you wish to change this destined tragedy, I can help you."
The temptation from the Dreadlord.