A series of dizzying sensations washed over me, and my head felt spinning.
Robbie returned to the Karabor Temple via a bizarre spacetime rift.
Gazing at the slowly rotating time machine, at the curious look on Toki's face as he transformed into Infinite Dragonflight Gnome, and at Vanessa's concerned expression, Robbie felt a sense of familiarity, realizing that he had finally returned.
This is my own world, my own Timeline, a feeling of home, a real sense of touch.
Looking at the time, only a few minutes had passed.
If we include the time wasted entering and exiting the time machine, then this six-month-long journey was completed almost without any wasted time in this Timeline.
"Don't ask me anything, I won't answer anyway. Let me calm down, I need to collect my thoughts," Robbie said to Toki, the Infinite Dragonflight who had come closer.
"Okay! I understand."
Toki blinked his big, somewhat adorable eyes. He looked at the magnificent warhammer Robbie carried on his back, the Holy Light's Vengeance, and recognized it as the weapon Arthas used before he wielded Frostmourne. His eyes lit up, and he said:
"First of all, congratulations. No one has ever come back alive from this Timeline. You've created a great miracle. It's clear you've been through a lot and are incredibly exhausted mentally. You need rest, and we can wait."
Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Robbie was unharmed, and left with Robbie.
Leaving the Karabor Temple, the two rode Gryphons towards the fortress in the Lunarfall. Robbie gazed at the scenery below: the Draenei were busy at work, Alliance adventurers were patrolling everywhere, and the shadow of war still loomed over Shadowmoon Valley.
It feels like a lifetime ago.
"I met Prince Arthas, Kel'Thuzad, and witnessed too much betrayal and helplessness." Robbie said briefly, his thoughts in turmoil, unsure where to begin, only summarizing:
"It's completely different from the history I know."
Vanessa wasn't surprised at all. She smiled and said, "The false history recorded by the Guardians can only fool ordinary people. Many people know the truth, so you don't need to waste your energy on it."
Back at the fortress, which was still under construction and filled with tents, Robbie rested, thought, ate, felt tired, and then lay down on the bed for a nap.
When Robbie woke up the next day, he could hear the birds singing and smell the fragrance of flowers outside. He could smell the warm air of Shadowmoon Valley and see the soldiers in the fortress standing in neat rows, shouting loud slogans. Only then did he realize that he was really back.
The tragedy of Lordaeron, the devastation of Silvermoon City, the conspiracy of Dalaran —all of this has become history.
The Lich King Arthas, the Elven Prince Kael'thas, the Lightbringer Uther, and the Archmage Rhonin —these once-glorious figures have all become a magnificent chapter in history.
To truly live is to seize the present moment.
Robbie went to the Town Hall to find Vanessa first. Vanessa rarely showed up today, and she was dressed up with makeup, looking pretty and graceful, wearing an elegant Absolution Regalia, like a beautiful Priest from the Cathedral of Light.
"Medivh is no longer a problem; I have a plan," Robbie told Vanessa. "It just needs to cost some money."
Medivh is protected by Azeroth and cannot reveal the secret of Spellstealer Wyrm to others, otherwise he will be cursed by Azeroth. Robbie has thought things through and has a strategy to deal with this.
Vanessa raised her beautiful eyebrows, seemingly unconcerned, and said:
"Money is no problem. You have no idea how many people hate Medivh. With the Brotherhood's reputation, I can find countless wealthy patrons. As long as we can defeat Medivh, raising the money to buy Stormwind City won't be a problem."
"Commander, I think you've misunderstood. It won't cost too much money; I just need to make a lot of music boxes."
"Music box?"
Although it seemed strange, Vanessa trusted Robbie and didn't investigate further, simply asking, "How many do you want to make?"
"We need to ensure that every adventurer in the Alliance has one."
The cost of a music box is only five or six silver coins. Even if ten million music boxes are manufactured, it would only cost five or six hundred thousand gold coins. This amount of money is not a problem at all for the wealthy Brotherhood.
"Coincidentally, I also need you to do something for me." Vanessa's bright eyes sparkled.
"Remember our deal with the Argent Crusade? We needed to prepare five sets of Epic gear in exchange for five Naaru Shards. And now, a perfect opportunity has arisen: High Overlord Saurfang the Great, the symbol of Horde glory and King of the Azeroth, is celebrating his birthday, Med'an is busy gathering gifts to curry favor with him."
Remembering Vanessa's profession, Robbie asked in surprise, "Commander, are you trying to steal it?"
Vanessa shook her head and chuckled, "You underestimate me. I'm ready to make a deal."
"Trade?"
"Yes, Karazhan's vaults hold the collections of past Guardians, including countless Epic sets. I plan to trade Shadowmourne with Med'an for ten Epic sets," Vanessa said earnestly.
Legendary two-handed axe, Shadowmourne.
The weapon Shadowmourne was forged at great cost by the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade in their quest to defeat Arthas. After the Lich King's fall, the mysterious wielder of Shadowmourne disappeared without a trace.
"Commander, do you know the whereabouts of Shadowmourne?" Robbie asked curiously.
Vanessa smiled slightly, and said meaningfully, "My plan is to create a fake one. Don't forget, I'm a master forger. You'll need to help me gather information and make some preparations."
Vanessa seemed confident, but Robbie looked somewhat worried.
How could a fake Shadowmourne possibly fool Med'an? He's the son of the Guardian Medivh, and his eyesight is sharp.
He wandered around the fortress, gradually becoming familiar with things; after all, Robbie was the acting commander, and he needed to manage the fortress.
Robbie saw Hogger leaning against the hotel counter, grinding his teeth in boredom, while the two of them, Whitemane and Mograine, chatted away oblivious to everyone else.
"Hi, long time no see, Hogger," Robbie greeted, nodding to the couple standing beside him.
"How long ago? I remember we just met the day before yesterday." Hogger was puzzled.
"Haven't you heard the old saying? 'A day apart feels like three autumns.'" Robbie revealed his poetic temperament and spoke eloquently.
Hogger touched his big teeth! He thought to himself, "How come I've never heard of this before?"
"By the way, Robbie, there's something I need to tell you. A human Archmage came into the tavern today. He's so old, I'm worried he might collapse at any moment. I asked him if he Dalaran, but he hesitated and wouldn't answer, not even mentioning his name. He said he was a distant relative of yours."
"I don't have any distant relatives who are Archmages." Robbie was about to leave when he suddenly turned back and asked, "Wait, did he mention my name?"
"I did mention it, otherwise I would have kicked him out long ago," Hogger grinned.
"Take me to see it."
This was an old-looking Archmage with a messy, snow-white beard that covered his entire face, leaving only his bright, piercing eyes. He wore a tattered robe, his staff had long lost its magic and could only be used as a fire poker, and he carried a ragged bundle on his back, looking like a wanderer you might see anywhere.
However, Robbie saw the powerful magic contained within him, with countless points, lines, and planes arranged in an orderly fashion, at its peak.
The wandering monk just stared at Robbie without saying a word.
"Yes, I know him. He's the maternal uncle of my neighbor's sister-in-law's distant cousin."
Hogger counted on his fingers, muttering, "What kind of relatives are they?"
Robbie made an excuse to send Hogger away, and the wandering wizard snapped his fingers to shut out the sounds in the room.
"How could it be you? Kel'Thuzad?" Robbie exclaimed in surprise.