A roaring bonfire was lit in the center of the house, and the servants served the Orcs favorite Bartlett Bitterwine and large chunks of roasted meat. After drinking two cups of the strong-flavored bitters, the nobles gradually abandoned their reserve.
Someone started singing loudly, supposedly an early Orcs song that is now quite popular in Stormwind City.
Two men, following Orcs tradition, dueled shirtless around the fire.
A little while later, a dramatic scene began, depicting the Battle of Dark Portal six years after the Blackrock Spire, Horde Orgrim, the Warchief, Doomhammer Anduin Lothar, the Commander of the Alliance, in a duel.
The two actors, with their vastly different statures, highlighted Orgrim's imposing stature and Ser Lothar's weakness and cowardice.
On the small stage of the skit, the man playing Orgrim was strong and Invincible, ravaging, tormenting, and humiliating the human commander Anduin Lothar in various ways; Sir Lothar, like a clown, begged for mercy, howled, and made all sorts of funny noises, eliciting bursts of laughter.
If it were Robbie's old temper, he would have already erupted and wreaked havoc. But now, having seen so much, Robbie calmly observes everything, his heart as peaceful as ever.
The Black Cat sitting on Robbie's shoulder raised its front paw and pointed at the almost absurd farce, saying:
"Wearing orc clothes, singing orc songs, eating orc food, drinking orc wine, praising the greatness of orcs, and donating money to orcs—this is the most popular orc cult among Alliance nobles. Don't think this skit is anything special; Prince Varian has played Ser Lothar in his own right more than once, and it's far more outrageous than this."
"A bunch of lunatics," Robbie muttered under his breath.
"It's not madness, it's just a trend," the Black Cat explained. "The nobles of Stormwind City are more knowledgeable than the commoners. They don't genuinely worship Orcs; they're just forced to. The King likes Orcs, so how could the nobles dare to oppose him? Most of them can only go with the flow and sing the praises of the Orcs' greatness. That's called political wisdom."
"Don't they find this shameful?" Robbie asked.
"Shame is better than poverty," the Black Cat said calmly. "Those who praise the Orcs are appreciated by King Varian, promoted, and made rich; those who do not praise them are demoted and banished. The succession of the Stormwind City monarchy relies on overwhelming power. The difference between mortals and gods, between ants and Dragons, is that there is no possibility of resistance."
Yes, it is Guardian Medivh, who upholds the legacy of the Stormwind City monarchs. Faced with the great Guardian, no resistance or questioning is of any use; whatever the King says goes, which is why such an absurd scene has occurred.
Robbie sighed deeply, feeling a sense of powerlessness, and couldn't help but utter the words that Yrel often said:
What's wrong with this world?
A King's madness can plunge the entire country into absurdity.
"Something unusual must be going on," the Black Cat said in an enigmatic tone. "Be careful, the little Black Dragon you're supposed to meet is coming soon."
Bartlett Bitterwine was extremely potent, and the noblemen and women quickly became drunk. The wine was probably an aphrodisiac, as several couples embraced and staggered toward the small room next door.
Margaret was also drunk, and with a swagger, she opened her robe, revealing large expanses of snow-white skin, and shouted loudly, "Who is Grom Hellscream tonight?"
Only one person remained conscious: Earl Kullerman Agamand.
Robbie had noticed earlier that the guy's cup contained water, and he looked anxious, as if he was waiting for someone.
Not long after, a servant dressed in Orcs attire came to report: Katrana Countess Prestor has come to visit. Earl Agramande hurriedly went out to greet her, and the nobles, who had been indulging in pleasure, were suddenly jolted awake, forcing themselves to come to their senses.
Robbie nodded after hearing this; he was looking for an opportunity to make contact with Onyxia, the Black Dragon Princess.
Eight years after the Dark Portal, Deathwing sent his son Nefarian to control the Orcs of Blackrock Spire, and his daughter Onyxia infiltrated Kingdom of Stormwind, posing as Countess Prestor Katrana Prestor to manipulate Stormwind City's politics.
It has now been fifteen years since the Dark Portal. Seven years have passed, and it is unknown how much power the Black Dragon Princess has gained.
The door opened, and a gust of hot air blew in, causing a slight stinging sensation on my skin.
With loud footsteps, surrounded by many nobles, a woman with a unique air entered.
This was a graceful, beautiful, and alluring woman with flowing black hair and narrowed eyes that held a venomous glint, like the eyes of a poisonous snake. She wore a magnificent black robe with magical patterns and carried a staff on her back.
Black Dragon Princess Onyxia, the black dragon, made no attempt to conceal the cruelty and ruthlessness inherent in a top Hunters, much like the sweltering heat she carried with her.
Anyone with half a brain could see that this woman was definitely not human. Her robe was painted with the fine scales of Black Dragon and patterns of black Flames, clearly indicating her race.
Black Dragon Princess chatted and laughed heartily with Earl Agramande, their cheerful laughter ringing out from time to time. Black Dragon Princess, arrogant and domineering, sat in the main seat with a swagger, grabbed a piece of roasted mutton from the campfire, and put it into her mouth along with the embers.
She devoured five or six pounds of meat in one bite, and even ate the glowing red charcoal. This was definitely not human. A group of nobles ignored her, each cautiously and obsequiously trying to strike up a conversation with the Black Dragon Princess, clearly indicating that she held the highest status here.
"Things went very smoothly, as you know. King Varian trusts me, which is why he entrusted me with handling diplomatic matters with the Orcs," the Black Dragon Princess proclaimed. "I have just returned from the Wilderness of Lordaeron. The great Chieftain Grom Hellscream defeated the Evil Baron Rivendare's 800,000-strong coalition army in a glorious victory."
Upon hearing the news of an army of 800,000, Robbie almost burst out laughing. However, he saw that all the nobles looked on with admiration, seemingly genuinely believing it. Robbie could only admire their superb acting skills and admit his inferiority.
"The great Grom Hellscream has won again! I idolize him so much!"
"As expected of powerful Orcs, they are truly amazing."
"Let's drink to the great achievements of the Warsong Clan!"
The nobles present weren't stupid; they all knew it was a lie, but they still couldn't help but boast along—a group of nobles pretending to be asleep.
Black Dragon Princess never stopped eating, devouring over a hundred pounds of roasted meat and drinking dozens of pounds of strong liquor. She still seemed unsatisfied, waving her hand and saying boldly:
"Listen, everyone," I say. "Although the great Grom Hellscream has won the war, the Warsong Horde is short of food and clothing, and our valiant Orcs Warriors need weapons and medicine. The treasury is empty; all our resources have been used to support the Orcs. I have come here on King Varian's orders to urge you all, as before, to generously contribute."
A faint dragon's might spread out. Robbie looked at the nobles around him, all of whom were chattering and had flushed faces. Those nobles who had indulged in wine and women even had weak legs and could hardly stand.
"For the sake of the great Orcs, for the sake of Azeroth, I think you would be willing to contribute a small portion of your savings, wouldn't you?"
The Black Dragon Princess's voice carried an undeniable authority, and Robbie already realized that she was serving Black Dragon Princess King Varian at this moment.
The nobles were quite frightened by the dragon's might and reluctantly handed over their valuables. The Black Dragon Princess's eyes gleamed as she greedily said, "Same as before, only Magic Gems, no gold coins or goods."
What use are gems? Lordaeron is already in a precarious state, with King Terenas using the entire nation's resources to support the Orcs. The people are suffering, conflict is brewing, and chaos is brewing on the eve of a storm. Resources are extremely scarce. While Magic Gems are precious, they can't buy anything. The Black Dragon Princess is clearly using the King's name to enrich herself.
The Black Dragon Princess took out a large pouch made of dragon scales and handed it to Earl Agramande.
The nobles present had no choice but to take out the Magic Gems they had prepared beforehand and put them into the dragon scale pouch. The Black Dragon Princess had sharp eyes, and no one dared to do anything under her watchful eye.
In this chaotic and darkest era for Stormwind City, even nobles who feigned sleep could not escape paying a price to avoid disaster.