"You are VanCleef?"
Looking at the old Earl, whose brows were full of weariness, Robbie recalled his hard work under the oil lamp, dealing with blueprints and plans for Stormwind City.
Robbie had long known that VanCleef was a composite of multiple identities: he was the leader of the Stonemasons' Guild, the infamous leader of the Defias Brotherhood, a top SI:7 assassin, and the commander of the People's Militia.
But the Earl Agramande before us may very well be the first Edwin Van VanCleef.
If Earl Agramande is VanCleef, then who are the members of the Stonemasons' Guild? How did they Metamorphosis into a top-tier assassin organization? Even capable of rivaling the Kingdom of Stormwind —could a simple stonemason guild achieve that?
The only connection between the Agamand Mills and the stonemasons is probably their millstones.
Robbie tried to ask his question in a tactful way.
Earl Agramande chuckled and replied, "The Stonemasons' Guild was originally an organization of artisans in the Seven Human Kingdoms. During the two Orcs Wars, many members of the Stonemasons' Guild went to the Battlefield and never returned. Later, the nobles of Lordaeron reorganized the Stonemasons' Guild to undertake the reconstruction of Stormwind City and Nethergarde Keep. Now, things are getting worse and worse in Lordaeron, and people from all walks of life are fleeing Lordaeron under the guise of joining the Stonemasons' Guild, among them are many skilled craftsmen."
So that's how it is. The Stonemasons' Guild was originally an organization established by the Elites of Lordaeron, encompassing almost every industry, which is why it was able to establish itself in the Westfall.
Robbie recalled the historical Metamorphosis of the Stonemasons' Guild into the Defias Brotherhood, which must have been sixteen years Dark Portal, only one year ago.
Robbie leaned forward and asked earnestly.
Can Stormwind City afford the construction costs?
Whether it's the lower-class laborers of Stormwind City or the upper-class nobles, everyone is feeding the Warsong Clan's Orcs. Under such oppression, how can they possibly accumulate any wealth? The entire Kingdom of Stormwind is probably destitute.
Earl Agramande hesitated for a moment, seemingly deciding whether to tell Robbie, before finally making up his mind. "This was agreed upon by the Stonemasons' Guild and King Varian. The project's costs will be primarily borne by us, the exiles of Lordaeron, and King Varian will pay us in the Westfall."
Among the exiles of Lordaeron were many members of the upper class and prominent nobles who brought a vast amount of Wealth with Lordaeron. The Kingdom of Stormwind was riddled with holes and in dire need of reconstruction after the Orcs Wars. Without the support of the nobles of Lordaeron, how could they have afforded to build Stormwind City?
"Westfall."
Robbie's expression was solemn. History seemed to converge at this moment, and the truth appeared self-evident.
Earl Agramande wore an air of nearing centenary:
"We exiles need land. King Terenas has nurtured a tiger that will eventually turn against us, and now we are in a difficult position. Lordaeron will be dragged down by the Orcs sooner or later, and more and more exiles will flee Lordaeron. We must obtain land, and if possible, we hope that Prince Arthas can lead us."
With the country in ruins, the nation destroyed, and the threat of national annihilation looming, far-sighted nobles like Earl Agramande, longing for their homeland and unwilling to abandon their compatriots, made preparations for the future well in advance.
However, Robbie had a lingering shadow in his heart. Although he was already the number two in the Brotherhood and had been a member of the Brotherhood for a long time, he didn't know much about this history.
It's definitely not that simple. If it had really been planned, how could there have been the riots in Stormwind City, Queen Tiffin's unexpected departure, and all the confusion and uncertainty?
Robbie looked down at the oil lamp on the table. Such a complex situation could only be untangled by the wisest minds of the time. Yet, all things in the world follow certain patterns. Considering what happened afterward, Robbie asked worriedly, "Earl Excellency, have you considered what would happen if King Varian changed his mind?"
"Change my mind."
Earl Agramande was stunned for a long time; clearly, he was not prepared for this.
"No, Varian would never treat us like that. When the Kingdom of Stormwind fell, its refugees migrated across the ocean to Lordaeron, where they were warmly welcomed. We in Lordaeron helped King Varian restore his kingdom; he shouldn't treat us like this. No, absolutely not."
A person who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.
Earl Agramande trusted human nature too much, or perhaps he had no other choice but to take a gamble.
Upon learning of how history would unfold, Robbie realized it wouldn't be so simple.
According to historical records, the internal strife in Kingdom of Stormwind stemmed from unpaid wages owed to the Stonemasons' Guild. It seems that Onyxia, the Black Dragon Princess, was behind it all, but who was truly at fault?
If a subject errs, the ruler is the one who cannot escape blame.
The fault lies with King Varian.
It's even possible that the Black Dragon Princess is just a scapegoat.
Thinking of this, Robbie's expression became terrifyingly serious, his voice carrying an aggressive chill. "Earl Agramande, if King Varian goes back on his word, what Stonemasons' Guild do? You can only surrender, and might even be falsely accused of treason and killed."
"This!"
The Earl was startled, his expression darkened, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepened.
The succession of kings in Stormwind City is different from the political system of medieval Europe.
Medieval Europe was a typical commercial civilization. The Duchy of Venice in Italy borrowed money from the Medici family when it went to war, but it dared not default on the debt, otherwise it would lose its credibility and never be able to borrow money again.
But what can King Varian do if he goes back on his word? The succession of the Stormwind City monarchy does not rely on credibility or the people's love, but on the support of the Guardian Medivh.
Varian, perhaps concerned for his reputation, scapegoated the Black Dragon Princess, placing all the blame on her. This did not diminish the fact that King Varian a wise and powerful ruler.
"Earl lord, you cannot place all your hopes on the morality of the Varian kingdom. Morality is the most unreliable thing. You must think of some ways to prepare for the future."
Earl Agramande stubbornly shook his head. "I don't believe Varian would lie to me. I've met him; he's not that kind of person."
"People change. Did you ever imagine that Varian would openly support the Orcs who destroyed Kingdom of Stormwind?" Robbie said seriously. "Grom Hellscream, the Warsong Clan —these are the executioners who slaughtered Kingdom of Stormwind back then, a bunch of damned beasts. Yet King Terenas has to feed them, and we even have to give them money."
"You don't know the truth. This is a very complex matter; it's politics." Earl Agramande continued to defend Varian: "King Varian supported King Terenas in building the Orcs internment camp, but now everyone can see that it was a mistake. Varian was concerned about his reputation, so he had no choice but to do it."
Because of mistakes, they continued to make the same mistakes.
People always pay the price for their stubbornness.
"Earl lord, I also wish to believe in King Varian." Robbie took a deep breath and said bluntly, "If you don't consider the consequences and commit an unforgivable mistake in the future, you will be a sinner against the people."
Earl Agramande looked at Robbie in surprise; he hadn't expected this young man to dare to talk back to him like that.
He was quite surprised that someone of ordinary birth, without any noble title, could speak with such confidence.
Earl Agramande shrugged, his expression growing increasingly unfriendly, showing signs of an impending argument. "Your guess is baseless."
"We can find someone to verify this, Onyxia, the Black Dragon Princess," Robbie said.