When Robbie met the Black Dragon Princess nine years later, he considered many possibilities, but he never expected this outcome.
Black Dragon Princess spoke sternly, fiercely guarding her territory like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
"Black Dragon Princess, you are doomed! Your death is imminent!" Robbie once again used his signature stern warning.
Unexpectedly, it didn't work this time. The Black Dragon Princess sneered contemptuously.
"The Defias Brotherhood in Westfall is my ally, and I have minions in Darkshire and Lakeshire as well. My influence is spread throughout Kingdom of Stormwind. Humans and Gnomes are all eager to befriend me, Night Elves are grateful for my covert support in their war against the Orcs. Kingdom of Stormwind is peaceful and prosperous, and its people live in contentment. Human, do you still want to intimidate me with the same old tricks?"
This Black Dragon has grown up, become more cunning, and is not easy to deal with. Robbie was pondering his words when Vanessa released a faint but palpable killing intent, and the Black Dragon Princess's expression immediately changed.
"Damn it, you cunning human! You have an accomplice, and this accomplice can threaten my life." The Black Dragon Princess seemed resigned to her fate, saying somewhat dejectedly, "Fine, name your price. How many gold coins do you want? Ceding the lord's territory is absolutely out of the question."
"It seems that threats are always a more reliable method than persuasion," Robbie coughed and said seriously.
"Black Dragon Princess, I trust you completely to manage Kingdom of Stormwind. I don't need gold. Do you remember what I said when we parted last time? I would appear when you needed me. Now, that time has come. As the ancients said, 'One is born in hardship and dies in comfort.' What are your thoughts on the Lich King Arthas?"
The Black Dragon Princess's expression seemed to have softened somewhat, but it was still full of vigilance:
"Our trade with the Scourge has been going fairly smoothly. I really enjoy the delicious Ice Worms they provide, and the Kobolds are also quite good. To be honest, I don't particularly like the taste of Mammoths, though some Stormwind City nobles consider it a delicacy."
"A Black Dragon that only knows how to eat," Robbie shook his head and said solemnly.
"The Lich King Arthas will inevitably awaken from his slumber, and the Guardian Medivh will not let a threat to him go unpunished. He will certainly use the Burning Legion's invasion as a pretext to coerce the Alliance and Horde into joining forces against the Lich King. The wounds inflicted on Azeroth by the Battle of Mount Hyjal have yet to heal, and the Alliance and Horde are left at his mercy. What will you do?"
Black Dragon Princess lowered her head and fell into thought. Her thousand years of experience had taught her that there was never any fairness or Justice; it all came down to who was more shameless and had no bottom line.
Seeing the Black Dragon Princess's expression, which suggested she was persuaded, Robbie knew he had a chance and continued:
"Medivh's enemies aren't just the Lich King, but also Illidan the Demon Hunter of Outland, the Zerg of Silithus, and those mysterious beings of Pandaria. Oh, and your father, Deathwing, too. When you become an obstacle to cooperation between the Alliance and the Horde, you're in danger. Don't forget, you need to feign death three times."
The Black Dragon Princess finally believed Robbie's words, and her expression became much friendlier. "So, I need to fake my death?"
"No, there's still time. We need to plan ahead and lay the groundwork for your faked death."
"Alright!" Black Dragon Princess sighed, accepting Robbie's good intentions. Exhausted, she couldn't help but complain:
"Fine, I can finally rest for a while. You have no idea how difficult it is to manage a country. A bunch of greedy and stupid nobles, arguing and bickering all day long over their own interests. I really wish I could devour them all. What's most infuriating are those idiots who can't see the situation clearly. Not only do they want to die, but they also drag more people down with them."
The Black Dragon Princess slumped onto the stone throne, sighing repeatedly.
"I am a dragon, shouldn't I be comfortably lying in my cave sleeping soundly, with a bunch of Kobold Servants, occasionally raiding human kingdoms? Why should I break my heart over these noisy creatures?"
"Years ago, my father disapproved of my siblings and me spending all our time sleeping in the cave. He sent us out for some fresh air, giving us two tasks: one was the Blackrock Mountain laboratory, and the other was infiltrating Stormwind City. I thought the human kingdoms, the vibrant world, would be so much fun, so I volunteered. I never expected it to be so mentally taxing. I should have chosen Blackrock Mountain. Oh, and tell your friends to come out. They'll come with me to the hearing tomorrow. I'll let you see for yourselves how formidable these Stormwind City nobles are. I guarantee you won't want to be King after that."
The next morning, Robbie and Vanessa arrived early at Stormwind Keep to attend Stormwind City's monthly hearing. The hall of Stormwind Keep was as noisy as a marketplace, with envoys from lords across the land, Stormwind City nobles, military representatives, and even some merchant leaders all gathered to present their demands.
Robbie met Duke Bolvar, a stern-faced, Paladin who seemed to dislike hearings, probably believing his duty was to be on the Battlefield. He simply sat silently in his seat, while the meeting was mainly chaired by the Black Dragon Princess disguised as Countess Katrana Prestor.
First came intelligence from the Northrend, from a Priest at a Northshire Abbey who suggested:
" In the Plaguelands, the Argent Dawn has fought a grueling battle against the Scourge, suffering heavy casualties. Our Kingdom of Stormwind should send reinforcements to strike back against the arrogant Scourge."
"Rejected." The Black Dragon Princess said expressionlessly, her face cold.
"The Plaguelands are too far from us and offer us no benefit whatsoever. Besides, I hate Sylvanas. Undercity is Stormwind City's mortal enemy; we can't possibly fight alongside the Forsaken."
"The Scourge is the common enemy of the Alliance and the Horde," the Priest protested.
"The Scourge is merely an enemy of Sylvanas and Thrall," the Black Dragon Princess's voice was filled with authority. "If Sylvanas had simply sent the main Legion of Undercity, the Scourge, entrenched in the Plaguelands, would have been wiped out long ago. Why should we concern ourselves with it? Are we here to provide materials for Sylvanas to create the Forsaken? Next."
This time it was an Archmage. He first bowed very politely and said slowly:
"The Burning Legion is wreaking havoc in Outland, Archmage Khadgar is seeking help, hoping that the Kingdom of Stormwind will lend a hand."
"Rejected." The Black Dragon Princess's tone left no room for argument.
"Do you think I don't know? Khadgar's real target is the Demon Hunter Illidan. He wants to seize control of Outland. Although I don't like that blind man, I don't want to waste my forces trying to defeat him."
Next, the leader of the Stormwind City Traders' Guild proposed to the Black Dragon Princess: "I suggest we trade with the Orcs and sell them the timber they desperately need. The Orcs are fighting the elves because of logging in Ashenvale, and we need to ease this tense situation and open trade for the peace of the Alliance and the Horde Elf."
"This is treason, betraying one's own allies!" the Black Dragon Princess shrieked. "Do you think the Orcs are short of wood? They need it to make weapons, and I absolutely will not allow this to happen. If I find out who is secretly selling goods to the Orcs, I will hang them without hesitation."
Another envoy from Theramore delivered a plea for help. "The continuous rain has increased the number of sick, and Theramore's forces are stretched thin. Lady Jaina urgently needs reinforcements."
The Black Dragon Princess sneered, "Theramore is Orgrimmar's meat storehouse, a chasm that can never be filled. Rejection."
A young nobleman stood up, his face flushed with anger, and protested loudly, "Slander! This is blasphemy against the beautiful Lady Jaina!"
The Black Dragon Princess stared expressionlessly at the young nobleman. "What's your name?"
Hendel Handel!
"Very well, Hendel Handel, you will be the one sent as reinforcements to Theramore. Good luck."
An Adjutant of Marshal Reginald Marshal Windsor reported to the Black Dragon Princess: "The Blackrock Orcs are very active in the Burning Steppes. The Marshal recommends increasing the number of soldiers to guard Lakeshire."
Black Dragon Princess was visibly taken aback, then whispered, "Don't worry, I'll handle this."
Vanessa leaned on Robbie's shoulder, dozing off. Robbie listened carefully to the entire hearing and understood the secret of the Black Dragon Princess's rule.
She created a unique political system that could not be ruled without her.
Black Dragon Princess allowed local lords to develop their own armies, citing Stormwind City's lack of troops, and showed no concern for the other territories of the Kingdom of Stormwind besides Stormwind City itself.
As a result, powerful local armed forces such as the People's Army in Westfall and the Night Watch in Duskwood have become legitimate, and in some territories far from Stormwind City, their forces have even become strong enough to threaten the safety of Stormwind City.
Threatened by a fully grown Black Dragon, lords across the land dared not disobey Stormwind City's orders, paying taxes and sending troops as needed.
But once King Varian regains power, these powerful lords can openly challenge Stormwind City.
Even if King Varian banishes the Black Dragon Princess in the future, the area that the House Wrynn can influence will be very limited, confined to Elwynn Forest, Lakeshire, and Darkshire, and beyond that, they will be unable to reach anything further.
The vast Kingdom of Stormwind, the most powerful human nation, left Varian with only a small area. No matter how much he wreaked havoc, it would still leave enough seeds for the Kingdom of Stormwind to soar to new heights.
Robbie secretly admired him; he was indeed a clever Black Dragon.
At the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City, Jaina completed her teleportation and began to soothe her slightly numb limbs.
Jaina is very clever. The Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City is a sacred center of faith, and even if the Black Dragon Princess wanted to ambush her, she wouldn't do so in such a place.
After the slight dizziness from the teleportation subsided, Jaina began to look around.
Archbishop Benedictus of Stormwind City bowed politely to Jaina and said solemnly, "Your Excellency Jaina, please allow me to extend my greetings to the great Admiral Daelin Proudmoore."
Jaina naturally sensed the sarcasm in his words, and gritted her teeth in anger. "High Archbishop Benedictus, I hope you realize how important peace between the Alliance and the Horde is."
Benedictus maintained his smile, "Lady Jaina, please also note that the Kingdom of Stormwind and the Kingdom of Kul Tiras have always been on good terms. What the Kingdom of Kul Tiras does not welcome, the Kingdom of Stormwind holds the same attitude."
At this time, the King of Kul Tiras was Jaina's second brother, Tanried Proudmoore, who had publicly declared that he no longer recognized Jaina as his sister because Jaina had killed his father.