What's going on?
Mannoroth stared intently at the fawning Orcs, somewhat bewildered.
Archimonde's task for Mannoroth was simply to find a way for the Legion to enter Azeroth and establish a garrison there, so that if anything major happened in the future, the Legion wouldn't be too late to arrive.
But judging from what the Orcs Broxigar said, the Night Elves of Mount Hyjal were actually going to abandon the magic of the Well of Eternity and choose Fel power instead.
Mannoroth couldn't understand it at all; he didn't believe that Fel energy was stronger than the magic of the Well of Eternity.
Generally, inhabitants of unfamiliar worlds who are seduced by the Burning Legion do so in pursuit of greater power, shamelessly betraying their own people. I have never seen anyone voluntarily lower their own strength to join the Legion.
Mannoroth scoffed at the idea that Queen Azshara used the magic of the Well of Eternity to bind her people, arguing that accepting Fel was tantamount to being controlled by the Burning Legion, Legion was far from merciful.
Mannoroth sensed something was amiss; it defied all logic. He controlled the Fel Shadow, unleashing a Thunder roar, and questioned Broxigar: "Insidious Orcs, are you trying to deceive me? You should know the consequences of disobeying your superiors."
Broxigar trembled with fear and immediately knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.
"My lord, this is absolutely true, there is no doubt about it. It was Chief Priest Tyrande of the Temple of the Moon who told me this herself. After receiving the power of the Moon Goddess, the magic power of the Well of Eternity within the Night Elves will gradually decrease, and the Priests of the Temple of the Moon urgently need new power."
"And what about the other Night Elves of Mount Hyjal? How could they possibly abandon the powerful magic of the Well of Eternity and choose our Fel? Were their heads trampled by Kodo? How do you explain that?"
Broxigar's voice trembled as he replied:
"My lord, Tyrande also told me that the Night Elves of Mount Hyjal worship the Moon Goddess and have prayed to Moon Goddess. Whether they were devout or not, it's beyond their control; the Moon Goddess's seed has already been planted within them."
"Corruption?"
Mannoroth was very familiar with this tactic; it was a despicable method the Burning Legion had used before.
As those adorable creatures gained control of the Legion, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden gradually lost their voice and could no longer tolerate such despicable tactics.
Mannoroth pondered for a long time, filled with doubt and unable to make the right judgment. The matter was of great importance, and he had to consult his master Archimonde.
"Orcs, go back first and tell the Priests of the Temple of the Moon to come directly to me."
Broxigar hurriedly left, and only after he had traveled some distance from the Furbolg camp did he revert to Cenarius's body. This was a disguise technique passed down by the Moon Goddess, since the Orcs's appearance and physique made it easier to gain the Burning Legion's trust.
Mannoroth activated the Legion Communicator and contacted Archimonde.
Archimonde seemed to be in good spirits; the gloomy look that had previously shrouded his face was gone, replaced by a glimmer of hope. His eyes sparkled as he smiled at his Adjutant.
"Mannoroth, how is the situation progressing? Are the followers of the Moon Goddess willing to cede a piece of land and allow our Legion to garrison it?"
"Great the Defiler, things have taken an unexpected turn."
Mannoroth recounted his contact with Broxigar, the attitude of the Temple of the Moon, and so on. He thought Archimonde would be surprised, but Archimonde seemed prepared, waving his hand dismissively and laughing:
"No need to doubt it, I expected this. This is a conspiracy by the Moon Goddess. The Night Elves of Mount Hyjal are no match for Azshara. This is merely a decoy to cover up the real plot. The real curtain has not yet been raised. Agree to their terms; you can make any demands you set, and they will accept them."
After a pause, Archimonde recalled his unpleasant duel with Azshara, and frowned slightly as he said:
"Don't push things too far. Elune, can force the Night Elves, but we can't. What you need to do is spread the word beforehand, allowing those who doubt Moon Goddess to leave, giving them a chance to escape. It's also a way of giving Queen Azshara face. Remember, we are no match for Queen Azshara; we should exercise restraint when necessary."
Archimonde surprisingly displayed a rare display of mercy, it seems Queen Azshara's power deeply impressed him.
Mannoroth nodded in agreement. Subsequently, Archimonde personally dispatched some personnel, a small vanguard of the Burning Legion, to enter Mount Hyjal through Spatial Rift to assist Mannoroth with his preliminary preparations.
The next day, representatives from the Temple of the Moon arrived. Tyrande led several Moon Goddess Guardians to the Furbolg camp to negotiate with Mannoroth. After receiving guidance from Archimonde, Mannoroth felt there was no danger and stopped hiding.
"A Pit Lord." Tyrande gazed at Mannoroth's massive body, sensing his immense power, and estimated that he must hold a high position in the Burning Legion.
The Tyrande of the past would never have taken a Pit Lord seriously, but now she must be cautious.
Having lost the magic of the Well of Eternity, without the power bestowed upon her by the Moon Goddess, she was merely a weak Night Elf, fighting with only a bow and mediocre magic.
Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess's power is not as inexhaustible as the Well of Eternity, which can be supplied at any time and in any place. It requires devout prayer, and even then, there is no guarantee of a response.
Sometimes Tyrande would regret it, but there was no turning back. She had to bring more Night Elves into this large group to serve the Moon Goddess and gain greater power.
"I am Tyrande Whisperwind Chief Priestess of the Temple of Elune, and I come in the name of Elune, the Temple of the Moon Goddess."
Mannoroth looked down at the woman and saw through her conflicted and tormented heart at a glance. She had been deceived herself and was dragging more people down with her. The worst aspects of human nature were fully displayed in her.
"Haha, you insignificant Night Elves. Every gain comes at a price. Fel energy is incredibly precious; what can you offer in return? I seriously doubt you can provide satisfactory terms."
Tyrande smiled slightly, exuding a heroic and majestic aura, and said:
"What about half of Azeroth?"
Mannoroth was taken aback. He hadn't expected Tyrande to be so decisive. Her boldness, her leadership, and her boundless ambition made even the treacherous Abyss Pit Lord feel inferior and embarrassed to even haggle.
"Very well, Tyrande, your spirit has earned you the Legion's friendship."
Mannoroth understood the reasoning: Queen Azshara Azeroth was now the ruler of Azeroth, and Tyrande was being very generous by offering land she hadn't yet acquired as a bargaining chip.
"We need to build a Portal in the Mount Hyjal region to bring the Burning Legion's army into Azeroth, so that we can provide the Night Elves with Fel energy."
Tyrande raised an eyebrow and said nonchalantly, "A reasonable request. As long as it's not Night Elf stronghold, you can choose any place to station your troops."
As expected, this treacherous woman had other plans. Mannoroth couldn't fathom her secret, and remembering Archimonde's specific instructions, he added:
"But I have one condition: the Night Elves who are unwilling to accept Fel must be allowed to leave Mount Hyjal."
"Impossible!" Tyrande shouted in a shrill voice.