The monster is too weak now, and its calculation ability is insufficient to find the answer.
In the end, he could only conclude that his lack of understanding of living beings was like his misjudgment of Sargeras.
What living beings are thinking and what decisions they will make is difficult even for gods to grasp. Every decision a living being makes is more like a chaotic probability; one can only predict the probability of them making a certain decision, but cannot make an accurate prediction.
The monster knew he had to learn a lesson, and he did not succumb to despair.
The stone pillars of the Vault of the Wardens are inscribed with Runes of the Moon Goddess, making it seemingly impenetrable. However, there is no prison that cannot be escaped, just as there is no impregnable fortress, because life itself is the greatest vulnerability.
If the monster could bribe one of the Night Elf jailers nearby, it felt it had a chance to escape.
The monster focused his attention on the Jailer Maiev Shadowsong, secretly trying to figure out what the female Night Elf was thinking.
The monster was indifferent to the physical torture and didn't take it to heart. The essence of pain is the signal transmitted from nerves to the brain. As long as the nerves are severed, there will be no feeling.
Tyrande and Maiev didn't understand this seemingly simple truth.
Although the monster was bound by the Runes of the Moon Goddess, it still had the ability to control itself.
So even though the monster roared and screamed after its flesh was cut off, seemingly suffering greatly, it was actually at Tranquility inside, just like a patient under anesthesia who could watch the scalpel cut through its flesh.
The monster suffered the torment of having its flesh cut off every full moon, yet it still smiled at Maiev on ordinary days and never yielded, which greatly frustrated Maiev.
"Illidan's will is so strong; he's hardly Night Elf."
Maiev, unaware of the truth, could only draw this conclusion.
Maiev dared not report the truth to Tyrande, as she feared being looked down upon. Knowing that "Illidan" had not yielded, Tyrande would surely remove her as the useless the Jailer and choose someone else instead.
To this end, Maiev consulted ancient texts and collected all the punishments she could find, using them all on Illidan, but to no avail. Maiev was anxious and became very haggard.
Maiev specially crafted a long spear covered in barbs, which she plunged into Illidan's heart and pierced his chest. Driven by its own power, it moved in and out, each time drawing out large amounts of flesh and blood.
The monster continued to roar and howl, occasionally pausing to look at Maiev with a grin:
"This is so exhilarating! I've already fallen in love with this feeling, Maiev. If you don't torment me for a day, I'll feel restless. You see, we're truly a perfect match."
Illidan did not yield, and Maiev's spirit was on the verge of collapse. Seeing this, the monster knew that his chance had come, Maiev's defenses had already cracked.
That night, Maiev suddenly woke up and found the Vault of the Wardens completely empty.
A tempting aroma wafted from the depths of the dungeon. Maiev frowned. Were the guards neglecting their duties and secretly having a meal without inviting her, the Jailer? Furious, she hurried over.
Inside the cell where Illidan was imprisoned, Maiev was surprised to see Illidan sitting leisurely in a chair, with a table of delicious food in front of him, emitting an enticing aroma. Behind Illidan, Tyrande, expressionless, was massaging his shoulders.
"This can't be true!" Maiev said calmly.
"Illidan" raised an eyebrow and said with a chuckle, "Of course not. Why would Tyrande massage my shoulders? Maiev, I have high hopes for you; even so, you remain rational."
Maiev carefully examined the food on the table and looked around at her familiar surroundings, but she couldn't find any flaws.
"Don't think about it anymore. This is a dream I've woven; I'm the one who dragged you into it." Illidan picked up his glass and took a delicious sip. "The Jailer Maiev, you probably don't know this, but ordinary dreams have no taste. Only in my dream can you smell the aroma of food. We hit it off immediately, so why don't we eat and chat?"
Maiev merely sneered, remaining silent. Illidan, however, frowned slightly, a threatening expression on his face.
"The Jailer, in reality you're in charge, able to torture me with the cruelest methods. But in dreams, it's my territory. I can even repay you for all the torture you inflicted on me during the day. I wonder if you enjoy that feeling as much as I do?"
Maiev was terrified; the horrific torture was enough to break her will.
Maiev could only sit down, grab a piece of roasted meat, and put it in her mouth. The delicious roasted meat melted in her mouth, and the aroma filled the air. It was simply an unparalleled delicacy. Illidan chuckled:
"You torment me by day, yet in my dreams I offer you a delicious meal; such is the best way to repay evil with kindness."
"Illidan, what do you want?" Maiev asked coldly.
"Illidan" looked at Maiev Anjing and said meaningfully:
"I see your ambition, your resentment, the cry in your heart. Strength, appearance, popularity, ability—from any angle, you are a hundred times stronger than Tyrande. Apart from the favor of the Moon Goddess, what merit does Tyrande possess to be the leader of the Night Elves? Her ignorance and incompetence will destroy the entire race."
Maiev lowered her head and remained silent. These words had indeed struck a chord with her, but she wouldn't easily reveal her true feelings.
"Don't worry, this is just a dream. No one can overhear our conversation," the monster reassured Maiev, then added encouragingly, "What's the point of a Night Elf without ambition?"
"Illidan, don't forget your miserable state now," Maiev mocked. "What right does a tortured prisoner have to talk to me about ambition?"
Illidan burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Indeed, Maiev. I truly didn't expect Tyrande to act so quickly. To tell you the truth, my purpose in returning this time is to replace Tyrande and Malfurion as the leaders of the Night Elves."
Maiev shook her head and sneered, "Illidan, you're too naive. Have you forgotten Elune? With Elune's support, everything we do is meaningless unless you find a way to win Elune favor."
Illidan's eyes shone brightly, startling Maiev. For a moment, she thought she was facing a god. Illidan spoke with unwavering confidence:
"Maiev, you overestimate the power of Moon Goddess. Azeroth has planetary defenses built by the Titans, Elune can't unleash much power. To give a simple example, Moon Goddess's power is strongest only on the night of a full moon. On moonless nights, she's deaf and blind; she doesn't exist."
For some reason, Illidan's words possessed a kind of magic, making Maiev believe him without a doubt. Intrigued, she asked, "What else? Continue."
"Illidan," with an air of commanding authority, spoke eloquently:
"Tyrande's greatest asset is the Demon Soul, but that's just an external thing. If we can find a way to steal it, then stage a coup on a moonless night and imprison Tyrande and Malfurion, we can build an Altar and lock them inside. With some simple Magic Circles, we can make the Moon Goddess mistake someone for Tyrande."
Maiev's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. "Then I can become the Chief Moon Goddess Priestess."