Every military organization needs to replenish its ranks with fresh blood.
Especially during such a time of war, the Scarlet Crusade was entangled with various forces in the Plaguelands. The Scarlet Crusade in Stratholme was engaged in fierce battles with Scourge Undead, and the deaths and injuries of soldiers were commonplace, with recruitment of new recruits never ceasing.
Every new recruit entering the Scarlet Crusade must undergo a test of the Holy Light.
If the Scourge soldiers resurrected by Arthas are fresh corpses, they are difficult to distinguish from living people in appearance. Their memories of their past lives are still fresh, and it is impossible to tell the truth from the falsehoods by questioning them.
Only the Holy Light.
A simple Holy Light spell on a recruit can accurately determine whether they are Undead infiltrator or Plague carrier.
Recruiting new soldiers is a crucial hurdle that must be rigorously guarded. In addition to eliminating Undead and Plague carriers who have infiltrated the ranks, it is also necessary to eliminate spies sent by other organizations as much as possible.
This was a meticulous and tedious task that allowed no room for carelessness. Out of trust, High Inquisitor Isillien entrusted it to Highlord Taelan Fordring.
A descendant of a prestigious family, a son of a military family.
In his early years, Taelan Fordring generously Consecration Hearthglen, giving the Scarlet Crusade a fortress comparable to Tyr's Hand. Although it was also for self-preservation in the chaotic world, High Inquisitor Isillien was still very grateful for Taelan's righteous act and trusted him greatly.
On this day, Taelan Fordring, as usual, reviewed the list and verified the recruits' information.
Anxu Yili.
Race: Dwarf.
Successfully passed the Holy Light test.
Occupation: Stealth.
Strength assessment: Excellent but lacking.
Note: A Dwarf of low strength.
Ability is secondary; in such chaotic times, there's a severe shortage of manpower, so we can't worry about that now.
If all else fails, have him carry wood from the back mountain or dig trenches at the front. I've heard the Dwarves are good at brewing, so their cooking should be pretty good too, and the kitchen is short of Chef.
But...
Anxu Yili but failed the interrogation.
He couldn't explain where he came from, his hometown address, his teacher, or even who vouched for him.
A Dwarf of unknown origin.
This Dwarf had a very bad temper. When pressed, he used amnesia as an excuse to argue and act arrogantly.
Taelan Fordring shook his head, thought for a moment, and made a decision: the Scarlet Crusade would not accept adventurers of unknown origin.
After writing "Unsatisfactory," Taelan Fordring put down his pen. Lately, he had been feeling uneasy and paranoid, with a premonition that something was about to happen.
A commotion suddenly arose outside the door. Taelan Fordring looked displeased, his face darkening. His personal guard rushed in. "Highlord, a Dwarf wants to see you."
"Not see."
Taelan Fordring was in a bad mood and didn't want to see anyone.
"My Highlord, that Dwarf has a letter of recommendation from your father," the guard said cautiously.
Taelan Fordring's expression turned solemn. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright, let him in."
"You are Taelan Fordring, and I am sent by your father, Anxu Yili." The Dwarf's tone was aggressive, likely due to obstruction; his clothes were torn, and he was in a bad mood.
"I am the Highlord of the Scarlet Crusade," Taelan Fordring said, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Taelan Fordring, on behalf of your father, I urge you: you must see the error of your ways."
"What?"
Darkbeard took a letter and placed it heavily in front of Taelan Fordring: "I hope that after reading this letter, you will make the right decision, my child."
"What's going on? Who are you now, the one who's always talking nonsense?"
Taelan Fordring was somewhat bewildered. He tore open the envelope, took out the letter, and began to read, but the more he read, the more confused he became.
Dear Taelan,
By the time you grow up and are able to read this letter, I will have been away from you for a long time.
I don't know how to express how painful it is to leave you and your mother... People see my actions as Evil. I'm afraid my decision will cause people to have a prejudice against you.
I don't want to argue here... Glory is an important factor that makes us human, Taelan. Our words and actions should have some meaning to this world... But I hope you will understand someday.
I want you to know that I have always loved you deeply, and that you have always been on my mind. Your life, your words and actions will be my Redemption.
My child, you are my pride and hope. Be a good person, be a hero. Goodbye.
Although it is Tirion Fordring's handwriting, it is undoubtedly true.
But what's going on with this content? Taelan was completely confused.
What does this mean? Is it a secret code? Some kind of hint? Or something else entirely?
Why would there be such a nonsensical letter?
Then, Darkbeard took out three more items, placed them heavily in front of Taelan, and said loudly:
"Lost child, seeing this, why don't you quickly wake up?"
A toy warhammer.
Taelan vaguely remembered that he had one when he was a child, but he didn't like it. So Tirion Fordring made him a toy sword, and he didn't know where the toy warhammer was.
The battle banner of the Order of the Silver Hand.
This battle flag is stained with the blood of too many people of Lordaeron, a witness to that bloody history, a shame that Paladins are ashamed to mention, and the reason why the Order of the Silver Hand fell apart.
Finally, there's a painting. Taelan still has some memories of it; when he was a child, his whole family vacationed in Caer Darrow, and they commissioned a famous painter to paint a family portrait.
I remember my father disliked this painting very much because the Baron Rivendare of Stratholme also had a family portrait that was larger and more ornately framed.
What's most infuriating is that Baron Rivendare has many children and a large family, Tirion Fordring only has this one son, which he deeply resents.
This is ridiculous! What's the meaning of giving me all this junk?
And that inexplicable letter... Taelan was practically going crazy.
If it weren't for the men sent by his father, Taelan would have already locked up this Dwarf and interrogated him severely.
In fact, this letter was not written by Tirion Fordring, but was forged by Vanessa based on Tirion Fordring's handwriting, according to the memory of the Dwarf Darkbeard.
Taelan felt completely unwell.
Seeing that Taelan was confused and unrepentant, Anxu was extremely disappointed and furious, waving his hands angrily:
"Taelan Fordring, wake up! You must sever ties with these Evil Scarlet Crusade! You must repent and become an upright and kind person! Have you forgotten the glory of your fathers? Have you forgotten the splendor of the Order of the Silver Hand?"
Holy crap, is this guy crazy?
The guards nearby were outraged and drew their weapons, pointing their swords at the Dwarf.
Darkbeard stared unbothered at the raging fury of the Scarlet Crusade, a maniacal smile on his face, "Taelan, let my blood make you, this lost sheep, repent."
I understand now. This must be a madman sent by the enemy to deliberately sow discord.
Taelan Fordring finally figured it out and was about to order Darkbeard to be captured and interrogated under torture.
Just then, an unsettling undercurrent secretly surged in.
The guards at the door entered uninvited, gave Taelan Fordring Ding a very unfriendly look, and handed a leaflet to the Scarlet Crusade members around them.
The guards passed it around, all raising their heads and glaring angrily at the Highlord.
What's going on? Taelan has a bad feeling; what does this unfriendly atmosphere mean?
"Highlord, we hope you can provide an explanation."
The guards placed the leaflets in front of Taelan Fordring.
Taelan Fordring felt a "boom" in his head.
It turned out that at the same time Darkbeard was invited into the Castle, a dragon head made of Holy Light appeared in the sky above Hearthglen, with a package in its mouth, and stopped in the very center of Hearthglen.
The package suddenly burst open, and flyers fell like snowflakes.
The leaflet, with its forceful language and clear evidence, testifies how Highlord Taelan Fordring of the Scarlet Crusade colluded with the Argent Dawn, how he betrayed the Scarlet Crusade's intelligence, and how he was utterly wicked and unforgivable.
After reading the leaflet, the Scarlet Crusade soldiers were filled with rage. Their distrust of the Highlord instantly coalesced into an unstoppable torrent.
In a typical team, such attempts to sow discord are unlikely to be effective.
But don't forget, the Scarlet Crusade is an organization known for its fanaticism and extremism.
Under Balnazzar's instigation and manipulation, the members of the Scarlet Crusade were all hot-headed, their hearts filled with a deep sense of honor and Justice. In their fight against the Scourge Undead, they had long been accustomed to being wary of those around them, and they especially could not tolerate betrayal.
Taelan Fordring gasped. Oh no, this is going to be bad.
If this evidence were only presented to Grand Prosecutor Isillien, there would still be room for maneuver. To prevent unrest within the army, the Grand Prosecutor would only try his best to cover it up, even downplaying the matter, and perhaps even reconciling with Taelan.
However, now that all the Scarlet Crusade members in Hearthglen know, this matter has become serious, and High Inquisitor Isillien cannot cover it up.
Coupled with the introduction from his father, the role played by the Dwarf Darkbeard, and his madman-like ramblings, further confirmed Taelan Fordring's crimes.
It's all a trick.
Unaware of these changes, Anxu continued to earnestly advise:
"Taelan, come back with me, break away from the Evil Scarlet Crusade, go to your father, and stop being a puppet of the Scarlet Crusade."
"Alright, Dwarf, then come with me and fight your way out."
Suddenly, Taelan drew his sword and slashed at his comrade-in-arms who had fought alongside him.
This was a massacre.
Although the Scarlet Crusade members had doubts about the Highlord, they still held onto hope that Highlord would step forward and explain things clearly.
The Highlord suddenly launched an attack, striking ruthlessly, catching the loyal guards completely off guard.
The corpses lay scattered about, and blood flowed everywhere.
"Now, Dwarf, let's run for our lives together."
Inside the luxurious fortress, Tirion Fordring leisurely sipped his wine, with several pieces of White Maggot Meat in front of him. Tirion Fordring frowned, looking utterly dejected, and forced himself to eat them.
The Legion Communicator suddenly beeped.
Balnazzar's anxious voice rang out:
"Tirion Fordring, something's happened in Hearthglen. Your son Taelan needs help."