Maiev, as if seeing through everything, smiled and stared at Malfurion, slowly saying:
"Malfurion, Tyrande's death is a disgrace to the Night Elves. To prevent the Banshee from desecrating her body, we must act swiftly. Rest assured, Illidan will soon bring back Sylvanas's head, Forsaken will face their doom."
"No, no, your actions have ruined everything."
Malfurion, left with no other option, could only fabricate an excuse:
"Alright, I confess, Maiev. It was all a lie. Tyrande actually received the Moon Goddess's decree."
Maiev nodded without surprise. "If that's the case, I need you to explain it clearly to your people before I agree to let Illidan withdraw."
Forging a secret alliance with the Forsaken is a major undertaking, one that even Maiev keeps secret.
Malfurion understood the priorities and had no choice but to step forward and reveal the so-called "truth" about Tyrande's faked death to the Night Elves, in order to follow the Moon Goddess's command and hunt down Sylvanas.
The monster moved with incredible speed, entering the Forsaken camp and swiftly wiping out the remaining Forsaken. It locked onto Sylvanas's presence, sensing the life force of a living being—undoubtedly the familiar Tyrande —but did not give up.
Sylvanas parted ways with Tyrande and had just stepped out of the cave when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, as if the most terrifying thing had happened, and all the strength in her body was out of control.
Antonidas, standing to the side, was in an even worse state. His Undead body trembled violently, like withered branches and fallen leaves in the autumn wind, as if he might wither away at any moment.
Lower-level Undead have no fear because their intelligence is incomplete; higher-level Undead, however, have emotions that are no different from those of the living.
"Someone's coming, it must be Illidan Stormrage," Antonidas said in a trembling voice.
"Is he really Malfurion's brother?"
Sylvanas had long heard of Illidan's reputation, including his fantastical Legendary. In truth, she was somewhat unconvinced, believing them to be exaggerated and mostly false lies. She didn't think a Night Elf could be that powerful.
Antonidas tried to open the Portal, but a barrier appeared around him, leaving him with no choice but to shrug and say with a wry smile, "It seems we have to accept death a second time."
"I'm not reconciled!" Sylvanas roared in despair, then pleaded, "Illidan, listen to me, Tyrande is not dead!"
"I know!"
The monster finally revealed itself, floating in the air, silently gazing at the two Undead:
"Whether Tyrande lives or dies is irrelevant to whether I kill you two. Seeing your expressions of despair gives me great pleasure."
"You inhuman monster!" Sylvanas roared through gritted teeth in despair, but for some reason, a strange emotion arose within her.
After becoming Undead, Sylvanas was called a monster more than once, including by the Prince of Kingdom of Gilneas, Sylvanas had long since secretly remembered.
At this moment, "Illidan" was covered in Fel energy, with broken wings, bent demonic horns, and a Demons body. He was also an absolute monster. Sylvanas suddenly felt a surge of admiration and sympathy for him.
"Your Majesty, please don't give up!" Antonidas, valuing his own life even as an incomplete Undead body, hurriedly said, "Illidan, we can talk. I know you've been imprisoned in the Vault of the Wardens for ten thousand years."
"You're pitying me, aren't you?" the monster asked expressionlessly.
"No, no!" To save his life, Antonidas quickly gathered his words: "We all admire you greatly. I was the leader of Dalaran before, and I studied the methods of the Night Elves. I know that Maiev used Soul Magic to control you."
"Do you have a way to break the Soul Magic?" the monster asked hopelessly.
Antonidas immediately shook his head. "No, but at least there's hope. I can gather a group of the best mages to research Soul Magic. Given time, it's not impossible to succeed."
The monster chuckled and said Pride:
"Antonidas, you have no idea how complex Soul Magic. Human intelligence can't possibly fathom its mysteries. To be honest, I know how to break this spell, but I can't find a suitable person—not one in all of Azeroth."
Antonidas knelt on the ground in despair, hoping to buy some time, but all his hopes were dashed.
Sylvanas suddenly shrieked, "Illidan, you're wrong! I know someone can break your Soul Magic, and they're right here in Azeroth!"
The monster stared at Sylvanas in surprise. Although he couldn't read her mind, he could still distinguish between truth and falsehood.
"That's interesting, you weren't lying."
The monster's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope appearing. "The former Ranger-General of Silvermoon City, the leader of the Forsaken, who are the powerful figures you can contact? Guardian Medivh? Oh, no, no, I know him, he doesn't have that ability. Could it be Arthas? Oh, I smell the scent of Elune. Which one is it? One of the two, or someone else entirely?"
Sylvanas knew the monster was searching for answers in her micro-expressions, so she quickly hardened her face, her rotting flesh remaining motionless, turning her into a dead person.
Only Undead creatures can achieve this level of skill.
"Interesting. I couldn't find the answer." The monster chuckled softly. "Alright, I promise you, you can use this answer in exchange for me not killing you today. Sylvanas, you have no other choice but to trust me."
Sylvanas knew she could only gamble on whether the monster would keep its promise, and said helplessly, "It was Arthas. I overheard him talking about it with his subordinates."
The monster nodded, delighted, and said, "What an unexpected gain, Arthas! Your Scourge and the secrets of the soul you possess are all mine now."
At that moment, a red signal flare rose into the air from the direction of the Night Elf camp.
The monster thought to itself, "We've found the right person to break the Soul Magic, so there's no need to return to the Vault of the Wardens."
As long as the monster stays away from the Jailer Maiev and his guards, he is confident that no one can threaten him. Once the Soul Magic is dispelled, he can return to the Vault of the Wardens for revenge.
The monster had had enough of the long, dark years inside the Vault of the Wardens. Suddenly, it soared into the sky and flew off in another direction.
Maiev waited for a long time; Tyrande had already safely returned to the camp, but there was no sign of Illidan. Maiev was seething with anger.
"That despicable Illidan managed to escape! I will hunt him down to the ends of the earth and make him pay for his betrayal today."
Upon hearing that "Illidan" had escaped, Kael'thas had some strange thoughts.
If anyone here knows Illidan's whereabouts, it's only Kael'thas. To escape his twisted love for Tyrande, Illidan will inevitably go to Outland.
Kael'thas longed to follow, but found it difficult to make up his mind.
"Kael'thas, what are you thinking about?" Vashj came closer and grabbed Kael'thas's arm with her icy hands.
When he struggles to make a decision, Kael'thas likes to consult with others. At this moment, the two are deeply in love, and Kael'thas trusts Vashj, so he voices his concerns.
Upon hearing this, Vashj's eyes sparkled with longing, and she immediately said, "Kael'thas, don't hesitate! Let's follow in Lord Illidan's footsteps together. In fact, I've long wanted to enter Outland, but I've been hampered by my own lack of strength."