Jaina gazed silently at Master Meryl.
Meryl's answer was both unexpected and expected.
A monster that has lived for three thousand years must have gone through countless trials and tribulations, generational changes, conspiracies and betrayals. If it weren't for the shrewdness of someone who is adept at navigating social situations and handling things smoothly, it would have been devoured long ago, leaving not even bones behind.
Azeroth has very low moral standards for its upper echelons; for figures like Medivh and Thrall, colluding with the Old Gods or the Burning Legion is hardly a big deal.
For ordinary civilians or soldiers, it would undoubtedly be a capital offense.
Meryl boasted, "The Sixth Old Gods trusts me greatly; I am his most reliable messenger. The Vessel is naturally prepared for the god."
Jaina took a deep breath and asked, "Who is the Sixth Old Gods?"
Meryl chuckled and replied bluntly, "Didn't Antonidas teach you manners? You should at least show some respect to a god."
Clearly, Master Meryl felt he had revealed enough and didn't want to continue. Jaina's face hardened, her brows furrowing with a strong sense of threat.
"Meryl, you should understand that the Titans of the Pantheon have fallen, and Azeroth is destined to be conquered by the Burning Legion. The Legion will divide this world with Elune, and all resistance will be crushed by this overwhelming force."
Meryl stared at Jaina with a cold smile, then suddenly his body trembled, unleashing a terrifying dark power. It was a mysterious power, and for a moment, Jaina felt as if she were in an endless Void, overwhelmed by endless loneliness and fear.
"The power of the Void!"
Jaina's voice was filled with fear. "So you've already sided with the Void."
Meryl chuckled, "The Sixth Old Gods is a direct disciple of the Void Lords; the other five are merely his servants. I received the Void's bounty because of my diligent service. Before the great Void Lords, the Burning Legion is nothing but a swarm of insects. Jaina, how can your Burning Legion contend against the endless power of the Void?"
Faced with such terrifying power, Jaina felt both fear and envy. Master Meryl's terrifying presence made her feel extremely uncomfortable, as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Then she heard Meryl ask again:
"Jaina, you are Antonidas's disciple. With your insight, you should understand what humanity's greatest need is."
Jaina thought for a moment, then forced out the answer through gritted teeth, "Live!"
Meryl nodded and said with great enthusiasm:
"Over the past three thousand years, I have witnessed countless influential figures who wielded immense power and enjoyed all the riches and honors of the world. Unfortunately, life is too short, and they were forced to turn into dust. Since they could live on forever as Undead like me, why didn't they choose my path?"
Jaina was stunned. The pursuit of immortality was the dream of all emperors, and there were examples of immortality right before their eyes. Why didn't those emperors follow this path?
Meryl chuckled coldly, "Because everyone who embarks on my path has been killed by me."
"What?"
Jaina was taken aback and stared at Meryl in disbelief.
Meryl said coldly, "Jaina, you're lucky to have come into contact with the world's most powerful forces at such a young age. Your future is limitless. But when your youth fades, you grow old, and your energy declines, if you wish to live forever, you must obtain my permission."
This is already a blatant threat.
Having received the gift of the Void, Meryl undoubtedly possesses the most powerful strength in the world. Jaina is not sure she can defeat him, and she probably won't be able to catch up in her entire life.
Jaina was terrified and only wanted to escape from here as soon as possible.
Meryl suddenly laughed, "Gods are not afraid of mortal curiosity. Before the gods, we are nothing but ants. Even if we knew the true face of the gods, what difference would it make? Jaina, don't you want to know the whereabouts of the Sixth Old Gods?"
This unexpected turn of events left Jaina stunned, staring at Meryl with a puzzled expression.
With deep reverence, Meryl said, "Many years ago, I accepted a mission to escort a child into the Kingdom of Lordaeron and personally deliver him to King Terenas."
"The Lich King Arthas, the Sixth Old Gods?" Jaina was secretly surprised.
Meryl chuckled:
"You underestimate a god. The Sixth Old Gods would never stand on the stage himself. The true god must be hiding behind the scenes, manipulating everything. Arthas is merely a pawn in his game. To cover his tracks, King Terenas entrusted the boy to a stable boy to raise."
Jaina suddenly recalled some past events. Back in Kul Tiras, she had heard rumors about the royal family of Lordaeron. It was said that Arthas, as a child, loved to play with the son of a stable boy, which made him a laughingstock in high society.
It's important to understand that in a strictly hierarchical human society, Prince must keep his distance from the stable boy's son. Even if Arthas was too young to understand, the adults wouldn't stand idly by.
If the groom's son is the Sixth Old Gods, then everything makes sense.
"Master Meryl."
Jaina's tone became much more respectful. "I would also like to inquire about the whereabouts of the Scythe of Elune's Scythe."
Meryl snorted coldly and replied:
"It's alright to tell you. The Scythe of Elune is currently kept in the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City. I deliberately handed Scythe of Elune over to Priest Revel Coster of the Church of the Holy Light."
Archbishop Benedictus harbored deep hatred for Jaina, Cathedral of Light was undoubtedly a forbidden zone. He never expected that the answer he had been searching for would be like this.
A deeply disappointed Jaina asked with a pained expression, "Why did you give the Scythe of Elune to the Cathedral of Light?"
Meryl replied with reverence, "It is all God's will."
Upon learning the truth, Jaina slumped helplessly into a chair. The defeat devastated her, and the exhaustion of the past few days overwhelmed her.
Meryl looked at the dejected Jaina and said expressionlessly:
"For the sake of my old friend Aegwynn, I'll teach you a method to resurrect that King. First, use Undead magic to Raise Dead his spirit and turn him into Undead. Then, use the power of the Old Gods to Corruption his body, transforming him into Faceless Ones. Faceless Ones are masters of disguise; they can even enter the Cathedral of Light to pray without any problem."
Jaina was overjoyed upon hearing this, as if she had come back to life. As expected of an old monster who had lived for three thousand years, she really knew how to do things.
Jaina thanked Meryl respectfully and left Winterstorm Academy with a smile.
After Jaina left, Meryl slumped into a chair. Undead don't sweat, but he could clearly feel that he was soaked in sweat. After experiencing extreme tension and excitement, Meryl suddenly relaxed and felt like he had survived a disaster.
Robbie emerged from behind the screen, clapping his hands and exclaiming, "Your performance was excellent!"
Jaina looked helpless and smiled wryly:
"Why drag me into this? It's unbelievable! If I don't answer according to the script you prepared, Jaina will tear me to pieces."
If anyone in Azeroth could fool Jaina, Meryl is one of the few. Of course, Robbie's covert cooperation is also crucial; otherwise, the fear of the Void's power could not be created.
When Robbie entered Winterstorm Academy and explained his purpose to Meryl knew he had no choice. Jaina was not an easy person to talk to, and Meryl could not prove his innocence.
"At least you've risen another level in Jaina's eyes; she's filled with awe for you. This is a win-win situation for us," Robbie said with a smile.