"Since King Varian so disregards his people, the losses of Ironforge will be repaid by the House Wrynn."
Magni Bronzebeard secretly resolved that if Varian were to regain the throne and Kingdom of Stormwind were to join the Horde, the Orcs would devour them within five years.
Rather than let the Orcs benefit, Bronzebeard also wanted a share of the spoils.
Looking at Tirion Fordring beside him, Bronzebeard saw that Tirion Fordring on horseback exuded an aura of righteousness, Bronzebeard guessed that this cunning fellow harbored the same purpose.
The three headed straight for Stormwind Keep, King Varian's residence.
Varian no longer trusts the Royal Guard and has his safety protected by the Stormwind City Guard, with High Commander Marcus Jonathan personally guarding him.
The situation was critical, Varian was in a very bad mood, pacing back and forth in the room.
Upon seeing Jaina and her companions enter, Varian's worry turned to joy. "Jaina, it's so good that you've come. That lowly Night Watch has already entered Stormwind City."
After everyone had met and taken their seats, Varian dismissed his guards and servants, and said with concern, "I haven't slept well for days since I sent the letter to the Savior Thrall. Seeing these three distinguished guests arrive has finally put my mind at ease."
Jaina first cast Magic Barrier in the room, then asked solemnly, "Varian, are you really ready to let Kingdom of Stormwind join the Horde?"
Varian had not forgotten how Jaina had betrayed him in the Vulgol Ogre Mound, and how she had watched helplessly as he was torn to pieces and eaten by the Orcs.
However, royal families do not hold grudges forever. Varian knew that he could only rely on Jaina for the time being, and solemnly stated:
"That's right, everything I did was to save Azeroth. Now, the Lich King Arthas is the greatest enemy. The only way out for the Alliance and the Horde is to put aside their prejudices and join hands to fight the Scourge. I was just setting an example."
Well said.
Tirion Fordring, with an air of righteousness, proclaimed loudly:
"In the Light's Hope Chapel, I clashed directly with the Lich King Arthas. Using the Holy Light, I glimpsed the Evil within him. I saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood, Azeroth devastated, all life destroyed, leaving only the Scourge ravaging the land."
After saying this, Tirion Fordring managed to squeeze out a few tears, his face filled with sorrow.
King Bronzebeard, Jaina, Varian all wore sorrowful expressions.
"To save the Azeroth, I have decided to abandon this body and embark on a campaign to Northrend to defeat the Scourge." Tirion Fordring waved his arm forcefully.
"I swear on my remaining lifespan that I will never leave Northrend until the Scourge is eradicated."
"Very well," King Varian praised. "As expected of Veteran of the Order of the Silver Hand, Symbol of the Holy Light, Tirion Fordring, you have earned my respect."
Tirion Fordring smiled slightly, "King Majesty, for the expedition to Northrend, I need some support from the Kingdom of Stormwind." He then handed over a list.
The list included a range of military supplies, including weapons and armor, provisions and supplies, siege equipment, Magic Scrolls, and more. Tirion Fordring alone requested five thousand Steam Tanks.
Varian frowned deeply after reading it. This list was enough to arm an army of 500,000, more than the entire Alliance had.
Tirion Fordring coldly scrutinized King Varian: "If there are difficulties, payments can be made in installments, but the full amount must be paid within five years. Gold coins, jewels, beautiful women, etc., can be used as payment."
Varian pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said boldly, "No problem. For the sake of Azeroth, this is the price that must be paid."
Bronzebeard glanced at the list, his confidence growing even stronger. Varian was willing to do anything to reclaim the throne. He chuckled coldly.
"Ironforge and Stormwind City were once close allies. Long ago, the Humans formed an alliance with the humans. If Stormwind City were to join the Horde, Ironforge would inevitably suffer losses. We Dwarves have pride and cannot get along with those Orcs."
What does "Bronzebeard" mean?
Jaina looked puzzled, and Tirion Fordring was equally perplexed. Varian, knowing he had to win over King Bronzebeard, quickly explained, "The Orcs are the Saviors of Azeroth."
Bronzebeard squinted and scoffed, "Of the Seven Kingdoms, apart from Kul Tiras, all including Lordaeron have been occupied by Orcs. Our Ironforge has never been conquered by Orcs. I've never understood what makes humans qualified to be the leaders of the Alliance?"
Faced with Bronzebeard's sarcasm, Varian didn't know how to defend himself, so he asked directly:
"Bronzebeard, what do you want?"
Magni Bronzebeard glanced at Tirion Fordring and said loudly:
"I am not like this hypocritical fraudster. I don't want a single blade of grass or tree in Kingdom of Stormwind; I only want a small share of the House Wrynn's shares."
"Shares?"
Jaina and Tirion Fordring were both baffled. Varian shook his head and chuckled to himself:
"In the years I was away, the Black Dragon Princess Pain Suppression the House Wrynn, causing them to lose most of their assets. They simply don't have much money left, let alone any shares."
Bronzebeard smiled slightly:
"What I want is the House Wrynn's stake in the Venture Company."
Varian's face was deathly pale, and after a long while, he finally managed to say, "How did you know?"
In the Azeroth, Venture Company are Evil organizations driven solely by profit. Despite being Pain Suppression by both the Alliance and the Horde, they are as resilient as mantises.
No one would believe that this organization has no backing.
Bronzebeard chuckled coldly, "I know more than just that. Besides this investment, the House Wrynn's businesses span every industry in Azeroth. The reason you're willing to go to any lengths to regain the throne is to use your royal power to reclaim these shares."
Such a huge Wealth would never be recognized by Venture Company without the support of the royal power. Jaina was taken aback when she heard this, and realized that she had been underestimating Varian all along.
Varian closed his eyes and said dejectedly, "Bronzebeard, you know too much. This is not good for you. Do you know how much of a stake you have in the Venture Company? That's equivalent to fifty years of Kingdom of Stormwind's tax revenue, or the wealth accumulated by our House Wrynn for generations."
"If you weren't the King, you wouldn't get a single copper coin back," Bronzebeard said coldly.
"Fine, fine, take it," Varian roared in exasperation.
Unbeknownst to those present, Jaina's Magic Barrier had failed, and their conversation had been overheard.
Benedictus nodded to the black-robed mage beside him:
"Archmage Arugal, thank you for your hard work."
Arugal explained kindly, "Jaina wields elemental magic, which differs from my spells. Her Magic Barriers cannot affect me. It is my honor to serve Stormwind City before I retire from the world."
Afterwards, Arugal left the room, Benedictus looked at Duke Bolvar: "Were you aware of this investment?"
Duke Bolvar shook his head and said, "All I know is that the kingdom has a huge amount of tax revenue that goes missing every year. I once asked Varian about it, and he said it was used to exterminate the Orcs."