Benedictus simply smiled and said, "That's not surprising. All royal families have their own selfish motives. Even Bronzebeard himself isn't clean. The treasures acquired by the Explorers' League have all become the private property of the Bronzebeard Clan. It's said that there are several Titans Relics of inestimable value."
Duke Bolvar said with a hint of sadness, "If Varian returns to the throne, Stormwind City's treasury will be emptied, its people will be devoured by the Orcs, and even the House Wrynn will suffer heavy losses. He has disappointed me greatly. Why didn't he trust me? Why did he have to cooperate with Thrall, the beast?"
Benedictus waved his hand and said, "Varian distrusts you the most. After all, Thrall can't become the King of Stormwind City, and you are fully capable of taking his place."
Duke Bolvar sighed deeply, "It seems we must unite to stop Varian from regaining the throne, for the sake of our Kingdom of Stormwind."
Benedictus nodded. "This is a serious matter; some rules don't need to be followed."
After reaching an agreement with Tirion Fordring Bronzebeard, Varian finally had the confidence to launch an attack.
High Commander Marcus Jonathan led the City Guard's elite garrison, escorting King Varian into Stormwind Keep.
Duke Bolvar responded immediately, with the Royal Guards protecting the Night Watch Kites, and entering Stormwind Keep at the same time.
The two sides finally broke off all pretense and met in the Throne Room. Varian stood on the left side of the throne, while Kites, not to be outdone, stood on the right side.
The two figures at the center represent the highest symbol of power in Stormwind City. Whoever sits on the throne is the undisputed King of Stormwind City, while the loser will face utter destruction.
The two sides appeared to be at loggerheads, with tensions running high, but Varian knew that, according to tradition, this was a negotiation.
There are rules among human nobles. For example, the struggle for royal power requires phased negotiations. Only if the negotiations fail will a time be agreed upon to resolve the issue through war.
"Kites, go back to your Night Watch," Jaina said first.
Kites remained silent, only offering a cold laugh.
Bolvar had analyzed the pros and cons for him. Compared to his understanding of the royal family, his familiarity with the etiquette and customs among the nobility, his hypocritical promises to the people, and even his eloquent but empty talk, Kites was completely at a disadvantage.
His only advantage is his strength.
If negotiations truly proceed, Kites will inevitably suffer a crushing defeat.
These past few days, Bolvar and Benedictus have been urging him day and night to master the power of the Goldrinn within him as much as possible.
Jaina enlisted the help of Tirion Fordring and Bronzebeard, and all she needed was a fair negotiation to resolve the issue using the rules of the nobility.
It must be said that Jaina was far too inexperienced in handling this matter.
Kites said coldly, "Jaina, you betrayed your teacher Antonidas, causing Dalaran be destroyed by the Orcs. You betrayed your own father, causing the Kul Tiras fleet to perish. You are a traitor to humanity and an accomplice of the Orcs. You have no right to appear in Stormwind City."
Having said that, Kites drew the blade from his back, leaped high into the air, and set his sights on Varian.
Varian was shocked; this was completely different from what he had expected. Otherwise, why would the King be willing to stand at the very front?
Who would have thought that Kites would do things completely unpredictably?
Marcus Jonathan was also stunned. In fact, he came to support the team, not to fight to the death. The stakes Jaina offered were not high enough for him to risk his life for.
When Kites made his move, Marcus hesitated for a moment, but had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it. He seemed to be using all his strength, but in reality, he was holding back three points to prepare for a retreat.
Marcus successfully blocked King Varian's path. Kites's sword struck the shield with a loud bang, shattering the shield into countless fragments.
Jaina reacted swiftly, casting Ice Barrier on Varian to protect him from the shards, while simultaneously using Mage Hand to pull Varian back into the protection of the City Guard.
Marcus, a seasoned veteran, immediately realized that the person before him was far stronger than he thought, and that he would surely die if the fight dragged on. He quickly retreated.
On the surface, Marcus appeared to be knocked away by Kites with a single blow, his face a bloody mess, lying on the ground, his life hanging in the balance. But in reality, he had already dissipated most of his power, and the injuries he suffered were only superficial. He was just pretending to be unconscious and lying on the ground, unable to get up.
Kites repelled his enemy with a single move, but relentlessly pursued him, pointing his sword at Jaina, who was closest to him.
Jaina was terrified. Although she was a top-tier Archmage, she was completely clueless about close combat. Instinctively, she used Blink to escape and retreated into the City Guard.
Kites took a deep breath and shouted:
"Brave soldiers of Stormwind City? Your King has returned. Do you want a great King who Charges ahead, or an incompetent Imp who needs your protection?"
Kites's words sparked whispers among the City Guard.
In this era, the word "noble" carried a heavy weight, implying that Charge must be at the forefront of battle and use force to protect one's people.
Only in this way can one be entitled to receive the people's taxes.
Although the noble character has long been distorted due to extravagance and debauchery, the noble spirit still lives on and is rooted in the hearts of the people.
With just this one sentence, the City Guard plummeted, and their gazes toward Varian were filled with deep contempt.
"By the Holy Light, what do I see? You actually believe a liar!"
Tirion Fordring, emboldened by his victory over the Lich King at Light's Hope Chapel, strode out, Ashbringer in his hands, and proclaimed:
"I am Tirion Fordring, citizens of Stormwind City, guided by the great Holy Light, the Holy Light tells me..."
Bolvar had warned Kites in advance that Tirion Fordring's persuasiveness was too strong and he shouldn't be allowed to continue. Kites, however, went all out and swung his sword with all his might.
Kites was just a lowly Night Watch and knew nothing of the truth about Light's Hope Chapel. He would never have dared to lay a hand on Tirion Fordring, who had defeated the Lich King, unless he was driven to the brink.
"You mere Night Watch dare to challenge the great Holy Light! Holy Light, grant me strength to defeat the Evil before me!"
Bang!
Kites' sword clashed with Ashbringer Tirion Fordring backward like a meteor. His back slammed heavily against a stone pillar, and he slid to the ground like a lump of mud, the golden light surrounding Tirion Fordring gradually fading.
The City Guard were stunned. They had thought that Tirion Fordring was a being who surpassed the Lich King and was second only to the Invincible Saurfang the Great in the world. They never expected him to be so easily defeated.
"The Tirion Fordring in front of us must be an imposter." Many of the City Guard came to this conclusion.
Kites was also somewhat surprised, staring blankly at the sword in his hand. Ashbringer was indeed a divine weapon, leaving a nick in Kites's sword, but that was all.
Tirion Fordring's performance was unexpectedly poor, which boosted his confidence considerably.
"Haha, how interesting! Night Watch, you've piqued my interest."
Kites' power ignited Bronzebeard's fighting spirit. Bronzebeard's body was surrounded by Lightning, and he held Stormhammer in his hand, ready to fight Kites.
Just then, a majestic voice rang out, and Bolvar, sword and shield in hand, stood before Bronzebeard:
"King Magni Bronzebeard, this is Stormwind City. What, is Ironforge going to war with Stormwind City?"
Bolvar knew that Bronzebeard powerful and possessed the Storm Power, while Kites, although blessed by the Goldrinn, lacked combat experience and would inevitably suffer losses in a prolonged battle.
Bronzebeard blinked. He wasn't afraid of Duke Bolvar; it was just that Bolvar was a shield-wielding Paladin, and a fight between the two would be difficult to determine a winner in a short time, which would be quite boring.
"Jaina, this isn't what you said," Bronzebeard turned and questioned.