A trip that you can take on a whim.
Arthas had long been disappointed with Lordaeron and had no lingering attachment to it. He took out the package he had prepared beforehand and left without hesitation.
Apart from the old mayor, no one in Deathknell knew Arthas's true identity.
Robbie didn't want to waste his time in Deathknell either. Robbie had an important mission to accomplish after crossing the Dark Portal twenty years ago, so he readily agreed to leave with Arthas.
Arthas obtained two fine horses from the mayor, and he and Robbie set off on their journey.
The old mayor saw him off for a while, and seeing the Prince's eager face and curiosity about the new world, the old mayor sighed softly, "Prince Highness, you'll have to come back and visit sometime."
"Haha, I'll never be back, Mayor. You'll soon hear of me, Arthas —oh, no, Roger the Adventurer—a legend renowned Azeroth Continent. If anyone asks you, don't ever tell them I used to sleep in a graveyard, haha, the King of Adventurers doesn't want anyone knowing such an embarrassing story."
The old mayor lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. His lips moved a few times, and finally he couldn't help but say:
"Prince Highness, do you know that with you here, Deathknell doesn't have to pay grain taxes? But what will happen to Deathknell now that you're gone? Where will we get enough grain to feed the Orcs? It's over, it's over, the end of Deathknell is coming."
Arthas's expression changed, and he quickly turned around. After a while, he put on a bright and cheerful smile again.
"Haha, old mayor, the hard times will always pass, the future is full of hope, never give up."
The old town mayor looked worried and hesitated for a long time before finally saying:
"Prince Highness, there is something I must say, or I will be uneasy. Ever since you arrived in Deathknell, the King has written to me every day, asking if you are eating well, if you are dressed warmly, if you are settling in properly, and if you are lacking anything. He forbids me from telling you. I also dare not tell the King that you are living in a tomb, only that you are doing well. Alas, the King does this to protect you."
"Stop talking." Arthas waved his hand sharply. He wasn't stupid at all; he had already guessed the reason.
"Let's go back, Mayor. I'm truly grateful that my father exiled me to Deathknell. My disappointment in him is another matter. It's getting late; we must be on our way."
Arthas forced a smile, bid farewell to the old mayor, and embarked on his journey without looking back.
The journey was slow; Arthas moved along at a leisurely pace, stopping and starting, ultimately unable to bear leaving his homeland.
Throughout the journey, Arthas remained silent, and Robbie, understanding the situation, also refrained from speaking.
As night fell, the two followed the road and arrived at Brill Town.
Looking at the hazy town in the distance, Arthas finally calmed down, looking relaxed, and winked as he said:
"Robbie, let me tell you a good place, the back alley of Brill, with a red sign hanging at the entrance. Hehe, it's a pretty good place, there are High Elf girls there, their figures and looks are simply amazing. I've heard that High Elf girls all possess unique skills and special techniques, I'll take you to see them tonight."
"It sounds like you're a regular there?" Robbie asked with a smile, slightly Robbie to see Arthas had returned to normal.
"Of course, I'm a real man."
Arthas's words lacked any confidence, and his gaze darted around; the young man hadn't yet learned to feign sincerity.
He aspired to become Paladin from a young age, was cautious in his words and deeds, and strictly adhered to the code of chivalry. His daily life consisted of nothing but training and studying. One can imagine that it must have been a rather dull and ascetic experience.
The two men led their horses into the Brill, but before they even entered the town, the two horses refused to move. They started circling on the ground, their eyes glowing red with fear, as if they had seen something terrifying.
I don't know what happened, but the town was unusually Anjing under the cover of night, utterly silent.
"This isn't right."
Arthas tied his horse to a stake at the town's entrance and drew his sword from his waist.
Robbie brought a lot of stuff with him on this journey, leaving no place to store the Cursed Torch; he only had a dagger for self-defense.
The streets were empty and Anjing, the narrow roads seemed superfluous, and each house was eerily silent, without a single light. The silence was unsettling.
Arthas carefully pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Everything in the house was there, and the items were arranged in an orderly manner, but no one was there.
They found another house, but no one was there. The two walked along the street, pushing open several doors, but couldn't see anyone.
Arthas grabbed Robbie's arm and stammered:
"I've heard of such things. A once bustling town vanishes overnight, leaving no one or anything, turning into a desolate ghost town. These kinds of paranormal events have become more and more frequent in the last two years. Some say that an Old Gods is hiding beneath Lordaeron, while others say it's the work of the Cult of the Damned. My God, my God, how could this happen?"
Arthas was clearly panicking, losing his composure, and his teeth were chattering.
Arthas, you're supposed to be a tough guy who dares to live in a tomb and keep company with female corpses, how come you're such a coward?
"Arthas, you are destined to be the King of Adventure." Robbie encouraged Arthas and himself. Fear can spread easily, and only by encouraging each other can they overcome difficulties.
"Yes, hahaha, I am the man destined to become the King of Adventure, how could I be defeated by such a small oddity?" Arthas laughed heartily, his chuunibyou spirit resurfacing, temporarily shattering his fear.
"I want to see what kind of strange being is at play. Forget about Old Gods, let's just fight them!"
Arthas kicked open a poor door, ran inside, and rummaged around for a while before emerging with a beautifully embroidered bodice in his hand, examining it intently.
"Everything strange has a clue." Arthas became serious, as if he had discovered something. "Robbie, do you see this undergarment?"
"Is there a clue here?" Influenced by Arthas, Robbie also became serious.
"When you see this bellyband, you should be able to make a connection."
Arthas's expression turned grave. He gestured to his chest, indicating two spherical shapes. "They're this big." He sniffed them again, frowning repeatedly. "The smell is pungent, it has body odor."
"See your ghostly clues."
This lighthearted banter dispelled their fear.
Arthas's suggestion prompted Robbie to begin searching for clues.
The streets were swept clean, and all traces were wiped away.
This was not merely the work of human hands; Robbie sensed the power of Elemental Magic, as the earth and wind smoothed everything over.
The two searched the entire town, but still found nothing.
As night fell, the two sat on the church steps to rest.
"I think we're overthinking it," Arthas laughed. "Perhaps it's some ancient ceremony or some major celebration that everyone's attending."
"Shh, listen, what's that sound?"
Robbie focused his attention and listened intently; it seemed as if a group of people were whispering in his ear, though he couldn't quite make it out.
"Arthas, did you hear me?"
Turning around, Robbie was almost stunned to see that Arthas's eyes were bleeding.
"I saw it, no, no."
Arthas suddenly stood up, staggered as he ran, tripped and fell, got up, and continued running relentlessly, as if something was drawing him forward.
Robbie gasped. The bizarre scene sent chills down his spine. Reason told Robbie he had to follow Arthas.
Not far from the town, there was an open field with compacted earth.
"This is it, this is the place."
Arthas, holding his sword in both hands, took a deep breath and plunged it into the ground.
"Holy Light Burst."
The soil exploded, creating a huge crater.
Layers of fresh white bones were exposed; everyone in the town was here.
Robbie was so frightened that he flopped down on the ground.
A deafening wail came from nearby.
"My miserable people."
Arthas knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.