When it came to actually waging war, Kites realized that war was no child's play, but one of the most troublesome things in the world.
Stormwind City's treasury is not abundant; the wealth that the Black Dragon Princess has painstakingly accumulated is only sufficient for defense, not offense.
The expedition to Northrend requires a massive Legion, which necessitates a large number of Troop Transport Ship, a vast amount of logistical support, and sufficient naval power to maintain an incredibly long supply line.
The Quartermaster produced a detailed list, Kites saw countless dazzling numbers.
Even with the current strength of the Kingdom of Stormwind, twenty years wouldn't be enough.
The Kingdom of Stormwind is unable to afford the Northern Expedition War. The Night Elf race have made it clear that they will not participate in the Northern Expedition. The Draenei are afraid of the Orcs and will only stand by and watch, at most sending a few adventurers to make up the numbers.
Even with the combined efforts of the Dwarves and Gnomes, preparations were far from sufficient.
Kites then understood why the Orcs, before setting foot on Northrend, had ordered the Argent Crusade to slaughter the Tuskarrs and then evade the Scourge to plunder extensively.
Unfortunately, Kites was ambitious and determined to become a great ruler for all time. He disdained the barbaric and cruel nature of the Horde, which only knew how to kill and plunder.
At the war expansion conference at Stormwind Keep, faced with a series of difficult questions posed by the marshals and generals, Kites couldn't solve a single one, only resorting to futile shouting and yelling:
"The Lich King Arthas plots to destroy the world. As members of the Alliance, we must contribute our strength, no matter the cost. The Alliance must participate in this war."
Kites glanced at the silent Duke Bolvar beside him, a plan forming in his mind. He decided to make an example of the Grand Duke as a warning to others. With a stern look, he gave the order:
"Duke Bolvar, as the Grand Duke of Stormwind City and former Regent, I expect you to set a good example. I will assign you the most elite Stormwind City Royal Guards. I hope you will achieve great things in Northrend and not tarnish the Alliance's reputation, lest the Horde look down on you."
The marshals and generals present sighed inwardly. This represented His King's expulsion of Duke Bolvar. The Stormwind City Royal Guards was indeed an elite force, but they were also Bolvar's trusted confidants.
Clearly, King Majesty the King wants to build his own inner circle, and before that, he must uproot the Duke's power. The northern expedition is the best pretext.
Duke Bolvar remained silent, only nodding.
Kites' eyes flashed with a fierce light as he asked resolutely, "I expect the Duke's Legion to set sail within three days. Is that alright?"
The Quartermaster standing to the side hesitated, unable to utter a word under the King's piercing gaze.
Three days is simply not enough time to bring in enough supplies. This means that the Duke's Legion will be unable to travel without logistical support and will starve to death at sea if they don't reach Northrend.
Duke Bolvar remained expressionless and responded with silence.
Kites chuckled darkly, "Since that's the case, it's settled then, Duke. When you return victorious, I will certainly throw a grand welcome party for you. It will undoubtedly be a great victory."
Three days later, Stormwind City's port was bustling with activity as the Stormwind City Royal Guards, led by Duke Bolvar, set off to board ships bound for Northrend.
Before their departure, the Royal Guard's fine weapons and armor were left behind at Stormwind Keep, leaving them almost empty-handed. Duke Bolvar sold all his possessions to purchase armor and weapons, but it was still a drop in the ocean.
Besides weapons and armor, warm clothing is also needed.
The Quartermaster was extremely busy, but unfortunately the time given by the King was too short, and some people were secretly sabotaging him, trying to kill the duke. Less than one-tenth of the cotton-padded clothes were prepared.
As for logistical supplies and war materials, there was no trace of them. Each soldier only carried three days' worth of rations, and they had to overcome the remaining difficulties on their own.
Looking around, Stormwind City Harbor was filled with ships of all sizes. Only the Duke's flagship was an old Troop Transport Ship; the rest were fishing boats.
Such ships simply cannot withstand the turbulence of long-distance ocean voyages and would probably break apart before even reaching Northrend.
Duke Bolvar gazed at the soldiers in the harbor, dressed only in light clothing, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of panic. The Quartermaster, ashamed to the point of wanting to commit suicide, kept apologizing to the Duke.
The Duke simply smiled knowingly, then glanced back at Stormwind City one last time:
"Don't feel bad about it. I'm just a humiliated deserter. I've done my best in the face of the situation in Stormwind City, but unfortunately, things didn't go as planned."
Everyone knew that the Duke was destined to never return. Apart from the Quartermaster, none of the officials, big or small, from Stormwind City appeared. Only Archbishop Benedictus came out to see him off.
Benedictus and the Duke locked eyes, and Benedictus simply said, "May the Holy Light bless the Kingdom of Stormwind, and may it bless your Legions."
With Benedictus's blessing and under the watchful eyes of a large crowd, the royal guards tearfully bid farewell to their loved ones and embarked on an unknown journey.
On a watchtower near the port, Kites held up his binoculars and watched as the Fordragon Legion disappeared on the horizon, a heavy weight lifted from his heart.
Without the Duke Bolvar's constraints, he was a true King, free to do as he pleased.
Suddenly, Kites felt dizzy, his chest heaved with blood and qi, he felt extremely irritable, his throat tightened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The Captain of the Guards quickly helped Kites up and asked, "Your King, what's wrong?"
He then loudly ordered the guards beside him, "What are you waiting for? Quickly call the Priest!"
Kites waved his hand, indicating that nothing was wrong, his face terribly grim.
A force had left him forever, and his strength had decreased by at least a quarter; this could be considered a warning from the Goldrinn.
But Kites didn't regret it; freedom was more precious than anything else.
News of Duke Bolvar's Legion's departure quickly reached Orgrimmar.
Inside the chieftain's tent, Thrall was entertaining Jaina. The main course was a Red Whelp, served with delicious Red Dragon. The dish was prepared using special cooking techniques, and it emitted a captivating aroma.
The delicious Red Dragon meat melts in your mouth, perfectly preserving its magic.
Thrall personally poured Jaina a glass of fine wine, grinning as he said, "Jaina, Duke Bolvar's royal guards are on their way. What do you think about that?"
Jaina parted her lips slightly, tasted a Red Dragon rib meat, took a sip of wine, carefully wiped the grease from her lips with a handkerchief, and whispered:
"The Horde needs the Alliance to send troops to fight the Scourge, but definitely not the Fordragon Legion. We all know that Duke Bolvar has long been in league with the Scourge."
Thrall chuckled and said, "That's what I meant too. I wanted to send the navy to intercept the Fordragon Legion, but unfortunately, it's a sensitive time, Horde shouldn't make a move. The Bolvar Legion is all in fishing boats; a single Blizzard will wipe them out."
Jaina shook her head and smiled softly:
"Bolvar's Legion will undoubtedly be accompanied by several Court Mages. If I were to intervene, I would inevitably leave some alive, giving others ammunition to criticize me. I've heard that Loa of Kings Rezan of the Zandalari Empire, is incredibly powerful, and the seas are his home turf. Perhaps it would be better to ask King Rastakhan to take action."
Thrall lowered his head and thought for a moment, then picked up a piece of Red Dragon meat and threw it into his mouth, chewing it bone and all. "Good, good, this is a rare delicacy. Rastakhan is an Imp; he would never dare to disobey my will."