The cold, desolate Borean Tundra and the endless ice plains made it difficult for humans to survive. Despite rumors and unrest, most people still chose to follow the crowd.
After all, humans are social creatures, and especially in such harsh natural environments, only by sticking together for warmth can they survive.
Finally, after a full day of forced marching without any food, the City Guard, who had not received much training, were all exhausted, dizzy, and many of them persevered only by sheer willpower.
When the King announced that they could rest, the soldiers lay down on the snow without hesitation. They were starving, extremely exhausted, and their muscles ached so badly that they didn't want to get up anymore.
However, when a large group of Orcs appeared, everyone's expression changed.
The Orcs looked quite exhausted, but they had clearly eaten enough and still had the strength. Their eyes, as they looked at the human soldiers, were filled with greed and hunger.
"Look, our military rations have come running to us."
Eitrigg, the Orcs whom Tirion Fordring called noble, grinned cruelly as he looked at the large group of exhausted human soldiers.
Vol'jin looked at Kites and said smugly:
"King Majesty, you are very punctual. Garrosh's Legion is just behind us, less than half a day's journey away. We must hurry and process this batch of food as quickly as possible. Thank you, you have made an outstanding contribution to eliminating the Scourge."
"Processed food?" Kites asked curiously.
Tirion Fordring emerged from behind; the leader of the Argent Crusade was naturally present on such an occasion. Tirion Fordring respectfully and explained, "King Majesty, the so-called processing involves skinning, bone -Eviscerate, and butchering. We, the Argent Crusade, are most skilled at this; leave it to us."
Soon, the 20,000 human soldiers realized something was wrong.
The Orcs first forcibly confiscated their weapons and armor, then forced them to take off their clothes, leaving them naked and shivering in the cold wind.
As the large Orcs surrounded them, Tirion Fordring and his Argent Crusade prepared various machetes and other tools. Even the most oblivious soldier knew what was about to happen.
Unfortunately, they were exhausted and hungry, with no strength left, and couldn't even make a sound when they cried out.
Tirion Fordring felt it necessary to boost morale to ensure the meat's delicious flavor, so he stepped onto the high platform made of Frost and delivered a speech:
"Soldiers of Stormwind City, I am Tirion Fordring, leader of the Argent Crusade, the embodiment of the Holy Light. The Scourge is wreaking havoc, plotting to destroy the Azeroth. The Orcs bravely fight against the Scourge to save Azeroth, and you are nothing but a bunch of useless, worthless humans, your only value being to provide flesh and blood for the Orcs. To be eaten by the Orcs is a great honor indeed. Do not resist. I hope you will line up in orderly ranks and Consecration your flesh and blood to the Orcs, for the sake of Azeroth."
The soldiers were stunned and furious, almost to the point of vomiting blood. They never expected that the legendary noble Tirion Fordring would say such a thing. The immense sense of loss caused panic among the soldiers, but they were too weak to resist and could only be slaughtered at their mercy.
Vol'jin patted Tirion Fordring's shoulder hard, grinning, "Tirion Fordring, you truly deserve to be called the greatest Paladin, the embodiment of the Holy Light. This way, their meat will definitely taste delicious."
Tirion Fordring said modestly, "It's what I should do."
Jaina turned to look at Kites, whose King showed a hint of pity. Jaina said calmly, "You should be grateful, Your King. It is precisely because you are King that you have the right to choose your own Destiny. If you were still Night Watch, one of those soldiers below would be you."
Kites bit his lip and said in a deep voice, "I am Varian, but I am also Lo'gosh."
Jaina smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, no, Varian is much more pure and thorough than you. He recognized his Destiny long ago, so he willingly sold Kingdom of Stormwind to the Orcs, while you were making futile resistance and were forced to submit. No one can save Kingdom of Stormwind."
Before the words were finished, a sigh was heard.
The soft, clear sigh echoed in everyone's ears, as if spoken beside them. After the sigh ended, a deep and authoritative voice rang out:
"Citizens of Stormwind City, your King has betrayed you. Your choice is yours: live or die. Either be slaughtered like livestock, or become part of the Scourge and seek revenge against your enemies."
"Kel'Thuzad, that is the Lamenting Necropolis of the City of the Dead."
Jaina's voice was icy cold as she conjured a spell, ready to teleport away at any moment.
A massive Necropolis floated above the procession, followed by a deluge of food raining down like a shower. It was all delicious roasted meat, cheese, and the like, emitting an enticing aroma. However, a faint green aura enveloped it, undoubtedly Plague.
"It's the Scourge! Oh no, retreat now!"
Vol'jin and Eitrigg were taken aback and hurriedly gathered their troops, retreating to the rear. Tirion Fordring, seeing this, knew something was wrong and also led the Argent Crusade to retreat. Seeing that the Necropolis was not pursuing them, they hid in the distance and watched from afar.
To be or not to be, that is the easy choice.
The City Guard soldiers, in particular, were a bunch of shameless opportunists with no sense of patriotism. They picked up the delicious food and ate it without hesitation.
Once someone took the lead, the soldiers followed suit without hesitation, grabbing food and chewing heartily. As the delicious food entered their stomachs, a strange power surged forth.
Hunger, cold, exhaustion, injury—all the pain vanished, and limbs were filled with strength. In fact, the Scourge's Plague had been modified, and after consuming Plague food, there was no outward change.
But at the same time, it also means losing a lot, such as the enjoyment of delicious food and the love of women.
The Orcs and the Argent Crusade fled hastily, leaving behind a large amount of equipment in their camp. This new Scourge soldier picked up the armor and weapons, fully armed himself, and guided by a powerful will, he marched in neat ranks up the Necropolis.
Only after the Necropolis disappeared did Jaina breathe a sigh of relief.
Kites finally understood. Duke Bolvar was right. The Orcs weren't there to fight the Scourge at all. A Necropolis was enough to scare them into fleeing for their lives.
The price paid was simply too high.
Eitrigg looked disappointed and said helplessly, "We've worked for nothing."
Vol'jin stroked his fangs and chuckled, "It wasn't a complete loss. The King of Stormwind City is now in our hands, which will provide us with a steady stream of military provisions."
The Lamenting Necropolis quickly reached Garrosh's ears.
Garrosh frowned deeply, asking unwillingly, "So, our military rations have all turned into inedible Scourge soldiers?"
The Dalaran Mages carefully maintained his distance and said respectfully, "General, King Varian and his Royal Guards, as well as some nobles, are still alive, in Vol'jin's army."
Garrosh pondered for a long time, then roared furiously, "The King of Stormwind City must not fall into Thrall's hands! Issue the order: full speed ahead!"