Vol'jin's plan succeeded, and the Alliance's 50,000-strong army stormed into the Zul'Drak Empire.
Although Frost King Malakk controls thousands of Ice Elementals, these Ice Elementals are unfortunately unable to leave the ice lake region.
The shadow of war looms over the Zul'Drak Empire. Kites arrives with a heart full of vengeance, leading an army of 50,000 in a full-scale attack.
Having lost Drak'Tharon Keep, the Zul'Drak Empire had no natural defenses and was forced to fight the Alliance.
In their first encounter, Kites personally led the troops to the front lines, greatly boosting the morale of the Alliance. The Drakkari Trolls were no match for them and suffered heavy losses, with tens of thousands of Drakkari Trolls dying on the battlefield.
Faced with the invading Alliance Legion, the Loa chose to protect themselves and did not fight for the time being. Warlord Zol'Maz, together with many Priests, put pressure on Frost King Malakk.
Inside Zul'Drak's Royal Palace, the Warlord Zol'Maz declared emphatically:
"It's all Your Majesty's fault for acting so recklessly and wrongly declaring war on the Alliance, leading to the Alliance army's invasion and widespread suffering. I've said it before: surrendering to the Alliance is the only way out for the Empire."
The Drakkari Trolls, dwelling in the frigid lands, have long understood that survival is paramount; dignity and honor can be readily sacrificed for survival.
After Warlord Zol'Maz expressed his opinion, the Priests of the Zul'Drak Empire immediately seconded it, their faces flushed with anger and frustration, all condemning Frost King Malakk's unwise actions.
High Priest Tua'tua was the first to step forward, rudely pointing at the Frost King's face and angrily roaring:
"The Drakkari Frost Trolls survive in this chaotic world thanks to our resilience and forbearance. Temporary surrender brings lasting peace. A small price can be paid to avoid a devastating war. Yet, Your Majesty, you have been so foolish. As a great Loa Priest, I swore from a young age that I would never participate in a foolish and erroneous war."
Beside him, High Priest Havni bared his fangs, his expression one of utter disappointment, and shouted:
"What a foolish decision! Why did we declare war on the powerful Alliance? Your Majesty, you should prepare a dignified funeral for yourself. May your death quell the Alliance's anger. By the Loa, only your death can ensure the eternal existence of the Zul'Drak Empire. Your Majesty, your reckless actions will leave your soul forever restless."
The Priest of Quetz'lun, God of Wind Serpents, drew a sharp dagger, cut off three newly grown fingers from his left hand in front of the brazier, and threw them into the fire without hesitation, chanting incantations:
"Frost King Malakk, with these three fingers I curse your soul. Your folly will destroy the entire Zul'Drak Empire. As a Loa Priest, I will never be as foolish as you. You alone will bear the consequences; don't even think about getting the Loa to lift a finger."
Frost King Malakk had anticipated this. The Zul'Drak Empire was composed of multiple tribes, each protected by a Loa, who was the guarantee of the tribe's survival.
If faced with a survivable enemy like Furbolg, the tribes can temporarily set aside their infighting and at least outwardly cooperate.
But against an enemy like the Alliance, against whom there is no hope of victory, preserving strength is the wisest choice.
Even if the Zul'Drak Empire is destroyed, as long as the Loa live on, the tribe can continue to exist.
Frost King Malakk had anticipated this situation. He lightly tapped the armrest of his throne, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room, and coldly said:
"We can win without the help of the Loa. The Alliance's King is too young and impulsive, forgetting to unite with the Furbolg of Grizzly Hills. The Drakkari Frost Trolls have already conquered the snow-capped mountains and the frigid lands. Gentlemen, since you have no intention of being enemies with the Alliance, come with me into the mountains."
Frost King Malakk had long been aware of the gap in strength between himself and the Alliance, but he needed to suffer a crushing defeat before his people could accept the fact that they could not defeat the Alliance.
A somber atmosphere hung over the Zul'Drak Empire. The Drakkari Frost Trolls bid farewell to their homeland, carrying only a meager amount of food, and ventured into the Snowy Mountains.
The harsh, snowy mountains, even with the protection of the Loa, still claimed the lives of many weak Drakkari Trolls, but it was the only way to win.
Kites successfully entered the Zul'Drak Royal Palace. The Alliance army occupied the entire Zul'Drak Empire. Facing the Drakkari Trolls hiding in the snowy mountains, even Kites, who was leading troops for the first time, knew that he could not pursue them.
But Kites was unwilling to let the Drakkari Trolls go, and was caught in a dilemma, his brow furrowed with worry.
The wise man with the Peace Dove made up for the previous losses and became Kites' new advisor. One of the advisors suggested:
"King Majesty, the Great Snow Mountain is a forbidden zone for life. Although the Drakkari Trolls are more adaptable than humans, there are limits. Once they run out of food, they will starve to death in the snow mountain."
Kites frowned and said, "Are we just going to wait here like this?"
The aide smiled slightly and said:
"Your King, the Kingdom of Stormwind is vast and powerful. If we occupy the Zul'Drak Empire for just three months, the Drakkari Frost Trolls will all perish in the snowy mountains."
"Very good!"
Kites revealed a vicious expression. "Frost King Malakk dared to deceive me, I will make his entire clan pay with their lives."
Dragonblight, Mokia Harbor.
Garrosh wrapped his Tuskarr- skin coat tighter around himself. The sky was overcast, and another Blizzard was about to break.
But Garrosh was in high spirits, and a huge fleet of ships slowly approached from where the sky met the sea.
These are Orcs reinforcements from the Caverns of Time. The Caverns of Time were originally in Thrall's hands, but as Doras gradually gained control of the Horde's trade, Thrall's money dwindled, making it impossible to support the enormous military expenditures.
Ultimately, the Caverns of Time fell into the hands of Doras, who was in charge of the distribution of new Doras Orcs and logistical support. Garrosh, who had a close relationship with Doras, always managed to get the most and the best reinforcements.
The 30,000 Orcs reinforcements greatly boosted Garrosh's confidence. These 30,000 Orcs were not new recruits, but Veterans trained by the Blue Dragonflight who were ready to go into Battlefield immediately.
Garrosh stared in Zul'Drak's direction, his right hand lashing out fiercely, and he snarled:
"King of the Night Watch, I have captured you! Fifty thousand Alliance soldiers will become my provisions. All troops, heed my command! Target: Drak'Tharon Keep!"
The Alliance camp near Drak'Tharon Keep is garrisoned by approximately ten thousand soldiers.
News of Garrosh leading 30,000 Orcs to the Alliance camp in the dead of night quickly reached the Alliance camp and was delivered to Kites in the Zul'Drak Royal Palace as fast as possible, requesting a judgment.
Kites was stunned, his face filled with fear and anxiety. He asked his staff, "What should we do? Should we go back to defend immediately?"
One of the advisors shook his head and said, "Your King, no! If we return to defend, Frost King Malakk will surely lead his army out of the snowy mountains and ambush us from behind. At that time, with Garrosh blocking our way in front and the Drakkari Trolls pursuing us from behind, our army will be in danger."
"What should we do? Garrosh is clearly cutting off my escape route."
Kites was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. If their supply lines were cut off, their 50,000- Alliance army would starve to death in Zul'Drak.
Unfortunately, his wisdom and decisiveness were insufficient to handle the current situation, and he could only listen to the advice of his advisors.