The image on the crystal changed to Erigor. He stopped joking and said seriously, "Based on our reconnaissance today, there are many guards when the Dwarves open the gate to let people in, and several patrols of the Black Iron City Guard will also gather nearby to provide reinforcements. Even if we launch a surprise attack, our small force will have no chance. There is only one passage leading to the Black Furnace Shaft Gate, and there are two thick iron gates in between. If there is an alarm, the iron gates will close, and we will be trapped inside."
"As long as the well door is open, I can fly out on my own. You don't need to attack the Shaft Gate Hall; just keep the passageway clear," Unas suggested.
"Can you handle all the Dwarves in the hall by yourself? There are many Dark Iron Mages among the guards; they should all be spellcasters specializing in control spells. I know you can cast Divine Shield, but if it gets broken, your chances of breaking through are still very slim."
Unas recalled Invincible had been broken by the Flamewaker Priest's enchantment not long ago, and his thoughts were indeed somewhat unstable. He could only ask, "So what exactly is your plan?"
"First of all, I agree with your point of view. We must keep the passageway clear and prevent it from being locked up and trapped. We can't do that by force, so we can only try to get the keys to those two iron gates. Ye Nightmoon and her companions should be able to help us with that."
"Partner? What partner of hers?"
"Two Night Elves suddenly visited the Canyon a couple of days ago, a male Druid and a female Warrior, just like Oakleaf and Nightmoon's setup. Isn't that a coincidence?"
It seems Oakleaf's summons has indeed begun to take effect; several pairs of Night Elf investigators scattered throughout Lordaeron are converging on Venomspider Gorge. "This is no coincidence; more will come in the future. I'll explain why after I leave."
"That's wonderful, I hope they arrive soon," Erigor said without pressing for details. "The new female Warrior is even more skilled than Nightmoon. Having more like her would be a huge help to us."
"They have the ability to get the key to the tunnel's iron gate, so why don't they just steal the key to the well gate? If they succeed, they won't have to wait for the Dwarves to open the door; they can come to rescue me whenever the defenses are lax."
"No, opening the well requires inserting four different keys simultaneously, and each key is carried by a different Dwarf. Collecting all four keys without being detected is too difficult and too risky. We don't intend to do that."
"Alright, I don't know the situation outside, so I won't interfere with your plans. But you have to understand, rescuing me is inherently a high-risk endeavor. How will we know if we don't try?" Unas encouraged them, fearing they might hesitate. "Even if we fail, as long as you all escape unscathed, it's alright. I can escape on my own someday."
This is no exaggeration. As long as he keeps fighting and winning, and levels up twenty or thirty times in the Black Furnace, Unas is confident that he can fight his way out on his own, although that will take a long time.
"I'll discuss the key issue with everyone again," Erigor said after thinking for a moment. "If we can get the tools to make keys, we can copy the stolen keys and return them immediately. It's not impossible to collect all four keys to the well door."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"The second is to distract the patrols," Erigor continued, explaining the plan. "We'll create disturbances elsewhere in the city to draw the attention of the Dwarf city guards, but the specifics of how to do it haven't been decided yet."
It seems their plans only exist on paper. After all, slow and steady wins the race. Unas didn't press too hard. "I'm doing well in the Black Furnace. I just won a great victory. You don't need to rush. Take your time to discuss things. Remember, always leave yourselves a foolproof escape route."
Unas briefly recounted his experiences, from his battle with the Flamewaker Chieftain to the present, to Erigor, and finally asked, "I heard from Gelasi that Firekiss has been found. How's the progress?"
Erigor praised him briefly before replying, "It didn't go smoothly. The Dwarf obtained the Firekiss is a big arms dealer; he's not short of money at all. We can't buy it back; we'll have to use other methods."
"That's not urgent. As long as we know where the sword is, we can get it back someday. There's another matter I need you to investigate first—who exactly pulled me out of the lava river and sold me to Blackbeard? Were there any intermediaries involved, and who were they? This information is exactly what I need."
What do you need to know this for?
"My jet-black Ring is a token of the Gordon Family, and I must retrieve it. It's as important as the Firekiss, but it's inconspicuous; anyone who has handled my things could have taken it," Unas, not revealing the Fire Ring's secret. "Even if I escape from the Black Furnace, I won't leave here without getting the sword and the Ring back."
"I understand, I'll do my best to help you investigate," Erigor said. "The Communication Crystal's energy is limited, so let's end the call here for today. Be patient and wait a few days; the next time we contact you will be when we're ready."
"Okay, I'll wait for your good news."
The image vanished instantly, perhaps due to excessive energy consumption. The crystal's color also faded considerably. Just as Unas was about to pack up and go back, he suddenly heard a splash beneath his feet. Instantly, a powerful force grabbed his ankle and dragged him downwards, pulling him directly into the water before he could react.
He choked on a mouthful of water, Unas's mind went blank with panic. Then, his hand went empty; the Communication Crystal had been snatched away!
Fortunately, the water at the edge of the pool only reached his upper arm. Unas splashed around a few times and stood still in the water. Looking around, apart from the hazy steam, the pool was calm, and the person who attacked him had vanished without a trace.
He quickly climbed ashore and calmed down to think it over. This person might have overheard his conversation with Erigor and learned some information about his escape plan, but stealing the crystal was useless; Erigor wouldn't talk to a stranger.
"Brother, we can talk about what you want. Taking a stone won't do you any good," Unas shouted into the pool.
Suddenly, a spray of water rose from the center of the hot spring pool, and a green head with a ponytail emerged from the water. At the same time, a rough, hoarse female voice rang out. "I am not your brother, you black-haired, black-eyed human."
Unexpectedly, it was a female Orcs. Unas instantly pulled out a javelin and hurled it at her with all his might. The javelin made a piercing sound as it scraped against the air, and it reached its target point in the blink of an eye, but there was no one there. The javelin plunged into the water at high speed without splashing a single ripple.
Unas was dumbfounded; this female Orcs was incredibly agile!
"Sorry, my hand slipped," he could only whine, like a big bad wolf deceiving a little rabbit, "Orcs girl, come out quickly, I promise I won't attack you again."
He spread his five fingers and raised his hands to show his innocence, but after waiting for a long time, there was still no response; the female Orcs seemed to have been frightened away.