"You brat, don't say such unlucky things," Erigor laughed and scolded. "You're a busy man, so we won't bother you any longer. We'll be going now."
As Unas watched Erigor and Darian jump into the lava pool one after the other, a deep unease welled up inside Unas.
These two people who stayed behind to rescue him were among the few loyal and devoted friends he had made after transmigrating. It was truly worrying to let them fight alongside that treacherous demon, Balnazzar, without knowing anything about it.
Since only one person could pass through this Spatial Rift every two minutes or so, Angela was still waiting. Unas hurriedly said to the female mage, "Angela, cast a barrier on me as well. I want to go back and see you off."
"We'll go back to the Monastery first to get the horses, provisions, and other supplies, then rest for a bit before setting off," Angela said, indicating that there was no need to rush. "You still have the Communication Crystal, don't you? I'll let you know when we leave."
"Make sure you let me know, this is very important."
Angela nodded, turned, and jumped into the pool.
"Dismissed! Three days of free time!" Unas announced loudly. "Everyone, get some rest!"
With loyal, tireless Iron Golems guarding the island, there's absolutely nothing to worry about.
The long-awaited holiday naturally brought joy to everyone. During the Dark Iron Dwarves' revelry, Rendaen provided all the food and drink for free, allowing everyone who had been enslaved for so long to relax.
Half of the Argent Dawn rescue team stayed behind out of curiosity, wanting to see the Dwarf carnival, while the other half just wanted to return to the Canyon to rest.
The only one who couldn't enjoy a vacation was Huoye, who had suddenly become the mastermind behind the Iron Golems and the Molten Giants and had to take responsibility.
Unas took him to negotiate with Rendaen and the Water Elemental Duke, and they eventually reached an agreement that the Water Elementals would leave the magma tributary as a temporary habitat for the Molten Giants.
Rendaen was also generous to the heroes who turned the tide, allocating a large number of Fire Elemental captives to the Molten Giants to satisfy their insatiable appetite. Many of the well-fed giants went into hibernation, and when they awoke, they would undoubtedly be even more powerful.
After consuming Magmus's corpse and a great deal of energy, Bael'Gar once again transformed into Stone Cocoon and entered a period of dormancy along with his people.
The two sides also reached a consensus on the ownership of the Iron Golems. Unas only has the right to use the golems, while ownership still belongs to Rendaen. If a way to control the golems is found one day, the Dwarf lord has the right to take them back.
Unas wasn't too worried about this. He had already inquired with the captured puppet designers and learned that the only way to change the puppet's intended master was to replace the energy core. However, the energy core was the most expensive part of the Iron Golem, and dismantling its sturdy layers of protection to replace it would be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and material-intensive. It would be better to build a new one.
Therefore, this right of use is essentially equivalent to ownership; this agreement is merely to make things look better for the Dwarf lords on the surface.
However, the fact that all the Iron Golems were stationed on Flamewaker Island was also unusual. With everyone coming and going, the secret of the Spatial Rift would be exposed sooner or later. Unas simply confronted Rendaen, explaining how he ended up in Blackrock Depths and demanding the right to occupy Flamewaker Island.
Rendaen was very interested in the Spatial Rift and even wanted to personally go through it to see the Venomspider Gorge that Unas had mentioned, but his subordinates dissuaded him and he only sent a few scouts.
The authenticity of the passage was naturally confirmed, and the flow of one person every two minutes did not pose much of a threat. Rendaen temporarily agreed to cede Flamewaker Island to Unas for occupation.
The Dwarf lord repeatedly urged Unas to attend the coronation ceremony three days later, saying there was a surprise waiting for him.
Unas guessed it was nothing more than a reward. Whether it was the Imperial Palace or the Lava River, the Argent Dawn had played a crucial role in turning the tide, so it was only right that they were rewarded.
Although Unas didn't have high hopes, he still readily agreed, as he couldn't just appreciate such kindness in words.
After dealing with all this, he hurriedly crossed the passage back to the Canyon. The hundreds of troops that had been deployed here as a precaution were not of much use, but they quickly wiped out a few Fire Elemental creatures that had wandered into the lava pool. It can't be said that they were completely useless. Unas then dismissed them all, leaving only a small squad to guard the area on a daily basis.
If there was anything good in the Venomspider Gorge outpost, it would definitely be Master Oakleaf's apple tree. Unas headed straight for the Druid's hut, asking for a few bags of apples and some artificially ripened mushrooms from the experimental field. Just then, the Communication Crystal rang, indicating that Angela and the other two had already set off from the Monastery.
Unas found his horse and quickly reached the main road at the mouth of the Canyon. After a short while, a small group came down from the mountain; it was Erigor and his two companions.
"Why have you suddenly become so sentimental, like a woman, insisting on seeing us off in person?" Erigor whipped his horse a few times, catching up and laughing loudly. "Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious. Tell me, what exactly is your purpose?"
Unas wasn't in the mood for jokes. "It's a very important secret, and it will definitely surprise you."
Just then, the two behind them caught up. Angela glared at Erigor, "You despise us women for being sentimental? You're such a hopeless male chauvinist!"
Erigor slapped his forehead twice, momentarily forgetting that Angela was right behind him in his smugness. Now he didn't know how much time it would take to coax her back.
Upon hearing Unas's last words, Darian quickly asked, "What secret?"
"Never mind the secrets for now, I have something to give you," Angela said, taking a stone from the bundle hanging on her horse. "The Hearthstone you gave me to repair, I passed on to Dean Du'an, who is more proficient in spatial Magic Circle. I didn't expect he'd already fixed it, but the original coordinates couldn't be restored. We've bound its new coordinates to the mother stone on the top floor of the Monastery library. With it, you can teleport back to the Monastery anytime, anywhere."
Unas took the oval-shaped gray stone. Its original coordinates were Sentinel Hill in the Westfall, not a good place either, so losing it wasn't a big deal.
If we had had this stone earlier, we wouldn't have gone through so much trouble. But it's good to have it now; at least we won't be trapped in places like the Black Furnace anymore.
"I've already sent a magical message to Master Omar, the 'Dragon Scholar,' and I also gave Huoye his contact information beforehand. If you want his help, Huoye will contact him. As long as you can really get the Black Dragon's letter, I think he'll be very willing to help. After all, this is a good opportunity for Master Omar to study Draconic."
The female mage meticulously arranged everything, Unas nodded repeatedly in approval. Angela would definitely be a good wife. He sighed once again, lamenting that a beautiful flower had been wasted on a pile of dung.
At this moment, after "Flower" finished speaking, "Cow Dung" couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the secret?"
"Dathrohan is a demon in disguise," Unas solemnly revealed this secret known only to time travelers.
"What!?" the three of them exclaimed in unison.
"That's impossible!" Darian immediately denied. "Where did you hear this rumor?"
"Nothing is impossible, Darian. This is not something anyone told me, but a revelation from the Holy Light," Unas, again invoking the Holy Light's words.
Seeing that Unas's serious expression meant he wasn't joking, the three were still incredulous. Darian said, "The Holy Light gives us many vague revelations, and everyone will have different interpretations. Are you misunderstanding something?"
"Absolutely not, I'm certain Dathrohan is a demon," Unas tried his best to explain. "I have no connection with him whatsoever, and it's impossible for me to falsely accuse a great Paladin, but the Holy Light tells me that the real Dathrohan is dead, and now he's just an empty shell possessed by a demon."
Angela questioned, "If you're so sure, why didn't you just announce it publicly sooner? Why did you keep it a secret until now?"
"How could I, a newcomer, possibly stand against the leader of the Silver Hand? Even you find it hard to believe me now. Even if I were to come out publicly, how many people would support a stranger like me? I'm afraid I'd be immediately branded a traitor and imprisoned in the Inquisition's jail, while the demons would remain unscathed."
"I support you, brother," Erigor trusted his intuition more than reason. "You can't fool us."
Unas patted him on the shoulder, touched. This kind of unconditional support is what a good brother does.
"But..." Darian still found it hard to believe, "Even if he really is a demon, how does he manage to blend in with so many powerful Paladins and Priests all day without being detected? I know my father's abilities; at such close range, no demon can escape his senses."
"Of course I believe in Ashbringer's abilities, but the one possessing Dathrohan might be the most skilled demon in history at disguise; you can't tell just by sensing it."
Darian frowned, recalling his previous encounters with Dathrohan, but he hadn't noticed anything unusual. If he really was a demon, his disguise was too convincing.
"I don't expect you to believe me immediately, I only hope you will be more vigilant towards him. It's hard to estimate the damage a demon lurking in the upper echelons of our army can cause," Unas said, feeling like he was about to run out of steam. "Especially Darian, right now the only threat to him is your father, and I think he will definitely target Ashbringer."
Darian became anxious upon hearing this; even a one in ten thousand chance filled him with dread. "What should we do?"
"Exposing him directly—your voices carry far more weight in the Allied Forces than mine—might force him to reveal his true colors in one fell swoop. Of course, the safest approach is to first gather evidence that he is a demon, and then deliver the fatal blow."
Erigor was an impatient man. "We're already half a month behind. If we keep arguing here, it might be too late no matter what we do. Let's set off quickly; catching up as soon as possible is more important than anything else."
Angela added, "At their usual marching pace, the expeditionary force should have already crossed the Thondroril Bridge and set foot on the land of the Eastern Plaguelands. We must catch up before they launch their offensive against Stratholme, otherwise, once the war begins, the losses caused by the demons will be irreparable."
Seeing that the three were in such a hurry to leave, Unas quickly handed them several packets of apples and mushrooms, saying, "The freshest fruit and mushrooms, have a safe journey!"
"Thank you. I only hope this is a misinterpretation of the Holy Light's revelation, but if it is true, we will certainly tear apart the demon's true face! Goodbye, Unas!" Darian yanked on the reins, raised his whip, and rode off into the distance.
The other two nodded to Unas and were about to ride off when Unas suddenly grabbed the reins of Erigor's horse, leaned close, and whispered in his ear, "Watch out for Darian's brother, Renault."
Erigor looked at him in surprise. "He has a problem too?"
"Not yet, but he's the weakest link in Ashbringer's defenses. I hope you can keep a close eye on him quietly."
Erigor looked puzzled. "I don't know what you mean, but I'll be careful."
"Have a safe journey, my friend!"
"The same as you!"
Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Unas let out a slight sigh of relief. He had done his best; now it was up to fate.
Back at the main tent, just when they thought they could finally rest, five Night Elves, led by Nightmoon, came to their door.
Three female Watchers and two male Druids were present, but Master Oakleaf was tending to his crops in the Mushroom Cave and did not come. They had all contributed greatly to the rescue of Unas, and it was neither reasonable nor moral to refuse to see them.
"I know the Warden is very tired, but I still have to bother you."
Nightmoon looked apologetic, which made Unas feel embarrassed. He had just leveled up, and although his body wasn't tired at all, his mind was.
"Who says I'm tired? I'm full of energy and ready to get things done anytime!" Unas shouted, his voice booming with vigor. "Tell me what it is, and I'll definitely help."
Nightmoon smiled slightly. "We still have four companions who haven't joined us yet, but they should be here soon. So I'd like to take them to the Spider Forest now to conduct some on-site investigation and prepare for our next move. However, I can't contact Rose and Haikesi. Without their help, it will be very difficult for us to investigate in this spider-infested environment."
"Of course, no problem. I'm so sorry you all took up so much time because of me," Unas stood up. "Let's go, it's my turn to serve you now."
Just as they were about to set off, the guards brought new news: Dean Du'an was requesting an audience. Unas pinched his nose, sat back down, and realized that Du'an was someone he had to see. Although Duan hadn't joined the rescue team, he had helped a lot behind the scenes. Moreover, Unas had an idea that he might need Duan's help.
"Please wait at the entrance of the stronghold for a moment, I'll be right there."
The Night Elves reluctantly withdrew from the tent, and the bald, middle-aged man burst through the door. "Congratulations, Warden, on regaining your freedom! I heard you also achieved a great victory in the battle against the Fire Elementals —a truly remarkable feat!"
"This is also thanks to Dean Du'an's support," Unas stood up and bowed slightly. "I must also thank Dean Duan for fixing my Hearthstone. I'll never be afraid of this again."