Victory and Parting

Allied Command Headquarters. A banner bearing an eye symbol formed from magical flames floated calmly above the command post. Hu Feng sat in the center with a solemn expression, the staff "Origin of Divine Power, Azeroth Binder" hovering behind him on its own.

A human commander strode in and bowed to Hu Feng and General Lothar, the human commander. "Report: Stromgarde's Second Legion has completed its mission. All trolls in the western district have been eliminated." Hu Feng nodded and continued looking out the door.

Before long, another man entered. "Report: Stromgarde's First Legion has captured Zul'Aman's central palace. Troll leader Zul'jin and Warlock Lord Malakas are missing. All remaining trolls have been eliminated!"

"Report: The Third Legion has occupied the northern district. All trolls have been eliminated!"

Just then, a violent energy fluctuation swept over them. Hu Feng sensed it and recognized the aura as Merith's. He had used the Mental Link to cast another massive spell.

"Report: The elf Mage Corps has completed its support mission and is continuing to search for remaining trolls!"

"Report: The Third Legion has occupied the southern district. The trolls have all been wiped out!"

One victory report after another arrived, and Hu Feng nodded in satisfaction. Dath'Remar Sunstrider sat nearby, instructing the somewhat frightened Prince Anasterian. "Remember, my child. Trolls are our mortal enemies. Only by killing them all can we High Elves develop in peace and prosper for generations to come." The Prince nodded, then glanced fearfully at Hu Feng.

"I understand, Father. It's just that Divine Emissary Hu Feng's power and methods frighten me."

Dath'Remar found that rather amusing. "The Divine Emissary is right, and you need not be afraid. Though we have become High Elves, we are still believers of the God of Magic. The Divine Emissary will always be the one who helps and guides us. His great power and ruthless methods will only ever be used against enemies."

General Lothar, commander of the Arathor Empire's army, was beaming. Judging from the current state of the war against the trolls, barring any surprises, he would surely be granted a title and land when he returned home. He had heard that Emperor Thoradin's envoy was already on the road, and General Lothar was to be granted the surname Menethil. Such an honor had never been seen before! With that thought, General Lothar bowed to Hu Feng. "Thank you for your assistance, Divine Emissary. You deserve the foremost credit for the Allied Army's tremendous victory."

Hu Feng smiled and shook his head. "There is no need for such modesty, General Lothar. The discipline and strength of Arathor's army have earned my deepest admiration. I hope this alliance between humans and elves can become the beginning of a lasting friendship, rather than a one-time partnership."

General Lothar immediately nodded. "I feel the same. Once I return home, I will also assist His Majesty Thoradin in deepening the friendship and exchanges between our peoples. Of course, His Majesty Thoradin is a wise ruler seen once in ten thousand years. He will certainly support it."

Alleria strode in briskly, carrying her Artifact Longbow, her face full of displeasure. "Report: The Ranger Corps failed to complete its mission. Troll leader Zul'jin and Warlock Lord Malakas... escaped. Please punish me, Divine Emissary." Hu Feng turned to look at Alleria.

"How many escaped?"

"A dozen or so. Aside from Zul'jin and Malakas, the rest were their personal guards."

Hu Feng nodded. "I see... It's fine. Let them run. A dozen people can't stir up much trouble. Don't blame yourself. Zul'jin and Malakas are no weaklings, and both are agile fighters. If they wanted to escape, you couldn't have kept them."

After a pause, he continued, "The trolls can be considered completely defeated this time. They shouldn't pose any major threat for the next few decades. Once things here are settled, I will return to the Kalimdor Continent. Dath'Remar, General Lothar, the future alliance between humans and elves will depend on you two. Remember this: united, both sides benefit; divided, both sides lose." The two immediately rose and nodded.

The long war against the trolls came to an end. Silvermoon City and Stromgarde held grand celebrations at the same time. The Amani, the greatest enemy of both races, had finally crumbled. The roads between the High Elf realm and the two human nations were now completely open, and trade caravans and cultural exchanges no longer faced any obstacles. Hu Feng and Merith each held a cup of Moonlight Wine as they leaned against a terrace railing, looking down at Silvermoon City, which had become a sea of revelry.

"Have you made up your mind?" Hu Feng asked.

"Yes, Teacher. I've decided. I want to remain in the Arathor Empire, continue searching for the remaining trolls, and destroy them." Merith nodded firmly, though there was sorrow in his expression.

Hu Feng patted Merith on the shoulder, then smiled. "All right, no need to make this so sad. I'm only returning to Kalimdor, not leaving this world. Besides, you no longer need my teaching. You have already become an outstanding Archmage. The road ahead is one you must explore yourself."

He turned and returned to the banquet. Everyone in the hall immediately gathered around him. Emperor Thoradin had arrived in Silvermoon City a few days earlier. He would discuss further cooperation between the two races in the coming days with High Elf leader Dath'Remar Sunstrider.

"Divine Emissary, General Lothar has already reported the final battle to me. Your powerful magic has earned my boundless admiration. Thank the God of Magic for allowing us humans to enter the halls of magic as well. Though there's no hope for me, hahaha!" Emperor Thoradin was in high spirits, and even his imposing features had softened considerably.

Hu Feng smiled as well. "Your Majesty is a peerless warrior. Wouldn't learning magic be putting the cart before the horse? But my student Merith—I heard you intend to appoint him Archmage of Arathor. That boy is too impulsive. After I leave, I hope Your Majesty will keep a closer eye on him, lest he carelessly gets himself killed somewhere."

"Haha, Divine Emissary, there is no need to worry. Merith is a talented young man. I'd never bear to send him out to fight and risk his life. It would be better to keep him in Stromgarde teaching those magic apprentices."

Merith's face fell at once. Damn it, that wasn't the deal! I want to eat, sleep, and kill trolls—not eat, sleep, and teach students! But Emperor Thoradin gave him no chance to speak. He suddenly froze, looked behind Hu Feng, and then wore a knowing grin. "Divine Emissary, I won't interrupt your important business. Heh heh."

Hu Feng let out an "Ah?" before he understood, then followed Thoradin's gaze behind him. A dazzling figure was walking toward him. Alleria wore a green gown in an unmistakably High Elf style, golden threads flowing across the fabric. The somewhat form-fitting design outlined her perfect figure, and the twin towering peaks of Hyjal were unbelievably alluring. Seeing that, Hu Feng shamelessly got hard as a sign of respect...

When she reached Hu Feng, Alleria simply looked at him quietly. For a moment, Hu Feng did not know what to say.

"Um... shall we go for a walk?"

"Okay."

They left the hall and entered the quiet, empty rear garden. The two sat on a bench and looked up at the night sky.

"You're leaving tomorrow?"

"Huh? Uh, yes... I'm going back tomorrow."

"All right."

"Um... There are many things to deal with in Kalimdor too. I can't stay here much longer."

"Is that so?"

"If you have time, I'll take you to Kalimdor for a visit. The Night Elves have changed drastically since you left."

"Forget it. You're a Divine Emissary. You're very busy. I'm a High Elf ranger, and I don't have time for sightseeing either."

Hu Feng suddenly turned to look at Alleria, and she became flustered. "No matter what, you must be more careful when carrying out missions from now on. If you get hurt, I'll be unhappy. And if I'm unhappy, the High Elves will suffer."

"You... What does me getting hurt have to do with the High Elves?! You unreasonable hooligan! Are you really a Divine Emissary of the gods?"

"I don't care. As long as you take good care of yourself, the High Elves will continue to receive the God of Magic's protection."

"Unreasonable! Hooligan!"

"I'm abusing my authority. What are you going to do about it? Bite me!" Hu Feng looked smug, but his swagger lasted less than three seconds. "Ah!! You actually bit me! Are you a dog?!" Hu Feng launched a brutal N-hit tickling combo at Alleria's slender waist. She refused to be outdone, and the two immediately tumbled into a scuffle.

In the end... well... somehow, their lips met. Alleria kissed Hu Feng with near desperation. Hu Feng held the elf lady and fiercely returned her feelings. Amid their passionate kiss, a clear tear slid down the elf lady's cheek. Hu Feng kissed away the tear trail. He did not know what to say, nor did he need to say anything.

Alleria felt a gentle energy flow into her body, but her emotions were so turbulent that she did not notice. Hu Feng transformed the Titan's divine power into life energy and infused it throughout the elf lady's body.

Though High Elves no longer possessed immortality, their lifespans were still measured in millennia. Hu Feng's power was like the life energy within the Life-Binder Red Dragon Queen. So long as Hu Feng did not fall, Alleria would be immortal.

The next day, the golden light of the sun spread across Eversong Woods. A heavy atmosphere hung before Silvermoon City's gates.

The floating city of Suramar had begun to flash with enormous arcane runes. A passage through a spatial rift was slowly opening. Through the crack, they could see an ocean on the other side, with a gigantic tree seemingly piercing the heavens rising from its surface. That was the High Elves' former homeland: World Tree Teldrassil and Darnassus, capital of the Night Elves. Beside the World Tree, the silver-white spire of Hu Feng's base, the Tower of Slumber, was equally eye-catching.

"Our homeland... has become so magnificent?" Dath'Remar gazed at the scene beyond the spatial passage with endless emotion.

Hu Feng smiled and patted his shoulder. "I told you. The Night Elves are completely different from before. Perhaps before long, the entire Kalimdor Continent will return to Night Elf control."

Then he embraced Merith. "The road ahead is yours to walk, Merith. Remember your convictions and your oath. I believe you can become the most powerful human Archmage. My friend, may we meet again someday."

Merith fought back his grief and tears, stepped back several paces, and solemnly dropped to one knee, his right hand pressed to his chest. "May we meet again someday, Master."

Hu Feng spoke a few more words with Emperor Thoradin, reminding him to look after Merith and maintain the relationship with the elves. Then he strode into Suramar's pillar of teleportation energy and gave everyone one final sweep of his eyes. According to the course of history, this parting would be a final farewell for most of those before him.

Alleria... where was she?

Of course... she did not want to come and endure the pain of parting.

Suddenly, an arrow shot toward Hu Feng with a piercing whistle. Hu Feng smiled and did not dodge. The arrow landed precisely in the ground before his feet.

A small pouch was tied to the arrow's tail, containing an Arcane crystal that held a projection. Hu Feng picked it up, carefully hung it around his neck, and looked up at the golden figure on Silvermoon City's walls, dyed by the morning light.

Then, until we meet again.