"Are you sure that eating that seed won't give me diarrhea? I don't feel very well. Why don't you stop for a while and I'll go to the forest to empty my stomach."
Kurdran·Wildhammer was flying in the sky with his majestic fighting Gryphon. While rubbing his belly, the powerful Wildhammer Dwarves shouted loudly to Lothar, who was also riding Gryphon next to him.
The marshal didn't bother to pay attention to the guy who was making a fuss.
He and Kurdran are indeed old friends.
There was a time when Kurdran, representing Wildhammer Clan, was stationed at Ironforge. Lothar happened to be there to learn how to use dwarf guns. The two often drank together. The first batch of Gryphon Rider who came to the Stormwind Kingdom were also brought together by Lothar and Kurdran, so that Aerie Peak specially sent people to teach and train them.
Dwarves generally like to live in the mountains and like to dig everywhere. They have innate skills in ores and forging. This is true for both Bronzebeard and Dark Iron Dwarves, but Wildhammer Dwarves is a strange exception.
These wild guys are close to nature, although they also live in the Hinterlands's Aerie Peak.
But their favorite sport is to soar in the sky with their Gryphon partners and control Thunder. Because of this characteristic, Wildhammer Dwarves has become the leading "flying race" of the Eastern Continent and even the entire Azeroth.
They are the only force in the entire continent with a regular air force.
However, as the price of a strong air force, Wildhammer Dwarves has almost no ground power, which forces them to form an alliance with Bronzebeard Dwarves, who is good at ground combat, in order to ensure their own interests.
The relationship between the three dwarf tribes is quite complicated and abstract, but they do not like to talk about their disgraceful history to outsiders. Therefore, humans do not know much about the inside story of War of the Three Hammers that happened more than two hundred years ago. They only know that it was that war that caused Dark Iron Dwarves to go to extremes and finally summoned Fire Lord, which directly caused the emergence of Burning Steppes.
Redridge Mountains also had its terrain permanently changed due to the disaster that lasted less than ten minutes, making the place deserted.
However, Diakum was quite interested in Kurdran·Wildhammer. He deliberately asked Sunwing to slow down and follow Kurdran with ease. He asked:
"Wildhammer Dwarves Have you ever been back to Grim Batol these years? Haven't you ever thought about regaining your homeland?"
"That place is hopeless! The city is shrouded in the terrible Animated Darkness, there are some very sick things inside, and War of the Three Hammers destroyed the mountain, making it difficult for our hometown to be repaired, and even the water source was cut off."
When Kurdran mentioned his hometown, his thick voice became sad. He shook his head and said:
"Grim Batol can't go back. Now Aerie Peak is Wildhammer Dwarves's home. That place is very nice. Except for the annoying Trolls who can never be killed, everything is fine. Our Gryphon also likes the climate there very much. It is the territory given to Wildhammer by the sky."
"But Magic Plague is spreading in Northern Borderlands."
Dick reminded:
"You are also infected with Magic Plague, which proves that this thing is also effective on you.
Although the dwarves' strong bodies make Magic Plague's effect on you very weak, it is never a good thing to get infected. Repeated infections will always make Magic Plague find a way to defeat you. Your people should probably prepare early."
"Didn't you bring back the Sprigganss?"
Kurdran looked at the alien Saint.
He has never seen Diakum's semi-giant Human Form, but he has only heard that Vigilant is over 4 meters tall. That terrifying height is simply unimaginable for dwarves who are generally 1.4 meters tall.
Therefore, Kurdran maintains the necessary "vigilance" towards Diakum, just like a short person doesn't like making friends with a tall person.
He said:
"I'm going back Aerie Peak in a few days. If I can bring your Spriggans friend with me, I think my people will be willing to swallow the seeds to ensure their health."
"It's not that easy."
Dick explained:
"The Nature Seed that Spriggans took out was shaped by their own Life Force. That thing cannot be preserved for a long time, and the birth of Spriggans relies on the prosperous forest of Life Force. In other words, you have to wait for a while before more Spriggans will appear from Stormwind.
Or after Dark Portal is opened, more Sprigganss will arrive in this world, but I pessimistically think that even if I bring every Spriggans from Draenor, it will still not be enough to cure you. The population of Azeroth is beyond the imagination of Draenor people.
Perhaps, you can call on the sick tribesmen to come to the Stormwind Kingdom for treatment."
"Hmph, I think you, a big foreigner, have bad intentions!"
Kurdran squinted his eyes and said:
"Does Lothar really recognize you as his "adopted father"? He asked you to move all the good things to him. What are you planning? Why do I feel that something is not right about the Stormwind Kingdom!"
"Hey, you're pretty sharp for a little guy."
Sitting in front of Dick, his fellow passenger Neri joked:
"I thought dwarves were all about muscles, and when you took us from Seawatch Cliff to Wildhammer Castle, didn't you give me a bouquet of flowers and want to go on a date with me? Kurdran. Hey, my powerful boyfriend is here, why don't you talk to him?
If he agrees, it's not like you and I can't go out for a meal."
"Hey, that's just Wildhammer Dwarves's way of expressing friendship. Don't think too much."
Kurdran blushed when his scandal was exposed, and hurriedly flew out with Gryphon, as if he was afraid that Neri's mighty half-giant boyfriend would cause trouble for him.
This guy is a great dwarf, good in all aspects, and the perfect "buddy" candidate, but he just likes to flirt with women. Although dwarves are generally like this, Wildhammer has a "criminal record."
In the official history, when his fellow villagers Falstad Wildhammer and Rhonin formed a team with Vereesa, they even wanted to date Vereesa.
I don't know where these 1.4 meter dwarfs got the courage to date Vereesa, a girl in her early 19's. Her height doesn't match her at all, buddy.
"He does know how to appreciate the beauty of foreign races."
Diakum laughed and said to Neri:
"But is he really not afraid that you will trample him to death if you make a mistake?"
"Do I weigh that much?"
Neri stared coldly at Vigilant who had said the wrong thing, causing the latter to quickly pull the reins without saying a word, telling Sunwing to stop fishing and rush to Goldshire as soon as possible to see what was going on over there.
Goldshire is no longer a town. After the Warriors retook this place, with the help of Mag'har Shaman, they quickly built a low wall outside the town along Crystal Lake and the forest hills, and surrounded it with horses.
Inside the town, three guard towers are still being built nervously to form a semi-permanent defense system.
Many civilians from Northshire Abbey participated in the construction, so it was very noisy here, just like a large construction site. Spriggans also set up pots to cook soup here, but the soldiers had already gathered outside the town at this time.
Although there was a lot of coughing and the soldiers were visibly weak, they still worked hard to maintain the response formation.
Colonel Daenerys, who led them, was at the front leaning on his iconic barbarian battle ax, facing several eerie figures standing in the forest not far away.
Daenerys has just taken Nature Seed, which will make her condition better, but some gray spots can still be seen on Half Elf's neck under the battle helmet. This thing is not stingy with some kind of terrible torture for High Elf, who is born to love beauty, so these days Daenerys will wear armor even when sleeping, and has been hiding from Lothar.
"Where is he?"
Lothar jumped down from Gryphon, landed next to Daenerys and asked. The colonel pointed forward and whispered:
"He didn't bring many people. It wasn't a sneak attack. It was more like a meeting before declaring war. He asked you or Llane by name to come forward. I have never seen King Baratheon, but I heard from the old Priest in the town that it was indeed the armor the king wore when he was buried.
Judging from the fact that the king's tomb was robbed in the previous battle, it should indeed be him.
But you have to be careful!"
Half Elf said vigilantly:
"The sword in his hand is very dangerous. It is a real Demon Sword! I seem to have seen it in the encyclopedia of artifacts collected by my grandfather. If I remember correctly, the sword is called "Apocalypse"."
"One of Death Force's artifacts, forged by gods from another world."
Diakum stepped forward to perform his duties as the marshal's bodyguard, and he reminded:
"That Demon Sword is a trial work of another more terrifying Demon Sword. Its own combat power is very powerful, and it can also summon undead within a certain range. But you can rest assured that Apocalypse will not allow its sword holder to be controlled by others, so King Baratheon has a clear mind at this time.
But he has become the Death Knight commander of War Horde.
This means that perhaps after today's meeting, Stormwind Kingdom will usher in a new, more difficult stage of this war."
Lothar did not answer. He stared at the familiar figure under the shade of the trees in front of him, stretched out his hand to straighten his armor, and then strode forward accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Diakum and Windsor.
As he got closer, the marshal was finally able to confirm that the tall human knight in front of him was King Baratheon, whom he regarded as his "adopted father".
The former king of the Stormwind Kingdom relied on his leadership to win several sieges by Gnoll and Trolls, so he was very prestigious in human society. Some bards of Northern Borderlands gave King Baratheon the nickname "Rock".
Old King's own character is indeed as indestructible as a rock.
It was under his leadership that the brave Stormwind Kingdom Warriors broke into the Redridge Mountains, defeated Gnoll's Horde, and expanded the frontier to On the edge of Black Morass and Burning Steppes, he also trained the elite Kurzen Brigade and personally led them to seize a piece of territory on the border of Stranglethorn Vale and turn it into the new frontier of the kingdom.
Of course, Stormwind Kingdom's "proud isolation" policy was also determined from the era of Old King.
Being severely heartbroken by his fellow human beings during the war years, His Majesty Baratheon completely cut off the diplomatic contact between Southern Borderlands and Northern Borderlands, which also indirectly caused his son Llane to try his best to restart diplomacy in the previous battle.
But no matter what people outside say, in the hearts of the people of the Stormwind Kingdom, King Baratheon is a symbol of courage and strength!
The most important thing is that Lothar, Llane and Medivh are all children that the king watched grow up. Medivh's situation is special, but Lothar lost his father when he was young, and he does regard Old King as a real elder.
At this time, I felt the indifference of the undead on Old King, which made Lothar feel filled with guilt.
He stopped five steps away and said:
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I failed to protect your tomb, causing you to suffer such shame and humiliation."
"Shame? No, I prefer to think of it as a new life."
A hoarse voice sounded from under the weathered battle helmet, just like the friction of rocks without a trace of emotion. Old King, who was riding a skeletal horse decorated with Spirit Fire, turned around, looked at Lothar, and said:
"I handed a prosperous country into the hands of my two sons. Before I died, I held your hand and prayed that you would help Llane protect the people of this land. You and he both agreed to my promise.
However, when death brought me back to my homeland, what I saw was a crying land.
Aliens invaded and trampled my country, wild beasts rampaged and abused my people, and even the cities built by the late king Landen were razed to the ground, and the ruins were filled with tragedies of death.
Lothar, my child, I ask you.
Is this how you and Llane protect the country?"
The marshal was speechless.
The King Baratheon in his memory spoke so directly and never concealed his likes and dislikes. From his questioning, it could be seen that the resurrected Old King was very dissatisfied with the current situation of the Stormwind Kingdom, and he was also full of disappointment in the successor he chose.
But Lothar cannot lose his will to fight just because of these words.
He suppressed the pain in his heart and said loudly:
"You were resurrected by Green Skins using evil methods. Death changed your understanding of the world, but since you are here today, you must want to convey some information to me. Tell me, what do you want us to do?"
"Leave!"
Baratheon was riding on a skeletal horse with Demon Blade Apocalypse on his back. A cold aura visible to the naked eye emanated from under his helmet. He said coldly:
"Leave here with those who are still alive and go to Northern Borderlands or other places to rebuild the kingdom! Death has given me the mission to retake my kingdom. I am unable to resist, but I also don't want to see you and Llane die under my sword.
Let's leave as soon as possible while I can still think rationally.
Otherwise, you incompetent descendants will have to fight with me. The unwilling dead on this land are awakening, and they will be led by me to finally complete what Green Skins failed to accomplish."
"Wait!"
Diakum interrupted the high-ranking undead in front of him. He stared at him and said:
"Have Frostmourne and Lich King really arrived at Azeroth? When you just said that your ability to think was about to be taken away, did you mean that you had heard the call of Demon Sword?"
"Huh? Foreigners, you know a lot."
King Baratheon let out a hoarse laugh, pointed at the other Death Knight beside him, and said:
"They obey me not because of my kingly aura, but simply because Demon Sword requires them to obey!
The reason why I can stay awake is not because of how strong I am. It's just that Apocalypse's unruly nature doesn't allow me to surrender to its "brothers". However, Apocalypse has no objection to its death mission.
This means that I cannot betray my current camp, and I am the only one who still has the ridiculous choice!
The undead are resurrecting in this land, and they shoulder the same mission as Green Skins. We are all the pioneers of the Burning Legion smashing into Azeroth! If you can't even resist us, then you'd better escape as soon as possible."
"I understand, you are warning us."
Diakum nodded, bowed slightly to the undead in front of him, and said:
"So, that bastard Zuluhed is not at Elwynn Forest now? Has he gone to do his own business?"
"Green Skins is regrouping and licking his wounds. I can only tell you so much."
King Baratheon waved his hand and said:
"Before you gain enough power, don't try to get close to "Shadow Tower". There are several Lich and more terrifying things guarding there.
Get ready, Lothar, my child.
I will leave again at dusk. When night falls, you and I will become real enemies. I will not show mercy to you. I also hope that you can show your true skills and let me see your growth over the years.
You have to fight us, but you can't just fight us.
We are just a ray of wind released by Hands of Destruction, and a more ferocious storm is still behind us."
After saying that, Old King waved goodbye to Lothar for the last time, and walked away with his Death Knights wiping the frozen lake surface of Crystal Lake.
Lothar processed the complex color in situ, he said softly:
"If His Majesty Baratheon's consciousness remains sane under the influence of Demon Sword, then can we?"
"You have misunderstood the evil of Apocalypse, Lothar."
Diakum shook his head and said:
"Apocalypse doesn't want to bow to Frostmourne because of the opposition between weapons. This does not mean that Apocalypse is the sword of kindness. The longer the soul of King Baratheon spends time with the magic blade, the more painful it will be tormented by Apocalypse.
The essence of that sword is a greedy sadist. It will have no real owner. Every sword holder is its nourishment.
You can't save your adoptive father, you can only find a way to give him relief!
But Apocalypse will always find the next powerful enough sword holder until it meets its brother in a powerful posture one day in the future.
Death has declared a war, Lothar, and you cannot refuse the war they initiate. From now on, every tomb, every corpse and every night in the Stormwind Kingdom will no longer be safe.
The good news is that you have just received the dual support of Holy Light and life.
Alas, Wheel of War of Life and Death is spinning."
"Huh?"
In Brightwood, the "white wolf" Bolvar Fordragon, who had just returned from the battle, moved his mighty Wolf Kiss doubtfully and sniffed left and right with his keen nose. He noticed that the forest seemed different.
There are some mysterious things running in the forest. They are hiding in the darkness of the forest and peering at themselves.
"Hey, silly werewolf! Let your god come out!"
Old Anzu's voice blew in the forest wind, causing Fordragon to turn around and attack the branches like lightning, but missed. Midnight Raven God laughed and controlled his crow to fly up, and sprinkled a bunch of fresh bird droppings on Bolvar's leather armor.
"Let Goldrinn come out!"
Anzu's voice echoed in the forest, and it screamed:
"Draenor's life force has brought reinforcements to its hunting group. Compared with the weakness of harmonious nature, the power of wild nature is more suitable for you! Diakum said that the war between the white wolf and Black Wolf is also a war of life and death!
Let it come out, Old Anzu is waiting for it.
Also, quickly move your hunting pack, Lycantos's wolves are trying to surround you, idiot.
Go to Elwynn Forest!
Go to the forest of World Tree, only there your hunting pack can gain an advantage."