"Something's wrong! There's something wrong out of ten or even nine points!"
On the deck of the luxury version Goblin Airship, which was traveling through the wind and sand, Marin Noggenfogger, holding a water pipe telescope, carefully observed the looming elf fortress ahead. It had been here more than once, but the alchemist's expression at this time was very ugly.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"
Yrel, who was holding a handful of Sapphire Hunting Rifle on guard next to him, asked curiously:
"You sense danger? Is it because of the strange big bugs flying in the sky?"
"No, Qiraji Aberration is the characteristic of this ghost place. Once you see it more often, you won't be afraid anymore. The real problem is that Cenarion Hold is a little too quiet."
Noggenfogger is a little worried.
It uneasily took out a handful of Goblin and "Dragon Gun" and loaded them with deflagrating fuel cans, and whispered:
"As the largest military fortress in Silithus Desert, the elves here are very professional. There will be Shifting Sands Guardian patrolling the surroundings at all times to maintain road safety for the fortress, Southwind Village and several frontline observation posts.
They have been doing this for hundreds of years, even to the point of rigidity.
But look at the roads that have been carved out of the desert and there is nothing there!
There are no patrols, no guards, not even the scouting owl they sent out, something is wrong! Something may have happened to the fortress, maybe it was attacked by Hybrid Insect!"
Goblin The businessman became more and more frightened as he thought about it, and even frightened himself.
As a person who is sure that he will get rich soon with the "big treasure" in his hands, he will be eager to leave this dangerous place.
Yrel thinks what Noggenfogger said makes sense. As a Draenei who was born in Draenor, she has never seen such a terrifying big insect in her hometown.
Even the insects catalyzed by the wild Life Force in the Gorgrond wilderness are not as dangerous as the Hybrid Insect walking through the desert. The smallest among them is about the same size as a human being. Some of the boss bugs fly like small bombers, which is daunting.
Most importantly, there are too many of these bugs.
"How many Hybrid Insect are there under this vast desert?"
Yrel shook her tail uneasily and said:
"They seem to be flying around their nests on a large scale, but I simply can't imagine what kind of power it will take to stop these terrifying things once they decide to leave their nests and head towards the town."
"The answer is it can't be stopped!"
Noggenfogger sighed and said:
"Qiraji is not just Silithus, they established the terrifying the Great Divide on the edge of Tanaris Desert more than a hundred years ago. These bugs used their weird carpet to change the desert terrain.
They nest and breed there, and the mayor before Gadgetzan has been hiring greedy adventurers and local Sandfury Troll to eliminate the bug population, but to no avail.
Those adventurers can't kill them faster than they can lay eggs."
"Qiraji is a very unique life."
Rexxar, who was wrapped in a hood, came to the edge of the deck. He stared at the giant insects with sharp eyes and said in a dumb voice:
"I hovered over the Great Divide last night for several weeks, and I discovered the weirdness of these bugs. They have a colony mind like ants. Individuals do not have real intelligence, but perform different responsibilities according to their division of labor in the population. There must be one Brain Bug in each nest.
It uses its own weird mental power to control the insect nest.
You are right, Yrel, this is a very dangerous life!
Their evolutionary logic is completely based on war and destruction. Their natural unity and extreme pursuit of efficiency, and their lack of emotional restraint make these bugs a nightmare for all living creatures once they receive instructions to destroy them."
Rexxar, who has great tolerance for all beasts, said coldly:
"This is the first time that I have fear and resistance to some kind of wild beasts. They are by no means naturally born, and their reproduction is a great threat to other beasts and the entire world's ecology.
Diakum the Saint It is absolutely necessary to complete the war in the desert!
Eliminating the swarm of insects before it arrives is true justice. As for the fortress you are worried about, there is no problem there, and the life breath is normal. Prepare to land."
Yrel nodded, and the big man's judgment made the suspicious Noggenfogger feel relieved, and it ran to the control room of the airship to prepare for landing.
"You only speak so much when you have an opinion about the beast."
Yrel joked to Rexxar:
"You are too silent when it comes to humanoids."
Faced with Yrel's teasing, Rexxar was silent for a moment, shook his head and said:
"Intelligent life is too complex and not as pure as beasts. But this continent is attracting me"
He touched his heart and said:
"Compared to Eastern Kingdoms, the natural wilderness of Kalimdor is deeper and more charming. After assisting Vigilant in completing the desert war, I want to go on a wilderness roaming here. Perhaps, I can understand more natural morality here."
"But the devil is coming."
Yrel reminded:
"The war led by Polluter will definitely focus its attack on the elves. It will be very dangerous for you to stay here."
"Then someone needs to stand up and protect this wilderness."
Rexxar slapped the railing and called out to his raven companion with a beast-like roar. The moment Rukhran rushed out of the light of nature's call, he bit a nearby big insect in one bite, and the juices from the bird's beak tearing apart splattered everywhere.
The Dread Raven wrapped in flames let out a cry of joy. It liked the delicious taste of these Hybrid Insect very much, so it spit out fire and burned the Hybrid Insect that were close to it, and then started to feast on it.
Ah, the food quality of Azeroth is really much better than that of Draenor.
The airship quickly landed at the Cenarion Hold platform. Because Shifting Sands Guardian and Steamwheedle Cartel have a supply and demand agreement, and the Goblins are also the group that the One can send supplies here on a large scale, so this stone fortress has a dedicated airship platform.
When Diakum wearing Black Wolf Pelt Cloak led others down the platform, Maraad, whom they had not seen for a long time, was waiting for them below.
Seeing the chief coming, Maraad stepped forward to salute, but was hugged by Diakum. Human Form was two heads shorter than Great Uncle, but he still reached out and patted his "adopted son"'s armor.
"I've worked hard on you during this time."
Vigilant said something, Maraad smiled and waved his hand to indicate that it was not that difficult.
However, Yrel noticed that the armor on his company commander had been changed into a strange style, like a special form made of insect carapace and elves' armor mixed together. It was a bit weird, but because the Hybrid Insect limbs emblazoned on it were very ferocious and mighty, it also gave this unique plate armor a sense of sharpness.
"This is the armor treasured by the Shifting Sands Guardians. It is made from the precious Elementium Steel mixed with the carapace of the Qiraji Lords. While ensuring its durability, it also has strong protection against the evil magic and poisonous corrosion of the insect-men."
Maraad explained to Yrel:
"It is more convenient to wear this kind of armor when fighting Silithus and Qiraji."
"Well, it's proof of merit!"
Yrel patted the keel War Armor on his body and said:
"I have also been certified as a warrior in the Stormwind Kingdom. In short, Hand of Argus, deputy commander of the first company, Yrel, reports to you, commander Maraad, I request to return to the team!"
"Approved to return to the team."
Maraad returned the military salute seriously. After this small handover, Great Uncle looked at Vigilant who was standing by the platform looking at the entire stone desert fortress with a "nostalgic" look. He stepped forward and whispered:
"Originally General Staghelm was coming to greet you, but there was a little "accident" here. Do you still remember what Sprigganss said that when Magic Plague infects a patient to the final stage, the patient's body will often undergo special changes due to Flesh Degradation?"
"Huh?"
Diakum looked at Maraad in surprise, and the latter said with a heavy face:
"Unfortunately, the Shifting Sands Guardian here have already entered that stage. They have been infected for too long. Even with the continuous treatment of Druid, they still irreversibly entered the state of Flesh Degradation.
For these strong Warriors, this was the last straw that overwhelmed their hearts. Even General Staghelms with minds as strong as steel collapsed.
They locked themselves in the military camp and prayed to Elune day and night, but..."
"Take me to see it!"
Vigilant's tone is very serious.
Others also looked at each other and quickly followed Maraad, following him to Shifting Sands Guardian's military camp inside the fortress.
The moment he opened the door, Marin Noggenfogger, who followed his boss to watch the fun, screamed:
"Trolls! Why are there so many Trolls here?"
"It's not Trolls, it's an elf."
Diakum stretched out his hand to cover the mouth of the screaming Goblin. He looked at the lost elves in the room in front of him. Amidst Shadow Word's weird sarcastic laughter in his ears, he sighed and said:
"The Night Elfs have degenerated into their "original form". They have turned back into the Dark Troll, Holy Light they were. It's such a tragedy, in every sense of the word."
Vigilant used his eyes to signal his noisy financial officer to be quiet and not to irritate these "elves" at this time. Fragile Spirit
He strode forward and came to Shifting Sands Guardian, who was slumped beside the bed, drunk and blind, squatting there and stretching out his gauntlet to touch the elf's skin.
The gray patches brought by Magic Plague are on Dispersion, which is good news.
This shows that these elves survived the infection of Magic Plague on their own, but their skin is no longer as smooth and delicate as the purple skin of Night Elf. Instead, it is rougher and tougher skin, with some strange black spots.
This is the most obvious feature of Trolls.
As the most tenacious Azeroth Life Force race, the Trolls people have tough skin and the miraculous ability to "self-heal broken limbs." Warrior of the Stormwind Kingdom will say that the Trolls people's skin is difficult to cut open with an axe.
The face of the elf that should have been gentle has become rough under the ravages of Magic Plague.
Diakum also noticed that this elf girl has grown small fangs at the corners of her mouth, which is also Trolls's iconic feature.
But Night Elf's donkey ears have not changed.
This is normal.
Trolls also has such ears, or in other words, Night Elf's long ears are a feature that they could not eliminate when they "evolved" from Dark Troll.
"Look at their fingers, Saint."
Maraad reminded in a low voice from the side:
"The little fingers and index fingers of these Warrior are degenerating. When I went to hunt down that demon, I saw some Trolls's hands with only three fingers. They are indeed degenerating, and the hateful Magic Plague is still transforming them."
"I am an elf! I am the dignified Kaldorei Warrior! I was born in Auberdine in Darkshore. My parents are both elves, so I am also an elf! I have been standing in this yellow sand as an elf for a thousand years!"
Some words in Maraad's words irritated the drunk "Dark Troll". She jumped up and yelled with claws and teeth:
"How can you slander me as Trolls. I am an elf! I can only be an elf!"
She scolded and shouted, and finally curled up and muttered to herself at the foot of the bed.
"You are an elf, child, don't doubt it."
Diakum stretched out his hand and put it on the shoulder of the collapsed elf Warrior, and he said warmly:
"My eyes can see through illusions. All illusions are meaningless in my eyes. I can tell you clearly that there is only one brave elf Warrior in my eyes. You are just too tired and you just need to rest.
You need a little courage to help you resist the lesions of Magic Plague.
This is a disease.
You are just sick. If you are sick, you should see a doctor. The doctor will cure you.
Go to sleep.
Just get some sleep and you'll be fine."
His words soothed the elf, who soon fell into a deep sleep.
"I brought magic seeds, take them for them."
Dick took out a large bag of seeds from Augure's Chest and handed it to Great Uncle, indicating that he would distribute it to the infected elves in the room.
But Vigilant knew in his heart that it was useless.
The natural seeds of Spriggans can only prevent further infection by Magic Plague, but cannot change the degraded flesh and blood back to its previous state. The Flesh Degradation effect brought by Magic Plague is permanent. The previous Father Haddon's stooped waist and shrunken body shape did not return to their original shape after treatment.
For these proud Kaldorei elves, compared to death, it may be really difficult for them to accept their "cursed face" at this time.
The feud between the elves and Trolls is endless, but what is certain is that in the era of Azshara, Elven Empire and Troll Empire were the real mortal enemies, and there was no possibility of peace talks between the two parties.
Even in the Night Elf country with the most tolerant speech, anyone who dares to say such nonsense as "elves evolved from Dark Troll" will definitely be burned alive by Priestess of the Moon tied to Moonwell.
Although this truth is already a recognized fact in Azeroth's current "archaeological circle" and prehistoric history circle, there is too much evidence to prove the complex kinship between elves and Trolls.
Even in the chaotic belief circle of the Zandalar Empire, some older Loa God have personally experienced that era, but the elves just don't believe it, and whoever dares to spread such rumors will be beaten to death by the elves.
Even though the elves have complex factions and are mortal enemies between each other, on this matter, from Highborne to High Elf to Kaldorei, they miraculously reached an agreement.
Forget about internal fighting and all that, we must kill that bitch who spreads rumors!
"Historians are now ecstatic."
Dick stood up and sighed.
But over at the door, Yrel was still discussing the elf genealogy with Maraad in a low voice.
Yrel stubbornly believed that the degeneration of the elf in front of him into Dark Troll was the same as the degeneration of Draenei into Lost Ones and Broken. Maraad didn't know how to explain it, but he felt that there should be subtle differences between the two.
"Did Polluter design it this way on purpose?"
Neri also realized the seriousness of the problem. She stepped forward and asked Dick:
"Magic Plague seems to have the greatest malice towards elves in the spread of Azeroth. Humans and dwarves have not seen such drastic changes in appearance. Even Goblin is more of a mental degeneration in this regard.
Only the degradation of the elves is a bit too exaggerated."
"It's hard to say, but Cenarius was once the natural guardian of the elves. It really knows what to do to destroy the morale of the elves to the greatest extent."
Dick frowned and said:
"In fact, these elves have not become weaker because of Flesh Degradation. With the help of Druid, they have survived the most difficult moment of being infected with Magic Plague. They are now in the recovery period, and they have even received some life blessings to make them stronger and able to heal themselves like Trolls.
But you also saw it.
The minds of the elves collapsed, and it has nothing to do with the mental degradation caused by Magic Plague. They collapsed because they could not accept the reality."
"Once this situation spreads throughout the Kaldorei Moon Goddess Kingdom"
Neri said in a scary tone:
"There is no need to fight this battle. This powerful mortal nation will collapse on itself before the devil arrives."
"Well, it's not just that."
Shadow Word rang in Diakum's ears at the right time, and it said in a teasing tone:
"Please think carefully, Diakum, why did Polluter spread Magic Plague in Cenarion Hold first? What is there nearby? What can the thing hidden in the darkness do to the despair of the elves?"
"Void, Ancient God, Curse of Flesh."
Vigilant narrowed his eyes and immediately turned around and shouted to Maraad who was distributing seeds:
"Seal the fortress! Quick, check if Shifting Sands Guardian is missing? Everyone goes to help."
A moment later, Maraad brought bad news.
"Seventeen people are missing, including the commander of Shifting Sands Guardian."
Great Uncle said in a serious tone:
"They were supposed to go out on patrol today, but they never came back. Vigilant, do you know where they went?"
"They went to seek "salvation"."
Dick looked at the huge black wall looming at the northern end of the desert, and he said:
"Old God has started his "sermon", what a terrible situation! I want to meet with General Staghelm immediately, Lady Aegwynn, can you please go to Southwind Village? I'm worried that the situation over there will be worse."
"I'll go with her."
Neri has realized Dick's concerns.
She and Aegwynn rode Magic Carpet and rushed into the wind and sand. Yrel, Rexxar and Goblin were all assigned the task of closing the fortress gate and being wary of any strange movements of the elves, Dark Troll.
Under the leadership of Maraad, Diakum walked quickly through the silent fortress and finally arrived at the general's command room, but the door was closed.
After knocking on the door to no avail, Vigilant kicked the solid stone door into pieces.
I rushed in and saw that the completely "Dark Troll" General Vastann Staghelm was lying peacefully on his simple bed, holding an empty bottle of potion in his hand, his beloved sword on the weapon rack, and beside the bed was an unfinished letter home made by Stonebark.
"These elves are too outrageous! Can a general with great military exploits be forced to seek death by just a change in his face?"
How obsessed are you with the appearance of elves? Bastards."
Diakum put his hand on the Elf General's chest, preparing to call Holy Light.
But the next moment, the elf general, who was awakened from the deep sleep brought by the potion, opened his eyes blankly. After suffering from insomnia for many days, he finally got a baby-like sleep with the help of the potion, and looked around in confusion.
Finally, his eyes focused on the broken stone door.
"I, you. No, where is my door?"
"Well, I said it was an accident, do you believe it?"