The Exiles and Resistance Are Still Fighting, While the Descenders Have Already Given Up

By midnight.

Jaide had already ridden at the top speed a Talbuk knight could achieve, delivering the first batch of jewelers to the Holy Stone near the Petrified Forest.

The Five Young Champions had set up a temporary camp here, at the location of Krokuun Camp from Dick's memories.

Governor Hutton had set up a workbench here and was meticulously polishing Holy Stone fragments with the jewelers' professional tools. They chiseled out the finest raw stones possible from the Holy Stone, then cut and polished them, striving to ensure every fragment was used reasonably and properly.

The jewelers who arrived afterward naturally did not dare delay when they saw the Governor personally working.

The Eredar's innate talent for jewelry crafting allowed them to work quickly and well at such tasks. Although Dick had requested no unnecessary decorations and demanded that the first batch of World Heart Artifacts be made in the simplest, fastest way possible, the jewelers clearly had ideas of their own.

Professionals could never allow their craft to have no room to shine. That was the particular insistence shared by craftsmen in every world.

Thus, when midnight arrived and Governor Hutton handed Dick the first completed Argus Heart ring, Dick—who had spent several hours swinging a sledgehammer at the Holy Stone—despairingly discovered that its face was still adorned with exquisite Eredar spell runes and bore obvious traces of carving. Though it did not flaunt overly elaborate craftsmanship, judging by the ring's appearance alone, it was already a remarkably delicate piece of jewelry.

"Didn't I say we didn't need to waste time like this?"

He took the pinky ring and examined it in his palm. At Dick's complaint, Governor Hutton snorted, shook his head with a craftsman's pride, and said:

"Carving those runes and shaping that ancient style didn't even take me ten seconds. This ring setting was already finished. It was originally part of a three-hundred-and-fiftieth birthday gift I intended for Jaide, but giving it to you now is just as good, Diakum.

"You're a child I watched grow up too, and you've accomplished more than Jaide."

"Please don't say that. I've only done a little insignificant work, and I've been lucky. If Jaide were in my position, he would definitely have done better than me."

Dick humbly waved his hand and continued inspecting the pinky ring.

The band, made of premium Celestial Gold, used the Eredar's unique Crystalcasting technique, embellishing it with tiny yet sturdy crystals. It was light but strong, and would not lose its shape from impacts or bumps. The flat ring face should have been set with a magnificent gem, but now it held only a Holy Stone fragment polished into a three-dimensional triangular shape.

Yet the Holy Stone was neither metal nor jade, and its unusual texture—its natural crystal filled with elemental power—was no less magnificent than the finest crystal.

Its perfectly cut angles reflected brilliant Arc Light, while the blessing inscriptions around the setting and the Eredar script rendered in ancient styles gave the item the artistic quality of effortless mastery.

As expected of a masterpiece handcrafted by an Eredar master jeweler. Their race truly was gifted in jewelry crafting.

But its beautiful appearance was only one aspect. Dick, who already bore the World Contract, cared more about its function. He ran his fingers over the ring, and golden text quickly appeared before his eyes:

Trinket Name: Final Battle · Argus Heart [Exclusive to Diakum · Unique Equipment]

Trinket Quality: World Artifact [Only effective within the world of Argus]

Trinket Traits: Ancient Elemental Blessing · World Essence Container · World Power Medium

Trinket Effect: When infused with "World Essence," grants the wearer comprehensive enhancements to stamina, strength, agility, intellect, spirit, energy affinity, and energy manipulation!

Tip!

This enhancement can accumulate with wearing time and combat time until it reaches the maximum enhancement the wearer's current life state can endure. It may be used in small amounts repeatedly, or released all at once after charging; when the enhanced power is released all at once, the individual's short-term enhancement will exceed the limits of their life rank.

Warning!

Releasing a large amount of World Power at once will place extreme physical and mental pressure on the wearer. Repeated use within a short period is not recommended, or it may result in severe consequences.

Tip!

This effect is only active within the territory of Argus. Once the wearer leaves the region where the World Soul resides, all effects of this equipment except "Ancient Elemental Blessing" will be sealed.

Equipment Description:

[Come on, come on, take a look! Limited-edition Argus Heart Artifacts are here! Eight stars, eight arrows, full weight guaranteed, Artifact-grade, a family heirloom treasure! That damned Dark Titan ran off with little brother Argus! The Argus Heart, originally priced at 99,999,998, now costs not 998, not 98, not 9.8—just dare to gamble your life alongside the "Holy Light Hanging Bro," and it's free! All free!]

"Fuck me..."

The item description nearly made Dick black out with rage.

What a fine item. That bastard hiding away and making snide remarks had made it seem to drop several tiers in value with a few lines.

But honestly, aside from that damned item description, this Argus Heart had indeed achieved what Dick wanted.

Its functionality was nowhere near comparable to the Heart of Azeroth from his memories—with its "three-ring enhancement," capable of carrying more than a dozen powerful blessing effects at once and granting mortal champions the power to slaughter gods and demons—but given the current state of the infant Argus Star Soul, being able to create an Artifact like this with Its power was already quite good.

Most importantly, according to Governor Hutton and the jewelers' detailed estimates, once the Holy Stone was fully dismantled, it could definitely produce more than a hundred thousand Argus Hearts at its current specifications.

That would absolutely be enough to equip an entire army for the final battle against the demons! The only question was whether the Argus Star Soul could support so many warriors using Artifacts at the same time to share Its power. For an adult Star Soul, or a "gifted child" like A-chan, that clearly would not be a problem.

But Argus was still a "baby," after all. Its power was limited, and Its talents had not had time to be realized yet.

"Shamans will definitely love treasures like these..."

Governor Hutton stroked a string of unfinished, rustic pendants in his hand and said with feeling:

"Primordial Sorcerer Augure concentrated all of Argus's ancient elemental power around the Holy Stone, allowing the greatest elemental blessings to remain until today. Every fragment of the Holy Stone is the essence of ancient elements. Even a shaman apprentice wearing one would be able to call upon the elements and wield powerful magic.

"If the world were not facing a crisis of destruction, these pendants and rings alone would be enough to revive the declining path of the shaman.

"That brat Jaide is blessed. He will become a shaman and rider remembered by history."

"Once we put this on, it means we will not give up, Governor Dad."

Dick carefully slipped the Argus Heart pinky ring onto the little finger of his left hand. Stroking the ring, he said solemnly:

"We will fight the demons until the final moment! For our families, for our cause, for our world! Whether it is Jaide or any other warrior, the moment they put on this Artifact, they will share the same identity.

"We will all fight beneath that great banner, until death!"

"Of course. I absolutely believe in your burning resolve and Zealous Devotion, child."

Governor Hutton patted Dick's shoulder with deep emotion. Looking at him as a father would an outstanding son, he said softly:

"I once had doubts about the cause of the Holy Light, but after seeing what you have become with my own eyes, I no longer have any worries about the future. Even if we must face utter despair, that light truly guided you into becoming a better person. It will also guide generation after generation of Eredar onto the same path as you."

"Whoosh."

Just as Dick was about to humbly respond, Saloras rushed over in a flash of Teleportation Spell light, her face anxious. She said to Dick and Governor Hutton:

"The two Grand Executors have arrived at Nathraxas Castle. They refuse to waste time and are bringing people here now. Captain Neri told the two of you to prepare to receive them. She also said the Grand Executors look very unhappy.

"Perhaps because we..."

"Because we destroyed the Holy Stone?"

Governor Hutton had already harbored some concern over this matter. Hearing that the Grand Executors looked unhappy, he immediately acted as though the sky had fallen. But then the old shaman gritted his teeth, turned back to the frightened craftsmen, and shouted:

"Don't be afraid! Keep working! If the sky falls, I'll hold it up! Since I gave the order, I'll bear the consequences!"

"But I gave the order, Governor Dad."

Dick shook his head and reassured him:

"There's no need to worry. The Grand Executors are reasonable people. Once they understand the whole story, they will never blame us. Besides, rather than persuade them with words, I think it would be better to let them experience it themselves.

"Please make two Argus Hearts befitting the Grand Executors' status as quickly as possible, Governor Dad. We will present them as gifts, and as a medium for them to communicate with the World Star Soul."

"Right, right, right. Letting the facts speak for themselves would be best."

Governor Hutton's eyes lit up. He glanced at the unfinished pendant in his hand, said nothing more, and hurried back to the workbench.

Several dozen minutes later, after crossing the entire Krokuun plains through three Teleportation Spells, the Grand Executors and their guards arrived deep within the Petrified Forest. Surrounded by Holy Light Chosen and priests, they reached the temporary camp.

Before Velen and Kil'jaeden could even ask a question, Governor Hutton stepped forward to greet them and presented two finely crafted Argus Hearts.

They were necklaces.

Holy Stone fragments of different shapes were set within their round crystal bodies. Velen's necklace even used a gem with exceptional Holy Light affinity, making it an excellent focus.

"You're saying that wearing this 'Argus Heart' allows one to communicate with the World Soul?"

Kil'jaeden studied the sword-shaped pendant in his hand with some suspicion. Governor Hutton nodded solemnly and said:

"In theory, yes! But the World Soul must be willing to communicate with the wearer. The Holy Stone can only serve as a medium. According to ancient shamanic legends, only the chosen are qualified to audience the World Soul.

"Still, the circumstances are unusual now. I doubt the World Soul cares about such minor details anymore."

"The more I hear, the more this sounds like some kind of scam."

Talgas, head of the Assassin Court beside Kil'jaeden, muttered a complaint. But the two Grand Executors, who had personally seen the Dark Titan's prophecy of doom, did not think so.

They put on the pendants almost simultaneously.

As a warrior and defender, Kil'jaeden did not possess outstanding energy affinity. As he touched the pendant, he could sense a calling, but needed time to perceive it. Velen, however, was almost immediately pulled into the World Soul's vision the moment he put his on. He even reached out and gripped Kil'jaeden's wrist, using spiritual resonance to bring his brother into contact with the World Will.

Their life ranks had already reached the highest level the Eredar could naturally attain, so the Energy Infusion they could endure before the World Soul was naturally far greater than that skinny weakling Dick.

Amid the surrounding crowd's cries of surprise, Velen and Kil'jaeden seemed to ascend on the spot.

Their bodies rose into the air, enveloped in brilliant beams of light. Flickering motes shone in their eyes as their spirits temporarily left their bodies, while the World Soul's generous gift caused their auras of power to soar like rockets.

Dick had once had such an opportunity too.

But he had refused the glory of becoming a World Guardian alone, instead distributing the grace that should have been his among more warriors capable of fighting. Watching the two receive Imparting Power from the World Soul, Commodore Dick was not jealous at all.

Really.

He was not just being sour.

Dick understood all too well the terrible "price" of becoming a World Guardian.

A-chan's World Spokesperson, Magni Bronzebeard, had first been reverted into diamond, then nearly collapsed several times while communicating with the World Soul. He himself had said that it was pressure and torment beyond ordinary imagination, suffering comparable to torture.

Moreover, the glory and strength of a World Guardian were tightly bound to the world itself. Yet the Eredar would ultimately leave their homeland and embark upon a long exile. When that day came, a World Guardian who had lost his world would inevitably bear a crushing spiritual burden, perhaps even fall into inescapable despair. For exiles, despair was the least needed emotion.

Dick knew clearly that Argus was only the beginning.

For him, this was merely the starting point and endpoint of one journey. He could not remain trapped here forever. At the very least, he had to visit Azeroth in the future. The World-Purification Oath he had made for Argus could only find its answer upon that "main stage," where countless fates converged and innumerable demons danced in chaos.

This extravagant blessing did not last long. Several minutes later, Velen and Kil'jaeden, the absolute leaders of the Eredar, returned from that "audience."

They looked at one another while holding hands, then turned simultaneously toward Dick. He nodded to them. In that silent exchange, certain things that required no words were decided.

"I will immediately gather every jeweler across the nation and bring them here as quickly as possible."

Kil'jaeden said gravely to Governor Hutton:

"Sir Hutton, I must entrust you with overseeing this work, the most important work for our civilization and our world. Produce more Argus Hearts as soon as possible. Our warriors need these weapons blessed by the world to fight those shameless demons and their evil master!

"Elite warriors and formidable spellcasters will also be assembled..."

"Is it really that urgent?"

Governor Hutton was somewhat surprised. Then he heard Velen, who was stroking his Argus Heart pendant, sigh and say:

"There are only thirty days left, everyone. Kil'jaeden and I have just received a Doom Proclamation directly from the Dark Titan. It and Its lackeys are advancing toward our world. In thirty days, the Dark Titan will arrive at Argus!

"The fate of us, and of this entire world, will be decided then. The audience Kil'jaeden, my brother, and I just had with the World Soul also proved it.

"Our beloved Soul of Argus has sensed the same calamity. It does not wish to submit to a fate of darkness either. But regrettably, we and our world are currently unable to withstand the Dark Titan's tyranny.

"My brother refuses to abandon our homeland, and I will remain here with him to fight until the final moment!

"But we must quickly find a way to settle those elderly, weak, women, and children who cannot fight."

"After the bravest warriors have completed their missions, they too must take the battlefield. Even the elderly and children must learn to fight for themselves and for others."

Kil'jaeden clenched his fist and said:

"Fate has not given us more choices! Velen, you and I may die in the first wave of demon invasion, but after we die, this world still cannot give up resisting! I would rather see our world destroyed in impassioned war than see our people abandon courage and dignity, allowing themselves to fall into demonic monsters."

The two Grand Executors agreed on resistance, but they clearly had differing views on how to settle the elderly and weak.

That was normal.

Velen was compassionate and did not wish to see innocents drawn into war.

But Kil'jaeden was rational.

He knew that before the Dark Titan and Its demonic lackeys, nowhere on Argus would be safe.

Rather than passively wait for death, it was better to arm the people first.

Dick watched them.

He was gratified that both Grand Executors had the resolve to fight to the end, but he also felt that the two seemed trapped in a certain dead end, as if fate were stubbornly correcting itself.

In the True History of the Dark Portal, old Velen, who had foreseen disaster, had stubbornly delayed until the Dark Titan personally arrived before giving up on persuading Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, who was currently in heaven.

Perhaps the conflict between the Executors had cost old Velen and his followers their most precious escape window. It had even left old Velen's wife and children behind in that desperate situation, indirectly shaping his tragic life.

But now, without Archimonde, that top-tier troublemaker, stirring things up, the two old friends before him would naturally not suffer further temptations from darkness.

"Protection and resistance do not conflict, Grand Executors. We still have reinforcements!"

Dick glanced at High Priestess Ishana, who stood behind Velen. He stepped forward and said to the two Grand Executors:

"We can pray to the Holy Light... What I mean is, we can contact the brethren of the two guardian Naaru through them. If K'ure and Lady Lura possess the starship Genedar capable of crossing the sea of stars, then the other Naaru should possess similar vessels as well.

"There are quite a few Naaru in the sea of stars, and they have their own means of contacting one another. Lord K'ure also promised me that as long as we needed them, they would certainly extend a helping hand!

"If we can gain the Naaru's support, then although we may still be unable to reverse Argus's eventual fall, we can at least send more people away from this desperate situation.

"We still have thirty days!

"If the Naaru's aid arrives quickly enough, perhaps we can evacuate millions, even tens of millions, of civilians from the battlefield?

"I believe this is absolutely necessary, both of you."

He emphasized:

"We will certainly devote everything to protecting our world, but the continuation of our civilization is equally important! The Eredar were born through Argus's grace. As long as we live, as long as our descendants and bloodlines walk among the stars, the flame of Argus's will shall not be extinguished..."

Though his persuasion sounded emotional, Dick was actually conveying his thoughts to the two Grand Executors with a subtle look.

He stroked his pinky ring.

It was a hint.

Velen and Kil'jaeden had just audience the World Soul. They surely knew about his plan for "Wandering Argus," in which he had persuaded the World Soul to disperse Its will and carry it within the Eredar's spirits.

As for whether the two Grand Executors would know Dick's "true identity"...

That was absolutely impossible!

The overbearing Veil of the Afterlife was no joke. Unless Dick himself was willing to share, even the infant Argus Star Soul could not share what It had seen with others.

Dick had already confirmed that through previous conversations with Governor Dad and the other members of the Star Soul Expedition Team.

His words made Velen and Kil'jaeden look at each other again. They had indeed just witnessed the World Soul endure pain as It turned Its still-unformed will into fragments and merged them into the two men's spirits. This meant that the Eredar not only had to fight until the last moment to defend Argus, but that those who survived also had to shoulder the responsibility of carrying on something truly great.

Every Eredar who now existed and every Eredar who would be born in the future would bear their oath with the World Soul in this way.

It was a blessing, but also a shackle.

Yet as long as they lived, as long as Eredar civilization continued to exist, the pure will of the Argus Star Soul would not die beneath the defiling infusion of fel energy! From this moment onward, this world and the people born because of It would breathe together and share the same fate!

They would march to the battlefield together, and journey into the distance together.

"I will return to Mac'Aree immediately!"

Velen made his decision at once.

"I will personally convey our decision and request to the two guardian Naaru. If they truly can bring more ships to save our people, then we can bear any price."

"I will go to the Antoran Wastes to gather our legions."

Kil'jaeden pressed a hand against the hilt at his waist and said gravely:

"The Dark Titan will arrive in thirty days, but Its shameless demon servants will surely arrive first to proclaim that so-called authority of fel energy to us. They expect to crush us and frighten us, making fearful Eredar commit the same foolish treason for glory as the Awakeners' Cult.

"But I guarantee they will leave disappointed.

"Upon our land, within our homeland, the demons will take nothing but despair!"

"We will certainly produce enough Argus Hearts to arm our warriors as quickly as possible."

Governor Hutton drew a deep breath and shouted:

"For the people! For the Eredar! For Argus!"

"For Argus!"

Dick waved his fist and shouted.

The five young champions were already fired up and shouted along with him. When Kil'jaeden raised his fist high, the entire camp erupted in cheers.

Their fighting spirit soared.

Perhaps it was because they had not realized what kind of foe the Burning Legion was.

Perhaps it was because they still harbored a faint, unrealistic fantasy about the Dark Titan's power.

Perhaps it was because, in this era before the Burning Crusade had begun, the universe's tales of terror had yet to spread.

But no matter what, at least at this moment, their fighting spirit soared!

"Mm, closer... His footsteps are drawing closer..."

In the prison cell beneath Mac'Aree's Naaru Temple, The Enlightener Sarkir—bound in heavy chains, already reduced to a cripple and transforming into a Broken—suddenly raised his head.

He opened his utterly clouded eyes, as though he had seen some illusion that existed only in his imagination.

Under the wary gaze of several high-ranking wardens, Sarkir burst into manic laughter. In a hoarse voice, he shouted:

"The footsteps of the Dark God are drawing near! The demons' roars and destruction have arrived! Argus's doom is at hand... Eredar, weep, despair, wail. Our civilization will ultimately be destroyed—not when we die, but when we kneel.

We...

have already lost our final chance.

Ah, progenitor sorcerer, honored ancestor, your weak and incompetent descendant has disappointed you. I have disappointed you.

Sarkir is dead.

Like a rat in the darkness, he was strangled to death by his own despair and cowardice!

But The Enlightener still lives, and it lives well.

It will awaken soon, carrying that question destined to receive no answer, awaiting an answer different from his.

Wait in the abyss, and await that light which will never come."

Bang

Amid Sarkir's cry, like weeping, the prison cell door was pushed open. Eredar executioners clad in Judgment Court uniforms strode inside, and a solemn inquisitor read Sarkir the execution order personally signed by Kil'jaeden.

This order had been issued only a dozen minutes ago.

Clearly, with the Dark Titan about to arrive, the Grand Executor no longer intended to keep Sarkir, this blight, alive.

Yet before the executioner's raised blade, Sarkir showed no particular expression despite being bound. In the flickering light of the descending blade, he merely said softly:

"Ah... Diakum, hand of the Holy Light that intervenes in fate, what answer will you bring back for me?"

Slash

Blood sprayed. The head flew free, only to be caught by the inquisitor, who lifted it by its braid.

Even after death, the head of an exceptional spellcaster like Sarkir was to be collected by the Relic Court as a "strategic item." As for the corpse, it would be left here to rot. In these days, when the administrative system's operation was already slower than civilization's self-rescue, there was no spare time to bury an old madman.

But the ghost named "Sarkir" had not died.

Just as the Dark Titan was advancing toward Argus, the shadowed ones also trudged through the abyss beneath the Light, waiting only for the turn of the times to continue carrying out their "mission" in a more loathsome form.