70 Azshara's Royal Thieves in Action

Having decided that she would be heading to Zereth Mortis, Azshara began making preparations at once.

As a supreme queen and an unparalleled spellcaster, Azshara understood the importance of planning ahead. She needed to conserve as much energy as possible for the long journey to the Sepulcher of the First Ones, and while dealing with that ambitious person, Sire Denathrius, she intended to wrap up all the research currently underway.

Diakum had told her that the First Ones' "Cipher System" was a power unique to the creators, and that those miraculous ciphers supposedly contained the mighty force with which the First Ones shaped reality.

Yet the First Ones' ciphers were a system of "self-encryption." They would reveal their mysteries only to souls deemed "qualified."

That meant Azshara had to ensure that she was in perfect condition when she truly came into contact with the First Ones' ciphers.

A spellcaster like her naturally understood that, in many cases, one had only a single chance to come into contact with such great power.

Miss it, and there truly would be no second chance.

However, when Azshara returned to her "bedchamber" in the bustling, lived-in Broker Bazaar, she happened to see her royal steward, Ve'nari, comforting her runeblade.

Well, just saying that aloud made it sound like something out of a deranged novel.

But the truth was that Remornia, the runeblade, possessed a strange ability. When necessary, she could truly transform into a sword maiden and wield herself in battle.

However, ever since the runeblade had come under Azshara's command, she had rarely appeared in sword-maiden form unless absolutely necessary. It seemed to reflect a deep-seated resistance and defiance within her.

The queen could sense it, but chose to ignore it.

She believed that her charm could conquer all things. A mere runeblade