Preparation

Pebble Clan, Bandar City, War College. Lantresuo was teaching the children here. Once he had mostly recovered, Leiluo used the excuse that he did not keep idle people around and sent him here.

As he looked at these innocent, naive, adorable children, Lantresuo saw no strange looks directed at him in their eyes.

He had never had this in the Fireblade Clan. Though the Fireblade clansmen had helped him, there was kindness in their eyes, but no acceptance.

These children gave Lantresuo a slight sense of belonging to the Pebble Clan.

"Teacher Lantresuo, can I become a Sword Saint too?"

Lantresuo, who had been reminiscing about the past, was pulled back by a childish voice. Looking down, he saw a little girl tugging at the hem of his clothes and tilting her face up at him.

Lantresuo crouched down and stroked her head, as though he saw his former self. The difference was in that person's answer.

"Of course not. You aren't suited to learning the Sword Saint's arts!"

"Of course you can. When you grow up, you'll become an outstanding Sword Saint." Lantresuo smiled at the little girl.

"Really? Thank you, Teacher Lantresuo."

Upon hearing Lantresuo's answer, the little girl skipped away.

Watching the little girl romp about with the other children, Lantresuo rose with a smile. Just as he was about to walk toward them, he suddenly heard someone calling him from behind.

"Lantresuo, my lord is asking for you."

The newcomer was none other than Garona.

"Garona, why does the Chieftain want to see me?"

"It should be news about the Fireblade Clan. I heard my lord muttering about it."

"All right, I'm going."

With that, Lantresuo turned to leave.

"Oh, right. I've learned the Zephyr Step you taught me. Teach me something new after a while."

Hearing this, Lantresuo turned back to look at Garona in shock, his voice even changing a little.

"You learned the Zephyr Step?!"

"Yeah. It's been so many days already. When I learned Holy Light, I could summon it in just one afternoon."

Looking at Garona's smiling face, Lantresuo left without looking back. He was afraid of suffering another blow. As for that Holy Light, he did not have the slightest clue about it.

In the Chieftain Hall, Leiluo and Leolox were fighting over the last Piggish Foot in the bowl.

Lantresuo, who had hurried over, watched these two Gold Tier figures brawling over food. Embarrassed, he turned his head away and stopped watching them.

"Ah, Lantresuo, you're here. Come in."

At Leiluo's words, Leolox, who had been fighting him, also turned to look at Lantresuo. Leiluo seized the chance and snatched the last Piggish Foot.

"Damn it, little brother!"

Leolox snapped as he watched Leiluo strike a victor's pose.

"All's fair in war, big brother. Lantresuo, have you eaten yet?"

Seeing Leiluo's satisfied face as he still sucked on his fingers, Lantresuo was speechless. He had already finished eating before asking him—seriously.

"Oh, I have. Chieftain, you called me here because...?" Though he grumbled inwardly, Lantresuo still felt that business came first.

"Oh, look at me, I nearly forgot. All of Leolox's people have moved over. There are a thousand warriors, so Bandar City's defenses are secured. We can begin dealing with the Fireblade Clan."

"Really? Thank you, Chieftain."

Hearing that his matter had finally been settled, Lantresuo grew somewhat excited.

"Yes, but I received news these past few days that Gul'dan failed in his usurpation attempt and was driven away by Ner'zhul. He's now in the Fireblade Clan."

Leiluo revealed another piece of information they had gathered over the past few days.

"What? Gul'dan stands at the peak of Heroic Rank!"

"Little brother, you never told me that!"

Leolox and Lantresuo both stared at Leiluo in shock upon hearing the news.

"What? Are you two scared?"

"No. You know me, little brother. What do I have to fear?"

"No, Chieftain. I'm worried about our plan."

After hearing them both out, Leiluo continued, "I was surprised too when I first received this information. Nonsense, I'd never heard of Gul'dan attempting to seize power before. What the hell is going on now?"

"But Gul'dan cannot be an excuse for me to break my promise. Therefore, our plan remains unchanged."

"Chieftain, thank you! But Gul'dan is too—... Never mind."

"Little brother, have you gone mad?! Don't you remember that demon last time?! Heroic Rank is not something we can deal with!"

Seeing the two of them worry for him, Leiluo knew that they were gradually acknowledging him as their Chieftain and accepting themselves as members of the Pebble Clan.

But this operation was not merely about resolving the Fireblade Clan's matter. More importantly, Gul'dan had lost his backer.

Whether Gul'dan's information was true or not, Leiluo had to go to the Fireblade Clan for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to eliminate Gul'dan.

"Of course, we'll need to bring others with us to the Fireblade Clan this time."

Hearing his little brother say they needed to bring others along, Leolox grinned slyly. "Little brother, so you want to drag Durotan into this."

"That's right. Not just Durotan—I also want Kargath, Kilrogg, and Blackhand."

"What?! Out of the six great clans, you want to bring four? Why not invite them all?!"

Upon hearing Leiluo's plan, Leolox's first thought was that his little brother had gone mad to come up with such an unrealistic idea.

"Heh, you say that, but it's not like I haven't considered it. But Ner'zhul definitely won't agree to go with us. After all, he and Gul'dan were master and disciple. If Gul'dan is to be dealt with, Ner'zhul will certainly do it himself. As for Grommash, that battle-crazed maniac, he'd definitely join if there were a powerful opponent. But with so many of us, he won't make a move anyway. So there's no point in inviting him."

"Damn, you really think big. Then why would the other three go?"

"That's right, Chieftain."

To dispel the doubts of the two before him, Leiluo began analyzing the matter in detail.

"Kargath and Kilrogg can be tempted with Gul'dan's potion as bait—"

"But—"

"I know. Don't rush. They'll definitely make a move for that bait, but whether Gul'dan lives or dies isn't something they can control."

"Brilliant. Truly brilliant."

Ignoring Leolox's flattery, Leiluo continued, "As for Blackhand, I'll persuade him personally."

"Then, Chieftain, are you confident?"

"Don't worry. The sooner this is done, the better. Big brother, go to Durotan. Lantresuo, you're fast—go to the farthest place, Arank Peak, and tell Kargath what I told you. Kil'jaeden's Tanaan Jungle... Old brother, can Rexxar manage?"

"No problem. I know my son. He may still be Silver, but as long as he gets a good companion, he'll reach Gold soon enough."

"Good. Then it's settled. When we return this time, I'll help him find a good companion. We'll set out after dinner. For now, go pack up and prepare for the heavy winter snow."

"Alright!"

"Yes, Chieftain!"