VanCleef's Taunts and Demands

The person who arrived was Rick.

This time, Rick hadn't been beaten black and blue by his good friend, but his face was filled with such melancholy and frustration that anyone who wasn't blind could see it.

"Rick, what's wrong? Did VanCleef reject you? Or is it that he simply doesn't believe that Onyxia is your true enemy?" Shawn asked, surprised.

Was VanCleef really that foolish?

Rick gave a bitter laugh. "VanCleef believes what I said. He isn't an idiot, and he has always had his own channels and informants; he understands the movements within Stormwind City better than anyone. So, as soon as he heard what I had to say and connected it to the many clues he had, he believed it immediately. But the problem is, he doesn't trust Stormwind City!"

I knew it would be like this!

Shawn frowned. "He doesn't trust Stormwind City? Does he actually intend to go and wipe out Onyxia all by himself? Does he really think the Defias Brotherhood is that powerful? Does he have a way to deal with the flying Black Dragon Princess? Heh, that's a legendary creature!"

Rick sighed. "VanCleef is actually a very proud man, and at the same time, a very paranoid one... He said that while Onyxia is indeed the primary culprit, Stormwind City was so easily manipulated by her that the nobles of Stormwind are accomplices as well. The mastermind and the accomplices—not a single one can be let off!"

Hearing this, Shawn said disdainfully, "Is he planning to take revenge on everyone? Has he lost his mind? Between Onyxia and Stormwind City, which one is he actually capable of dealing with?"

Onyxia is a legendary creature, and within her lair, there is a whole host of whelps and drakes that are at least equivalent to mid-tier professionals. Even if Onyxia herself didn't lift a finger, it would be enough to give VanCleef a headache. Moreover, the current Onyxia is in Stormwind City, having manipulated nearly half of the city; does VanCleef really think he can deal with her just like that?

And that's not even mentioning Stormwind City. Does VanCleef harbor the delusion of building a dreadnought to bombard the city? Even if his engineering is top-notch and the ship he builds is sturdy, so what?

Before he could even get close to Stormwind City, he would likely be spotted by sentries and gryphon riders! It's more likely that his dreadnought would be the first thing to be bombed!

What's more, Stormwind City has a massive number of mages; they could just cast a few large-scale area-of-effect spells and wipe out his pathetic ship. What could VanCleef possibly do about that?

The Defias Brotherhood may seem vast and formidable, having infiltrated every corner under Stormwind's rule, including Westfall, Elwynn Forest, Duskwood, and the Redridge Mountains.

But!

That is only because Stormwind City is currently in chaos and lacks the energy to deal with them. If Stormwind were to get serious, to say nothing of anything else, the SI:7 alone could uproot the Defias Brotherhood entirely, leaving not a single hair behind.

One must never overestimate the Defias Brotherhood. A group of stonemasons who have only been developing for a mere few years—how much capability could they really have?

Rick was also helpless, looking dejected as he said, "VanCleef really does think that way. However, he also said that cooperating with Stormwind City isn't impossible, unless..."

Shawn sneered, "Unless what?"

Rick gave a bitter smile. "Unless King Varian apologizes to him personally."

Nani?

Shawn took a deep breath.

He finally understood just how paranoid and proud VanCleef was, and just how deep his hatred for Stormwind City ran.

Let King Varian apologize to him personally?

VanCleef, are you still dreaming?

Not to mention that the current King Varian has been split into two by the Black Dragon Princess using dark magic—the heroic and fearless one was taken to Orgrimmar by Rehgar Earthfury to become a professional gladiator, while the gentle and refined one, though still in Stormwind City, has been constantly deceived and controlled by Onyxia and would never go to apologize to VanCleef.

Even if King Varian were whole and unharmed, such a proud, strong-willed, and hot-tempered man—even if he were in the wrong—would never apologize to VanCleef. Not to mention that his wife, Queen Tiffin, died at the hands of the Stormwind stonemasons.

The hatred between these two is complex and tangled; being able to suppress it is already a feat. Wanting Varian to apologize to VanCleef? Forget about it!

However, it might not be entirely impossible...

Shawn thought of one person.

King Varian's only son, the young Prince Anduin Wrynn, though only nine years old, was already remarkably insightful and had a mind of his own. And Varian had always placed great importance on his son's opinions...

There was another person who could influence Varian: the ruler of Theramore, Jaina Proudmoore, a powerful archmage, someone misunderstood by too many and blindly worshipped by too many...

If one could tell everything to Anduin, manage to meet Jaina, rescue the heroic and fearless half of King Varian, and find a way to persuade the gentle and refined side, then perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a sliver of a chance that Varian could apologize to VanCleef...

But then again, if all of that were truly accomplished, then as far as killing Onyxia is concerned, whether VanCleef is involved or not wouldn't matter at all.

However, if one could truly make VanCleef let go of the hatred in his heart and stop the Defias Brotherhood from burning, killing, and looting, then the law and order in Westfall would certainly get back on track, and the people of Elwynn Forest and Duskwood would certainly have a much better life...

"So, does this mean I have to make a trip to Stormwind City? But how can I get an audience with the young Prince Anduin, and how can I travel to Theramore to meet Lady Jaina? Don't talk to me about riding a gryphon; that's a game mechanic. Not to mention that in reality, there are no flight paths in Westfall, nor are there large war beasts like gryphons. Even if there were, a gryphon couldn't fly from Westfall to Theramore without eating or drinking...

It's separated by the entire Great Sea! If you really want an analogy, it's like being separated by the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean—you try flying that for me!

So, taking a ship from Stormwind City is the only way.

Alright, here comes the problem.

Stormwind City is still Onyxia's world; the entire upper echelon of the city has been hoodwinked by her. Trying to leave by ship under her nose is likely impossible, unless one could hook up with some true high-ranking official in Stormwind...

But in the current Stormwind, who is still trustworthy? Who can be trusted?

Regent Lord Bolvar Fordragon?

Even though that guy is a paladin, he's been hoodwinked by Onyxia too...

Archbishop Benedictus of the Cathedral of Light? He is the true mastermind behind the scenes, a hand even darker than Onyxia's...

This is simply a mission impossible!

Shawn poured out his grievances to Rick, hoping to dispel his notions. At worst, they could wait for a while, until King Varian returned and Onyxia was brought to justice, and then find a way to reconcile VanCleef and King Varian.

However...

Rick heard Shawn's words and said, "Actually, you know, I once participated in the reconstruction of Stormwind City, and I got to know quite a few high-ranking officials..."

Shawn shook his head. "How high? As high as Onyxia?"

Rick said, "Not that high, but there is one person whose status is indeed not low, and who holds a great deal of power. The key is that this person would certainly be willing to help reconcile VanCleef and King Varian, because he not only knows VanCleef, but he also once had a very good relationship with him..."

Shawn's eyes lit up. "Who is this person?"

A flash of respect and nostalgia crossed Rick's eyes, and then he uttered a name.

"Matthias Shaw!"