The Future of the Alliance

So, this little goblin had such a tragic childhood, and his mentor was actually Kel'Thuzad. It seems fate has not yet finished with him.

However, his appearance in Dalaran in the 90s suggests he survived the Third War without being killed by the Lich King or The Defiler, Archimonde. He has turned into an NPC who spends his days playing pranks. I suspect no one will ever know the tragic life story of this little gnome.

Jaina sat with him, sharing in his sorrow for a while. Taelan Fordring keenly realized this was a perfect opportunity to shift Jaina's perspective.

He first introduced himself and Jaina to the little goblin, then spoke up: "Little goblin, you must pull yourself together! Nothing can defeat a Champion, unless they give up on themselves! One day, you will avenge your parents and settle the score!"

"Living a good life is their only hope! The chance you have to live was bought with their own lives! I don't think they would want to see you living in sorrow every single day!"

The little goblin remained despondent, so Taelan Fordring continued: "This is not your fault! The orcs are invaders from another world. They fell to the pursuit of power and ultimately destroyed their own world. To survive, they invaded ours, and in our world, they slaughtered defenseless civilians! In Stormwind alone, millions were killed by them. They stole our land and attempted to exterminate all of humanity!"

"When I grow up, I will surely drive out these foreign invaders. I have heard that recently, every kingdom has grown to loathe the Orc Internment Camps. They have become a massive financial burden. Soon, some kingdoms will think of withdrawing from the Alliance. Within a few years, major changes will occur! We must study hard and train our bodies; there will certainly be a use for our strength in the future!"

Jaina listened to Taelan Fordring holding forth, his demeanor confident and firm, much like her father when he spoke to his soldiers. Her eyes filled with admiration as she said, "Taelan, how do you know so much?"

Taelan Fordring replied, "I heard this news from conversations between my father and his friends. As for why they would withdraw from the Alliance, that is a conclusion I reached after reading books in my father's study!"

"For instance, Quel'Thalas has always been isolationist, and the people of that nation are arrogant. If not for the orcs and trolls joining forces to attack Silvermoon City, they would never have joined the Alliance. Therefore, once the external threat is removed, the Elves will certainly withdraw from the Alliance."

"And the King of the Kingdom of Gilneas prefers to close his borders; he even built a wall to seal himself inside. Once the Alliance harms his interests, that selfish and self-righteous old man will surely be the first to withdraw."

Jaina, after all, lived in a unique household and had been exposed to these national policies through osmosis. While she could not yet grasp the full picture, she understood the gist of it. She suddenly asked, "Then what about Kul Tiras?"

Taelan Fordring was silent for a moment before saying, "Although General Daelin is not staying in the Alliance due to the issue of the Orc Internment Camps, Kul Tiras will always maintain close relations with the Kingdom of Lordaeron and other Alliance nations! This aligns with the national interests of Kul Tiras."

Jaina asked, "Then what do you intend to do? Kill all those orcs?"

Taelan Fordring shook his head: "Although I loathe these enemies of the world, I cannot bring myself to slaughter them all. That would violate the Paladin's path of mercy! When the Alliance falls apart, the orcs will surely stir up war again, and at that time, King Terenas will inevitably reap what he has sown. I will find a way to exile them so they cannot harm civilians. Once the Alliance survives the crisis, we can find a way to resolve the threat."

Jaina originally had no strong impression of the orcs, but she knew that because of her brother, her father hated them to the bone. Hearing the little goblin's story today, and hearing Taelan's argument that the orcs were invaders of the world, gave her a new understanding of them.

After hearing Taelan out, the little goblin thought for a moment and said, "Taelan, you really don't seem like a child. If you ever need help in the future, you can come find me!"

Taelan had wanted to warn him about his mentor, but he remembered that the man was an Archmage capable of wielding shadow magic. He was too dangerous. Telling the little goblin to be wary of him might alert the mage.

The little goblin looked at the sun and said, "I have to report to my mentor's mage tower. You can come find me here in the future." After saying this, he pulled a wand from his magic pocket and gifted it to Taelan Fordring.

"Take this! It might come in handy for you someday."

"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining Goblin's Enhanced Wand!"

Goblin's Enhanced Wand

Wand

Quality: Rare

20-30 Arcane Damage

+8 Intellect

Use: Turns a target into a Ragdoll Cat! (Required Class: Mage)

Durability 50/50

This is the true cat-transformation wand! A mage who possesses this can own three cats at once!

The little goblin bid Taelan farewell and left. Taelan gave the Goblin's Enhanced Wand to Jaina, expecting the princess to be polite and say something like, "I have a dozen of these, you take it and sell it for some gold." Instead, Jaina happily accepted the wand, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and she pulled Taelan along as they walked, saying:

"This wand can be used for a lifetime!"

Indeed! This thing is invincible in a duel! The two went to the Enchanting Guild to see the Starry Roof! On their way back, Jaina told Taelan that this was the happiest day of her life!

Then, she earnestly invited Taelan to accompany her to Stormsong!

The current Jaina is a flower protected too well; she has seen the birds and flowers of Stormsong, but she does not know there is a place in this world called Desolace. Not until Theramore is razed to the ground will she realize that the pure moonlight of the past was a gift from her parents. Having heard the little goblin's story today, I believe she will be tossing and turning all night.

I hope she learns about this world sooner, but takes up the burden of her entire race later. May she never have to stand alone on the front lines of a world war again!

Happy times always pass quickly. The two strolled through the streets of Dalaran under the moonlight, watching the guards march past. Led by the gorgeously armored Spellbreakers, they patrolled the streets. Jaina held Taelan's hand, telling him about her childhood and her mother. In truth, living in a royal family makes affection the most luxurious commodity, which is why Jaina has always been searching for a harbor—a place where she can laugh and talk without restraint, without having to consider those tedious etiquettes.

Arriving outside the gate of Daelin's residence, Jaina said a sincere goodbye to Taelan. Although she was still young, she was incredibly bright; she knew that seeing Taelan again might not happen until years later when she came to Dalaran to study magic, so every day they spent together was one less. She already knew Taelan had been recommended as an apprentice to the Archmage Krasus and would be coming to Dalaran to study in the future.

She stood at the gate, watching Taelan walk home through the moonlight. Daelin teased, "He really is a handsome young lad!"

Penglai wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! May all your wishes come true!