The Collective
Zul'ra maintained close contact with Silvermoon City and Undercity, finally finalizing their itinerary. In mid-August, she would travel with Lor'themar and Sylvanas in Goblins zeppelin, traversing the endless vortex to Orgrimmar, accompanied by Bovan and Eitrigg. 🎈🐠 ☯🍫
After leaving, Sanra received good news from Northrend: the frost trolls of the Zul'Drak'Karra clan had agreed to relocate some refugees to Zul'Aman, which would help increase Amani's population.
Especially in mid-August, Zul'ra entrusted the issue of the Ice Trolls ' relocation to Broken-Tooth, and then boarded a Goblins bound for Orgrimmar with Lor'themar, Sylvanas, Bovan, and Eitrigg.
The journey was very smooth, and the airship went straight to the skies above Orgrimmar. The nominal capital of the Horde was even more magnificent and splendid, but the population seemed a bit sparse, with Goblins the majority of the people on the streets.
"This city needs more people to truly showcase its grandeur and magnificence." Lor'themar looked down at Orgrimmar from above, marveling at its majestic and magnificent structure built against the mountainside, but also expressing surprise at the influx of people.
"Population is a major problem for the Horde right now." Zul'ra had a slight toothache; Silvermoon City wasn't the only one with a population problem.
The largest tribe in the Horde is the Amani'lai, Amani population was over 120,000 in the most recent survey. The Shu'halo tribe ranks second in population, and the total population of the tribes in various regions is about 70,000 to 80,000.
The Darkspear Trolls and Orcs are tied for third in population. The Orcs suffered a setback due to their defeat in the Second War and the closure of the Dark Portal, while the Darkspear Trolls were affected by the colonies of Kul Tiras and the invasion of the Naga in the sea.
Among the Horde, the Sin'dorei have the most severe population problem. They lost 80% of their population during the the Scourge invasion and currently have about 20,000 to 30,000 people. As for the Forsaken, their population is impossible to count because it is impossible to calculate, but if you exclude cannon fodder such as Abominations and Ghoul, their number is probably not that many either.
The total population of the Horde would not exceed 500,000. In the Great Celestial Empire of the previous life, this population number was equivalent to that of a township. Even a larger township would have more than that many people. It's too dry and troublesome. We need to investigate.
Encouraging childbirth and determining the future direction of the administration and the Horde, Zul'ra had come up with several ways to keep the Horde in check, but before that, he needed to persuade the Horde chief.
The Goblins zeppelin received a warm welcome upon landing, led by Thrall, Hamuul Runetotem, and Malacrass. However, the enthusiasm varied slightly; Hamuul Runetotem greeted Sylvanas politely, Malacrass and Zul'ra nodded, while Thrall's primary objective was to confront Lor'themar, as the Sin'dorei were newcomers to the group.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lor'themar appeared somewhat reserved. He greeted Thrall politely, and Thrall returned the greeting warmly. After a few pleasantries, they all entered the Hall of Glory in Orgrimmar.
A group of people were also waiting in the Hall of Glory, including Cairne Bloodhoof Bloodhoof, the Warchief of the Shu'halo United Clan, Vol'jin, the Chieftain of the Darkspear Trolls Clan, as well as a group of high-ranking members of the Amani'lai, Shu'halo, Darkspear Trolls, and Forsaken.
In the vast and magnificent Hall of Glory, chairs were scattered around the four sides. Red curtains hung in the hall, and a huge stone chair stood facing west on the east side of the hall. Thrall, wearing his ever-present black plate armor, naturally sat on this stone chair, his Doomhammer on the ground to his right, and the Horde's bright red banner standing to his left.
Zul'ra, along with Sylvanas, Cairne Bloodhoof, Vol'jin, Hamuul Runetotem, Eitrigg, Malacrass, and many onlookers, gathered around Thrall's seat. Surrounded by them, Lor'themar knelt beneath the red banner representing the Horde and solemnly swore allegiance to Thrall, the Warchief.
"... Quel'Thalas will be united with the Horde, this is the only unchanging truth. Every Sin'dorei will answer the Warchief's call. From this moment on, we are the Horde's blade and Horde shield. Live, sacrifice, for the Horde."
Lor'themar, dressed in the armor and robes bearing the insignia of Silvermoon City, knelt with his head bowed beneath the banner. As he finished reciting his oath, Thrall, who was sitting beside him, stood up, helped him up, and then, facing the crowd, took his left hand and raised it high into the air.
"At this moment, our destinies are intertwined. Let us all welcome the Sin'dorei into this family. Blood and glory for the Horde."
"For the Horde!" Zul'ra raised his hand along with the crowd, and countless voices echoed his gesture, creating a deafening roar that reverberated throughout the Hall of Glory in Orgrimmar and reverberated across the plains of Durotar and the skies of Kalimdor.
To welcome the Sin'dorei and to celebrate the reunion of the Horde leaders, Thrall hosted a celebration in Orgrimmar. After nightfall, bonfires were lit in the center of Orgrimmar's streets, and long tables were set out, laden with wine and delicacies.
Under the night sky of Orgrimmar, Thrall raised his goblet and shouted "Long live the Horde!" several times, drawing cheers from the crowd. Lor'themar and the Sin'dorei who had come with him, whatever their thoughts, also raised their goblets, their faces showing joy and merriment.
Amidst the welcoming crowd, Sylvanas approached Lor'themar and whispered to him. Cairne Bloodhoof and Vol'jin drank together, while Malacrass and Drek'Thar chatted together, though his gaze occasionally swept over the slender Sin'dorei in the crowd.
"This year must be a bumper harvest, right?" Zul'ra asked, strolling through the crowd with his wine glass in hand before squeezing back to Thrall's side. He noticed the banquet table was laden with a variety of foods in large portions, along with plenty of wine, including corn wine, moon dew wine, and wild boar spirit brewed by the Orcs.
"That's obvious. Haimus and the Druid have been a great help to us." Thrall handed his glass to Zul'ra, a satisfied smile on his face.
"What about the debts owed to the Goblins?" Zul'ra clinked her glass with Thrall's. The bumper harvest was not unexpected, after all, he had brought professional agricultural personnel and technology.
"Well, I've already repaid about four-tenths of the amount with the gold and grain I mined." Thrall's initial joy was slightly dampened by Zul'ra's focus on her work, but he could only take a sip of his drink and continue chatting with Zul'ra.
"Oh, that's good, then..." Zul'ra nodded, wanting to continue speaking, but was interrupted by Thrall.
"Zul'ra, let's not talk about this today, okay?" Thrall felt a little tired; this was a rare moment of peace.
"No." Zul'ra's refusal was direct.