Azar left the capital with his trusted followers, decisively and without hesitation. His departure was so grand that it seemed to tell everyone, "I'm done with this. I'm out." He took with him the mage, Sentinel, and priestess forces that had sided with him. Anyone observant would have been astonished to discover just how extensive the arrangements made over the past century were. Daresmar was relieved he hadn't acted rashly against Azar. He was loyal to Azshara, and from the moment he chose to follow her, he had known he was her henchman. His task was to eliminate every obstacle standing in the way of her ascent. He had once thought Azar was a huge stumbling block, but out of respect for Azshara, he hadn't acted. It wasn't that he didn't want to; he had a plan. But Xavius had told him not to go through with it. First, he would have had to face Azshara's fury, and there would have been consequences he couldn't bear. Xavius had told him Azar's influence was immense, and no one could fully understand it—not even Xavius himself, Number 0. Watching the seemingly endless line of people, Daresmar believed him. The sheer force of it astonished him. One of his own trusted followers was in the procession. The moment he saw the man, a chill ran down his spine! If Xavius hadn't warned him not to trust anyone, he would almost have told the man his plan. Who was he? Yes, this was Number 3. There were also royalists in the procession. They knew Azar was their last refuge. At first, they hadn't trusted him much, and for a time they had even thought he was the mastermind behind everything. But when they saw the book in Azar's hands, they followed him without hesitation. Some were mages, Sentinels, or priests, but most were artisans and scholars. Azar had taken nearly half the capital's artisans and scholars with him. Seeing them made Daresmar's heart bleed. It would take immense effort to train so many talented people again. He punched the pillar beside him, venting his frustration.
"But if you see this book in anyone's hands, it means the kingdom has undergone a great upheaval. Trust whoever holds it and follow him. He will give you refuge."
"My dear child, if you're reading this book instead of hearing these words from me in person, then please take the people named in it and leave. They are my trusted secret subordinates. They're excellent, and they'll be able to help you."
"If you're sure you're safe enough and capable enough, infuse the last few pages of the book with Arcane power. There you'll find the secrets of the Zarzan House, secrets only the head of the house is allowed to know. Clearly, once you've obtained this book, you've automatically become its head. Remember, don't read it right away. Make absolutely sure you're strong enough first. Remember! Remember!"
Seeing them made Daresmar's heart bleed. It would take immense effort to train so many talented people again. He punched the pillar beside him, venting his frustration.
"Don't feel bad about it. What he did actually saved us a lot of trouble, didn't it?" a sinister voice whispered in his ear. It was Xavius. As a senior spy personally trained by Azar, he knew all too well that the forces lurking in the shadows were the most frightening.
"They're the kingdom's elite and its wise men! They're not commoners!"
"We can train more. We have plenty of time, don't we? The most important thing is that Azshara is already queen!"
That was the difference between a leader and an elite. Talented people might be exceptionally capable in certain fields, but when it came to long-term vision, a leader could leave them eight streets behind. Azshara saw things clearly. No matter what Azar did now, no matter how vast his power seemed, eventually it would all belong to the child in her womb. But she didn't show the slightest trace of triumph. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the procession slowly disappear into the distance. She cried because she knew she had broken his heart. She had no idea when they might see each other again, or whether they ever would... She didn't know. She was overwhelmed, her heart aching with pain.
The sun set, but she stayed where she was. At last, she had stood there long enough, cried until she was exhausted, and knew it was time to go back. The wind dried her tears and steeled her resolve. "From this moment on, I'll bury my love deep in my heart. I'll never fall in love with anyone else. My heart belongs only to you. Farewell, Azar, my love." Her tears welled up again, beyond her control. She wiped her face and dried them. Then, with resolve in her eyes and determination in her stride, she walked back to her kingdom. It was as though she were telling herself, I'll never regret this! I am Azshara! I am the queen!
I've never dared underestimate women. Have you never heard the saying that women hold up half the sky? Especially a woman who has buried her love: when she devotes herself entirely to the cause she pursues, the energy she unleashes is astonishing. Azshara began purging the kingdom of those who weren't loyal to her, even those who were neutral. She united every force she could to repair the damage caused by the coup. She heavily supported the mages and carried Azar's plans to their peak. In just a few short years, she put the country on a path of rapid development. Just as in the original timeline, she made the kingdom powerful and led her people to glory. Thanks to the Well of Eternity, and to the Azeroth World-Soul—you gave this people a new beginning. They were destined to shine with boundless brilliance, their legacy etched into the history of this planet! Her prestige reached its peak. The commoners supported and adored her. She was a great queen, the Light of Lights!
"She's still the same person. Gold always shines. Keep striving, my love!"
Azar hadn't given in! He rallied himself and began anew! He couldn't let down his fellow transmigrator! When he returned to Eldre'Thalas, he told himself that many people were watching him and he had to take on greater responsibilities. They believed in him, so he had to do his best and not let them down. He was the Prince of the Night Elves! He was Azar! He didn't look away. He hung a portrait of Azshara in the middle of his study so he could see her at every moment. He wanted to remind himself constantly that she was the woman he loved, and that he had to stay true to the path he had chosen. He told himself not to shy away, but to face things bravely; to forgive her and be generous about her mistakes; and to make himself strong enough to protect her, so that when she was tired or hurt, he could be there to comfort her right away.
"Falco! Make the Warriors' training and selection more rigorous. Raise the minimum requirements and reduce the size of the army. Also, begin assembling the Prince's Guard. You'll serve as its captain. Remember, I want the very best!"
"Maiev, starting today, the Sentinels' training needs to be more demanding. Use the strictest, most brutal methods to train the finest killing weapons! One in a hundred, one in a thousand—it's no exaggeration! They must become the sharpest daggers in the dark. Once they appear, it should mean their opponents' deaths!"
"Daphne, I'm leaving the Elf Hunters in your hands. I trust you know what I expect."
"Generals, it's time to show your true mettle. I want the finest Warriors, hunters, scouts, mages, and priests!"
"And you, my excellent administrators, I need all of you to work together. I want a larger population and more food. I want the finest artisans, and I want to build the greatest city!"
"I'm counting on you! You're my greatest support! With you by my side, I dare to challenge anything this world throws at us!"
Eldre'Thalas, the city of the Night Elf Prince—starting from this moment, the family had put its foot down and entered a period of rapid growth as well! Their leader had chosen his own path for the future. He believed he had a longer-term vision and could spare his team unnecessary detours. He believed he could save the Night Elves from their fate in the future!
"I'll seize fate by the throat! I'll take control of my own destiny! For Azshara, for my child, for Azeroth! Forward, Night Elves!"
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