Clever Disciple and Dutiful Daughter

"This indicates that their agricultural production is recovering! Under what circumstances would agricultural production recover? Shouldn't everyone have been conscripted into the army by now?"

"..." Daphne caught the scent of the situation and began to take it seriously.

"More people returning to the fields means fewer auxiliary troops and a shrinking scope of conflict."

"The demand for all kinds of medicine is increasing! The Troll won't care about wounded soldiers during battle; only after the war will the survivors need medicine. So, the merchants are hoarding supplies now!" Daphne quickly flipped through the statistics on Azar's desk, saying excitedly.

"It's not just that. The demand for building materials has also increased; they are going to build fortifications," Azar added.

"So, what we need to do now is provide them with some assistance! That, however, is a political matter. Do you still have any questions?"

"One last question: why the Insectoid, and not Ashenvale?"

"Daphne, look at our surroundings on the map. To the east is Zin-Azshari, sandwiched by a small stretch of Desolace. To the north is almost the entirety of Desolace. To the west is the sea. Tell me, where should we strike?"

"So I chose to head north from the northwest!"

"Correct, but the timing is poor! Furthermore, the route you chose requires passing that lake. Can you guarantee that the Green Dragon will be friendly toward us?" After saying this, Azar paused to give her time to think, taking a sip of water himself.

"So you decided to clear the threat in the south first? Then head north to Desolace to thoroughly deal with the Centaur and the Quillboar! Then, from Desolace, move west to take all of Ashenvale!"

"The route is basically correct, but there are many uncertain factors. We need more information, so time and timing are both critical."

"The Insectoid have barely appeared since the War of the Ancients, especially in the border regions."

"Can you be certain the bugs have no ability to resist? Even if that were the case, we still need to establish a secure zone in our south, so let's go there first. We need a stable south. We must plan for the future; in truth, I am not optimistic about the future of our Night Elf race. If we do not strive ourselves, no one can help us. Our race will be reduced to second-rate. This is a world of the strong, and there will always be races rising. How we maintain our long-standing prosperity throughout the long river of history is what we, as those in power, should consider. Go and prepare. Whatever you do, first consolidate the forces in your hands. Once the various units have assembled, hold several drills to enhance coordination between the different branches. As a general leading troops, you also have the task of figuring out a reasonable ratio of troop composition. This cannot be completed in one go; it requires summarizing and exploring through constant combat, and it needs to be verified repeatedly. Your burden is still very heavy."

Daphne walked out. She had gained too much today and needed time to digest it all.

"Child, come to my side," Azar said gently to Sophia. Sophia obediently came to her father's side. Azar took her hand and said kindly, "I've been so busy for so long that I haven't had a proper chance to talk with my own daughter."

"I know you are busy. Mother is usually the same, meeting one minister after another. She rarely has time to rest." The princess's expression was somewhat lonely.

"Then what do you usually like to do?"

"I like going to the Temple of the Moon. The priests there are very kind to me and have taught me a lot; I even know many healing spells. When Mother is tired, I help her relax. Father, you should try it too." Speaking of her specialty, Sophia immediately brightened up and, with a wave of her hand, cast a restoration spell.

"Does it feel comfortable? This was taught to me by the High Priest Chrysana. She said I have great intuition. She also said that if she didn't need to learn from you, she would have recruited me into the Temple of the Moon to inherit her mantle and become the High Priest."

"That won't do. My daughter is destined to become a queen; how could she become a priest?"

"Do you think so too? Mother teaches me the same, but I'm not very willing. If you force me to learn, I will learn a little. If I master it, can I go to the Temple of the Moon?"

Azar felt like a parent from China, single-mindedly thinking that the path he arranged for his child was the best, unaware that his child always had things she wanted to do in her heart. But as a teacher in his previous life, he also deeply understood that children show different interests and hobbies at every age. If conditions permit, it is not impossible to let one's child be proficient in many things. Anyway, we have endless lives and plenty of time to enjoy our own lives. As long as one maintains a focused heart, one shouldn't just have fake hobbies. Organizing his thoughts, he said to his daughter earnestly: "My dear child, as your father, I very much hope you can grow according to my arrangements. But, as a father, I hope even more that my child can be happy. If you feel resentful, you must tell me, and I will not be angry. I just hope you can grow up happy and live a safe life."

"Thank you, my father. Actually, I know myself that I was destined to be a queen from the moment I was born. I have also heard some things about you and Mother, but I don't care. Especially after hearing your words, I am even more convinced that you love me deeply. Mother also said she didn't want me to bear too much pressure, which is why she agreed to let me come to you. She said you would definitely respect my own opinions. I thought a lot on the way here—what if my father was an overbearing person? Should I go back to Mother? But I didn't want to go back, and I didn't even know why."

"No need to think so much. At your age, you should be happy; you should enjoy your happy life." Facing such a sensible and reasonable child, Azar felt incredibly sweet inside. Did I save the galaxy in my past life?

"Alright! Father, you don't need to worry about me. I am very smart, and I think I will soon become an excellent successor. I will work hard so that I can have more time to communicate with the moon goddess. Just like the saying on the wall: 'Ten thousand years is too long, we must seize the day.' Let me represent the Night Elf to visit the Zandalari; I can prove to you that I learn things very quickly. I'm going to rest now. You should rest early too."

Sophia went to rest. Azar sat alone in the study, saying nothing. It seemed he truly had no talent for being a screenwriter; none of his scripts followed his own train of thought, especially when facing his family. Azshara was like this, and now Sophia was the same. Sometimes he really wondered if his way of thinking was wrong, and if letting things take their natural course might be better?