Bugs were truly despicable creatures. The longer Daphne stayed in Silithus, the more she agreed with that sentiment. They reproduced at an incredible rate, and their capacity for destruction was practically unmatched across the world. They produced nothing; all they did was consume and destroy! They dug holes everywhere, and devoured every last bit of vegetation on the surface. This place was even more desolate than Desolace!
"General, the fortifications we built yesterday are full of holes again. The bugs dug them out," the Centurion on the front lines reported dejectedly.
"Have the mages still not come up with a solution? Fighting a proper battle isn't even this exhausting! I'm sick of this!" Daphne grumbled irritably.
"The mages are studying the bugs' corpses, hoping to find a way to counter them. We should hear something soon."
"Then make it quick. The Prince's orders are to stop advancing. Our next plan is to develop the areas we've already secured."
"That will be difficult, I'm afraid. You've seen how badly the bugs are ravaging this place," the Centurion said doubtfully.
"General, the Prince's envoy has arrived," a guard announced just as the two of them were at their wits' end.
"Come on, let's go see him. Who is it?" The group headed toward the camp as Daphne asked.
"Lord Falco," the guard replied respectfully.
"Him? Looks like I won't have to suffer here anymore. I really miss Feralas's weather."
As soon as Daphne entered the tent, she saw a broad-shouldered figure with his back to her. The guest was studying the campaign map on the wall. Perhaps he was so engrossed that he hadn't noticed her arrival. Daphne didn't interrupt him. She quietly walked over and waited nearby.
"Daphne? When did you get here? Sorry, I was so absorbed in the map." At last, Falco noticed her and apologized.
"It's fine. Take your time. Ask me whenever you come across something you're unsure about. While I'm still here, I'll answer anything," Daphne said with a smile.
"Looks like you really do hate this place. You don't even want to fight your favorite kind of battle anymore." Falco joined in the joking. He was, after all, famous throughout the army for being stone-faced.
"When I heard you were coming, I knew my assignment was over. You're probably taking over the defense here. I wonder what brilliant idea the Prince came up with to deal with the bugs' shameless tactics?"
"Come take a look." As he spoke, Falco walked over to the desk and pointed to a pile of blueprints.
"What are these? Magic scrolls? There don't seem to be many," Daphne asked, puzzled.
"That's not funny at all. Use scrolls against bugs? They're not important enough for that. These are blueprints. The Prince's plan is to build a defensive structure along the border—a steel fortification!"
"Steel? For a project this huge? Can you explain?"
"Yes, steel. According to the records Princess Sophia brought back, Desolace isn't as barren as it looks. There are rich iron deposits underground!"
"How are we supposed to mine it? Iron ore isn't steel. And how will we transport it here?"
"Can't you let me finish before asking questions?" Falco grumbled, then slowly told Daphne about what had happened while she was away.
It turned out that the Zandalari had conducted extensive surveys of most of the known regions, and their records contained information about many areas. Desolace, for instance, had vast quantities of iron ore, so the leaders of Eldre'Thalas believed they should fully exploit these resources. Iron deposits were bound to contain gold, mithril, or large amounts of copper as well. These metals were all important strategic resources, and the Night Elves had to keep them under their own control. The problem was that the Elves didn't have enough labor to mine these resources. So everyone pooled their ideas, but after several days of debate, they still had no good solution. Finally, the Prince proposed an idea that everyone liked: put the Centaurs and Quillboar to work! They were strong but not very bright, making them ideal for manual labor. Then everyone worked together to refine the plan. After round upon round of additions, it grew into an enormous scheme. It went like this: first, launch several military exercises in Desolace targeting the Centaurs and Quillboar, putting them under immense pressure just to survive. Then send envoys to negotiate, trading food for their resources. Expand the operation and drive down food prices, forcing more of them to mine. They would learn that as long as they had ore, they could get unlimited food. Gradually, they would become dependent on the Night Elves' food. Then the Elves would raise the prices, keeping them just high enough for the workers to eat their fill, but leaving them no surplus to develop their own societies. The same approach would be used on the Centaurs, but their physiques really weren't suited to digging, so they would be assigned to transportation instead. In that sense, the plan still wasn't big enough to deserve the name. The real centerpiece was the follow-up "Great Wall Project." Azar had come up with the name as a joke. He wanted to use the Han people's method of dealing with the Xiongnu to build a steel Great Wall. The laborers would be the hardliners among the Centaurs and Quillboar. There were bound to be collaborators who would help the Elves identify those troublemakers. Their fate would be castration, after which they would be used like beasts of burden to build the Night Elves' wall. In the process, the Centaurs and Quillboar would become vassal states of the Elven kingdom. Their role would be to provide labor, serving as the initial resources that got everything started. Meanwhile, the Elven mages would need to establish dedicated alchemy research institutes and conduct more in-depth, meticulous studies of metals to advance the entire Elven race's steel industry. The energy and techniques needed for smelting could also spur specialized research into power. Arcane magic would once more become a major focus. It was slowly making its way into every aspect of Elven life.
"What a genius plan! It's magnificent!"
"So your job is to build the wall here? Seems like a waste of your talents."
"No, there's another part to the plan—the military side. This place is a quagmire. Every army will have to slog through it for a few years to stay battle-ready. It'll also be a testing ground for new tactics and weapons. As the Prince put it, if we can't stop killing the bugs, we might as well put them to use. What's the point of having an army that doesn't fight?"
"I could do that job too. Why replace me with you?" Hearing there would be fighting, Daphne no longer wanted to go back.
"The Prince said you weren't suited for it. Your new assignment is to deal with the Centaurs and Quillboar in Desolace. Your task is just as important—the labor for our wall depends on you. Remember, we need workers who can do the job. Don't send us cripples. They won't get much done, and I'll have to dig a hole for them myself."
"So I'm about to become a slave trader?"
"You'll be an excellent slave trader, my dear Daphne," Falco teased.
"Get lost! There's no good reputation to be had in that line of work!"
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