Hakkar, Come Play!

We had been enjoying the warm hospitality of the Pandaren these past few days, and just as we were becoming so comfortable we forgot to return home, Saruman poured a bucket of cold water over us.

"Gandalf has contacted me. Something major has happened, and he needs us to return quickly," Saruman said to Azar with a grave expression.

"I'm retired, why are you still looking for me? I'm not going; I haven't finished enjoying myself yet."

"The situation is quite serious. The Princess cannot make up her mind and requires your return," Saruman explained.

"Is it the Troll? The Zandalari? Or the Gurubashi? It wouldn't be the Amani, would it?"

"It is the Gurubashi. It concerns Hakkar."

Farewell, my Pandaria; farewell, my Halfhill Town food festival; farewell, my Chen's Brew. With a heavy heart, Azar stepped into the Portal that had cost Saruman a third of his mana to construct. He regretted it the moment he stepped inside; he hadn't even said goodbye to the Pandaren, which was a grave discourtesy.

"Good day, Your Highness." As he stepped out of the Portal, his head still spinning and his footing unsteady, a large group of Elf stood before him, bowing in salute.

"Father, I apologize for interrupting your vacation. But the matter is truly urgent, and we desperately need your guidance," Sophia said to Azar, her face full of anxiety.

"Ahem... speak." Being a father is a bitter fate. If it were his son, he would have given him a sound scolding, but looking at his daughter's delicate, pitiful appearance, Azar could only sigh.

"Half a month ago, one of Mother's elite units raided the capital of the Gurubashi—Zul'Gurub."

"Isn't that a good thing? Once Zul'Gurub is taken, the Gurubashi will have no strength left."

"But this unit... the entire army was wiped out."

"Who is it, so formidable? What do our scouts say?"

"That is why we asked you to return to take charge. Because our people did not return either."

"Impossible. Lida is one of the most elite Sentinel I have ever trained. I would have to use my full strength to kill her. The Gurubashi have no such powerhouse; if she wanted to escape, she would certainly have succeeded." Maiev was nearly in a state of Berserk; although Lida was not her most gifted student, she was her favorite.

"Calm down, Maiev. Sophia, continue." Hearing that the situation was tricky, Azar immediately entered work mode.

"Mother was extremely furious and sent reinforcements! This time, Dath'Remar is leading the army personally."

"Do you think we should also send troops?"

"No, we have no reason to send troops. We can only go to investigate as observers." After saying this, she snuck a glance at her father.

"Forget it, 'observers'? You mean you want me to go because you called me back? You should have said, 'Old man, since you like traveling, why not go take a look while you're at it?' Your little schemes are far inferior to your mother's," Azar said, looking at his daughter with a playful smirk.

"...Fine, that is what I meant. Old man! Are you going or not?" Sophia had mastered the art of throwing a tantrum when she had no argument.

"I'm not going! What can you do about it?"

"If you don't go, I won't support you in your old age!"

"Heh, I have a pension; I don't need you to support me."

"I'll delete your account!"

"..."

"Just go and take a look. Didn't you say yourself that there was something wrong with the Gurubashi? You lead the team yourself to check it out; I only trust your word." Following a tantrum with a bit of coquetry was something most men couldn't resist.

"Fine, I'll go take a look." He surrendered just like that; such is the life of a father.

"Who do you plan to take with you? It's so dangerous, you should bring more experts." Why did that look in her eyes seem a bit cunning?

"No need, just the four of us. Right, Gandalf, you come with us too, and you, Anla."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"That's great, I've been waiting for this day!"

After all, she was his daughter; Azar had long since seen through her little schemes. Why wouldn't anyone else do to lead the team? Why did it have to be him? Only with Azar leading could she legitimately take away a few big shots. Only then could her own trusted aides rise to power. A new emperor brings new courtiers; it seemed a bit cruel, but this was the natural metabolism of the political ecosystem. Simply put, it was to give the newcomers hope; the old guard couldn't occupy the positions forever.

Once prepared, they set off immediately. The Portal hummed to life! A high-tech product, arriving in Zin-Azshari in seconds. He sent a letter to that stubborn woman explaining his purpose, hitched a few Frostsaber in her palace, and the group galloped eastward.

"Tell me, are you stupid? I told you long ago to come out and play with us, but you couldn't bear to leave those studies. Who does it doesn't matter, does it have to be you?" Saruman was lecturing Gandalf.

"Speak clearly. We may be close, but if you talk nonsense, I will sue you for slander!"

"Fine! Then let me teach you. You've held that position for a long time; don't you know you should let others sit there too? No one said anything when the Prince was in power, but now the Princess is in charge, and you're still there! What are you trying to do? Does the Princess not have any excellent Archmage under her?"

"...I hadn't thought about it that way."

"That's why I say you're stupid. And today, when His Highness asked you to come with us, what was with that long face? Look at old Anla, how smart he is. 'I've been waiting for this day'—he was telling the Princess, 'I'm old, the work is so tiring, why haven't you found someone to replace me yet?' He is a High Priest, no lower in rank than you, an Archmage."

"Alright, stop picking on him. His political IQ is completely offline. He'd better just stick with me honestly."

"...But my research..."

"Young man! Travel is research; the world outside is wonderful!"

"Uncle, is there any way to go faster? I can't wait any longer." Maiev's anxious voice came through, interrupting the trio's conversation.

"Ahem... Gandalf, lock the coordinates, open the Portal."

"Where to?"

"Set it directly to the city gate of Zul'Gurub!"

"Will it be dangerous? After all, one gets a bit dizzy right after exiting a Portal."

"No more talk, I'll take the lead!"

"That won't do, let me handle it instead." Falco was getting a bit anxious.

"Are you better than me? I'm first, you're second, Anla is third, and the three of you can do as you please. Anla, do you know what to do once we exit the Portal?"

"I do. If there are many enemies, I'll use the ultimate group silence followed by the Moon Goddess Orbital Cannon. If there are few, I'll just watch you perform."

"..."

The Portal opened, and Maiev charged in first! "That stubborn girl doesn't listen to orders! We agreed she'd watch me perform!" Azar grumbled in frustration. Gandalf was the last to step out of the Portal, and he felt a headache coming on at the sight before him: the ground was littered with Troll corpses, and Maiev, covered in blood, was still relentlessly slaughtering the Trolls rushing toward her. As for the other three? They were sitting on the sidelines cheering her on. He couldn't stand it any longer; ignoring his dizziness, he unleashed a Pyroblast at the rear of the enemy line!

"Let's join in, finish them off quickly." Azar gave the order. He charged in first with Charge + Whirlwind, followed by Mortal Strike! He was taking them down one by one like snapping twigs!

Falco stood guard in front of the three cloth-wearers, constantly using Shield Block and Shield Slam.

Instant Fireball! Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!

"There are too many people over there! Freeze them!" Azar was quick with his eyes and feet, using Heroic Leap to land in the crowd, followed by Intimidating Shout + Bladestorm.

"Support Maiev!" Azar never forgot to command even while fighting.

Frost Nova + Power Word: Shield + Blade Dance, the three of them coordinated perfectly.

"Polymorph that Centurion! He's still useful."

"Baa..."

Like cutting melons and vegetables, the job was done.

"Where did that Elf troop from half a month ago go?"

"Hahaha, they have all become sacrifices to the gods! You won't be able to escape either!!!"

"It really is him!"

"I'll send you to meet your god right now!" Maiev raised her blade and struck!

"I wasn't finished questioning him yet!"

"I'll go catch another one for you!"