What Goes Around, Comes Around

The sky was devoid of a single cloud, with the white sun hanging high and casting a glare that felt exceptionally piercing. Perhaps it was because the sun felt too lonely that it grew angry, pouring its fury down upon the earth. On the ground, the grasses were scorched until they could no longer lift their heads, and the small animals were unwilling to come out and play in such weather; looking out, the entire land appeared utterly listless.

An army appeared on the horizon, moving forward slowly in a straight line. This was a defeated force—yes, the Queen's army had failed. They were dejected, their faces expressionless; if not for the tattered armor on their bodies, one would hardly recognize them as soldiers. Azshara had finally paid the price for her arrogance. The magical city of Suramar had been breached by the Amani Troll. The defenders had fought desperately, shedding blood and struggling to the death, but they were ultimately defeated by the overwhelming disparity in numbers and forced to retreat. The city was broken; the Troll slaughtered, cannibalized, looted, and burned houses. The beautiful magical city of Suramar was finished. Yet, just as the Troll were jubilantly preparing to return home laden with spoils, another group of Kaldorei dealt them a heavy blow. The Warrior Legion of Eldre'Thalas executed a classic ambush on the only path the Troll could take to return home. After a fierce battle, the Troll abandoned a field of corpses and supplies, dragging their remnants back to their homeland. After this engagement, the Amani Troll were severely crippled, forced to retreat deep into the forest to lick their wounds and wait for an opportunity to rise again.

Let us turn the clock back three days, to the Council Hall of the kingdom in Zin-Azshari.

"What! The Amani have launched a surprise attack on Suramar?" Upon receiving the scout's report, the face of Lord Xavius, the minister left in charge, changed drastically!

"Notify Her Majesty the Queen at once!"

Zandalari front line. The Queen's tent.

"Is it only when something major happens that I get to see you?" Azshara looked at the man before her, asking with a relaxed expression, completely unconcerned that this was the front line of a national war. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but just as Azar did not know how to respond to this, a mage rushed in, shouting: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! A massive Amani army has launched a surprise attack on Suramar!"

"What! When did this happen?" Azshara stood up, agitated!

"The news just came from Lord Xavius!"

"Azar..." There was a hint of panic in Azshara's eyes; after all, she was a woman, and she was still caught off guard by sudden events, especially in the realm of warfare, which she was not familiar with. At this moment, she could only turn to her husband, who was well-versed in battle.

"Contact Xavius immediately, cast the spell right here!" Azar knew that this was no time for formalities. He immediately entered a state of combat command.

The mage cast the spell at once, and before long, the face of Xavius appeared before them.

"Xavius, what is the situation in Suramar? How many troops did the Amani bring? Can they hold?"

"The situation is not good. Communication has been cut off for some time, and I estimate they cannot hold much longer."

"Does Suramar not have two Mage Legion stationed there? What about the elite Warrior Legion?"

"...It must be that the Amani have mobilized their entire force. The defenders are in a very tight spot."

Hearing this, Azar guessed it immediately: Azshara must have been putting on a brave face, stripping Suramar of its defenders.

"You, oh you! What am I to say to you? Must you compete with me in everything? Look at this now! That is the magical essence of the entire Sin'dorei!"

"..."

"I told you long ago to be careful of the Zandalari; they surely had a backup plan. You just wouldn't listen!"

"..."

As long as a woman plays the victim, a man usually has no recourse; everyone understands this. Azar looked at her as she remained silent, and after venting his temper, he did not know what else to say.

"Falco! Dath'Remar! Assemble the troops! Everyone, stand by!"

In an instant, the entire Kaldorei camp was in motion. Lower-ranking officers began to assemble their units, while high-ranking generals gathered in the Queen's tent to await Azar's instructions.

"This was certainly planned; otherwise, the timing wouldn't be so precise. With our two armies locked in a stalemate here, they launch a sneak attack on our important city," Daphne spoke up first.

"Generals, the opponent has played their hand; now it is up to us. Speak your minds," Azar said solemnly.

"We have reached the most dangerous moment, generals. Let these damned Troll go to hell!" Azshara also wanted to assert her presence, though there was clearly more venting than anything else in her words.

"Time might not be on our side," Dath'Remar said with some concern.

"The key is whether the garrison at Suramar can hold," a general remarked.

"I estimate they cannot. This time, the Amani came prepared; they certainly won't give up so easily," Falco said.

"To hell with the Amani! Daring to sneak attack me—I will make sure they never return!" Once he entered the battlefield, Azar adopted the face of a rogue, his fingers pointing at the map, his eyes wide.

"See this valley? It is the only way they can return! I am going to bury them all right here!"

"Prince! I must remind you, we do not have the time!" Dath'Remar clearly did not approve of this idea.

"How are we going to get there? Fly? We have no news right now. How many Amani came? How many of us should go? We know nothing!"

"Yes! We are going to fly there!" Azar said decisively.

"Saruman, you are responsible for establishing the portal! I want to transport the entire legion at once!" Azar waved his arm excitedly.

"But Prince, for such a large-scale portal, we need to establish one on the other side simultaneously, otherwise the risk of the transport is very high."

"I know! Here is the plan: a team of high-ranking mages and a squad of Sentinel will teleport first, then each will perform their duties. The mages will establish the array, and the Sentinel will scout the terrain while monitoring the movements of the Troll."

"Understood, I will go prepare immediately. Who will lead the Sentinel?"

"Maiev!"

"Present!"

"You lead the Sentinel and ensure the safety of the mages. Go pick your people."

"Daphne! All troops of Eldre'Thalas are under your command. Once you arrive, you may make your own decisions without needing to ask for instructions. I have only one requirement: beat the Amani so hard they won't dare step out of Zul'Aman for a thousand years!" Azar stared at Daphne, his eyes wide and fierce.

"As you wish, Prince!" This was Daphne's reply, her eyes firm and her tone resolute.

"Dath'Remar!"

"Yes, Prince."

"Assemble the entire army, begin the total offensive! Trying to take advantage of me? None of you will get away!"

They say that a man is most attractive to a woman when he is serious. Throughout the entire process, Azshara only said one word; for the rest of the time, she simply watched Azar as he laid out his military strategy. She was deeply captivated by his state at that moment. This was her man; in a critical moment, he did not abandon her, and he took on all the responsibility without hesitation. Azshara had never seen Azar command a battle, but that did not stop her from fantasizing. Women, after all, pursue romance and admire heroes, and the Queen was no exception. Coincidentally, the battlefield was the best stage for a man to perform.