The Scepter Changes Hands

Daphne's troops had already charged in. Genuine leopard cavalry, fast and powerful, this was the advantage of the Frostsabers, and the reason Azar chose them as mounts for his cavalry. Charge, break through formations, rupture, pursue – this was the style Azar had set for his cavalry: their momentum like fire, their speed like the wind. Of course, as the actual ruling class of the Dark Empire, it was unrealistic for the Zandalari to have no skills. Just when everyone thought the situation was settled, trouble arose on the left flank!

A large patch of dark clouds appeared in the sky, pressing down on the army on the left flank. No! It wasn't dark clouds, it was the Zandalari Bat Legion! Their appearance caught the elven troops off guard, causing heavy casualties, and the front line appeared precarious.

"Azar, what do we do?" Azshara also understood the situation. The current situation was very critical, and she transmitted her voice to Azar softly.

"Good timing! I was waiting for you to come out!" Azar reassured his wife with his actions.

"Legolas! It's up to you!"

"Yes, Your Highness," a clear voice responded.

"Brothers, sisters, it's time for us to show our strength."

Mages had sufficient range for aerial targets, but their attack frequency was a weakness. The archer corps was the opposite. The Zandalari also had capable individuals who would fully utilize their advantageous forces and attack the enemy's weaknesses. But today was destined to be the day Legolas and his Elven Sharpshooter Corps became famous. Ground troops would defeat aerial troops, breaking the historical record of ground troops being unable to defeat aerial troops. Before, they would run if they couldn't win, but today they couldn't even run. They didn't know what weapons the enemy was using, but they were fast and accurate. Rows of Night Elves held their weapons diagonally upwards towards the sky. Without any apparent movement, large numbers of bats in the sky would fall. Falling from such a height, they should have been killed by the impact. Even if a few were lucky, with the dense ground troops, there was no possibility of survival.

"Azar, what is that weapon?"

"Mother, I know, it's a gun! The latest generation product from the Mage Research Institute. It has long range and great power," Sophia said first.

"Oh? How does it hurt people?"

"You can think of it as an iron ball wrapped in Arcane energy. The principle is very complex, I'll tell you more when we get back." Sophia looked at the battlefield excitedly and had no intention of explaining further.

The couple exchanged a glance and read the same message in each other's eyes. They nodded tacitly and didn't dwell on the topic. What were they doing? Of course, they were doing what parents should do. At the most intense moment of the battle, Sophia remained calm, but as soon as Legolas appeared, she stood up and paid attention to the battle.

The Zandalari's last resort also failed. Chieftain Zul'Krak saw the last bat fall and knew that the tide had turned. The era of the Zandalari was over. The future rulers were the Night Elves, the Kaldorei. Continuing to fight was meaningless and would only cause more bloodshed for the Zandalari people. Thus, a white flag was raised, and the Trolls surrendered. The cheers of the victors echoed through the sky, while the vanquished could only accept this humiliating reality, lay down their weapons, and silently form ranks to surrender.

"Zul'Krak, Jin'rokh, welcome." Azar bowed to the two representatives. As the victor, he didn't need to bow, but Azar believed this was a manifestation of civilization. Civilization was the mainstream of the future, and war was merely a means to achieve civilization. He wanted to use civilized etiquette, different from the past, to declare the success of the Kaldorei, and he had successfully convinced everyone. Therefore, today, he would take the initiative to bow. The two Zandalari envoys were also confused. What did this mean?

"Please don't misunderstand, sirs. The outcome of the battle is decided. You are still the chieftain and the great general of the Zandalari, and the proper etiquette cannot be omitted." Azar saw their confusion and explained.

Upon hearing this, their hearts calmed down slightly. This was an acknowledgment of their identities, and it was also an established rule in noble circles. Nobles could fight. If you were powerful and won, I would concede, but I would still be a noble. Rulers were also nobles, so this rule applied equally.

Negotiations were tedious, with both sides pursuing their own interests. The final outcome was that the Zandalari handed over all their ancient texts, including those on witchcraft, geography, history, and their collection of arcane tomes, and disbanded their army. The great Elven Queen allowed the Zandalari to remain, recognizing Zul'Krak's status as chieftain, and ceded the southern part of the Zandalari Mountains to them for survival and procreation. The Zandalari Trolls were defeated and began their migration. They were heading to the territory of the Gurubashi, and hatred was deeply buried in the hearts of every Zandalari Troll. The Night Elves, as the victors, gained everything: land, wealth, and knowledge. Their doctrine of racial purity was further upheld, and they began to rule the world. At the same time, they had to bear the responsibilities and obligations of a ruling class, which was to explore and protect the world.

Towards the weaker races, they showed their peaceful and gentle side, such as the Faerie Dragons, Chimeras, and Dryads. Towards the powerful and gentle Pandaren, they engaged in comprehensive diplomatic cooperation, forming an alliance to jointly resist any possible counterattack from the Insectoids. War made the world vibrant, but peace could also make the world vibrant. The Kaldorei entered a long period of peace. They remained full of exploratory spirit, extending their influence to all corners of the world, and continued to improve themselves. They needed time to solve their biggest problem – insufficient population.

Azar and Azshara reconciled, which was what all the Kaldorei commoners wanted to see most. Azar returned to the royal capital, and almost everyone came to welcome the great Prince's return. They knew that because of him, the empire had its second pearl—Eldre'Thalas. Because of him, the empire was not short of basic labor—Quillboars and Centaurs, as well as Troll prisoners of war. Because of him, the empire finally won this crucial battle against the Zandalari, and even the giant Amani was forced to retreat into the deep forests to lick its wounds. Now, if Queen Azshara was the embodiment of beauty and wisdom for the Kaldorei, then His Highness the Prince was the symbol of power and victory. Now that he had returned and moved into the Queen's chambers, with him present, the empire's rule was as solid as a rock. Together with the Queen, they personally hung the Quel'Delar and Quel'Serrar, symbols of ruling power, on their daughter Sophia's waist. This signified that Sophia had begun to rule the entire Night Elf Empire, and she would usher in a new era. They themselves would also begin their new endeavors: one specializing in Arcane magic, the other comprehending his own martial path.

After dinner, Azar sat by the fireplace, engrossed in Saruman's new book. Azshara brought him a cup of Morning Dew Wine and sat beside him to read with him. Sophia also came over and sat on the floor like a little girl, resting her chin on her father's lap, looking up at her parents with a smile. In the fireplace, the flames flickered, and the heat radiated by the flames warmed the family. Azar looked up, looked at his wife, then at his daughter, and smiled. Happiness was truly this simple.

If possible, please let time stop at this moment. I am willing to pay any price for it, even my life!