Forced to Bow

Silence, a long, drawn-out silence.

Landral just stared at Lanlos, and for some reason, her endless fury suddenly extinguished; she grew inexplicably calm.

"Those monsters are on the other side of the Erendal River. If we hadn't blown up the bridge, would you still be sitting here making sarcastic remarks?"

Locking eyes with Lor'themar, Lanlos did not speak, signaling for the other to continue.

"That's right, the fall of the Eastern Temple is my responsibility, but as the commander of the Farstrider Enclave, watching the fire from the other side of the river is hardly what you should be doing right now."

Lor'themar smiled, but before he could speak, a Farstrider ranger rushed into the meeting hall.

"My lord, the troops are ready to depart."

Briefly stunned, Landral turned to look at the others, her confusion plain to see.

"Defending Quel'Thalas is the duty of the Farstriders; we would never watch the fire from the other side."

"Are you playing me for a fool?"

"No, we are simply doing what must be done." Lor'themar rose slowly, drew his scimitar with blinding speed, and slammed it into the tabletop. "Move out! The land of Quel'Thalas must never fall into enemy hands!"

Under the golden sunlight, the high tower on the bank of the Erendal River had lost its original luster; the surrounding trees had all withered, and the earth was covered in green fissures. The once soft soil had become calcified and cracked, while sturdy Felhound after sturdy Felhound paced back and forth, followed by hideous Felguard.

At the center, the once magnificent and brilliant tower looked dilapidated. Fel energy, like the roots of a creeper, covered the outer walls, and the originally exquisite and vibrant patterns were shattered, presenting a sinister and terrifying aura against the backdrop of chaotic energy.

At the Astrology Platform atop the temple, Kergash stood amidst the crystals floating in the air, a smug smile slowly spreading across his lips.

"Zumalosh, since you're here, don't hide."

No sooner had he spoken than a tall, robust figure slowly stepped out from behind a pillar.

"Do you have something to say to me?" Kergash turned slowly, leaning on his black wooden staff, his emerald eyes surveying the Troll chieftain before him with great satisfaction.

After a brief silence, the scarred Amani chieftain spoke slowly: "Although we have taken the temple, the High Elf will react soon. If we don't retreat in time, we will never return to Zul'Aman."

"What exactly are you plotting?"

"Heh, the High Elf..." Letting out a chilling laugh, Kergash walked slowly to the edge of the Astrology Platform. Looking down at the dense mass of demons and Troll below, the light in his eyes and his words appeared incredibly arrogant. "In the eyes of the master, they are nothing more than wild dogs blocking the path!"

"But the master you speak of is not here, and you are not her." Although Kergash had hidden much from him, Zumalosh was not stupid; he knew far more than the former had told him.

"Hmm?" Turning back, Kergash scrutinized the other with a strange look. "You are clever, much cleverer than that blockhead Tregra."

In Zumalosh's view, being smarter than a rock was hardly a compliment, but before he could speak, the Darkpine chieftain suddenly pointed his black wooden staff forward and chanted that hair-raising incantation.

A beam of green light darted out with extreme speed and instantly vanished into the floor beneath their feet. The next moment, those complex and exquisite patterns suddenly burst into light.

Accompanied by the sound of gears turning, the floor began to move slowly, and a bottomless secret passage gradually appeared in the center.

"Didn't you ask what I was plotting?" Reaching out and lifting his hand slowly, a crystal wrapped in green flames floated up amidst a buzzing sound in the air. "I'll show you right now!"

A patrolling Felhound ran past quickly. Shortly after, the cluster of bushes nearby swayed gently, and several Elf poked their heads out.

"It's truly unbelievable. In just half a day, such a earth-shattering change has occurred here." It seemed as if Fel energy was flowing even in the air; Halduron wrinkled his nose, his breathing slowing down significantly.

"I wonder how long it will take to recover... what disgusting power!" Lor'themar was not as tactful as Halduron, and his blunt emotion made Lanlos's expression turn somewhat strange.

"What is your plan?" The space not far behind them rippled like water, and Landral emerged from Invisibility, her brow furrowed as she stared at Lor'themar. Although she had received the help of the Farstrider troops, the Ranger Captain had arranged nothing for her.

"It's simple. The rangers will launch attacks from all directions to draw attention. Once their forces are dispersed, you will attack with us..."

BOOM!

A heaven-shaking roar interrupted Lor'themar's words, and everyone's gaze converged on the temple. A pillar of green light shot into the sky, like a straight crack splitting the firmament. Soon, the rising pillar seemed to hit an invisible wall, and the chaotic energy diffused in all directions, quickly forming a giant funnel-shaped vortex.

"By the Sunwell..."

"What is this?"

"These beasts, I knew they must have an ulterior motive! Quick, stop them!" Landral stomped her feet in anger and was about to rush forward, but Lor'themar reached out and stopped her.

"Halduron, notify the rangers to attack. We will launch our assault when the time is ripe."

Realizing the severity of the problem, the Ranger Lieutenant became uncharacteristically serious, nodded, and immediately ran toward the rear.

"Wait? If we wait any longer, the temple will be destroyed by them!"

"Lady Landral, war is not a game of spite. If you think you can solve all this, I would be happy to hand over command to you."

Landral opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. War was no child's play; the organized attacks by the Troll had caused huge losses to her subordinates. She had learned her lesson, and naturally, she had no confidence to demand command at a time like this.

"Very well. In that case, from now on, you will listen to my advisor."

Advisor?

Landral looked at Lanlos with an expression as if she had eaten excrement, and the latter was equally surprised.

"Do you think I can command her?"

"If she truly wants to retake the temple, she will listen."

Although the exchange between the two was very private, with Landral's strength, she could certainly hear it.

The expression on her face shifted constantly; humiliation made Landral almost bite through her lip. However, just as Lor'themar had said, she had to comply, whether she wanted to or not.

"As long as we can reclaim the sanctuary, I accept your command."

Seeing this, the surprise on Lanlos's face could not have been more obvious, yet as he watched her bow her head, he found himself relaxing instead.

This made him realize that even someone like Landral still possessed a sense of belonging and honor toward Quel'Thalas. At the very least, the patriotic education of Quel'Thalas was better than he had ever imagined.

Whoosh!

Arrows tore through the air, accompanied by shrill whistles; the battle was ready to erupt at any moment.