Forest Wolf Shadows (I)

"That's the situation." Greymane explained their current circumstances to Alpha. "Because our numbers are small and our abilities are rather specialized, we weren't assigned to the main force. Darius believes this is our advantage. With the Worgen's unique talents and the terrain here, we can carry out ambushes and assassinations. To prove it, Darius went out to test it himself. Judging by the time, he should be back soon." Alda frowned. "When I arrived, I noticed that not only are we close to the front lines, but our supplies are incomplete too. Why is that? The other vanguard units are treated much better than we are."

Greymane took a drag from his cigarette. "This is a battlefield. This is war. Your treatment depends on how much you contribute." He sighed and continued, "Because of me, Varian doesn't want to help us. The elves have already helped us enough. If we want better supplies here, we can only earn them through military merits. Compared to the main force, our achievements are simply too few. Even if our combat power is exceptional, most of our people were civilians or adventurers before becoming Worgen. This period of training hasn't been nearly enough. Darius felt things couldn't go on like this, so he went personally to prove some of his ideas and strategies."

Alpha blurted out, "Does that mean all we can do now is wait for them to come back? And do nothing?"

Greymane said calmly, "Yes." Then he changed the subject. "But you can familiarize yourself with the situation here. The reports on the table are all the current battle reports. Ask me if there's anything you don't understand."

Alpha understood that there was nothing he could do now except learn about the situation. He quietly walked to the table and began reading the reports. As he looked through them one by one, Alpha fell into confusion.

On April 30, Dark Thirty Years, the cavalry of the Twenty-Fourth Division encountered Horde infantry at a crossroads. Casualties: 105. Enemies killed: 200.

On May 1, Dark Thirty Years, the artillery of the Third Division was ambushed by Horde wolf cavalry while resting. The entire unit was wiped out. When the Eleventh Division's air force went to provide support, it encountered enemy air forces. Casualties: 20. Enemies killed: 19.

On May 2, Dark Thirty Years, the infantry of the Sixth Division encountered traps while exploring the jungle. The entire division was injured by explosions.

Countless battle reports from Dark Thirty Years appeared before him, some good, some bad.

On May 21, Dark Thirty Years, the special unit Wolf Strike was ambushed. Casualties: none. Enemies killed: 30.

Alda noticed there were no more reports and looked again at the latest one in front of him. He asked, "What unit is this? That's impressive—no casualties, thirty enemies killed. Why haven't I seen them before? Are they a special unit?"

A trace of pride appeared on Greymane's face when he heard that. "Wolf Strike. That's us. Before that day, our treatment was far worse than everyone else's. After yesterday, it improved instantly. Even our meals are much better now. At least we don't have to go hunting for food ourselves anymore."

Alpha finally understood why Boss Darius had personally gone to the battlefield. The only rule for survival here was military merit.

Seeing Alpha's somewhat weary expression, Greymane said with concern, "Go rest first. We'll notify you when Darius and the others return. You may go." Alpha knew his own condition well enough. After saying farewell, he withdrew.

Just as Alpha arrived at the camp, Darius's operation began as well.

Darius looked at the Orcs before him and asked, "Well? Have you finished scouting the area? Is this the only group?" "Yes, only the group in front of us. Our men are ready," one of the Worgen underlings answered. Darius watched the Orc scouting party for a moment. When they turned around to head back, he gave the order without hesitation. "Attack!" Then he shot forward like an arrow.

The Worgen's explosive power was no joke. Before the Orcs could react, they had already been surrounded. By the time they came to their senses, more than half of them had fallen, lifeless. When they drew their weapons to resist, darkness had already swallowed their vision.

"Whew." Darius let out a long breath. "Report the casualties." A subordinate immediately answered, "No casualties. Ten enemies eliminated." "Cut off their tusks. We'll trade them for military merit when we return," Darius said without hesitation. "Yes." The subordinate immediately went to work.

A while later, rustling came from the grass. Darius merely twitched his ears and continued thinking. More than a dozen Worgen figures emerged. Upon seeing their boss, they immediately reported, "Team One has completed its mission. No casualties. Seven enemies eliminated." "Team Two has completed its mission. One injured, no deaths. Eleven enemies eliminated." After hearing the reports, Darius calculated, "Twenty-one of us went out. Twenty-eight enemies eliminated, one injured. How was that man hurt? Is it serious?" The captain of Team Two hurriedly replied, "Reporting, Boss. Erhu was injured when a Tauren playing dead rammed him. It's nothing serious, but he won't be able to move his arm for the next few days."

Darius nodded. "That's enough for today. Let's head back first." "Yes." Then the group vanished into the forest, leaving only bloodshed behind.

By the time they turned in their military merits and returned, it was already evening. Darius went straight into the main command tent and told Greymane about the situation. "This still won't work. We have too few men. Ambushes can't achieve the desired results, and the risks are too high." After hearing this, Greymane seemed lost in thought. Darius watched the thoughtful Greymane and fell silent.

"Your Majesty, Sir Alpha requests an audience." A guard's voice suddenly came from outside, breaking the silence. "Let him in," Greymane said. "Yes." Alpha soon appeared before them.

"Greetings, King Genn and Lord Darius." Alpha bowed. Darius laughed and scolded him, "When we're alone, there's no need for formalities. Come over." "Exactly. I order you not to bow when we're alone," Greymane said with a smile as well.

"Yes, then I won't stand on ceremony." Alpha smiled back. He walked straight to the table, pulled over a chair, and sat down. "When I came in, I saw that both of you were deep in thought. What happened?" Greymane and Darius exchanged glances before explaining everything. After hearing them out, Alpha fell silent too. The room became quiet once more.

"Actually, I have an idea," Alpha said softly. Greymane said, "Let's hear it."

"We continue using Boss Darius's method and ambush the enemy scouts, but we don't wipe them all out. Leave one or two survivors and let them return alive. Have them spread what they saw and heard throughout the Horde." Darius interrupted, "What good would that do us? Wouldn't it just make them guard against us even more?" Greymane stopped Darius from saying anything further and gestured for Alpha to continue. "That's the second step. Once the Horde begins guarding against us on the front, we raid their provisions. As for the third step, we begin assassinating their officers. Only then can we enter the command headquarters. Only there will we have a voice."

Darius suddenly picked up the thread. "Once we have a voice, we can arrange for our men to enter the real battlefield. Only then will we draw attention."

But Greymane voiced his concern. "Have either of you considered the exact casualties? How many soldiers would we lose as a result? Even if we gain a voice, how many people will we have left who can still fight?" At those words, Alpha found himself unable to argue.

Darius, however, strongly approved of Alpha's plan. This was what he said to Genn: "You're the king. You have to take responsibility for everyone's survival. I understand your concerns, but have you ever considered that it was precisely because we always hesitated like before, afraid of this and afraid of that, that we ended up in this situation? We may not have many people, but every one of them is an elite. Since they followed you to the battlefield, it proves they are already prepared to sacrifice everything for Gilneas. What you should do now is not fear this and fear that, but work to stand alongside Varian and the others, to fight for the greatest opportunity. Genn, where is the courage you had when you stopped me in Gilneas City? Has this battlefield made you afraid? Made you retreat? Made you timid? Tell me—you're not old yet."

Greymane looked into Darius's serious eyes, his own gaze full of conflict. In the end, he sat back down in his chair and said slowly, "We'll proceed as planned. I have only one request: come back alive."