Clouds Over Stormwind (1)

In the temperate central region of Azeroth stood the capital of the Kingdom of Stormwind. This great city, having endured countless hardships and risen again, was the achievement of which all the kingdom's citizens were most proud.

Nowhere on Azeroth was there another human city that could compare to it.

Tens of thousands of citizens lived in this city. Vast quantities of goods from all over the world gathered here each day before being sold onward elsewhere. The bustling Trade District collected an astronomical sum in stall fees and taxes every day.

After the Kingdom of Lordaeron in the north was destroyed, Stormwind City indisputably became the most important and prosperous city among the human kingdoms.

Viscount Delacroix—the Stormwind envoy who had previously been sent to Southshore and nearly killed by Roderick—slightly raised his chin and looked disdainfully at the busy merchants and peddlers around him. He crossed the Trade District and Old Town, then followed the road beside the canal toward Stormwind Keep in eastern Stormwind City.

After returning last time, he had presented the mysterious Lady Katrana Prestor with a large sum of money, barely managing to keep his position. Lady Prestor's political influence in Stormwind City far exceeded his imagination.

The idle viscount, who spent his days sleeping at home, was awakened by a sudden visit from Stormwind guards.

The soldiers' message instantly drove away his drowsiness. Lady Prestor had summoned him for a matter, and he was required to attend today's joint assembly of Kingdom of Stormwind nobles, where she had an extremely important matter to consult him about.

Viscount Delacroix got up in the middle of the night to begin preparing. His servants ironed his exquisite noble attire until not a single crease remained.

The hired barber carefully groomed him, and his slightly pale complexion,