At Light's Hope Chapel, not far from Tyr's Hand, these renowned paladins were also discussing matters related to Southshore.
"After verification, he was indeed once a member of the Silver Hand who joined the Knights of Ultimate Power. Gavinrad, the vice commander who died in battle, conducted his initiation, and our clerks have found the roster from that year." Someone stepped forward to confirm Roderick's identity.
"Knight Roderick's methods are exceedingly cruel. No kind person who holds the Holy Light in their heart could accept what he did to those Undead prisoners. Our enemy should be the Scourge, not the Forsaken." Opposition arose from the gathering as well.
"Can the crimes those damned Undead committed in Southshore simply be forgiven?" News of Roderick's attacks on the Undead had not pleased the knights of the Silver Dawn. Some doubted his identity as a member of the Silver Hand, while others were dissatisfied with his brutal methods. At last, someone stepped forward to speak for Roderick.
"Knight Augustine, please calm down. We likewise condemn the Forsaken's actions, but that does not mean Roderick was right to slaughter prisoners. His abuse of prisoners of war has no knightly honor whatsoever. It is not something a noble knight should do," an officer at the side said righteously.
"Is that so? Seeing how indignant you all are, I thought you were about to head to Lordaeron City to defend your queen! They turned every dead person in Southshore into skeleton monsters! Why does no one care about the Southshore those monsters destroyed? If I had been in Southshore at the time, I would have joined Roderick's ranks as well!" Augustine roared without the slightest restraint.
Watching the paladins argue, the assassin Rohan and Mataus the Wrathful exchanged glances and chuckled softly. The Silver Dawn actually wanted to join forces with the Forsaken against the Scourge. Who knew what was going through their heads?
Under the others' persuasion, the dejected Augustine gave up arguing. Yet their prejudice against his friend filled him with anger and helplessness. His companion, whom he had not seen for years, had caused such a huge uproar the moment he appeared. The Scarlet Crusade next door probably liked that very much.
Augustine deeply despised the Scarlet Crusade's fanatical hostility toward all dissenting opinions. Many people dissatisfied with their methods had been executed by the Scarlet Crusade in the name of justice. That was also something he firmly opposed.
But now the Silver Dawn actually intended to ally with the Horde against the Burning Legion, which was equally difficult for him to accept. No one would be willing to fight alongside Greenskins, least of all descendants of the Iron Horse Brotherhood like them. Yet now even the Forsaken had become their allies. Augustine felt that the Silver Dawn's upper ranks must have gone mad.
When Maxwell Tyrosus saw Augustine sitting outside alone in frustration, the tall, one-eyed man said in a calm tone, "They were not targeting your friend. But the Scourge is the enemy of us all, and their strength is immense. That is why we need to unite every force we can."
"Including Orcs and Undead? My father died beneath Blackrock Mountain, and the kingdom's last forces were also destroyed by the Undead in Lordaeron!" Augustine said painfully, gripping the weapon in his hand.
"Though it is difficult to accept, we have no other choice if we wish to defeat the Scourge. Roderick's actions will give the forces hostile to us in Lordaeron City an excuse. It will affect our efforts against the Scourge. I hope you can understand."
"I once swore an oath. The Orcs must pay for what they have done. Sir Lothar gave his life for humanity's cause, yet the Orc chieftain who killed him received no punishment. Instead, those vicious creatures regarded him as a great protector. I will not fight alongside a single Orc!"
"As for the Undead,
what is the difference between the forces hiding in Lordaeron and the Scourge here? Perhaps the Undead forces in the Tirisfal Glades are weaker, but they are still enemies of all humanity." After days of suppression, Augustine finally voiced his true thoughts. Watching Augustine leave, Tyrosus knew his attempt at persuasion had failed. This paladin, who had always fought bravely, likely could not accept the Silver Dawn's ideals. But for the greater cause of defeating the Scourge, every knight had to endure temporary compromises and concessions. He could only hope Augustine would come to understand.
As for that Roderick from Southshore, he was a typical battle fanatic. Men like him were only fit to fight Ghouls on the front lines. Just like those of the Scarlet Crusade, revenge had already burned out their brains.
Duke Nicholas Selenhoff looked at the resignation letter Augustine had submitted and said in a low voice, "Knight Augustine, are you truly leaving the Silver Dawn? We are severely short of manpower on the front lines."
Augustine wanted to tell him that they could recruit those dead people in Tirisfal, along with the Greenskins from across the sea, to fight the Scourge. But a knight's reason allowed him to say calmly, "I will not fight alongside those Orcs and Undead. I am voluntarily leaving the Silver Dawn."
Tyrosus was still trying to persuade him. "Augustine, this is all for the greater good. If we cannot defeat the Scourge, no living creature will ever know peace..."
"That is not necessarily true. The Banshee Queen who controls Lordaeron might join the Scourge's ranks again. Isn't betrayal her specialty?"
"We are short on manpower here. You know how heavy the losses on the front lines have always been." Tyrosus did not want to give up. Every knight who left was a tremendous blow to the Silver Dawn.
"I thought you had already recruited enough Greenskins to fight the Scourge, assuming they can swim over here." Unable to endure the other man's nagging any longer, Augustine mocked him.
Why ally with Greenskins? Had humanity not always been resisting the Scourge's attacks on its own? What use was such an alliance?
Tyrosus was rendered speechless by Augustine's sarcasm, and Duke Nicholas Selenhoff had no choice but to smooth things over. "Then I wish you a safe journey. May the Holy Light be with you."
"May the Holy Light protect you as well." Augustine said nothing more and turned to leave the chapel.
"Hey, kid. You really should have seen Tyrosus's changing expression. It was absolutely wonderful." A gloating voice came from nearby.
"Thanks, but I have even less interest in the Scarlet Crusade. Your skill at massacring civilians is far greater than your performance when attacking the Scourge." Augustine despised the Scarlet Crusade even more.
"I do not wish to trade insults with you. I merely heard that you are a friend of Knight Roderick?" Lohan, a high-ranking assassin of the Scarlet Crusade, asked directly.
"Is there a problem?" Augustine was puzzled.
"Then you should hear my plan. Knight Roderick's actions are perfectly in line with the Scarlet Crusade's principles. We will send an envoy to Southshore. You can travel together. What do you say?"
"Very well, I can accept this task. I will use my life to ensure that she reaches Southshore safely." Though he frowned slightly, Augustine still accepted the commission. Helping everyone in need was a knight's virtue.
"We do not need your life, though you did make me laugh. The Scarlet Crusade remembers everyone who has ever helped us. I will contact you when it is time to depart. Believe me, she is also a powerful knight and will not hold you back," Lohan said with a smile.
A female knight? It did not matter. He would definitely tell Roderick about the Scarlet Crusade's terrifying fanaticism and ensure their recruitment plan failed. Of that, he was very confident.
"Mataus sent word from next door. One of Roderick's friends has left the Silver Dawn—a righteous knight. He is willing to escort you to Southshore and even offer his life to protect you. Quite a fine young man, isn't he?" Marlene said to Abbendis, who had finished preparing for departure.
"Though the Silver Dawn's knights are somewhat weak-willed, they are still true knights. Marlene, I will leave things to you for the time being. As for the High Inquisitor..." Abbendis was somewhat worried.
"Go without worry. I will find a way." Marlene declared confidently. At Tyr's Hand, the High General was the leader of all soldiers.
And so, Scarlet High General Abbendis and Augustine, Roderick's friend, set out south together. The Scarlet Crusade and the Silver Dawn, the two great knightly organizations, would soon make their first contact with Roderick, while his former close comrade would return once more to his homeland and friends.
Before you continue