Taelan Foxglove

"Your Highness, please look," said Lieutenant General Edras Blackmoore. "The kingdom's funds have been used to the fullest extent. The precautions here are extremely thorough, so we can hold the gladiatorial games here."

"I know all this," Arthas said. He was touring the castle with Nathanos. Durnholde Castle was enormous. A festive atmosphere permeated the air. It was the cool autumn season, and the blue and white flags fluttering above the castle swayed in the breeze. They were now walking behind the battlements.

"You can see it for yourself now," Blackmoore assured his Prince with a fawning smile.

Nathanos felt a surge of disgust the moment he saw this man. Although Blackmoore appeared energetic and impeccably dressed, his bloodshot eyes suggested he was a heavy drinker. Furthermore, he always spoke with a strange smile, as if every word he uttered was a trap for Arthas, and he anticipated the Prince's every reaction.

Were the funds from the national treasury properly used in those prisoner-of-war camps? Nathanos highly doubted that Blackmoore was lying, and that the money was actually going into his own pocket. Moreover, Nathanos had also learned about his background!

Blackmoore's father, General Adeline Blackmoore, was a notorious traitor, tried and convicted of betraying state secrets. Although that was long ago, this stain has followed Blackmoore throughout his military career. It was only his numerous achievements, especially his valiant fighting against the Orcs, that earned him his current rank.

"I'm really looking forward to today's gladiatorial combat," Arthas said. "Will I be able to see your Thrall?"

Blackmoore smiled, his meticulously trimmed goatee parting slightly. "According to the schedule, he wasn't supposed to have a match today, but since His Highness has given the order, I will certainly find him the most worthy opponent."

Two hours later, the patrol ended, and Arthas and Nathanos shared a very elaborate lunch.

"What do you think of Blackmoore?" Arthas asked.

Nathanos closed his eyes, chewing his cheese impatiently. "He practically wears the word 'obsequious' on his sleeve!"

Arthas laughed, barely managing to swallow the food in his throat, and immediately agreed, "I wonder if those soldiers would still be standing guard with their backs straight if they didn't know their future King was coming."

They were chatting when Brockmore suddenly walked in again. Nathanos thought to himself that this guy never missed an opportunity to get close to Arthas.

"Lieutenant General Blackmoore?" Arthas put down his cup and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

As he entered the dining room, he bowed to Arthas. As he bent over, Nathanos noticed a girl standing behind him—his maid. The blonde girl was simply dressed, her beautiful face needing no adornment. She carefully cleared the empty plates from the table, a smile on her face. At this moment, Nathanos and Arthas's disgust for Blackmoore reached its peak. He walked over, reached out to touch the girl's arm, and said:

"Her name is Taresa Foxton." As the girl cleared the dishes, Blackmoore's hand was still stroking her arm, and the girl named Taresa still smiled, though Nathanos could detect distress and helplessness in her eyes. "She is the daughter of my personal servant Tammis. I believe you will meet her soon."

Arthas greeted the girl with a warm smile and nodded. She reminded Arthas of Jaina; Taresa, like Jaina, had sun-kissed blonde hair. The girl quickly returned Arthas's smile, then began diligently clearing the table, finally curtsying to the three of them before turning and leaving the dining room.

Two hours later, in the arena

Arthas's voice was hoarse from shouting, and his hands were sore from clapping. He had witnessed a truly spectacular match.

At first, he felt a little uncomfortable. Initially, only wild beasts were put into the arena. They tore at each other until one died. The sole purpose of these battles was merely to warm up for the real show. But Arthas loved animals, and seeing them treated in such a way made him uneasy.

Arthas's displeasure quickly vanished when the battle between humans and beasts began. Blackmoore stated that those who participated in the performances would receive generous rewards, and they would become minor celebrities due to their victories in the arena.

Of course, Orcs wouldn't receive this treatment. Arthas knew this and approved of this distinction.

"Lieutenant General Blackmoore." Nathanos leaned absentmindedly against a pillar. This was the first time he had spoken to Blackmoore since arriving here, and of course, neither of them wanted to talk to the other. Like Nathanos, Blackmoore was very wary when he first saw the man beside the Prince. Nathanos's eyes always made him uneasy, as if he could see into the secrets of his heart.

When will your Orcs pet make its debut?

Arthas looked at Blackmoore with curiosity when he heard the question.

"Of course, it'll be his turn soon," Blackmoore said with a smile.

He didn't disappoint Nathanos. Clearly, everything so far had been merely a warm-up for the audience. When a large door at the edge of the arena creaked open and a massive green figure strode into the arena, the entire audience rose to their feet, erupting in roars. Nathanos was surprised to find Arthas among the frenzied shouting. Everyone was chanting one name— Thrall.

Thrall was exceptionally large and far healthier than any of the Orcs Nathanos had seen in the prisoner-of-war camp, his expression one of extreme vigilance. He was barefoot, almost entirely without armor or a helmet, his green skin tightly wrapped around muscles as taut and hard as tree roots. His posture was also far more upright than the other Orcs. A deafening roar erupted as Thrall circled the arena, raising his fists and lifting his verdant, wrinkle-free face to meet the rain of rose petals falling upon him.

"I taught him all his skills," Blackmoore proudly began to explain to Arthas.

Has he ever lost?

"Never, Your Highness. He can't lose, but people still hope so. And so, money keeps flowing in."

Arthas glanced at him. "As long as the royal treasury receives its due share, you can continue this game, Lieutenant General." He turned again, watching the Orcs complete the ritual of circling the arena.

While carefully observing Thrall, Nathanos also paid attention to what Blackmoore and Arthas were saying. He hadn't expected that the Royal Family of Lordaeron could profit from such a match.

"He is absolutely obedient to us," Blackmoore said immediately. "He was raised by humans and has long since learned to fear and respect us."

"Obey us, or you?" Nathanos asked deliberately.

The question made Blackmoore's face stiffen. Arthas, realizing what was happening, looked at Blackmoore with the same expression, awaiting his answer.

"Of course, I obey the King Lordaeron. I serve His Majesty King Terenas, Thrall obeys my orders, so he is also equivalent to serving King Terenas."

Arthas nodded.

Nathanos chuckled coldly, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, he said, "An interesting explanation."

The leader of Durnholde Keep clenched his fist. But the tall Orcs saved face for him, turning to Arthas, Blackmoore, and Nathanos, pressing his fist to his chest, and bowing deeply.

"See that? Absolute obedience to orders," Blackmoore said in a deep voice. He stood up and waved a small flag a few times. Across the amphitheater, a burly, red-haired man began waving another small flag. Thrall turned toward the gate at the edge of the arena, gripping his massive battle axe tightly.

'Hmm? This is the way Orcs salute?' Nathanos looked at Thrall with a puzzled expression.

The guards began to raise the gate. Before it was fully open, a bear as tall as Invincible charged out. Its mane bristled, and its massive body lunged at Thrall like a cannonball. The bear's furious roar even drowned out the cheers of the crowd.

Thrall stood firm, only stepping back at the last moment, swinging his massive battle axe as casually as if it were a twig. The blade cleaved a horrible gash in the beast's ribs. The pain caused the behemoth to roar madly. It whirled around, splattering crimson blood across the ground. The Orcs regained his footing and began to move with a speed disproportionate to his massive size. He moved in front of the bear, uttering a string of mocking words, but Nathanos recognized them as human language. The massive battle axe then fell, severing the bear's head almost entirely from its neck. The giant bear ran a few more steps before collapsing to the ground with a thud, its body still convulsing.

Thrall raised his head and roared in victory. The crowd erupted in jubilation, while Arthas simply stared blankly at the scene.

According to Arthas's observation, the Orcs did not have a single scratch on his body, and there was not even any violent heaving in his chest.

"This is just the beginning." Blackmoore smiled as he saw Arthas's reaction. "In the next round, three people will attack him, but he must not kill any humans; he must defeat them. It will be a battle where brute force is useless, and only strategy will prevail."

Three human gladiators, all muscular and robust men, entered the arena, saluting their opponents and the audience. But before long, they were all beaten to the ground by Thrall.

The visit to Durnholde Castle lasted five days. On one of those days, Taresa Foxton arrived at Nathanos's private residence. He opened the door himself and saw a beautiful blonde girl standing there, carrying a large platter of delicious food. The girl's gaze was lowered, but her overly revealing attire left Nathanos momentarily speechless.

Taresa curtsied. "Master Blackmoore sent me to deliver these to you." A pink blush rose to her cheeks.

"The Prince's room is upstairs," Nathanos replied, and was about to close the door when Taresa hurriedly said.

"No, no, no, it was brought to you."

Nathanos was somewhat puzzled, but slowly took the delicacies from her hands.

The girl remained standing motionless at the door.

"Is there anything else?" Nathanos asked, frowning.

The pink on her cheeks deepened. She finally raised her eyes and looked at Nathanos. A calm, resigned expression appeared in her eyes. "Master Blackmoore sent me to bring you these," she repeated, "I believe you may like them."

Nathanos understood immediately. This made him extremely angry. He tried to calm himself down—it wasn't the girl's fault; she had simply been wrongly used.

"I would like to ask," Nathanos said, "Are you going to Prince Arthas's room next, or are there other girls upstairs who are also scantily clad?"

"No, no, no, it's just me..."

"Go back and tell Blackmoore that he's very hospitable!"

"Sir, please don't send me away. What if Master Blackmoore finds out..."

Nathanos glanced at the girl's hands. Her long, golden hair reached down to her wrists. Nathanos stepped forward and brushed her hair away from her wrists. He frowned when he saw the fading bluish-yellow bruises on the girl's wrists and throat.

"Come in!" Taresa nodded gratefully and entered the room.

Nathanos closed the door and turned to her.

Why would you do something like this for that guy?

Taresa placed the things on the table, her expression immediately turning dejected. She wanted to answer, but suddenly lost the courage.

"Never mind!" Nathanos waved his hand. "As long as you stay here, you're safe, right?"

Taresa nodded to Arthas. After a moment, Nathanos said, "Eat the food you brought, then rest here tonight." He took his cloak from the shelf and tossed it to her. "Wear this, and don't get it dirty!"

After saying that, Nathanos walked to the window, jumped out, and left Taresa alone in the room.

Arthas suddenly heard a knocking sound at the window. The Prince immediately became alert and grabbed a stool for self-defense. Just then, the window was pushed open, and a figure tumbled in.

"Nathanos?" Arthas was speechless with surprise.

I'm sorry to contact you this way.

"What happened?" The Prince put down the stool he was holding and asked with amusement.

"In fact, there is someone who needs your help!"

"Don't rush," Arthas said, handing a letter to Nathanos. "I was just about to come find you. Take a look at this."

I'll be updating with a bonus chapter today, which won't continue the current storyline but will be set in the future.