Discord

The dinner was a grand affair. The servants of the Kirin Tor were bustling about, celebrating both Prince Arthas's visit and the return of the High Elf Prince Kael'thas. Antonidas chose the city's most spacious hall as the venue for the evening's feast.

A huge dining table, large enough to seat more than ten people, sat in the center of the hall. Bright candles hung from the overhead chandeliers, their glow reflecting off the table. Instead of torches, several crystal balls adorned the shelves on the walls, serving as supplementary lighting and enhancing the atmosphere. Servants, aside from serving and clearing dishes, rarely disturbed the meal. Most magically, this dinner was accompanied by magic; with a snap of the fingers, bottles would automatically refill glasses, and flutes, harps, and lutes would begin to play tranquil melodies. This must be the most luxurious dinner in the world, enjoyed by only three people: Arthas, Kael'thas, and the leader of Dalaran.

Archmage Antonidas, rarely seen in public, attended the banquet. He was very tall, and his thin frame made him appear even more so. He had a long, white beard and wore a tall purple hat, but his eyes were sharp and alert, as if they could see right through people. Among those present was the Elf Prince Kael'thas. To be honest, Nathanos didn't like this man; his every move perfectly embodied one word: discipline! He sat ramrod straight, his sun-like hair shimmering with red and dark shadows in the candlelight. Nathanos himself was of much lower rank than everyone else; he was merely a servant of the Prince of Lordaeron, standing to Arthas's right rear.

Always be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

Nathanos was glad he had only stood aside and hadn't joined the banquet; otherwise, he would have certainly become the center of attention. From his perspective, the banquet did indeed seem rather meager, especially considering there were only three people at the table—perhaps because they were discussing important national affairs and didn't want others involved. Arthas had also asked Antonidas why his apprentice Jaina wasn't there, and the answer was that the girl was studying.

The conversation started off relaxed, mainly focusing on Arthas and Kael'thas. They chatted about each other's kingdoms and their own strengths, and then, perhaps intentionally, the topic inevitably turned to the Orcs. Although the Mage City had always been arrogant and disdainful of these green-skinned creatures, the prisoner-of-war camp was indeed quite close to Dalaran — Durnholde Castle.

Kyle reached out her slender hand, gracefully picked up a piece of cake, and said as she drizzled cream over it, "No matter what, they are dangerous."

"My father, Terenas, agrees with you, Your Highness Prince Kael'thas," Arthas replied with a smile. "He told me that this is why there are prisoner-of-war camps. Although their maintenance costs are exorbitant, it's a small price to pay for the safety of the people of Azeroth." As he said this, Nathanos frowned. Arthas hadn't commented on the Orcs' situation; he was merely using King Terenas as a shield. Why didn't he reveal his true thoughts and instead chose to conceal them? Nathanos had a premonition of something.

"They are beasts, animals," Kael'thas said, his once bright voice now hoarse with disgust, carrying a warning and hatred, as he glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, at Nathanos standing not far behind Arthas. "They have invaded Quel'Thalas on dragons. You humans don't need to pay taxes; just kill those beasts and you'll keep your people safe."

Then, his face darkened, but he maintained a calm expression. "Every time I see the burned tree trunks in my hometown and mourn the compatriots who died, their atrocities from back then come to mind."

"That's the law of Lordaeron. King Terenas has the right to do whatever he deems appropriate in his own territory," Antonidas interjected.

"Dalaran and all the other Alliance kingdoms also have to pay for the camps," Kael'thas retorted, now acting as a member of the Council of Six. "Since we're paying, we certainly have the right to make decisions."

Antonidas waved his thin hand. "What interests me is not who pays for the camp, or even whether the camp is necessary at all, but the strange behavior of the Orcs. After studying the meager data on our Orcs, I don't believe that imprisonment turned them into this."

Antonidas never spoke nonsense, so the argument stopped. Nathanos was surprised; this was the first time he had ever heard anyone talk about the Orcs' situation.

"If it's not because of illness, nor because of imprisonment..." Arthas said, forcing a smile, "Then what do you think it is, Archmage?"

Antonidas turned to the young Prince, "My understanding is that Orcs are not born Bloodlust. Khadgar once told me what he heard from Garona, she..."

"Garona is that bastard who murdered King Llane ..." Arthas cursed, his cheerful expression vanishing. "No offense, but I don't think we can trust what that guy says."

Nathanos wanted to stop him, but he held back, trusting that Antonidas could explain.

"This information was obtained before her betrayal," the Archmage continued, "And it has been verified. They have Consecration themselves to the demons, their skin has turned green, and their eyes have turned red. I think they were already saturated with this foreign dark energy before the first invasion, and now that their energy has been cut off, what we see is not disease, but degeneration. The demonic energy is quite powerful, and to break free from it requires bearing terrible consequences."

Kael'thas waved his hand dismissively. "Even if that theory is correct, why should we care about them? They're stupid enough to believe in demons, Recklessness to indulge in corrupting energy. I certainly don't think it's wise to heal them, even if it restores peace. They're weak and powerless now, which is something any rational person would be happy to see. No one will forget what they've done to us."

"Ah, if they can restore peace, we won't need to keep them imprisoned, and the money can be used for other purposes," Antonidas said gently. "I believe King Terenas didn't collect these taxes for his own enrichment. How is your father, Prince Arthas? It's a pity I couldn't attend your initiation ceremony; I heard it was a very grand ceremony." The Archmage subtly swallowed back what Arthas had intended to say.

"Very successful," Arthas said, annoyed but with a smile, before burying himself in the second course that had just been served: grilled salmon with vegetables. "I thoroughly enjoyed the day."

"We don't pray for your coronation, but we do look forward to a royal wedding," Antonidas continued. "Have you taken a fancy to any young lady?"

Kael'thas seemed to be focused on his plate, but Nathanos knew he was paying attention to the conversation.

Arthas laughed and reached for the wine, not even glancing to the side. "Uh, we'll see. It's not really that interesting anyway, and it's still early."

Nathanos was filled with mixed emotions. This was the first time he had heard Arthas say "it's still early." The Prince always felt it was too late—too late to take up his sword, too late to ride his horse, too late to understand state affairs. And now... Nathanos truly doubted whether he was sincere. Or Arthas know that his marriage would be decided by King Terenas, and that he might marry a noblewoman he had never met?

After dinner, Nathanos finally couldn't resist going up to Arthas and striking up a conversation.

"Prince Highness." He rarely addressed Arthas by his title, and spoke in a tone befitting a subordinate to a superior. "You accompanied me to the prisoner-of-war camp." The sharp words escaped his lips.

Arthas knew what he was going to say and replied without hesitation, "Of course, back in Durnholde Castle, you also asked me to take a girl named Taresa away, and now she and her family are settled in Lordaeron."

Nathanos blinked; he'd almost forgotten about it. "I know that, but what I'm trying to say is about the Orcs. You've seen firsthand what they've become, so why did you say those things at the banquet?"

"Am I wrong?" the Prince questioned his followers.

"I believe that a kind person would not want to see sentient beings being slaughtered like animals."

"Feeling beings?" Arthas's eyes widened, and he might have erupted in fury at any moment, but since this was Dalaran, he held back. "Have you forgotten those who died? Have you forgotten Lothar? Have you forgotten the Alliance Expedition that crossed the Dark Portal?"

"I will not forget, but I will never blame the Orcs for it. They were enemies then, but now they are prisoners of war. We cannot treat them the same way we did in the past. I believe that is why your father..."

"Enough!" Arthas interrupted him firmly. "Don't mention this again, Nathanos. I, as the Prince of Lordaeron, command you to shut up. You are just as foolish as Jaina!" He strode away, as if to tell Nathanos not to follow him anymore.

What!

Nathanos was surprised. What did this mean? Had Jaina and Arthas also had a conflict over this topic? No wonder Jaina's expression turned so ugly when she heard Arthas was coming today.

Watching Arthas's retreating figure, Nathanos felt an unprecedented sense of unease, his mind racing with thoughts. What would Arthas do if he became King? How would he treat the Orcs imprisoned in the camp? And would he begin to blame himself for never noticing the Prince's changing nature? Perhaps...

"He never talked to me about this."...