Investigation

'Lieutenant General Edlas Blackmoore doesn't seem to enjoy this private meeting with the King and Prince,' Nathanos thought to himself. In fact, the man seemed eager to escape as soon as no one was looking.

What had he been through all these years? Terenas and Arthas weren't the only ones curious; Nathanos was too. No matter how he looked at the man, he couldn't imagine that the man kneeling in the center of the hall was the same handsome commander he had been five years ago. Nathanos's father had once told him—those who overindulge in strong liquor become haggard.

But there has to be a bottom line!

Blackmoore's hair was now streaked with gray, he had gained considerable weight, and his eyes were bloodshot. Thankfully, he was perfectly sober. If he were even slightly drunk, Terenas, who always championed moderation, would be furious.

Blackmoore is here today because he's messed things up—terribly messed up, absolutely messed up! According to his explanation, it was all an accident. Thrall, the Orcs Thrall whom Durnholde Castle was so proud of, escaped during the fire. Even worse, Blackmoore didn't report it immediately. The truth eventually came out; rumors spread, and Terenas finally found out. The wise King didn't immediately alert them; he followed Arthas's advice and sent Nathanos to investigate.

"You may begin, Nathanos." Terenas sat on his throne, his son to his left.

Nathanos nodded upon hearing the order, then turned to Blackmoore, holding a thick stack of documents filled with crucial questions. Blackmoore knew these were questions he didn't want to answer.

Are you... still conscious?

The first question took him by surprise. He looked up at Nathanos with a puzzled expression, and after meeting Terenas's gaze, he immediately replied, "Of course, I didn't drink."

"I'm sorry, I have to ask. Otherwise, after this interrogation, you'll use the excuse that your subsequent words were just drunken ramblings."

'Damn it, how come I didn't think of that?' Blackmoore's eyes trembled slightly.

"When I was investigating, I asked those who gambled at the gladiatorial arena in Durnholde Castle what they thought about the Orcs's escape. The results were remarkably consistent!" Nathanos kept circling around him, his voice coming from all directions, making Blackmoore's mind race. "They all said Thrall couldn't possibly lose. Everyone bet on your precious pet, causing the odds to be very low, and you bet your money on Thrall's next opponent, deliberately letting him go to win. You even caused a fire to make it all look like an accident! Is that true?"

"Absurd, this is so absurd, how could I..."

"Lieutenant General!" Terenas interrupted him, his voice filled with authority. "To Nathanos' question, you only need to answer yes or no!"

Blackmoore stared wide-eyed at the King high above him, bewildered, and said, "No!"

Terenas nodded to Nathanos again, signaling him to continue.

"Training Orcs gladiators in your own cleverness is bad enough, but you also teach them military strategy and how to read and write... May I ask, Lieutenant General... in the name of the Holy Light, what exactly are you trying to achieve by doing all this?"

Nathanos's voice sent a chill down Blackmoore's spine! How did he know? How could he possibly know? It couldn't be.

No, I didn't.

Nathanos did not refute his reaction. He only needed to record and ask questions, and Nathanos only needed to answer.

Seeing that Blackmoore's body seemed to have shrunk under his nose, Arthas, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh.

"Next question! You assured His Majesty the King that the money and supplies were used directly to improve security, and that your Orcs pets were well-guarded," Nathanos continued, "But now, he's escaped instead of staying obediently in Durnholde. How could this happen? You can explain this now."

Blackmoore frowned, forcing himself to stay alert. "It's truly unfortunate that Thrall escaped. I'm sure His Majesty the King understands how I feel."

This guy is talking back!

Terenas was somewhat displeased; he still remembered the Doomhammer escaping Lordaeron right under his nose. But such an explanation was unwise. The old King frowned and continued, "I hope this isn't a bad omen. We're using the people's hard-earned money. Lieutenant General, use it to protect the people. Should I send a representative to ensure the funds are being allocated fairly?"

"No, no, no, that's not necessary. I will report on how every penny is used."

"Yes," Terenas said, feigning gentleness, "You will!"

After bowing and scraping as he left, Blackmoore let out a long sigh of relief as he turned his back.

Terenas then looked at Arthas.

"What do you think? You've met Thrall."

Arthas nodded; he had once thought Thrall was an exciting arena fighter.

"He's completely different from the Orcs I was used to. I mean... he's special, very brave. But he's also obviously intelligent and well-trained."

Terenas stroked his beard, pondering, "There are still many rebellious Orcs outside, and they may not be as weary as the Orcs we've imprisoned. If Thrall finds them and teaches them everything he knows, then we'll be in trouble." The King's gaze then turned to Nathanos, who was waiting for orders.

"I'd also like to hear your opinion, Nathanos!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." He opened the documents again, this time filled with genuine investigation reports. "There are many points worth noting here, such as: Is it wise to train and educate an Orcs? This question involves many things. According to the investigation, Blackmoore obtained Thrall long before Stormwind City fell. At that time, the Orcs was still an infant."

"What!" Terenas and Arthas jumped up from their thrones at the same time.

"It is true, Your Majesty. A girl Taresa Foxton is a witness. She was a servant of Blackmoore and she said that the master of Durnholde Castle began secretly training Thrall a long time ago."

"Unbelievable!" Arthas shook his head.

Terenas's expression grew even more grim. "What exactly is he trying to do?"

"There are also some bad things..."

"What else?" The old King looked at Nathanos uneasily.

"Blackmoore lied to you. He did indeed teach that Orcs the written language, and also military strategies."

"Did that girl named Taresa say all of this?"

"Not bad." Nathanos nodded.

Arthas cursed angrily, "Damn it, what else is there?"

"As for the damage from the fire, it's not clear from the scene. Blackmoore sent people to clean up the traces, but I checked the population accounts at Durnholde Keep and found that Lieutenant Draak and Captain Scarrok from the POW camp are missing. They may have died in the fire."

When he finished speaking, Terenas sat back on his throne, looking much older.

"Blackmoore's report to me says there were no casualties..." the King said with a wry smile.

"In fact, there is one more thing... but..." Nathanos paused, what he was about to say might really enrage Terenas.

"Explain!"

"That Captain Scarrok seems to have a rather... unusual background!"

Special? Terenas squinted, wondering what was so special about it.

"Scarrok was a staunch supporter of Blackmoore, but in fact, he had another identity—a close friend of Oriden Pereno. They had risen through the ranks together in the army at Durnholde, although Oriden later left Durnholde Castle to go to..."

"Gone to Alterac!" Terenas's voice boomed, completely out of character for his age. Every word he uttered echoed through the hall. Nathanos knew he was struggling to suppress his rage.

Perenolde! That name is now taboo in the human kingdoms; no one has forgotten the family's betrayal of the Alliance. Terenas was especially shocked that someone would want him to contact members of this family right under his nose, and even give him a military position. What angered him most was that after Oriden returned to Alterac, he began to build a terrorist organization, and recently, an assassin organization called the Syndicate had become active in those white mountains.

Arthas sat up straight and asked his father, "Do we need to investigate this matter thoroughly immediately?"

"No!" Terenas calmed down, though his breathing remained erratic. "The primary task is to capture that Orcs, or any other Orcs, before Thrall finds them. Of course, Blackmoore must be investigated discreetly. I will handle this." The King suddenly looked at Arthas with hope, and the other immediately understood.

"I will go and capture those Orcs, Father."

Terenas nodded. "Uther mentioned your efforts to me; he was very impressed with your progress." He made his decision. "Very well. Go tell Uther to begin preparations; it's time for you to experience what real combat is like."

Arthas barely managed to suppress a shout of excitement. He restrained himself, and even in his ecstasy, he noticed the pain and worry on his father's face. Perhaps, just perhaps, the slaughter of those green-skinned monsters.

"Thank you, Father. I will make you proud."

Despite the same sorrow in blue-green eyes as her son, Terenas smiled and said, "My child, that's the last thing I'm worried about."