Vengeance in Life, Together in Death

A soldier on duty was absorbing magic, holding a pendant in his hand, his eyes fixed on the ornament. Soon, he felt the warmth of Arcane surge through his body, making him feel lightheaded, and he curled up in a trance...

Sylvanas glanced at him, and felt a slight tingling sensation on her skin when she noticed the magical glow emanating from the trinket. At that moment, Windrunner stepped forward and snatched the trinket away. The intoxicating surge of magic was abruptly cut off, and the Sin'dorei on guard duty immediately flared with rage, wanting to punish the one who had disturbed him. But upon recognizing Sylvanas, he felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and his anger subsided.

"Miss?"

"Maintain balance, soldier." Sylvanas returned the pendant to him. "Magic is finite; avoid both scarcity and indulgence."

"Yes, madam, you are absolutely right." The soldier nodded quickly. Windrunner walked past him. As a former leader, Sylvanas was now without a high-ranking position, but judging from the soldier's attitude towards her in this little incident, her prestige had not diminished with time, and she could still command a large following.

Sylvanas took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement. Some things are inevitable and cannot be stopped, not even by others, not even by Alleria.

She passed through the entrance, walked up the winding ramp, and then through another archway to arrive at the Sunstrider Royal Court. A heated debate was about to erupt.

Surprisingly, she didn't see Alleria; instead, she saw Rommath and Lor'themar, two quintessential politicians.

Were they the "vanguard" sent by Alleria?

"Lady Sylvanas," Rommath began, his voice booming, but the high red collar of his coat looked utterly ridiculous. "I thought you weren't coming."

"How dare I disobey the Regent's orders?" Sylvanas's voice drowned out Rommath's and echoed throughout the royal court. She knew Alleria could hear her.

Lor'themar said with ulterior motives, "That being said, you seem to have refused the Regent's summons many times. This has aroused a lot of suspicion, and I think... it's not good for you personally."

"Many suspicions?" Sylvanas laughed. "You?" She pointed at Rommath, then at Lor'themar. "Or you? Or my sister who is here but dares not show herself?"

"Firm your attitude." Rommath tapped the ground with his staff. "Here, there are no relatives, only the Regent and the subjects of the Sin'dorei!"

"Well said!" Sylvanas nodded. "There are no relatives, only rulers and subjects." Windrunner wondered how Alleria would react if she heard this, but she hoped that when they met later, they could skip the sentimental talk and get straight to business.

"Since you agree with this, then... could you explain your recent behavior in Silvermoon City?"

Which ones are you referring to?

"Recruiting soldiers, procuring weapons, and medicine—these are all actions taken without the Regent's permission; they are your private actions. You are building an army! By the Sunwell, Sylvanas, what exactly are you trying to do?" Rommath questioned.

Sylvanas stared at the Archmage, as if reading his thoughts. The latter was clearly uncomfortable. "I didn't conscript soldiers, because I didn't specify who could join my ranks. Those Sin'dorei simply followed me voluntarily." She paused, glancing at Rommath and Lor'themar for objections; clearly, they didn't, for she was telling the truth. "As for weapons and medicine, they were all purchased with my personal savings accumulated over hundreds of years—my private property. What right do you have to question me?"

"So what is your purpose in forming an army?"

Sylvanas looked up and saw Alleria standing on the high platform behind Rommath. The feeling of being looked down upon made Sylvanas very uncomfortable.

Rommath and Lor'themar bowed to Alleria and waited until she came down from the spiral staircase before straightening up.

"You've finally come! You've finally agreed to see me."

"If I continue to let you run wild, I don't know what will happen, Sylvanas. Several high-ranking officials have already reported your private behavior to me in the past week."

Sylvanas's dim eyes met Alleria's sharp gaze. "In private? Compared to the Lord Regent, I'm practically aboveboard."

"I'm asking you a question, what is your purpose!" Alleria shouted. Today, the wound will be ripped open completely.

"Attack Dalsom and take down Dath'Remar."

Alleria nodded as if she understood. "Very well, then let me ask you, how many people do you have?"

"More than a hundred people."

How many people are there in Dalsom?

"Thousands... tens of thousands."

"Since you know this, why are you still doing it? You're going to your death. You're going to cost hundreds of lives!"

Sylvanas's icy hands slowly clenched. "You know why!"

"Yes, I know," Alleria thought to herself. She turned to Lor'themar and Rommath and said, "Go and inspect the city's defenses." Perhaps fearing they hadn't understood her order, Alleria added, "Out!"

Rommath and her sister saluted and withdrew from the royal court. Only the two sisters remained.

"Because of Nathanos, right?"

"How dare you mention that name!"

"How long do you intend to fight me?"

"Forever!" The younger Windrunner family let out a terrible wail, which even startled Lor'themar and Rommath, who were walking away.

Alleria felt dizzy for a moment, but she quickly regained her senses. "I know you've never understood, and I thought you would, but I was wrong. I was wrong to relieve Nathanos's suffering so quickly. I should have made you realize that he has become the Scourge."

"He is not like Arthas."

Can you guarantee that?

"Of course I can!" Sylvanas's eyes gleamed, tears streaming down her gaunt face. "I saw him searching for redemption, and you were his last hope when he found himself transformed into Undead. He always longed to see you again. But why... why did you do that to him?"

"The reason doesn't matter anymore, Sylvanas. Right or wrong is meaningless." Alleria choked back a sob, realizing her words were too cruel. "Perhaps I was wrong, then I hope Nathanos can forgive me, and I hope you can understand me. Right now, all I care about is the kingdom and my family. You, Vareesa, and Belorell, I don't want anything to happen to any of you. So, stay, don't go to Dalsom, okay?" Alleria reached out her hand to her sister.

"I envy you, Alleria," Sylvanas said, wiping away her tears. "I envy the time you spent with Nathanos, I envy Belorell being your child. I have nothing..." She dodged her sister's touch. "I touched his body; it was so cold. I told him as he lay unconscious that everything would be alright. I will keep my promise. If I kill Dath'Remar, then I will avenge Arthas; if I die in Dalsom, then at least I can be with him."