Tension

The site of Za'tar's Tomb was originally intended for the Wither Council; Maraudon's initial renovation plans hadn't focused much on this aspect. However, Za'tar's remains had long since vanished with the death of the Earth Elemental Princess, replaced by a three-tiered circular platform constructed of stone bricks and cement. Nathanos was currently pacing back and forth on the platform.

"What makes you so agitated, Master?" Belmont's gaze remained fixed on Nathanos, as had been ever since the Witherer returned to Maraudon.

"I'm not anxious." Nathanos stopped, but felt like he had inexhaustible energy. He wished he could stop, but the Undead don't tire, which he sometimes felt wasn't an advantage. "I'm a little... nervous."

"I thought so too." Belmont nodded. "What are you so nervous about?"

"Preparations." At this moment, Nathanos didn't mind sharing his thoughts with his subordinates. His only regret was that there was no throne in the center of the circular platform; otherwise, he could have sat down and forced himself to stop. "I'm worried that we might have overlooked something."

"Should I report on our preparations, Master?"

That's a good suggestion. Nathanos walked to the third step, the closest to him, and sat down. Even from this position, he still appeared taller than Belmont.

"Go ahead and tell me, in as much detail as possible."

Belmont quickly pulled out his notes and began to read, "The operation will take place after the Alliance and Horde have taken control of the Dark Portal. We have fifty scouts with us, all of them the most elite Deathstalker. In addition, the leaders of the operation are you and Meryl, and the guide is Xirezege Firefang..."

"I know all of that." Nathanos covered his forehead with his hand. "I also know the plan; I made it."

"Is there anything else I need to add, Master?"

"No!" Nathanos waved his hand, stood up, and turned his back to Belmont. "Back then, Turalyon and Khadgar went on an expedition to Draenor and disappeared without a trace, they might even be dead... I don't want to end up like that. Behind that door is a whole new world. Although Xirezege Firefang is familiar with that world, the Draenor he remembers is very different from Outland. It's full of dangers there, and I don't know what awaits us."

"If you are worried about that, then let me go first, Master."

Nathanos shook his head, rejecting the proposal outright. He was grateful for Belmont's words, but sometimes, as a leader, he had to lead by example for his people.

"Alright, let's talk about something more pleasant." Nathanos smiled at Belmont. "Tell me, Belmont, what will our journey to Outland bring to the Forsaken?"

The leader of the Shadowblade turned to the third page of the document. "Besides the ores and herbs from that world, there's also the Curse Cipher of Gul'dan that Xirezege mentioned, and the information about Ner'zhul Orcs might have left behind." Belmont gritted his teeth as he said this. "That's all for now, Master."

"Well, we don't know much about that world, and for now, these are all the things we need to acquire. We'll see how things develop later." When Nathanos said this, Belmont's eyes flickered with something strange, as if he had suddenly remembered something. "What's wrong?"

"I apologize, Master." Belmont bowed. "I suddenly remembered that new race that landed on Mielan Island."

"Them? Is there something wrong with them?"

"Indeed, there is." Belmont frowned. "According to our investigation, we have confirmed that it is a race similar to the Eredar demons."

"Eredar?" The Witherer's expression turned serious. "Continue?"

"They call themselves Draenei. There are Priest and Paladin among them, and their leader is a man named Velen."

"Draenei? Velen?" Nathanos's eyes widened, frozen in place. One of countless fragments of memory surfaced before his eyes. Years ago, in the Orcs prisoner-of-war camp, when he first met Ohan, he had spoken with an old Orcs and learned about the Orcs' past. This included the sins they had committed against the Draenei, and the person "Velen."

Unexpectedly, this race has now arrived in Azeroth, and will soon join the Alliance...

"It seems the Alliance is one step ahead of the Horde."

Quel'Thalas

"What do you think of this port, Ambassador Braggon?" Alleria turned to look at the Orcs who was considerably taller than her. Braggon Bloodfist, known as the "Hand of the Chief," represented Thrall's Will.

The Blood Elf' incorporation into the Horde is an undeniable fact. Despite Rommath's vehement opposition, those who shared his opposition have been taken away by Sylvanas, leaving the Archmage isolated and vulnerable. Furthermore, Rommath can't really say anything, given Kael'thas's statement. "Anyone but the Alliance is acceptable."

Alleria still felt somewhat uneasy being around the Orcs; she hadn't quite adjusted yet, although her words and actions concealed this perfectly. Her sister, Vareesa Windrunner, however, maintained a stern expression throughout, following closely behind Alleria, ready to intervene at any moment to stop the Orcs from making any unusual moves.

Similarly, Braggon was always on guard about his surroundings. Although the Elven Kingdom was now nominally Horde territory, Chieftain Thrall had only sent him and a few Kor'kron soldiers to Quel'Thalas. The past conflicts between Orcs and Elf were still fresh in his mind, and Braggon had to be careful at all times, wary of anyone around him who might attack him.

"I've heard that Quel'Thalas was attacked by the Scourge," the Orcs replied. "I've heard it was badly damaged." Braggon's eyes were fixed on the completely restored Sunsail Anchorage, his ship now moored beside an Elf destroyer. The Horde's dark red and the Elf's bright red complemented each other beautifully. "But your ability to rebuild is truly astonishing, just like when Thrall led us in rebuilding Orgrimmar."

Alleria breathed a sigh of relief and gradually relaxed, secretly glad that the Orcs hadn't shown any dissatisfaction. She continued to explain, "Quel'Thalas has indeed suffered a terrible fate, but the Will of the Sin'dorei people will not yield. This port is only a small part of our grand reconstruction plan. If you saw Silvermoon City, you would never guess that the city had been through war. It is absolutely comparable to Stormwind City of the Alliance."

"Is this true, madam?" Braggon asked, his eyes wide. Alleria returned his gaze with affirmation.

"Then, please lead the way."