Terrible News
With every action and every decision, I must carefully consider what the Forsaken can gain and what price they will have to pay.
The lessons from the Lich Gate were bitter, filled with misunderstanding, death, and hatred. Ironically, my people will never know that I inadvertently orchestrated all of this, and even with the Lich King defeated, the truth will eventually come out. My impulsive act on Naxxramas proved to be a terrible mistake, one I still regret to this day. The day Forsaken are known to the world has arrived sooner than expected. Meryl reminds me that this is an opportunity, but this opportunity... is built on the Valiance Expedition, on the Warsong Expeditionary Force, on the suffering of Bolvar Fordragon and Draenosh Saurfang.
Our "appearance" sparked suspicion and doubt. I have experienced this firsthand.
Abidis was dead? The Crusaders were thrown into chaos, scattering in all directions. Just then, Nathanos sensed an attack on him. The Witherer leaped away, narrowly avoiding the sword.
This was a middle-aged man with high-ranking medals, indicating he was another Crusaders leader. But why? After Abidis died, this man showed no anger whatsoever; instead, he appeared unusually calm... and even smiled.
"Who are you?" Nathanos asked this question, and four Terror Guard rushed forward, ready to capture this suddenly appearing human.
"Enough!" the man roared, and strange black magic flew from his hands, lifting the few Terror Guard high into the air, and then throwing them away as easily as javelins.
Whether it was his voice or his magic, this person was definitely not a Crusaders who believed in the Holy Light. Nathanos sensed that he wasn't even human.
"Arrest him!"
"I'm afraid you can't do it." The man laughed, his body completely enveloped in a shield barrier, capable of blocking or deflecting any attack. "I am Mal'Ganis!"
Upon hearing the name, the Witherer was initially startled; he seemed to remember it. Kel'Thuzad had once mentioned that the name belonged to a Demon Lord. How...
"I'll remember you, leader of the Undead. You've ruined all my plans, and one day you'll pay the price!" Mal'Ganis didn't reveal his true form in the end, but instead opened a portal and vanished on the spot, leaving before everyone's eyes.
"There are minions of the Burning Legion among the Crimson Crusade!" Nathanos glared at Abidis, who lay motionless on the ground. He really wanted to pull the woman up and stab her a couple more times to vent his anger.
And this anger... will be unleashed on those poor Crusaders.
"It feels like we've provoked something terrible."
"If he were truly terrifying, he wouldn't have run away with his tail between his legs. Don't worry, go and clean up the battlefield," Nathanos reassured his subordinates. After the Burning Legion was defeated at the Sunwell, it was difficult for them to make any further moves.
Has the Crimson Crusade been utterly defeated? The Witherer stood on the harbor's edge, enjoying the sea breeze. At least the Crusaders in Northrend seemed to have been wiped out, but the Scarlet Crusade in Lordaeron was growing stronger; it was said they had even recaptured the Capital City. Where would those fanatics attack next? Silverpine Forest or the Plaguelands?
I'll take care of them.
Nathanos looked up. The purpose of the raid on the Vanguard Port was to open a path to Icecrown Glacier. The Alliance and Horde were fiercely attacking the entrance to Icecrown Citadel through the Lich Gate; Arthas would undoubtedly devote all his attention and forces to defense. There had never been a better opportunity.
Through the thin clouds, the Witherer saw a castle perched atop the mountain. Its style appeared to be that of Vrykul. But whatever it was, the Forsaken would seize it. They had better hurry, for the commotion of last night's battle had been too great; perhaps it had alerted the castle's guards. Perhaps they didn't care at all, otherwise they wouldn't have tolerated the Crimson Crusade establishing a port here.
Nathanos continued to observe and calculate the shortest path to the summit.
"Owner!"
"What is it?" He didn't want to be disturbed, so he replied very reluctantly.
"Lord Belmont has sent a messenger. He wishes to speak with you, Master, about what happened at the Lich Gate."
Nathanos tensed slightly, but his expression remained calm. "Bring him here!"
He should have received the messenger who had traveled so far in a more solemn setting; at least the other Forsaken generals, like him, wanted to know the progress of the battle at the Lich Gate. After a moment of silence, the messenger was brought before him.
The Witherer wanted to speak. He wanted to reward the messenger, to comfort him with a "thank you for your hard work." However, his keen observation skills began to worry. The messenger saw that his face was pale, though that Forsaken. But the messenger's mouth, eyes, and forehead seemed to be telling Nathanos: What has made me pale is not death, but the news I bring.
For a moment, Nathanos pressed her lips together. She exchanged a glance with the messenger. His thoughts, however, had already traveled a thousand miles in that instant. The contents of the letter were definitely not what he wanted to know. Had the Alliance and the Horde failed? If so, the messenger should have felt more disappointment or anger, condemning the group's incompetence. But what Nathanos saw in the messenger's eyes... was only fear.
What makes his followers feel so unsafe, even standing in front of his leader?
"Bring it here!" Nathanos commanded, standing there even more certain of his thoughts, for the messenger's hand trembled as he presented the message.
Nathanos quickly opened the envelope, his eyes scanning it rapidly. After the first reading, he thought he had misread it. So he read it a second time, even more carefully. Then a third, a fourth, a fifth! Finally, instinctively, he crumpled the letter into a ball, wanting to throw it into the sea. The anger on his face almost gave him the power to smash a mountain with his fist.
He used all his strength to suppress his impulse, but such behavior couldn't change anything; what had happened was already done.
"Go and summon Nathos!" Nathanos roared. He remembered that the Forsaken's Grand Apothecary was also among the Vanguard Port. He wished he could fly to Nathos right now, or if he could, summon the apothecary directly. In any case, Nathos had to give him an explanation!