Weapon

Is this possible? I firmly believe that action alone can win Fordring's trust. But it's been too easy, leading me to mistakenly believe it's a trap. Yet Fordring is a Paladin, the master of Ashbringer, and the first to choose to become sworn brothers with the Orcs to protect his honor. By all accounts, he wouldn't lie.

Rennid and Rupert revealed their identities to help me relieve stress. I heard they were almost driven out of the Argent Crusade.

The outcome was good, which I'm very pleased about, and it also gave me immense courage. At this crucial juncture, many Forsaken stepped forward to act. I'm no longer alone, nor do I need to rack my brains over every single thing. But there are still some things I need to do myself.

Fordring wanted to speak with me; he was curious about Forsaken was. I believe my appearance would have surprised him, and indeed it did; I remember that very clearly.

He wanted me to reveal my identity, but I said that would only attract more people who wanted to send me to hell. He promised to keep it a secret, and I believed he could.

In return, I grant the Forsaken permission to participate in the Silver Tournament arena.

Nathanos accepted the cooperation with Tirion Fordring with mixed feelings. However, the entire negotiation process was handled by Belmont, who reasoned that the Alliance and the Horde had planted many spies around the meeting, and that a third party was also involved in the talks.

The Knights of the Ebon Blade were represented by Duke Rancor, but Darion Mograine, the Highlord of the Knights, was absent. However, Nathanos knew he was there; in fact, the previous Ashbringer had accompanied the Witherer.

They stopped at the entrance to the mountain road leading to the Scourge City of Icecrown Glacier. Two people, one on foot, the other riding a blood-red Deathsteed. Both concealed their faces within black cloaks, yet they both knew each other's identities.

Nathanos was the first to speak, realizing that if he didn't say something soon, Mograine might reveal his identity through a fight.

"The Argent Crusade must have sacrificed many people to open up this road, right, Ebon Watcher?"

In this place called Echo Valley, there was originally no path leading to Icecrown Glacier. However, Arthas clearly underestimated the enemy's resilience. He thought the defeat at the Lich Gate had made those who dared to challenge him realize their overestimation of themselves, and that plague and fire had sealed the path to the Angrathar, the Wrathgate, ensuring that no one would pose a threat to Icecrown Citadel. However, the Will Argent Crusade unexpectedly launched an attack, using gunpowder to carve a breach in the valley north of the Lich Gate.

By the time Arthas discovered it, it was too late; the breach connected to the Scourge's military stronghold Scourge City.

The Argent Crusade had recently clashed with the Scourge there. Outside Fordring's stronghold, Undead creatures lay pulverized by artillery fire. Nathanos had heard that Darion Mograine had witnessed the battle, but the leader of Acherus was now known as the "Ebon Watcher." As the one raising the question, the Witherer were willing to respect his choice. But who was Mograine observing?

"They failed at first." The Death Knight's voice came from beneath his cloak, his blue eyes fixed on the massive, scorched beams at the canyon pass. Only those with deep knowledge of the Scourge knew that what the flames had charred wasn't wood, but spiderwebs. The Spider Demon lurking within Scourge City were the primary enemy. "The Lich King's counterattack was swift and decisive. The Argent Crusade's assault on Scourge City was almost entirely annihilated, and the Argent Crusade soldiers were resurrected Undead, turning against their own brethren."

Although his eyes were fixed ahead, Nathanos listened very carefully. "I think Fordring must have foreseen this; he's going to be dealing with the most cunning, intelligent, and ferocious creature in history."

"I warned him," said the Ebon Watcher. "The Lich King is unlike any enemy before. Although he was defeated at Light's Hope Chapel, this is Northrend, the Lich King's kingdom."

"It sounds like... Tirion has no hope of winning." Nathanos chuckled, but the truth was that Tirion had already won, and the Argent Crusade had even established a stronghold on the high ground south of the Scourge City. Arthas' kingdom had lost an inch of land.

"A small victory is not enough to celebrate," Darion said in an even louder voice. "Tirion's abilities are limited by the Holy Light, and in this situation, there is very little he can do. The Holy Light completely controls him, binding him firmly to the limits it can reach."

Before Nathanos could finish speaking, he looked around for a while. Several Argent Crusade Warrior were clearing away the Scourge's corpses. They may have heard the Death Knight's words, but they did not respond. It was unclear whether they were no match for Darion or simply ignored him.

"Did you say that to Tirion's face? He's surrounded by devout followers of the Holy Light, including himself."

"But I... am still standing before you, unharmed." Mograine drawled, emphasizing his words, "That's why I'm following you. When the Lich King attacked Tirion's camp with the resurrected soldiers of the Argent Crusade, Ashbringer refused to use cannons. He ordered his soldiers to use the Holy Light to bring peace to their brothers. Only in this way can honor be maintained, and only in this way can the tolerance and... principle of the Holy Light be demonstrated."

"What?" Nathanos finally turned to look directly into the eyes of the Ebon Watcher. "The Lich King knows Tirion's bottom line. He knows the Paladin won't fire on their own people. But I thought Fordring should be able to distinguish right from wrong, rather than sticking to some principles. Principles will only lead to more deaths. For the Lich King, there are no bottom lines, no principles."

"Our views... we were indeed the same."

"Ha, you've been trying to trick me into revealing my attitude, haven't you?"

"I only need to be sure that you and the Lich King are not the same kind of people." Darion met Nathanos's eyes, whistled, and three Dark Portal immediately appeared in the air, from which three Death Knight emerged.

"There are too many SI:7 around. Take care of them."

"Kill them?" One of the Death Knight was puzzled by the command, but he was met with a terrifying look from the Highlord.

The three knights immediately obeyed the order. Darion looked up and pointed forward, "Let's move forward a little."

"What will you do if the Alliance holds you accountable?"

"My answer is only one: swords have no eyes."

A loud laugh burst from Nathanos's mouth. "You are far more powerful than your father. I'm glad you're not with the Lich King."

"The Lich King pushed me into the camp of his enemies, and I will return the favor."

"Tell me your plan." Nathanos wondered if Darion's earlier probing of his attitude with the matter of Tirion meant that the Death Knight's plan would violate ethics and morality.

"Ever since the Light's Hope Chapel, I have been conceiving a powerful weapon in my mind, a weapon that can rival Frostmourne."

"Doesn't Tirion have one?"

"You wouldn't place all your hopes on him, would you?" Darion countered. Nathanos didn't answer, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"I cannot. My father was the first Ashbringer, and I am the second wielder. I know very well the limits of that sword's power. After seeing Tirion's own limitations, I am even more convinced that Ashbringer alone is not enough to defeat the Lich King."

"So you're planning to forge another weapon similar to Ashbringer?"

The Death Knight nodded, glancing at Nathanos. "People believe only light can defeat death, which is a misconception. Only those who have experienced death know that dark power can also be used against darkness." Nathanos agreed, continuing to listen. "The weapon I'm forging is a truly terrifying weapon. It's imbued with dark power, its materials are derived from evil, its forging process is utterly dishonorable, even despised, but it will lead us to victory, and that's enough."

If Tirion knew all this, he would definitely object.

The Witherer pondered Darion's words, who awaited his reply. They had reached the center of the canyon pass; soon they would enter Scourge City territory and step into the Argent Crusade's stronghold there. Before that, Nathanos knew he had to give Mograine an answer. "You've told me all this because you need my help, but I've heard there are many excellent blacksmiths within the Death Knight. I don't know what else you need my help with?"

"I heard... you're in the Frostmourne Cavern?"

Nathanos snorted. "The Highlord's information network is truly impressive."

"Not only that, I also heard... you obtained a weapon in the cave."

The two men stopped simultaneously and fell silent. Mograine had already made his intentions clear; the Death Knight Lord had been eyeing that warhammer from the start.

"What do you think?" Darion asked. "Arthas' warhammer was the best tool for forging weapons."

Nathanos was still weighing the pros and cons when his eyes inadvertently glanced at the canyon exit. Thinking he was seeing things, he saw a blond boy in a blue vest standing there. He blinked, and the boy was gone.

"My patience is limited, Lord of the Forsaken."

"The dead are not without patience," The Witherer replied. "Send someone you trust here at sunset in three days. Don't forget what you said: this weapon must be able to rival Frostmourne."