The Boy

Even if the Scourge Lich King fails, even if the Scourge is no longer a threat, the Plaguelands will still be the Plaguelands, and the cursed soil will be unable to grow food for another hundred years. But I still often visit Marius Farm during peacetime, staring at that moss-covered ruin, and I feel as if I've returned to the past. All my joys and sorrows have been witnessed in this place.

The joy of the past is now out of reach, but the pain lingers like a shadow. I wonder, if I lost my own heart, if I grew weary of the burden my emotions carried, would I be able to forget the past?

Arthas did this, but his experience taught me that a person has more than just a heart.

"Are the Alliance and the Horde withdrawing their troops?"

Looking into the magic mirror, Meryl felt as if Nathanos's spittle was about to hit her face.

"Yes, withdraw the troops." The mage repeated his words, "But the battle line in Dragonblight remains unchanged, we just need to rest for a few weeks and enter a defensive posture."

What caused this situation?

"I've reviewed the notices and proclamations from Fortress of Courage, as well as the records of military supplies allocation and population movement. I've discovered that many mages from Dalaran have recently left the keep, and some supplies have been sent to magical cities."

"Dalaran?" Nathanos thought of the castle above Crystalsong Forest. The Forsaken had some informants there, but aside from the intelligence about the blue dragon attack on Dalaran a few months ago, there wasn't anything particularly noteworthy. "So... has Rhonin gotten himself into some trouble again?"

"I don't know about that, not even Alos knows. The news is being kept very secret. In addition, the Horde has made similar arrangements."

"Of all times!" The Witherer cursed. The path to Icecrown Glacier had been opened, and the operation against the Lich King was imminent; more manpower was needed now...

... Never mind, I wasn't counting on the Alliance and the Horde anyway.

"Meryl, are you free to come anytime soon?"

"What's up?"

This is extremely important! Nathanos promised to give the Lich Gate an explanation, and now the time has come. With the Argent Crusade advancing deep into the glaciers, we cannot allow any hidden dangers to arise in our rear, and these dangers are lurking in the shadows. "The Lich King is too busy to deal with this, and I think... it's time to send the Forsaken to attack Naxxramas. But Kel'Thuzad is a powerful Lich; only you can handle him."

"Putress is there? I understand, but what excuse do I have to leave Fortress of Courage?"

"Just say you're planning to go to the Silver Arena. You can board a ship there at Moa'ki Harbor in Dragonblight."

The two people in the mirror laughed at the same time. The mage agreed with the excuse, "Perfect timing, Naxxramas is also in Dragonblight."

"I will give you an elite force, and Nathos is in the team. No one knows Naxxramas better than him."

After explaining everything, the two ended their conversation. Nathanos began studying the map of Icecrown Glacier. Vanguard Port and Death's Rise were already under the Forsaken, and Shadow Vault had been captured by the Knights of the Ebon Blade. The Witherer and Darion had reached an agreement and would soon join forces to attack Utgarde, which was located between their strongholds. That was Vrykul territory; how could such towering creatures submit to the Lich King?

Next came the Stitching and Immol'thar, though of course, whatever Nathanos planned, it was all just an ideal scenario. Arthas couldn't stand by and watch the Forsaken and the Knights of the Ebon Blade run rampant in his territory.

"Master, envoys from the Alliance and the Horde have arrived." Belmont pushed open the door and entered. The matter must have been very sudden, so the leader of the Shadowblade lost his composure.

As Nathanos put away the map, he said, "They're going to see Fordring?" This was the Argent Crusade's stronghold in Scourge City, and there was no place in all of Azeroth closer to the Lich King's headquarters. So it was quite normal for the Alliance and the Horde to send envoys.

"No, they demand to see the leader of the Forsaken."

"You've seen them?"

"No, Tirion just sent a message, which didn't explicitly state that you had to show up..."

"Then you can go. Remember three things: avoid conflict, don't fight, and conceal my identity," Nathanos reminded him.

"What if they use the Lich Gate to force me?" Belmont pressed.

"Fordring will help you," Nathanos said, as he suddenly sensed something, took a few steps to the window, and peered through the snow and mist to see who it was. There was nothing outside, just a white expanse. Realizing Belmont was still there, the Witherer continued, "The Forsaken must also make their stance clear. Say you have a week at most. A week is enough time to produce evidence proving we have nothing to do with the Lich Gate incident."

Belmont felt much more at ease after guessing that his master was about to take action.

Something was still wrong outside. Nathanos felt like a pair of eyes were watching him, and his attention was uncontrollably drawn to the view outside the window, as if it were pointing him in the right direction.

Going out at night is not easy. The Argent Crusade has set up many guards at the crossroads, especially in the direction Nathanos wants to go, which is the direction of the Scourge City.

After evading the watchful eyes, he immediately smelled the stench of rotting corpses. The wandering Undead had been mostly cleared out, but some Anub'arak were still roaming around, and Nathanos carefully avoided them.

The thing he had sensed was now much closer. It was firmly fixed in one place, motionless. A sudden wave of hunger washed over Nathanos. This hunger wasn't directed at his consciousness, but at something more important to him.

It seems that some people had anticipated his arrival.

That means... someone is waiting for me...

But who is it?

"If you weren't an enemy..." Nathanos murmured. If an unknown enemy wanted to play a game with him, Nathanos wasn't some naive youngster. The air wasn't cold, not cold enough for the Lich King to appear. "Stop hiding. Find a place to talk; this is Scourge territory."

"It is also a land of the dead."

The voice came from behind, but Nathanos did not turn around. He could tell that the voice was not from some mysterious being. He was just wondering why such a voice would come from the cold northern continent, especially here at Icecrown Glacier.

"This is not a place for you, child."

"If you turn around, you'll see I can't get out at all!"

He couldn't get out; all Nathanos saw was a soul, a blue vest, and golden hair.

"You should have died long ago!" The Witherer gritted his teeth and turned his head. "I saw him snap your neck."

"He abandoned me, but he also pulled me out of Frostmourne."

"What's the difference between this and being dead?" Nathanos asked.

"If I really die, you will never be able to explore Arthas's mind again."