Silver Arena (10)

The Shadow Vault was filled with a cold silence; apart from the cold wind, there was not even the sound of breathing.

The three Death Knight received orders from the Highlord and marched side by side: an Orcs, a Troll, and a Night Elf. Every Death Knight who saw them recognized them.

Korok the Deathslayer, one of the most powerful Death Knight in the Knights of the Ebon Blade, is rumored to be as powerful as Highlord Darion Mograine.

Compared to the robust physique of Korok Orcs, Zolbi the Bloodletter preferred to use weapons to bridge the power gap between different races. As a Troll, his imagination ran wild, earning him the title of weapon master, specializing in modifying the equipment of the Death Knight.

As for the remaining Night Elf, she lacks Korok's strength and Zorby's talent, but her position in Acherus is not to be underestimated. The master horseman Ilre Nightfall will ensure that all Death Knight become true knights, guaranteeing that their combat prowess on horseback is as excellent as their swordsmanship.

Darion's simultaneous gathering of these three individuals, all crucial to the Knights of the Ebon Blade, raises suspicions that the Highlord may have some new plans.

"Hmm? I seem to sense a being on par with the Highlord, another dark force." Korok's intuition made him draw his weapon from behind.

Ilree nodded, her voice sounding like a wail, "I felt it too, but the guards aren't in a fighting stance. Could it be that the Highlord has guests today?"

"Buddy, we'll know when we see the Highlord, won't we?" Zorby seemed a little cunning, but that was in the nature of Troll.

"Wait a minute!" A Death Knight stopped the three of them and said, "The Highlord has instructed you to wait for him here after you arrive."

Not all the dead have enough patience; some remain unchanged by their past habits, Korok was one of them. "In the time I've waited, I could have wiped out dozens of Scourge lackeys," the Orcs grumbled. "How long does the Highlord want us to wait?"

"Until he comes to see you!"

The Death Knight gave them a vague answer. Even though the three were somewhat dissatisfied, they understood the importance of orders; Mograine told them to wait, so they couldn't go anywhere else. But to their surprise, this wait lasted an entire day.

Finally, at Dusk on the second day, the other person that Darion and Korok sensed appeared at the same time.

When to take action?

"At least until Tirion finishes that ridiculous match." Darion's voice was as emotionless as ever, and he didn't even express a hint of apology when he saw Korok and the other two. Korok wondered if it was the person who had covered his face who had delayed the Highlord's meeting with them.

"Once the Death Knight join, this should be over soon," the man replied. He also noticed the angry look on Korok's face, and Ilrei, Night Elf brows betrayed her displeasure.

"These are the people you chose?"

Darion nodded, and when he walked up to the three Death Knights, he didn't speak to them, but instead began to introduce them, "This is Korok the Deathslayer, a warrior I have handpicked; next to him is Ilre Nightfall, my master horseman; and Zolbi the Bloodletter, my master weapon maker. They should be able to meet Tirion's needs."

"Only three people?"

"That's enough," Mograine replied, then turned to Korok, pointing with one hand to the person beside him, "This is the Witherer, leader of the Forsaken, a friend of the Knights of the Ebon Blade."

The Forsaken? Ilrei and Zolby exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, and then saluted the Witherer. Darion glared angrily at Korok, who stood motionless in place.

"You seem to have something to say, Slayer?"

"Highlord, we have waited a whole day, and we have wasted a whole day. Why would you stay with an Undead, even forgetting those who are loyal to you?"

Darion's piercing laughter echoed in everyone's ears. This time, it wasn't the triumphant excitement of discussing Shadowmourne, but a cold laugh. "Because I was discussing some important things with the Witherer, it's that simple."

Death hadn't changed Korok's temperament. He stepped forward, and then the entire hall echoed with the clanging of swords being drawn from their sheaths. Only then did Korok realize that his hand had been holding a weapon all along. This unintentional act might just cost him his life, Darion.

After staring at Mograine for a moment, he said, "Highlord, it is time for you to give the order."

After the Death Knight sheathed their swords, they did not remove their hands from the hilts. Whether this was their own judgment or an instruction from their leader, Nathanos could not know.

"It's time to send a representative to the Silver Arena."

Korok, Ilre, and Zorby all widened their blue eyes. The leader's words clearly announced Acherus's participation in the Ashbringer competition, and without a doubt, the three of them were being sent. Reluctance appeared on their faces one after another. Korok had just offended Darion and shouldn't speak now, so Ilre decided to step forward and say something, but the words she was carefully crafting were quickly interrupted by footsteps behind her.

"Highlord!"

Darion and Nathanos looked past the three people in front of them and stared directly at another Death Knight was walking towards them.

"What is it, Duke Rancor?"

Duke Rancor? Nathanos vaguely remembered that this man had once been a nobleman of the Kingdom of Gilneas.

"News about the Silver Arena, sent by Tirion. You'd better read it now." Lanclair shoved a parchment into the Highlord's hand. The latter casually opened it and began to read. Nathanos tried to deduce the contents of the letter from the Death Knight's possible expression as he read it, but Darion remained expressionless.

Without realizing it, Nathanos glanced at Lanclair. The Duke was now somewhat anxious; he had clearly read the letter, and it must have contained something terrible.

"It seems we need to move our plans forward." Darion's face hardened. He slowly turned his head to meet Nathanos's gaze. The Death Knight leader's eyes gleamed with determination and a hint of excitement.

"You must get back quickly, the Witherer. The Lich King attacked the Argent Dawn arena and turned the entire arena into a giant hole."