Benedictus

"My time is short," said King Wrynn Varian Wrynn. His once sharp features became blurred as he stepped into the shadowy corridors of the fortress gardens. "There are many things to attend to." The Ghost Wolf raised a hand to halt his entourage; he would be back soon, no matter what the Female Elf said.

He reached out and touched the cold stone wall of the corridor. The intricate structure of Stormwind Keep and its towering, overlapping buildings were the most prominent symbol of the kingdom's power. Compared to the adjacent Dwarven District ... the King's gaze involuntarily drifted towards that area: vast houses dotting the cobblestone streets, along with shops, factories, and chimneys billowing smoke; the Dwarf' dwelling place always seemed promising, their inhabitants possessing limitless potential.

Of course, Varian's main reason for noticing the Dwarven District was not to compare them to Stormwind Keep, but because he knew that what Sylvanas was about to say might be related to what the Dwarf King Magni Bronzebeard told him not long ago: the earth was weeping, and the elementals of Azeroth were in a panic.

Varian didn't know what those words meant, but he knew no enemy was more worthy of vigilance than the Horde. He walked through the throne room, lost in thought. The last rays of daylight streaked across the dark gray sky.

"The embassy has arranged accommodations for you, ladies. I think you will need to rest for the night after your meeting with the King before considering returning to your respective territories." As Talbert spoke, he suddenly sensed something, turned around with awe, and saw the person who commanded his respect standing at the entrance of the conference hall. "Your King!" the advisor said solemnly.

Varian nodded slightly to him. "Congratulations on your marriage, Advisor. You should be at home with your partner."

"My post requires me, Your Majesty," Talbert replied.

"Your King." Jaina and Sylvanas stood up at the same time, though the latter did not show the same respect as Jaina.

"I know why you've come," Varian said bluntly. "My time is precious, so speak quickly." He involuntarily looked at Sylvanas, waiting for the Female Elf to speak.

The two stared at each other until Jaina tugged at the Female Elf's sleeve, breaking the heavy silence. Sylvanas then began to recount to the others what Ysera had told her and what she had witnessed.

The Cataclysm! Everyone in the hall was bewildered by this novel term.

"Deathwing will destroy everything. In the Maelstrom, when I saw him burst out, the whole world trembled." Sylvanas's concise words surprised Jaina. The mage had expected her to give a long speech, at least explaining what to do first after Deathwing appeared.

Varian immediately asked the same question. "So what is he going to do? Judging from his race, he should be retaliating against the Dragons first. Let those flying creatures deal with him."

Sylvanas was about to rebuke Varian for making such irresponsible remarks, trying to distance himself from the powerful Alliance, when her advisor Talbert spoke first, "Please wait, Your Majesty. I remember that the dragon head publicly displayed in Stormwind City was supposed to be the head of Nefarian, Deathwing's son. If what Lady Sylvanas says is true, then Deathwing will one day come to attack us."

This clever explanation earned Sylvanas a grateful look from Talbert, while Varian glanced at his advisor with some displeasure.

"So you think we should send troops to eliminate it?"

"No, of course not!" Talbert shook his head. "I suggest that Stormwind City should increase patrols and impose martial law. If Deathwing is about to appear, then those cultists who follow him will surely be restless. At that time, there will definitely be a large number of spies and agents."

"Doing this will only cause panic among the public."

"But you're thinking about their safety," Jaina said.

Ghost Wolf gave her a sudden smile. "I'm always thinking about my son, but now he doesn't even want to see me."

Silence fell over the group. Talbert felt he had nothing more to say; Jaina hoped Sylvanas could produce more concrete evidence to make Varian take the so-called "Cataclysm" seriously; and the Female Elf was regretting coming here in the first place. If the Alliance's highest leader didn't care, what was the point of her wasting her time here?

Now they awaited the King's final statement. Varian knew that of the three, Talbert remained neutral, while the other two would be disappointed in him. Not only them, but Magni had also recently argued with him. The anomaly described by the Dwarf King might be the "Cataclysm" Sylvanas had mentioned. They hoped Stormwind City would warn the Alliance members, but couldn't they see the enemy before them? Varian really wanted to show them the Alliance's recent military defense maps, to let them see the Horde's actions. The Alliance faced far more threats than just Deathwing.

"As King, I must consider the will of the people," Varian said, before giving an enigmatic answer, "I cannot make the decision to declare martial law alone."

"Then who can decide?" Sylvanas's aggressive voice made Jaina and Talbert turn pale. They had both witnessed what the enraged Ghost Wolf was like, and it seemed that Varian would unleash that terrible rage at any moment.

"I need to speak with Archbishop Benedictus. He is the one who understands the people best in the kingdom."

Sylvanas blinked, looking at Jaina with a puzzled expression, wanting to know who this person was from the mage. In Stormwind City, almost everyone except her knew this Archbishop of the Cathedral of Light Stormwind City, the highly respected leader of the Church of the Holy Light. For many years, it was his wise guidance that allowed humanity to shine brightly in the darkest of times. More importantly, he was also a disciple of Alonsus Faol.

"Your Majesty, the Archbishop seems to have disappeared recently. Some people are complaining that they haven't heard his footsteps for a long time. Should we investigate his whereabouts?"

"Benedictus is the embodiment of the Holy Light." Varian's voice suddenly rose; Talbert's suspicious words had infuriated him. "Are you questioning him?"

"No, of course not," the consultant quickly denied. "It's just my personal suggestion."