Applause thundered through the hall. Dick smiled at Jaina, then strode through the crowd and onto the podium. He stretched out both hands and pressed them down, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
Before speaking, Dick glanced at the people seated in the front row. Well, they were all second-rate figures in their respective countries, or even third-rate. Apart from Dalaran's representative, the white-haired Antonidas, whose presence commanded respect without anger, the other powers seemed barely interested in the Silver Hand's appeal for aid.
Dick shook his head slightly. No wonder Uther had pushed him into the spotlight. The man simply had no time to waste on a conference he probably considered a mere formality. Uther had not wanted to waste even a second. Once Dick took over as host, he left the hall with his guards. Fighting on the front lines was about to begin, and there was far too much to do.
"I know none of you know me, so there's no need for me to introduce myself. Let's get straight to the point!"
Dick's opening words set the hall buzzing. When had these "important figures" from various countries ever heard a conference opened like this? The short-eared elves from Quel'Thalas were already showing their contempt.
"The reports you received are true. Lordaeron City, along with the Tirisfal region, has been reduced to ruins. An undead army a million strong is taking shape. By my estimate, once they finish assembling, their numbers may well exceed two million. And the commander of these enemies of all life is, as you suspected, Lordaeron's former prince, Arthas Menethil."
An uproar broke out...
Dick's second statement brought Whitemane and the young commanders seated in the back rows to their feet. She stared in astonishment at Dick, who was acting completely out of character by revealing their secrets. She now wondered whether he had gone mad.
Grand Knight Gavinrad, who was attending on behalf of the Order of the Silver Hand, was equally surprised. Compared with Abbendis, however, this Grand Knight was much more observant. He noticed the smile forming at the corner of Dick's mouth and was certain that this newly risen paladin had a plan of his own.
So Gavinrad decided to trust Dick this once. Hopefully, he could repeat his performance at the last Silver Hand meeting.
Watching the people whisper among themselves, Dick curled his lips into a mocking smile and continued,
"So we invited you here to discuss how to face this undead offensive. We need support from each of your countries, whether in the form of troops or supplies. Either will do."
Whoosh!
A middle-aged nobleman in an old-fashioned tailcoat rose from his chair. With impeccable manners and a trace of arrogance, he addressed Dick and the others.
"I consider this an internal matter for Lordaeron. We of Gilneas have no need to become involved. Of course, I am also willing to believe that, as one of the Northern Frontier's finest military forces, the Order of the Silver Hand can shoulder the responsibility of protecting the people. I have many pressing matters to attend to. Please allow me to take my leave!"
The old nobleman gave Dick a perfunctory nod, then turned to leave with his attendants. His behavior was utterly discourteous. Now that the ambassador from Gilneas had set an example, the other ambassadors with no interest in this war rose as well. After all, Lordaeron's capital had fallen and its king was dead. The country was finished, and no one would hold them accountable for their rudeness.
But just as the old nobleman was about to step through the doors, Dick's unhurried voice rang through the hall again.
"Hmm, the ambassador from Gilneas makes a good point. I also consider this an internal matter for Lordaeron, so I will recommend that the troops at the Holy Light Monastery consolidate their defenses. The Fourth Legion of Lordaeron will also withdraw to West Darrowmere and stop interfering with the undead's assembly. Meanwhile, we will gather all our troops to hold the West Darrowmere region.
"I believe the Silver Hand's military strength should allow us to hold them off for two months." Whoosh!
If the looks directed at Dick earlier had merely held shock and doubt, now they were unmistakably the looks one gave a madman. On such a formal occasion, this "champion of the Holy Light" had openly threatened an ambassador before everyone. Had he gone mad?
Everyone knew that south of Tirisfal lay Silverpine Forest-the Darkwood Dick had once crossed alone-and beyond Silverpine Forest lay the territory of Gilneas. The mysterious Silverpine Forest could obstruct a large army, but it certainly could not stop the undead advance. Their numerical advantage was simply too great.
And once the Silver Hand dug in at West Darrowmere, the undead, unable to advance an inch, would inevitably change targets. When that happened, Gilneas, previously far removed from the battlefield, would suffer an undeserved calamity.
The old nobleman stopped as well. He turned to look at Dick, his eyes gleaming coldly like those of an aging wolf king.
"You... are you threatening Gilneas?"
"Yes!"
Dick nodded. The smile vanished from his face, and his expression grew solemn, even murderous. He met the ambassador's gaze without fear.
"The Silver Hand cannot stop the undead army. That is nothing to laugh at, because Gilneas cannot stop it either! If you intend to abandon your allies in this hour of crisis, why should we shoulder responsibility for ungrateful wretches? Sir, Lordaeron has no king anymore! We are a band of refugees now. Refugees who have lost hope. Lone wolves who have lost their homes and been driven into a corner. If you want to watch the hunters kill us, fine. But you spectators had better be ready for us to drag you down into hell with us. You had best pray we don't go mad!"
The noisy conference hall fell silent. Jaina watched her young boyfriend bare his fangs, delight filling her crescent eyes. Antonidas, who had been resting with his eyes closed since the conference began, had also opened them at some point and was watching Dick with interest.
Unlike Antonidas, Gavinrad had lost every trace of worry from his face. He even closed his eyes. Since Lordaeron's destruction, Gavinrad had scarcely enjoyed a single good night's sleep. He decided to take this opportunity to rest properly.
"Where did Uther find this fellow... Hmm, lone wolves. I like that description!"
Dick swept his gaze over the crowd, its chill like a scythe. Everyone he looked at who had risen to leave promptly sat back down. The old nobleman, however, stubbornly remained by the door, glaring at Dick.
But Dick ignored him completely. Since they already considered him mad, he no longer cared.
Then let me be mad, as long as that madness wins us a future!
"Beep... Major quest triggered: The Halt of History's Wheels." "Description: Completely change the outcome of the Undead Scourge's invasion!" "Requirement: Upon quest completion, the Northern Frontier's order must remain at least 60% intact." "Reward: World Divergence 2%-7%." "Beep... Quest stage one: A war of words against the 'kings.'" "The Order of the Silver Hand alone cannot possibly deal with the Undead Scourge that has already taken shape. You need help!" "Description: Bring powers including Gilneas, Alterac, the Wildhammer Clan, Dalaran, and Quel'Thalas into the campaign."
After receiving the quest notification, Dick rolled his shoulders and loosened the bow tie constricting his neck. He raised his head, and every eye fell on him. Glancing at Gavinrad, who was resting with his eyes closed, Dick suddenly asked,
"Grand Knight Gavinrad, before I came here today, Grand Knight Uther promised that I could freely say anything I wished. Now I need a commitment. Will the Order of the Silver Hand and the kingdom's remaining troops change their strategy based on my decisions?"
The question was domineering in the extreme. Even Gavinrad could not help glancing at Dick when he heard it. He felt certain that this fellow was going to cause quite a stir today. But while he hesitated, the hall doors opened again. This time, Dathrohan entered. The silent Grand Knight walked onto the podium and stood directly behind Dick, both hands resting on the Great Crusader's Sword.
Though he said nothing, the gesture made Uther's position clear.
"Heh..."
Dick licked his dry lips. A feeling that "history is in my hands" rose within him. Looking out at the people below the podium, he took a deep breath and said loudly,
"Since none of you can make the decisions, please bring someone who can. We will adjourn for one hour. Master Antonidas is right here. I believe one hour should be enough for you all to make the round trip."
Bang!
The ambassador from Gilneas, that impeccably mannered old nobleman, slammed his fist onto the table. He shot Dick a resentful look.
"You lunatic!"
Dick shrugged, utterly unconcerned by the insult.
Seeing that Dick was completely shameless, the other powers' envoys were equally furious. But faced with the Order of the Silver Hand, which had clearly lost all reason, they dared not take any chances. They could only plead with Master Antonidas to open portals. The old mage was cheerful and accommodating. Without another word, he waved his hand, and within just five minutes, all five portals stood open outside the hall.
"This Knight Dick... what an interesting young man."
Antonidas stroked his white beard, glanced at Jaina beside him, and said with a smile,
"Anna, contact the Kirin Tor Council. Tell the battle mages to prepare. We must begin defending our own territory as well."
Leaving aside the ambassadors as they set to work, Dick had barely stepped off the podium and had not even taken a sip of water before Abbendis and several young knights surrounded him.
"You lunatic, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to ruin the entire Order of the Silver Hand's reputation?"
A tall young man seized Dick by the collar and nearly lifted him with one hand. Dick raised an eyebrow. This fellow was strong.
"Enough! Korfax! Put him down!"
The young Whitemane was actually the leader of these young men, which rather surprised Dick. It seemed this future long-legged inquisitor was quite charismatic. But after Korfax resentfully released him, Dick brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes and looked at Whitemane.
"Can I help you, Miss Whitemane?"
Whitemane gritted her teeth in fury. She realized that even after spending nearly three months in Stratholme, she still had not fully figured this fellow out. Lowering her voice, she demanded,
"What exactly are you trying to do? Do you realize that if we offend these countries of the Northern Frontier, they will band together to boycott us even if we survive? You're gambling with the Order of the Silver Hand's future!"
Dick narrowed his eyes at those words. Had Jaina been there, she would certainly have known he was angry, because Dick always narrowed his eyes when he was angry.
"I'm squandering the Silver Hand's future?"
Dick countered, "You actually think the Order of the Silver Hand still has a future? What gave you that confidence?"