"Well, that wraps up this mission. Aaron, what are your plans next?" Rhonin asked, looking at Aaron after they returned to the inn. After this mission, Rhonin had a fairly good impression of Aaron, especially compared with other Paladins. Aaron's attitude toward mages could practically be called a warm spring breeze.
Aaron had also given his next steps serious thought over the past two days. He really had no detailed plan. After carefully sorting through his memories of the major events that would happen next in Azeroth, he suddenly realized that the next few years seemed relatively peaceful. It would not be until nearly ten years later, when Arthas reached adulthood, that he would trigger the undead Scourge that ravaged more than half the Eastern Kingdoms, followed by the Battle of Hyjal.
To face the various disasters that were almost certain to happen in the future, Aaron felt he needed to improve his strength. Ideally, he would also avert some disasters before they happened, wherever he could.
So how could he improve his strength? Aaron considered that one source of his strength was the inexplicable Holy Light within him, which seemed to have been infused into him by something. The other, naturally, was weapons and equipment.
Although Aaron's memory problems meant there were many things he could no longer remember, he still clearly remembered the locations of certain artifacts. Leaving aside artifacts such as the Ashbringer, which did not yet exist at this point, Aaron clearly knew of an artifact suited to Paladins-Truthguard.
Truthguard was said to be a shield forged for Tyr by the Titan Keeper Archaedas. Judging by its origins alone, it already qualified as one of the foremost artifacts in Azeroth.
According to Aaron's less-than-reliable memories, Truthguard should currently be on a small island in the Broken Isles called Shield's Rest, so that was the first destination he had chosen for himself. After accompanying Vereesa to Quel'Thalas, Aaron wanted to find a port and take a ship to the Broken Isles.
Aaron could only hope that the Eastern Kingdoms had already discovered a sea route to the Broken Isles. Still, such a route should exist. After all, there were already human settlements in Northrend, though those humans should have been turned into undead by Ner'zhul by now.
After Aaron told Rhonin that he was going to the Broken Isles, Rhonin thought for a moment and said, "As far as I know, the Kingdom of Kul Tiras has established a route to the Broken Isles. If you want to go, Aaron, you could first sail from the Kingdom of Gilneas to Kul Tiras, then head to the Broken Isles."
"Actually, we in Quel'Thalas have a route to the Broken Isles too. Besides, I remember you saying you wanted to go to Northrend as well, right, Aaron? It's closer from our side," Vereesa suddenly said.
"Quel'Thalas?" Aaron turned to glance at Vereesa, then nodded. "Leaving from Quel'Thalas works too, though Gilneas seems a little closer to here."
According to the two of them, the inhabitants of the Eastern Kingdoms had already discovered the Broken Isles by this point. Kingdoms such as Kul Tiras, whose main business was maritime trade, had long since established trading posts there.
Although Quel'Thalas had little enthusiasm for seafaring, it still had trade routes to the Broken Isles, so Aaron could easily set out from Sunsail Anchorage in Quel'Thalas.
"That's more like it." Vereesa nodded, her words seemingly carrying some particular implication.
"Vereesa will definitely be going back to report. What are your plans next, Rhonin?" Aaron glanced at Vereesa, then turned his gaze to Rhonin. After this mission ended, this mage's next appearance would not be until after Dalaran's reconstruction. Aaron had no idea what Rhonin would do in between.
"Me? Keep studying magic, of course. Although this mission went fairly smoothly, I still feel my strength is sorely lacking. I have to work hard to improve it," Rhonin said, looking earnestly at Aaron.
Aaron gave Rhonin a puzzled look. He had thought Rhonin would take the opportunity to suggest going to Quel'Thalas together. Had the sparks that should originally have flared between Rhonin and Vereesa somehow gone out?
But upon hearing Rhonin say he wanted to improve his strength, Aaron suddenly remembered Rhonin's fate in the original history-dying in the enormous explosion Young Hero Hellscream caused with the Focusing Iris. He solemnly warned him, "Rhonin, you'd better focus more on defensive spells. You mages are far too fragile."
"I feel like you mean something else by that, but thank you all the same." Rhonin gave Aaron a strange look, but still nodded in agreement.
As wielders of humanity's high-end combat power, mages actually varied greatly in strength. The poorer ones dared call themselves mages just because they could cast a fireball, while those at the very pinnacle had the strength to contend with Sargeras, the fallen Titan.
After traveling with Rhonin, Aaron felt that this mage probably was not particularly strong. Perhaps he would gradually grow stronger later, but the current Rhonin was indeed rather fragile. Learning a few more protective spells would do him good.
However, after Aaron and Vereesa said goodbye to Rhonin and were about to leave, they were stopped by a mage claiming to be Antonidas's envoy. Apparently, the king of Lordaeron wanted to meet them, so Antonidas was preparing a portal to Lordaeron City and hoped the two of them would stay in Dalaran for a few more days.
The three exchanged looks for quite a while before agreeing and returning to the inn once more.
"Looks like we can't leave for now." Although Vereesa was somewhat reluctant, she expressed no strong objections. Still, as the three sat together, the atmosphere remained a little chilly.
"By the way, Rhonin, there's something I wanted to ask you." Faced with the awkward atmosphere, Aaron could not think of anything to say, so he could only change the subject clumsily. "Since we have portals that can transport people over long distances, why didn't we use them to maneuver troops when fighting the Orcs?"
Aaron's question was not without reason. In fact, before his transmigration, he had often seen similar questions discussed on forums. With such a convenient means of transportation as portals available, why had he never seen anyone use them to carry out any tactics in the game?
At Aaron's question, Rhonin first froze, then shook his head and explained, "There are only five of us, so of course we can use a portal. But moving an army means thousands upon thousands of people, along with all sorts of siege weapons and provisions. Maintaining a portal like that would consume far too much mana."
Rhonin thought for a while, then continued, "Besides, establishing a portal requires a great deal of advance preparation, and the transport process cannot be disrupted. Using portals to move troops is simply too difficult."
"What's even more troublesome is that you can't establish a portal just anywhere. Only locations at magical focal points are suitable. If the enemy has no spellcasters, that's one thing, but if they do, then once they interfere, the portal becomes extremely dangerous."
"All right, I think I understand." Aaron nodded. Simply put, the conditions for establishing a portal were extremely demanding, the mana requirements were high, and the efficiency was poor, so they were entirely unsuitable for moving troops.
"But if the day really comes when we can move troops freely through portals, then no matter how many enemies like the Orcs come, we'll be able to handle them easily. A tragedy like Stormwind City would never happen again," Rhonin suddenly said thoughtfully.
"That should be possible." Aaron carefully searched his memories. He remembered that in Legion, even the demons' warships could emerge from portals, so establishing portals capable of transporting troops on a large scale should theoretically be possible. However, the demons' fel technology was not the same as the arcane magic used by mages. Whether it could ultimately succeed, Aaron did not know.
"Let's stop talking about that. Rhonin, since we can't leave for now anyway, how about showing us around Dalaran?" Vereesa interrupted Aaron and suddenly suggested.