While Charlemagne was agonizing over his formal attire, far to the south of the continent in Elwynn Forest, Alleria had just set out from the magnificent Stormwind City, ready to begin her journey across the continent.
"Miss Alleria, are you really not returning to Dalaran with us? The road north won't be easy."
Before Alleria, a male High Elf who had come to see her off asked with concern.
This male High Elf had smooth golden hair as dazzling as the sun and wore red mage robes with exceptionally ornate decorations. His words and bearing revealed an elegance and nobility that seemed instinctive.
Most eye-catching of all were the three flaming orbs constantly moving behind his head. The three small spheres moved independently in irregular patterns, yet under his precise control, they never collided.
This gentle man was none other than the central figure of this diplomatic mission, the rightful heir to the High Elf kingdom of Quel'Thalas-Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider.
Having completed his visit to the Kingdom of Stormwind, Kael'thas had originally planned to teleport back to Dalaran with the entire delegation, then transfer there and teleport back to Silvermoon City.
But Alleria, the independently minded female ranger, had no intention of returning with them.
After Kael'thas bid farewell to King Llane of the Kingdom of Stormwind and Sir Anduin Lothar, Alleria took the opportunity to tell the prince of Quel'Thalas of her plans to travel the continent.
Having received a magical message from his father the day before, Kael'thas already knew of their great victory in the Troll Wars. At the same time, a young ranger named Charlemagne Theron had come to his attention.
"Kael'thas, Charlemagne Theron became an Advanced-rank professional at a very young age. Moreover, considering his previous circumstances, the time he took can be shortened even further to ten years. Such talent is unprecedented."
"I believe that, provided you handle him well, he will certainly be of great use to you after you succeed to the throne. Charlemagne's lover, Alleria Windrunner, happens to be part of your delegation. Take any opportunity to win her over as well."
"As Ranger-General Lireesa's eldest daughter, Miss Alleria also possesses considerable talent. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a marriage alliance between the Theron family and the Windrunner family is inevitable. You can use this opportunity to win them over."
His father Anasterian's counsel had clearly made an impression on Kael'thas.
Previously, he had thought of Alleria as nothing more than a beautiful female ranger. Having seen plenty of beautiful elven women, the prince naturally harbored no improper intentions toward her.
But since the Sun King had offered his analysis, Kael'thas followed his father's counsel and planned to have a good talk with Alleria during this time.
To his surprise, however, the female ranger did not seem to intend to return home as soon as possible to reunite with her boyfriend. Instead, she planned to travel north from the Kingdom of Stormwind and visit the various nations along the way.
Repeated attempts to persuade Alleria to stay failed to change her decision. In the end, to demonstrate the importance he placed on her, Kael'thas could only bring his subordinates to see her off in person.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I planned this journey before I left Quel'Thalas. I want to take a good look at the current conditions in the various nations and make some comparisons with our own High Elf kingdom."
Although Alleria did not know why Kael'thas had suddenly become much more attentive toward her since yesterday, she had taken the opportunity the day before to tell the prince about the matter Charlemagne had entrusted to her.
As expected, however, the prince showed little interest in establishing High Elf melee forces. Although he said he would consider it, his absentminded gaze told Alleria that he had not taken the matter to heart at all.
Fortunately, neither Alleria nor Charlemagne had expected much from these higher-ups in the first place. Besides, Alleria herself had doubts about her lover's sense of urgency, and so the matter passed with little fuss.
Traveling through the various nations, however, was something Alleria had decided on long ago. Restless by nature, she was greatly looking forward to the journey, and the prince's gentle persuasion could not dispel the idea.
Alleria's resolute expression made Kael'thas sigh. "Very well, but please take care along the way. Mr. Theron is still waiting for you in Quel'Thalas."
At the mention of her lover, a sudden gleam flashed through Alleria's eyes.
The prince had told the delegation the good news of their victory in the Troll War yesterday. While the other elves cheered, Alleria had keenly noticed his choice of words.
"Advanced-rank ranger Charlemagne Theron."
That designation undoubtedly confirmed her boyfriend's breakthrough. Her young lover had entered the Advanced rank before her after all.
Although she and Charlemagne had become lovers, the competitive spirit passed down through the Windrunner family still made Alleria unwilling to fall too far behind him.
Over the past ten years, she had often seen the worried expression on her beloved's face. Although she still could not fully understand everything he worried about, quietly supporting her lover from behind was also the reserve befitting a woman of the Windrunner family.
This time, she had made up her mind: she, too, had to reach the Advanced rank before returning to Quel'Thalas. Alleria was very confident of this. She had already sensed the bottleneck and believed she should be able to break through smoothly during her travels.
Watching Alleria leave with a confident expression, an adviser beside Kael'thas asked somewhat hesitantly, "Your Highness, is it really necessary for us to go to such lengths to win over a ranger who has only just entered the Advanced rank?"
Kael'thas withdrew his gaze from the distance and nodded solemnly.
"Of course it is. Father specifically mentioned in his magical message that this Charlemagne has a very good chance of reaching Epic Rank in the future, or even... surpassing mortal limits. How could we not bring someone with such fighting strength into our camp?"
Living in a state of semi-exile in Dalaran all these years had always left Kael'thas feeling deeply humiliated. As a prince, he could not even return to his own home and could only lodge in a human city. How could he possibly accept that willingly?
Although his growing strength had gradually earned him a place on the Council of Six, he also knew that Chief Archmage Antonidas had most likely granted him that position out of respect for the High Elves.
The Silvermoon Council... for now, I'll keep building my strength. Once I find an opportunity, I'll make you pay!
Even now, thinking of those arrogant old fellows made Kael'thas grit his teeth with hatred.
The High Elves' current dual political system had been established when Dath'Remar first founded the kingdom. As the royal family, the Sunstriders held sole control over the Sunwell. In exchange, they delegated some of their authority to the other Highborne families.
Having grown up under the instruction of his great-grandfather Dath'Remar, Anasterian was inwardly annoyed by the council members' habit of opposing him at every turn, but he still reluctantly accepted this form of governance. Kael'thas, the third generation of the royal line, was different...
Judging by the fire blazing in Kael'thas's eyes, sooner or later, some catalyst would cause the conflict between the prince and the council to erupt in full.
(End of chapter)