The banquet was almost over, but another meeting was just beginning.
In a conference room much smaller than the banquet hall, a long table was placed in the center, with all the important figures of Tyr's Hand seated on either side.
The Rohan the Assassin, the Holy Light Champion Herod, the Brother Crowley, the priestess Demetria, the Huntsman Leopold, and of course, the higher-ranking Commander Marjhan.
" Abbendis, Marjhan, and you, nobles and officers of Tyr's Hand." Lord Valdelmar sat at the head of the table. In his forties, he exuded authority without anger, his deep voice carrying an undeniable dignity. "What has your consideration been regarding the proposal to form the Scarlet Crusade? Arthas is still alive! The Scourge is still ravaging! The spirits beneath Light's Hope Chapel are watching us!"
The crowd looked at each other, and finally all turned their gaze to General Abbendis, whose seat was closest to Lord Valdelmar.
General Abbendis was a little older than Lord Valdelmar, appearing to be under fifty years old.
Two weeks ago, after news of the collapse of the Frozen Throne and the death of the Lich King arrived, Lord Valdelmar held a meeting and proposed the formation of the " Scarlet Crusade " as an independent force under the Order of the Silver Hand, just like the " Ashen Army " in Stratholme.
Lord Valdelmar's reasoning was that the Order of the Silver Hand needed a truly willing and reckless spearhead to go to Northrend and eliminate the surviving Arthas and the Scourge's elite forces as quickly as possible, to ensure that Lordaeron would never again be threatened by the Scourge.
This proposal quickly gained the approval and support of some radicals, especially young officers, who realized it was a great opportunity to make a name for themselves. If they could kill Arthas and wipe out the last elite of the Scourge, they would all have the chance to be knighted and granted land.
However, some people hesitated, because this would be tantamount to forming a clique within the Order of the Silver Hand, and what if it angered Uther the Lightbringer?
Furthermore, without the authorization of Queen Calia or the Lightbringer, no one is qualified to form such a large-scale independent force. Are they planning a rebellion?
But soon, Lord Valdelmar offered his advice:
You can ask Highlord Mograine for his opinion on this matter.
If he could gain the support of a second Legendary Paladin, even Uther the Lightbringer would find it difficult to refuse, given the precedent set by the Ashen Army.
Although the scandal in Southshore and the rumors of Renault's assassination of his father were not publicly known, those in higher positions had long been aware of them.
The hot-tempered and domineering Highlord Mograine must harbor deep hatred for the Scourge, otherwise he wouldn't have volunteered to go to Southshore to take charge.
But that's not enough.
Although preparations for a full-scale offensive against Gilneas have begun, wiping out Gilneas alone would hardly vent Old Mograine's rage. Only Arthas's death could bring solace to the father who lost his eldest son.
The person responsible for contacting Highlord Mograine was General Abbendis, who had a very good relationship with him.
"A week ago, I personally went to Southshore to meet Alexandros."
General Abbendis, facing the gazes of the crowd, tapped the table and said, "My old friend believes that Paladin should not solely follow the pure Way of the Holy Light; the more aggressive Holy Fire is more suitable for the current situation. The Order of the Silver Hand have expanded by nearly ten thousand recently, and a new force should indeed be established. He has volunteered to serve as the Highlord of the Scarlet Crusade, and also stated that he can help persuade Isillien to serve as the High Inquisitor of the Scarlet Crusade."
"Since even Old Mograine has agreed, I think Uther has no reason to object." Lord Valdelmar smiled with satisfaction, stood up, and said, "I believe no one here will object. Therefore, let's first establish the Scarlet Crusade's charter, and the corresponding positions should be determined. Scarlet Crusade Highlord Mograine, High General Abbendis, Grand Inquisitor Isillien. And the position of Commander-in-Chief will be..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lord Valdelmar's expression changed slightly.
At the same time, the conference room door shattered, and dazzling Holy Light shone in from outside, the blinding light causing everyone to squint or even close their eyes.
In that instant when he closed his eyes, a figure rushed towards Lord Valdelmar, a divine sword wreathed in billowing Holy Fire, and a voice suddenly rang out. "Demon, die!"
General Abbendis, being Grand Knight, was the first to adjust to the light. Looking at the person bathed in its radiance, he was completely stunned, his expression changing drastically as he exclaimed, " Fenna! What are you doing!"
He immediately grabbed the knight's greatsword from the table and slashed at the Ashbringer, yelling, "Are you insane! Go back!"
Everyone present was an extraordinary individual; even the weakest among them was a high-level professional. Although their reactions were not as quick as General Abbendis's, they were still fast enough.
The Rohan the Assassin made his move without making a sound, instantly appearing to Fenna's left. Two daggers flashed, but he held them upside down, intending to use the handles to attack Fenna and block her.
The Holy Light Champion Herod picked up his knight's sword, the Huntsman Leopold had no bow and arrows, so he could only draw his dagger, the Brother Crowley and the priestess Demetria didn't have time to cast a spell, and the Commander Marjhan, who didn't have his holy hammer, lifted the chair that Herod was sitting on.
Lord Valdelmar, facing the sword's edge, produced a knight's sword with blood-red patterns from who-knows-where.
But it didn't work.
All obstacles are worthless, all enemies are nothing but clay chickens and earthenware dogs.
They're all paper tigers, not worth mentioning.
Fenna ignored everyone's attacks and the Ashbringer forward, while three rotating light shields had already appeared around her.
Any attack was futile, whether it was a knight's sword, a dagger, or a chair; all were easily blocked by the light shield.
A second later, the two swords met.
Lord Valdelmar parried with his sword, but nothing could stop the Ashbringer's attack. With a crisp sound, Lord Valdelmar's Bloodstained Knight's sword snapped in two, and the Ashbringer's blade pierced Lord Valdelmar's heart and then passed through his chest.
There was no blood, not a single drop.
The intense, Holy Fire evaporated the blood, and Lord Valdelmar collapsed, instantly becoming a corpse.
This scene stunned everyone.
Lord Valdelmar, is he dead?
He was killed by Ashbringer?
Why?
What exactly happened?
Did Ashbringer betray us? Or did the entire Ashen Army defect?