(Thanks to Blood Knight for the 100-coin reward!)
Princess Calia is not Jaina.
She had lived in Lordaeron all her life, interacting with all sorts of nobles since childhood. She knew very well that the relationships between these nobles were intricate and intertwined; some nobles shared a common destiny, rising and falling together. If Baron Soroson had problems, then those nobles closely associated with him probably had problems as well!
Who knows how many nobles in Lordaeron have problems?
Who knows, some wealthy lady you're chatting and laughing with might be secretly plotting to get rid of you!
It's terrifying to even think about!
"Then... what should we do?" Jaina looked dejected, casually turning Dudley into a lamb with a wave of her hand, muttering to herself, " Arthas massacred Stratholme, and the day before yesterday he took the entire Lordaeron fleet to Northrend. Now Lordaeron is more vulnerable than ever before. This... is too dangerous! How did it come to this? How did everything turn out like this?"
Princess Calia was also in a difficult situation and didn't know what to do.
" Princess Calia," Jiang Jie thought it was time to make his presence known, so he coughed and, meeting the gazes of the two ladies, suggested, "Perhaps we should first see His Majesty the King. His wise and insightful nature should have a solution."
Although reluctant, Jiang Jie had actually been at odds with the Cult of the Damned from the very beginning. Regardless of what would happen to Lordaeron in the future, since history had changed, he might as well help Princess Calia and King Terenas fight against the Cult of the Damned. That way, at least he wouldn't have to worry about assassination attempts by the Cult of the Damned.
He wanted to spend a few peaceful days in Lordaeron and train hard to level up!
Previously, they dared not accuse Baron Soroson because the consequences of a commoner accusing a nobleman without evidence would be severe! In order to maintain the authority of the entire noble community, it would not only be Baron Soroson who was hostile to Jiang Jie, but the entire noble community, hundreds or even thousands of nobles in Lordaeron! Now that the evidence is conclusive, Jiang Jie naturally wants to push things along and do his best to strike at the Cult of the Damned.
In short, his interests are tied to those of Lordaeron; only when Lordaeron is safe can he live in peace!
Princess Calia is of noble birth, and Jaina is unanimously recognized by the entire nation as the next queen. It's perfectly normal for them to bring several attendants when they meet the king, although the little rabbit in Jiang Jie's arms is rather conspicuous—
Yes, you read that right, it's a little rabbit.
As one of the greatest Archmage of all time, Jaina's spellcasting abilities are truly formidable. Polymorph is utterly inadequate and no longer sufficient for her. She has mastered over a dozen polymorph Polymorph, including those for rabbits, turkeys, green-headed turtles, black cats, and even weak blue dragons—the list goes on.
Holding a little rabbit is much more pleasing to the eye than holding a little lamb, isn't it?
Jaina is quite perceptive.
The group soon met His Majesty the King, only to find that His Majesty was listening to a storyteller, Don Quixote himself!
Upon seeing Jiang Jie arrive, Don Quixote Jiang Jie at him and then secretly gave him a thumbs-up. If it weren't for his connection with Princess Calia and the compelling story of * The Tides of Darkness *, even he would have had a difficult time meeting His Majesty the King. Most importantly, His Majesty the King had given him a substantial reward...
"Master Don Quixote, you may leave now." Upon seeing his daughter arrive, and noticing her serious expression, King Terenas dismissed his attendants, leaving only the few of them in the hall.
"Father, this is what happened." Princess Calia quickly repeated Jiang Jie's words, her face showing worry for the fate of the nation. "This was done very discreetly; it shouldn't have been discovered by Baron Soroson and the Cult of the Damned."
" Calia, I understand." Terenas was nearly sixty years old. Although he was carefully cared for by the court physicians and Priest, he was, after all, getting on in years.
Moreover, the injuries he sustained in the war in his early years were still tormenting him. In fact, even without Arthas killing his father, given his physical condition, he wouldn't have lived for more than a few years. The appearance of the Undead Plague had already made him unable to sleep well; Arthas's massacre of the city without his consent, followed by the taking of the entire kingdom's fleet, including even a portion of the elite troops, shocked and terrified him.
A huge mess is waiting for him to clean up!
Uther and Jaina had reported everything about Arthas to him a couple of days ago, their words filled with accusations against Arthas, which deeply affected him, making him weaker and less spirited than before.
Hearing that the Cult of the Damned had infiltrated Lordaeron, he was somewhat prepared, but the fact that a powerful baron had fallen into corruption made him feel even more helpless.
"Is that so, Dudley?" Terenas looked at Dudley, who was sprawled on the ground, his Rage, his voice filled with the majesty of a king. "Tell me everything you know!"
Terenas was once the leader of the entire Alliance of Mankind, and his prestige far surpassed that of the other kings. Even King Varian of Stormwind City grew up under his protection.
Faced with such a king, the timid and cowardly Dudley naturally dared not hide anything and stammered out everything he knew.
" Soroson!"
Upon hearing Dudley's confession, Terenas nearly choked on his breath, collapsing onto his throne and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Father!"
Princess Calia rushed forward to support Terenas, her face filled with worry. "Father, what's wrong with you? Priest! Quickly, fetch the Holy Light Priest Isillien! And the royal physician!"
"No need, child. I know my body; I can still hold on." Terenas took a few deep breaths, regaining his royal composure. He then surveyed his surroundings, his imposing gaze causing even Archmage Jaina to flinch. Dudley, terrified, collapsed to the ground. "This matter must not be revealed! I want to know who these people standing before me are, and whether you can be trusted!"
Terenas's attention was mainly focused on Jiang Jie and Lilian, because Princess Calia and Jaina were naturally trustworthy, Dudley was clearly not.
"Father, Nicholas is the author of ' The Tides of Darkness,' I told you. He's the one who captured Dudley, so he's definitely trustworthy." Princess Calia quickly defended Jiang Jie, then glanced at Lilian, before looking at Jiang Jie: " Nicholas, who is she?"
Lilian hid beside Jiang Jie Jiang Jie, holding onto his arm with one hand, as if only in this way could she feel safe enough.
In fact, he knew very well who the people in the palace were!
Your Majesty, Princess Calia, Princess Jaina!
She felt instinctively afraid in front of these people; after all, she was just a 15-year-old child!
Jiang Jie quickly comforted her, then looked at Terenas and Princess Calia and replied, "She is Lilian, daughter of High Priest Benedictus Voss, the most outstanding student of One-Armed Invar, and also sent by Baron Maxwell Tyrosus to help me escort Dudley. She is absolutely trustworthy."
Three names in a row, each a trustworthy member of the Order of the Silver Hand, and holding a high position within the Order of the Silver Hand. Maxwell, in particular, is a second-generation Paladin, deeply trusted by Highlord Mograine, and even Uther the Lightbringer once mentioned Maxwell's name to Terenas.
Three names are enough to leverage their popularity!
Terenas said calmly, "You may all leave now! Furthermore, no information regarding this matter is to be disclosed to anyone!"