The Interval (Part One)

(Thanks to Guaxixi5 for yesterday's 200 Qidian coin tip, and to Xingye66 for the 100 Qidian coin tip!)

Hidden among range upon range of mountains was Zul'Aman, the ancient capital of the Amani Empire.

It lay in the southeastern corner of the Ghostlands, where countless sturdy barriers had been built among the forests. Nearly all the brave Trolls of the Amani Empire lived here, vowing to break free of the high elves' oppression and reclaim their territory.

The trees here were green, and this was the only land in Quel'Thalas that had not been dyed golden by elven magic...

"What happened to those missing rogues?"

Deep within Zul'Aman, atop a towering altar, Zul'jin, the current leader of the Zul'Aman Empire, narrowed his sharp eyes and questioned a Troll priest standing respectfully below.

Zul'jin, a short-tempered forest Troll, was a member of the Amani Tribe. During the first Troll Wars, he displayed a warrior's spirit and a talent for leadership that no other Troll could match, uniting Zul'Aman, where the tribes had been locked in constant warfare. Under his leadership, though they had once been defeated by humans and high elves, the Trolls had also come close to winning their battle against the high elves 200 years ago!

"There has been no sign of a response. They were probably discovered and eliminated by the high elves!"

Shame flashed in the Troll priest's eyes as he lowered his head and answered.

"Eliminated!?"

Zul'jin smiled coldly. "Did those arrogant elves discover anything?"

"They did not!"

Seeing that Zul'jin had not flown into the rage he had expected, the Troll priest secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but did not dare hesitate for a moment as he answered:

"They made no attempt to investigate where we came from. They probably still think those rogues entered the interior through the wooded mountains on either side!"

At this point, the Troll priest grew somewhat disdainful.

"Do they still think it's 200 years ago?"

"Hahaha, how conceited! Those elves never learn their lesson, foolishly living in the past..."

Hearing the priest's words, Zul'jin burst into delighted laughter.

"They escaped disaster once. Do they think they can escape a second time?"

The defeat 200 years ago had always rankled Zul'jin. But he would not fail again this time. After 200 years of preparation, he had a more perfect battle plan. The elves... would surely be unable to escape their doom!

"But there is another unexpected piece of news."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I heard that the elf prince born 200 years ago has also come to the battlefield this time?"

"The elf prince!?"

In an instant, Zul'jin's smile vanished, and his expression suddenly turned angry and furious.

"The elf prince who caused our defeat!?"

Two hundred years ago, after they had shattered the high elves' defenses and wounded the Sun King with poison, just as everything was going smoothly, a prince had been born to the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas.

The prince's birth had been a tremendous boost to morale at the time. With encouragement from those who had taken it upon themselves to spread the word, the high elves had rallied, fought without fear of death, and completely turned the battle around!

It could be said that the prince was the main reason for the Trolls' defeat...

"Yes..."

The Troll priest shrank back as he confirmed it. The next moment, Zul'jin's mouth curved into a murderous grin.

"Then let him stay here forever!"

"Besides, we've long since made our preparations. Now, we can take action..."

"Take action!?"

The Troll priest was startled, then overjoyed. "We can already?"

In fact, the Troll warriors had long since been unable to contain themselves. They were even more eager to plunder the elves' blood and flesh...

"Yes. Go and give the order..."

Zul'jin nodded. Everything was in place. If they delayed any longer, more trouble might arise.

"Our allies... will also be here soon..."

Quel'Thalas, Silvermoon City.

Few people knew that behind Sunstrider Tower was a beautiful royal garden. Its flowers bloomed all year round, and even the soil smelled sweet when picked up.

"Your Majesty..."

The riding instructor, who had personally led the white Hawkstrider here, bowed to the woman seated in the middle of the garden.

She was as beautiful as a painting, with cloud-dark brows and a face like fine jade.

She had the relatively rare trait of pure silver hair, white skin, and a body that looked delicate beneath her simple clothes.

"Have you come back?"

The white Hawkstrider ran excitedly to the woman's side and nuzzled her shoulder.

"Chirp... chirp."

It called softly, and the woman seemed to understand what it was saying. Stroking its feathers, she smiled gently.

"Is that so? You saw that child..."

"Your Majesty, His Highness Kael'thas has signed a contract with it. It seems he is quite fond of this Hawkstrider..." the riding instructor reported as he came forward, and the woman's hand involuntarily stopped.

"Fond of it?"

Her brows drooped delicately, and she seemed a little sad.

"That's good, then..."

This was one of the few things she could do for her child...

Because... she... was simply too frail...

"She gave Kael'thas a Hawkstrider?"

In the golden glow by the shores of the Sunwell, Anasterian, the current king of Quel'Thalas, listened to the old mage's report but had no particular reaction.

"Then let her be!"

His words made the old mage smile wryly.

"Your Majesty, by what standard do you treat Her Majesty the Queen?"

"You forbid her from seeing His Highness Kael'thas, yet why do you permit her to do this?"

He and Anasterian had been friends since childhood, so he did not hesitate to voice his questions before this solemn king.

"My kingdom needs a strong and great king!"

Anasterian raised his head, emotion stirring in his eyes. The powerful mage seemed to see through the void, but the unseen future left him deeply uneasy.

"He must be stronger than anyone, fearless, and able to guide his people forward..."

"But my wife is too gentle and frail by nature. I will not allow her to influence Kael'thas's upbringing!"

Was that why he would not let them meet?

That was a little too cruel...

The old mage thought this, but knew he could not change the stubborn king's decision. He was a truly selfless king, and though he was somewhat obsessive, everything he did was for the sake of his people.

This was a quality possessed by every member of the Sunstrider Family.

So...

"I will obey your every wish..."

Every elf willingly pledged loyalty to this royal family.

Kael'sala...

Anasterian paid no attention to the old mage. His thoughts had turned to another prince.

I hope you won't disappoint me...

More than 200 years ago, that girl had shown him a fearlessness, fighting spirit, strength, and love for his country that belied his age. That was why Anasterian had allowed him to raise his child.

"By the way, have you sent your disciple out?"

"Yes. I think she will see His Highness soon..."

"Hehe, I hope her arrogance can be put to full use."

"..."

Surely she won't direct that arrogance at His Highness the eldest prince?

The old mage knew perfectly well what his king was looking forward to...