Azeroth Monster Manual

Old Butler Barton recited the contents of the list mechanically, like an emotionless robot. In contrast, the high-ranking officials present were all flushed, their faces twisted with unconcealed frustration.

But Barton seemed oblivious and continued to read:

“In light of His Majesty Aiden Perenolde's generous contribution, the Brotherhood is willing to provide 100 mage apprentice slots, 200 ranger (musketeer) apprentice slots, and will gift 10 Gryphon fledglings from Eagle's Nest Mountain, along with 5 handlers…”

Antonidas listened to the contents of the list with a grim face. The veins bulging on his forehead and his dark complexion revealed his inner unwillingness and anger. However, after weighing the pros and cons, the deeply scheming Archmage decided to wait and see.

The other kings looked at Aiden Perenolde, who was sitting on pins and needles, with envy, or rather, jealousy. They were like fierce beasts ready to devour their prey, their eyes filled with tangible greed and envy directed at Aiden.

The old butler's voice continued, but the content of the latter half of the list was slightly less impressive than the first half, consisting of supplies such as food and materials. However, little things add up, and compared to the supplies Aiden had provided to the Hinterlands Alliance, the aid from Aier was akin to repaying a drop of water with a spring.

For example, in terms of food, during the protracted Hinterlands War, Aiden Perenolde provided nearly 13,000 tons of food to the Alliance (averaging 500 jin per person for half a year), while Aier returned a full 30,000 tons of food to Alterac.

There were also some scattered armaments and medical supplies, which will not be elaborated on here.

Hearing this, the kings had long regretted their actions. If they had provided support in the first place… they couldn't help but think. But unfortunately, opportunity always favors those who are prepared. Apart from Aiden, everyone else was a loser, and this was exactly what Aier wanted.

What food and armaments, even the Jinkela that was worth its weight in gold, were not the reason for the kings' envy. The 100 mage apprentice slots were more precious than gold. One must know how much money the six kingdoms spent on Dalaran each year to barely obtain less than 10 mage apprentice slots.

Yet the Brotherhood was willing to offer 100 slots at once. This was no less than a heavy slap in the face to Dalaran, but Antonidas was helpless.

Although the Brotherhood was just an unknown 'small organization', everyone knew who was behind it. If it was just Aier, it would be fine, but all indications showed that the Brotherhood was backed by an even larger organization or country than Dalaran - Quel'Thalas.

This may sound somewhat arbitrary, but the Speaker of the Silvermoon Council, Belovael, and the Sun King, Anasterian, had already stood behind Aier, which indirectly proved Quel'Thalas's attitude. Kael'thas was the best example.

“That's 100 mage apprentice slots…”

Muradin said with red eyes and a trembling voice. Brann was also beside him, constantly calculating with his thick fingers.

Looking at Aiden, the King of Alterac no longer had his initial smooth demeanor. His dazed eyes and swaying figure were somewhat comical, but the high-ranking officials of the kingdoms did not laugh at him. Instead, they all looked at this lucky man who had been struck by a pie falling from the sky with jealousy.

“Clap clap clap…”

Crisp applause sounded, and Aier interrupted the high-ranking officials' small emotions with a smile, saying loudly:

“This list is not for showing off, but for rewarding, rewarding His Majesty Aiden's selflessness and generosity towards his allies.

This matter comes to an end. Next, I want to say something that I hope you will all think about seriously, because this matter concerns the fate of the entire Eastern Kingdoms.”

Aier said firmly. Everyone also sat up straight and listened carefully to what the young man was about to say.

“I, Aier Salronas, in the capacity of Commander of the Light of Aier Alliance, propose a resolution - to initiate a full-scale war with the trolls!”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the audience. Balaraen and the kings who were suffering from the troll invasion were overjoyed, while Proudmoore and the kings of Thoradin, who had just cleared the Woodpaw gnoll threat, looked solemn and hesitant.

After a long time…

“I object!”

The first to object was Proudmoore. Although it was abrupt, Aier was not surprised. He just smiled and nodded, indicating that he understood.

“I also object!”

After weighing the pros and cons, Thoradin decided to vote against it. Although it seemed somewhat disloyal to do so, he believed that the Kingdom of Stromgarde was at the best moment to recuperate and could not miss such a good opportunity due to momentary impulse.

Thoradin thought so.

Aier still had the same calm expression, just glancing at the somewhat uneasy King of Stromgarde with a smile.

“Villain!”

Brann cursed softly with disdain. In his opinion, this King Thoradin was no different from those who kick away the ladder after crossing the river.

The Alliance had just helped Stromgarde clear the threat of Arathi, and this disloyal villainous king was impatient to express his opposition. Wasn't this like eating from the bowl and then cursing the cook?

“I approve!”

Aier raised his eyebrows in surprise. This time, it was King Greymane of Gilneas who spoke. Greymane seemed very satisfied with Aier's expression and actually laughed out loud.

“Master Aier, you don't have to be so surprised. Since we agreed to join the Alliance half a year ago, we will not be disloyal like some villains.”

While speaking, Greymane did not forget to make a rude gesture towards Thoradin. Following Greymane's affirmative vote, the high-ranking officials of the other kingdoms also expressed their positions as soon as possible.

“Ironforge approves!”

“Gnomeregan approves!”

“Stormwind approves!”

“Alterac approves!”

“Lordaeron approves!”

…

In the end, except for Dalaran, Stromgarde, and Kul Tiras, the other kingdoms all voted in favor.

A strange light flickered in Antonidas's eyes. From the moment Aier said he would provide 100 mage apprentice slots, this middle-aged man with extremely keen political senses sensed a deep crisis.

He understood that the Alliance was no longer under their control. Aier Salronas was gradually 'corroding' their political propositions with his sugar-coated bullets, leading them in an unknown direction.

He could no longer see what the young man's ultimate goal was, but he vaguely sensed that if things continued like this, Dalaran's position would undergo a huge change. The rise of the Brotherhood was a good example.

This time, the Brotherhood provided 100 mage apprentice slots, so what about next time? Would it become 200, 300, or 500? If this continued, where would Dalaran's prestige lie, and how would it handle itself?

Ten years later, twenty years later, thirty years later, who will still remember Dalaran, this former magic kingdom?

Thinking about it, Antonidas suddenly had a flash of inspiration, followed by a cold sweat that soaked a large patch of the fabric on his back.

“Starting the Troll War is just a smokescreen. What Aier Salona really wants isn't those 'cheap' magic essences, but…

Reputation. That's right, he wants to use the great reputation gained from defeating the trolls time and time again to become the true master of the Alliance, and Dalaran is the first stepping stone to prostrate itself at his feet!”

Antonidas wanted to change this situation, so he began to calculate the cards in his hand.

‘Assassination? Leaving aside whether or not I can kill Aier Salona, if that young man really dies at my hands, Quel'Thalas will never let it go.

Release the enrollment quota for apprentices? But what about the blue dragons? Damn it, could it be that Aier Salona has already solved the problem of magic overflow? How is that possible?’

The more Antonidas thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Until the end, the anger had long since turned into deep anxiety, or rather, fear was the most appropriate word. He considered no less than a dozen methods, but they were all rejected by him one by one.

‘Damn it! Is there really no way out?’

He slammed his fist angrily on the armrest of the chair, and the crisp sound even startled Aier, who was deep in thought.

The young man raised his head and looked at Antonidas, whose face was twisted, with some incomprehension. Then, as if he had thought of something, he smiled knowingly and walked to Antonidas's front.

“Speaker Antonidas, Speaker Antonidas?”

After calling out several times in a row, the dazed Antonidas finally woke up.

Pretending to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead as if nothing had happened, Antonidas said with a slightly hurried tone:

“Dalaran will not participate in this war. We have our own…”

Before he could finish speaking, Aier leaned close to his ear and whispered something. Antonidas, who had been looking shocked and angry, was completely stunned, and didn't even notice the teacup in his hand falling to the ground.

“I… I…”

The Archmage stared blankly ahead, his lips opening and closing, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

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After a long time, just when everyone was getting a little impatient, he finally closed his eyes and said in a deep voice:

“Dalaran is willing to obey Commander Aier's orders.”

After saying this, Antonidas sighed in relief, and a trace of exhaustion appeared in his slightly opened eyes. He knew that he had lost this game again, because he really couldn't refuse the 'sugar-coated bullets' that Aier had prepared for him.

‘Perhaps I'm thinking too much. Such a person doesn't care about being the master of the Alliance at all, let alone a small Dalaran.’

Antonidas thought dejectedly.

… …

In the end, only Kul Tiras and Stromgarde voted against it. Aier had no intention of forcing Thoras Trollbane, who was focused on construction, and Proudmoore, who was focused on developing maritime trade, to change their minds. Instead, he set the tone and announced the start of this full-scale war with the trolls.

The next Alliance meeting was scheduled for three months later. Three months later, the Alliance would launch this unprecedented war, and Duke Aier's 'Hongmen Banquet' would come to an end.

Stretching wearily, Aier intended to leave, but found that there were still three figures in the private room who had not left.

“Grand Tinker, Your Highnesses, is there anything else you need?”

Aier smiled and scanned the three somewhat nervous people. With a turn of his mind, he thought of what the three wanted.

“Master Aier…”

“Duke…”

Muradin and Gelbin Mekkatorque exchanged awkward glances. In the end, Muradin took a step back.

Gelbin Mekkatorque nodded gratefully to Muradin, and then couldn't wait to say:

“Master Aier, the situation in Gnomeregan…”

The young man waved his hand, put away the smile on his face, and said softly:

“Don't worry, Grand Tinker. Since I promised you, Aier Salona will definitely do it. How about this? In a week, I will personally go to Gnomeregan to check the situation there, and then formulate a corresponding plan to try to solve the troubles of the gnomes.”

“That's great, thank you, thank you, Master Aier!”

After hearing Aier's reply, Gelbin Mekkatorque was so happy that he almost jumped up and thanked him loudly.

At this moment, Muradin, who had been silent, also spoke:

“Master Aier, Grand Tinker Mekkatorque, as a member of the Alliance and the gnomes' most steadfast ally, we Ironforge are willing to contribute our own strength. If there is anything we need, we will do our best within our capabilities.”

Muradin spoke cautiously and didn't make any rash promises, but from his sincere tone, Aier still felt Ironforge's position.

The Grand Tinker, who was already happy, became even more excited after receiving Muradin's guarantee.

“But we have a request.”

After pondering for a long time, Muradin finally made his request.

“Duke, I am very interested in the stone guardian model you just showed. Could you tell me more about it?”

Aier nodded knowingly, and then explained in detail the history of Uldaman and some unimportant secrets. Brann, who had always liked adventure, exclaimed loudly, and even the steady Muradin listened with fascination.

“Are you saying that the secrets of our ancestors are hidden in that ruin?”

Brann asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

“That's right. The ancestors of the dwarves were a creature called 'earthen', which can be traced back to hundreds of thousands of years ago, when the Titans first descended on this planet…”

In this way, as time passed, Aier selected some interesting secrets to tell the three of them.

… …

“It's really incredible, our ancestors were actually stones!”

Brann excitedly wrote and drew in his notebook, while Muradin silently stared at the already empty arena, wondering what he was thinking.

After a long time, Muradin said in a deep voice as if he had made up his mind:

“Duke, I have a request, and I hope you can consider it.”

“Oh? Your Highness, please speak.”

The young man didn't show any emotion on the surface, but he was actually smiling in his heart. He knew that his plan had succeeded once again.

As expected, Muradin's next words completely confirmed his guess.

“Your wisdom is as deep as the sea. Muradin Bronzebeard solemnly invites you to explore Uldaman together. I hope you can grant me this small request.”

Muradin bowed respectfully, his face full of solemnity.

“Of course, who made us friends?”