Shadow Trails in Azeroth

Chapter 1520 153. May the dead be as brave as the living -——Additional update【725】

There was silence in the Quillings hut.

The "Rebuilding the Empire" bill initiated by Varian was supported by almost all human kingdoms. This bizarre scene surprised both Varian and Lothar at the same time.

Only Dai Lin and His Majesty Fa'ao looked at each other, revealing a fleeting smile of confusion.

Big Daddy laughed because he knew his traitor very well. If the guy dared to hand over the Emperor's Sword of Stromkar to Varian, it meant that he was well prepared.

And Faao laughed because no matter whether Black was behind this or not, it was of great significance to the currently divided human civilization.

In fact, although the old pope has never participated in politics, he is also a deeply hidden "elite emperor".

Especially after experiencing the baptism of the Orc War, the old pope has deeply realized that there is no hope for the rise of human civilization in a mess.

He wanted to see humanity united, so the old pope supported Lothar with all his strength in everything he did.

Unfortunately, the idealist Lothar eventually fell into the darkness of the power establishment.

This was very disappointing to His Majesty Faao. He once pessimistically believed that he would not be able to see the unification of the empire before he died. This was also an important reason why Faao's physical condition continued to deteriorate during that period.

But now, the old pope saw a precious second hope in Varian.

He couldn't allow this flame of hope to disappear before his eyes.

Therefore, after the other kings and princes expressed their opinions, the old pope, who had never been involved in politics, leaned on his priest's staff, coughed a few times, and said:

“This is an inspiration from the Light that unites us in this dark time.

We humans are not as rich as the elves, not as powerful as the dwarves, not as wise as the dwarfs, not as powerful as the orcs, and not as prosperous as the trolls. At first glance, humans are not inconspicuous in this world, but we also have advantages that other civilizations do not have.

We learn magic from elves, forging from dwarves, technology from gnomes, union from orcs, and history from trolls.

Our ability to learn and our civilization of continuous self-improvement and development are the most precious wealth bestowed upon us by the Creator.

It has taken us three thousand years to advance our civilization to a point where it would take other races many times the time to reach it.

This is enough to make us proud.

But a divided civilization cannot shoulder the responsibility of protecting itself and its descendants. Everyone, we have been divided for more than two thousand years, and this division makes us continue to weaken.

The heroic spirit of Thoradin the Great sighed in the sky, and His Majesty Lothar was also disappointed with us because of this division.

It is we who have abandoned our own glory.

But we can still be saved.

Start now!

Pledge the unity of blood before the ancient relics, and the great empire will be reborn in your hands. Maybe it's just a formality at the beginning, but if we don't start now, then maybe we won't have the chance to start again. "

The Pope's words were very sincere, but with his appeal in human civilization, his speech itself was a "deterrence" to the kings.

In this magical world, the power of faith cannot be blasphemed.

As long as the Pope declares Varian Wrynn as the High King of Mankind today, then tomorrow there will be a large number of devout people from all over the world to support the Kingdom of Stormwind with their families.

This is a result that no king can accept.

Of course, the issue of rebuilding the empire sounds like a very cumbersome and complicated matter, and it cannot be carried out smoothly relying on a piece of covenant. But as the Pope said, if they don't seize the time to start now, then with the indifference shown by Lothar, With the dark prophecies Blake keeps telling, the time left for mankind may really be running out.

However, even in this situation where the overall situation has been decided, there are still people who want to resist.

"It's not that I disagree with the reconstruction of the empire. I also hope to see the legendary great empire stand again on the land of the Eastern Kingdom. But how can such a serious and complicated matter be decided hastily in such a meeting? "

King Tenaris leaned on his scepter and said expressionlessly:

“Actually, I feel that your performance today is a bit too immature for such a serious issue.

This is not a decision that a seasoned politician should make. Among other things, the division of the empire's territory and the power system and respective obligations between the participating kingdoms will not be resolved without several months of discussion. of. "

The old king shook his head, looked at Varian and asked:

"So, the young man who proposed the idea of ​​rebuilding the empire, I once regarded you as my son, and I feel gratified by your growth today.

But let me ask you, in the empire you envision, what is the relationship between emperors and kings like? How to balance between the governors you appoint and the laws of various countries?

Or I could ask more directly.

My dear Varian, what are you going to do with us old folks from a bygone era? "

"Please do not use the word 'process' which has a strong connotation of hostility, Your Majesty Terenas."

Varian said seriously:

"I admit that what you said is very reasonable, but judging from our experience in the Orc War, under strong external pressure, an effective cooperation mechanism will be formed between various kingdoms. All we have to do is to strengthen mechanism and retain it for the long term.

I have no intention of destroying your control over your respective countries. Even in the era of Emperor Thoradin, there were patriarchs in each territory. As His Majesty Faao said, the structure of the human empire may not be stable for a long time to come. on the surface.

But what I want you to realize is that we don't have to build an empire to survive the next demonic war, we have to do this in order to survive the demonic frenzy.

Building an empire is not my purpose!

Protecting people is what I want to see. "

Varian's answer made Arthas beside the old king cheer loudly. Arthas Menethil, who had already embarked on the path of a warrior and could not look back, felt more and more that his brother Varian was the wise and mighty empire in his imagination. emperor.

But his dad apparently had a different view.

"That's a little too idealistic."

The old king shook his head and said:

"The mutual adaptation and internal chaos of the provisional government will not only strengthen our combat effectiveness, but will weaken us. It is better for us to wait until after the devil war."

"Your Majesty Terenas!"

Before the old king finished speaking, Llane Wrynn, the Grand Duke of the Undead Scourge, who had been listening to the conversation, interrupted coldly:

"You still don't seem to understand why His Majesty Lothar wants to come here. Even though you have just experienced the Quel'Thalas War, you still think that the demonic invasion is just a story from afar, and that the dark future that will extinguish the fire is just a dream. The comical prophecies of a mad prophet.

You still regard your kingship as higher than anything else in this world.

Even after experiencing what happened to Count Daval Prestor, you have not realized that your greed for royal power has seriously affected your once wise judgment.

I might as well make it clear. "

Ryan held the cold sword in his hand and said in a cold tone:

"The Lich King and the Scourge of the Undead are here today to convey the war order to you. We are here with a predetermined goal. So, King Terenas and His Majesty Thoras, please take a guess. We Who are the two intended targets?”

After Ryan finished speaking, the cold-hearted Archlich Antonidas also said calmly:

“A kingdom in peacetime needs a king, but in time of war the people long for a steadfast and invincible commander, and if you cannot satisfy their thirst, they will abandon you.

If you fail to meet our expectations, we will destroy you.

You can waste your time on boring games as much as you want, but the time of natural disaster is very precious. "

"boom"

As the commander of the death knights, Deathhoof sister Yrel was more direct. The scene in front of her reminded her of the chaotic Draenei before the orcs massacred them, so she smashed her rune gem hammer on the ground.

Wearing a black full-face helmet, she said in a cold tone:

"Today you can either unite as the living! Or unite as the dead! There is no third option for you! Your stubborn division has made the Lich King impatient, and your cumbersome rhetoric cannot kill the demon.

In our opinion, maybe you who are dead are more ‘useful’ than you who are alive! "

Such a straightforward threat made King Terenas turn pale with anger, as if the malice of the entire world had gathered to press against him.

As for his traditional ally, His Majesty Thoras Trollbane, he is being forced into his seat by his "good son". The poor old man is having trouble breathing, let alone supporting Terenas. King's proposal.

The old king realized that he had no retreat, and his wisdom as a politician made him ready to remain silent and let things develop.

But the next moment, Dai Lin coughed a few times and handed a small note to King Terenas in full view of everyone. The latter took it in his hand and opened it in surprise, and his face suddenly turned red with anger.

Good guy!

Damn Dai Lin is trying to take advantage of the situation!

To marry his precious daughter to that damn pirate son of his was an insult to the Menethil family.

Um?

wrong.

etc.

The old king's wisdom made him quickly realize Dailin's intention in making this proposal at this time. King Terenas glanced at the Sun King, then at the expressionless Lothar, and finally at Faol Under the crown.

His eyes narrowed and he began to think.

A few seconds later, he looked at his daughter beside him, his only daughter, Calia Menethil, who almost became the "World Destroyer Dragon Knight".

He handed the note in his hand to Caliya, who took it in her hand and opened it without knowing why, and took a look at it, her cheeks suddenly turned red.

"You have to promise!"

The old king looked at Dailin, and said to the king of Kul Tiras with stern eyes:

"My grandson or granddaughter will become the joint king of Kul Tiras and Lordaeron! Through this blood connection, the two countries can stand together forever."

"It's three countries."

Queen Mia beside Dai Lin said coldly:

"Kul Tiras and Gilneas are already allies, but if we cannot survive the demonic invasion, this will all be just a dream about the future.

If you continue to be so stubborn, your grandson or granddaughter will lose their grandfather. Don't expect me to shed a tear at your funeral, Your Majesty Terenas.

I haven't forgotten your infiltration of Gilneas. "

"No!"

After Queen Mia finished speaking, King Terenas shook his head and rejected it. He glanced at Jaina Proudmoore, who was attending on behalf of Dalaran, and said with emphasis:

"This is the union of four countries. I am too stupid. It turns out that the future I have always longed for is right in front of me but I have been deliberately ignoring it."

King Terenas seemed to have given up all his persistence at this moment. He relaxed on his seat, looked at young Varian with an extremely relaxed expression, and said meaningfully:

"If I could see through all this earlier, perhaps I should be the one to propose the idea of ​​rebuilding the empire. I am not afraid to tell you that in the near future, descendants of the Menethil family will surely ascend to the throne of emperor.

This is absolutely nothing to lose for me.

so."

The old king reached out and held his daughter's trembling wrist. He took a deep breath and said loudly:

"Lordaeron supports the rebuilding of the empire! The Menethil family will do their best for this. By the way, I hereby announce that Calia Menethil will become the next queen of Lordaeron!

If we can survive the disaster of the demonic invasion, I welcome you all to attend my daughter's coronation ceremony."

He glanced at Dai Lin and said:

"And the wedding."

The meaning of the look the old king gave Dai Lin was very simple. You, old Dai Lin, are responsible for convincing your rebellious son to come and be the groom.

If you can't be convinced, today's decision can be overturned at any time.

For a stubborn old man who regarded royal power and family inheritance as his absolute priorities in his final life, the agreement between Dai Lin and him was the biggest reason for his determination.

The Menethil gave up the present because they bet on the future.

"so be it!"

After all the kingdoms agreed to rebuild the empire, the Lich King, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly stood up. He had seen what he wanted to see, and he no longer planned to waste time here.

The death fleet still needs to be retrained, and it will take a long time to conquer the kingdom of the nerubians. Zul'Drak's death troll army also needs to adjust its plans. The vrykul of Howling Fjord have already returned to Hela's command, and those brutal destroyers will It is the next target of the Lich King to conquer.

Lothar didn't lie.

His time is precious and not a second can be wasted.

"The silent dead watch from across the world for you, subjects of the Empire."

Before leaving, the Lich King carried Frostmourne as a farewell and as a warning:

"We are the cold guards, we are the vanguard of death, we are the proclamation of destruction, and we will forever watch the world of the living and the empire of mankind.

This is protection and a reminder.

If you cannot rely on your own glory and strength to protect your territory, the dead will not mind taking your place.

After completing my mission, I will eventually go to the world of the dead to enjoy the leisure of my soul, and my next successor, the second Lich King of the Undead Scourge, will also be born among you.

Only the bravest of the living are qualified to harness the fury of the dead.

This is the cycle of life and death, and it is also the reincarnation foundation for the prosperity of human civilization.

The Emperor of the living will become the Witch-King of the dead.

Any talented person who aspires to pursue the position of emperor should probably think carefully about his ideals and his own choices, and regard this as a contract between life and death.

Just start with me.

Varian Wrynn will be next! "

After saying that, Lothar carried Frostmourne and strode out of the hall of the hut under the gazes of the human kings. When he walked past Varian, Lothar glanced at him with cold approval and said:

"Good, you finally learned it"

He didn't give Varian a chance to say anything, let alone look at the Emperor's Sword stuck on the table.

The glorious mission represented by that sword no longer belongs to him.

The Lich King strode away. Llane Wrynn, who was following him, reached out and patted his son on the shoulder. He whispered:

"Well done, kid. Your grandpa would be proud of you."

The young king received the approval of his two fathers at this moment, and suddenly felt like crying. He suppressed his emotions, smiled hard, and said to Ryan:

"Anduin, I mean, your grandson will also be proud of his grandfather."

King Ryan smiled, said nothing, and followed the Lich King out of the hall, disappearing into the night.

Varian watched them leave, then turned back and looked at the people in front of him.

He stretched out his hand to take back the Stromka, held it in his hand, and said:

"Well, everyone, let's discuss the affairs of the empire."