Shadow Trails in Azeroth

"Well, Dazar'alor, the land blessed by the gods, the golden city of the trolls, the capital of the empire, the eternal existence, look at it, how gorgeous it is, exactly as I remember it.

Except for the poor and sour atmosphere that this city exudes now, which makes me a little uncomfortable, everything is as beautiful as the future. "

An hour after Nazmir's little adventure, Black and his "Learning Four" stood carelessly on the streets of the capital of the Troll Empire.

Transformed into a bejeweled troll noble, he straightened his back, spread his hands and expressed his praise and contempt for the grand city in front of him.

Behind him, Shaohao and the Monkey King, who were temporarily turned into trolls by Blake using the "Super Sheep Transformation Technique", looked at this legendary city curiously like tourists.

Of course, the Pandaren Empire also has gorgeous cities. The emperor's palace, Everspring Terrace, is famous in Pandaria for its exquisiteness and grandeur. However, the architectural art of the Pandaren is obviously different from the trolls who are good at building huge pyramid-shaped cities.

Especially a giant city like this that can accommodate millions of people is hard to imagine for the panda people who admire nature.

Although there have been wanderers who have entered the golden city of Dazar'alor before, the descriptions written on paper were not as shocking as seeing them in person.

"I heard that the trolls have the largest history library in the world. They record all the stories from the beginning of civilization to the present."

Shaohao touched his newly grown fangs with some discomfort. He said in troll language with an accent to the Monkey King beside him, who was scratching his head and ears:

"I'm going to take a tour there and it's a rare opportunity."

"Aren't you going to warn the emperor of the trolls about the upcoming War of the Ancients?"

Black glanced back at Shaohao and said:

"Hurry up if you want to go. We can only stay here for three hours. You'd better not reveal your identity. Don't forget that there is no scene in your story where the Pandaren Emperor denounced the Troll Chieftain."

"I know how to operate in secret."

Shaohao nodded, indicating that Blake didn't need to worry.

He took out the emperor's seal from his luggage to prove his identity, and walked quickly towards Dazar'alo's palace with the Monkey King, who was curious about everything.

Blake, on the other hand, led the little fishman who was sitting on his shoulders and whistling at a group of troll children, and walked to the other end of the giant city in a familiar way.

He also had people he needed to see.

To be honest, compared to Dazar'alor, which was extremely prosperous 10,000 years later, the Golden City 10,000 years ago was not necessarily more lively, and the development of civilization 10,000 years later made the Troll Capital City full of people at this time. An "original" smell.

Whether it is the rough clay pots placed by merchants wearing animal skins on the street, or the poor handicrafts made due to insufficient metallurgical skills, or the troll soldiers who have no majestic posture ten thousand years later. The scene of a triceratops wearing a wooden board swaggering through the city made the pirates quickly lose interest in the city.

Damn it!

There wasn't even a glass of wine here that could be endured, and Blake had to drink the wine he brought with him.

Sure enough, although they are both ancient civilizations that have existed for more than ten thousand years, the savage trolls are really not as good as the pandaren in terms of enjoyment.

Not to mention being on par with the extravagant and lustful Highborne.

No wonder the elves have always looked down upon the trolls. Although they have existed longer, when it comes to quality of life, they are truly "poor relatives" compared to the elves.

The only thing that comforted the pirate was that he found the statue of Akunda who had just become Loa in the temple area of ​​Dazar'alor. The innocent look was no different from how it would be ten thousand years later.

He also found a sculpture of Setaris, the mysterious mistress of the serpentfolk, whom some trolls also worship.

But that’s about it.

You can tell from the fact that Old Garni is still a "young dragon". Many of the Loa that Black is familiar with have not yet been born at this point in time.

Of course, foul-mouthed old Bwonsamdi was definitely there, but the pirate wasn't going to spend time talking to the lonely old troll while on a journey to find his wife.

"The prophet's residence is ahead! Don't get close!"

When the pirate and the little murloc came to the deepest part of the temple area, a group of big and round troll guards blocked his way. Blake glanced at the temple in front of him, curled his lips, and spoke in troll language to what was in front of him. The guard said:

"I made an appointment with Master Zul. I am his distinguished guest. Get out of the way and stay here. Don't let others disturb us."

"Uh ok, sir!"

The eyes of a group of troll guards were distracted for a moment, and then became clear again.

They immediately moved out of the way, welcomed Blake into the temple, and then helped him close the door.

The light in this ancient temple suddenly dimmed. On the divination table in front of Blake, a blind old troll was holding a piece of blackened turtle shell and several strange-shaped bones for divination.

It was obvious that he was very concerned about the divination results, and he didn't even notice Blake's approach.

"Well, look at the unique cracks on this tortoise shell."

Blake leaned over and said in a long voice:

"The opening of the third crack indicates that disaster is coming, and the crack at the end twists six times, indicating that the entire troll empire is facing signs of division and destruction.

There are also internally broken powders that prove that this high-quality tortoise shell cannot withstand the pressure brought by this prophecy.

If I were to give you a suggestion, my colleague, I would suggest that you send out your guards to kill several of Toga's descendants in order to obtain the divine turtle shell to continue your divination of disasters.

But I doubt if you and your empire have time. "

“So professional!”

Blake's description made the blind old troll prophet give a thumbs up and exclaimed:

"At first glance, you are the leader in our field, but it seems that you came a little late. I have been waiting for you since this morning, the time traveler who brings the revelation of destiny."

"You knew I was coming?"

Blake glanced at the old troll in front of him in surprise and said:

"You really scared me. Although I know that 'Zul' is a name used for inheritance, and every generation of imperial prophets will be renamed Zul, but to be honest, your Zul is better than the Zul I know. It's much more powerful.

You could actually guess that I would come? "

"Ha, I'm not guessing, my friend."

The old troll shrugged. He touched the black cloth strip tied around his eyes. There were still blood flowing from the cloth strip. He twitched his mouth and said:

"Yesterday, the line of fate fluctuated so violently, it was as if it was about to tear the fate of the world apart, but any prophet with some ability can guess that something big is going to happen.

As for me, I am a relatively talented person, so I am prepared in advance.

That's not unusual, friends.

Ever since the Empire defeated the buggers and entered a weakening schism, the livelihood of those of us who are prophets has become increasingly difficult.

The emperors no longer believe in inaccurate divination, so I must ensure that every prediction I make is correct in order to have a shabby house that is sheltered from the wind and rain in the Golden City. "

"Did this line of work start like this ten thousand years ago?"

Blake complained, glanced at the old troll in front of him, and said:

"your eyes?"

"Ah, I stabbed myself blind this morning."

The troll prophet, the first Zul, waved his hand and said indifferently:

"Don't worry about my eyes, friend, I'm a troll. As long as I wait a few months, these eyes will grow on their own. I only care about the destiny changes and prophecies you bring.

Please tell me, I will listen carefully. "

"No, I mean, why did you stab your eyes out?"

The pirate asked meaningfully:

"Do you not want to see me? Or are you afraid of something?"

This question made the old troll hesitate for a moment. After a few seconds, he said softly:

"Mortals can't look directly at gods, can they? I can only listen, not see, otherwise it will bring disaster to me and my country in a future era."

"There is indeed something in the prophecy technique that the trolls have inherited since their birth."

Blake curled his lips and said:

"Actually, I'm not that particular about appearance. It's unnecessary for you. If you use this method to express your respect for me, then congratulations on your success.

I am here to tell you that all your predictions about war are correct. The world will face a terrible disaster. The elves will attract the demons of the Twisting Nether to sweep the entire world.

Trolls must prepare for the impending war and prepare for the Age of Schism, when the world as you know it will fall apart overnight.

The era of the triumvirate of Zandalari, Gurubashi, and Amani is coming to an end.

But fortunately you can retain your land and people, patiently accumulate strength and wait for the arrival of the next era that belongs to you. "

"Wouldn't this affect our future destiny?"

The old troll whispered:

"If I send such a prophecy to the emperor at this time, it will make us stronger in the future. Such strength will have a series of impacts on the development of the world."

"No, I'm not worried about that."

Blake waved his hand and said:

“The divided Zandalar Island is only that big, and other civilizations are not vegetarian, and there are still many conflicts between the trolls.

You have to understand that what is destined to happen will still happen. The only difference is that when I need you in the future, you will be able to use more strength to enter the decisive battle.

In the era when I came, the Troll Empire was still trying to reunite under the leadership of Zandalar, but there was really not enough time left for you.

So I thought, maybe we can buy some more time for your future in this era of ‘past’.

I think that when faced with a life-and-death war, a united and powerful troll empire is always more useful than a fragmented clan.

As for fate

You don't have to think too much.

It has different meanings in my eyes and in your eyes. What you see is a map of destiny that has been planned. All you can do is write and draw on the edges of those maps.

What I see is a blank piece of paper, and I can draw whatever I want.

The meaning of this time travel to me is the last adjustment of the world before entering the decisive battle, or 'cheating'. Without affecting those important events, I hope you will prosper. "

"I see!"

The first Zul nodded seriously and said:

"So, please tell me, what do you want us to do?"

"I need more warriors. Those powerful souls born in each era need to be given to Bwonsamdi and kept in Hades until I need them to join the living in battle.

I need more loa, I don't want to see the greed of the trolls consume my precious cannon fodder in meaningless plots.

I need you to continue to strengthen your control over other troll clans after the Great Schism, and not to start war easily, but when I give the order, a united empire can be formed in an instant. "

Blake spread his hands and said:

"These are not difficult for Zandalar, who have always hidden behind the shadows, to do this.

But don't tell Bwonsamdi about my existence. The stingy, lonely old god will hide every warrior soul like a treasure. In fact, it also has a hopeless collecting habit.

It pulls them all out when I need them.

The soul is the currency of the gods, my dear Zul.

The souls of civilians are the silver that builds the foundation of prosperity, the souls of emperors are the bright gold coins that make the world shine, and the souls of warriors are the strongest copper plates. When I put them in my pocket, I can shake them. Beat my enemy's head to pieces.

As for the Warriors

Warrior Souls are the most gorgeous jewelry.

It can decorate my throne, and it can also promote my power. The most important thing is that it can be thrown out by me to buy the entire future. "

"It is a very reasonable artistic description. I will write it down and tell it to my emperor. I believe he will accept my suggestion.

This is an oracle after all. "

The first Zul applauded.

But when he raised his head, the entire temple was empty, except for an ancient gold coin that was constantly spinning on the table in front of him, making a buzzing sound.

It represents that a god once existed here.

——

At the same time ten thousand years later.

"I have brought you good news, Your Majesty Varian. The Troll Empire has promised to send their most elite divine warriors and a total of thirty Loa to the Eastern Kingdom to help us defend the Dark Portal."

In the fortress of Stormwind City, Regent Bolvar Fordragon came to his emperor with an autographed letter from the emperor of the Troll Empire. The great knight said in an exciting tone:

"At the request of the Golden King of Zandalar, the Gurubashi Troll Kingdom of Stranglethorn Vale will also suspend all conflicts with us and send troops to assist the defense lines of the Draenor world."

"This is really the best news I've heard in days."

Human Emperor Varian also looked happy. He looked at the letter in his hand and said to his staff:

"With the strong support of the Troll Empire, the pressure on our front will definitely be reduced a lot. Alas, it would be great if humans could have as terrifying a foundation as the Troll Empire.

To be honest, I have never figured out why such a powerful troll empire was suppressed by the elves in the past ten thousand years? "

"Because the elves are also very strong, my lord."

Intelligence Chief Xiao said helplessly:

"The Deep Sea Empire commanded by Her Majesty Azshara alone is enough to put heavy pressure on the trolls, let alone the Kaldorei Night Elves, which have been strong for ten thousand years."

In the middle of his words, Xiao suddenly reached out and rubbed his forehead. He said in a strange tone:

"I don't know if it's an illusion, but I always feel like there's something wrong. The troll empire in my memory seems to have declined for ten thousand years."

"That's just a facade of decline, even I know that."

Varian shook his head and said casually:

"The Golden Dynasty resides on the island of Zandalar, but their influence has never been far away from other troll nations, whether it is the Amani, the Gurubashi, or even the Drakkari as far away as Northrend. These troll clans have been established since The Zandalari trolls have always been behind the rise of the kingdom.

Trolls never fade.

They have just been purposefully suppressing their own development to avoid an all-out war with the elves.

But now is not the time to talk about history, everyone!

Now that we have the strong support of the Troll Empire, our remaining troops can do more. Although this is very tiring, I need you to come up with a plan as soon as possible.

I'm going to write a reply to the King of Gold as a thank you. "