The twisted monster struggled frantically, but it was all in vain. Its body was filled with pure negative energy, a power of hatred and depravity that was the perfect nourishment for the creatures of the Shadow Isles.
"N'yasj-kogzz-staw! N'yasj-majop-maha!" the twisted monster shrieked madly.
Karthus, hearing its cries, chuckled, "Your name is N'aanzoth? A fine name. I shall record it in my book!"
He produced his Soul Stealing Scroll and wrote the monster's name upon it. As for N'aanzoth's threats of devouring his flesh and cooking his soul, he paid them no heed.
"How tiresome," Hecarim roared with laughter, feeling his strength rapidly returning.
Meanwhile, N'aanzoth's power was plummeting. Originally, its negative energy had consumed the light here, preventing the emerald on the altar from illuminating the chamber. Now, due to the loss of power, the shadows on its semi-corporeal tentacles were fading, and the surrounding light was gradually returning to normal. With the naked eye, one could now see the faint glow emanating from the emerald on the altar deep within the chamber.
And N'aanzoth grew weaker and weaker. It shrieked and howled, making ear-splitting sounds, until finally, its power was drained, and it reverted to its true form—its body shrinking more than tenfold. Deprived of its strength, the tentacles that had ensnared the Lich and the Centaur detached automatically, falling limply to the ground, unable even to wriggle.
"N'zoth-atk-hala! Atayu-miql!"
After uttering its final curse, Hecarim swung his glaive and decapitated it. "How noisy!" Black, disgusting slime flowed all over the ground.
Karthus opened the Soul Stealing Scroll and absorbed the fallen soul.
"How much of your strength has been restored?" the Lich asked the Centaur.
"Less than twenty percent. This thing was too weak!"
Karthus nodded and began to digest the memories of the twisted monster. Compared to the other powerful souls he had absorbed, N'aanzoth's memories were much simpler, but the content within was not.
"This N'aanzoth is a servant of an Old God named N'Zoth."
"Old God? The most powerful monster parasitizing this world that the Summoner spoke of?"
"Correct." Karthus nodded and floated towards the altar, speaking as he went. "Gul'dan's memories were wrong. This isn't a demon guarding Sargeras, but an evil servant sent by the Old God N'Zoth to absorb the power of Sargeras's remains—in that sense, Sargeras didn't lie to him."
"What's the difference? Aren't they both dead?" Hecarim sneered heartlessly. He reached the altar first, preparing to reach out and pluck the emerald.
"If I were you, I wouldn't be so reckless," Karthus said from behind. "This is Sargeras's artifact, the Eye of Sargeras!"
"That Dark Titan gouged out his own eye to make an artifact? What a ruthless fellow!" Hecarim retracted his hand.
"No, this isn't his eye. It's a gem with magical power. Can't you tell?" Karthus shook his head and stepped forward to examine the altar, searching for a way to proceed.
But then again, even Gul'dan had imagined this legendary artifact as Sargeras's burning eye—but Karthus could tell at a glance that it wasn't.
"We're here a bit early. In another year, after N'aanzoth has absorbed the power of Sargeras's remains beneath the altar, this gem will naturally become harmless. But right now, it's still functioning," Karthus concluded after circling the altar.
"Just tell me what to do!" Hecarim was clearly impatient.
"We will absorb the power from Sargeras's remains!" Karthus provided the answer.
"Good idea! Lich, it seems your little tricks are somewhat useful!"
… …
The current time is late February. In recent days, various forces of the Alliance have begun to arrive in the capital city of Lordaeron one after another, preparing to attend the upcoming Alliance Conference to discuss how to deal with the threat of the Scourge and the matter of the Northrend expedition against the Lich King.
And this day soon arrived.
Inside the Throne Room, the representatives of the various Alliance forces began to enter.
"Gallen Trollbane of the Kingdom of Stromgarde has arrived!"
Prince Gallen was the first to arrive in the Throne Room. He greeted King Terenas on the main seat and took his place.
"Daelin Proudmoore, Admiral of the Kingdom of Kul Tiras, has arrived!"
Admiral Daelin was still in his neat naval uniform, his appearance meticulously groomed. He chatted with Terenas for a few words after entering.
"Archmage Antonidas, leader of the magical kingdom of Dalaran, has arrived!"
The Archmage nodded to those already seated after entering, exchanging greetings.
"Duke Bolvar Fordragon, representative of the Kingdom of Stormwind, has arrived!" The future Regent of Stormwind in the original timeline appeared very humble. The others present were all of higher status than him; except for Prince Gallen, they were all leaders of their respective kingdoms. Moreover, they had all helped rebuild Stormwind, so he had to show sufficient respect.
"Aiden, Chancellor of the Valoran Federation, has arrived!"
Aiden stepped into the Throne Room. It had already been arranged as a conference room, with several people already seated around the oval conference table.
"Come here, Aiden!" Antonidas beckoned to him, asking him to sit in the second seat on the right.
"Archmage, you look much better!" He greeted the Archmage with a smile.
"Not as good as you young people." Antonidas laughed, stroking his long white beard. "Look, time waits for no man!"
King Terenas added, "Who says otherwise? I feel like my old eyes are really failing me."
Daelin said, "I need to do more for my country and the Alliance while my body is still in good shape! By the way, Aiden, has my little daughter caused you any trouble?"
Aiden quickly said, "Not at all, Jaina has been a great help to me. She is truly an outstanding magical genius!"
After a round of greetings, the knight at the door continued to shout loudly:
"Duke Kurtaz, leader of the Silver Hand Knights of Ironforge, has arrived!"
...
A dwarf paladin entered. During the Second War, not only were many human paladins born, but some of the dwarves, as allies, also began to believe in the Holy Light and master the path of the paladin. Lord Kurtaz was one of the best among them. Therefore, he was able to become the leader of the Silver Hand Knights of Ironforge.
Kurtaz was an enthusiastic and optimistic dwarf, like most of his compatriots. As soon as he sat down, he said loudly, "King Terenas, His Majesty Magni Bronzebeard sends his regards to you and all our allies. In addition, High Tinker Mekkatorque is organizing troops to fight. He also asked me to declare to the Alliance that after resolving the threat of the stone troggs, the gnomes will free up their hands to support the Alliance!"
Aiden asked, "Has the crisis of the stone troggs broken out?"
Kurtaz looked at him and asked, "Are you the Aiden that Mograine and Muradin always mention?"
Aiden nodded.
Kurtaz said, "Yes, it has broken out, but the scale is not too large and is still under our control—when we arrived at Uldaman, Brann had already obtained the information he wanted from a platinum disc. However, it also alarmed the giant guardians and some of the stone troggs inside. Because of our timely response, the battle line is still maintained near Uldaman, and they have not been able to achieve more results. High Tinker Mekkatorque asked me to express his gratitude to you! But to be honest, these stone troggs are really crazy, as if they have a vendetta against us!"
Aiden thought to himself that there was indeed some connection between the two. The stone troggs were the first experimental products of the Titans, and they were still failed experimental products. And the earthen, the predecessors of the dwarves, were the replacements for the stone troggs—the second generation of experimental products.
As the abandoned, the stone troggs naturally hated the dwarves and gnomes.
Then the knight at the door continued to shout loudly, "Ranger General Danath Trollbane, representative of the Quel'Thalas Volunteers 'Silver Covenant', has arrived!"
Because Vereesa had gone to Northrend with Rhonin and had not yet returned, Danath Trollbane became the supreme leader of the Silver Covenant Volunteers. He could only attend this meeting.
After Aiden and Uther's mission to Quel'Thalas failed last time, Danath returned to Stratholme and informed his compatriots of this matter. Indeed, a small number of elves went back, but not long after, another group of people—even more high elves—joined the Silver Covenant. Among them was even Ranger Adri Morningvale, who had previously intercepted the Alliance envoys in the Ghostlands!
After communicating, he learned that these people seemed to be participating in the Silver Covenant at the suggestion of Prince Kael'thas. It seemed that there was a divergence between the prince and the king on the matter of whether to help the Alliance.
But no matter what, Danath tended to think that Prince Kael'thas's decision was more brilliant.
With Danath taking his seat, after the greetings were over, Terenas cleared his throat, indicating that the meeting was about to begin. Except for the stubborn Gilneas, all the previous allies had sent representatives. For example, the Kingdom of Stromgarde. Although Thoras Trollbane announced his withdrawal from the Alliance ten years ago, when Aiden did give them a clear path out of their predicament, the wise Thoras still sent his son Galen to attend the meeting before the orcs withdrew from the Arathi Highlands. This was to show his attitude.
And although the action to persuade High Elf King Anasterian failed, at least the righteous heroes among the high elves sent volunteers.
Only Gilneas remained indifferent.
Terenas clapped his hands and said, "Alright, everyone is here. We are very sorry to see Gilneas and Alterac from the last Alliance Conference absent from this Alliance Conference. But we are also very pleased to welcome new allies—allies from Valoran—Aiden, welcome you and your people to the Alliance!"
Everyone applauded.
Aiden immediately said, "It is our honor!"
"Then, let's start the meeting!" Just as Terenas said this, the knight at the door suddenly spoke again:
"Brigade Commander Darius Crowley, Lord Commander of Gilneas, has arrived!"