Karthus returned to Los Angeles four days after the departure of the 'Call Girl'. The angel, Ophiel, was the first to notice the Lich emerging from the teleport beacon. She could clearly sense that this Lich was several times stronger than when he had left.
"You look like you found treasure, Kael," Ophiel said in surprise.
Karthus asked, "Where is the commander? I can't sense him."
"They've gone on an expedition." Ophiel recounted the events of Gilneas and Aiden's actions to him.
"Hmm... I understand," Karthus nodded.
The Alliance Conference had already concluded. The agreed-upon outcome was as Aiden had anticipated: the Alliance decided to consolidate its defenses while intensifying reconnaissance. A portion of the army remained in Fenmu Village to monitor the movements of the Gilnean Scourge, while the remaining forces dispersed and gathered in the various major cities of Lordaeron to respond to any potential invasion.
Now, every town was equipped with mass-produced plague antidotes, ensuring that people no longer had to worry about being infected by consuming unclean food. Without the threat of the plague, the Scourge's only remaining tactic was a military assault. As long as they were well-prepared, losses would undoubtedly be significantly reduced.
This would be the most secure strategy.
"I'm going to Northrend," Karthus told Sylvanas, informing her of his decision.
"Is it necessary to go?"
"Yes."
"But do you know the way?"
Karthus could fly back from the Endless Sea, so naturally, he had a way to find the path to Northrend.
But before leaving, he had one more thing to do. With his strength greatly restored, he could now cast many spells that he couldn't cast when he first arrived in this world.
Karthus, with the aid of the artifact, the Eye of Sargeras, infinitely extended his mind. As a Lich, his soul projection was much easier and more powerful than Aiden's.
The Lich King Ner'zhul's will could influence others across tens of thousands of kilometers over two continents. While the current Karthus couldn't achieve that level, he wasn't too far off. A day later, based on his special ability to sense souls, he found his target—the Scourge's floating city, Naxxramas, ruled by the necromancer, Dar'Khan!
Previously, the Alliance search parties had been searching diligently, but no one could have imagined that it was now quietly suspended in the skies above the Hinterlands. After completing the raid on Gilneas, this floating fortress had flown all the way from the Hillsbrad Foothills to the Arathi Highlands, traveling by night and hiding close to the ground during the day. Without Karthus, it would never have been found.
The next day, Cookie personally led the Screaming Serpent helicopter squadron on a full-scale sortie. Following Karthus's guidance, they indeed found Naxxramas quietly hidden among the mountains in the eastern Hinterlands.
This news finally brought a sigh of relief to all the forces of the Alliance. Ever since Naxxramas disappeared, everyone in Lordaeron had been on tenterhooks, fearing that one night, the Scourge's flying fortress would quietly descend upon their cities, and hundreds of thousands of Scourge troops would pour out, eliminating all living beings.
Unable to determine its location, everyone couldn't help but suspect that it was right above their heads, which was why Aiden's proposal for a Northern Expedition was opposed by most of the kings. Because no one wanted to be slaughtered without resistance when this terrifying floating fortress descended.
Now that it was exposed to people's sight, most of the Gryphon Riders from Aerie Peak, as well as the helicopter squadrons from Los Angeles, monitored it day and night, leaving it with nowhere to hide. Even if they didn't have the means to deal with it for the time being, everyone could finally relax and calmly plan their strategies.
While the kings were rejoicing, the great hero who discovered the Scourge had already left Lordaeron and was heading to Northrend alone.
The alchemist Singed had once again lost the opportunity to communicate with the Lich, and could only inwardly complain about Karthus for a while, then silently returned to the laboratory to continue researching plagues to counter the Scourge.
—
Aiden always remembered a historical plot point: Arthas, led by the Crypt Lord Anub'arak, directly reached Icecrown Glacier through the underground passage built by the Spider Kingdom.
Now, Anub'arak was dead, and even if he wasn't, he would only be his enemy. However, he discovered a small number of Spider People in the Silver Covenant's allied forces. He immediately had the idea of letting the Spider People lead the way, which would definitely save a lot of trouble.
These Spider People looked terrifying, with spider bodies and humanoid upper bodies, although their faces were still more spider-like. They had a long history and advanced civilization, with very high levels of literature and art, but these were almost all lost in the war against the Lich King Ner'zhul. Anub'arak was the king of the Spider Kingdom of Azjol-Nerub before his death, and after his death, the Spider People were completely defeated, and most of them, along with him, became undead monsters fighting for the Lich King. The ones Aiden saw joining the Silver Covenant were only a few survivors.
"There is such a passage," the Spider People leader, Kirix, replied, "But many parts of this road collapsed due to the last ascent of Naxxramas, and need to be cleared before they can be used."
"How long will that take?"
"About forty days."
This answer greatly disappointed Aiden. By the time it was cleared, it would be too late.
"Hopefully Rek'Sai will be useful!" Aiden prayed.
He was preparing to summon the Void Burrower—Rek'Sai, the Queen of the Void species, Xer'Sai, who was particularly good at burrowing.
However, Aiden couldn't associate a Void beast with a mouth almost as big as its head, filled with fangs, and with a pair of crab-like pincers as forelimbs, with femininity.
Rek'Sai couldn't speak. She only emitted sharp or terrifying hissing sounds, but she could convey her meaning through telepathy and fully understand people's words. Although she had the body of a beast, she was not lacking in intelligence, even smarter than many people, and more dangerous than humans.
"Rek'Sai, can the tunnel you dig allow us to pass through?" Aiden quickly asked the question he was most concerned about.
'If you need it, Commander,' he directly heard Rek'Sai's voice in his mind. It was a female voice, reminding him that the beast in front of him was indeed female.
So he turned to the Spider People leader, Kirix: "Alright, there's no problem now, please lead the way!"
Kirix's attention had been focused on Rek'Sai. Seeing this strange Void creature, he couldn't help but exclaim: "Truly beautiful and powerful!"
'You have good taste,' Rek'Sai responded.
"You have good taste," Aiden gave a thumbs up.
—
Aiden led this small expedition deep into the underground city of Azjol-Nerub, beginning the journey directly to Ner'zhul's lair, Icecrown Glacier. At this time, Prince Liam was busy searching for the artifact Frostmourne, which could grant him infinite power.
Liam had a dream last night after accidentally falling asleep, dreaming that he pulled out the sword of ice. It was as if it was tailor-made for him, the length, weight, balance, and grip, all were perfect. He dreamed that he had returned to Gilneas, on the hillside where 'Baix' had fallen into the valley and been seriously injured. The power of the divine sword allowed her to stand up again from underground.
He rode Baix, galloping wantonly on the land of Gilneas. Baix would never be tired again, never be injured, and Frostmourne made him invincible, and all enemies fell under his sword.
He was invincible, and millions of people excitedly shouted "Our King Liam", "Our King Liam".
After waking up, he realized it was a dream. But it was so real, so real that Liam believed that as long as he obtained that sword, he would truly realize everything in the dream!
"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Lord Herold came to his tent, his face beaming with joy, "Vereesa Windrunner is here!"
"Well, I'll tidy up, bring her to see me in a few minutes," Liam replied.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Neither of them realized that Vereesa was no longer just a small High Elf Ranger. She was now the nominal supreme commander of tens of thousands of troops in the Silver Covenant.
And Liam hadn't fully realized that he was a traitor to the Alliance. Apart from the hundreds of people who followed him, no one would have any respect for his identity as the Prince of Gilneas.
What's more, Vereesa knew about this prince's "achievements" on the way.
"Tell Liam, it's not that I want to see him, but that I'm telling him to come see me! Understand?" At this time, Vereesa's expression and tone perfectly interpreted the word arrogance.
Lord Herold's face turned red and then pale, and he couldn't help but scold: "Vereesa, you seem to have misunderstood your identity!"
"Is that so?" Vereesa sneered, her silver eyes staring straight at the other party, "I'm afraid some people haven't figured out their own identity!"
Vereesa's unrelenting ridicule made Lord Herold immediately realize that their deeds had probably been exposed.
He broke out in a cold sweat, his face turned pale, and he pretended to be confused: "I don't understand what you mean, Miss Vereesa."
"Then you let Liam come over, I think he will understand," Vereesa stared at him, "Go now!"
Lord Herold almost fled back to the Gilnean military camp. He rushed into Liam's tent without regard for etiquette, and said in a panic: "It's not good, Your Highness! They know!"
Liam stood up immediately. He hadn't obtained Frostmourne yet, and had no intention of fighting the Silver Covenant's army at all.
He seemed to have overplayed his hand. Knowing this, he might as well have only brought the Gilnean guards who were loyal to him.
"What to do?" Lord Herold was sweating profusely.
'Westward', Liam heard this voice in his mind.
This was the voice that had been guiding him.
"Westward!" Liam ordered.
Outside the camp, the Gilnean army and the Silver Covenant army, who were still having a good time yesterday, were now at each other's throats, both forming formations on the open space, ready to fight at any time. War was imminent.
The heroic Vereesa walked to the front of the formation and shouted loudly: "Liam, how long are you going to hide!"