The old Tauren was silent for a long time, and just as Varian was getting impatient, Hamuul finally spoke.
"I thought that was just a legend."
"Unfortunately, it's more than just that."
Jaina was both slightly surprised that Hamuul accepted her explanation so quickly and reaffirmed her words.
"The earth mother told me that you did not lie and indeed came with good intentions to help us," Hamuul said slowly, "Forming an alliance with you is not a bad thing. I will tell our chief about this."
"Thank you very much."
Although Hamuul did not directly give Jaina the answer she wanted to hear, it at least showed that the Tauren were not too resistant to the olive branch they extended.
This was very beneficial for the progress of subsequent matters and completed Arthas's entrustment.
After seeing Hamuul Runetotem off, Varian in the conference room asked Jaina, "They seem very resistant to us outsiders?"
Jaina smiled helplessly, "So are we, aren't we? The Tauren tribe worships nature, and it's normal for them not to accept human civilization. But we have already taken the most difficult step."
"You are right. If the orcs are indeed the vanguard sent by the Burning Legion, we should take such enemies seriously."
Varian nodded solemnly.
"By the way, where did Muradin go?"
As soon as this dwarf landed, he took a few of his personal guards and ran off to who knows where. He even sent a dwarf representative to attend the alliance meeting.
"Who knows? He said he was really sick of the long voyage and wanted to walk on land."
Varian leaned back in his chair and stretched his body. After such a long meeting, even he felt a bit stiff.
But with a "bang," the dwarf's unique loud voice almost made Varian's chair tip over.
"Are you done yet?! Are those tall guys easy to talk to?!"
Varian gripped the table with both hands, steadying himself, and complained, "Muradin, can you be gentler next time? I feel like the conference room door is about to be broken by you."
"Haha, sorry, the doors in Ironforge are usually very heavy and can't be pushed open without force."
Muradin placed his warhammer and battle-axe on the table, hopped lightly, and sat down in the chair.
"The negotiation was quite successful; they showed a tendency to form an alliance with us."
Jaina explained the situation to Muradin.
"That's good. Although they look a bit strange, I can tell they are very capable."
Muradin laughed loudly, "But this swamp is not a good place. I went for a stroll and found nothing but mud and bugs."
"The natural conditions of Dustwallow Marsh are indeed very poor. There are also wild beasts in the depths of the swamp. Our scouts also reported that they found traces of Ogres."
"Ogres? Didn't those guys come to this world with the orcs? Why are they on this continent? Could it be that the orcs have already been here?" Varian frowned, asking in confusion.
"Unclear, but we indeed haven't found any evidence of orcs."
Jaina was also unclear about this.
"Who knows? Ogres are like asexual spores, all over the continent. Maybe they really just drifted over with the wind."
Muradin said indifferently. Who cares about Ogres, just smash them to death with a hammer.
"They also built a decent-sized fortress to the southwest of here, but they don't seem to have rampaged much in the swamp."
"As for the situation further south, moving beyond the Ogre fortress is very dangerous. We only have a small amount of intelligence, but it looks like it's just a dry swamp, and the pungent smell of sulfur is everywhere."
The situation in Theramore was generally clear to the group. It had to be said that its unique geographical location provided Theramore with an excellent barrier.
Even the local Tauren tribe, if the Alliance hadn't sent people to contact them, wouldn't even know that a city had been built deep in Dustwallow Marsh.
The harsh and complex natural environment here made even the most experienced hunters unwilling to enter this place, facing fierce raptors and crocodiles lurking in the mud, not to mention the large spiders that almost blended into the environment.
Any one of them could take a person's life, not to mention that such dangers were everywhere in the swamp.
The only safe place was near the coast where Theramore was located. The biggest threat here was the surrounding murloc villages, whose existence indeed posed a great threat to ships.
Other scattered plesiosaurs and lobster-men were located deep in the reef-strewn bay, where ships were unlikely to enter, so there was no need to worry at all.
Under Vancleef's supervision, Theramore was basically completed, but most of the buildings here were still empty because no population had been dispatched to live here yet.
Stationed in Theramore were only the soldiers of the First Legion and the troops brought by Jaina and the other two, so this large city inevitably seemed a bit empty.
"Vancleef built this city well, but there are just too few people."
Varian walked on the main street, looking at the clean streets and brand new bricks and tiles, "But fewer people also have their advantages; it's not as noisy as Stormwind."
As the largest Human Kingdom city in the south, after being rebuilt, to revive the nation's economy, merchant caravans and pedestrians in Stormwind were endless, and the city inevitably became overly bustling and noisy.
In contrast, the current Theramore made Varian feel more at ease; not only because of the noise, but also because the messy and chaotic aristocratic forces exhausted Varian.
"Most of your affairs are handled by Bolvar, so it shouldn't be that hard, right?" Jaina pursed her lips and smiled, "How is little Anduin doing recently? Why not bring him to Lordaeron to play?"
"Actually, before I set off to come here, I sent them to Lordaeron for a vacation," Varian sighed, "Stormwind hasn't been peaceful lately. Under the Countess' instigation, many nobles have become restless."
"Has SI:7 not taken any action?"
"Yes, but strangely, the spies who monitored the Countess all said they found no abnormalities—except that she always socialized excessively with Bolvar."
Muradin said carelessly, "The Countess? Is it that Katrana? I've seen her a few times, and she just gives people an uncomfortable feeling."
After hearing Varian's complaint, Jaina also recalled what Arthas had told her, "I remember now, Arthas told me several times that the Countess was not ordinary."
"Is that so? Three years ago, he told me to pay attention to that woman, but for these three years, besides normal political means, she hasn't shown any flaws. If she really has a problem, her ambition must be great."
Varian was very worried about this time bomb buried in Stormwind. He had known for a long time that the issue of Stormwind nobles defaulting on wages back then was closely related to the interest group to which the Countess belonged.
But facing such a deeply entrenched noble, without decisive incriminating evidence, even if he was the king, it was difficult to interfere, because once action was taken against the Countess, the nobles associated with her interests would certainly feel insecure and would not stand idly by.
Comparing the flourishing Lordaeron with the currently struggling Stormwind, Varian felt so bitter. Managing a country made Varian feel exhausted. This mission to Kalimdor was partly his own choice.
Varian temporarily wanted to get away from that complex and hypocritical vortex, pick up his long sword again, and be a warrior.
"Recently, it's been a time of many troubles... big things are happening everywhere. Just a few days ago, I received an urgent notice from Dalaran saying that a violent energy fluctuation occurred in Northrend, and elite mages are being summoned to investigate."
When Jaina said this, her expression showed a hint of worry. She was concerned about Arthas's safety, because according to the timeline, Arthas was currently fighting demons in Northrend.
"I hope Arthas and the First Legion don't encounter any accidents."
.......
While Jaina was worried about Arthas, Arthas had already led his army back to Lordaeron. The news of his triumphant return had reached King Terenas's ears even before the fleet arrived in Lordaeron.
Terenas arranged a grand welcoming ceremony for his son, and the entire Lordaeron was in a festive atmosphere.
Walking on the main road from Lordaeron Royal City to the Royal Secret Chamber, Arthas heard deafening cheers. He stretched out his hand, and vibrant petals flew everywhere, a few slowly falling into his palm.
Arthas sighed softly, and with a flick of his hand, carried by the wind, the petals fell into the moat.
The door to the Royal Secret Chamber was right in front of him. The Lordaeron Royal Guards guarding the door stood in solemn respect and saluted their Prince.
Arthas pushed open the door forcefully. His father was sitting on the throne, awaiting Arthas's arrival.
"My son, your victory has brought us peace and glory. I am glad to see you return safely."
The Prince knelt on one knee in the center of the hall, leaning on Frostmourne. Behind him followed two silent royal knights in black armor.
"Father, thank you for your concern, but it's not yet time to celebrate victory."
Arthas said loudly, "There are still a few remnants of the Legion hiding in a corner of the Eastern Kingdoms, plotting their evil plans."
The old King nodded gently, his gaze towards his son filled with complex emotions.
Arthas had shown extraordinary qualities since childhood. He was almost a perfect prince and heir, and even Terenas couldn't find fault with him.
But Terenas also blamed himself for not being able to leave Arthas a prosperous kingdom; instead, Arthas helped him bring the country back on track from the post-war decay and decline.
Now the problem of the orcs had been completely eliminated; they were driven out of Lordaeron's territory by elite armies. Lordaeron's only burden had been removed, and the sudden plague had not caused too much damage to this kingdom.
Currently, Lordaeron might not be comparable to its most prosperous period in the last century, but the country's potential had exceeded everyone's expectations.
The suppression by the surrounding Human Kingdoms had no effect; instead, they themselves neglected national development due to being too focused on power struggles.
Now, among the seven Human Kingdoms, Alterac had completely become history, Stromgarde's capital Stromgarde was also destroyed in the Orcish Wars, and Gilneas gradually reduced its contact with the outside world.
In the entire northern Eastern Kingdoms, apart from Dalaran, which ignored worldly affairs and focused on magic, Lordaeron's position was already very clear. Whether willing or not, everyone had to admit Lordaeron's strength.
"My son, I am old. As I once told you, kingship is not eternal. On the day my life reaches its end, you will be crowned King."
"I am gratified to watch you grow day by day, becoming the embodiment of justice and courage, but I consider myself not a good father. I have done too little in your growth."
"I already feel that day is near, my son. If there's anything else you want to do, go ahead and do it boldly."
Terenas's aged voice entered Arthas's ears. The King already knew his time was short, and he hoped to leave Arthas a prosperous Lordaeron when he slept in his tomb.
"I will always uphold my beliefs and fulfill my duties."
Arthas stood up from the ground and sheathed Frostmourne.
Time was short. The threat posed by Tichondrius and his subordinates was imminent, and Arthas had no extra time for celebration.
He planned to go to Andorhal in a few days. Uther and Alexandros were stationed there with the Silver Hand and the First Legion, and forces could be easily drawn from there.
Arthas had to rush to Dalaran as soon as possible to meet with Antonidas and thoroughly inspect Dalaran to prevent any suspicious individuals from using the magic kingdom's reserves to summon demons.
And Kael'thas was also there now, so it would be a good opportunity to inform Kael'thas and make him understand the problems Quel'Thalas might face.