Upon hearing this, the Silvermoon council members all sighed in their hearts.
Although they had guessed it was likely to be this way, they were still very disappointed. Even if His Royal Highness the Prince himself took on the role of Highlord, it would have been better!
"The Windrunner Family has two Ranger-Generals, three artifacts, and now they have obtained a World Tree. His Royal Highness the Prince is too good to them, isn't he?"
"Now, whether it's the number of legends or artifacts, the Windrunner Family has more than the Sunstrider Family. Is His Royal Highness the Prince not afraid of the Windrunner Family growing too powerful and threatening the Sunstrider's rule?"
They were very puzzled by Kael'thas's actions.
True politicians should understand the balance of power and should not concentrate power in one person or one family.
However, considering that His Royal Highness the Prince was not a pure politician, but also a legendary Archmage, everything could be explained.
"His Royal Highness now, whether in international prestige, high-level connections, or his own strength, surpasses the entire Windrunner Family. As long as he is alive, there is no need to worry about the Windrunner Family growing too powerful."
"Moreover, His Royal Highness is not yet married, and recently he has been close to the three Windrunner sisters. Could it be that he intends to form a marriage alliance?"
"The Windrunner Family has received too much favor now. To dispel the apprehension and suspicion of His Majesty and His Royal Highness, a marriage alliance is the only way."
"It's just, I wonder which one will marry His Royal Highness in the future!"
Of course, these were not their concerns.
The most urgent matter at hand was how to build a relationship with Lirath Windrunner and send their kinsmen to Sandar Hill.
"Give the city that is about to be born a name, Highlord," Kael'thas said.
"Yes," Lirath Windrunner racked her brains.
Vereesa, however, rolled her eyes and said, "Sandar Hill belongs to His Royal Highness, and the new city also belongs to His Royal Highness. His Royal Highness is a Sunstrider, and our nation's capital is Silvermoon City. Why not name this city Sunveil City!"
"A good name, let's call it Sunveil City!"
Lirath Windrunner looked at Vereesa approvingly. This name was perfect!
Not only did it sound good, like a sister city to Silvermoon City, but it also clarified ownership, demonstrated the Windrunner Family's absolute loyalty to the Sunstrider Family, and flattered His Royal Highness the Prince—killing multiple birds with one stone.
Oh, Vereesa, I always thought you, the youngest daughter, were the most pampered and spoiled, not understanding things. I didn't expect you to have improved so much after these few months with His Royal Highness! It's just...
She was a bit troubled again. Which daughter should she marry off to His Royal Highness?
Logically, it should be the eldest daughter, after all, the eldest daughter was to inherit the family headship, which would be fitting for His Royal Highness's status.
But the eldest daughter wasn't interested in politics, and her future political influence and status would likely not surpass the second daughter's.
The youngest daughter had also been with His Royal Highness the longest, and their feelings had developed. "Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Highness, why don't you give a hint? What exactly are you thinking?" Lirath Windrunner's gaze towards Kael'thas carried a hint of resentment.
"Sunveil City? Not bad, not bad." Anasterian was also very pleased.
The canopy of Sandar Hill was the highest point in all of Quel'Thalas, the closest place to the sun.
It grew continuously upwards, wasn't that 'pursuing the sun'?
Sunlight shone on the canopy, shimmering with golden light. This name was so apt, it couldn't be better!
"...Alright, let's call it Sunveil City." Kael'thas didn't know what to say. Would this name pass review if translated?
Actually, he wanted to call it "Sky City."
But even His Majesty had agreed, so how could he change it? Let it be!
"Sunveil City cannot be built in a day, nor can it rely solely on one family."
Anasterian looked at the council members: "This requires all of you to work together, and once built, it will benefit all High Elves."
"His Majesty is right!"
"We will definitely contribute money and effort!"
The council members all expressed their support.
Kael'thas said, "Relying solely on the Sunstrider Family and the Ranger troops is not enough to guard Sandar Hill. This place needs a complete runestone system, a magical barrier that can encompass the entire tree."
Anasterian nodded: "Archmage Belo'vir, after you return, immediately select a thousand Archmages and have them permanently stationed at Sandar Hill, specifically responsible for constructing the runestone system."
Belo'vir asked, "The runestone system is extremely vast and requires an Archmage with deep enough magical attainments and sufficient loyalty to preside over it.
I wonder which one His Majesty and His Royal Highness have chosen."
Anasterian retorted, "All the Archmages in Quel'Thalas are your students. You know their abilities and character best.
Do you have any suggestions?"
Belo'vir thought for a moment and said, "Caponea, Selin, Rommath, Solan'lia, and Dath'remar are also good. They all have the potential to become legendary Archmages."
Anasterian looked at Kael'thas: "Sandar Hill was planted by you, so you choose."
Kael'thas smiled and said, "Caponea's talent, comprehension, and magical attainments are inferior to Solan'lia's, so she's out first."
"Solan'lia is an Astromancer; she has always been devoted to astrology and has already achieved something. She is at a critical moment in her advancement to the legendary realm, so let her focus on her magical research."
"Selin is the captain of my Archmage guard; I can't bear to part with him. Moreover, he is only skilled in fire spells and has average attainments in runic arrays."
"Dath'remar? He's ill-intentioned; no."
"Archmage Rommath's magical attainments and character are both good; let it be him."
Rommath's ability and loyalty were fully proven in the original history.
Furthermore, Rommath himself was a member of Dalaran, having accompanied him to Dalaran back then, and had followed him for many years, maintaining a very good relationship with him. He was far more suitable than the likes of Dath'remar!
"Let it be him."
Anasterian said, "Constructing the runestone system and building Sunveil City both require mobilizing the strength of the entire nation. Without further ado,
we will now return to Silvermoon City for a meeting to discuss."
Lirath Windrunner also said, "Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, I will immediately return to the family, gather all our kinsmen, and dispatch another ten thousand elite soldiers to ensure the safety of Sandar Hill!"
News of Sandar Hill and Sunveil City quickly spread throughout Quel'Thalas via the Royal Council and communication stones, reaching the ears of a young, ambitious Archmage.
"Rommath? His Royal Highness actually chose Rommath?"
"In terms of background, magical attainments, and achievements in runic arrays, how is he better than me?"
In the Deatholme Archmage Tower, Archmage Dath'remar Sunstrider's face was twisted, and he gnashed his teeth.
"Among all High Elves in Quel'Thalas, my talent is the highest!"
"But that old fossil Belo'vir values that fool Rommath more, exiling me to the frontier while sending him to Dalaran to stay by Kael'thas's side. Clearly, he wants him to inherit the position of Chief Archmage!"
"Originally, Sandar Hill was my last chance. If only I could be stationed at Sandar Hill and preside over the construction of the runestone system, I could absorb Sandar Hill's energy, advance to legendary Archmage faster than Rommath, become an Archmage, and prove I am stronger than him!"
"But now, not even this chance is given to me; instead, it's given to Rommath!"
"Kael'thas, you forced my hand!"
Dath'remar's eyes were malicious, and he cast a teleportation spell, heading to Lordaeron Royal City.
High above Sandar Hill.
"Such a large canopy, it's a waste to just build a city!"
Kurdran flew to Kael'thas's side and chuckled, "Kael'thas—ah, no, esteemed Prince, how about giving us some space for Gryphon Riders to build nests in the trees? We won't live for free; we'll help you guard this tree!"
"Any fool who dares to covet it will have to answer to the warhammers of us Wildhammer Dwarves first!"
Wildhammer Dwarves are naturally close to nature, and Gryphon Riders are even more favored by the forest.
The rich natural aura and dream power emanating from the World Tree had a fatal attraction for Kurdran.
It was even more mellow than the strongest ale, more enchanting than the most passionate female dwarf, making him never want to leave after a single breath.
If they could live here long-term, even without the Dragon King's blessing, the physique of the Wildhammer Dwarves and Gryphon Riders would slowly improve, which would benefit the entire clan.
Such a great benefit could not be missed.
So, he shamelessly decided that he would obtain residential rights, even if it meant using persistent persuasion.
Kael'thas laughed, "Feel free to live here, the more the merrier. It would be best to move all the Gryphon Riders from the Hinterlands here. From now on, Sandar Hill will be your second home!"
Of course, he welcomed such a powerful fighting force as Gryphon Riders; the more there were, the safer Sandar Hill would be.
Kurdran excitedly said, "You said it! Open the gate, open it quickly, I'm going back now to bring the Gryphon Riders over!"
Bringing all of them over was, of course, impossible.
You can't put all your eggs in one basket. No matter how much he trusted Kael'thas, he couldn't put the Wildhammer Dwarves' most important assets entirely in someone else's home; it was too dangerous.
If he didn't understand this principle, he wouldn't have been a chieftain for so many years.
Of course, the World Tree was indeed a good thing.
He decided to divide all Gryphon Riders into three parts.
One-third would remain at Aerie Peak, one-third would go to Grim Batol, and the remaining one-third would come here.
Then, they would rotate periodically to ensure that all Gryphon Riders could enjoy the nourishment of the World Tree's natural power.
Additionally, he planned to bring all Gryphon eggs here so that they could be nourished by natural power during their fetal stage. This way, the hatchlings would surely be robust and healthy.
Also, once the foundation on the tree canopy was laid, he planned to ask Kael'thas for a small piece of land to build a small village there. He wanted to send all pregnant dwarves there to carry their pregnancies!
What? That would occupy a large area and consume a lot of natural energy, and Kael'thas might not agree?
That just means the temptation isn't enough!
At worst, he could help Kael'thas build the city, or take out some of the adamantium and mithril dug from beneath Grim Batol.
If that still didn't work, he would give Kael'thas one or two hundred Gryphon Riders!
And also, when the Green Dragon, the Jungle Guardians, and the Druids arrived, he would find a way to build good relationships with them, asking them to help use natural magic to comb the bodies of pregnant female dwarves and Gryphon eggs, ensuring their health.
If possible, he also wanted to have Wildhammer Dwarves learn the path of the Druid from Cenarius and Malfurion, cultivating their own Druids so they wouldn't have to ask others for help in the future.
And also—
Kurdran calculated silently in his heart as he flew into the portal.
Vereesa watched Kurdran's racking his brain expression and burst out laughing, "He looks so silly, but he's actually very smart!"
"Silly? Vereesa, don't be fooled by the dwarves' appearance; these guys are cunning!" Kael'thas shook his head.
Dwarves only awakened from Uldaman two thousand five hundred years ago, a much shorter history than humans and High Elves.
However, in such a short time, with a population less than one-fifth of humanity's, they occupied a vast territory no less than the Seven Human Kingdoms. This relied not only on their powerful physiques but also on their intelligence.
Liadrin, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief: "Such a big commotion will certainly not escape the leaders of the human kingdoms, nor King Terenas.
He will definitely take action, even send troops, but with the Wildhammer Dwarves settling here, Terenas will certainly be wary!"
Lana'thel nodded, "Offending both the High Elves and the Wildhammer Dwarves simultaneously, even though Lordaeron is the most powerful nation on the Eastern Continent, it cannot bear the consequences. No, the most powerful nation is not Lordaeron, but our Quel'Thalas!"
Military strength is only one part of overall power.
International relations, high-level connections, high-end combat power, resources—these are also very important.
Lordaeron, despite having the largest territory, population, military, and wealth, has far worse international relations than Quel'Thalas currently does.
It has fallen out with Kul Tiras, Gilneas, and Stromgarde.
Moreover, it lacks high-level connections of the caliber of Dragon Kings and Wild Gods.
Its high-end combat power is also lacking.
Quel'Thalas now has His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Prince, the Chief Archmage, the Chief High Priest, General Salorian, and General Lireesa—six legendary figures. The Windrunner Three Sisters, possessing artifacts, can also unleash legendary-level combat power.
Lordaeron is different; it only has Alonsus Faol, one legendary figure, and Uther, a pseudo-legendary figure with an artifact. It is far inferior to Quel'Thalas!
Among the Seven Kingdoms, the only one that can barely rival Quel'Thalas in high-end combat power is Dalaran.
However, of Dalaran's three legendary mages, only one is human; the other two are High Elf and Red Dragon.
If you really count, in terms of high-end combat power, all of humanity combined is only qualified to be compared with the High Elves.
As for resources, Lordaeron is indeed vast and rich in resources, with production of ores, herbs, timber, oil, etc., several times that of Quel'Thalas.
But this is a magical world, and the true high-end resource is energy.
With the Sunwell alone, Quel'Thalas is enough to stand on equal footing with Lordaeron, not to mention the addition of the World Tree, Sandar Hill!
Vereesa exclaimed, looking at Kael'thas, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Your Highness, did you even calculate this? Did you intentionally scheme against the Wildhammer Dwarves to make them come and live here?"
"...I'm not a god; how could I calculate everything? Besides, Kurdran is my brother; how could I possibly scheme against him? He proposed this himself!" Kael'thas was speechless. What kind of person am I in your heart, exactly?
A unscrupulous politician?
A cold-blooded political machine?
Are you underestimating my humanity or overestimating my political ability? I'm just an ordinary keyboard warrior, quite bad, alright!
"Really? I don't believe it," Vereesa muttered softly.
A man's words are a devil's lie; Kael'thas's image in her heart was already solidified and wouldn't change.
"The prejudices of the human heart are truly a great mountain!" Kael'thas sighed, shaking his head.