Since hearing Grand Admiral Daelin's mission report at the Lordaeron meeting yesterday, Leylin had harbored unique thoughts about the orc fleet stationed in Southshore.
He knew perfectly well who owned these fleets—not Orgrim, but Gul'dan.
From the very beginning of his arrival in Azeroth, Gul'dan had been preparing his grand plan, and now he was about to implement it. Leylin foresaw Gul'dan's plan, and he too had his own ideas: to go to the Broken Isles, the place where demonic bodies were imprisoned.
Unlike what Gul'dan sought, Leylin wanted to change history. Many things were unknown on this island, but what Leylin knew what still remained on the Broken Isles: the Eye of Sargeras and the Scepter of Sargeras. Obtaining either of these items would allow him to twist the course of history and guide the world towards a safer place.
It sounded insane, but for an unknown region, Leylin still held great hope of entering the island. Although Leylin didn't know the precise location, he wasn't worried; a guide would eventually lead him there.
Today, Leylin did not leave Lordaeron. As usual, he stood guard atop the northern city walls. The high elf army was gathered there. Knowing the Horde would attack, Leylin's heart still trembled when the deafening war drums resounded from the east of Lordaeron.
On the vast, flat land, swarms of orcs appeared before the entire Alliance army. Besides the orc troops on the ground, orc knights riding red dragons also launched an attack on this ancient castle.
This most peaceful kingdom among the human kingdoms, established a thousand years ago, faced its most severe test.
"Alliance warriors, the moment of glory is today!" Sir Lothar crossed the floating bridge over Lake Lordaeron and charged toward the reckless orcs. The war officially began the moment he swung his great royal sword.
This was a true battle to the death. Alliance soldiers hurled themselves forward, using Lake Lordamere as their first defensive barrier. Silver armor met green flesh in a thunderous collision.
The Horde would not be allowed to stand unchallenged before the castle walls. For the moment, the Alliance line held.
In the sky, the red dragon orc riders had also met their match. The Wildhammer tribe's dwarves, wielding storm hammers and led by Kurdran, were determined to fight these red dragons to the death.
Of course, these dragons wielding magical flames faced not only gryphon riders. Mages from Dalaran, including Leylin and Khadgar, were also using magic to restrain these dragon riders.
The scorching dragonfire clashed fiercely with elemental and arcane magic; the battle in the sky was far more intense than the melee combat on the ground.
A powerful [Arcane Barrage] coalesced in Leylin's hands; his target was the red dragon closest to the castle. The orcs on the back of this red dragon seemed to have their eyes on the artillery positions on the north wall.
The idea was good; such attention to detail might alleviate a significant amount of pressure on the orcs attacking from afar. However, this dragon rider overlooked the magical threat emanating from the city walls.
A powerful burst of arcane energy erupted before Leylin, the precise magic ignoring the dragon rider's evasive maneuver. The orc on the red dragon's back watched in horror as the arcane magic blasted him into oblivion!
Magic wasn't particularly effective against these dragons, but it could kill their tamers. Having learned from killing the first orc dragon rider, Leylin knew that red dragons without tamers wouldn't linger on the battlefield. These dragons would immediately fly south, returning to their owners.
The dragons that had dispersed from the main battlefield posed no real threat to Lordaeron's castle. After a dozen or so attacks, they returned to the main battlefield, continuing their assault on the Alliance soldiers defending the front lines at Lake Lordaeron.
The casualties were almost 1:1; the Alliance soldiers could never match the orcish Horde's numbers.
"Gavinrad! Gather the soldiers! Prepare to retreat!" Sir Lothar's voice thundered across the battlefield.
The fierce battle raged from noon until nightfall, the forests of eastern Lordaeron ablaze with the flames of artillery fire. Beneath the walls of Lordaeron lay countless boulders, hurled by the tribes' catapults. But the boulders were shattered by arcane magic while still in the air.
Orgrim pressed the attack relentlessly. There was no rest. Orgrim was determined to take Lordaeron. Nightfall was when human soldiers were most exhausted, and the Warchief knew their habits well.
Although this battle was far more difficult than the one at Stormwind, at least everything was still under his control.
Under cover of darkness, Orgrim personally led the Horde across Lake Lordaeron.
After their retreat, the Alliance army destroyed all the drawbridges connecting the castle, but this wasn't crucial for the Horde.
Surrounded by vast forests and trees, this provided ample materials. Using felled trees, the orcs successfully crossed the lake and began their advance towards Lordaeron Keep.
Under the cover of dragonfire, large numbers of orcs breached this natural defensive line of the Kingdom of Lordaeron.
Early the next morning, a massive orc army began to gather north of the capital city.
This battle, which had been raging for a day, was only just beginning.
With another attack launched, Orgrim's booming voice ignited the fury of the entire Horde army.
The Horde's vanguard, armed with their engineering siege engines, began their assault on Lordaeron Keep.
Sir Lothar knew that a purely defensive strategy within the capital city of Lordaeron would inevitably face constraints from all sides. Assuming he could withstand direct resistance, he once again led his troops to attack the orcish vanguard.
This time, a knightly order led the charge—warriors of the holy light. Golden radiance flared from their warhammers as they charged.
Wielding warhammers glowing with golden light, they charged towards the Horde's vanguard. The orcs, fearless as always, braced for impact. But this time, they felt the difference.
Compared to previous battles, the orcs felt true resistance. When the Horde's vanguard resisted this knightly order, they felt how formidable these knights wielding the power of holy light were.
They not only possessed extremely strong defensive capabilities, but the knights also provided mutual support. The holy light seemed to constantly connect them, healing and strengthening each other. For the first time, the Horde's army was repelled!
Sir Lothar was also surprised that the first wave of attack had been repelled. His solemn gaze swept over the Knights of the Silver Hand, and he began to admire Archbishop Alonsus Faol. At least he was far more reliable than the wizards of Dalaran.