Maiev, along with Nasa and others, also returned. Seeing everyone fussing over the troll corpses, she was a bit puzzled. When she heard they were collecting materials for potions, she didn't meddle.
She knew this was Gale's order. Mages always researched strange and exotic things, so collecting troll bone marrow and blood was perfectly normal.
She thanked Gale and then inquired about the battle's results.
Garrosh: "One priestess dead, twelve guards dead. Over three hundred trolls killed, nearly a hundred captured."
From the results, this battle was a great victory. But Maiev still felt distressed; every priestess was her sister, and every guard was her brother.
"Have the captives been interrogated?"
"They have been interrogated. Someone guided them to attack us. Archmage Gale said that, stylistically, it was a Mage's method."
Maiev immediately thought of the previous incident with the logistics team and gritted her teeth, cursing, "Damn scoundrels!"
Garrosh looked at Gale. He had just cursed the same way; they seemed to have a good understanding.
With the materials mostly collected, Maiev then ordered: "Take the captives, and let's continue!"
Although the troll captives were a burden, to preserve evidence, Maiev had no choice but to take them to the front lines. She wanted to find that scoundrel Mage, bring him to justice, and avenge her fallen brothers and sisters.
Gale, however, held no hope for this, as no substantial evidence could be found. Bringing the captives to the front lines also meant they were destined to become materials, and along the way, some food would be wasted on them.
Fortunately, it was only a few days. After passing through Crimson Thicket, the convoy arrived at Heda'shal.
Heda'shal was a small town subordinate to Suramar City, but due to the war, all civilians had been evacuated, and the town had been converted into a military camp.
Stormheim runs north to south, with a western branch extending to the Weeping Wind Cliff on the west side. Kaldorei refer to this as Weeping Wind Canyon. Heda'shal is located on the south side of Weeping Wind Canyon, with a suspension bridge connecting to the opposite side of the canyon.
During the last war, the Kaldorei Empire's army was stationed near Claw's Rest on the opposite bank, and the trolls bypassed the canyon, attacking from the Nashaal region in the north. They defeated the Vrykul, captured Aggramar's Vault as a base, and both sides engaged in a major battle on the west side of Stormheim.
This time, the trolls passed through the Runelord territory, launched a surprise attack on Valdisdall, crossed Stormheim via the suspension bridge, and occupied Claw's Rest. The First Legion could only be stationed in Heda'shal, using Weeping Wind Canyon to resist the troll offensive.
Due to a lack of supplies, the First Legion could only burn the suspension bridge. During this time, they could only rely on supplies from Suramar for temporary provision, barely filling their stomachs.
Now that the supplies had arrived, the First Legion's soldiers cheered with joy.
Yue Nu, the Moon Fury Legion Commander of the First Legion, led his men to greet them, "Archmage Gale, we finally have you here."
Gale apologized, "I'm sorry, I was delayed for so long to gather supplies."
The Moon Fury Legion Commander waved his hand, "That's not your fault. No one expected the trolls to infiltrate near Suramar. Fortunately, you protected the supplies this time; otherwise, we would truly be starving."
"The food we brought this time is enough for the First Legion for three months," Gale reminded him. "If we can't defeat the trolls within three months, I'm afraid we'll have to retreat to Suramar."
"Don't worry, we've already discussed our tactics and are just waiting to fill our stomachs and fight a big battle," the Moon Fury Legion Commander said confidently.
At this moment, Turann High Mage walked over, "Since food is scarce, why bring these big-bellied trolls?"
Maiev said coldly, "These trolls are human witnesses. The reason they were able to infiltrate near Suramar is that someone provided them with intelligence."
"Is that true?" the Moon Fury Legion Commander said angrily, "A traitor has appeared in the Kaldorei Empire; it's an unforgivable crime."
"We have interrogated them and formed a complete body of evidence."
Tulan: "Since there is complete evidence, there is no need to keep these trolls."
Maiev's expression changed drastically, "Archmage, these trolls are human witnesses—"
Tulan interrupted her, "So many of us can prove that you captured troll prisoners. After returning to Sin'dorei, you only need to present the evidence."
Maiev still wanted to argue, but the Moon Fury Legion Commander also said, "That's right, we can help you prove it. These troll captives will accelerate our food consumption and affect our offensive against the trolls."
Gale had known this would happen, "Do as Turann High Mage and the Moon Fury Legion Commander say!"
"Gale…" Maiev was very unwilling.
Gale gave her a reassuring look. Maiev calmed herself and nodded, saying, "Alright!"
The Moon Fury Legion Commander waved his hand, and a small squad went straight to the troll captives, slaughtering them all.
Following the principle of extracting residual value, Gale said to Garrosh, "Collect the materials."
"What materials?" the Moon Fury Legion Commander asked, puzzled.
"Troll bone marrow and blood. I need them to make healing potions." Gale kept something to himself, "Commander, please assign me a storage room to store the supplies. Also, I need a team to help me distribute these supplies."
The Moon Fury Legion Commander pointed to a large house at the very back of Heda'shal, "That used to be the town's warehouse. You can use it to store supplies. As for the army—"
"Commander, I request to assist Archmage Gale!"
A strong Kaldorei walked over and winked at Gale.
The Moon Fury Legion Commander laughed, "Carlos, I almost forgot about you. You are Archmage Gale's brother; I trust you to assist Archmage Gale."
He turned to Gale and introduced, "I truly hate to part with Carlos. Although he is only a lieutenant, he is already my capable general."
Gale complimented, "I also want to thank Commander for his cultivation of Carlos."
The Moon Fury Legion Commander laughed heartily, "Not at all, it's all Carlos's own merit."
Despite saying so, it was clear that the Moon Fury Legion Commander was pleased with Gale's words.
Turann High Mage looked at the two men conversing happily, his expression growing depressed. He had originally accepted Savis's order, intending to cause conflict between the two, but it seemed he would have to re-plan.
Carlos took over the supplies and transported them to the warehouse.
Captain Ravencrest rested for a day in Heda'shal and then bid farewell. They still had to return to Suramar City. Since the trolls had infiltrated near Suramar, it was uncertain if they would risk attacking Suramar City.
Maiev stayed behind. She wanted to wait until the First Legion defeated the trolls, then return to Sin'dorei with the army. She did not trust Turann High Mage, nor did she fully trust the Moon Fury Legion Commander.