"I actually don't have much confidence myself," Rhodes said, displaying an appropriately humble smile.
"If it hadn't been for that fortuitous encounter with that Titan Keeper, I would probably still be just a poor boy who only knew a bit of superficial Holy Light magic."
"There is no need to belittle yourself, Rhodes." Uther's voice was steady and sincere, carrying the encouragement of an elder.
"Your experience is itself a thrilling legend. To gain the favor of a Titan Keeper and the recognition of the Holy Light is proof of your talent and character.
I would like to ask, did that great Guardian... entrust you with any special mission?" In Uther's opinion, since the Titan Keeper bestowed such a great treasure, Rhodes must be shouldering a major task on this journey.
If he needs assistance, he himself and the Knights of the Silver Hand would be duty-bound to help.
Rhodes met Uther's gaze, rapidly weighing his options.
If he mentioned a mission, perhaps this first Paladin would truly lead the Silver Hand to assist?
Should he ask the Silver Hand to help deal with the Burning Legion, or should he find a way to increase his own strength?
Fighting the Burning Legion is not realistic right now. The Knights of the Silver Hand does not possess that strength, and the Burning Legion has not yet arrived.
However, increasing his own strength is a viable option: finding elite monsters... taking them down, and obtaining wilderness resource rewards...
Where are the powerful bosses and elites near Lordaeron currently?
Rhodes suddenly thought of the Tomb of Tyr near Tirisfal Glades. There are three artifacts there, and a powerful monster.
Wait, it is still the early stage of the Third War. The Blade of the Black Empire, Miss Xal'atath, should not have appeared in the Tomb of Tyr yet.
This weapon will be brought over by a Twilight's Hammer priest named Faelin in the future, but that is an event from the Legion expansion; where this weapon is now is still unclear.
So, currently there are only two artifacts inside: the silver hand warhammer, and the weapon of the first human Emperor Thoradin, the Destroyer of War.
It is good that the Blade of the Black Empire is not present; that weapon is extremely sinister, and Rhodes does not want to take it right now. Of the remaining two weapons, one belongs to a Paladin, and one belongs to a Warrior.
Although in the game, the silver hand warhammer is the artifact for Holy Paladins—the healing specialization—if you think its attack power is weak, you would be greatly mistaken.
In fact, this weapon's attack power is even fiercer than the ashbringer; after all, this is the weapon of the Titan Keeper Tyr.
As for the other weapon, its symbolic significance even outweighs the weapon's power itself, as it is the sword of the first Human Emperor.
However, in the Azeroth World, there is no concept of a king's weapon lineage; not everyone who obtains Emperor Thoradin's weapon can inherit his title.
After all, people do not even recognize Emperor Thoradin's bloodline, much less someone who merely took his weapon. But this saves a lot of trouble; Rhodes obtaining this weapon will not cause much trouble.
Rhodes really wanted to see how spectacular Uther the Lightbringer's expression would be when Arthas returned, if the silver hand warhammer appeared early and was obtained by him. You think Frostmourne is powerful? I will give you something even better.
Rhodes' main target, however, was the monster beneath the cave, Faceless One Zakaz, who forced Guardian Tyr to his death.
Killing this guy will definitely yield rich rewards. He does not know what kind of wilderness reward he will receive, but he should increase his strength before heading to Kalimdor.
Rhodes decided to take Uther, and also Jaina, to kill this Faceless General together.
Zakaz's true strength could force Tyr, who wielded the Silver Hand, to his death, and Rhodes definitely cannot handle him now. But after being sealed for ten thousand years, not much of his strength remains.
Moreover, several thousand years ago, Emperor Thoradin entered here and severely wounded this Faceless General with his weapon, the Destroyer of War.
Even if he revives, not much strength will be left. With the power of Uther the Lightbringer, plus himself and Jaina, it should be enough to take down the enemy.
Besides Zakaz, there are also some other Faceless Ones and Shadow Creatures in the Tomb of Tyr. These are monsters formed by the residual Shadow energy after Zakaz's death. Some of the elites might also refresh wilderness resources.
After a period of consideration, Rhodes decided to go for a big score.
"That is correct! Lord Uther, that Titan Keeper did give me a mission, and the Holy Light also gave me a revelation. Coincidentally, both targets are in the same place," Rhodes said.
Watch me mislead you all using the Holy Light!
Jaina and Uther immediately became interested upon hearing this, and both signaled Rhodes to continue.
"First, regarding the Titan Keeper, he told me that over ten thousand years ago, the Titan Keeper Tyr fought an earth-shattering battle against two powerful Faceless Ones in Tirisfal Glades..."
"Tyr successfully defeated the two Faceless Generals, resulting in one dead and one escaped. The monster killed was named Zakaz, and the one who escaped was named Kith'ix..."
"Later! After Tyr fell, his Guardian companions built a magnificent tomb for him and left Tyr's weapon, the warhammer named Silver Hand, there." Rhodes narrated this ancient story.
"That is truly an epic story. This account does exist in our human history, though it is vague.
And the reason our Knights of the Silver Hand is named this is also related to Tyr's weapon. Rhodes, are you certain Tyr's weapon is there?" Uther asked.
"Lord Uther, the silver hand warhammer is there, and the next thing I have to tell you is the second matter.
The guidance of the Holy Light told me that over 2,000 years ago, the first human Emperor Thoradin visited the Tomb of Tyr. At that time, the Faceless General Zakaz was about to revive.
The Human Emperor fought selflessly and successfully sealed him. But now, 2,000 years later, the seal has loosened. If nothing unexpected happens, Zakaz will revive in less than 10 years!
The Holy Light gave me a revelation, instructing me to find a powerful Paladin to inherit the silver hand warhammer, while the Guardian's mission is for me to go and eliminate the monster named Zakaz.
I believe that among all the Paladins today, the only person qualified to inherit the silver hand warhammer is none other than you, Lord Uther," Rhodes said.
Uther froze upon hearing this. He looked at the surrounding terrain. Was this truly a coincidence?
They were currently near Tirisfal Glades, still five to six days away from the Capital City of Lordaeron, but only two or three days away from Tirisfal Glades.
Could this truly be the guidance of the Holy Light, instructing him to inherit the silver hand warhammer!