Chapter 581: Duke's Great Bluff Part 2

A mistake? How could that be possible?

Could the future version of himself have erred?

Nozdormu was utterly perplexed. Of course, he couldn't understand because Duke didn't belong to the time domain he controlled. In a strict sense, Duke was governed by the laws of space more than his own laws of time.

Without concrete evidence, Nozdormu wouldn't dare act rashly in front of his fellow aspects.

The colossal Dragon Aspect, made of sand, blinked, looking at the massive red wings spread by Alexstrasza, as if shielding her dragonlings. He felt somewhat embarrassed.

"No, actually… Everything we do today will affect the future. Some impacts may lead to the world's collapse. Lately, Duke seems to have changed many destinies, making Azeroth's future a bit… different. Crucially, Duke is not a native human of Azeroth." Facing the imposing Alexstrasza, Nozdormu hesitated, seemingly choosing better words.

Ysera, who had been silent, spoke. Her human form, with closed eyes, resembled a delicate sleeping beauty. A surreal voice echoed, "Change? I understand your duty to guard the timeline, Nozdormu, but remember, Azeroth is not isolated. What if there are already other external beings exerting their influence? We are guardian dragons, protecting Azeroth's entirety is our greatest charge."

Pausing briefly, Ysera seemed to glance at Duke. Not a physical glance, but a felt one. She continued, "If the change benefits the world, even if the timeline alters, isn't it a minor issue? After all, your ultimate duty isn't to guard an unchanging timeline, but Azeroth itself."

"Yes! Yes!" Alexstrasza interjected, "Without Duke, who knows how long I'd have been trapped in that damned cave, enduring humiliation from those wretched orcs."

The Red Dragon Queen undoubtedly was of a more straightforward nature.

Often, such beings have astonishing intuition.

She didn't realize she had touched on one of Nozdormu's secrets. Historically, she had suffered until the second Dark Portal war before being liberated. Eggs stolen, smashed, heavy casualties for the Red Dragonflight--just one tragedy after another.

Suddenly, Nozdormu felt sheepish. Seeing the near future was easy for him, and he knew of Alexstrasza's original tragic future. For a moment, the huge sand dragon lowered his head unnaturally.

Alexstrasza immediately connected the dots, "Wait! So, you saw my future humiliation and not only did you not come to rescue me, but you also opposed Duke's early rescue?!"

Nozdormu's face turned green with embarrassment, "Damn it! I hate intuitive female dragons!"

"Truly, a self-imposed predicament" Thought Malygos as he looked on in astonishment, while Ysera gently placed a hand on her forehead.

Sure enough, remembering her days of confinement, Alexstrasza, filled with pent-up anger, lunged.

Dragon teeth bite!

Dragon wings strike!

Dragon claws assault!

Dragon tail sweeps!

Guilty Nozdormu took the beating, even losing his neck.

However, for Nozdormu, whose true form is the power of time, the sand body was merely ornamental; Alexstrasza's attacks were painless.

After a while, when Alexstrasza vented, Nozdormu's form quickly restored. Still, under the scrutiny of the massive red dragon, he fell silent.

"Enough, Nozdormu! I trust Duke. If you can't prove his existence threatens Azeroth, then for my sake, stop opposing him, okay?" Despite the conciliatory phrasing, her menacing dragon claws and exposed sharp teeth gave off a fierce aura.

In plain Dragonic, it translated to: I've got Duke's back! Back off!

Duke was overjoyed. He initially sought protection from the guardian dragons and hoped to negotiate with Nozdormu. He never expected Alexstrasza's outright support.

Duke was so touched he nearly teared up.

Well, he was feeling a bit under the weather.

Suddenly, Nozdormu's voice resonated within Duke's mind, "Hmph! Boy. Whether intentional or not, I'm watching you. If you're proven a timeline disruptor, I'll deal with you, even if it means confronting that naive female dragon."

Duke sternly responded, "Nozdormu, I might not understand your implications fully, but I'll continue to improve this world and resist invaders of Azeroth, like the Burning Legion."

Nozdormu's enormous head in Duke's mindscape snorted, causing Duke's entire consciousness to shake.

Okay, for now, I'll let it slide. But when my future self hunts you, don't come crying.

The endless tragedy of the Bronze Dragonflight, guardians of the timeline for tens of thousands of years, this magical race that traveled time nodes, gradually faced extinction. Corrupted future versions killing uncorrupted past selves, and vice versa, in a seemingly endless loop, is undeniably tragic.

Hope for the future arises because it's uncertain. Yet, their despair came from knowing their fate.

Duke sighed inwardly, thinking if he weren't a successful time-traveler, such a scenario might drive him mad, even corrupt him.

But for now…

Duke extended his right hand to Nozdormu, smiling, "I believe the future will get better, right?" He then flaunted a platinum disk, now only a fifth full.

Buddy, fancy a handshake?