Chapter 552: The Unsettling Gloom

Amidst an appearance of stability, Anduin is keenly aware that if the Horde strikes with sufficient ferocity, penetrating the Alliance's front and center formations, the Alliance would be in dire straits.

Indeed, situated slightly behind the central formation are private soldiers from various parts of Lordaeron. Euphemistically, they're private troops; bluntly, they're... farmers armed to the teeth!

It's not about powerful armies. Even if Duke's thirty thousand private soldiers took their place, a mere charge could scatter those hundred thousand men.

At this moment, how Anduin wished he had the elite hundred thousand from the Kingdom of Stormwind at his disposal. Unfortunately, the war to restore the Kingdom of Stormwind couldn't be taken lightly. Despite Duke's assurance that even his thirty thousand private soldiers could succeed in restoring the kingdom, most of the Stormwind soldiers were dispatched to Elwynn Forest, including the Gryphon Brigade.

It wasn't a choice made by Duke, Llane, or Anduin; rather, it was Terenas's excessive 'enthusiasm'.

"We originally agreed to support your restoration. Now, we'd feel guilty if we didn't send troops to help. You can't even bring your own army?"

Such seemingly logical words!

Anduin didn't know that in history, the Kingdom of Stormwind, left with fewer than five thousand soldiers, naturally needed the Alliance's support to be restored. But not in this timeline!

Thanks to Duke's arrival, not only did the elite soldiers that should've been lost survive, but the cultivation of farmlands in the Hillsbrad Foothills meant Stormwind's forces kept growing.

If it weren't for battle losses and avoiding excessive militarization, mobilizing three hundred thousand troops wouldn't be an issue. Ideally, maintaining a direct army of a hundred thousand from the Kingdom, plus Duke's thirty thousand private soldiers, was a very desirable troop strength.

But Terenas's goodwill this time felt as redundant as a mother insisting you wear a down jacket in autumn. And it was hard to decline.

Thus, the bulk of Stormwind's forces were pulled back to Elwynn Forest, complemented by the previously established Westfall People's Army, providing ample strength on the western front.

But with no significant army at his disposal, Lothar was left with a small brigade of 5,000. In a way, Terenas had perfectly undermined Lothar's power.

Staring into the distance, Anduin sighed deeply, "Fortunately, we still have the ace card: the Red Dragonflight."

Indeed, according to Duke, the Red Dragonflight could be deployed, but there's a cost.

"There's no choice. Those darned dragons are money-grubbers. They truly detest the Horde, but having defeated their main force, asking them to fly a great distance will require a fee. Not much, just 2 million gold coins for a deployment, ensuring at least one ancient dragon of ten thousand years and at least five younger dragons of a thousand years will be present."

Duke's words were initially met with skepticism by the Alliance.

Why?

The Red Dragonflight had always guarded the world without charging. During the time of the former Guardian Aegwynn, they were readily available. However, when a daring Dalaran mage contacted the Dragon Queen, he was promptly sent back by Alexstrasza.

"This is a mortal conflict; the Red Dragonflight shouldn't be involved. We're only striking because of some personal grudges with the Horde. For details, ask Duke; I've delegated this to him."

With the Dragon Queen herself saying this, the Alliance leaders, previously unable to conquer the bunker group outside Ironforge, had no choice but to begrudgingly pay.

Duke collected the money with imperial grace, and then secretly split the loot with the dragons that came to assist, dividing it between them!

Neither Llane nor Anduin were informed of this scheme.

Regardless, having the Red Dragonflight on their side would bolster any commander's confidence!

In theory, yes, but Anduin felt something was amiss.

Why would the Horde, knowing the Alliance has the aid of the Red Dragons, still dare to challenge them?

This isn't a duel between generals; it's a massive battle involving hundreds of thousands!

Perhaps it could be attributed to the orcs' ferocious nature and fearless courage.

Yet, Anduin felt uneasy.

Now, it's too late for regrets.

The arrow has been nocked and must be shot.

Managing the provisions for nearly three hundred thousand troops is causing Anduin's hair to gray. The battleground isn't any Alliance territory but the barren, scorching gorge.

Even when Duke stockpiled three months' worth of food for three hundred thousand soldiers in Ironforge during the liberation wars in Wetlands, Dun Morogh, and Loch Modan, Anduin still felt burdened.

Transporting the food is a hassle.

Either they take a circuitous three hundred kilometers around the Barrens or have the supply convoy depart from Ironforge, traverse the snowy mountain paths of Dun Morogh, and pass through the large mountain tunnel.

The first route is perilous, teeming with wild beasts. The soldiers escorting the supplies have bloodied swords daily.

The second route is slow, with limited transport due to the narrow mountain paths.

In a sense, the Alliance can't afford delays more than the Horde.

"Do we have to fight?" Anduin's musing made Uther nearby frown.

Distinctive horn sounds echoed through both the Alliance and Horde formations.

The scene seemed reminiscent of a time 2800 years prior.

On the Arathi Highlands, banners of various human clans shone in the sunlight. Knights were without helmets, their only quality equipment being the lances in hand and swords at their waists. They didn't even have armor, for they faced trolls taller than them, even when mounted.

Before the might of the trolls, any human armor seemed futile.

Yet, back then, a great man stood before them, proclaiming, "Warriors from various clans, the strongest knights of humanity, are you afraid?"

Those knights of yore answered with their lances, their swords, and their lives.

What about now?

Anduin's gaze shifted further away.

What did he see?

He saw the misaligned Lordaeron central army.

He saw chatting Lordaeron soldiers.

He saw Lordaeron nobles and knights, dressed more brightly than those at masquerade balls.

Anduin's eyes twitched, silently praying, "Mograine, with such merit-seeking nobles on your hands, your Scarlet Crusade must work harder!"

As if hearing Anduin's prayers, Mograine disdainfully eyed some positions in his formation.