Chapter 618: The Alliance Without a Leader

General Hass stepped slowly out of the crowd: "The Kingdom of Alterac has vanished. But I hope the banner of the Hawkstrider Knights can still fly in the right place."

Yes, Alterac is considered a fallen nation.

With the capital of Alterac Mountains, Broken Ridge, becoming ruins, the king dead, and no heir with royal blood, Lordaeron, for its reputation, would never allow the Barov family to continue controlling this land. Thus, the remaining minor nobles discussed establishing a city-state, a status lower than a kingdom, just like the city-states that split from the Arathi Highlands 2800 years ago.

Perhaps decades later, Alterac might be upgraded to a kingdom again.

However, Duke knew that this was impossible.

Instead of letting the Hawkstrider Knights fade away in history due to lack of supplies, it's better to send them to Watch Fort. Maybe one day in the future, the flag of Alterac's hawk might return.

Duke and Anduin nodded in agreement.

The discussion among the dwarves was also concluded.

Magni: "The 'Lightning' Tank Brigade is yours."

Gelbin: "A team of 1200 gnome technicians."

Kurdran: "500 Gryphon Knights."

Given the distance, it's impossible for countries to send a large number of infantry. Now everyone's eyes turned to the Stormwind trio.

Llane and Anduin exchanged glances: "Stormwind will contribute 50,000 direct infantry. This includes the Gryphon Legion."

Duke added: "The Markus family will have at least 20,000 private soldiers stationed on the Redridge Mountains and the Swamp of Sorrows line. Forming a deep defense line."

The big shots frowned, not because it was too few, but because it was too many.

To support 70,000 troops in such a remote area, the annual supply of food and materials is astronomical. Since the counterattack on the southern continent began, the supply for an army of 300,000 almost drained every grain of food and every copper coin from the national treasuries.

Most of this was given by Lordaeron. This is also why Lordaeron is eager to annex Alterac to compensate for its losses.

Even if the supply starts from East Elwynn Forest, the dangerous supply line passing through Redridge Mountains full of gnolls and worgen; full of hidden orcs, and the extremely dangerous Swamp of Sorrows due to swamp tigers, mud monsters, and crocodiles, is enough to make any king's scalp numb.

Llane shrugged: "Don't look at me, ask Duke. It's already the limit for Stormwind to send out so many people. As a king, I wish to invest every youth in the reconstruction of the country."

When everyone looked at Duke, Duke moved his finger, ready to demonstrate.

Daelin suddenly said, "Wait! Should we ... for confidential matters?"

King Daelin's meaning was clear. Should they go to a map room or meeting room? Even if they were ten meters apart, many people were still eavesdropping, especially for elven rangers, this distance is no problem.

Duke waved his hand casually: "It doesn't matter, and those invited are the cornerstones of the Alliance. What we do doesn't need to be hidden."

Every king and every guest who heard this felt warm inside.

What is magnanimity?

This is magnanimity!

It's hard to believe that Duke is only 17 years old this year.

In times of great chaos, heroes emerge.

This is not false. A hero who can gather the power of eleven countries and three major races to fight against external enemies is not in name only.

In everyone's heart, they silently praised Duke.

Duke raised his glass: "For the real Alliance. For the safety of Azeroth!"

It's a toast!

"For the real Alliance. For the safety of Azeroth!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank.

The next moment, Duke took a bottle of wine from the helping Jandice, not to pour into the glass, but to pour into the void.

Under the support of arcane energy, the wine floated in the air, and in the amazed eyes of all kings, it turned into a sand table according to the real topography.

Everyone saw Elwynn Forest, saw Redridge Mountains, Swamp of Sorrows, and the Cursed Land.

Then a golden belt emerged from Stormwind, passing through four areas, coming to the northeast highland of the Cursed Land where the Gryphon Legion is currently stationed.

"This is..." Thoradin murmured.

Duke then pointed, and a part of the belt quickly magnified countless times, turning into a model the size of a water tank in front of the kings.

At first glance, it's a huge lump of iron, a bit like a dwarven steam tank.

Magni thought of something but wasn't sure.

Duke's deep voice confirmed Magni's guess: "Technology changes the world. The steam tank loved by Ironforge dwarves gave me a great inspiration. What if I use a steam tank to transport personnel and supplies?"

"Hey, I'm not bragging, a tank can pull at least five horse carts of people or goods."

Lothar teased Magni a bit: "Don't say I didn't remind everyone, the dwarf's stuff has a high chance of breaking down. I've seen many steam tanks stop halfway, all pushed by dwarf infantry."

For a while, Magni's face turned red and green, and everyone laughed.

Duke waved his hand: "That's because the terrain is too bad. The current steam tank is not suitable for all terrains and can only exert its power on solid plains."

"I said it! As long as the Ironforge's baby can go to that damn red land, we are invincible!" Dwarves can brag. The dwarf king is even better.

"What do you mean?" Llane was also curious.

"Train! A transportation tool started with a modified dwarven steam engine, walking on a fixed track, which can transport at least 2,000 fully armed soldiers or 100 tons of supplies at once. This is what I want to show everyone."

"Is this... possible?" Thoradin was stunned.

"2800 years ago, if you told Emperor Thoradin that there would be a huge ark 150 yards long that could carry 300 people, would Thoradin of that time believe it?"

Duke's rebuttal made Daelin smile.

Yes! This is the progress of the times, this is the power of technology.

Duke continued: "If I can allow the 'Lightning' Legion to annihilate so many orcs, I can build an experimental 'railway' for everyone to see by the middle of next year."

"Railway?" Magni asked in surprise.

"Yes, lay parallel rectangular wood on muddy and not firm enough places, and then lay two steel tracks on it to ensure the route of the steam locomotive. Although it loses flexibility, it can guarantee its speed and safety and reduce the vibration of the steam engine."