Chapter 493: In Duke's Absence

The roars still resonated in the Throne Hall, echoing in everyone's ears.

"I object! Markus is already on the path to saving Alexstrasza. We should continue to trust our Deputy Commander as we always have," King Llane vehemently argued, like a wounded lion.

"I have trusted him too! I gave him two full weeks! But I waited until my son was killed in battle, and he still hasn't dealt with those damned red lizards!" Daelin retorted mercilessly, the eyes of the sea lion who had just lost his heir filled with terrifying bloodshot veins.

Llane was at a loss for words, knowing that if it had been Varian at risk, he too would have been beside himself.

Daelin continued to roar, his fiery voice resonating in the hall: "What has he done in these 14 days? Every single day, hundreds and thousands of soldiers fall to the flames on the front lines, while he dawdles for 14 days on a path that could be traversed by gryphon or portal! Without any progress reports, without regular contact, we don't even know if he's alive or dead. How do you expect me, and the kings in this hall, to continue to trust him?"

"But..."

"Our Deputy Commander, cursed by death, is betraying the Alliance's trust in him at the cost of soldiers' lives," King Genn said, cutting to the core.

Llane's heart twisted at the words.

"Every nation has made sacrifices since the start of the war. Sacrifice is inevitable in war," Archbishop Faol gently urged Llane to give up on Duke.

Llane trembled all over. Emotionally and logically, he was unwilling to believe in Duke's failure and fall.

Anduin couldn't bear it anymore: "At least wait for the last communication! He promised to give a magical communication every three days."

King Terenas, looking all business, said, "Very well, but I hope Commander Llane will prioritize the Alliance and allow us to organize a massive strike force in advance. If there's no word from the Deputy Commander..."

Anduin Wrynn gritted his teeth: "I agree!"

But the matter was not over.

"Next issue — in the absence of Deputy Commander Duke Markus, I propose the Alliance appoint a second Deputy Commander to coordinate the actions of the nations," Genn suddenly raised his hand.

Llane and Anduin's eyes narrowed. What was Gilneas playing at? Or had Genn already reached some secret pact with Terenas?

In truth, with Duke away, the Alliance's coordination had indeed suffered.

As Anduin's deputy, Turalyon had temporarily taken over Duke's duties, with less than ideal results. Turalyon had commendable leadership skills but couldn't manage logistics, troop movements, and battle like Duke had.

Almost a year since the Alliance's formation, the situation was no longer one where each kingdom needed a neutral figure to balance the rivalries. Duke's absence had shown that Turalyon's reputation was insufficient to command respect, which proved fatal. Without the experience of leading an army alone, without extraordinary valor, without suitable stature, Turalyon had received rather passive treatment from the kings.

Moreover, in real battles, one Deputy Commander was indeed not enough.

As a result, Alexandros Mograine, the Highlord from Lordaeron, was unanimously elected the second Deputy Commander, theoretically below Duke. But every king knew that if Duke was confirmed dead, then Mograine would effectively become the Deputy Commander.

Back at the guest house, Llane, uncharacteristically furious, raged: "Anduin, Terenas is trying to overshadow you!"

Lothar remained silent for a long time: "If it's for the victory of the Alliance, I can accept it."

"What if that old beast wants more than just the Alliance's victory!" Llane swept everything off the table in anger.

This was no longer a conspiracy; it was an open plot.

Yes, everyone noticed that Lordaeron had changed.

Initially, every citizen of Lordaeron had the attitude of a high-and-mighty savior. But after the Horde burned Silverpine Forest and even threatened Stratholme, everything changed.

Revenge!

Not just bloody revenge!

They wanted a glorious and decisive victory.

A victory where the six human kingdoms, two dwarf kingdoms, and one elf kingdom would all bow in homage.

Terenas's proud band of rogue operatives had failed.

Finally, Terenas saw another opportunity.

Worst of all, Lordaeron, as the leader, set a dangerous precedent...

As Llane raged, a guard relayed a message that Duke's handmaid sought an audience.

"Duke's handmaid?"

"Yes, we've all seen her; her name is Vanessa VanCleef."

"VanCleef?" Llane certainly remembered the name, one of the two great heroes who helped the people of Stormwind secure a base behind enemy lines: "Let her in."

Vanessa entered and spoke words that set Llane's fury ablaze!

"Your Majesty, please save my master's apprentice—Miss Jandice Barov. The nobles of Lordaeron want to force her into marriage."

"What?!" Llane and Anduin exclaimed in unison.

Almost everyone in the Alliance knew of Duke's relationship with Jandice. Often appearing as Duke's spokesperson, Jandice had become something of his right-hand woman, even representing Duke at diplomatic feasts in Quel'Thalas.

No one in Stormwind had expected that Lordaeron would target Jandice with Duke merely out of contact.

From Vanessa's angry recounting, Llane learned the whole story.

In the end, it came down to one thing—Terenas coveted the land of Alterac.

Lordaeron had been hurt, and its nobles now craved not only glory and bloody revenge but tangible benefits.

The line of King Aiden had been severed, and Aiden himself would be nailed to the pillar of shame for betraying the Alliance and humanity. The last obstacle to controlling Alterac was Duke Barov.

Rumors said that the Duke's two sons had joined the Horde, but this had not been confirmed.