Chapter 621: Divine Reward – Immortality

Rewards!?

Are there more rewards?

Duke was so elated that his heart felt like it was soaring.

But the most crucial point was Nozdormu's stance.

Alexstrasza might not understand, but how could Duke not? The blame for him, a transmigrator, altering the course of history had been shouldered by Nozdormu at this point in time.

The most significant and pivotal factor in this was, of course, Neltharion's decree!

The once equal-standing quintet from ten millennia ago was reduced to mere fragments due to Neltharion's betrayal.

The entirely annihilated blue dragonflight suffered the most, but the other three couldn't play around happily either.

Who knows where Malygos took Neltharion's head to play with, but it's certain that the remains of the Black Dragon Aspect were 'handled' quite well by Nozdormu.

Such a long-standing grudge over ten thousand years!

This favor was enormous.

Duke genuinely felt relieved.

With his most significant concerns alleviated, Duke turned to Alexstrasza, "About that reward…"

The queen snorted, leaned against the bedhead, arms crossed, accentuating her towering bosom. She playfully swung her feet, the red nail polish on her toes strikingly vivid even in the dark.

"The promised World Tree will be yours, of course. But the true reward will be presented to you formally in front of the four dragonflights at the Wyrmrest Temple. Ah, the Wyrmrest Temple is our dragonkind's sacred place, established at the dawn of Azeroth." The queen snapped her fingers, a fiery red point swiftly shot towards him, merging with his forehead.

Duke was slightly taken aback. This was unmistakably the spatial coordinates of the Wyrmrest Temple in the icy continent of Northrend. With this, he could directly portal there.

Coordinates of Northrend?

There might be something I can do...

While Duke was pondering, the queen continued, "We initially wanted you to come directly. But after discussing with the other guardian dragons, we decided that the fall of Neltharion shouldn't be resolved casually. After Malygos vents his anger, we, the four dragonflights, will hold a solemn ceremony, nailing Neltharion's skull to the temple. This is both a declaration to the world and a reminder to all dragonkind of the fate of traitors – to never neglect duty and to remember their origins!"

Duke sighed. Over twenty thousand years of guardianship, these endearing guardian dragons truly had it tough.

Even in the original history, with four out of the five Dragon Aspects meeting tragic ends, the more Duke immersed himself in this world, the more he felt the weight of their duties.

Alexstrasza did a kip-up, gracefully walked to the balcony, and casually brushed her fiery red mane.

Bathed in moonlight, her entire being seemed engulfed in flames.

"Hey, you seem exhausted tonight, so I'll be going."

"Wait!" Duke abruptly interjected.

"Hmm?"

"Can you reveal what the reward is? I'm... quite curious." Duke knew that knowing the reward in advance might reduce the anticipation, but... he was too eager!

"Pff." Alexstrasza beamed brilliantly, "Really want to know? Well then, beg me!"

Duke gritted his teeth. Dammit, after all he'd done, she was still teasing him?

Ignoring her, Duke adopted a stern face, hands behind his back, gazing upwards, losing himself in the moonlight.

Unexpectedly, Alexstrasza, ever the friendly one, rushed over and embraced Duke. Her lips slightly apart, her warm breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, tickled Duke's earlobe.

"I truly detest tragedies. Seeing two beautiful elven maidens with millennia of lifespan having to engage in a passionate yet fleeting romance with a short-lived human... it irks me..."

Duke's heart raced, so much so he forgot to breathe.

Suddenly, Alexstrasza let go, executed a magnificent 360-degree turn before him, and struck a proud and aloof pose.

"Do you know who I am? I am 'The Life-Binder,' Alexstrasza!"

"Shhh—" Duke finally remembered to breathe, deeply inhaling the crisp air, trying to calm himself and hear the queen's proclamation.

The queen, with a teasing smile, pointed towards Duke, releasing a green orb that entered his chest.

"Constraining an intriguing human like you with the limits of human biology is truly a waste. As a reward for rescuing me, I, the Red Dragon Queen Alexstrasza, hereby declare to the lands of Azeroth – I grant Duke Markus eternal youth. As long as you live, you'll remain at your prime age of eighteen! Unless beheaded, even if you sustain mortal wounds, the life energy I bestow upon you will heal any form of injury."

Eternal youth?

Limitless regeneration?

The reward was already overwhelming.

But a bigger surprise awaited.

"I declare – on behalf of the Timeless One, Nozdormu, I bestow upon Duke eternal life. Until the destruction of Azeroth or the destruction of the Wyrmrest Temple. Not just you, Nozdormu will also grant seven eternal life slots. You can choose your family, loved ones, friends, or anyone you deem worthy."

"Oh—yes!"

Duke was ecstatic!

He had considered gaining benefits from Alexstrasza, but he never imagined he'd achieve immortality. And not just for him, but also seven of his loved ones.

Such joy was almost maddening!

"Is this... real?"

"Why would I deceive you? The eternal slots granted by Nozdormu were bargained for by me. They're not truly immortal. You and your seven associates won't get sick or age, but if your heads are blown off, you'd still die. The reward Nozdormu granted the World Tree's guardians – the Night Elves – was similar. But for you, I added a life regeneration."

The underlying message was, if Nozdormu could grant eternal life to an entire Night Elf race, a few more wouldn't matter.

Wait, this was just for rescuing her, what about the reward for defeating Neltharion?