Chapter 275: Selling Out One's Father

For Duke, it was just a matter of convenience, but for the Barov family, it took on an entirely different meaning.

Seemingly seeing through what Duke truly desired, Lady Illucia only threw out her ultimate bargaining chip after confirming their close alliance.

"It would be Jandice's honor to study the mysteries of magic with you, Duke. I'll write a letter right away. Please deliver it to Jandice when you arrive in Dalaran."

"Oh?" Duke was curious. "My lady, how did you know I was going to Dalaran?"

Lady Illucia revealed a smug expression. "I heard you used frost magic to kill more than a dozen powerful orc assassins at the command post, saving four kings?"

Duke tilted his head. "That's right."

"I only know that if it were my senior, Antonidas, even when he was still a Sky Mage, he wouldn't have let the last assassin break through his frost domain and escape, even if that assassin were a Horde chieftain."

"It's because back then, he had a top-tier Frost Circuit model that you didn't have," Lady Illucia said with a flowery smile, sipping her tea elegantly. Duke felt as though he could see an equally elegant fox tail swaying behind her.

This was where Lady Illucia's intelligence shone through. If you looked at the alliance or deepening friendship perspective, the conditions she had offered Duke before weren't particularly generous or high-stakes.

She and the Barov family certainly hoped to have Duke's support as external help, but at this point, it seemed the Barov family didn't necessarily need Duke's backing. In a way, this was also a test.

If Duke refused, then naturally, the top-tier Frost Circuit model would have nothing to do with him.

If Duke agreed, like he did now, it would be a pleasant surprise.

Lady Illucia didn't include this bargaining chip when she made her request, as she didn't want this to become a mere transaction. Accepting the Barov family's gift through a transaction would likewise not guarantee their help in crucial moments.

Once Duke understood this, he held no ill will towards Lady Illucia.

He didn't dislike this 'I respect you a foot, you respect me a yard' approach.

Moreover, Lady Illucia, who cleverly perceived what he wanted, indeed possessed considerable wisdom.

"The Frost Circuit was something I had agreed upon with my senior Antonidas long ago to pass on to Jandice. As half of Jandice's mentor, I think you should help her study it thoroughly, Duke." With that, Lady Illucia summoned a servant, quickly penned a letter, and handed it to Duke.

"Thank you so much, my lady."

And so, Duke arrived in Dalaran with Lady Illucia's handwritten letter.

Unlike his previous visit in the dead of night, this time, although Duke was visiting in a more personal capacity during his rare leisure time, his status today was completely different.

Back then, Duke's miraculous abilities were unverified to the Northern Five Nations.

.

"Now, Duke Marcus truly holds a prominent position as the Deputy Commander of the Alliance. Therefore, the one who led the team to greet him was none other than Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, one of the six members of the Council of Dalaran.

"Welcome, Commander Marcus." It must be said, at this moment, Kael'thas was still the epitome of a high elf – graceful and courteous, giving everyone a feeling of being bathed in a warm spring breeze. Moreover, he deliberately omitted the 'Deputy' part, making him seem more mature.

Everyone loves flattery.

Kael'thas's seemingly accidental slip of the tongue was actually a slightly exaggerated compliment.

"Heh, the way you're talking, I'd almost think Commander Lothar had arrived," Duke Marcus replied subtly.

"Don't be modest; everyone knows the contributions you've made to the Alliance," Kael'thas said, not intending to stir up any issues between Duke Marcus and Lothar. "In fact, many mages in Dalaran are fascinated by your casting techniques. If you have time to teach or hold seminars in Dalaran, I believe many mages would join the Kingdom of Stormwind's royal mage corps for your reputation alone."

"Oh? Wouldn't it be wrong for me to poach mages from Dalaran?" Duke Marcus was genuinely intrigued.

"In Dalaran, all mages are equal and free. The Kirin Tor values fair trade, and what is the temporary surrender of freedom in exchange for exploring a deeper world of magic? Just as everyone can choose whether or not to join the direct mage corps of Dalaran, Dalaran wouldn't mind if free mages joined the Kingdom of Stormwind or became your followers. What do you say? Would you consider it?"

If at first Kael'thas had merely been flattering Duke Marcus, this time his proposal was a tailor-made, brilliant suggestion that struck a chord with the Duke.

Acquiring mages for free!

Without needing to train them himself, he could take these semi-finished products and mold them for a year or two. By that time, he'd have a formidable mage corps that, even if not awe-inspiring, could be quite intimidating!

Duke Marcus was genuinely tempted.

This time, he sincerely thanked Kael'thas: "Kael... uh, sorry, Kael'thas, I truly appreciate it. I think I'll make time for it. Before that, though, I need to meet with Archmage Antonidas."

"Please, follow me," Kael'thas said, finally confirming that he had successfully redeemed the initial unpleasantness and won Duke Marcus's favor.

By all accounts, as the prince of the high elves, Kael'thas could have completely ignored Duke Marcus.

But don't forget why Kael'thas came to Dalaran to study in the first place and ended up staying for so many years, unable to return to Quel'Thalas. The story behind it all involved his father, the Sun King, and the power struggle with the Council of Silvermoon.

Having seen the customs of two worlds, Kael'thas had long become incredibly mature in his mindset. Establishing a good relationship with the popular Deputy Commander of the Alliance, Duke Marcus, could only be beneficial. Moreover, he felt a peculiar sense of closeness to Duke Marcus, as if they shared a common origin...

Walking the streets of Dalaran, Duke Marcus felt a strange sensation. This was a Dalaran that had not yet been destroyed. Although it lacked the wonder of the future Dalaran, suspended in mid-air and hailed as the 'City in the Sky,' this Dalaran was larger and possessed a richer historical atmosphere .

The beautiful city, nestled south of Lake Lordamere, combined wisdom, power, grandeur, magnificence, art, and mystery, making it the brightest jewel on the entire continent, if not the entire world.

Almost every human mage in the world had once studied the magic they learned from the high elves here. The mysterious and elegant white towers scattered throughout the city symbolized the mages' wisdom, ambition, status, and power.

Had Duke Marcus not inherited Karazhan, he might have considered building a mage tower here.

As Kael'thas led the way, he introduced Duke Marcus to everything about the city. At that moment, a beautiful blonde girl approached Duke Marcus.

"Hello, Duke Marcus Sky Mage, I am Jaina Proudmoore."