Chapter 292: The Change in the Kirin Tor

On February 11th, two years after the Dark Portal incident, Antonidas was in Dalaran feeling extremely frustrated.

Indeed, after being cursed by Gul'dan last year, he was the first to study the power of the curse. However, as more information about the orc warlocks and death knights was brought to Dalaran, Antonidas realized that this was a forbidden magic that humans should not touch.

In mid-December last year, after an emergency discussion by the six-member Council of the Kirin Tor, it was decided by a vote of five to one to seal all information on necromancy and lock everything away in the Violet Library. The decision was announced throughout Dalaran.

Antonidas ordered his mages to investigate the matter thoroughly, but they found nothing.

There could only be two reasons: one, the person responsible for this was so skilled that they could deceive the entire city of Dalaran and even the Kirin Tor Council; or two, the culprit was a high-ranking mage of Dalaran who used their power to secretly cover up everything.

In his office, Antonidas angrily scolded his spies: "Necromancy must be banned!"

It was simple. Although there had been a school of necromancy in the history of Dalaran, mainstream human society rejected the existence of undead magic. Therefore, mages obsessed with necromancy were inevitably at odds with Dalaran's universal values.

Antonidas could not ignore the opinions of the majority for the sake of a few mages' experimental demands.

At that moment, a guard informed him that Duke had come to visit.

"Tell him I'm busy!" Last time, Duke had recruited a large number of mages, and in the end, Antonidas received a pile of rare magic books, but they were all toy-like magic books with no practical value. There wasn't even a single valuable book that had slipped through the net.

In a word: the clearest water has no fish.

Obviously, Duke had carefully screened them.

Antonidas felt cheated, and now Duke had come again.

The guard looked troubled: "But Lord Markus asked me to tell you that this is a matter of great importance concerning Dalaran's reputation and survival!"

Having dealt with Duke before, Antonidas knew that Duke was not a person who would be careless with his words. If he said something this serious, it meant that Duke truly had vital information to share with him.

"Everyone leave, let Duke in."

Soon, the room was left with only Antonidas.

Duke entered.

"Markus, I hope your information is as important as you claim. Otherwise, I won't forgive you. Of course, if you are a friend of Dalaran, Dalaran will not be stingy with rewards."

This was Antonidas' little trap. If Duke asked for a reward, it wouldn't be a serious matter, and it would also show that Duke lacked sincerity.

Duke waved his hand: "The reward doesn't matter. What's important is what I have to show you. Take a look."

Duke brought out a soul imprisoned by a magical device.

After quickly reading the information within the soul, Antonidas' face changed dramatically: "She did not mention who it is; this could also be a false accusation."

...

"No, quite the opposite, I know who he is." Duke took a deep breath: "I apologize, but I have a talent - the ability to detect evil. When I first saw Medivh, I found that a powerful demon possessed him. At that time, I remained silent because I had no evidence, and no one would believe me even if I spoke."

Antonidas suddenly fell silent.

He was well aware of Duke's battle with Medivh. Why no one else could detect Medivh's possession but Duke, this mystery remained unsolved.

Now, Duke solemnly told him that everything he said was true. This gave Antonidas a sense of foreboding.

"In fact, before coming here, I visited some of the high-ranking mages in Dalaran, and I finally found my target..."

Antonidas' face had turned cold: "Duke Markus, do you know what you're saying?"

"I know exactly what I'm saying. I would like to ask Archbishop Alonsus Faol to come forward, and he will provide evidence for my accusations. However, before that, I strongly suggest you contact both Councilors Krasus and Kael'thas. Your strength, Mr. Speaker, is indeed great, but even you might not guarantee to keep him here."

"Very well!"

On February 12th, Kirin Tor Speaker Antonidas recalled all the Kirin Tor councilors, as well as the reserve councilors.

"For the upcoming orc war, it is necessary for us to hold another meeting to discuss the arrangements."

A reasonable justification.

No one suspected any foul play.

But when all the councilors arrived at the magical conference room floating above Dalaran, they found the situation somewhat delicate. As a matter of daily affairs, the Council of Six was already the highest decision-maker. There would be no need for reserve councilors unless it was a matter of life and death for Dalaran or a council changeover.

This time, three reserve councilors sat in the observer seats.

As everyone arrived, the arrival of Archbishop Alonsus, Deputy Commander Duke, and Paladin Uther filled the conference room with an ominous atmosphere.

Antonidas' entire body circulated with magical circuits, and the overflowing magical power lowered the temperature in the meeting room by at least 10 degrees.

The elderly Sunreaver mage slammed both hands on the magic table in front of him, making a loud bang.

"First, please remove your masks. As the Speaker, I declare - we do not need them today."

Though they didn't know why, everyone complied. The three reserve councilors, two men and one woman, were strangers Duke did not recognize.

Antonidas leaned on the table, exuding an aura like a tiger descending the mountain.

His voice silenced the entire room: "There is a traitor among us! A traitor who conspires with demons!"

The moment these words came out, there was an uproar.

"Demon!?" Several people, including Kael'thas, were so shocked that they stood up on the spot.

Unbelievable! A traitor conspiring with demons in the esteemed Kirin Tor Council!?