Chapter 522: The Death of Gul'dan

Duke's integrity had fallen apart.

Being an old-timer from an Autumn named Mountain, he never had much integrity to begin with. If Medivh's humanity hadn't been there recently, perhaps Duke's integrity would have been even more compromised.

But integrity, once lost, can be regained.

Gavinrad returned after a pursuit, and both he and Ronin were astonished to learn that Mariann was actually a spy for Neltharion.

"Mariann, a mole?" Ronin was initially skeptical. His innocent nature prevented him from suspecting Mariann, let alone catching onto her treachery.

"When did you notice?" Gavinrad inquired, scratching his head.

Vereesa was equally curious.

"From the very beginning, I sensed something amiss," Duke coldly chuckled. "Most of the high elven mages in their circles are inherently arrogant, considering themselves superior. The Silvermoon Council had been grumbling about Quel'Thalas making too many concessions to humans for 2800 years. How could they suddenly show genuine respect for the newly formed Lordaeron Alliance?"

Vereesa remained silent.

Not because Duke was wrong, but because he was so right.

Why would a prestigious Silvermoon councilor humble herself to assist the Alliance? Especially with a deputy commander like Duke, who was cursed and nearing death, and embark on such a perilous mission behind enemy lines? If Duke hadn't considered which side she was on, he'd have been completely fooled.

After being defeated by Deathwing, Duke intentionally delayed his resurrection.

He was waiting for Mariann to expose herself.

And he wasn't disappointed.

What Duke hadn't anticipated was Vereesa's sudden intrusion.

Fortunately, like Nekros, Mariann placed too much trust in the "Soul of the Demon." It allowed Duke to take her down with a swift strike. During the subsequent search, Duke unexpectedly discovered another artifact — another scale from Neltharion, imbued with mind-controlling properties.

After a moment's reflection, Duke decided to hand this treacherous elf, who sought to control and humiliate her, over to the Red Dragonflight.

"Heh, I promise I won't kill her," was the exact words of the Dragon Queen.

Alas, Mariann, may you find peace in whatever fate awaits you.

Now, with two scales imbued with Deathwing's soul in his possession and looking at the now dimming platinum disc fragment, Duke couldn't help but let out a mischievous grin.

"Duke, you seem... a tad more wicked," Vereesa murmured.

"Indeed," Duke mused. "I was just pondering how Gul'dan, who activated my death curse, would meet his end."

"He's going to die?" Everyone was taken aback. After all, Gul'dan was a formidable Horde adversary who had battled with Antonidas for countless rounds without a clear victor. If not for his betrayal, the outcome of the Battle of Lordaeron might have been very different.

Now Duke was saying Gul'dan would perish?

"Most mortals would struggle to defeat the demigod-like warlock that is Gul'dan," Duke began, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "But Gul'dan's mistake was his audacious attempt to unlock the Tomb of Sargeras."

Tomb of Sargeras? Since when did the leader of the Burning Legion have a tomb?

At that very moment, Gul'dan stood on an island within the Broken Isles of the Endless Sea. The once magnificent temple now lay in ruins. But its dilapidated state was inconsequential to him. He could sense a strong pulse emanating from beneath the temple.

"Enter!" He commanded his warlocks. "We must go inside!"

He debated whether to bring his subordinates with him into the temple. He knew the Eye of Sargeras, with god-like powers, was inside. Should he share this power or keep it for himself? In the end, he decided to bring them, thinking he could always kill them if necessary after acquiring the Eye.

Upon entering the depths of the temple, Gul'dan discovered a powerful seal, one crafted by the ancient world guardian Aegwynn. This seal was designed to ward off almost every sentient being of Azeroth but had no provisions against the orcs of Draenor.

With ease, Gul'dan shattered Aegwynn's seal. With a mighty tug, the doors of the ancient tomb swung open.

The next instant, an endless horde of demons engulfed Gul'dan and his followers.