Chapter 588: Debate Champion Prestor

Ignoring the shouting mages, Duke and his party passed through a massive inner city gate, heading westward towards the state guesthouse. Due to security concerns, areas with portals can't be in the same district as dignitary residences.

It was then that the mages of Lordaeron realized: By the Light! How many had the Kingdom of Stormwind just sent through their portal?

Wasn't it in the hundreds?

Not only were the people of Lordaeron baffled, even King Llane who came to welcome Anduin was equally stunned. Wasn't it said that to save resources, every gold coin was to be used for the restoration of the kingdom?

Why are there suddenly hundreds of knights?

And where did these war steeds come from?

It's known that warhorses aren't sea creatures. Subjecting them to the sea's torment for weeks often leaves them half-dead. Those that disembark are usually sickly.

So, what's with these three hundred spirited, majestic horses?

"Did all of you come through the portal?!" Not just King Llane but even the Court Mage, of the Moonwell caliber behind him, was agape. Clearly, one could see two decayed teeth in his open mouth.

Anduin gave Duke a side glance, and Llane immediately understood.

It was Duke's doing again.

Duke scratched the back of his head, "Apologies, Llane, for not informing you earlier. The situation this time was a bit complex. Anyway, transporting so many people and horses at once, might be a rare occurrence for the next few years."

Wait, they even provide transportation?

From where did they summon such a powerful mage?

Llane quickly spotted four conspicuous figures within the group. Unavoidably, they were too eye-catching. It seemed the entire group took a detour around them.

As Llane and Duke walked into the state guesthouse, Llane whispered, "Duke, this...this triumphant return ceremony is a big deal. You have to tell me, what's the deal with those four?"

Once inside and ensuring no eavesdropping, Duke revealed the answer to Llane and Anduin.

Moments later, both Stormwind leaders were left speechless, as if struck by lightning.

At the same time, in the main hall of Lordaeron Palace, several kings were holding a salon.

"Once again, I thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty," said a tall, black-haired nobleman, his voice deep and powerful. "Defeating those vile, filthy orcs is the greatest achievement of you, the leader of the Lordaeron Alliance. We should do something to ensure the pure Alliance isn't tainted by lingering traitors."

"If we can succeed..." King Terenas, draped in regal golden and white robes, slowly nodded, "Lordaeron and the Alliance will remember you, Lord Prestor. Through your analysis and irrefutable evidence, I believe Gilneas and Stromgarde now have a better understanding of the current situation."

The elder Genn Greymane heartily nodded in agreement. But the prime-aged Thoras Trollbane seemed troubled by Terenas' words. Still, in the end, he cautiously nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for the understanding of the three Majesties," King Terenas himself was not short, but the much taller figure of Lord Prestor still gave him a feeling of pressure.

Lord Prestor smiled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. Despite the three kings present being of true royal blood, in front of Lord Prestor, it was clear this lord had an even greater regal air about him.

It was truly astonishing.

Lord Prestor's jet-black hair was neatly combed, his beard cleanly shaven, and his hawkish face was the talk of many court ladies. He seemed even more noble than any prince.

No, one might even say that in his presence, the three kings seemed like country-born bumpkins.

He had arrived in Lordaeron City before the liberation of Ironforge. Lord Prestor's impeccable manners and grace quickly won over the hearts of the Lordaeron elite. Even the notoriously picky King of Gilneas showed a rare smile upon his return to Lordaeron.

This Lord Prestor, once a little-known young noble a few months ago, had now become a figure of great importance.

Simply put, his proposed policies made the entire northern continent's aristocracy feel invigorated, as if they'd consumed a millennia-old rejuvenating fruit.

For instance:

Given it's the Lordaeron Alliance, the triumphant return ceremony must be held in the capital of Lordaeron, the leader of the Alliance. Anything else would be a sacrilege to the entire Alliance. Every nation in the Alliance must send troops to participate in the ceremony, with their numbers and types determined by King Terenas. This point made every Lordaeron noble beam with joy.

Similarly, the prisoner offering ceremony must also take place in Lordaeron City. All prisoners must be paraded through the city and then distributed by Lordaeron (in reality, allowing Lordaeron to choose the strongest for grand gladiator games, attracting audiences and recouping funds. The slightly stronger ones are sent to mine, while the weaker ones are given to the allied nations).

Especially the Warchief Orgrim, he will kneel before King Terenas.

All warships of the Horde will be confiscated and divided between Gilneas and Lordaeron based on their initial troop deployment. Though the Horde's massive ships might seem poorly decorated, their sturdy keels and solid decks can elevate the naval standards of both nations by threefold.

The high elves of Quel'Thalas must continue sending ranger squads to help Lordaeron eliminate the orc remnants in the Tirisfal Glades.

And many more minor conditions.

The fact now is that among the eleven nations of the Alliance, almost every nation has been heavily wounded by the war. There isn't much to extract from them. However, these moves, though lacking substantial significance, can greatly satisfy the pride of the people of Lordaeron, and even those from Gilneas and Stromgarde.

After winning the initial trust of the northern aristocrats, before the battle of Blackrock Mountain, he suggested sending the eager-to-redeem-themselves Alterac Gryphon Riders to transport supplies.

"Those traitors aren't trustworthy. Keeping them on the battlefield would only be a vulnerability against the Horde's onslaught." He once advised Terenas to take control of the military forces of Alterac, then disband all the Alterac knights and integrate them into various Lordaeron cavalry units.

Though Stromgarde and other nations also felt that military control over the once-defected Alterac army was necessary at the time, after the war, they believed unilateral control over Alterac's troops should no longer continue.

That's when Prestor stepped in again, using his eloquence to provide reasonable explanations. Even more miraculously, he found evidence supporting his views.