Chapter 221: The Alliance Officially Forms

It must be said that while Terenas Menethil II's martial prowess was practically non-existent, his political acumen was unrivaled, a ruthless strategist with a perfect score of 100.

With the kings still alive and kicking, he held up their subjects as the supreme commander to rule the seven kingdoms. If this wasn't a heart-wrenching move, a divide and conquer tactic, then what was it?

Of course, Terenas had a lofty justification: "Since our ancestors once gathered under the banner of Emperor Thoradin over two thousand years ago, let us look up to the same banner for our new alliance."

No matter what, the seven kingdoms were of the same origin, and Lothar was indeed the best banner to unite them.

King Llane was a ruler with supreme resolve and boundless magnanimity. As Lothar hesitated, it was Llane who agreed without hesitation.

"Don't hesitate, Anduin! You are the hope of our kingdom's restoration! Since the moment we evacuated Stormwind City, didn't we swear that we'd do whatever it takes to revive the Kingdom of Stormwind? Have you forgotten our vow?"

"But I..."

"Don't worry about the empty titles. You are still the loyal you, and I am still the me who has always believed in you. Even if you don't believe in yourself, at least believe in the 'me who always had faith in you.' As long as our will and conviction remain unchanged, why care about the nonsense of the world? Besides, if it's you, what does it matter if I give you the throne? I believe that the Kingdom of Stormwind will stand tall in the world under your guidance."

These words were heavy, so heavy that all schemes and attempts to divide were rendered meaningless. Moreover, these words were spoken in front of the kings of the alliance. If Anduin Lothar were indeed a villain, he could have seized the throne of Stormwind with the witness of the kings.

Llane's words moved the kings.

However, these seemingly convoluted words conveyed Llane's most sincere and complete trust, a trust that transcended life and lineage.

"No, no..." Lothar was initially going to refuse, but seeing the passionate sincerity in Llane's eyes, he softened. After a moment of thought, Lothar spoke: "Well, Llane, I want to become a duke, at least in the capacity of a Stormwind duke..."

Lothar was interrupted before he could finish.

"No, no, no." King Terenas stepped forward. Although the gazes of the kings were on him, his voice was so soft that only Lothar and Llane were certain they were the only ones who could hear him. Terenas explained: "Trust me, as a king, there's a significant difference between having a foreign duke or a foreign knight roaming around in my territory."

Indeed, in the eyes of the kings, knights were insignificant, while dukes were pillars of a nation.

Upon hearing this, Lothar's eyelids twitched.

"You may think I'm trying to sow discord between you two, but unfortunately, this is the only choice." The ruler of Lordaeron continued in a whisper: "Every king wants to handle the Horde problem on their own, and they all greatly resent the idea of another king entering their territory. Sir Lothar, you are not a king, and your status is not high, so they don't believe you can gain any benefits from this. On the other hand, your noble bloodline is enough to prevent them from feeling looked down upon by other kings."

After much consideration, Lothar finally nodded: "Alright, I accept the position of Supreme Commander of the Alliance."

Lothar's voice was always loud and clear, and his acceptance immediately eased the tension among the many kings present.

King Terenas raised his arms and proclaimed, "With that, I declare that all disputes within the Lordaeron Alliance are now resolved! We shall fight side by side, just as our ancestors did under the Arathor Empire."

Upon confirming that each king nodded in agreement, Terenas continued, "Now, the only person suitable to lead our armies and inherit the great bloodline of Emperor Thoradin—Sir Anduin Lothar—has agreed. Therefore, we, the kings of the Alliance, hereby declare Sir Anduin Lothar, General of Stormwind, as our Supreme Commander! All armies sent by our kingdoms must follow his orders. Should anyone defy him, the rest of the Alliance shall impose the most severe sanctions in the name of the descendants of Arathor!"

The last obstacle to forming the Alliance was finally cleared.

As King Terenas's words fell, thunderous applause erupted in the throne room, which had been noisy for days.

Perhaps this applause was due to the presence of a common enemy.

Or perhaps it resonated from the shared bloodline.

Regardless of the motives, it didn't matter. What was important was that the fractured humanity had once again united. Not only humans, but also their dwarven allies, the pan-human Alliance, finally revealed its sharp claws to the invaders.

On October 13th, in the first year of the Dark Portal, a new dawn approached.

As usual, morning fog enveloped the land. Sleepy citizens of Lordaeron stretched and began their daily activities.

Some prepared to harvest crops in the fields, while others prepared to open their shops.

Though they couldn't see the first light of dawn, the people of the city knew that a new day had arrived. The light fog wrapped around their elegant brick and wood houses and cast a thin veil over the wide streets of the royal city.

Despite this, it was still the familiar, beautiful city of Lordaeron they knew. Everything they saw, heard, and felt was just as it had always been.

But the next moment, everything changed with the cries of the messenger riders in the streets.

Galloping and shouting, this method of spreading news was only used for urgent reports, and it had been many years since the people of Lordaeron had experienced it.

The last time was when Prince Arthas, the heir to King Terenas, was born.

On this day, every citizen of Lordaeron heard the news.

"In response to the increasingly rampant orc invasions, the seven human nations of Lordaeron, along with the dwarven kingdom of Ironforge, have formed a pan-human Alliance—the Lordaeron Alliance. The ruler of the Alliance is King Terenas Menethil II, and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces is the noble descendant of Emperor Thoradin, Sir Anduin Lothar! All member nations must contribute troops, funds, and efforts for the Supreme Commander Lothar to deploy!"

"The most revered Archbishop Alonsus Faol of the Church of the Holy Light announces: The Lordaeron Alliance is the agent of justice, and the Church will join the Alliance in the form of the Church, granting each Alliance soldier the blessings of the Holy Light and unparalleled courage."

Within three days, this news spread like wildfire, causing the entire human and dwarven world to boil with excitement!