Chapter 494: Chaos

But now, the entire army of Alterac was fighting for the Alliance in disgrace, seeking to cleanse the shame of their betrayal. At that very moment, a lowly baron from a minor family in Lordaeron, sought the hand of Jandice Barov, hoping to wed her.

"I am of the noble Arathi lineage—of House Pavlen in East Tirisfal. Our Baron Bas Pavlen sincerely proposes to Lady Jandice with 1,000 gold coins in dowry. If the Barov family desires the protection of Lordaeron, then an alliance with our house is your best—and only—option!" Vanessa mimicked the envoy's tone with fury.

The pitifully small dowry, the arrogant words, as if the willingness of this insignificant baron to marry Jandice were a tremendous act of condescension.

Just hearing Vanessa's account, King Llane was already livid.

"How dare the people of Lordaeron act this way!?" Anduin roared, his long hair spreading wildly, reminiscent of a lion's mane.

"Jandice is not only Duke's woman! She's my countess! A garbage viscount dares to act like this!?" Llane had agreed to bestow Jandice with the title. Though it was done hastily, it was still an official procedure recognized by the Alliance.

No wonder Llane slammed the table in anger.

"That scoundrel did dare! Lady Jandice clearly expressed her opposition. But Duke Barov remained silent for a long time and did not object or accept, saying only that he needed to 'think it over.'"

Indeed, Jandice theoretically no longer belonged to Alterac. But as long as Barov blood flowed in her veins, she couldn't escape the family's influence. The people of Lordaeron knew this and exploited it, proposing directly to Duke Barov without going through Stormwind.

Rage ignited in the hearts of king and subject, the fury pumping through their arteries into every corner of their bodies.

The guards rarely saw their leaders so angry, filled with a thunderous wrath.

"Since this is Terenas's test..." Llane clenched his fist.

"Then let us together tell him our answer!" Anduin's fist met Llane's.

Just then, a guard rushed in, "Your Majesty, urgent news! Near Southshore, General Windsor has led his private army to attack the camp of Lordaeron's men."

"What?" Llane exclaimed.

"Where are Bolvar and Turalyon?" Anduin asked.

"Duke Bolvar is at Thoradin's Wall. General Turalyon has gone to inspect the Jade Mine."

Llane exchanged a glance with his childhood friend, realizing they had to go and handle the situation together.

In truth, when Vanessa rushed to Dalaran to meet King Llane, Duke's subordinates were in an uproar. Since it was a secret operation, most of Duke's men had been left behind.

Almost immediately upon hearing the news, Marco and Duke's captain of knights, Windsor, set out to demand justice.

What did a hundred knights mean?

A weaker territorial duke couldn't even afford a hundred knights. Imagine the shock when a hundred fully armed highland knights, lances in hand, charged towards the Lordaeron nobles' camp.

Since they were preparing for a Red Dragon attack, the nations' camps were close together. This allowed for the concentration of limited ballistae, archers, and mage teams to better deal with the dragons.

But because they were located in the rear, the nations' camps were merely separated by simple wooden fences.

When the knights were still far from the Lordaeron noble's camp, the Lordaeron men had already noticed them—the target was too big!

The guard at the camp gate looked puzzled, then scowled, "Get lost, Stormwind scum! This isn't your territory..."

He didn't finish his words before Windsor charged forward, shouting, "Bring out the Pavlen scum!"

Without waiting, the knights threw grappling hooks, and Windsor's lance pulled the gates right off.

The fallen gate landed on the shouting guard, the massive force pinning him down like a turtle.

When Windsor led the other ninety-plus knights rampaging into the camp, the Lordaeron soldiers finally realized—these southerners had rebelled! They dared to attack Lordaeron's camp?

Each knight, like an angry father, was a formidable presence.

One lance thrust knocked a Lordaeron soldier off his feet, blood spewing from his mouth.

Why was he not killed? Because Windsor still had his wits about him, using practice lances with blunt wooden tips.

Still, the force of the blow sent the man flying, unable to rise.

The Lordaeron men were stunned!

Windsor and his knights charged straight towards the Pavlen family's tent, a hundred riders acting as one.

One knight drew a blunt sword, cutting off a Lordaeron man's shoulder.

Another knight played a shield-bashing game, hollering as he went.

But Windsor was the best fighter, finding the main target, the scoundrel dreaming of marrying a duke's daughter with a baron's title, and punching him repeatedly.

Windsor was tall and broad-shouldered, and his fists, reinforced with iron gauntlets, sent the man further down the path of ugliness with each blow.

The knights were truly furious, grabbing whatever they could find and smashing it on the heads of the Pavlen men.

A minor house with only one baron and two viscounts couldn't have many soldiers. Apart from two knights and a couple of dozen professional spearman, all were peasants.

After knocking down Baron Bas, Windsor continued to kick him: "Die, scoundrel! 1,000 gold coins for our countess! A dog dreaming of dragon meat? You dare covet our duke's woman? You're so desperate for a woman; I'll show you the cruel reality!"