Chapter 625: Gul'dan's Mentor

As the discussion regarding the establishment of the Watchpost began, nations ardently voiced their support. They dispatched their elite troops in unison. Dwarves and gnomes undertook rail construction, while the Stormwind Kingdom contributed its mightiest infantry.

In truth, Terenas barely grasped what a "train" was, yet these leaders had already cast their affirmative votes. In essence, these kings merely reiterated the plans discussed the night before.

After a few exchanges, it was settled.

Witnessing the overwhelming sentiment within the Alliance, voting was deemed unnecessary. The majority's wishes overshadowed the High King's two votes.

Terenas struggled to suppress his fury. This was betrayal! A collective insurrection!

The authority of Lordaeron!

The voice of Lordaeron!

Was it entirely overshadowed overnight?

At this moment, Terenas even contemplated dissolving the Alliance. But he couldn't utter a word of dissent.

The nations continued discussing pressing matters under the Alliance's banner. Initially, the Alliance boasted freedom and equality, and no one was wrong in their approach.

They merely excluded Lordaeron from the proceedings.

The morning's assembly concluded, and Terenas felt more like a voting machine, simply approving countless military and economic cooperation terms.

However, for projects that might incur significant expenses, Terenas invariably cast his veto.

If there were no benefits, Lordaeron refused to foot the bill.

Terenas made a decision to identify the leader of the newly established Alterac City-State. If he could sway them...

The council adjourned, and most kings achieved their desired outcomes. The evening banquet was filled with jubilation.

Late into the night, following the banquet's conclusion, the calamity of the Alliance leaders, one after another, desecrating saplings by their retching, played out once more.

However, that night, within Stormwind's state guesthouse, the trio of Stormwind's powerhouses reconvened after some freshening up.

"Is it wise to marginalize Terenas without leaving the Alliance?" Llane inquired, expressing his doubts.

Duke countered, "Today, if kingdoms are discontented with the High King's decisions, they immediately exit the Alliance and establish a new one. Tomorrow, if a few more disagree with a policy, should a third alliance be established? My actions merely compel Terenas to abandon his monarchial aspirations and genuinely join the Alliance."

Anduin shrugged, "Compel? Terenas isn't so easily coerced. Lordaeron, vast in territory, might just isolate itself like Quel'Thalas."

"The two differ. After all, the Warsong Clan and Grommash Hellscream don't threaten elven lands. If it were you Anduin, while unsuspecting might have to kneel. The current Magni isn't his match for physical might either."

Anduin conceded, nodding in agreement.

Magni, while proficient in combat, was outmatched in both weaponry and power against Grommash. Had Anduin not intervened twice, Lordaeron might have mourned Magni's demise.

"Come winter, Warsong orcs lacking food will inevitably emerge from Tirisfal Forest. Grommash isn't foolish; he wouldn't provoke the Quel'Thalas Rangers."

Reflecting on the sole human force capable of guerrilla warfare against the Warsong orcs being under Duke's command, both Llane and Anduin chuckled without restraint.

"By spring, as our newly introduced farming tools take effect, Lordaeron will naturally return to negotiations," Duke continued, discussing his innovative farming inventions that left even experienced agriculturalists in awe.

Llane expressed amazement, admiring Duke's versatility in warfare, magic, and even mechanical invention. By next year, the rewards of these innovations would be evident to the Stormwind Kingdom.

Duke was certain that the post-war manpower deficit would be compensated for by these technological marvels. This bolstered confidence in dispatching a vast army to guard the Dark Portal frontline.

Duke elaborated, "The essence of the Alliance is collaboration, striving towards a shared goal. Isolationist nations, when faced with a new crisis, will inevitably suffer. Only within the Alliance's framework can true unity emerge."

Llane was particularly concerned about this new threat, "You're speaking of a new crisis..."

"My sources interrogating orc prisoners brought unsettling news—Gul'dan, the demi-god warlock, has an extraordinarily powerful mentor named Ner'zhul."

"I've heard of him," Anduin recalled from intelligence reports, where orcs divulged key personalities.

With Llane's acknowledgment, Duke commenced his storytelling mode, "The information came from a dying orc, who expired shortly after speaking. But I find it credible. Initially, Gul'dan apprenticed under the foremost shaman of the Shadowmoon Clan, Ner'zhul..."