Chapter 685: Chapter 685: Two Worlds
Unfortunately, arcane golems had a major problem - extremely high mana consumption. A single arcane crystal could only power one for an hour. According to Dalaran's calculations, that meant the cost of operating an arcane golem for one hour exceeded 100 gold coins.
To the Alliance, this was not building a city. This was literally melting piles of gold coins on the ground!
If Duke Marcus had not been absolutely certain when the Dark Portal closed that it was likely to reopen within two years, the Alliance leaders wouldn't have spared a single soldier, let alone voluntarily contributed the 5 million in gold later after seeing the massive scale of construction here.
Still, with Duke contributing the lion's share, no one dared ask where exactly that 5 million went and what it was used for. After all, the ministers of each nation swore that if it had been up to them, considering the treacherous terrain and severe supply and manpower issues here, 5 million would barely cover the cost of Stormwind's city walls.
Everything else - moats, cannons, arrow towers, outer keeps - could forget about it, not to mention building something like a train station inside.
Who else could rebuild two cities and construct a complete high-speed supply line like Duke Marcus?
King Ryan stood next to Duke. "Now that Stormwind Keep is built, you can finally relax a bit, right?"
Duke nodded. "I guess so."
Prince Anduin was more concerned with another issue. "What if the Horde doesn't come in two years?"
"I'm ninety percent sure they will. If by some chance they really don't show up, I'll just hand this place over to House Marcus for generations of stewardship." Duke shrugged his lips. He didn't believe the Burning Legion could wait that long.
"You really are quite selfless. You just turned 19 this year!"
"For Azeroth." As Duke spoke calmly, the integrity inherited from Alonnus Faol unconsciously resonated with his will, causing his body to emit a faint, sacred golden glow.
It was the will of the Light, and the will of a hero.
Those around him suddenly saw young Duke's very soul ascend through these words.
For a time, everyone present couldn't help but revere Duke for what he said.
"For Azeroth!" Ryan and Anduin stretched out their right hands palm down, back of hand facing the sky, stacking them together as they looked towards the crowd.
"For Azeroth!" Bronzebeard the Dwarf King Magni was shorter, so he grabbed the hands of High Tinker Gelbin and his ambassador Kurdran and placed them at the bottom.
"For Azeroth!" Daelin and Thoras laughed as they put their hands on top.
Antonidas and Khadgar, with their aged hands, covered the highest point.
The war had ended. A new one would inevitably come. Every nation had its own interests and considerations, but in the face of a threat great enough to annihilate them all, they had no choice but to ignore their differences and stand united.
Duke also placed his hand on top. "Alright, let's work hard together!"
At this very moment, on the planet Draenor, in Shadowmoon Valley.
Two figures, diminutive and slender compared to the orcs, arrogantly strode into a Shadowmoon clan village.
"Ner'zhul—" An odd shout carrying a certain evil aura echoed throughout the village.
Teron Gorefiend and fellow first-generation Death Knight Zasz the Soulrender walked down the village's main road. The uncommon orcish greaves scraped the ground, kicking up thick clouds of dust.
Curious orc villagers poked their heads out from crude doors and windows, hoping to see what the commotion was. Meeting the intruders' eerie glowing red eyes sent chills into every soul, frightening them back inside.
"Ner'zhul—" Teron shouted again, an icy cruelty and aura of death in his dissatisfied tone. "I want to talk to you! Don't make me use force to drag you out!"
His yell finally provoked a reaction here as several hulking green giants lugging heavy iron axes came up behind the two.
A coarse voice called out from behind. "I don't know or care who you are. You've intruded on Shadowmoon clan territory. Now scram or die!"
The death knight turned to face the brawny orc warriors who had walked up behind him. "I, Teron Gorefiend, am here for Ner'zhul. Tell him to come out or get lost."
Hearing the name, the orc looked somewhat uneasy.
"Gorefiend? The death knight?" His face twisted in disgust, baring his tusks. Eyeing the death knights, he gathered his courage. "Don't provoke the Shadowmoon clan or we'll kill you again."
Zasz laughed. "We'd love to see how you manage that."
Teron nodded slightly. Several figures abruptly emerged from the shadows of the village huts, coming to the death knights' sides. Though hooded, their eerie glowing eyes were clearly visible.
Teron smiled while the orc swallowed hard.
"Last chance. Go get Ner'zhul right now or your arrogance will make you die in agony."
Orcs had an uncanny stubbornness about their own land.
"Ner'zhul sees no one." Though already sweating, he had clearly gripped his axe tighter.
"Oh." Teron sighed lightly, inhaling and exhaling with his long rotted lungs, making an odd shrieking sound. "Then you can go die."
Before the orc could respond, Teron stretched out his right hand protected by the plate gauntlets, muttering an incantation.
The sudden pain made the orc forget to breathe, doubling over.
Teron clenched his fist. At the same time, red blood abruptly gushed from the unfortunate orc's nose, eyes and mouth.
Losing interest in tormenting the annoying orc after barely a second, Teron turned and headed deeper into the village. He had already killed so many of these brainless beasts.
"Evil dark magic!" a Shadowmoon warrior cried out, grabbing the war axe by him. "Kill them! Or none shall be spared!"
His furious roar was met with response from several orcs nearby, all raising their weapons as they charged.
Teron Gorefiend whirled with lightning speed, eyes narrowing to slits.
"Since you wish to die, I'll just kill you all and go find Ner'zhul myself."
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