While in Stratholme, Lordaeron, home to the Holy Light Church's headquarters, Galen had dispatched several priests as informants to keep him updated on the Archbishop's progress. His original plan had been to form the first Knights Hospitaller of Holy Knights before the Archbishop could do so.
However, with over two hundred Paladins already under his command, Galen decided it was time to take direct action. He composed a letter to the Archbishop, informing him that two hundred Holy Knights had already been converted in the Arathi Highlands diocese. He explained that the clergy in the southern diocese were struggling to protect themselves from Orc attacks and proposed forming a Knights Hospitaller, drawing from the Paladins to serve the Cathedral of Minas Tirith. The expenses would be covered by the financial revenue from Minas Tirith, and he requested the Archbishop's approval for the initiative.
As for the name, Galen had no intention of taking the Archbishop's Silver Hand Knights. Without iconic leaders like Uther, Saidan Dathrohan, or Tirion Fordring, he knew he wouldn't be able to replicate the soul of the Silver Hand. He also didn't want to undermine his faith. Naming it the Argent Crusade could work, but Galen preferred a more subtle approach. After all, his father Thoras would likely have a fit if he heard that his son had founded a new military order. Keeping a low profile, he decided on the Pheonix Order.
After sending the letter, Galen decided to take a break and returned to Stromgarde for some time off. Staying in Minas Tirith had begun to wear on him, especially after a heart-wrenching discovery: Aragorn had advanced in rank—thanks to the experience system!
It turned out the Orc battles had granted experience not only to soldiers but also to heroes. Even if a hero wasn't on the battlefield, they still received experience from the battles waged by their soldiers. Galen remembered this from his previous experiences in the game, where heroes would gain full-map experience, even when stationed at home.
Despite his own arduous leadership in battle—charging through Orc lines, cutting down thousands—Aragorn had somehow leveled up while lounging comfortably in Minas Tirith. Even Gandalf had reached Legendary rank. Galen was incensed and checked through the Heart of Origin, only to find that Durin had also reached Legendary rank.
"Unbelievable!" Galen muttered. "I need to get out of here before I lose my mind!"
Returning to Stromgarde, Galen spent a joyful Winter Veil Festival with his father. A few sparring matches with Thoras left the older man astounded. Galen's progress had been staggering. Only a few years ago, at twelve, Galen had reached level 7, and now, at just fifteen, he was already a level 9 expert!
Thoras beamed with pride. "He truly is my son, the greatest heir of the Trollbane family." He couldn't help but compare Galen to Danath, another rising star. Danath had also reached Rank 9, but he'd been much older when he did, and his growth had been slower. Galen's talents were exceptional.
His father's pride was more than just a parent's affection. The news of Galen's accomplishments had spread throughout Stromgarde, where merchants from all over the region shared tales of his brilliant leadership against the Orcs. The once obscure young warrior had become a celebrated star of the kingdom.
The old warrior laughed heartily, feeling a rare sense of peace. Galen, amused, almost expected his father to head to the family grave to honor their ancestors if they had a tradition of incense burning like the Pandaren of Azeroth.
Just when Galen thought he might start to get bored, a message arrived from Gandalf. Moreygold's Thunder Bluff was officially completed, and the Tauren's united chieftain had extended an invitation for Galen to attend the grand celebration in Thunder Bluff!
This was a perfect opportunity. With Thunder Bluff's completion, the Tauren could now settle and recuperate, and once their internal affairs stabilized, Galen saw a chance to forge strategic cooperation. He would control the north, while the Tauren held the south of the Barrens. This land was a prize he could not let slip away.
Galen began to prepare for his trip to Kalimdor, carefully selecting the troops who would accompany him. First, there was Marcus Fordragon and three thousand garrison soldiers, previously assigned to Galen Port. Galen also planned to bring six hundred of the newly trained high-level knights, as he was eager to execute large-scale cavalry operations. These knights would bolster the forces at Fort Triumph, bringing the total there to a thousand.
Over two hundred Holy Knights would also accompany him as personal guards for his journey to Thunder Bluff.
After bidding farewell to his father, Galen arrived at Minas Tirith, where the team preparing for Kalimdor was already assembled. He had originally planned to take a ship to Kalimdor, but the training for sailors had fallen behind, so once again, he was forced to use teleportation.
Meanwhile, high in the sky, a bronze dragon flying north over the snow-capped peaks of Dun Morogh suddenly sneezed loudly.
"I have a bad feeling about this... Am I going to lose him again?" the dragon muttered to itself, unsure of the fate that awaited the group below.