A month later, Turalyon met Galen again, or more accurately, Alleria.
Galen noticed that the handsome young Turalyon wasn't looking at him but at Alleria, standing to his right. This amused Galen.
Given the current situation, if the Orcs failed to breach the Alliance defenses around Quel'Thalas and rampage through Eversong Woods—slaughtering, looting, and destroying the Windrunner family's holdings—Turalyon wouldn't stand a chance with Alleria.
Galen recalled that in the original timeline, the Orcs had decimated the Windrunner family, leaving only the three sisters. Alleria lost her parents, younger brother, and many relatives. Turalyon's genuine affection moved the grief-stricken Alleria, and they shared a night of passion.
Now, with Galen's intervention, those tragedies wouldn't occur, leaving Turalyon with only a one-sided infatuation.
"Turalyon, why are only the armies of Lordaeron and Stormwind here? And... oh, a legion under my command!" Galen asked, surprised. "What happened to the Alliance? Where are the legions from Alterac and Gilneas?"
Galen was displeased. He was leading troops into a deadly battle while others reaped the benefits without contributing.
"King Aiden recalled all the troops from Alterac, and the Gilneas legion accompanied Marshal Lothar to eliminate the Orcs in Silverpine Forest."
The victory in the Hillsbrad Fields had stirred up ulterior motives within some Alliance members.
Alterac's withdrawal was somewhat understandable. Most of the Hillsbrad region belonged to Alterac. The Orcs' brutality and power, coupled with the presence of Death Knights who could raise corpses and legendary Red Dragons, worried Aiden. A coward by nature, the news of the Horde heading north terrified him, and he recalled Haas and all the troops to guard Alterac's borders.
Dalaran didn't withdraw its mage corps, but Archmage Antonidas, the leader of Dalaran, summoned Kel'Thuzad back.
This might be a secret to others, but not to Galen, the semi-prophet, and Garona, the legendary assassin.
Kel'Thuzad had been trying to capture a Death Knight to study their necromantic spells.
Necromancy was forbidden magic, outlawed since Dalaran's founding. One of the founders of the Council of Tirisfal had become undead, and even his high status couldn't make his existence acceptable.
Dalaran's mages rejected necromancy, and Antonidas had discovered some of his disciple's secrets. To avoid a stain on the Kirin Tor Six, he summoned Kel'Thuzad back to Dalaran for a reprimand and warning.
It was a pity for Antonidas. His lifelong reputation was tarnished by his own disciple. He had been reluctant to expel the gifted Kel'Thuzad, hoping to prevent future disasters.
The Orcs' landing in Silverpine Forest demonstrated their naval capabilities. This operation tied down Kul Tiras and Gilneas, forcing Daelin to strengthen the naval blockade.
Much of southern Silverpine Forest belonged to Darius, who had to lead his army to quickly eliminate the Orcs there.
Despite these reasons, Turalyon was also angered by Alterac's actions. Unlike Galen's perspective, he believed in human unity and selflessness for survival. Recalling troops for self-preservation was foolish. If humanity fell, would individual kingdoms still have a chance?
Galen's views were less idealistic. He believed in self-interest. His philosophy was simple: if he contributed, everyone else had to contribute. The spoils of victory should be shared, and no one should be allowed to slack off.
Moreover, Galen was pleased with Aiden's behavior. If Aiden hadn't been afraid, he wouldn't have colluded with the enemy and betrayed his allies. And if he hadn't betrayed his allies, the Alliance wouldn't have sanctioned him. This would give Galen a reason to annex Alterac's territory in the future.
With Aiden safely in Alterac Royal City, the exaggerated tales of the Orcs and the threat of the Red Dragons kept him awake at night, fearing an Orc Blademaster might sneak into the palace and behead him. Galen wasn't sure if the Dark Division had contributed to this fear.
That's right, decentralization. Galen excelled at it. Everything was handled by his subordinates, leaving him conveniently uninformed.
"Okay, let's advance into Quel'Thalas and establish the defense line as soon as possible. Let's not embarrass humanity in front of the elves this time," Galen said, looking at Turalyon with a knowing expression, reminding him that his chance to impress was coming. "I heard the head of the Windrunner family will also be participating in this battle!"
Turalyon's confident aura vanished, replaced by nervousness.
"Hahaha!" Galen laughed at Turalyon. He, too, had been flustered and almost incoherent in front of Sylvanas. Everyone was a novice in love, and Galen's 'you're so obvious' expression was unmatched.
While the two human commanders argued and marched, they were unaware that the Orcs had already outpaced them. At Turalyon's marching speed, Galen wouldn't be able to intercept the Orcs even with teleportation.
But everything was proceeding according to plan.
"The Orcs are coming!"
Dragonhawk riders in the sky spotted the Orc and Troll coalition. The Orc army couldn't conceal their movements. They were ill-suited for forest travel, leaving a trail of damaged trees and panicked wildlife.
As a Dragonhawk rider prepared to warn Prince Kael'thas, his shadow fell upon him!
Then, a fiery red dragon's breath engulfed the rider and his mount, reducing them to ashes, demonstrating the Red Dragon's immense power!
"Well done."
Orgrim was pleased with the Red Dragon's actions. He recalled Zul'jin saying that this was the most powerful Red Dragon in the Dragonmaw clan's possession, likely the Dragon Queen's mate. The Dragonmaw clan had subjugated this ancient Red Dragon by torturing the Dragon Queen, but the dragon was only willing to help the Orcs against the Alliance, refusing to be ridden.
Orgrim understood. A powerful individual was entitled to their quirks.
Orgrim and Zul'jin stood before Quel'Thalas's border, gazing at the red magical barrier. As a warrior, Orgrim knew little of magic but had to acknowledge its power.
"Gul'dan, go find a way to break this barrier!"
Gul'dan was fascinated by all things magical. Standing before the high elves' barrier, his ugly face twitched as he vigorously sniffed the surrounding air.
(he smells magic in the air lmao)
"Such a delicious aura of energy, and such exquisite utilization of power! But to use such a massive amount of energy for a barrier... what extravagance!"
It was unclear whether Gul'dan's words were praise or mockery. As the Horde's most skilled warlock, he was, in Orgrim's eyes, the most capable of breaching the elven barrier.
"Can you break it or not? My people can't cast spells inside this elven barrier!" Zul'jin was impatient. He had waited too long to avenge the Amani, paying the price of one eye. If the trolls hadn't lost so much of their magical knowledge, their witch doctors would have done this long ago. Why wait for the orcs?
Zul'jin and his people were eager to charge through the barrier and begin their massacre!
"I need a little time to analyze how the elven magic works," Gul'dan said confidently.
"Good, I'll wait. I'll have the Amani witch doctors assist you. Warchief, you'd better hurry your magical advisor. We killed the elves' aerial scouts; they'll know we've arrived soon!"
Zul'jin returned to his people. If the orcs could help him get revenge, excellent. If not, the trolls would simply retreat to their territory, and nothing would change for them.
"Gul'dan, you have one hour. If you fail, I'll have the Dragonmaw clan's red dragons burn through the barrier!" Orgrim, remembering Gul'dan's past atrocities and his blood debt to Durotan, was always wary. If Gul'dan wasn't still useful, Orgrim would have crushed his skull long ago.
"Rest assured, Warchief, it will be quick."
Gul'dan grinned, revealing his grotesque mouth. He knew Orgrim's feelings, but he didn't care. As long as he remained valuable, the orc supremacist wouldn't kill him.
"Speaking of which, Warchief, are you really willing to help the trolls get revenge? Our main enemy is the humans. And against the Alliance soldiers, we no longer have the overwhelming advantage we had when we captured Stormwind." Gul'dan helpfully reminded Orgrim. "Don't let the Horde's elite forces get bogged down in the north and be wiped out by Alliance reinforcements."
"Do your job, Gul'dan. I am the Warchief," Orgrim said, his face darkening. He was aware of the Horde's disadvantages. While they still had superior overall combat power, the Alliance's constant reinforcements were gradually closing the gap.
However, Orgrim had his own plans for defeating the humans. He wanted the Alliance to believe he was in the high elves' forest solely to aid the trolls, which was partly true.
This was the deception Orgrim intended. Once the Alliance's reinforcements were drawn to Quel'Thalas, he would turn and strike Lordaeron!
Despite its simplicity, Orgrim was confident in this feigned retreat.
His trump card, the Thunderlord clan, should have already landed in the Hillsbrad region!
Orgrim sneered, thinking of the human envoy. It's such a waste that such an inferior race occupies this fertile continent. Expel them; this land belongs to the orcs!
(WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! MORE DAKKA)
Seeing Orgrim's inattention, Gul'dan focused on studying the elven barrier. He quickly grasped its operating principles.
The barrier was a protective shield preventing the Sunwell's energy from leaking, containing it within the barrier's range. This energy altered the internal climate, enhanced the elves' arcane attacks, and weakened invaders' spellcasting.
Most importantly, this barrier, which the high elves called the "Territorial Guardian," concealed the Sunwell from the Burning Legion and other outsiders!
It was effective, but such a massive barrier couldn't be a single entity. Only gods could achieve perfection, and the high elves were not gods.
Gul'dan soon located the runestones buried deep in the earth. The barrier relied too heavily on these runestones, a weakness easily exploited by skilled spellcasters. Only the clumsy troll spellcasters were fooled!
"Gul'dan! You have half an hour left!" Orgrim urged impatiently.
"No need for that, Warchief. Give me five minutes!" Understanding the energy flow took time, but destruction was far simpler!
A plan formed in Gul'dan's mind.
Orgrim didn't suspect him, as Gul'dan had bought off nearly all of Orgrim's spies. His recent performance against human magic in Hillsbrad had also made Orgrim complacent, allowing Gul'dan to proceed with his scheme.
The runestones were his target!
Gul'dan was not interested in ruling the Horde. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let Blackhand be a puppet.
Having learned of the Tomb of Sargeras in Medivh's mind, Gul'dan planned to abandon the Horde and amass power.
The Bleeding Hollow clan and the Twilight's Hammer were his loyal supporters. Teron Gorefiend and his death knights had also been among them.
However, after the war, the death knights had become more focused on slaughter, finding more opportunities with Orgrim.
The death knights couldn't provide Gul'dan with the security he needed. He sought other forces to oppose Orgrim and strengthen himself. Perhaps the runestones of Quel'Thalas could serve his purpose.
It took less than five minutes—perhaps only three—for Gul'dan to use fel energy to corrupt the runestones' magic circuits. He then directed two orcs to extract the runestones from the ground.
"Warchief! These runestones will be very useful to the Horde!"