As soon as Aiden left the Kirin Tor's council chamber, he sensed that some energy had suddenly appeared in the Heart of Valoran.
"What happened again?" He recalled the night in Andorhal, when the same thing had happened. Then he learned of Broxigar's death. He had an ominous premonition that something unexpected had happened again.
Aiden turned his gaze towards Gilneas. It was likely to be there, wasn't it?
Antonidas walked up and asked, "What's wrong?"
Aiden shook his head and replied, "I'm afraid something has happened in Gilneas."
Antonidas calculated the time and said, "The Alliance navy should be in the waters off Gilneas by now, right? Let's hope the Greymane family can hold out until the rescue arrives."
Aiden said, "I have been following the news there. My flying squadron and King Thoras's gryphon riders have confirmed that the Gilnean forces have withdrawn from Gilneas City and are setting up defenses in the south to resist the Scourge's advance. The Greymane royal family shouldn't have any problems."
"Isn't that what we want to see?" Antonidas smiled, patted Aiden on the shoulder, "Relax, when Dalaran ascends, it will be time for the Alliance to counterattack!"
Aiden forced a smile: "Yes, it is."
They continued to walk forward. Aiden saw a figure he hadn't seen in a long time running towards him quickly. It was a pretty girl with incredibly radiant golden hair.
"Commander, Commander!" Lux trotted over. Her eyes swept over Aiden and the people beside him, including Kassadin and Ezreal. She was a little surprised. "Lord Kassadin? You're here too? And Ezreal, hello!"
Kassadin nodded in response. Ezreal flashed a handsome smile and said cheerfully, "Hello,Lux, long time no see!"
After greeting them, Lux came to Aiden's side and asked softly, "Commander, did you summon my brother here?"
"That's right, we're going to war, and your brother can come in handy," Aiden nodded.
Lux asked somewhat shyly, "Did he, did he say anything bad about me?"
"It seems like he did."
"Ah?" Lux became nervous.
"He said you like to play pranks and tease people, and he's looking for you!" Aiden laughed.
"I can vouch for that!" Antonidas interjected from the side. Ever since the Lady of Luminosity, Lux, took up her post as the Valoran ambassador to Dalaran, the magical city had seen more laughter in a few months than it had in the previous few years—and most of it was related to Lux's pranks.
The mages here were particularly fond of and indulgent towards this genius mage girl. Her liveliness brought a different kind of fresh vitality to this rigid and serious city. This wasn't a bad thing. Antonidas actually thought it was good, and he loved Lux no less than he loved his favorite disciple, Jaina.
Lux looked dejected, which made Aiden and Antonidas laugh. Only then did she realize that she had been tricked, and she puffed out her cheeks in anger.
Based on the principle of making the best use of everything, Aiden didn't plan to keep these extra energy points. He had wanted to summon the Machine Herald, Viktor, last time to supplement his team of scientists. If Hextech, Zaunite technology, goblin technology, and some of the Earth technologies he proposed could learn from each other's strengths, it would definitely be beneficial.
However, because the energy points had run out, he had to postpone the summoning time temporarily. Now that the opportunity had arrived, he naturally summoned Viktor—commonly known as "Three Hands," another mad scientist who dared to modify himself.
As the summoning was completed, what appeared before him was a cyborg whose style encompassed science fiction and magic: Viktor still maintained the general shape of a human, but the arm exposed to the outside had been replaced by metal, and a separate mechanical arm had been added to his back. He could use this third hand to do many things, such as releasing lasers. Even his head had been replaced with a metal shell. Such a modification made him seem more like a robot than a human.
Apart from his brain, he had almost no organs in common with normal humans. If the brain could also be replaced by machinery, he would probably modify even that part.
Viktor saw Aiden staring at him and said, "Commander, you seem to envy my body. Would you like me to help you modify it? Abandon your useless flesh and replace it with reliable and sturdy machinery. It's like a version upgrade. I guarantee it will be the most glorious evolution! I can help you complete the remaking for free!"
Aiden was dumbfounded. He quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, no need, the old version also has its advantages!"
Robots might look cool, but how could they replace the pleasures of the flesh?
"That's a pity." Viktor's tone didn't sound too regretful. He turned his gaze to Antonidas, "Mage, you look very powerful, but your body is already old. How about upgrading it? My fees aren't expensive!"
Antonidas and Aiden looked at each other. Aiden was a little embarrassed and quickly sent the mad scientist to Los Angeles, so he could talk about modifications with the great inventor Heimerdinger! These crazy talents had a common language.
After Viktor left, Aiden said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Archmage, Viktor is a bit…" He pointed to his head, "…different from normal people."
"I can understand—but I really am getting old. If it were a few years later, and I was afraid of death, maybe I could really consider his suggestion?" Antonidas joked.
"I'll get him to give you a 50% discount!" Aiden laughed.
"You guys, hurry up and get to work!" Drendan, who was beside them, couldn't stand it anymore and quickly interjected, "We still need to get Dalaran into the sky!"
---
Tirion Fordring escorted the Alliance special envoy, Auberdine Pullman, ashore and then headed towards Stormglen Fortress. On the way, they encountered a patrol. After identifying themselves, the patrol immediately led them to the fortress to meet Baron Ashbury.
Ashbury breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw the special envoy arrive. He was secretly burdened with the crime of regicide, and if the Alliance didn't send reinforcements, he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Maelstrom.
He put on his most grateful expression and went to greet them: "Welcome, Special Envoy! Welcome, Lord Fordring! I've finally waited for you!"
Auberdine smiled and paid his respects. He remembered that this was a lord from Gilneas, but he had forgotten his name. After all, he was a high-ranking nobleman from Lordaeron and didn't have a deep impression of a small landowner like Baron Ashbury from a remote area.
After sitting down, he went straight to the point and asked, "Baron, may I ask where your King Genn Greymane is? We are here on behalf of the Alliance and hope to speak with him in person about the Alliance's support for Gilneas."
The implication of Auberdine's words was naturally to have Gilneas send someone of sufficient stature. A small noble lord like Ashbury was not qualified to speak directly with the Alliance.
When Ashbury heard the special envoy inquire about King Genn, he assumed that he wanted to confirm the outcome, and with a paladin lord present, it was clear that this kind of shady business couldn't be known to the paladins. This political transaction could only be conducted in secret.
He put on an incredibly sorrowful expression and said mournfully, "Our King Genn… he, he…"
"What happened to him?" Fordring frowned, feeling that something was wrong.
"He was assassinated by a Scourge assassin…" Ashbury's eyes were red, and he squeezed out a few tears. He wiped the corners of his eyes and said sadly, "On the way here… a Scourge assassin descended from the sky… I failed to protect him!"
"What!" Auberdine jumped up in shock, "King Genn… is dead?"
"Yes." Ashbury nodded heavily, but he felt a hint of sarcasm in his heart: Isn't this what you wanted? You're acting as if it's real!
Although he personally committed regicide, it wasn't for promotion or ennoblement. If the Alliance hadn't blackmailed him with the condition of support, how would he have conspired with Lord Walden to commit the crime of regicide?
All of this was to allow Gilneas to survive. To achieve this noble goal, he had to use the most despicable means. If the world found out, he would be condemned for eternity.
But so what?
At least Gilneas could be saved.
Auberdine slumped back into his chair. As a special envoy from Lordaeron, he had visited various countries and resolved all kinds of disputes, but he had never faced anything like this before. He was somewhat at a loss.
What to do?
Tirion Fordring said in a deep voice, "Then who can represent Gilneas now?"
---
Now, there was only one person who could represent Gilneas, and that was the kingdom's sole heir—Prince Liam.
He was fighting bravely at Greymane's Wall. In the morning, Squire Harvel brought the good news that the Alliance would soon support them. In the afternoon, helicopter units and dwarven gryphon riders arrived on the battlefield to provide them with air support.
The helicopter squadron led by Cookie dropped tons of bombs, and nearly 80% of the Scourge's catapults were destroyed. The Wildhammer dwarves' Stormhammers also smashed many abominations to death, greatly reducing the defensive pressure on the ground forces.
However, the Scourge commanders weren't fools either. Realizing that they had lost air control, a large number of gargoyle units began to appear, vying for air superiority with the Alliance Air Force.
In any case, everything was developing in a better direction. Prince Liam was full of confidence in the future of Gilneas, and the soldiers on the front lines were equally high-spirited, fighting to the death to defend their homeland.
But his vision for the future was shattered by terrible news. A team of cavalry was sent from Stormglen, telling him—King Genn had been assassinated by the Scourge on the way to Stormglen to meet the Alliance envoy!
Prince Liam couldn't accept this news. He angrily grabbed the knight who brought him the news by the collar, his red eyes glaring at him: "Tell me, are you lying! Tell me it's fake, and I'll forgive your deception! Tell me it's fake! It's fake news!"
"I'm very sorry, Prince Liam, I failed to protect King Genn." The knight lowered his head deeply.
"Ah!!!!!"
Liam was about to go mad. He pushed the knight away forcefully and shouted in grief and indignation: "The Scourge! I swear, I will avenge my father! At all costs!"