Azeroth: Starting with Eagle Eye in the Necropolis.

"For Lordaeron! For the Alliance!"

A deafening roar echoed throughout the camp, igniting the long-suppressed flames of revenge and the determination to reclaim their homeland.

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Just as Rhodes was making intensive preparations for the final battle, far away in Kalimdor, in the Valley of Wisdom in Orgrimmar, which had only just begun to take shape, Thrall, the Warchief of the newly formed Horde, was facing a thorny problem, or rather, a group of uninvited guests.

A messenger from the Eastern Kingdoms—a pale-faced, sharp-eyed Forsaken assassin—stood before him, delivering handwritten letters from two Forsaken leaders: Sylvanas Windrunner, the Banshee Queen, and Highlord Scythek, the Death Knight.

The contents of the letter also troubled the tribal leader, as the other party requested to join the newly formed tribe.

The Forsaken sent envoys to both the Alliance and the Horde, making preparations for both scenarios. It is clear that the Forsaken did not have much hope of joining the Alliance.

In fact, both the Banshee Queen and the Death Lord felt that joining the Horde was a more reliable option.

"The Banshee Queen and the Death Knight Highlord, do they both wish to form an alliance with the Horde?" Thrall put down the letter and stared at the messenger.

"The Banshee Queen and the Death Knight Highlord should know that the Horde is made up of the living, including trolls, orcs, and tauren, while you... are the undead."

Chapter 247 Thrall's Decision: Accepting the Forsaken

"Your Majesty, the line between life and death is not insurmountable. You can trust us; we have broken free from the Lich King's control."

We are now a free undead, and we are mortal enemies of the Scourge. We will surely avenge Arthas, that sinner.

We, the Forsaken, control vital lands of Lordaeron, which could serve as a bridgehead for the Horde to enter the Eastern Kingdoms. More importantly, the Alliance… they will not accept us.

"The tribe, perhaps, can offer us a place to live, and we will give everything to the tribe," said the Forsaken before him.

Before he left, he had been given special instructions by the two leaders. In fact, the two leaders had only sent one person as a symbolic gesture to the alliance, and they were not even sure if the envoy could return.

The other party didn't even bring letters from the two leaders; he came to the tribe with a heavy mission: to find a suitable ally for the Forsaken.

Thrall remained silent, carefully considering the matter. The Horde did indeed need allies. The newly formed Horde was still weak, and these Forsaken were a force to be reckoned with, especially now that the Alliance seemed to be rising again in the Eastern Kingdoms.

Scouts reported that the Lordaeron Regent, named Rhodes, had returned from Outland with a powerful army, heading straight for the capital of Lordaeron.

The Alliance has built a new city on the continent of Kalimdor called Theramore and has formed an alliance with the Night Elves.

He had already witnessed the strength of the Night Elves in the previous Battle of Mount Hyjal. Moreover, unlike the Horde, the Alliance had only sent a few people in the last Battle of Mount Hyjal.

The Alliance has a large army in Kalimdor, which is indeed a significant threat to the orcs. Although Thrall has signed a non-aggression pact with the leader named Rhodes and become friends with him, he doesn't really trust Rhodes.

Having grown up in human society, he knew a lot about the deceit and treachery involved. It was commonplace in human society for people to appear as brothers on the surface while secretly plotting to stab each other in the back.

If the Alliance were to completely solidify the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms, it would undoubtedly pose a huge threat to the future of the Horde. Accepting the Forsaken would be tantamount to driving a nail into the Alliance's backyard.

But... an alliance with the undead? What would Cairne Bloodhoof think? Would the tauren druids who valued the balance of nature accept it? This was something he had to consider.

“I already know why you've come, but this matter is of great importance,” Sal finally said slowly.

“I need time to consider this and I also need to hear the opinions of other tribal leaders. You can stay in Orgrimmar for now, but remember, don’t cause any unnecessary panic.”

“I await your reply, High Chieftain.” The Forsaken courier bowed slightly and then withdrew.

Thrall walked to the window, gazing at the bustling city under construction outside, weighing the pros and cons in his mind: should he accept the Forsaken into the Horde?

If we accept them, how do we convince other tribes and their people to accept the presence of undead creatures within our ranks? This is no joke.

Another crucial point is that Thrall cannot be certain whether these undead who call themselves the Forsaken have truly broken free from the Scourge's control. Could this be a conspiracy by the Scourge?

If this is a conspiracy by the Scourge, and they are taking these Forsaken into the tribe, then once the Scourge attacks, the entire tribe will be doomed.

Although he really wanted to set up an outpost in the Eastern Kingdom, Sals decided after careful consideration to reject the undead's offer; he couldn't take the risk.

“Great Chieftain, I sensed no malice in that undead, and I can confirm that he has been freed; nature has told me so.”

"He means us no harm. He really came to deliver a message and sincerely wants to join the tribe. Perhaps you should reconsider this matter," said a Tauren Druid.

As a powerful druid, he could sense that the undead in front of him truly meant no harm.

"Are you sure, Haraj? Nature... has truly accepted this form?" Thrall's voice was full of doubt. Death and decay have always been the opposite of life and nature, yet this druid emissary from Thunder Bluff said that the other party had no ill intentions and even harbored goodwill.

Haraz nodded and said, “Great Chieftain, the whispers of the spirits of nature tell me that the soul fire within that undead is independent; it is no longer bound by the cold will of the north.”

He was indeed…free; however, his spirit also conveyed a warning: his very existence was a source of sorrow and distortion for the world of the living.

It's a very strange thing. Things that are dead shouldn't linger in Azeroth, but these undead have stayed there.

They are essentially against the laws of nature, yet the spirit of nature accepts these pitiful lives. Indeed, in the eyes of nature, the dead still have life.

“Freedom…” Sal chewed on the word.

Freedom is the ultimate pursuit for orcs who have just escaped human enslavement and demonic curses; their race has also just broken free from the demons' shackles and gained freedom.

If these spirits have truly broken free of their shackles, then in some ways they do share similarities with the tribes' pursuit of liberation; however, this does not eliminate the fundamental divide.

“Thank you for your wisdom, Haraz Druid. Please rest now; I need to think alone,” Thrall said, turning to the Tauren Druid.

The Tauren Druid bowed and withdrew. He had said all he needed to say, and the decision was now up to the Warchief. He could only relay the feedback from the Spirit of Nature to the Warchief.

Thrall once again picked up the letter written in both Undead and Common. The letter was earnest, filled with a desire for revenge and a plea for a foothold. It was signed by the marks of the two leaders—one representing the wails of banshees and dark arrows, and the other radiating the cold runic power unique to death knights.

These two leaders of the Forsaken are both very powerful, and if they were to join the Horde, it would indeed greatly enhance the Horde's strength.

“Stronk…I’ve never heard of that name before,” Sal murmured the unfamiliar name.

He had heard of Sylvanas Windrunner, a former high elf ranger-general whose fate was pitiful.

But this Death Knight Highlord remains an unknown. A Death Knight leader who was not directly appointed by the Lich King but rose to power during a rebellion, his motives and the source of his power are even more mysterious.

The Forgotten Ones now have two leaders. This dispersion of power is a risk for the tribe, but it could also be... an opportunity. Perhaps I should really consider this matter carefully.

After a moment's thought, Thrall summoned his most trusted advisor, Vol'jin, the chieftain of the Darkspear clan. Soon the troll leader arrived at the chieftain's room, and Thrall briefly recounted the events concerning the Forsaken.

What do you think, Wojnarowski?

“The cunning undead, Thrall, are like velociraptors trapped in a snare, desperately seeking anything that can help them bite through the ropes.”

It was expected that the league would reject them.

"Now they're pinning their hopes on us, and it's incredibly risky to take them in. Living with the dead is never a good thing in any culture," Woking said.

Thrall nodded upon hearing this, as this was precisely what he had been wondering about. It seemed that his advisor was refusing to allow the undead to join the Horde. However, Vol'jin's words then took a turn.

“But the spirits of the earth told me that perhaps we should accept these forgotten ones, that it would be good for us,” Wojnarowski said.

He originally didn't want the Forsaken to join the Horde family, but by some strange twist of fate, an ethereal voice, like the spirit of the earth or the voice of death, entered his mind. Vol'jin recognized the voice.

The troll had great faith in the Loa, and the Loa he was speaking to was Bwonsamdi, the god of death, an ancient Loa who truly ruled over death.

“Really? Then what are the benefits?” Sal asked.

"Voljin grinned, revealing his fangs. "A dagger stuck in the back of the Alliance, the land of Lordaeron, a perfect springboard for marching into the Eastern Kingdoms. To be honest, I don't believe those humans will live in peace with us. Sooner or later we'll turn against them."

Moreover, as they themselves say, they are mortal enemies of the Scourge.

The enemy of my enemy may become a temporary friend. The key is whether we can hold the hilt of the dagger, rather than be wounded by its blade.

"That Stronk... his existence might be able to counterbalance the Banshee Queen, creating a balance between these two leaders." A voice echoed in Vol'jin's mind, and he spoke according to its words; this was the instruction of the Loa.

Thrall nodded slowly. Vol'jin's analysis was always so insightful. The Horde needed strength and strategic depth.

In Kalimdor, they face hostility from the night elves, and the Alliance forces in Theramore are steadily growing. If they can gain a foothold in the Eastern Kingdoms, it will undoubtedly greatly improve the Horde's strategic situation.

“You’re right, Vol'jin, the Horde does need an ally, an ally in the Eastern Kingdoms.”

"We will accept these poor undead creatures and let them join the Horde's family." Thrall finally made the decision.

Vol'jin, the leader of the Darkspear trolls, nodded. It was all Bwonsamdi's will.

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Meanwhile, beneath the majestic yet desolate walls of Lordaeron, the Alliance army, personally led by Rhodes, had assembled, a torrent of steel and holy light, its chilling aura soaring into the sky.

Chapter 248 Today, we will reclaim the royal city.

Today is the day they reclaim their homeland, the day the Kingdom of Lordaeron is restored. Although the princess is gone and the king is dead, the soldiers of Lordaeron are still here.

All the soldiers of the Alliance followed Rhode; today was the moment of decisive battle, at least for all of humanity.

A year ago, Arthas betrayed everyone and launched a great rebellion. A year later, they came to reclaim the royal city.

In the temporary command center, Rhodes summoned all the Alliance generals, dwarves, humans, blood elves, and even some night elves. These were the Wardens that Maiev had secretly summoned back at some point. Rhodes didn't say anything about it; these Wardens were good at controlling those dreadlords who were good at escaping.

“Banazzar and Desserok,” Rhodes pointed to the center of the royal city, the former site of the royal fortress.

"These two dreadlords are the last command core of the undead in the royal city. They are skilled in trickery and mind control, but their ability to fight head-on is slightly weaker than that of other demon lords."

Jaina added, "Although there are many undead in the city, they lack effective command and their formation is scattered. My mages have detected several points where arcane energy is weak, which can be used as breakthroughs for an attack."

“The Draenei garrison commanders and paladins will form the vanguard. The Holy Light Barrier we bring can effectively resist the undead plague and shadow magic, clearing the way for the following troops,” Akama said.

Rhodes's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on the fortress on the sand table that symbolized royal power. "The plan remains unchanged. Today, the general offensive begins. Mograine, you will lead the main force of the Silver Hand, advancing from the main road to draw the Dreadlord's primary attention."

Akama, your Draenei forces, in coordination with the Dwarven Musketeers, will advance from the left flank of the port area, clearing and establishing a solid flank position. Dathorhan, you are responsible for the right flank, preventing the undead from escaping through the side gate and providing support to the Blood Elf Spellbreakers for suppression.

Rhodes paused, then looked at Jaina: "Jaina, Kael'thas, the mage team's mission is the most crucial. Before the final assault, concentrate your forces and bombard the undead with all your might."

Rhodes drew the Holy Light Judgment from his waist, the golden aura flowing across the blade seemingly capable of dispelling all gloom. "At this moment, on this very day, I will personally lead you to reclaim our former glory."

"For Lordaeron! For all those whose lives and homes were taken by the Scourge!"

"For the Alliance!" the crowd roared in unison, their fighting spirit surging like a volcano about to erupt.

Once Rhodes gave the order, the entire Alliance camp began to operate like a sophisticated war machine.

Jaina joined the elite mages of Dalaran and Quel'Thalas at the front lines. All the mages raised their staffs and chanted ancient incantations in a low voice. Vast arcane energy gathered above them, forming a constantly rotating and expanding azure vortex.

Soon, a large number of arcane missiles, ice arrows, fireballs, ice spears, fireballs, blizzards, and flame storms exploded among the demons and undead hordes, with the mages launching the first attack.

In an instant, the sky was dyed with eerie tricolors, and arcane missiles rained down like a storm, blasting the skeleton warriors into dust; ice arrows whistled past, freezing the ghouls into stiff ice sculptures.

A massive fireball and a scorching fireball exploded within the dense undead array, unleashing a shockwave mixed with dismembered limbs and the stench of burning flesh.

Larger-scale legionary magic—a blizzard carrying countless ice shards rained down from the sky, covering a vast area; while a firestorm ignited a raging wall of fire on the ground, turning any undead that dared to cross it to ashes.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The roar of the magical explosion was the prelude to this symphony of carnage.

Rhodes then raised his hand and cast a powerful buff spell on the allied forces.

The attack accelerated! The soldiers felt their bodies suddenly become lighter, and their sword-wielding and charging speed was as fast as lightning.