"Hmm…" Varimathras scratched his chin, letting out a thoughtful hum. "From what you're saying, this seems a bit suspicious."
Detheroc somewhat agreed with Varimathras. "You're right. While it doesn't look like a magical experiment, we can't entirely rule out the possibility of human intervention."
"However, if there truly is such a concentrated energy source, we could gather enough power to propel Naxxramas to Kalimdor." Banazar's words plunged the scene into silence.
Naxxramas's current power was insufficient to sustain further long-distance travel. All they could do now was park it among the mountains west of Quel'Thalas.
If Tichondrius discovered something in Kalimdor, they would need to find a way to bring Naxxramas to that distant continent, and their current remaining energy was simply not enough to accomplish this.
The three Dreadlords were uncharacteristically silent. After a while, Banazar continued, "I think it's best to go see—such an opportunity is rare. Otherwise, we won't find anywhere to replenish our energy in these barren mountains."
Detheroc and Varimathras did not respond immediately, but they knew in their hearts that Banazar was right; the energy surge just now closely resembled a naturally occurring massive explosion.
Ultimately, Detheroc also agreed to Banazar's plan, but he still didn't intend to put himself in danger. "First, send a few Necromancers to check the situation. If it's truly as we suspect, they can summon us to descend then."
"A good idea." Varimathras nodded slightly, stretching his bat-like wings. "Then I'll go find a few capable fellows."
Just as the Dreadlords were discussing whether to personally investigate the place where Kel'Thuzad's magic erupted, Thassarian was following Kel'Thuzad, his mind full of questions.
"Was that explosion just now a bit too obvious?" Thassarian worried that such a "clumsy" trap wouldn't be able to lure the Dreadlords into it.
Kel'Thuzad, however, replied indifferently, "You are not a mage; you don't understand what such an explosion signifies. While this method is indeed straightforward, it also conveys a message to the Dreadlords: the probability of it being artificial versus natural is fifty-fifty."
"The environment here is filled with various contradictory energies. As long as the Dreadlords' scouts arrive and report the anomaly to their superiors, no explanation is needed; the Dreadlords themselves will believe half of it."
At this point, the Archlich's voice paused for a moment. "As for the other half… that will depend on Lothar and Ogrim."
Thassarian didn't know what Kel'Thuzad was plotting, nor did he need to worry about a mage's concerns. Once his own questions were answered, he found a place to hide, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the demons at any moment.
Kel'Thuzad manipulated the complex energies of the region in his hand, the soul flames in his eyes flickering erratically.
"This Shadow energy points to a very dark existence… Perhaps I can even borrow his power to make some waves…"
...
"Crack!"
After Lothar destroyed the Curator's left shoulder crystal, the entire left arm's movement began to stiffen, but as a construct, it would not cease its assault until completely destroyed.
Its normal right arm swung rapidly, Arcane magic glowing incessantly, attempting to damage or hinder Lothar with its memorized spells, then deliver a fatal blow with its heavy right palm.
But Lothar, having damaged a part of the construct, was not in a hurry to succeed. He decisively deployed a magic shield adorned with green runes, absorbing all of the Curator's magical attacks.
At the same time, he drew his longsword with one hand, and with a powerful kick of his legs, he caused the Curator's left side to slightly lose balance, using the opportunity to escape the range of the Curator's right fist.
However, Lothar had barely stabilized himself after landing when the construct, disregarding its own damage, forcibly twisted its right arm and swept it horizontally towards Lothar.
Just a second before its attack was about to hit Lothar, a jet-black warhammer flew past Lothar's ear, colliding with the Curator's arm.
Under the violent shock and impact, visible ripples appeared in the air. Ogrim's mighty throw further tilted the Curator's already unbalanced body, but the construct stubbornly refused to fall.
After Lothar regained his balance, Death energy erupted again, but this time not for attack, but to detonate the residual power left in the Curator's left shoulder crystal from that previous sword strike.
The Death energy immediately caused a violent tremor with the Arcane magic. The Curator's entire left half began to twitch, and its massive form experienced a momentary standstill.
Ultimately, the two forces did not decide a victor within the crystal; instead, the already shattered crystal energy stone became overwhelmed, and the massive amount of magic stored within it surged out wildly, like a great flood bursting through a broken dam.
An incalculable amount of magic immediately swept towards Lothar and Ogrim. Lothar, quick-witted, pulled a broken stone carving to use as a shield and roared at Ogrim:
"Run into that passage!"
Ogrim retrieved his warhammer, his expression grim, and moved past the Curator's stiff body. This massive construct was now completely dominated by the runaway magic, unable to move, but the ever-growing magical storm was devouring everything around it.
Upon reaching the passage Lothar indicated, Ogrim extended an arm of dark magic from his right hand, grabbed Lothar's shoulder, and pulled him out of the center of the magical storm.
The instant Lothar tumbled into the passage, the long-accumulated magic finally reached its critical point. After a brief collapse, it began to expand rapidly.
Seeing the unfavorable situation, Lothar quickly stood up and began to sprint towards the other end of the passage with his weapon. Ogrim followed closely behind. Just as they were about to rush out of the passage, the unstable magic behind them still caught up.
The two Death Knights, like a small boat in a storm, were pushed by the magical storm, flying out of the passage exit and crashing into a row of ancient bookshelves.
The wooden bookshelves, over ten meters high, collapsed with a crash, burying the two inside, and countless books rained down with a clatter.
In the darkness, Lothar, feeling a bit dizzy, pushed away the wooden shelves and books covering him, popping his head out of the pile of books. The magical impact just now had also made his head a bit hazy.
"Phew… that Medivh… to put such a dangerous construct right at his doorstep…"
The violent impact made Lothar feel like he was falling apart. Even wearing the extremely protective saronite plate armor, it couldn't completely eliminate the shock from the magical explosion.
But his biggest headache was just beginning. He and Ogrim now had to figure out how to select the most useful parts from Medivh's mountain of books and also find a grimoire that resonated with Medivh's power.
"Damn it… I've never seen so many books in my life…"