"Arthas, we need to think of a solution," Jaina said, her brow furrowed with anxiety as she paced back and forth. "Teleportation magic can allow us to escape, but it would leave the Elves to face the enemy alone."
"Although I don't like my distant relatives, I must admit that Lady Proudmoore is right." Kael'thas's exquisite Sunstrider family robe had lost its former luster; days of fighting and retreating had left him no time to pay attention to his appearance.
Beside Kael'thas was another high-ranking general from Quel'Thalas, also an acquaintance of Arthas, Sylvanas. She leaned against an ancient tree, holding her longbow. "We'd better decide quickly whether to retreat or continue fighting. If the demons come up, we might not be able to leave."
Arthas, however, showed no trace of worry. He unfolded his map on a rock. "Don't rush. I suspect the Elves still have one last trick up their sleeve."
"One last trick?" The others were unsure why Arthas was so certain. Kael'thas asked, "Do you know something?"
Arthas did not answer directly but spoke about their previous encounter with the demons. "Do you remember the two demon commanders we killed?
Archimonde has the power to destroy the combined forces of the Alliance, Horde, and Kaldorei by himself, but apart from destroying our fortress at the beginning, he has barely appeared on the battlefield.
Even after his two subordinates were defeated by our combined efforts, Archimonde did not appear directly but forced us to retreat with his demon army.
According to the information we received from the Night Elves, Archimonde is not a patient commander."
Kael'thas, besides Arthas, was probably the most knowledgeable about the Night Elves here. "Are you saying that the Night Elves have a hidden means that can make Archimonde wary?"
"The leader of the Kaldorei, Archdruid Malfurion, has been gone for several days. At a critical moment of life and death, his absence as the strongest leader is not proof enough?"
Arthas smiled for the first time in days. In truth, no proof was needed; as the Lich King, he could already sense ancient souls gathering beneath Nordrassil.
And in those forests, countless more souls were gathering, preparing to deliver a grand gift to Archimonde.
Malfurion, in the end, did not disappoint anyone. Compared to Illidan, he was more suited to be the leader of a civilization.
If you lose the land but keep the people, you lose both people and land; if you keep the people but lose the land, you gain both people and land.
Time would prove Malfurion's choice was not wrong. Moreover, this time, the Elves' decision, although it caused them short-term wounds, unexpectedly helped them uncover unstable elements hidden within their race.
Arthas showed the Night Elves the strength and demeanor of the Alliance, hoping to form an alliance with them and further strengthen the Alliance's power.
But he also wanted to see the Night Elves' sincerity. If the Kaldorei's actions were inconsistent with his memory, and they only wanted to rely on the Alliance's strength to overcome the calamity, then Arthas would not let the Night Elves reap the benefits without effort.
Any allies in this world are based on mutual respect and understanding. Exploiting one party is not an alliance; it is enslavement.
As it stands, the Night Elves have satisfied Arthas. Although their ten-thousand-year-old civilization made them somewhat arrogant and complacent, the arrival of the Burning Legion had indeed taught them a harsh lesson. The Night Elves should have learned to view other races in this world with equality.
Moreover, this battle had indeed gained the friendship of the Night Elves. If Arthas's predictions were correct…
"Prince Arthas, the Priestess of the Kaldorei wishes to see you. She is waiting for you outside the camp."
Everyone turned their surprised gazes to Arthas. They hadn't expected that just after he mentioned the Night Elves having a hidden means, the Night Elves' High Priestess would seek him out.
Arthas nodded, dismissed his attendant, and after greeting the others, walked out.
Tyrande, riding her white tiger Ash'alah, waited outside the camp, followed by a squad of fully armed Elven Sentinels.
"Prince Arthas Arthas, please lead your people to evacuate Mount Hyjal first. Your mage forces should be able to do that," Tyrande said straightforwardly. "Otherwise, once Archimonde recovers, it will be very difficult to evacuate using teleportation spells."
"I understand, Priestess. I apologize that we couldn't stop the Burning Legion outside Mount Hyjal."
Arthas did not ask for the reason. Tyrande, seeing Arthas's calm and composed expression, couldn't help but recall someone who should have been forgotten.
"To be honest, Prince Arthas, you resemble a… friend of mine," Tyrande sighed softly. "We are about to detonate the World Tree's energy, to make Archimonde and his minions perish in the explosion. You must have already guessed this, haven't you?"
"The Arch Druid's departure made me suspect something, but I didn't expect that we would ultimately have to go this far." Arthas's tone carried a hint of regret. This wasn't feigned; he genuinely admired the Night Elves' plight and sacrifice.
If the power of the Burning Legion could have been stopped by the Alliance, Arthas would not have deliberately allowed the Elves to destroy Nordrassil. But the facts were clear: if the Alliance resisted with all its might, it would only enrage Archimonde, not only failing to prevent Nordrassil's destruction but also sacrificing the Alliance's active forces.
After all, although they had been fighting and retreating against the Burning Legion, the Alliance forces that came to support them in Kalimdor were truly elite soldiers and capable generals accumulated over many years.
It wasn't that Arthas didn't want to do more; it was that the current Alliance could only do so much.
Tyrande nodded at Arthas, relaxing somewhat. She herself had fully accepted the Night Elves' fate, and like Malfurion, she believed this was a necessary sacrifice. "There's no need to dwell on it. This is the Kaldorei's duty and destiny. However, I hope Prince Arthas can promise me one thing."
"Please speak freely, Priestess. I will do my best."
"If we survive this war, I hope the Alliance can provide some assistance to its new allies," Tyrande forced a smile. Although she knew Nordrassil's fate was inevitable, leaving their home of ten thousand years still filled Tyrande with reluctance and sorrow.
Arthas replied solemnly, "This is a necessary duty as allies, Priestess. Please rest assured, no one will forget everything the Night Elves sacrificed for Azeroth."