After a short journey, Arthas and the others arrived at the camp in the Tirisfal Mountains.
Arthas had long ago arranged for this camp to be set up on the outskirts of the Whispering Forest, specifically to make today's exploration convenient. Although there weren't many people, having an emergency camp was better than having none.
Jaina had been waiting here for some time. She had practically moved her Mage Tower to Theramore, where she was simultaneously honing her abilities and continuing her magical studies.
Anyway, for Jaina, who was proficient in teleportation spells, with accurate location coordinates, teleporting between Dalaran and Theramore was no different from walking through a door.
Therefore, she was one of the first to arrive at the camp.
Although this camp was built in the mountains and forests, appearing inconspicuous, Arthas had equipped it with dozens of battle-hardened royal knights for guard duty, and even assigned two Silver Hand Knights to be stationed there year-round.
The whispers of the Whispering Forest were not just a legend; any life that resided there for too long could hear those incessant whispers. Thus, as early as the Arathor Empire, this area had been uninhabited.
People at that time didn't know where the whispers originated, but that didn't mean they were unaware of the danger lurking within the sound.
Coupled with the covert guidance of Tyr's Guard, all residents living near the Whispering Forest were relocated to the outer reaches of the mountains.
For this camp, having ordinary soldiers guard it was no different from sending them to their deaths, because even Arthas's hand-picked champions required various magical items to be immune from the dark thoughts of the Old Gods' servants.
Of course, these preparations were only for the permanent guards stationed here. For Arthas and his group, who were about to enter the source of the whispers and confront that dark entity directly, these items were practically negligible.
Jaina, leaning on her staff, was performing magical modeling of the surrounding woodland, constructing a sufficiently clear three-dimensional map.
"Our position is on the outskirts of this area called the Whispering Forest, but this forest isn't very large. It should only take two to three hours for us to reach the source of this mysterious influence."
Jaina's slender finger pointed at the map, and the entire map began to zoom in, focusing on a lake. "Here, this lake, is the source that has influenced the Whispering Forest for dozens of centuries."
"A lake?" Gavinrad scratched his stubbled chin. "Could it be some kind of water monster?"
"No one knows, Gavinrad. According to verifiable records, there has been no human activity in this forest for thousands of years. No one knows what's in this lake." Dathrohan slapped Gavinrad's shoulder with a heavy hammer, making the Grand Knight stumble.
Watching Gavinrad rub his shoulder and complain to Dathrohan, Arthas said to everyone, "Three thousand years ago, Emperor Thoradin also disappeared without a trace in this forest with his Royal Guards. We have reason to believe that something very terrifying is hidden within."
Emperor Thoradin's brilliant martial prowess was known to all; he was practically a common role model for human monarchs throughout history. Moreover, this emperor, wielding a divine sword, was himself a formidable warrior. His disappearance with his Royal Guards at the time caused a huge stir in human civilization.
Even in his twilight years, the battle-hardened Emperor Thoradin possessed strength that ordinary people could hardly match, and the Royal Guards he led were the elite of the elite.
Such a team disappearing without a trace in the Whispering Forest immediately made the Silver Hand Knights serious.
There were seven of them in total, all of whom were among the best of humanity. Almost all of the Silver Hand's top combat forces were present, and Magni and Muradin, who were still on their way, were also top powerhouses among the dwarves.
Jaina, of course, goes without saying—possibly the most talented and youngest Archmage in Kirin Tor history. Such a small team was certainly no less capable than Emperor Thoradin's expedition team back then.
Arthas had originally wanted to call Kael'thas, but he seemed to have encountered some issues and had left Eldre'Thalas, returning to his old home, Silvermoon City. Even the people in Dalaran couldn't contact him.
Jaina could call other helpers from Dalaran, but besides picking from the Council of Six, there weren't many who could compare to Kael'thas in all aspects.
So, for now, no new magical assistance was needed. In fact, this battle primarily relied on the power of the Holy Light, as this was the true bane of the Void.
Including Arthas himself, there were six top Paladins of the Silver Hand, and two artifacts forged from Naru cores. Even if there were a living K'thir here today, Arthas could find a way to convert him.
And purifying a corpse that had not been made active by Twilight Cultists, combined with the residual power of Tyr, was more than enough.
After a simple division of tasks, the seven-person team rested temporarily at the camp, awaiting the arrival of Magni and Muradin.
At dawn the next day, Magni and Muradin landed at the camp on griffons. The seven absolute combat forces of the Alliance departed from the camp, swiftly heading towards the lake in the Whispering Forest.
Upon reaching the lakeside, even before feeling the moist lake breeze, almost all the Paladins, except for Arthas, changed their expressions.
Ordinary people might not notice the whispers hidden beneath the waves and interwoven with the forest winds; they would need prolonged exposure to the corrupted area to be affected.
However, as followers of the Holy Light, the Paladins almost instantly sensed the overwhelming malice, as if fire and water were incompatible, something was reacting violently with their Holy Light power.
And this reaction manifested as the almost continuous whispers. The rich experience of the initial Paladins and the elder Mograine allowed them to react immediately.
They either opened their Holy Tomes or bowed their heads, leaning on their warhammers in prayer. Fortunately, amidst the corruption and madness, there was indeed another sound hidden—a power that brought the Paladins great peace of mind.
Arthas, however, was the exact opposite of his teacher and comrades. When the Void's power encountered him, it veered away as if meeting a plague god, and some Void energy that couldn't escape was torn into the Holy Tome at his waist, instantly being assimilated into Holy Light.
Jaina and the two dwarves did not react as strongly as the Paladins, but their own extraordinary nature allowed them to easily detect the unusual influence.
Jaina erected a magical barrier for herself, filtering out the whispers, while Arthas blessed Magni and Muradin with the Holy Light, also shielding them from the influence.
"By the Light, what ominous presence is buried here?" Tirion instinctively tightened his grip on his platinum warhammer, his lament mixed with a hint of shock.
Uther's expression was also solemn. "Such a dangerous presence actually exists in Tirisfal? We must do our best to eradicate it—"
Arthas was about to respond but was interrupted by another voice carried on the wind.
"You shouldn't have come here, shouldn't have come to this cursed place."