Silverpine Forest, this forest belongs to three kingdoms; not only do Lordaeron residents live here, but to the east of Silverpine Forest, there are also Kirin Tor towns and residents, and to the southernmost part is the territory of Gilneas.
However, after Gilneas announced its withdrawal from the Alliance, King Genn Greymane of Gilneas chose to stay away from the conflicts of the main continent and built a high wall at the border of Silverpine Forest and Gilneas Peninsula to isolate external troubles.
Today, the Greymane Wall is nearing completion, but this time it was not used to stop the advance of the Scourge, but to block all members of the Alliance outside the wall.
Or rather, to lock Gilneas inside the wall.
However, even if Genn Greymane built a physical high wall, losing the opportunity to communicate with the outside world, he would live in constant fear of every shadow and whisper.
Genn had not yet realized that the Alliance was no longer like the human kingdoms of decades ago; united, they were not striving for resources or expanding territory, but to resist a true, ever-present threat that had not yet arrived.
Gilneas's announcement to withdraw from the Alliance was a regrettable matter in Arthas's view, but he could not change Genn's decision at that time, as when Gilneas withdrew, they had just defeated the Orcish Wars, yet had not even seen a shadow of the Burning Legion.
Genn is a good king; although somewhat stubborn, he still thinks of his people. If there was an opportunity, it would not be difficult for him to lead Gilneas back into the Alliance.
But even Arthas did not expect this day to come so quickly.
Arthas, who possesses what could be said to be the largest intelligence network in this world apart from the Bronze Dragonflight, indeed knows many untold facts, but at times, this intelligence network is useless when encountering people or objects that truly detach from the social system.
Besides, even if so much information could be conveyed to Arthas at any time, Arthas himself is not always in his office reading reports from his subordinates; he has many other things to do.
Therefore, even with such an intelligence network, it is not omniscient. On the contrary, sometimes, due to the overly complex information, it can affect the efficiency of effective information transmission.
He did arrange for personnel to monitor some extremely important people or objects, but regarding certain matters beyond his reach, Arthas could not be comprehensive.
For example, the "strange occurrences" happening in Silverpine Forest.
Wolf howls, fur, and tall figures darting through the night—even without verification, Arthas knew what this was. The problem, however, was that the cause of this matter was precisely the part that was outside Arthas's purview.
Archmage Arugal, a former member of the Kirin Tor Council, left Dalaran for unknown reasons not long ago. Along with him, several of his apprentices and servants also disappeared.
According to clues found by agents and spies in Archmage Arugal's mage tower and residence, Archmage Arugal must have been utterly enraged by a failed proposal, leading him to leave. However, where he went and what he intended to do remains unknown.
This is precisely one of the most troublesome situations: Arugal's family relationships are unclear, possibly deceased due to the Orcish Wars according to records, and his conduct is also very strange, so he has no friends. The only apprentices and servants who knew him somewhat also mysteriously disappeared.
Initially, the agents were prepared to search for the whereabouts of these apprentices and servants, but after several skeletons were dug up in the garden behind Arugal's mage tower, the agents helplessly found that the clues ended there.
Arugal's incredibly simple network of connections left the agents at a loss, and they could only report it to the Secret Intelligence Agency headquarters.
When Arthas received this report, it was when he had just returned from the Blackrock Mountain front. At that time, Archmage Arugal had already been missing for almost half a month.
Arthas ordered his agents to search for clues about this mage as much as possible, and provided them with a direction: Silverpine Forest and Gilneas, but progress was very slow.
As for why Arthas did not use more resources to find the whereabouts of this Archmage, it was because he truly could not stir up much trouble. Or rather, the one who truly stirred up trouble was not him at all, but the artifact that disappeared from the Night Elves' temple—the moon god scythe.
This scythe is the root of all problems. As long as this scythe exists, even without Arugal, someone named Aru-low would emerge to continue causing this problem.
Therefore, if the whereabouts of the moon god scythe could not be found, there was no need to go to great lengths to specifically look for Arugal. As long as he caused a stir in the Eastern Kingdoms, the Secret Intelligence Agency's agents would soon come knocking.
Indeed, after a brief period of dormancy, Arugal, who seemed to possess some ability, began his unspeakable dealings in the southern part of Silverpine Forest.
Secret Intelligence Agency agents "coincidentally" discovered a special area there. This area was once the territory of Darius Crowley, a lord of Gilneas, but after the Greymane Wall was completed, Gilneas abandoned it.
Lord Crowley thus developed a rift and estrangement with King Greymane. For this, he was also deeply troubled, and coupled with the obstruction of the Greymane Wall, he gradually lost control over his territory.
Therefore, it was not impossible for a mage to take advantage of the situation and control some of the residents here.
Arugal's spellcasting ability is not strong, even somewhat unworthy of the title "Archmage," but he has a certain talent in academic research related to magic. To compensate for his lack of spellcasting ability, this Archmage began to study summoning spells.
Summoning spells have an advantage: one can prepare magic circles or runes in advance to summon creatures to assist oneself, which is very suitable for a mage like Arugal. But for some reason, this mage's research led him to touch upon a field that a mage should not have noticed.
His spells connected to the Emerald Dream, summoning the worgen who had been pacified and put to sleep by Archdruid Malfurion. These wild "cursed ones" immediately burst out of the dream, ready to tear apart all of Arugal's enemies.
Unfortunately, the awakening of the worgen did not merely cause them to reappear in the real world of Azeroth; it also reawakened a certain corrupted curse.
Worgen are a corrupted manifestation of druids' misuse of primal wild power. The elves at the time also found no way to restore the sanity of the cursed, relying only on Archdruid Malfurion to seal these worgen within the Emerald Dream.
Although the worgen curse in the real world dissipated as a result, countless worgen still slumber within the Emerald Dream. These cursed, corrupted creatures await only an opportunity to return to the real world, spread the curse, and transform more creatures into their kind.
Arthas led a squad of Lordaeron Knights swiftly to the southern part of Silverpine Forest. The Secret Intelligence Agency had secretly established defensive lines in the forest to prevent those out-of-control worgen from posing a threat to the people of Lordaeron.
Liadrin was also among this group, participating as a member of the Silver Hand. After a period of training, this High Priest had become a probationary paladin, wearing armor, wielding a longsword and shield, and accompanying Arthas.
"We are dealing with an ancient and savage force. Be careful, do not get injured. Wounds caused by those worgen will spread the curse, and you might also become one of them."
"Thank you for the reminder, Prince, I will be careful."
Along the way, Arthas had repeatedly explained the dangers of the worgen to Liadrin, and Liadrin had a preliminary understanding of it.
"You brought so many soldiers, is the situation very serious?" Tulani quietly asked Arthas.
Arthas, however, shook his head, "It's not wise to have ordinary soldiers deal with worgen in the forest. Their main job is to maintain order. The ones who truly hunt those out-of-control worgen are not us."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Tulani was a little confused.
"Find the mastermind who summoned the worgen, then kill him, or bring him back to Lordaeron's prison. It's that simple."
Tulani blinked, "Are you always like this?"
"What do you mean?" Arthas was caught off guard by Tulani's question, as he didn't know what Tulani was trying to express.
"Like, you personally handle everything? As the Prince of such a large nation, you shouldn't have to personally deal with such minor matters, should you?"
Liadrin's ears twitched slightly. Although she was still holding the reins of her warhorse and looking straight ahead, it was clear that this High Elf lady was also very interested in this.
"Not entirely," Arthas replied, "It's just that this matter involves some complexities, which is why I'm personally here. And it's a good opportunity to find a suitable opponent for Liadrin."
Tulani nodded. Following Arthas, she was also learning about matters related to the Alliance. She had noticed quite early that Arthas personally reviewed many things, a trait that was probably more responsible than many Draenei Exarchs.
Liadrin pursed her lips. She thought of her own nation's Sun King, Kael'thas, who was also similarly diligent as Arthas, but Quel'Thalas's current problems...
Never mind, don't think about it. Thinking too much serves no purpose and only adds to the trouble.
Liadrin cast such thoughts from her mind, focusing more on the journey.
The defensive line constructed by the Secret Intelligence Agency seemed very effective. When the team led by Arthas arrived at a small town closest to the forest where the incident occurred, although they saw the road leading to the forest was closed, the townspeople did not appear panicked and continued their lives normally.
Arthas ordered the troops to set up camp here, while he, taking Liadrin and Tulani, ventured into the closed-off forest.
Soon, the three reached a temporary outpost. Here, Liadrin saw another of her High Elf compatriots, only, she had never seen this elf before.
"Valeera, it's good to see you again."
Arthas's arrival immediately energized Valeera, who had seemed somewhat sluggish. She responded, "Prince, why have you come personally?"
"To take a look. How are things?"
"General Maris is leading the troops to clear out the runaway worgen. Everything is temporarily normal. As for that still unconscious Night Elf... please follow me."
Led by Valeera, Arthas entered a tent. This place, originally for the wounded, held only one figure: a female Night Elf lying unconscious on a sickbed.
Arthas glanced at this elf lady and roughly understood the situation—the priest's Holy Light and potions had stabilized her injuries, but she clearly hadn't just suffered physical trauma. Her soul had fallen into some kind of abnormal slumber, which was why she couldn't wake up.
Druids should have a way to dispel the influence entwined around this elf, but clearly, the Secret Intelligence Agency hadn't had time to find a druid to help them. However, if it was just to awaken this elf lady from her coma, then Tulani, who was with Arthas, could also do it.
As an Auchenai Soulbinder, Tulani could not only communicate with the dead; she also had rich experience and knowledge in soothing souls and healing soul trauma. So Arthas said to Tulani, "Go see if you can wake her up."
Tulani nodded, walked to the elf's side, and prepared to see how she could awaken the slumbering Night Elf.
Arthas himself, of course, also had ways to influence souls, but compared to Tulani's methods, his means would probably be less pleasant.
If Tulani couldn't wake this Night Elf, it wouldn't be too late for Arthas to act.
While Tulani was treating the Night Elf, Arthas asked again, "Have you found the source of the worgen?"
"No, we tried to capture some worgen, but they are completely like beasts and impossible to communicate with," Valeera shook her head, "However, our agents discovered some abnormalities in Burningwood Village."
Seeing Arthas nod in affirmation, Valeera continued, "There's very dense worgen activity around Burningwood Village, but Burningwood Village and Shivalein Castle on Burningwood Village Mountain show no signs of being affected by the worgen. However, under our observation, those worgen act purely on instinct, like wild beasts; both livestock and travelers could be attacked by them.
Merchant caravans traveling between the various towns in Silverpine Forest have reported worgen attacks, but fortunately, these caravans are equipped with considerable defensive forces and have successfully driven off the worgen. It's just that those who were bitten by worgen..."
Valeera hesitated, but Arthas finished her thought, "It's just that those who were wounded by the worgen tend to turn into worgen?"