The death of Tichondrius did not affect The Scourge in the city; these undead continued their attacks, growing increasingly berserk.
"Jaina, send a message to Sinestra. Tell her to find the Altar of Resurrection. The undead are not so easily killed."
As Arthas spoke, his gaze was fixed on the cool, sleek, and elegant sword lying on the ground, the very source of his impending fall, Frostmourne.
"Pick it up, pick it up! My prince, pick it up and become my slave!"
From the distant Frozen Throne, Ner'zhul's roar, emanating from his very soul, echoed. If he had a body, he would have stood up and roared at that moment.
However, Arthas frowned, feeling that this weapon was not easy to control, yet it would be a shame to discard it, and it could even empower an enemy. He was momentarily in a dilemma.
'Side Quest Updated: Purify Frostmourne'
'Quest Content: Use the Holy Light to temporarily seal Frostmourne's soul control. Wield Frostmourne to slay Tichondrius again, using his soul essence to thoroughly purify Frostmourne.'
'Quest Reward: Holy Frostmourne'
Using the soul essence of a dreadlord to remove the weapon's soul-controlling ability?
It seemed plausible. This weapon was originally crafted by the dreadlord race, never mind how it was made.
Using their souls for purification would indeed be effective, as the most troublesome aspect of this weapon was its soul-controlling ability.
Arthas raised the weapon, and a Holy Light spell descended, its radiance enveloping Frostmourne.
The pale blue runes on it began to be suppressed, and a hint of golden light appeared.
The Holy Light continuously descended, and relying on the rapid mana regeneration from the Glorious Aura, it took a full minute of purification to temporarily suppress and shield the blue energy.
The two-handed sword, which had originally emanated a chilling aura, now no longer caused the soul-shaking dread, but instead exuded a warm, spring-like sensation, this was the deceptive nature of the Holy Light.
One cannot trust the Holy Light, and Arthas did not trust it. From beginning to end, he only knew one Holy Light spell.
If not for the paladin skills inherently provided by his character panel, he probably wouldn't even be able to use it.
It is almost impossible to use the Holy Light without being a follower of the Holy Light.
A paladin who cannot use the Holy Light?
Reaching out to pick up Frostmourne, a strong sense of destiny enveloped his heart. A tremor from his soul, would he fall as fate dictated?
No, absolutely not!
The undead cannot Bash, so the undead are useless!
Relying on Frostmourne's sharpness, Arthas charged into the fray. No undead could withstand a single one of his attacks.
Without triggering the bonus damage from Bash or critical strikes, the weapon's amplification alone was enough to cleave an undead to death with one swing.
Except for the massive Flesh Giant abominations, which could withstand two hits, every other undead met an instant demise.
The Holy Light continuously descended upon him, healing him while also maintaining the suppression of Frostmourne's soul-devouring side effects.
Sylvanas followed behind, watching the young prince wielding Frostmourne, her eyes becoming exceptionally solemn.
"How did he pick up that sword? Didn't he say that sword was the source of his fall?"
Jaina had also heard this story, back when Arthas had her in his arms.
Although worried, having been intimate with him, she was more willing to believe her beloved.
"He's different now, more confident, and his methods are more mature. I trust him, Sylvanas, and I trust you too."
Sylvanas closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the valiant and decisive ranger-general was back.
"Then follow him, lest something happens to him. If anything seems amiss, knock him out and take him back!"
That's more like it.
If there's no problem, continue the charge. If there's a problem, cut your losses in time.
In the past, had it not been for the need to defend Silvermoon City to the death and evacuate civilians, coupled with an internal traitor breaking the magical barrier, even Arthas leading a tide of the undead Scourge would not have been able to break through easily.
Even so, Sylvanas' guerrilla tactics had left him battered and with heavy losses, infuriating Arthas to the point where he killed her and resurrected her as a banshee, condemning her to a painful existence in the world.
Slaughtering her former compatriots, even after the Lich King incident, as an undead, she could no longer live with the living, destined to be alone for eternity.
"How is this possible!"
Ner'zhul, through the eyes of his Scourge minions, saw Arthas wielding Frostmourne, slaughtering his servant army. He attempted to use Frostmourne as a medium for whispers and control.
His mental power sank like a stone into the sea, not even stirring a ripple. No matter how much he sent, it was all swallowed, consuming a significant amount of his mental energy and leaving him considerably weakened.
"Damn Burning Legion! Damn Nathrezim!"
"Useless, all useless! A bunch of useless bastards, and this is the result?!"
No matter how Ner'zhul cursed, his mental power for control simply had no effect.
Now, Banehollow had just been resurrected, and Tichondrius was also on a resurrection countdown, requiring a large expenditure of souls.
It seemed the plan to tempt the human prince into corruption in Stratholme had somewhat failed.
If the mission wasn't completed, Kil'jaeden would surely torment Ner'zhul again, making him wish for death. He would also capture the remaining orcs, tear their flesh apart in front of him, torture their souls, making him feel guilt and pain, ultimately causing him to lose his self-awareness.
The Burning Legion was not short of demons skilled in soul torment, and Ner'zhul absolutely did not want to experience that torment again.
At this moment, he had to find a way to salvage the situation.
Fortunately, there were many backup plans for recruiting a spokesman, but Arthas' bravery had captured the attention of the Lich King, Ner'zhul.
If one plan failed, he would try another.
Using mental power, he remotely transmitted a message to the newly resurrected dreadlord.
"Banehollow, Tichondrius has failed, and Frostmourne is lost. If you don't want The Legion's wrath to fall upon you, then begin executing the second backup plan."
Banehollow had just been resurrected, and the memory of Arthas' ferocity still left him with lingering fear.
Seeing the Silver Hand knights fiercely fighting in the distance, he couldn't resist joining the battle himself, quickly grabbing a knight and twisting his neck.
The crisp sound seemed to recharge his shattered confidence. He wasn't weak after all!
It was just that Arthas was too strong, terrifyingly strong, which made him seem weak by comparison.
"Backup plan? Hmph, I've never heard of it! You've hidden many things, how daring of you!"
Ner'zhul was unconcerned and began to recount his plan, also detailing the infiltration of the Cult of the Damned in various regions.
He planned for these cultists to make one final, impactful surge, plunging Lordaeron into endless chaos.
Only by being preoccupied could The Scourge truly prepare for The Legion's arrival.
Listening to Ner'zhul's plan, even a backup one, it was intricate and step-by-step, leaving him astonished.
"Why didn't you do this earlier?"
"Hmph, I will execute it. You'd best dispatch more of The Scourge from Northrend."
"Contact your servants. The real show has just begun."