As the flowers fell, Azshara reappeared, and upon her arrival, all the Highborne fell silent, their eyes filled with fanaticism, kneeling on one knee to show respect.
Xavius did not kneel; instead, he frowned, looking at the somewhat unfamiliar queen.
In the past, Azshara always wore a bikini top with a goddess-like fringe skirt, striving to display her charm, generous and opulent.
This was unlike a dancing streamer who shows off her legs, with 'money equals access' written all over her; Azshara, however, exuded nobility, her imperious aura enough to suppress all ill intentions.
Today, Azshara had changed into a Moon Goddess robe, a hint of seductive maturity in her brows, her entire being like a newlywed wife.
Compared to her usual unapproachable demeanor, what she displayed today was a restrained and steady presence, which was more befitting a queen, a ruler of an empire.
What was that called? Power without anger? Yes, exactly.
Actually, Azshara didn't want to wear this robe; it was a bit stuffy and made her uncomfortable, preventing her from feeling the energy of the Well of Eternity in a cool posture.
She didn't know that this came from a man's selfish possessiveness. Being opulent and generous was good, but only for him to see; others certainly couldn't.
When buying a new car, everyone displays it, but once it's bought, one wishes they could put a dozen or twenty locks on it.
"Today, I announce one thing: I have a consort. The Empire will celebrate for a month starting today."
"Ximen Chuixue, come out and meet my subjects. You all should look closely; this is my consort!"
Azshara's words broke many Highborne's hearts. The queen actually had a consort?
The queen, who had always been stern with any male, had found a consort? Who was that fellow?
That hateful beast, daring to defile the queen, an unforgivable death penalty, he must die!
Even the demigods on Mount Hyjal had hinted at such thoughts, but they were all beaten black and blue by the queen, scurrying away with their heads in their hands.
Becoming the queen's consort was not difficult; the first step was to be able to defeat the queen. As long as one defeated Azshara, the rest would be easy.
Easier said than done.
There was not a single person in the entire Kaldorei Empire who could defeat queen Azshara!
Those commoners who couldn't learn magic, who weren't worthy of learning magic, went to learn some Druid magic, which was simply laughable.
Only arcane magic was true magic; those Druidic, Nature-based ways were all a laughingstock.
It was almost like saying karate was the most useless skill in the world.
It was precisely because of the queen's power that the Kaldorei Empire was able to expand its territory, radiating across the entire continent.
If not for the queen's benevolence, those ugly trolls would not have been qualified to exist in this world at all.
Now that she had a consort, did that mean this 'Ximen' had defeated the queen?
Everyone's scrutinizing and dangerous gazes gathered on Arthas. He still had the appearance of the Lich King's death knight, Frostmourne hanging at his waist, looking indifferently at these queen's sycophants.
His eyes held anger, resentment, suspicion, and even jealous madness, but no blessings.
What kind of joke was this?
Seeing their goddess become someone else's vessel, and they were expected to give blessings?
Not using magic to blast him into pieces was already merciful; they were supposed to give blessings?
Among them, Xavius was the most striking; a Fel flame unconsciously ignited in extreme anger.
The smell of sulfur made the noble elves behind him instinctively cover their noses and retreat. It wasn't just the stench, but also the terrifying pressure.
When did Xavius become so strong?
He must be starting to step into the realm of a demigod, right?
Azshara wore a faint smile on her lips, her snow-white hair caught at the corner of her mouth. As the breeze blew, her beautiful hair fluttered; at this moment, she was truly breathtaking, calling her a goddess would be no exaggeration.
Perhaps only elune, who had never appeared but had divine miracles descend, could be compared to the queen.
"Xavius, are you unconvinced?"
What, you're unconvinced?
What do you want? What can you do?
Hmph! Hmph!
Watching Xavius gnashing his teeth, it made one worry if he would turn into an ox. This heavy breathing, wasn't it like an ox's nose?
Taking a step forward, the sycophant's desire to show off in front of the goddess was at play. He yearned to prove himself, that he was already strong enough.
"Beloved Majesty, this creature is utterly unworthy to be your consort. Look how weak he is; he's not even as tall as you."
"It must be this shameless beast who used a trick to temporarily bewilder you. Let me uncover the truth and expose him. Your consort should be a transcendentally powerful being, only then can the Empire continue to prosper!"
"The children of Kaldorei all look up to your radiance; you illuminate our path forward. We all hope the queen finds a consort, a powerful consort. We all refuse to accept him!"
"We are all unconvinced, we simply refuse to accept this weak beast, this coward who only uses illusions! Coward, do you dare to duel me, staking our lives, under the queen's witness!"
As expected of the queen's advisor, his mind worked fast.
Not only was he a sycophant, but he also incited other noble elves, using the title of the queen's consort, which drew hatred, to force everyone to unite in opposition.
Truly disgusting, and cunning enough. Who could accept the queen having a consort?
The proud elves' minds were at play. This jealousy and resentment were enough to make them put aside their squabbles and unite against an outsider.
The queen could have a consort, but not some unknown fellow like this!
"Presumptuous!"
Azshara's golden eyes flashed with anger; she hated disobedience most of all.
She was the sun of Kaldorei, shining upon all her subjects. How dared they question the only sun!
Arthas reached out and patted her firm, voluptuous behind, then proudly lifted his head, looking down at Xavius. This obvious demonic appearance must have been the result of Fel corruption.
"Don't be angry. I took away their perfect, untouchable queen, so it's only natural for them to be angry."
"Leave it to me, I'll handle it. They know nothing of my power."
He slowly stepped forward, drew Frostmourne, held the runeblade level with his right hand, his tone a mix of playful mockery and cold disdain.
"You can pick ten of your strongest to duel me. No need for one-on-one; I'll deal with all of you at once."
"I'll fight ten!"
Ten?
Are you crazy?!
You're Arthas, not Ip Man!
Indeed, these Highborne, who usually oppressed commoners and lived dissolute lives, were enraged.
Even a clay figure has some temper; who are you looking down on?!