There were already too many chain quests, and most of them couldn't be completed immediately. As for short-term rewards, Arthas felt it was better to treat them as long-term quests. He wasn't actually that keen on getting other women pregnant. He was still in the process of accumulating strength and didn't have much energy to spare for women.
Two days later, at Windrunner Spire's port, a small number of high elves were still on guard. Due to its geographical location, the Horde had not attacked here. Currently, the Horde was concentrated outside Silvermoon City.
After being enhanced by the Altar of Storms and dismantling the runestones, the Horde's spellcasting power had been greatly enhanced. All they left in their wake was ash and the corpses of high elves.
Alleria arrived in Silvermoon City alone. Along the way, she saw countless villages burned to the ground and the mutilated bodies of her people; not even a complete corpse could be found. Silvermoon City was still as beautiful as ever. The long lifespans of the elves, combined with their heritage, had allowed this city to be carved with exquisite detail, like a work of art.
"Well, well, isn't it Alleria? Silvermoon City is on the verge of being breached, and you've only just now rushed back. Hmph, if you hadn't gone to help that damned Alliance, none of this would have happened." An elf with pale skin, white hair, and even white eyebrows and a beard was sneering, surrounded by a group of magic apprentices. This was Kael'thas, the traitor Vashj had bought.
"Hmph, my support for the Alliance was approved by the king. Get out of my way." Alleria directly pushed Kael'thas aside. Having witnessed the existence of the Dragon Aspects and the Titan Keepers, she now had no fear of these so-called Silvermoon nobles. It shouldn't be forgotten that she herself was a noble, just one who was ostracized for not using magic. The Windrunner family could use magic, but they rarely did so unless necessary.
"Hmph, how outrageous, teacher," an apprentice said, angered by Alleria's actions.
"Pay her no mind. Let's go, we have our own business to attend to." Kael'thas's tone held no resentment. He had many things to do and no time to get bogged down with a ranger.
In the Sunstrider Spire, garden-like architecture was everywhere, with enchanted brooms sweeping on their own and arcane constructs on patrol. It was closer to the Sunwell here, so the energy one could receive was greater. Bathed in the power of the Sunwell, every high elf felt invigorated.
After a long wait, Alleria finally saw the king. Also present were the twelve members of the Convocation of Silvermoon. They were all shocked and furious about the orcish Horde's invasion. Not since the Troll Wars two thousand years ago had the high elves suffered such heavy casualties. The Horde had given them almost no time to react. If they hadn't been digging up runestones to build Altars of Storms to empower the ogres, it wouldn't have been just the vanguard of orcs and trolls at the gates of Silvermoon, but their main force.
Even so, those orcs were felling trees to build siege engines. They also frequently killed any messengers sent out and any fleeing elven civilians. Such brazen behavior was like taking a shit on their heads!
"Greetings, Your Majesty, esteemed councilors." Although she was unhappy with the Convocation of Silvermoon, Alleria still gave a slight curtsy as per noble etiquette. She still had to observe the proper formalities.
"Since you've returned, the Ranger Corps is back under your command. Sylvanas was ineffective in combat; she will be punished after the war. If there's nothing else, go and make your preparations. There's nothing for you here." King Anasterian waved his hand, wanting Alleria to leave.
He didn't place much importance on the Ranger Corps, despite their mobility being indispensable in battle. But with the Sunwell at his back, he had the right to ignore non-magic users, even his own people.
"Your Majesty, my suggestion is to join the Alliance. The Prince of Lordaeron is already leading his army north. His condition is that Quel'Thalas rejoins the Alliance of Lordaeron so that we can fight the orcs and the Horde together. The purpose of the Alliance is to protect its members.
If we can join forces like we did two thousand years ago, humans and Quel'dorei together, then the orcs and trolls combined are destined to fail." Alleria's heart was still with her homeland. She even had to put aside her sister's punishment for the time being.
"There's no need to discuss this further. They can come and help; that is their duty. But for us to rejoin the Alliance? Hmph, unless the Alliance is called the Quel'dorei Alliance and we are in command, it is absolutely impossible. The Quel'dorei will not bow to any human!" a councilor sneered coldly. He looked down on humans, a short-lived race. What ability did they have that was worthy of them joining?
"Prince Arthas has the blessing of the dragons and also has their support. He would be a great help in our fight against the orcs and trolls and could reduce the casualties of the Quel'dorei." Alleria wanted to insist, but she was cut off.
"Enough. The council will discuss this matter. You are dismissed to prepare for battle, Alleria Windrunner!" Anasterian's voice carried a trace of magical power, showing his impatience.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Alleria was extremely disappointed with the attitude of the king and the council. It had already come to this. It was clearly agreed that Lordaeron would send reinforcements, and all they had to do was join the Alliance. But why had they changed their minds at the last minute?
Given the arrogance of the high elves, getting them to join the Alliance was a fool's dream. Without having experienced too many disasters, time had made them forget the calamities of the past.
What remained was the arrogance born from having the Sunwell, a font of magic, at their backs. They believed that as long as they relied on the Sunwell, they had nothing to fear. This arrogance led them to reject Alleria's proposal, and also to reject Arthas's request.
At Windrunner Spire's port, Arthas was leading his army in a fierce battle against the orcs. Behind him, Jaina's legs had gone so soft with fear that she was trembling.
Facing the savage orcs for the first time, she was so terrified she was stunned, even forgetting how to cast her spells. If Arthas hadn't been shielding her, she might have been cleaved in two by an axe!
The original Jaina could be friendly to the Horde, even tacitly allowing them to kill her own father, which had to do with her bizarre way of thinking and her childhood.
She had no idea how brutal the orcs were, thinking they were just like the dejected ones in the internment camps. At this moment, she was deeply shaken. It was only when Calia's Holy Light roused her that she began to cast spells in a clumsy, flustered manner, even misspeaking her incantations. She looked awkward, not at all like a genius mage.