"No need, this is enough. This is no place to linger." Arthas refused his kind offer. These provisions were enough to sustain the troops until they reached the Redridge Mountains. Once there, the roads would be clear, and there would be Alliance supply stations, enough to last until they caught up with the main army.
As long as they rendezvoused with the main army, supplies would not be a problem. The Murlocs and Gnolls were excellent foragers; one was responsible for fishing, the other for gathering wild fruits.
If the Night Elf Druids joined them, they could grow vegetables for supplies. Then, aside from the issue of water, everything else could be easily resolved.
Finding the three officers, Arthas took out the Life Essence. "Follow me, and you will gain strength for your loyalty. Serve me, and I shall protect you. Maintain your loyalty, and my rewards will never be stingy!"
The essence entered the bodies of the three, making them stronger and causing their stagnant power to slowly rise.
"Roar!" Khanzo was a typical Orc warrior. In the original story, he would also be promoted to a position of real power within the Blackrock Clan. Right now, he was terrified of Arthas.
Having consecutively slain the brothers Rend and Maim, Arthas's world-conquering aura made it impossible for him to look directly at him. After receiving the power enhancement, he found it had no side effects and even gave rise to a faint, heartfelt sense of worship.
At this moment, Khanzo fell to both knees and said in an incredibly humble tone, "I, Khanzo Blackrock, will serve you as my master for all eternity and never betray you."
Osana was a Stable Trainer in the Blackrock Clan. She was proficient in the art of Beast Mastery, a typical hunter. Whether it was taming Combat Pets or Mounts, she was an extraordinary expert. She held a high status within the Blackrock Clan and yearned for the life of the strong.
Now, Arthas, a human, was leading the Blackrock Clan. She had been unwilling at first, only submitting to the general trend. But now, a power she hadn't felt in a long time began to stir, and her strength started to break through. The feeling was indescribable. Was this what the Shamans called being close to nature?
Just like Khanzo, she knelt humbly on both knees, speaking to Arthas with piety and fervor.
"I, Osana Blackrock, will serve you as my master for all eternity and never betray you."
"I, Thieman Burningthorn, will serve you as my master for all eternity and never betray you." The Warlock Thieman also knelt on the ground with extreme deference.
Only after witnessing Arthas's cruelty, coupled with the benefits of increased strength, did this combination of kindness and coercion prove to be as effective as ever.
Arthas was very pleased. He had also heard the system's notification sounds, which confirmed his suspicions. Even without a quest, as long as the conditions were met, the effects should still trigger.
"Ding! Khanzo Blackrock has become your follower."
"Ding! Osana Blackrock has become your follower."
"Ding! Thieman Burningthorn has become your follower."
"Ding! The Blackrock Clan has been integrated into your territory."
"Ding! The Burning Thorn Clan has been integrated into your territory."
The series of notifications was both expected and surprising.
"Go and organize your clans. I will help you treat the wounded. We'll get everything in order today and set out tomorrow." Arthas waved his hand. He needed to walk among them from time to time to let the soldiers below know that he was the boss.
He spent the entire afternoon using the Holy Light to heal the wounded. Some were already maimed beyond what simple Holy Light could mend. Arthas didn't abandon these soldiers either, instead gathering them to perform logistical work.
This act won him the goodwill of the Orcs and Trolls. Although abandoning the disabled was the most logical course of action—cruel but saving time and effort—if they could be kept, no one wanted to be cast aside after being crippled.
That would undoubtedly make them hesitant to risk their lives. It was clear from the previous battle that these Orcs did not have a resolute will to fight to the death.
Vereesa followed Arthas around all afternoon, extremely curious about him. How did this brother-in-law manage to win her older sister's heart? What was his charm?
Observing how Arthas conducted himself, she felt very comfortable. There was no high-and-mighty corruption; he was very down-to-earth while still maintaining his dignity as a master.
The Orc and Troll soldiers went from being prisoners to developing a favorable impression of Arthas, even beginning to worship him. She found this incredibly unbelievable.
That night, the two sisters slept together. Vereesa told Alleria what she had observed. "Big Sis, no wonder you like him. Brother-in-law's methods are even more impressive than Prince Kael'thas's."
Kael'thas: Are you being polite?
Alleria caressed the longbow in her hands. Her fair, delicate fingers were completely free of calluses, unbelievably delicate. "The more you interact with him, the more you'll find that he becomes increasingly fascinating to women. Let's sleep. We have to set out tomorrow." After speaking, she even tucked in the blanket for the little Whelp, Athena, who was beside them.
Athena was also close to Arthas's spouses, perhaps because she carried his scent. This made Tarecgosa, who was acting as a nanny, very jealous. What an ungrateful little dragon, to think she had doted on her for so long!
Meanwhile, Arthas was still outside, meeting with some Dark Iron Dwarves who had escaped from underground. Not all Dark Iron Dwarves obediently followed their king's orders.
Enslaved by Fire Elementals and forced to spend every day in the damnable high temperatures of the Magma, many newborns couldn't withstand the harsh environment and died prematurely, causing internal resentment to boil over.
Some Dark Iron Dwarves, unwilling to accept enslavement, fled together and formed a loose organization outside to continue their lives.
The Thorium Brotherhood. This was the Dark Iron Dwarves' organization.
Arthas received the Dark Iron Dwarf before him and poured him a cup of tea, a very precious commodity in the Burning Steppes. Water resources were too scarce here; most would not drink unless absolutely necessary.
"Prince Arthas, we have heard of your great name. I have come this time to request your help. King Sorcerer has gone mad. He is using the lives of our people as sacrifices to the elementals below."
Stebben spoke with spittle flying, recounting the misfortune the Dark Iron Dwarves were suffering—forced to labor day and night, oppressed by Fire Elementals, and all that bullshit about losing their freedom.
"What do I get out of it?" Arthas stared at the Dark Iron Dwarf before him, whose skin was grayish-black and pupils had turned red. He wouldn't be moved by a few words. Want his help? Fine, but they had to bleed for it!