The kings stood together, the queens stood together, the Great Lords stood together, and the princes stood together as well. Similar status allowed for better communication; at the same level, there was nothing that couldn't be discussed.
"Arthas, what are your thoughts on establishing the Orc Internment Camps?" Prince Liam asked Arthas in a slightly respectful tone. Though he didn't want to admit it, he had to accept that Arthas was indeed the most outstanding among the human princes.
"I don't have many thoughts. As long as it's affordable. The Orcs, the guards—they're all expenses. As for using them as labor, that's an option. Whatever the Alliance decides is fine; it doesn't affect me." Arthas didn't strictly need more Orcs. He already had over seventy thousand Orc soldiers under his command, the bulk of them from the Blackrock Clan and the War Song Clan. They were absolutely loyal to him; he had claimed the title of Chieftain through strength, and with good living conditions—being well-fed, warm, and having work to vent their excess energy—this was the life the Orcs wanted.
As for the influence of the Demon Blood, that was easy to solve. Catch them, give them a beating until they passed out, wake them up with chili water, and beat them again. Once the effect of the Demon Blood passed and they entered the exhaustion phase, they were easy to handle. That stuff was just a trigger, not an absolute incurable disease.
"Heh, you just want the Orc labor, don't you? You've already made a fortune taking so many Orcs away!" a snide voice chimed in. Without looking, one knew it was Prince Galen of Stromgarde. He was a man of little talent but much envy. It was perhaps understandable; Stromgarde had once been the center of the human empire, but it had gradually declined while Lordaeron grew powerful. This disparity was the root of his inferiority complex.
"Oh? If you're so capable, why don't I leave them to you? You handle it? Since you're so impressive and talented!" Arthas didn't indulge him. He turned and countered with a mocking tone, "Stop with the sarcasm. If you're so capable, go make your own fortune. To be talentless and yet so envious... I feel embarrassed for you. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"You!" Galen's face flushed red with humiliation, especially since other princes and Great Lords were watching. It was a massive blow to his pride.
"Are you angry? Enraged? Then let's have a Duel to the Death. Once you're dead, all your troubles will vanish. Do you dare? You waste!" Arthas threw his glove at him, his face full of mockery. There was no need to indulge such trash. The more face you gave them, the more they acted up. You had to hit them hard—hit them until they didn't dare bare their teeth at you, until they tucked their tails between their legs the moment they saw you.
"You!" Galen was humiliated once again. He was in a bind, unable to back down gracefully. If he retreated, it meant he was a coward, and no one would respect him again; it would have deep repercussions, even affecting Stromgarde. If he moved forward? That was a Duel to the Death. He didn't believe for a second he could defeat Arthas; he could already see his own death.
For a moment, the atmosphere turned cold. The nearby queens, princesses, and Great Lords all looked over, deeply curious about what was happening. No one dared to step in, each calculating in their own mind. Some were witnessing Arthas's dominance, while others were simply interested in the gossip of two princes at each other's throats.
Derek, Arthas's future brother-in-law, stepped forward and blocked the path of the struggling Prince of Stromgarde. "Today is a day of triumph, not a time for internal Alliance conflict. Whatever issues there are can be settled later. Now is not the time."
It was a statement that solved nothing, merely postponing the fight.
Arthas gave Derek a thoughtful look. It seemed this future brother-in-law still had some issues with him. He turned to look at the triumphant parade below, which was nearing its end, and stood with his hands behind his back, falling silent.
"Hmph!" The Prince of Stromgarde also retreated sullenly to the other side, his face dark. He had completely lost face today. He never expected Arthas to have such a short fuse, jumping straight to a Duel to the Death. It was entirely lacking in noble grace or etiquette—simply crude!
But who would call him out on it? No one. Instead, they were all praising Arthas. Such were the benefits of power. When you have great strength, even if you pass gas, people will say it smells like perfume. The ability to "point at a deer and call it a horse" was a concept they understood all too well.
The nobles whispered among themselves. Many young noble ladies couldn't help but fix their eyes on Arthas. His tall, straight build and masculine features were so outstanding, so captivating. His aura of deep maturity was lethal to young maidens. If the timing weren't so inappropriate, some would likely have approached him to strike up a conversation! Don't think for a second that women won't make the first move; to secure a bright future, marrying Arthas was an excellent choice.
"It seems your charm is quite immense. I hear them all discussing you," Prince Liam said with a chuckle as he stood beside him. He had spoken with his father, King Genn, and they were considering cooperating with Arthas's merchant caravans to see the potential profits. Gilneas was very short on funds.
"The mouths belong to others; what they say is their business. Maintain a calm heart and do what needs to be done. When you have great strength, everyone wants to talk to you for hours. When you are less than a beggar on the street, everyone will avoid you like the plague." Arthas took it all very lightly. He was just an ordinary man; no matter how strong a human prince was, he was still a small existence before other powers. What was there to be proud of?
These words made Derek look at him with a new perspective. After a moment of silence, Derek said, "You have a point, Arthas. I hope you will take good care of Jaina; she is the little princess of the Proudmoores. I am dissatisfied with your behavior, but I don't deny that you are indeed her best match. I apologize to you!" He finished by removing his hat and giving a slight, respectful bow.
Arthas stepped aside to avoid the full bow and helped him up. "I wouldn't dare; Jaina would be angry. If you have any opinions, feel free to voice them. As long as it isn't a provocation or unreasonable trouble-making, I will listen." He rubbed his head. "There is too much to do, so I don't have time to bicker with boring people. Some have little strength and no vision—it's fine for them to be a frog in a well. In truth, our world is full of disasters and many crises that need to be resolved."