Just as Archimonde leaped into the sky, preparing to strike the aerial fortress that had been continuously launching mana bombs at the ground, a figure with holy light wings sprouting from his back appeared before him.
"It really is you!" Archimonde's eyes blazed with green light, his face contorting slightly. It was this person again, repeatedly thwarting him!
"Who else could it be?" Aiden retorted while summoning his weapon. Speaking of which, he was the only one who dared to trouble Archimonde.
Aiden had a pair of holy light wings on his back, allowing him to fly in the air like an angel. After the Battle of Ashwood Village, Aiden finally learned this spell he desperately needed from Kayle.
After he appeared, Kayle, Ophiel, and Pamyel, the three angels, also appeared beside him, followed by Karthus and Syndra floating over, the archmages of the Kirin Tor Council standing on magic carpets, Anna, Rhonin, and Thrall, who was lifted by a whirlwind.
In terms of numbers, the heroes had an absolute advantage. However, Archimonde's size alone was larger than all the heroes combined, and so was his strength.
The aerial forces had already begun an orderly retreat. Aiden and the others only needed to stall Archimonde—Anna and the mages of Dalaran stood together, the Focusing Iris in her hand constantly aimed at Archimonde, providing considerable deterrence.
Seeing this, Archimonde had no choice but to abandon the idea of attacking. Although he wanted to do so, past experience told him that Aiden possessed the ability to control time, and his attacks were almost always futile.
He narrowed his eyes, staring at Aiden, "This world is only so big, how long can you escape? I have plenty of time, I can slowly destroy this world, the space for your survival will become smaller and smaller, and in the end, you will die in despair!"
Aiden replied, "Our fate is none of your concern, Archimonde."
If Archimonde really did that, perhaps he would indeed succeed. Aiden thought, if his arrival caused the Burning Legion to change its strategy, it would be incredibly troublesome—so he had to find a way to provoke this great demon and dissuade him from such thoughts.
Aiden immediately thought of a way:
"I know what you want to gain in this world. I know the power of the Well of Eternity attracts you. You said you would wait for us at Mount Hyjal—then I'll return those words. After crossing the sea, I will go to Mount Hyjal to destroy the World Tree, and also destroy that new Well of Eternity. Even if you really destroy this world, you will gain nothing."
A dangerous light gleamed in Archimonde's eyes. He did covet the power of the World Tree, a power that could allow him to reach the height Sargeras once had.
"You dare!" Archimonde made no secret of his threat.
"You are already preparing to destroy the world, what wouldn't we dare to do?" Aiden replied bluntly, "And this is not the end. The Burning Legion has countless enemies in the Twisting Nether, I will find all the allied forces who oppose the Burning Legion, including the Naaru, and then eliminate you from the root—Sargeras is already dormant, no one in your legion can threaten me. I have such ability. You should know this isn't just boasting!"
Archimonde sneered, "A group of losers joining together and Delusion wanting to defeat the victor?"
"We'll only know if we try!" Aiden's face was full of confidence. Even he himself felt that the success rate was quite high. His confidence made Archimonde even more wary.
If Archimonde couldn't obtain the power of the World Tree, everything Aiden said might really come true. He still remembered the situation when he and Kil'jaeden were chased and beaten by Aiden in the Twisting Nether. Although that was because the other party held the Eye of Sargeras, when the Naaru fully supported Aiden, he did possess the power to rival them both.
—
"Aiden, were you serious about what you just said?" On the way back, Anasterian couldn't help but ask.
"Which sentence?" Aiden asked.
"Destroying the World Tree." Anasterian's expression was a little strange.
"If Archimonde really takes a steady approach, destroying everything along the way without rushing to attack Mount Hyjal," Aiden replied solemnly, "I would really consider doing that."
Anasterian said, "The night elves are not so easy to talk to."
The high elves came from the night elves. They were already arrogant enough, but they were still somewhat lacking compared to the night elves.
The night elves' seclusion and arrogance had a long history. They were blessed by the guardian dragons, and also favored by the moon goddess Elune and protected by many demigods such as the forest king Cenarius. No other race in Azeroth had ever been so favored.
With such a uniquely advantageous environment, it was estimated that any other race would become inflated and complacent.
If Aiden really intended to destroy the World Tree, the night elves would definitely not agree. Aiden felt that the other party would even be willing to become enemies with the New Alliance to protect the World Tree, until Archimonde's attack made them despair before considering destroying it.
"Then let's just treat it as a bluff. Anyway, as long as Archimonde is willing to believe it!" Aiden shrugged indifferently. Anyway, the World Tree wasn't his, any method was fine as long as it could stop Archimonde. Moreover, it seemed that his bluff had indeed had some effect.
Gryphon Knight Lieutenant Brammall, returning from the battlefield, reported the situation of the Battle of Thandol Span to Garithos. The newly promoted marshal was shocked after hearing it.
In the old Alliance, he was the most disgusted with Aiden, because he opposed Aiden's actions from the bottom of his heart.
Garithos hated orcs, hated the undead, and even disliked the high elves, who were once allies.
During the Second War, he was ordered to lead troops to support the high elves, defending Quel'Thalas from the siege of the orcish forces. However, another part of the orcs destroyed his hometown—a piece of land near Stratholme.
Garithos stubbornly believed that if the humans hadn't had to divide their forces to rescue the high elves, his army would have been able to resist the orcs' sneak attack, and his family would not have been massacred by the orcs. And after the war, these high elves were ungrateful and selfishly withdrew from the Alliance, an act that made him extremely hostile towards the elves.
So he had no good feelings for either the orcs or the high elves.
And now, Aiden had united all the people he disliked: the selfish Gilneans, the Dalaran wizards who abused magic, the undead, the orcs, the high elves… Added together, this had already exceeded Valoran's army's rescue of him in the Battle of Broken Ridge last year.
Garithos couldn't wait to part ways with the New Alliance led by Aiden.
His expectations had already been realized at the last Alliance conference. The Alliance leaders, led by the wise King Terenas, abandoned this "evil" group composed of all the people he hated.
But now, this group of people was helping the Alliance to block the pursuers!
Garithos was extremely conflicted: should he report this news to King Terenas?
—
After the air force returned to Dalaran, several leaders discussed sending someone to contact Terenas to convey and discuss helping the other party transfer refugees.
The few people looked at each other, and Antonidas said, "I'll go."
If Aiden went, it would definitely hurt the other party's face—last time he said at the Lordaeron throne room meeting that "Archimonde would be greatly relieved because of this" because the Alliance was unwilling to send troops to Silvermoon City, which completely embarrassed the old Alliance leaders, and the results of the subsequent Battle of Silvermoon City also showed that his plan was completely correct. His going would only make the two alliances, which were mutually suspicious, feel awkward.
Anasterian was also unwilling to communicate with Terenas. Thrall was even more impossible. The remaining Queen Tess had enough status, but she was not familiar with politics and might not be able to grasp the key points.
After thinking about it, only Antonidas was the most suitable.
Plus the army, a total of more than one million troops was a very large force. The vanguard of the refugee Team team had already approached Loch Modan, while those at the very back were still tens of kilometers away from them.
Muradin led the way in front. They had just passed through the muddy and difficult Wetlands, and were now traveling through winding mountain roads and tunnels.
Muradin pointed to a row of stone houses in front and said, "Your Majesty, that's Augaz's Outpost ahead. Let's go there to rest for a while and enjoy hot water, fine wine, and the sword dance of the dwarven lasses! We'll be able to reach Ironforge in at most three or four days!"
"Well, that's really great." A long-lost smile appeared on Terenas's face. Their team had been traveling for a full month from Lordaeron City.
He was old, riding a horse all day, the inside of his thighs had been chafed very badly, and he had been feeling a little listless during this time.
"Your Majesty, friendly reminder, Dun Morogh is very cold. You should have everyone prepare thick clothes, cotton-padded jackets, and cold-weather gear in advance!" Muradin said, but he himself was only wearing plate armor, his thick arms constantly exposed.
Thoras glanced at him and said, "You don't seem to be afraid of the cold at all." As the King of Arathi Highlands, Thoras was very strong. Although he wasn't much younger than Terenas, he was an old warrior. Unlike Terenas, who was refined and had hardly ever swung a sword.
Muradin looked up at him and said, as a matter of course, "Of course, we dwarves are long accustomed to the frozen world!"
At this moment, a gryphon knight signaled with a long whistle, and the Wildhammer dwarf king Falstad said, "Someone is approaching us from the air."
The leaders immediately became alert. "Could it be the Burning Legion?"
"It shouldn't be. There's only one person, a wizard." Falstad could tell from the gryphon knight's whistle that the person shouldn't be hostile.
Soon, the approaching person appeared in their field of vision. Several Wildhammer riders escorted Archmage Antonidas to them.
After landing, Antonidas greeted them, "Good day, everyone!"
"Hello, Archmage!"
"It's you, you gave us quite a scare!"
The few of them then began to joke around. Although Antonidas had chosen the Valoran Federation, they had never been enemies. Everyone was well aware of this.
"Archmage, what brings you here?" Thoras asked.
When the New Alliance fought the Battle of Silvermoon City, the people of the Old Alliance retreated first, so they couldn't help but feel a little guilty when facing the people of the New Alliance. However, according to the timeline, the people of the New Alliance should have already withdrawn, so why would they come looking for them? This was the underlying meaning of Thoras and the other leaders.
Antonidas said, "I have news to bring to you."
After a pause, the Archmage continued, "The Burning Legion is pursuing you!"
Terenas frowned. "I have already ordered Garithos to blow up the Thandol Span."
"But the Burning Legion has a way to cross. Their marching speed is two to three times faster than yours, and they will catch up soon." Antonidas knew from their reaction that Garithos's report hadn't reached here yet. "More importantly, the Burning Legion has expressed their intention—Archimonde intends to eliminate all resistance in the Eastern Kingdoms before considering turning to Kalimdor!"
"In that case, we can't avoid it, we must fight!" Varian gripped his weapon, his eyes sharp.
Having learned of the great victory in the Battle of Silvermoon City, Varian believed that they also had the strength to launch a counterattack. At the very least, they could stop the Burning Legion's advance.
"Haha, those demon bastards will have a taste of my iron hammer and sharp axe!" Muradin didn't seem worried either. Now that they were approaching Ironforge's sphere of influence, the dwarven warriors would meet the demonic army on their own land!
Terenas cast an inquiring look at the Archmage: "Are you planning to launch a counterattack?" The old king weighed it in his heart. At the last meeting, he and Aiden had a very stiff argument. If the other party was here to release a cooperative intention, he would cherish this opportunity to reconcile.
At least, from the facts, Aiden's strategic vision was indeed more outstanding. He had to admit this.
"Now is not the time to counterattack," the Archmage shook his head in denial. He could see the indifference and contempt of the leaders. "If our enemies were still those encountered in Quel'Thalas, we would definitely launch a counterattack. But now, the demons emerging from the portals are all elites of the Burning Legion. Not to mention anything else, there is a type of giant mana mech that is twenty to thirty meters tall among them. This big golem can smash a city wall with one punch, and it is extremely strong, even many powerful magics cannot destroy it. A head-on confrontation will only result in heavy losses."
"Twenty to thirty meters tall? Not two to three meters? Oh, my god, how was it made?" Gnome High Tinker Mekkatorque was amazed.
Gnomes excel at technology, but even their most advanced technology cannot create mechs over ten meters tall. He was very curious and really wanted to see what the mana mech looked like.
'It would be even better if I could disassemble one,' he fantasized in his heart.
Although they hadn't personally witnessed this super mech monster, they could all imagine how terrifying it would be. Except for the High Tinker, everyone else was horrified. Ordinary soldiers were no different from ants in front of such a monster.
Thoras asked with a last bit of hope: "How many of these mechs are there?"
"More than a hundred." Antonidas replied.
Everyone looked desperate.
The Archmage was indifferent in his heart. If they hadn't sent people to destroy the Demon Forges in Silvermoon City, the Burning Legion would have continuously produced these mana mechs. What kind of expressions would these leaders have if this news were revealed?
Terenas's face was ashen. "If that's the case, where is our way out?" If the Burning Legion pursued relentlessly, how long could they last? Without ships, they had no way to escape at all. And it would take at least three months for the fleet to travel back and forth to Kalimdor, how could they hold on?
The others were the same. From this point of view, their coming to Azeroth was only a temporary reprieve from death.
Varian said in a deep voice, "Stormwind City still has some ships. King Terenas, I order the fleet to safely transport you to the new continent!"
Stormwind City did have some ships, but that was only enough to transport about ten thousand people at most. This meant that they had to abandon their people and flee alone.
The leaders all felt extremely bitter.
"In fact, you don't have to be so pessimistic," Antonidas interrupted their sorrow, "That's why I'm here."
Seeing that the groundwork had been laid, he told Terenas and the others the rescue plan they had discussed earlier.
As an old man who had seen through the ways of the world, Antonidas knew very well how he should strive for greater benefits for the New Alliance. The New Alliance had in fact broken away from the Old Alliance. The relationship between them was one of equal cooperation. Now was the critical moment to resist the Burning Legion, and he naturally had to fight for the leading position for the New Alliance.
The Old Alliance needed their rescue, so naturally, they would be in a weaker position in future cooperation.
Aiden no longer wanted the correct plan to fail to be executed correctly, so others had to listen—especially the stubborn elements of the Old Alliance.
This was another important purpose of the Archmage's trip.
The kings here were not stupid, and naturally knew the price of accepting rescue. For a time, they were somewhat unable to accept it.
Just then, the gryphon knight sent by Garithos to report the news finally arrived. Lieutenant Branmar jumped off the gryphon and reported the news of the Battle of Thandol Span to Falstad. Only then did they know that the New Alliance had saved them once before the New Alliance arrived.
At this point, Terenas no longer had the courage to refuse or negotiate. He looked at the other leaders and saw the same look in their eyes.
"Then, where are we going?" the old king said. Now he was mentally prepared to accept the New Alliance as the leader. When he made this decision, he felt relieved.
During this period of time, the war reports from Silvermoon City always made him feel that he, as the leader of the Alliance, was too concerned about personal feelings—he heard that the orcs and the Forsaken had performed very well in that great battle. The brilliant results of the Battle of Silvermoon City could not have been achieved without their hard work.
The New Alliance completed what the entire Grand Alliance could only complete with half the strength of the former Grand Alliance. This undoubtedly proved his mistake.
Antonidas smiled: "Dalaran is flying over from the west of Dun Morogh, and the expected meeting point should be near Ironforge."
As a former member of the Old Alliance, he also very much hoped to see Terenas and others embark on the right path.