All night long, Leylin mastered the activation of the teleportation circle. His teacher handed him the designated circle and prepared a high-level illusion spell for him.
The illusion of Belo'vir would activate Leylin's teleportation circle. The circle could be used to transport the troll Ral'jin and the ranger imprisoned in troll territory.
However, activating the teleportation circle was not easy. Leylin needed to exhaust a vast amount magical energy to activate the circle and release his mentor's mage illusion. The process is a bit hard for an average low-level mage.
Scout from Tranquillien had already delivered tomorrow's letter to Zul'Aman. The trolls agreed to an exchange: Ral'jin's life in exchange for the elven rangers.
Through high-level insight, the grand magister also discovered the key to solving the voodoo problem. Outside of Zeb'Nowa, there was a well blessed by troll witch doctors and oracles who had prayed to their loas.
The cool, clear water there could dispel the voodoo from the elves' bodies. After Sylvanas returned to the Farstrider Enclave, a small group of from the Silvermoon Council arrived at the Sanctum of the Sun.
They were led by a high-ranking magister, Kaendris, one of the most senior councilors on the Council.
After a brief exchange with Leylin, the grand magister said goodbye to Kaendris and left the Temple. The grand magister was alone, and this time, he was the only elf to undertake this mission alone.
After Belo'vir departed, the team dispatched by the Silvermoon Council also departed with Leylin.
"It's hard to imagine that a Great Magister like Belo'vir would allow a human to negotiate war matters on our behalf," Dar'Khan muttered to himself as they hurried on.
The implication was clear: Dar'Khan despised him and disliked his teacher.
Leylin was not prepared to back down from such an insult, especially from the elven magister who would later become the greatest traitor of Quel'Thalas
"If you're willing to go, you can raise your concerns with my teacher at the Sanctum of the Sun. He's always reasonable, and perhaps he'll hand over this mission to you," Leylin countered.
It wasn't just Dar'Khan; the entire Silvermoon Council had issues with Grand Magister Belo'vir, though Dar'Khan simply held a stronger hatred for Belo'vir.
Quel'Thalas today was no longer the Quel'Thalas of a thousand years ago. The Sunstriders held complete power, and the Council's faction had long since withered.
After all these years, such a stubborn Grand Magister still existed. To ease the awkwardness, Kaendris stopped the two mages from talking.
"Put aside your prejudices, Dar'Khan. The Grand Magister may have his own ideas, but you needn't doubt him. Even Magister Rommath can't handle this mission, so simply remain silent," Kaendris said.
Using Rommath as an example to persuade Dar'Khan proved the high-ranking magister had a strong temper.
Lor'themar, standing beside Leylin, was communicating with Leylin frequently. He was Farstrider's elite ranger, a man who cared little.
"To be honest with you, Leylin. The mission you're undertaking was originally ours. But we lack the means to infiltrate Zul'Aman, nor the chance to rescue the rangers from this troll empire. Yesterday, Ranger General Sylvanas went to the Sanctum of the Sun regarding this matter. But Grand Magister Belo'vir had already made the plan, assigning it to his student. We were surprised, but helpless, as the Silvermoon Council has no right to question Grand Magister Belo'vir's decisions." Lor'themar, in a gesture of comfort to Dar'Khan, explained the entire situation.
Leylin was deeply moved by Lor'themar's words. His teacher had the entire plan clearly memorized from the very beginning. From the moment he brought him to the Sanctum of the Sun, he had organized all available information and formulated his plan.
Even before infiltrating Zul'Aman, he had suspected the rangers were being held in the Amani Catacombs. Since the perpetrators of the voodoo incident were in the Amani Catacombs, the rangers wouldn't be sent to Zul'Aman without a valid reason.
Afterwards, the Grand Magister dispatched all the mages and rangers at the Temple of the Sun to the Farstriders' Enclave. Troll Chieftain Kel'gash reaction after Ral'jin's capture confirmed his conjecture that the trolls would surely attack the Farstrider Enclave to transport the rangers to Zul'Aman.
Yesterday, after meeting with Sylvanas, he once again planned the next mission, revealing the true nature of the Grand Magister. He orchestrates strategies from afar, decisively winning battles from afar. He is a truly a Grand Magister.
Leylin remained calm. "The teacher's plan was well laid out. I don't know why you chose to trust me, but I believe I can handle it."
Lor'themar felt guilty. This was supposedly Farstrider's mission, yet now it was being handed to a low-level mage, a mage who had been in the elven kingdom for no more than three months.
The journey from Sanctum of the Sun to Zul'Aman was not far, and the hawkstriders were fast. Leylin arrived near the city of Zul'Aman by midday.
He hadn't encountered a single troll on this mission. Rather than encountering trolls, it's more accurate to say the trolls didn't dare to provoke the elves alone.
Arriving in Zul'Aman, the capital of the Amani Troll Empire, the troll scouts immediately noticed Leylin's arrival.
Holding a letter, Leylin addressed the trolls, "I'll handle the negotiations. Can you take me to your priest or chieftain?" Neither humble nor overbearing, Leylin performed admirably.
As the most senior member of the Silvermoon Council, he was amazed at the calm and composed demeanor of the mage before him. Grand Magister Belo'vir was an exceptionally skilled mage, and it seemed his student was no exception.
The scout, having learned the Common Tongue, said awkwardly, "Yes, follow me."
With a wave of his hand, the escort team could withdraw. Their mission was complete.
Leylin stood between the two troll scouts, head held high, and treading steadily up the high slope ahead.
The wide avenue was paved with cyan stone slabs, giving it a rich, textured feel. Above the road were arched logs, upon which hung elven heads and ears, their spoils of war.
On either side of the road were miniature waterfalls crafted by the trolls. From the towering walls, rushing water cascaded, splashing onto the stone slabs and making the road above slippery.
Climbing this long, gentle slope, Leylin saw Zul'Aman, the troll empire.
Leylin, who had experienced exploring different cities in his previous life, should have been accustomed to the city in front of him. But now, he was still shocked. So, this is a real empire.
On the outskirts of the empire, Leylin could clearly see the towering pyramids in the city. They were the temples where the troll witch doctors and shadow casters performed their sacrifices.
In addition, the aura of witchcraft here was very heavy, and the forest that should have been filled with green turned black. The atmosphere was very depressing, and Leylin breathed a sigh of relief, keeping his heart calm.