"Rhodes, what's wrong with Arthas? He seems to be in a particularly bad mood." After Uther left, Jaina looked at Rhodes and asked.
She didn't know what Arthas had gone through during her absence, but it was clear that her childhood friend had suffered a very severe blow.
Rhodes took a deep breath and said, "He's taken too much responsibility upon himself, even blaming this disaster on his own incompetence. Being too much of a perfectionist isn't always a good thing."
Arthas' transformation was irreversible, and this matter involved many things that, at least for now, were beyond his control.
"Then what should we do, Rhodes?" Jaina's voice held a trace of helplessness. "Uther told us to persuade him..."
"Then let's go persuade him, if he's willing to listen," Rhodes said.
"Okay, I'll cast an invisibility spell on you too." Jaina nodded, cast an invisibility spell on herself and Rhodes, and then the two chased after Arthas.
Half a day later, the army led by Arthas rested on a hillside. Arthas went to the top of the mountain alone, and Rhodes and Jaina also arrived there invisibly.
However, just as the two were about to reveal themselves, a giant raven suddenly flew down from the sky. The raven slowly landed on the ground and then transformed into a mysterious figure in a grayish-brown robe, holding a staff.
Rhodes naturally knew who this mysterious person was: Medivh, the former Guardian, recently resurrected by Aegwynn, and the key figure who would guide the Night Elves, Horde, and Alliance to fight against the Burning Legion in the future.
"Who is he, Rhodes?" Jaina whispered.
"I don't know. Don't make a sound, we'll just watch from the side," Rhodes shook his head and said to Jaina.
At this moment, Arthas also noticed the movement behind him, turned his head, and looked at the gray-robed mage in front of him.
He had actually been expecting Jaina to catch up! But he didn't expect it to be an unknown mage.
"Who are you? What do you want with me here?" Arthas looked at the mage in front of him with vigilance.
"Greetings, young prince, I mean no harm, but we must talk, talk about the future of your kingdom," Medivh said.
"I don't have time for small talk, mage. Speak your mind," Arthas said.
"Listen to me, child, this land has fallen, darkness and despair have descended, and no matter what efforts you make, the outcome is already set.
If you truly wish to save your people, then lead them across the vast ocean, to the western continent of Kalimdor!" Medivh sighed and said to Arthas.
This young Little Prince seemed to have been targeted by the Burning Legion. Logically, he shouldn't have revealed himself, but he still wanted to make one last effort.
If this Little Prince was willing to go to Kalimdor, that would be the best outcome. He would guide this young prince to meet with the Orc leader, Thrall.
"Are you joking? mage, you want me to flee? This is my kingdom, my land. Protecting my people is my only mission," Arthas questioned angrily.
He remembered who this mage was. He had also appeared at a meeting in the Kingdom of Lordaeron a few months ago, when the Undead Plague had just begun.
This mage had once warned his father and asked his father to lead the citizens to Kalimdor.
What a joke, leading the people of an entire kingdom to migrate. That's not something that can be accomplished overnight.
For the Kingdom of Lordaeron, what they needed to do now was to solve the plague.
"Then you have made your choice, but remember, the more you strive to kill your enemies, the more you will deliver your people into their clutches," Medivh sighed and said.
It seemed that all was predetermined. The Kingdom of Lordaeron was destined to fall. He had made his utmost efforts, first persuading King Terenas, then Arthas, but to no avail.
There was nothing he could do. He couldn't reveal his identity as the Guardian, after all, Medivh was the culprit who attracted the Orcs to Azeroth. If he revealed his true form, he would likely be beaten to death by the crowd.
In the eyes of others, he was the embodiment of evil!
At the moment of his final departure, Medivh gave a meaningful look in the direction of Rhodes and Jaina, then once again transformed into a giant raven and flew away.
After Medivh left, Rhodes and Jaina dispelled their illusion and appeared before Arthas.
The three met in silence. Arthas said nothing, and Jaina and Rhodes didn't know how to begin.
"Arthas, we're very worried about you, so we wanted to come and talk. That mage, I could feel a great power within him.
Perhaps he is right, perhaps he knows everything that is about to happen." Finally, Jaina broke the silence.
She could feel the immense power contained within the mage, even stronger than her mentor, Antonidas.
"Stop talking! I don't care about the future that madman saw, Jaina, and Rhodes.
No matter what he says, I will not abandon my home and my people. We are leaving now for Stratholme. You will help me, won't you?" Arthas said.
"Of course! Prince Arthas, after all, our employment isn't over yet! I haven't received my payment," Rhodes said with a smile.
"I will double your payment, Sir Rhodes." Arthas nodded to the two of them, then walked away without looking back.
Soon, the army continued to move, and along the way, many reinforcing troops joined Arthas' ranks!
Days later, when the group arrived at Stratholme, the number of soldiers under Arthas' command had exceeded ten thousand.
During the march, Rhodes built a Market and a Blacksmith, and also accumulated 5,000 units of gold, building a Supply Depot. Now, he could earn a little income from ore and lumber every day.
Soon after Arthas arrived at the gates of Stratholme, Uther also arrived with members of the Knights of the Silver Hand and a large number of Lordaeron soldiers to rendezvous.
Stratholme was the largest city apart from the capital, Lordaeron. This city absolutely could not be lost.
"Uther, you've come to help me after all. This is good!" Arthas said to Uther.
"Mind your words. Though you are a prince, I am still your mentor." Uther's expression was somewhat displeased.
Ever since the Undead Plague began, Arthas' attitude had changed somewhat. He no longer showed the same respect to him as before, even becoming a bit harsh!