Rhodes, who stood by, shook his head helplessly. In truth, Arthas had no choice. In the past two days, he and Jaina had saved many people.
However, many of these people eventually turned into the scourge, and before they fully transformed, their families and relatives were unwilling to abandon them.
Some had even already become the scourge. When Rhodes purified them with Holy Light Spells, he was cursed by their families. In the eyes of these families, they needed an outlet for their anger.
Even if most people understood Rhodes, some extreme individuals even believed that Rhodes had killed their brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers.
Arthas had witnessed the terrifying scenes in Andorhal and the tragedy in Hearthglen, so he knew what would happen. Rhodes knew too.
It was simply impractical to individually check everyone in Stratholme to see who hadn't eaten the poisoned grain, who had, or to wait until they mutated before killing them.
Because some people would lie, and some would deceive.
Just like the zombie virus infecting people in modern apocalyptic movies, they wouldn't give up until the moment of death. Humans all have a desire to live.
Once they transform into the scourge, they will attack everyone indiscriminately, and those they attack will also become infected. This is simply a losing proposition.
Arthas was the one who made this choice, but Rhodes was not.
Yet, even so, only a portion of the people he and Jaina saved expressed gratitude, while those whose family members became the scourge and were purified by Rhodes with Holy Light Spells held only resentment towards him.
"Rhodes, when Arthas last came to us, was it right for us to refuse him?" Jaina turned to Rhodes and asked.
"You refused him, and I refused him. Neither of us wanted to go to Northrend. It has nothing to do with right or wrong, merely a difference in philosophy," Rhodes said, shaking his head.
After the massacre in Stratholme ended, Arthas calmed down. Knowing that he might not be able to face the Dreadlord alone, he sought out Jaina and Rhodes outside the city, hoping to invite them to rejoin his army and go with him to the northern continent of Northrend to confront the Dreadlord.
But to Arthas' invitation, Rhodes refused without a second thought. Are you kidding? Go to Northrend with you? I haven't lived enough yet!
As for Jaina, after a moment of thought, she told Arthas that there might be a trap there and advised him not to go. But Arthas wouldn't listen to reason and left in a huff, completely ignoring the two of them.
"You're right, Rhodes. Things here are over. Come back to Dalaran with me!" Jaina took a deep breath and looked at Rhodes.
Rhodes had fulfilled his promise to help her save some of the citizens of Stratholme, and now it was time for her to fulfill her promise and take him to Dalaran.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached. A tall man holding a warhammer walked over; it was Uther.
"Miss Jaina Proudmoore, and Rhodes, I have something I'd like to ask you."
"Please speak, Lord Uther!" Jaina nodded politely.
"Princess Jaina, you were the last to be in contact with Arthas. Can you tell me where the child is now?" Uther asked anxiously.
Although he had been relieved of all his duties in the Silver Hand, Uther ultimately couldn't rest easy about his disciple and wanted to return to see Arthas. But upon returning to Stratholme, he didn't find his disciple, nor did he find Lordaeron's main army.
Now, the only one who might know Arthas' whereabouts was his once closest Female mage.
"Lord Uther, Arthas has led his army and already departed for Northrend! He is going to pursue and kill the Dreadlord Mal'Ganis." Jaina bowed politely to Uther.
"What! That brat, how could he be so impulsive?" Uther sighed.
The terrifying scourge and the Dreadlord were not something a mere greenhorn like him could handle. He should have returned to the Knights of the Silver Hand first to admit his mistake, and then he, Uther, would lead a large army to deal with this matter.
Although disappointed in Arthas, no teacher could truly abandon his disciple. He still prayed that Arthas would change his mind.
At this moment, Uther also understood something: Arthas had no choice in this massacre. Some soldiers who survived in Andorhal and Hearthglen had reported the horrors of the scourge to him.
"Lord Uther, before he left, he wanted to invite me to go with him, but Rhodes and I both refused. I told him it might be a trap set by the scourge, but he wouldn't listen." Jaina told Uther about Arthas' last whereabouts.
"I understand, Jaina, Princess, and Rhodes. Don't blame yourselves too much. I will report this matter to King Terenas.
Rhodes, you helped Arthas in Andorhal and Hearthglen, and it was done on an employment basis.
Lordaeron is never untrustworthy. On behalf of the King, I will pay you. Here are 1500 gold coins as your reward." Uther beckoned, and several heavily armored knights carried a small chest of gold coins to Rhodes.
That brat Arthas could break his word, but Lordaeron could not. Since they hired someone, they had to pay. He could still make the decision on this matter.
"This was an agreement between the prince and me, Lord Uther. I did not complete this employment, so I will not accept the money.
If you truly feel bad about it, then perhaps you could guide me in Holy Light Spells." Rhodes acted very generously and directly refused Uther's commission.
Are you kidding? He was practically rolling in money now!
In the past few days with Jaina, Rhodes had also experimentally collected some wood and ore, discovering that they could indeed be recharged into the system.
So, Rhodes had an idea: if he could recharge, could he also withdraw? For example, withdrawing gold units.
It had been almost two weeks since he transmigrated, and Rhodes had already saved enough money to upgrade his Town Hall to a Council. Now he had an income of 2000 gold units every day.
One unit of gold was not one gold coin, but rather something like gold nuggets, which could be withdrawn. Upon discovering this, Rhodes was overjoyed.
These 1500 gold coins were equivalent to less than 500 gold units, not even enough for his Council's daily output!
Learning some Paladin spells was more powerful, so Rhodes directly refused the commission, hoping Uther would guide him.