Rhodes could clearly feel that the state of the city's populace was wrong; the atmosphere was extremely oppressive, and everyone's face was filled with sorrow.
"Fear spreads like a plague, faster than the undead themselves.
The news about Stratholme... can no longer be completely suppressed; people already know the truth." Uther sighed and said.
The plagues in Andorhal and Hearthglen, and the terrifying rumors of the massacre in Stratholme, have quietly clung to this prosperous city like a cold shadow.
Many citizens in the city were unwilling to accept that Stratholme, the largest city in northern Lordaeron, had been destroyed!
Moreover, it was Prince Arthas who personally carried out the action, and it has been almost half a month since the Prince embarked on his expedition to Northrend.
During this time, the scourge continued to break out, and the Undead Plague situation was extremely severe everywhere.
People lowered their voices when talking, their eyes showed more worry and fear, and the number of patrolling soldiers had increased significantly compared to before.
Rhodes nodded upon hearing this. Lordaeron's disaster was far from over! But as the strongest human nation and the true leader of the Alliance, it was impossible for the Kingdom of Lordaeron to sail west to the Kalimdor Continent.
"Rhodes, and Lady Jaina, you two can go to the inn to rest first. I will go and meet King Terenas, and I will have King Terenas summon you later," Uther said.
He had very important matters to report to Your Majesty the King. As for summoning Rhodes, the Titan messenger, and Princess Jaina, that would have to be slightly delayed. Before that, he must introduce Rhodes' situation to King Terenas.
"No problem, Lord Uther. I am quite familiar with this place. Please proceed to the palace to meet King Terenas. I can take Rhodes to the inn myself," Jaina said politely.
Uther nodded, ordered a few soldiers to escort Jaina and Rhodes, and then took a portion of the Silver Hand Paladins to the Royal Palace of Lordaeron.
"Come with me, Rhodes! We've had a long journey, and we can finally get some proper rest!
At the very least, we can take a hot bath at the inn and eat a decent dinner." Since she started investigating the Undead Plague with Arthas, she had not rested properly, or even taken a bath.
"Hahaha! You're right, Jaina. I also want to take a good hot bath and enjoy a luxurious meal," Rhodes said.
After camping continuously in the wilderness for nearly half a month, constantly exposed to the elements, as a modern person, Rhodes felt terribly filthy!
The two nodded to each other and, led by Jaina, went to rest at the inn in the Capital City of Lordaeron.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, Uther successfully met King Terenas.
"Uther, my most loyal Paladin, I have heard some bad news. I heard that Arthas dismissed you from all your positions?" Terenas immediately stepped forward and asked upon seeing Uther.
The news from Stratholme had exhausted the king; he couldn't believe his son would do such a thing.
Dismissing Uther the Lightbringer, the first Paladin, from all his titles, then massacring Stratholme, and leading most of Lordaeron's army to Northrend in the Arctic—that boy hadn't even reported it to him.
"Your Majesty the King! This is the situation; please allow me to report to you." Uther knelt on one knee and began reporting the results of the plague investigation and Arthas' actions to King Terenas.
"He truly is a troublesome child, but don't worry, Uther. I hereby restore all your positions in the name of the King," King Terenas said, nodding toward Uther.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty the King. I request that you immediately dispatch a messenger to Northrend.
Then notify the Prince, instructing him to immediately lead the army back. Dealing with a Dreadlord is not that simple; we must gather the strength of the entire Alliance," Uther said.
"I understand, Uther. I will immediately dispatch a messenger to Northrend to find Arthas and order him to lead the army back." After a brief consideration of the pros and cons, Terenas made the decision to recall Arthas.
His messenger would depart half a month later than Arthas, but the speed of travel should be faster than the main army. By the time he reached Northrend, that boy Arthas should have only just landed a few days prior.
With King Terenas' assurance of withdrawal, Uther finally felt relieved. That wretched boy Arthas—once he returned this time, Uther vowed to properly teach him a lesson!
"Uther, I also heard something else. I heard you discovered a young man with extremely powerful Holy Light talent, is that right?" King Terenas asked.
News from Stratholme reported that during his investigation of the Undead Plague, Arthas had hired a very powerful mage who commanded both the Holy Light and Arcane Magic.
"Yes, King Terenas, but Rhodes is no ordinary mage. He is an emissary of the Titan Keeper, a favored one of the Holy Light," Uther recounted the events of their journey to King Terenas.
Rhodes' miraculous magical artifacts, the blessings of the Titan Keeper, and obtaining the legendary artifact, the silver hand warhammer, from the Tomb of Tyr.
After listening to Uther's words, King Terenas was deeply shaken and could not calm down for a long time.
The news of Uther obtaining the silver hand warhammer was perhaps no less shocking than the massacre of Stratholme, though this news was positive.
"Congratulations, Uther, my strongest Paladin. You have obtained the weapon of an ancient Titan Keeper. With this weapon, I believe Lordaeron will surely be able to defeat this terrible Undead Plague. Victory belongs to Lordaeron," Terenas said.
The timing of this weapon's arrival is extremely critical! It can greatly boost morale.
"All of this is the guidance of the Holy Light, Your Majesty the King. With the silver hand warhammer, I will better serve you and the Alliance. The Holy Light must prevail," Uther said, raising the silver hand warhammer.
This weapon, which came from the Titan Keeper, emitted a pure white light, illuminating the entire throne room.
"Hahaha! I will announce this news so that all the people of Lordaeron know that Uther the Lightbringer has obtained the silver hand warhammer," the old king said.
The King and his minister conversed further, and King Terenas began asking for detailed information about Rhodes.
Uther held nothing back, and King Terenas listened intently to the intelligence regarding Rhodes.