"Rhodes, do you mean the Titan Keeper wants you to go west and is willing to provide warships?" King Terenas' expression immediately changed.
If it were just an unknown prophet warning him, he naturally wouldn't believe it, but the words of a Titan Keeper who guided the human kingdom's chief Paladin to find the silver hand warhammer and possessed various magical artifacts, carried entirely different weight.
Rhodes nodded to King Terenas with a firm gaze. We can't wait until Arthas returns; when he does, this kingdom will be destroyed, and then we won't be able to leave!
"King Terenas, in Stratholme, that Adult Prophet indeed met with me and Rhodes. He told us some things about Kalimdor.
I even plan to return to Dalaran and persuade my mentor Antonidas, as well as my father, Admiral Daelin, King of Kul Tiras.
To have him mobilize a fleet from Kul Tiras to escort civilians to Kalimdor," Jaina said.
In fact, she herself greatly trusted that prophet, and now that the Titan Keeper behind Rhodes also said so, it further solidified her idea of heading west!
"Yes, Your Majesty Terenas, the Titan Keeper can provide a very special spatial magic ship, but it requires forging, and the Lordaeron Kingdom needs to provide some resources for it," Rhodes said.
"Oh! Direct forging? Will there be enough time?" King Terenas asked.
"No, Your Majesty, you must not underestimate Titan technology. As long as the materials are sufficient, the ship can be built and delivered to the port in one day.
This is a very miraculous magic ship, with a spatial magic device inside. One ship can carry tens of thousands of people," Rhodes said.
If you underestimate some of the bugged magical items in heroes of might and magic III, I would be very distressed.
"I see, then what materials does this Titan Keeper need to quickly forge these miraculous magic ships?" King Terenas asked.
He still trusted Rhodes' words very much. After all, Uther had told him about that miraculous medical tent and the magic scroll that could summon Fire Elemental just by holding it.
According to Uther, this magic scroll, after Holy Light was added, could also summon Holy Light Elemental, which was simply a gift from the Holy Light.
"Your Majesty the King, I need a large amount of gems, as well as mercury, sulfur, red crystals, ore, and timber—these several materials," Rhodes said.
Actually, building a ship only requires timber and gold, but you might as well give me some high-level resources!
Otherwise, exchanging them in the market is 10:1, or even 100:1, which is too much of a rip-off. I'll fleece the old king a bit first.
After hearing the materials Rhodes listed, King Terenas pondered for a moment, then seemed to make a certain decision and nodded.
Actually, mercury and sulfur were easy to come by, but gems and red crystals were more precious. Still, as a King, he could procure some.
"How much of these precious resources do you need?"
"The more the better, Your Majesty Terenas. I can try to persuade the Titan Keeper to send one magic ship for Your Majesty the King to see first," Rhodes said.
Anyway, it only required 1000 units of gold and ten units of timber, which Rhodes could afford.
"Then I trouble you, Rhodes. I also want to see the finished product. How about this!
Gems and crystals are precious; I will have people prepare sulfur and mercury. As for timber and ore, I can provide them now.
I'll prepare the timber and ore first, and then we'll go to the port to see how this magic ship is," Terenas said.
"Then, Your Majesty the King, in five days, we will depart for the port. I will have the Titan Keeper send the ship for you to see," Rhodes said.
"Then it's settled, Baron Rhodes. During these five days, I will expedite the preparation of timber and ore. As for the other materials, I will have people immediately begin to procure them.
If this magic ship is truly as miraculous as you say, then I will allocate a group of people and soldiers to go with you to Kalimdor," King Terenas said.
After much deliberation, Terenas decided to adopt Rhodes' suggestion to migrate a portion of the populace to Kalimdor, which could also be considered expanding the territory of the Lordaeron Kingdom.
"A wise decision, Your Majesty!" Rhodes said with a smile.
It was finally settled. With the status of a Baron of the Kingdom, leading the Lordaeron Kingdom's immigrants to the Kalimdor Continent, Rhodes now had a legitimate position of rule.
The atmosphere of the subsequent banquet was very pleasant. King Terenas intentionally had Princess Calia toast Rhodes frequently, and finally said he had matters to attend to, directly taking Uther away.
This made Rhodes a bit uncomfortable. Should he leave the table now? After all, only he, Jaina, and Princess Calia were left at the banquet.
Rhodes immediately realized what King Terenas was trying to do. No way! This Princess already has a child?
Rhodes shook his head, "I don't want to be Prime Minister Cao!"
For a time, the atmosphere of the dinner was a bit awkward. Rhodes didn't know what to say and could only chat somewhat awkwardly with Jaina.
As for Princess Calia, she was completely ignored.
There was nothing he could do. She was a young widow, and Rhodes truly didn't have the courage to flirt with her. Flirting with this Princess would mean taking responsibility.
"Baron Rhodes, I'm feeling a bit unwell and would like to go back to rest," Princess Calia finally said, putting down her wine glass.
"Sister Calia, if you're not feeling well, I can stay and chat with you tonight," Jaina quickly said.
"No need, Jaina. I'll just go back to rest by myself. Please excuse me, Baron Rhodes," Princess Calia said, then bowed slightly to Rhodes and Jaina before leaving.
With the Princess gone, Rhodes and Jaina naturally couldn't stay either, so they also stood up to bid farewell and, escorted by guards, left the royal palace for the inn to rest.
"Rhodes, what did you think of tonight?" Jaina suddenly asked as soon as they returned to the inn.
"It was very good. Your Majesty the King was very hospitable, and Her Royal Highness the Princess was also very beautiful."
"As a good friend, there's something I want to tell you in advance: Sister Calia has a daughter," Jaina said meaningfully.
"Oh! So Her Royal Highness the Princess is already married?" Rhodes said, feigning surprise.
Jaina nodded. She felt that something was strange today. Why would King Terenas have Sister Calia accompany them?
As a married Princess, this was clearly inappropriate; she shouldn't have appeared in such a setting, unless her husband was already dead!