Seeing the other master artisans also drawing their weapons and preparing for battle, Arthas waved his hand. "Do not worry, I have contact with the Guardian here. She is coming to help us. To deal with the Demons, we must unite, otherwise they will continue to incite other races to invade Azeroth and enslave the Elemental Lords to destroy our homes. If we want stability, we must wipe them out!"
Before long, a twenty-meter-tall giantess appeared. Her expression remained as emotionless as ever. "We meet again, Messenger. What is the matter this time?"
"I need several guardians to escort them on a tour of this area. I need to establish a territory, and many people will be stationed here long-term in the future." Arthas had spoken with Nablya before, and Eonar's order was for her to cooperate unconditionally.
"Very well, I will send people to escort them. Is there anything else?" Nablya nodded, appearing quite easy to talk to.
"Nothing for now. If possible, please ensure their safety." After Arthas finished speaking, he looked at the master artisans. "Find a suitable location first, and then I will come to ask the Guardian to open up the domain and build the territory. Do not go to places where the guardians forbid you. There will be plenty of time and space for you to explore later. For now, suppress your curiosity and finish the work. I hope we can cooperate happily; the best cooperation is when everyone gets what they need. Don't you agree?"
This was half-warning and half-threat. Work well and you will have everything; if you are disobedient, the consequences will be severe.
Only someone with Arthas's status and position dared to speak this way. If it were any other prince, these master artisans would have simply turned around and left. But seeing even a Titan Guardian acting so respectfully, how could they dare to harbor any hidden agendas? They would help Arthas finish the construction first.
"Rest assured, Your Highness, we will prioritize the completion of the mission."
"Yes, Your Highness, please be at ease. We are only here to build the territory."
Seeing the guarantees from these master artisans, Arthas nodded slightly. "Good, I believe in you all. Once everything is in place, I will do my best to satisfy your needs."
After arranging everything, Arthas teleported back to Blackrock Spire. He couldn't afford not to be tense; the issue of children was fatal. He craved a child—a strong, intelligent child. Therefore, the mission had to be completed, no matter the cost.
Only a small portion of the Orcs and Gnolls remained at Blackrock Spire, and they were settled on the edge of Elwynn Forest. This was convenient for foraging and farming, while also serving as an intelligence station and transit point. The environment of Blackrock Mountain was too harsh, to the point that many Dark Iron Dwarves had left Blackrock Spire to live in the Burning Steppes, which was at least much better.
Taking the main force, he used a Portal to return to the Newborn Territory. This had originally been Sir Shanke's domain. After offending Arthas, Shanke had even sent assassins. Once Arthas was provoked, he seized the land and had all direct relatives Execute-ed, not even sparing the children. Failing to pull up the weeds by the roots was a typically foolish behavior.
Returning to his own territory, the feeling in his heart was different. This was land that even Terenas had tacitly accepted as belonging to Arthas. Since the throne would belong to his son eventually, it was fine for him to get a piece of land now to practice with.
He sent Brigitte and Marlene to settle the Expeditionary Force, while he went straight to the Newborn Guild, a cult he had established. After returning from aiding the High Elves, he had placed Maricia—a female elf who craved power and longevity—in charge. In the original plot, Maricia had submitted to the Lich King to serve as a diligent Lich Lecturer out of that same desire for power and long life. Now, Arthas had recruited her using the same methods; the difference was that Arthas was not the Lich King, and Maricia was not a Lich.
"Master, it is so good to see you," Maricia said with a beaming smile. She bowed, her tight Mage robe cut low to reveal a glimpse of snowy white. With her curvaceous and charming figure and her legs clad in the latest gartered black silk stockings—a new style of clothing that had become unprecedentedly popular under Omiya's promotion—she looked stunning.
Arthas walked over and unceremoniously reached into Maricia's neckline, grasping and kneading that snowy white flesh.
"How has the Guild been developing lately?"
"Mmm!" Maricia twisted her body excitedly. As a Fanatic, she did not mind having her breasts squeezed; even if he were to take her right now, she would not resist. Instead, she would help part her own labia to make it easier for Arthas to continue his way with her.
"Very well. Your Highness's prestige is known to everyone in Lordaeron. Additionally, following your instructions, I have been taking priests to heal the commoners' wounds. We also gave them opportunities in the Guild's factories and provided work subsidies. They are all very grateful. Many have joined the Guild; our numbers have reached one hundred thousand, though there are still few truly devout believers."
"Ding, task triggered: Devout Believers."
"Devout Believers: The Guild's followers are your labor force, but developing Fanatics is the core essence. Objective: Use Faith Power to strengthen ten believers. Reward: Unlock the believer talent tree 'Devout Faith,' allowing believers to become Guild practitioners (including all professions). Devotion speed increases by 20%. When a believer's devotion reaches 100 points, they automatically become a Fanatic."
Faith Power was the mental energy generated when believers, filled with expectation, admired and adored Arthas from the bottom of their hearts. This energy was ethereal and invisible, yet unique—it was the key to becoming a Demigod. A Demigod based on faith was fundamentally different from an ordinary Demigod.
A faith-based Demigod could enter the Emerald Dream to await resurrection or enter Ardenweald in the Shadowlands to await rebirth. An ordinary Demigod without a foundation of faith would simply die; while some creatures that lived for a very long time could become Demigods, they were weaklings, and when they died, they stayed dead, unable to be resurrected.
Arthas's breathing quickened slightly. His grip on Maricia's breast unknowingly became very forceful, nearly bruising the fair flesh.
"Go and gather the core members of the Guild; I want to inspect them. Introduce me to the most devout member; I will grant her power!"
"Yes, Master!" Maricia's face held a touch of madness. She had already seen the Life Essence at Arthas's fingertips, and like a female dog, she opened her small mouth, craving her master's reward!