Galen had no idea that Illidan had already displayed a 'Not Beneath Me' level of skill; this time, he was genuinely angry.
Thranduil might have refrained from delivering a fatal blow to Illidan due to Galen's plan, resulting in him suffering a slight disadvantage during their conflict.
Thranduil could tolerate it, but Galen couldn't. Although he appeared humble, that was only on the premise of 'if you don't offend me, I won't offend you.' He was extremely protective of his own. The four heroes in the Hall of Kings were Galen's right-hand men, the people he relied on the most!
Galen saw that Illidan's expression was serious and no longer as arrogant.
Seeing that he could communicate normally, Galen quickly restrained his imposing aura and returned to being the sunny young man.
"Lord Galen Lothar told me that the favor of the Skull of Gul'dan has already been given to you. Now that the reward has been received, shouldn't you be doing the job?"
Anyway, it was Galen Lothar's persona that had a relationship with Illidan, not the Crusader Galen. He didn't waste any words, Galen acting in an official capacity.
"What do you need me to do?" Illidan asked with a serious expression.
"During the Battle of Mount Hyjal, you saw the undead army that charged our defenses, right?" Galen reached out and invited Illidan into the Crusader's council hall.
Illidan also recalled the ugly ghouls and foul-smelling abominations that exuded dark power.
"Their master is far away on the continent of Northrend, a great enemy of our humanity, wantonly spreading plague in the Eastern Kingdoms, and using an army of the dead to destroy two of our Alliance nations. Currently, our army is clearing the undead in the north and cannot spare the time for a northern expedition."
"Get to the point…"
"I need you to cause them some trouble." Galen took out an emerald green gem. The terrifying energy contained within the gem shocked even Illidan.
"You absorbed the fel energy essence from the Skull of Gul'dan and should have seen his memories from his remaining soul echoes. This is the Eye of Sargeras, and the power contained within can erase any enemy from this world."
"And guiding this gem only requires a small ritual!"
Galen directly told Illidan that he needed him to release the power of the Eye of Sargeras and bombard the Frozen Throne in Icecrown Citadel. As long as he cracked the ice imprisoning the Lich King, his power would dissipate. At that time, Ner'zhul would frantically urge Arthas to return to Icecrown Citadel and merge with Arthas's body to save his life.
After Arthas left, the remaining Scourge would be insignificant. Once the Alliance's war machine was fully operational, it could be directly suppressed.
Once the undead in the Eastern Kingdoms were cleared, the Alliance could gather its forces and launch a northern expedition as a matter of course!
Alas!
Galen sighed inwardly. If it weren't for the sake of these four words, "as a matter of course," he would have had the Crusaders restore Lordaeron long ago.
Going around in such a big circle was still to paralyze those fallen Titan watchers and complete his and Archaedas's plan!
Until Ulduar was pacified and he could control this vast Titan facility, he wouldn't feel at ease.
He had been developing in these worlds for over a decade, and he didn't want the observer Algalon to initiate an Azeroth format and return to square one!
"I will take care of this matter!"
Illidan thought for a moment and agreed to Galen's task of attacking Icecrown Citadel.
"Illidan, although I don't like you, we have the same goal, which is to destroy the Burning Legion, so I have to remind you."
Galen tossed the Eye of Sargeras to Illidan, and the Demon Hunter stretched out his right claw to catch it directly.
"The demons know that you have become a half-demon. I think Kil'jaeden, that cunning fellow, won't let go of a pawn like you. He will definitely come to you. When that time comes, I hope your acting skills can be so realistic that they can fool anyone. Don't expose the origin of the Eye of Sargeras!"
Illidan was confused by what he heard, but Galen believed that he was a smart man. With some of Gul'dan's memories and knowledge, he would fabricate a reasonable explanation.
Illidan left, taking the Eye of Sargeras with him.
Galen could also implement his next plan.
"Thranduil, go and reveal Illidan's whereabouts to Maiev, saying that everything is ready and that they should act according to the agreement with Lord Galen!"
Before he accumulated enough power to counterattack Argus, guiding everything towards the history he knew would help him control the future direction.
Now, the eighteenth year after the opening of the Dark Portal was quietly approaching. The Battle of Mount Hyjal was two years ahead of schedule due to Galen's existence. Archimonde had already fallen. To resurrect him in the Twisting Nether using the power of the Argus world-soul would probably take hundreds or thousands of years. Now, what he needed to guard against was Kil'jaeden, that old schemer!
However, this guy, known as the Deceiver, didn't like to rely on his own powerful strength like Archimonde. Instead, he was used to hiding behind the scenes and manipulating everything, enjoying the pleasure of controlling everything.
Galen put Illidan on the front stage, coupled with the Lich King's betrayal, should be able to divert his attention. For the next period of time, Galen could happily play the game of tomb exploration.
In Lordaeron City, the dreadlord who stayed here to monitor the undead army and ensure that the Scourge could launch an attack at any time was a little uneasy.
Varimathras had not received news from Lord Archimonde for several months, and his immediate superior, Anetheron, had also disappeared. The agreed-upon communication had never come, and the fact that he was surrounded by undead that he loathed made his days extremely difficult.
Just as he was pacing back and forth in the decaying garden of Lordaeron Palace in frustration, he heard movement outside the courtyard!
The dreadlord recognized the person entering the courtyard.
The person walking in through the dilapidated courtyard gate was none other than the Lich King's chief death knight, and also his spokesperson, Arthas!
At this time, he was riding on that winged undead warhorse. He wasn't wearing a helmet, and his white hair was scattered over his shoulders. His pale face wore a smug smile!
When Varimathras saw this smile, he felt a burst of displeasure in his heart, coupled with his recent bad mood, a surge of anger occupied his chest.
"Death Knight, put away that rude expression. You have offended me!"
Varimathras's words caused Arthas's smile to gradually disappear, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes, but his smile soon reappeared.
"Demon, your existence has been an eyesore for a long time. Now, there is no need for you to exist anymore!"
"Roar! Arrogance! Watch your words, Death Knight!"
Varimathras felt that his dignity had been challenged and issued a warning roar.
Arthas's smile deepened on his pale face as he listened to Varimathras's wild words!
Yes!
That's right!
The more fiercely you shout now, the more severe the beating you will suffer later!
Arthas felt extremely happy!
It's been over a year!
He had endured these demons who pointed fingers at him, spoke in arrogant tones, and acted with a vile attitude for over a year!
During that time, Kel'Thuzad acted very well, and because he maintained absolute loyalty to the Lich King, he took on the task of pretending to be a submissive lapdog in front of Archimonde and these Dreadlords.
Arthas couldn't do it. He didn't believe he could act as flawlessly as Kel'Thuzad, and he couldn't suppress the rage in his heart to slaughter those Dreadlords, so he could only remain silent and stay far away.
In short, both he and Kel'Thuzad were regarded as insignificant figures by those two demons!
Now, the tables have turned!
"Demons! Your master Archimonde has been defeated by the Night Elves, blasted into nothingness. Your Burning Legion's plan has failed, and your death will make your failure even more complete."
He smiled and raised Frostmourne, the runes on the blade dancing with light. Then, Invincible, as if understanding his master's thoughts, charged towards Varimathras!
"Hmph! It won't end so quickly!" Varimathras spat out a harsh word, and then, with extreme speed, opened a portal and disappeared without a trace.
Dreadlords and Pit Lords are two types of demons with opposing temperaments. Pit Lords are consumed by slaughter, while Dreadlords do not enjoy direct combat.
Now that Varimathras lacked information, regardless of the truth, he had to find his superiors or contact other members of the Legion first!
The Dreadlord ran too fast, and Frostmourne only struck air.
Arthas frowned at this, but he quickly regained his good mood. Archimonde, that great mountain, had already fallen. Even if this Dreadlord escaped today, taking his life was only a matter of time.
"Kel'Thuzad, Dar'Khan, Rivendare, Mehlendus, prepare the Scourge's army. We've been low-key for too long. The Alliance's army is almost at the gates of Lordaeron!"
Arthas spread his arms, seemingly enjoying this feeling of being suppressed.
"We must let the Alliance know that I am the King of Lordaeron! After all, this is my country. I was born to rule here. And I will do better than my dead father. I will conquer the Eastern Kingdoms and establish a new empire!"
"Hahaha...!"
Arthas's wild laughter suddenly stopped. His eyes widened, his face contorted in pain. If he weren't a Death Knight, his sweat would already be dripping like ordinary water droplets.
His body slumped on the skeletal neck of his mount, his hands gripping the reins tightly.
"Ah!"
A heart-wrenching scream of pain erupted from his throat.
"This pain... what's going on!"
Arthas seemed to be talking to himself, but in reality, he was questioning the Lich King.
"Someone has attacked Icecrown Citadel through a mysterious ritual."
The Lich King's mental connection transmitted a picture to Arthas. His main body was sitting alone in a huge cave, as if wrapped in a piece of unnatural ice. There were many cracks on the ice surface, as if someone had smashed a piece of ice from above, leaving a jagged, abrupt gap.
Arthas tried to see the Lich King's appearance clearly, but the ice was too thick, only a blur.
Then, the Lich King's voice, mixed with painful howls, cut into Arthas's mind like a sharp blade: "Danger is approaching the Frozen Throne! Power is fading... there's no time left... You must return to Northrend immediately!"
"As you command, Master!"
Arthas's voice became hoarse with pain!
"Rivendare, Dar'Khan, you two guard Lordaeron City and await our return. Kel'Thuzad, Mehlendus, you two will return to Northrend with me!"
Arthas couldn't care about anything else and immediately prepared to head north!
He had to carry out the Lich King's orders, and his power was ultimately with the Lich King. Now that the Lich King's Frozen Throne was under attack, his power was also weakening.
He had to abandon the idea of crushing the Alliance army.
Arthas didn't know that the culprit who attacked the Lich King and Icecrown Citadel was in the ruins of Dalaran on Chris Island, not far from him to the south!
"What's going on!"
Illidan roared in anger!
Not long ago, in order to escape Maiev and her Watchers, he chose to cross the sea eastward, leaving the Night Elves' old home of Kalimdor.
He never expected that Kil'jaeden, the big boss of the Burning Legion, would come knocking halfway!
Just as Galen said, Illidan's semi-demonization had attracted the Deceiver's attention. This great demon believed he could control Illidan and intended to take him as a pawn!
Illidan was prepared, so he naturally expressed his loyalty.
And Illidan's first task was to punish the Lich King!
Because the Lich King's betrayal had caused Kil'jaeden to lose face!
Illidan obtained information about the Lich King from Kil'jaeden and also understood the weakest point of the Frozen Throne.
So he chose the ruins of Dalaran, the place where the magic net converged, to set up the ritual, which was like adding wings to a tiger!
"It seems that the magic of the Eye of Sargeras has been interrupted!"
Beside Illidan, a Naga with a human-shaped upper body and a snake-shaped lower body came to a conclusion after checking!
"Impossible, the energy of this Eye of Sargeras is still very abundant, how could it be interrupted?" Illidan was a little annoyed. He had wasted a lot of time to set up this ritual, and he had also traveled such a long distance!
"Could it be Galen? Is there a problem with the ritual he gave me?"
"Galen? Where is he!"
The Naga beside Illidan let out a sharp cry!
"Calm down, Lady Vashj! The Galen I'm talking about is the Highlord of the Argent Crusade, the Grand Marshal of the Alliance, Galen'Remar, not the Galen we knew in ancient times. Galen'Remar perished with Archimonde at Mount Hyjal, turning into ashes!!"
Illidan rubbed his ears, expressing dissatisfaction with Vashj's excitement.
But Vashj sneered: "Ashes? Perished together?"
"So there's no definite evidence, right? Illidan, it seems you don't understand Prince Galen. Even if you perished with Malfurion, Prince Galen would never die with Archimonde. He would never easily put himself in a dangerous situation. You must know that he is a master of teleportation!"
Vashj had an expression of seeing through the truth