The ruins of Vashj'ir, once the gleaming pearl of eastern Kalimdor and a grand city of the Night Elves, lay utterly razed by the wrath of Neptulon. The only lingering proof of its former existence was a solitary monument carved from obsidian.
After ensuring Jaina rested for the night aboard the Flying Stromgarde, Galen returned to the seabed. At this moment, the two stood before the obsidian monument. Galen still wore the vestments of the Night Elf Overlord, while Jaina, the brightest rising star in Dalaran, naturally recognized the ancient Kaldorei characters etched into the stone.
"This statue honors our beloved mother, Lyselia Vashj, and her benevolent rule. For hundreds of years, she guided the people of Vashj'ir toward endless prosperity. May she and her daughter, the great Lady Vashj, continue to light the way in the darkest nights and guide the people through the next hundred years."
Galen gazed at the black stone tablet in silence, then solemnly placed it into his magical satchel.
"Besides Sister Sylvanas and Sister Alleria..." Jaina hesitated, "There's also Sister Calia... and the sister named Vashj, right?"
Last night, Galen had simply taken the exhausted girl back to the captain's room on the ship and cared for her. Nothing Jaina had secretly hoped for had occurred. Since Sister Calia can do it, why can't Brother Galen and I? Jaina screamed inwardly, not caring in the least about the audacity of her thoughts. She even envied Calia, secretly blaming the Queen of Lordaeron. At first, I actively sought to form an alliance with her and Iluxia to contend with the Windrunner sisters. Back then, Calia was hesitant and reluctant, yet in the end, her progress was swifter than anyone else's! She even bore a child!
"Jaina, I understand your feelings, but now is not the time." This was a critical juncture in Galen's grand plan. Once everything unfolded according to his vision, the internal situation of Azeroth would be completely stable. With the support of the entire planet and the Titan Soul Ai-chan, he would be invincible, whether pursuing interstellar colonization or confronting the Burning Legion directly!
"Jaina, you have formed a pact with Neptulon and have already stepped one foot into the ranks of demigods. The future is long, and we have plenty of time!" Galen looked into Jaina's eyes, promising her earnestly.
Jaina received the answer she desired. A radiant smile bloomed on her face, her eyes curving into joyful crescents. But she quickly composed herself, turning the conversation to matters of business: "Brother Galen, I feel I need some actual combat to truly master the elements of the Ice Bloodline and this new pact. I would like to remain in the sea for a while."
Jaina's request surpassed Galen's expectations, but he considered such matters trivial. In fact, he intended to entrust Jaina with a more significant task. "Anna, since you wish to remain at sea, why don't I hand over the First Fleet of Stromgarde and the Water Elemental Army to your command? In addition to controlling this sea area, I hope you can locate the capital of the Naga!"
The Naga in the Sea of Vashj'ir had been defeated, and Duke Hydraxis, now promoted to Regent of the Throne of Tides, led his Hydraxis Legion in a large-scale sweep of the entire sea. Beyond the Naga in the ruins of Vashj'ir, many smaller clans were scattered across the seabed. Galen genuinely needed these Naga to serve as his new marine combat force. At the same time, the location of the Naga capital, Azshara's Eternal Palace, remained a mystery. It was a pity that Lady Grudge and the high-ranking Naga officials of Vashj'ir had escaped in the chaos, otherwise, they could have extracted information from them. The only certainty was that the Naga capital of Nazjatar lay southwest of Vashj'ir, and Ny'alotha, the prison where N'Zoth was confined, was in approximately the same direction. Galen would not know peace until N'Zoth was eliminated!
Galen suppressed the elemental realms, Stromgarde's navy conquered Vashj'ir, the Earthen Ring repaired the Pillars of Earth, and all major forces in Azeroth conducted earthquake relief, restored civilian life, and eradicated the vile Twilight Cultists. As everyone was consumed by these efforts, the 23rd year of the Dark Portal era unknowingly drew to a close. However, as good news arrived from all corners, members of the Grand Council of Azeroth sensed a larger storm brewing.
Vol'dun, a territory belonging to the Zandalari Trolls, was situated in the northwest of the Zandalari Islands, bordering Nazmir to the east and Zuldazar to the south. It was a vast and desolate land, dotted with gravel hills, salt plains, and rocky areas. In the eyes of the Zandalari Trolls, this was a death zone. Its perils stemmed not only from the harsh terrain but also from the murderous creatures that inhabited it.
"Haven't you found any trace of them yet?" In a valley somewhere northeast of Vol'dun, Dathrohan wore a gray cloak that concealed his armor and head. In the flickering light of the campfire, his face was covered with sand, and he looked utterly exhausted.
"I'm sorry, Bishop Dathrohan, the wind and sand have covered their tracks, and it's difficult for us to find them right now!" Several paladins of the Knights of the Silver Hand answered Dathrohan's questions, shame etched on their faces.
"Ugh!" Dathrohan sighed.
Half a year ago, Archbishop Benedictus had even dispatched others to Northshire Abbey to investigate the assassination of Bishop Natalie. He had followed the clues all the way from Elwynn Forest to the Western Plaguelands, and finally, to this barren land overseas. The elite Knights of the Silver Hand were devout in their faith and skilled in combat, but unfortunately, they were unparalleled in their lack of tracking ability, especially outside Alliance-controlled areas. They had lost their native support and were unable to proceed.
Just as the first generation of Paladins were at a loss, the alarm outside their camp was triggered. The thirty paladins accompanying Dathrohan were instantly on high alert, grabbing their holy hammers, holy swords, and holy shields, immediately entering combat stance. When they arrived at the valley's entrance, they found that the brother in charge of guarding had been subdued by a slender figure, who appeared to be a human like themselves.
The Silver Hands who rushed out were furious, but were stopped by Dathrohan just as they were about to attack. He saw the symbol the female human wore on her chest: a dagger hidden in the shadows, and he relaxed. Although the Alliance of the Eastern Kingdoms had evolved into a grand alliance encompassing forces from the four continents of east, west, south, and north, this behemoth was essentially a loose union. But this was merely the opinion of ordinary people. The top figures in Azeroth and the core leaders of various forces stood firmly beside Galen. For example, Dathrohan, a first-generation paladin, had a close relationship with Galen, which had given him access to the Hidden Blade.
(galen's ANBU)
"Cough, cough!" Dathrohan stepped forward alone and asked in a low voice: "A friend of the Hidden Blade?"
"Vanessa VanCleef, from the First Brigade of the Hidden Blades!" The female stealth operative, clad in blood-red tight leather armor, sheathed the dagger in her hand, her cold voice emanating from beneath her red mask. "These two brothers are too nervous. I had no choice but to subdue them." Vanessa glanced at a knight who was blinded and stumbling, and another who was dizzy. The Knights of the Silver Hand were indeed alert. Even with her swift action, they had still managed to issue a warning. It seemed her father had been right. Their reputation was not unfounded. They were indeed as difficult to deal with as the "iron cans" of the Holy Shield Knights. At this moment, Vanessa shed her contemptuous thoughts.