--- CHAPTER 10: The Grand Plan (And the Obvious Motive) ---
"Welcome, Ranger General," Arthas said, recovering after a slight distraction. Nailed it. Smooth. "I'm glad you can come. I will take you to the military camp. If you need anything, you can tell me. Please forgive me for the poor hospitality."
He had never really picked up girls, but he knew that the first impression was very important. And his first impression was "gaping fish-prince." Time to recover.
Alleria, for her part, had a good impression of Arthas. Putting aside his status, he was a handsome boy. In addition to his decent manners, the slight, almost imperceptible distraction after seeing her... well, it made her feel a little proud.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Arthas led the way and talked with Alleria. "Was the journey hard?"
"I'm used to it. This distance is nothing."
Alleria shook her head. Her walking posture was very serious, very militant. But... wow. You couldn't help but focus on her twisting buttocks. Don't look, don't look, don't look... I'm looking. Light, that's just mesmerizing. Elves are simply built differently. The beauty of the elves is as famous as their arrogance, especially in their mages and nobles, who are no different from human nobles.
"Please be careful when fighting the orcs this time," Arthas said, trying to sound professional and not at all focused on her... walk. "Those green monsters will become more violent after drinking the blood of the devil. They will ignore certain pain and are good at exchanging injuries for lives. So don't show mercy if you can kill them with one blow. I like a saying very much: being kind to the enemy is being cruel to yourself."
He said it lightly and didn't ask Alleria how many people came. He already knew: no mages, just a few hundred elven rangers. Rangers are masters of guerrilla warfare, but they aren't very good at close combat in a big, positional war.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Have you ever fought against orcs?"
Alleria was a little curious. The prince in front of her was only nineteen years old. He's younger than he sounds, she was probably thinking. Are all humans so... intense?
"No," he admitted. "I heard the veterans talk about it. Most of them lost their arms and thighs. Their experience is a bloody lesson. Ranger General, we are here. This is your barracks. If you need anything, feel free to find me. I will definitely help if I can."
Arthas showed a sunny, disarming smile. He did not rely on others. Instead of relying on others, it is better to rely on himself.
Hearing this, Alleria was a little respectful. At least compared to the posturing nobles in Silvermoon City, the prince in front of her was the most sober.
"Thank you. I will find you if I need you."
"Then I won't bother you. We will talk after you settle down."
Arthas smiled, made an invitation gesture, and turned away. Be cool. Just walk. Don't look back. Don't... okay, just walk.
It was not the time to be in love. Poaching someone like that requires you to have a certain strength. It was far from enough to just have the identity of a prince. You must also have your own power. Terenas is still strong and vigorous. And what is the most feared thing about being a king? The prince is too good. So good that people are afraid of him... and then they turn against each other.
Arthas had a plan from the beginning. First, make a lot of money in this war. Second, earn enough merits to get a fiefdom. Third, take the orc captives across the Endless Sea to the Kalimdor continent to develop his own power. It perfectly avoided the king's hatred. Even if it was father and son, there were not a few who turned against each other because of power. It was the classic 'get-so-successful-your-dad-doesn't-exile-you' strategy. Solid.
There are many places to develop. Arthas set his sights on the Kalimdor continent. It was more suitable for him and had more opportunities. Crossing the ocean wouldn't even be a big problem with the help of his aunt, Lady Ashvane. After this morning, I'm pretty sure she'd build me a new continent if I asked nicely.
I have to say, Arthas's plan was very well thought out. As a prince, developing in Lordaeron should be reasonable. But putting aside the power struggle between father and son, there are still a large number of noble lords. Like the lords in the Middle Ages, they only need to pay a small part of food and money to the king. The rest is basically self-produced and self-sold. They have their own armies and tax collection rights. Even the king cannot interfere with the affairs of the territory.
Trying to break that fucked-up rule? The difficulties would be insane. Civil officials, military generals, and other talents are all cultivated by the nobles. How could they agree to dig up their own roots? Only crazy people would agree.
Arthas hated these power struggles. Although it is said that fighting with others is endless fun, he just had no time. The orc war, the Scourge of the undead, the invasion of the Burning Legion, the war in Outland, the crisis of the ancient gods, the explosion of the Zerg in Ahn'Qiraj, the crisis of the trolls... a whole calendar of world-ending headaches was on the way.
He had to concentrate on development. He never thought about saving the world. He just wanted to survive and get enough beauties to enjoy. And... let's be honest. Some women are not easy to deal with. You need power and strength to do it. This is why he still has to struggle. He really, really wants the bodies of beautiful women. Elves, dragons... you name it. And I, Arthas, am aiming to be a grand collector.
Not long after, Arthas came to the dwarven district. Ah, the smell of home: spilled ale, sawdust, and unwashed dwarf. Perfect.
"Hi, Hanlon, is Muradin here?"
"Hey, Your Highness!" a heroic dwarf laughed and greeted, clearly familiar with Arthas. "Lord Muradin is drinking inside!"
Arthas skillfully pushed open the door of the tavern. He was looking for Muradin, the younger brother of the King of Ironforge, and also the dwarf warrior who taught him martial arts. When he came in, he saw a dwarf with a massively braided beard chugging a beer. His muscles were exaggeratedly strong, almost like the thighs of adult men, and his strength was just as exaggerated.
"Muradin," Arthas said, getting straight to it. "I need your help, as my ally to fight against the orcs."
"Oh, of course! No problem, Arthas!" Muradin slammed his mug down. "Those damn green bastards attacked Ironforge. But we drove them back! Humph, they're besieging Ironforge and sending troops north."
Muradin agreed without hesitation. As a teacher, as a friend, as a liaison ambassador between dwarves and humans, he was all in.
"Thank you. I do have a plan. Come, let's talk. It's... very interesting."
He's thinking adventure, Arthas thought. I'm thinking... well, he'll find out soon enough.
--- END OF CHAPTER 10 ---