Bab 594: Chapter 594: Shamelessness to the Extreme
Despite his best efforts, Terenas couldn't convince Antonidas. To Terenas, this obstinate mage seemed intent on bringing his prime candidate to the dissecting tables of Dalaran, eager to uncover the mysterious being's inner workings.
Terenas was reminded of the private words of Lord Prestor: "These erratic mages are no saints. Your Highness, haven't you wondered why, before opening the portal to Grim Batol, Antonidas didn't sense the plethora of Horde chieftains there? Why did he insist on sending the elite of Lordaeron there?"
The loss of nearly a thousand elite knights at Grim Batol was an eternal sorrow for Terenas.
Thinking of this, his trust in Antonidas waned.
Indeed, it was my-- the great Terenas Menethil II's idea to support Lord Prestor as the king of Alterac. You fools have two choices: obey or get out of the way.
"Antonidas, you're wrong in this. Our shared dream among all human kingdoms is for a noble soul, not a treacherous backstabber, to control Alterac. For now, I see no better choice than Lord Prestor. If you have another, suggest it. If not, I hope you follow Lordaeron's will. Moreover, if he proves unsuitable, the Alliance can always dethrone King Prestor."
Antonidas was so infuriated by Terenas that he nearly spat blood.
Since when did the Alliance supersede royal authority? Would that mysterious young man willingly step down once he's in power?
"Terenas! Being so obstinate will be your downfall. Remember, Duke has already made his move." Knowing full well Terenas loathed the Duke, Antonidas didn't hesitate to bring him into their dispute.
King Terenas immediately recalled the attempt to threaten the Barov family through lesser nobility, aiming to control Alterac. His envoys had been humiliated numerous times. Though outwardly that action was not linked to Terenas, those in the know understood it was a direct insult to the Menethil royal family.
"Hmph! That young Duke can't save the Barov family!" Terenas declared adamantly.
Outside, the triumphant parade's drumming grew louder, signaling the nearing procession to the palace. Unless Terenas was genuinely indisposed, he, as the Alliance leader, would have to greet the victorious champions.
"Antonidas, promise me Dalaran will remain neutral in this matter, or it will be seen as an enemy of Lordaeron. Once this is settled, I will compensate Dalaran." This was an overt threat.
Antonidas, looking as though he'd swallowed something foul, barely managed to grit out, "Fine!"
As the dispersed kings once again convened in the vast palace square, Terenas received cheers from over a hundred thousand citizens.
Regardless of opinions, this was the Lordaeron Alliance, with Lordaeron as its mainstay.
This was an honor none could strip away.
Terenas, after a symbolic inspection of the captured orcish weapons, approached Orgrim. Typically, seeing a powerful enemy chieftain kneel before oneself was exhilarating.
Despite the human guards' force, the weakened Orgrim couldn't resist, almost having his neck snapped as he lowered his proud head to Terenas.
But Terenas knew Orgrim wasn't about to speak any words of submission. Otherwise, Orgrim might have uttered the iconic phrase, "Orcs never kneel."
Terenas found Orgrim's "surrender" uninspiring. To him, orcs were just troublesome paupers -- destructive and devoid of any worth, except for mining and gladiatorial combat.
He pretended to relish the crowd's cheers and quickly ended the victory ceremony.
Upon entering the palace, as the kings were about to sit, a revelation was made.
"Wait!" Genn Greymane suddenly declared, "Not everyone here has the right to enter. Those who can come into the throne room are either representatives or kings of their countries or heroes of the Alliance. However, there's a traitor among us!"
Genn's announcement left the dwarves and elves in shock.
A traitor!?
As Genn pointed, all eyes turned to Duke Barov, who was about to head to Alterac, and General Haas, who paled instantly.
Duke Barov was attending as Alterac's representative. Accusing a country's representative at such a meeting was a grave matter without substantial evidence.
"You... what evidence do you have?" Duke Barov, trembling, pointed at King Greymane.
"Evidence? I have plenty!" Genn snapped his fingers, and from the side hall, escorted by twelve guards, two young men, bearing a strong resemblance to Duke Barov, entered.
Many recognized them as Duke Barov's sons, the previous first and second heirs to the Barov family, Weldon Barov and Alexei Barov.
Duke Barov, looking as though struck by lightning, stammered, "They vanished after the Alterac incident. I've already denounced them, stripping them of their inheritance and banishing them from our family. From that day, their actions have no connection with the Barov Duke or Alterac. The sole heir to the Barov family is now Jandice Barov."
"You stingy old fool! How could you leave the family wealth to that wretched woman!? I'm the true heir to the Barov family!"
"No, I am! Weldon, go to hell! I'm the Barov heir!"
Before Genn could speak, the two Barov sons began their internal feud.
Duke Barov defensively stated, "This proves nothing."
Genn smiled, "But many know that because the Barov sons joined the Horde early on, Orgrim's army could easily traverse Alterac's mountains, bypassing all watchtowers, appearing miraculously before Lordaeron's city gates."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone