In the dark primeval forest deeper in the eastern forest, the original site of Zul'Aman, the abandoned capital of the Amani Empire, a large troll army gathered here.
"Finally back here, Zul'Aman——"
The one-eyed and one-armed troll stood in front of the army formation, stroking the moss-covered stone steps in front of Zul'Aman's gate with some godlike voice.
Just when the old troll was still worried, a younger troll with a powerful aura walked up behind him and said, "Zuljin, the point-eared ranger general has fallen into the trap."
The turbidity in Zul'jin's only remaining eye disappeared instantly, and it became cruel and vicious, "Oh, really, Malacath, this is really good news."
He touched the remaining half of his left arm and said, "The shame they brought to me back then will be repaid twice as soon as possible."
"Hmph, we lost three witch doctors to catch this big fish," the magic lord Malacath said in a bad tone. If Zuljin's prestige among the trolls was not too high, he would not want to obey orders. for this loser.
"Oh, we have more witch doctors. How many ranger generals do the elves have? Without the Farstriders, who will still be our opponent?"
Zuljin was careless about the price he paid. They were just witch doctors from a few small tribes. The heads of their opposing chiefs had already been decorated by him. Who could support these witch doctors?
Zuljin's goal was to kill or capture Sylvanas Windrunner alive and annihilate the elves' ranger troops. A small sacrifice was nothing.
While the two were talking, a troll scout ran over and said, "Lord Zuljin, Lord Malacath, reinforcements from the Pointed Ears are coming, it's the humans."
"Humans?" Malacath sneered at this, "Just a bunch of pigs in a tin bucket."
"Don't underestimate the enemy, Malacath," Zuljin frowned, "Although the failure of those useless tribes was mostly due to their own reasons, the role of humans cannot be ignored."
In the second war, Zul'jin, who led the way for the orcs, deeply realized how strong humans are now, and they are no longer as weak as they were thousands of years ago.
"The elves live in their ridiculous enchantment and think they have nothing to worry about. For thousands of years, comfort and luxury have long penetrated into their bones. They are no longer the elves who fought against the odds during the troll war."
After listening to the scout's report, Zuljin turned to Malacath and said, "The Loa have not yet recovered. We need a grand sacrifice to return the Amani Empire to its former glory. Windrunner and her The Ranger is just the first step."
"You think too highly of those humans," Malacath retorted.
"Do I think highly of them? No, I never have, but after humans have experienced the invasion of orcs, they understand the name of danger better than elves. At least in the past ten years, elves have been easier to deal with than humans."
Zul'jin's voice suddenly rose.
"But their lifespan is much shorter than that of elves and us. Soon, they will naturally become as weak as before. At that time, it will be our real opportunity. Now it is just a small step to revive our empire. That’s all.”
Zul'jin is a cruel leader, but he is also extremely shrewd and cunning. A true hunter never attacks his prey when it is strongest, but constantly weakens it. Only when the prey's fangs and claws are no longer sharp and the body begins to weaken will he launch a fatal blow.
Although Malakas didn't like Zul'jin, he also knew that Zul'jin was right. He temporarily put away his dissatisfaction, "Okay, Zul'jin, maybe you are right, but next we what to do?"
"The human support must include those luminous priests and paladins. After they found that the curse could not be dealt with, Sylvanas' only choice was to retreat."
Zuljin held the fist blade he placed on the rock and moved his strong right hand. "Send scouts to keep an eye on their rear. Once they start to retreat, have the army press forward immediately and eliminate that person as quickly as possible." Outpost Barrier.”
"What if Sylvanas retreats alone?"
Zuljin's one eye flashed with a fierce light, "So, let Haraz follow the scouts."
"Then it's a hunting game."
——
"What? Are you going to use Ms. Windrunner as bait?" Lor'themar's objection was very clear. "This is too dangerous. Who knows if there will be any troll ambush troops on the way back?"
"Lor'themar, relax, I will follow the lady, and my knights." Arthas had known this for a long time. After all, the trolls had most likely set up scouts or even small groups of ambushes in the rear. , just to wait for the opportunity for Sylvanas to break away from the large army.
But compared to the direct withdrawal of the large army and the risk of being chased by the troll army after being discovered by the scouts, it is much safer to fish out the scouts first.
Sylvanas stared at Arthas, not knowing what she was thinking about. After a while, she stopped Lor'themar who was still objecting and asked Arthas, "You said you can solve the curse?"
"Yes, but we can't solve it now, otherwise the trolls will definitely notice it, and then they will attack the position at all costs. With a ten-fold difference in numbers, it is impossible for us to defend this outpost alone. There’s no chance of retreat.”
"We can only prepare the troops to evacuate first, and then show that we are not aware of the troll's intentions and simply send Lady Windrunner away."
"Their scouts and assassins will definitely not watch us evacuate. By luring them out and dealing with them, we can buy time for the troops to evacuate safely."
"But how can the lady's safety be guaranteed?" Lor'themar said angrily.
"Lor'themar, I am a paladin. No one knows how to protect others better than us, and I will also retreat with the Privy Knights. I am sure there is no big safety risk, but after all, it is a bait, so it is impossible. There is no danger."
"Okay, Lor'themar, in the current situation, is there any better plan?" Sylvanas waved her hand, "And now my situation is not bad, nor is there any way to protect myself. force."
Lor'themar stopped talking, because Arthas' plan was indeed the best way to avoid risks at present, not to mention that as a prince, Arthas himself followed Sylvanas, and he actually had nothing to do with it. Easy to say.
But as a member of the Far Travelers and the adjutant of the Ranger General, he was even more worried about the safety of his boss.
Arthas could also understand his thoughts, but now there was not even half a person out of Silvermoon City. It was impossible for the two great mages he brought to take everyone away with teleportation magic. He could only cut off the trolls. Only with an eyeliner can you have a chance to retreat safely.
"In addition, it is best to bury the remaining mana crystals in the position. My mage will make them into a batch of mana bombs. This can also buy us a certain amount of time."
Hearing this, Sylvanas and Lor'themar both looked bitter. After all, humans learned their magic from the high elves, and now they had to rely on human mages to cover their retreat. They were completely embarrassed!
Even if Silvermoon City sends a team of battle mages, Sylvanas can bring the Farstriders to come and go as they please in front of the trolls.
But now they don't have a single mage here, and the archmage of Lordaeron is not familiar with the magic network situation in Quel'Thalas, so he can't evacuate quickly with his troops.
Now her anger towards the useless members of the Silver Moon Council who only know how to have fun is even higher - if it weren't for the support of Lordaeron, she, Sylvanas and the Farstrider rangers would most likely be captured by the trolls. As a sacrificial offering.
After negotiating with the elves, Arthas calmed down a little. Fortunately, it was Sylvanas and Lor'themar who led the team. Otherwise, with the arrogance of the elves, any other high elf general would have lost his temper. Now Alsace is considering retreating alone.
After he explained the situation to his teacher Uther, Uther also agreed, "This is the only way to go at the moment. I will command the subsequent troops and act according to your plan."
Uther's gauntlet-clad fist hammered Alsace's breastplate, making a crisp sound, "Be safe, my student, and may the Holy Light be with you."
"May the Holy Light be with you, teacher." Alsace left with a smile and went to make preparations before departure.
