A week had passed, and Orgrim still stood in the forest outside Lordaeron. It was unbelievable that the Alliance soldiers could hold out for so long.
"Warchief, the Alliance soldiers' defenses are beginning to weaken. I believe we can capture this political center of the human kingdom in no more than three days," Saurfang said confidently in the tent.
Zuluhed echoed the second in commands' words: "That's right. These days, even the mages guarding the walls are finding it difficult to withstand the flames of our dragons. It's time for us to prepare for a general offensive and conquer Lordaeron in one fell swoop."
Orgrim had enough patience; at this stage of the battle, there was no reason to fail. As long as he maintained the offensive, Lordaeron would fall sooner or later.
"Organize the soldiers of the various orc chieftains from the different tribes. Tomorrow morning, we will launch the general offensive!"
Orgrim issued this order, but he hadn't anticipated that besides the seven kingdoms of the Alliance being his enemies, there was also a potential danger within the Horde itself.
Regardless of the progress of the main battlefield, Gul'dan executed his plan that night: a plan to seize a massive force.
Orc warriors and warlocks from the Stormreaver Clan, soldiers from the Twilight's Hammer Clan, along with a group of two-headed ogres and death knights, began their southward march.
Ships they had prepared long ago were stationed in Southshore, and under Gul'dan's orders, they were to depart for the Endless Sea. Where they were going was unknown; they only knew that by following this powerful warlock leader, they would obtain what they desired.
This night was destined to be anything but peaceful. Leylin, who had been waiting, sensed the orcish tribe's movements through his [Far Sight]. A large number of orc warriors withdrew from the entire southern region of Lordaeron, heading south.
Yes, Gul'dan was executing his plan.
Meanwhile, Leylin didn't want to miss this opportunity to enter a region imbued with mysterious power. In Leylin's mind, many things would happen in this area.
Late that night, Leylin quietly disappeared from Lordaeron. He left a letter in the fortress on the northern wall of the city, containing these words:
"Just like the messenger found in Alterac Valley, this time, an unknown premonition compels me to set out once more. I will follow a group of orcs to an unknown region, where I will find the answers. Do not worry, I will return soon. —Leylin"
In the dark night sky, a majestic gryphon soared across the night sky of Lordaeron. Accompanied by the shimmering stars, Leylin followed Gul'dan's orcish southward march.
After two days of flight, Leylin and his gryphon arrived at Hillsbrad Foothills.
Leylin thought his advance was fast enough, but in the distant Southshore, orc warlocks were already preparing. The orcs had amassed a large number of ships there, including orcish ironclad warships and elven destroyers plundered from Quel'Thalas.
Leylin and his gryphon perched on a hill, and he took out the grains he had brought beforehand, feeding them to his companion first.
Leylin waited another day in the Hillsbrad Foothills, where the orcs, who had planned to sail south, were already prepared. Once ready, they finally set sail from the port of Southshore.
Hundreds of ships, large and small, hoisted their sails, and in the morning sea breeze, they orderly departed the port of Southshore.
The moment had finally arrived. Leylin took a deep breath of the air of the Eastern Kingdoms, stroked the griffin's back feathers, and said, "We should set off too, my friend."
The month-long voyage began today; Leylin hadn't known that the journey to this place would take so long.
After three days of flying, the griffin was clearly exhausted. Leylin didn't dare to force it. Late at night, they carefully landed on the cabin of an orc ship, fed it, and then Leylin let it fly back from the way it came. He silently remained on the orc fleet.
Using a [Greater Invisibility] spell, Leylin was not discovered by the orc soldiers. Fortunately, there were no orc warlocks on this ship. Leylin was safely hiding in a storage room in the cabin.
Aside from the darkness, it was fine. The orcs had gathered and scavenged some food, so Leylin didn't have to worry about starving on the ship.
The top of the cabin led directly to the deck, where there was an opening through which Leylin could barely see the day-night cycle.
While waiting to set sail, Leylin also studied magic in the cabin. However, this time he didn't release his magical energy. Gul'dan and a large group of warlocks were on one of the ships in this fleet. Before reaching their destination, it was best to be cautious.
The fleet sailed for twenty days, and Leylin sensed a strange difference. It was a unique magical sensation. Just like in Quel'Thalas, Leylin sensed another source of arcane energy in the western part of this sea.
But this source of arcane energy didn't seem to possess the same intense energy as the Sunwell. Yet, Leylin could feel this unique arcane energy calling to him, attracting him.
As the lights flickered on and off from the deck vents, this magical sensation grew stronger. Leylin could almost feel it approaching the area.
However, something unexpected happened. The closer he got to the mysterious island, the more he sensed, beyond the arcane energy drawing him in. A terrifying fel energy was also slowly emanating from the island.
Meanwhile in Lordaeron.
"Big sister, the Horde has withdrawn. Lordaeron is safe. We have won the final victory in this battle!" Sylvanas's face broke into a long-lost smile.
Alleria received the news and should have been overjoyed. After all, Leylin had kept his word. This mage, who had fought on the city walls for a week, should also be enjoying a moment of happiness. But now, it was too late. He had just left?
Alleria didn't answer. She clutched the crumpled letter tightly in her hand, her beautiful face now etched with worry and sorrow.
Sylvanas felt a surge of suppressed anger. She walked to her elder sister and took the letter from her.
Laying it flat on the table, Sylvanas watched the words unfold. She clenched her fists and said angrily, "What is that bastard thinking? Does he really think he can solve everything? Doesn't he know Vereesa is waiting for him? So irresponsible!"
Alleria shook her head. "He never does anything rash. This time, his quiet departure must be because of something important."
"What about us? How do we find him?" Sylvanas asked.
"All we can do is wait. He left quietly because he doesn't want us to come looking for him," Alleria explained to Sylvanas, knowing Leylin well.
A look of resentment crossed the faces of both Windrunner sisters. Helpless, they could do nothing now.
A new story was about to begin. Leylin would travel to a new region where he would encounter an ancient city, ancient races, and the most vital energy source of Azeroth.