The boxes outside were sealed with Andorhal's stamp, which was the northern distribution center for supplies. Goods traveling north and south would pass through there before being circulated to other places.
Lady Jaina proactively dissected the deceased villagers and discovered contaminated food in their stomachs.
"Prince Arthas, these villagers consumed grain that had been imbued with the plague, which is why its aura was so concealed. The plague might be spreading through the grain!"
This was the advantage of having a helper. Although she was a delicate noblewoman, her practical abilities were no less than any man's.
Jaina's expression was solemn; she also felt the gravity of the situation.
"If the plague is spreading through grain, then it's unclear how many villages have been infected."
"These grains have a faint Arcane aura and are mixed with something I don't recognize. Since it's related to magic, it should be manageable."
"Perhaps we can collect the contaminated grain and send it to Dalaran. My teacher will surely figure out a way to crack it!"
After all, she would be a person of authority in the future, a woman groomed to be a queen.
When faced with the situation, she didn't panic but instead offered solutions in an orderly manner.
After all, Jaina had, to some extent, begun to think of Lordaeron's citizens as her own. She was marrying Arthas and would be Lordaeron's queen in the future, so how could she not care?
"There's no time to lose; collect the grain."
"Sinestra, take my emblem and go to Dalaran with Jaina. Tell them they must research an antidote as quickly as possible."
"Also, this matter is related to the Dalaran traitor, Kel'Thuzad."
Sinestra accepted the emblem and nodded solemnly.
Jaina hesitated, wanting to speak. How did this matter get linked to Archmage Kel'Thuzad?
Now was not the time to ask; she could only find an opportunity later.
Mages could teleport, so a round trip wouldn't take too long. Skills had a cooldown, so it would only be a day or two.
As the investigation continued, they delved further north.
A clamor of battle cries and elven shouts came from ahead.
Hearing that her kin were in trouble, Sylvanas immediately grew anxious and rushed forward.
In the village ahead, high elf priests were resisting skeletons and zombies, surrounded by a tide of undead creatures, on the verge of being overwhelmed.
"Saving lives is paramount, charge!"
"Grom, circle around to the back. See those people in black robes? Break their hands and feet; don't let them commit suicide."
Arthas said this and personally charged, his warhammer striking each one.
Just as the elf guards were about to fall, a holy light descended, raising their health back up.
They stood firm and unyielding, simply refusing to die!
With the guards entering the fray, these undead creatures were ultimately cannon fodder. It wasn't long before they were all cleared out!
A valiant elf priestess stepped forward, her right hand on her chest in a bow.
"Greetings, Prince Arthas. I am Liadrin, a high elf priestess sent by Silvermoon City to assist in investigating the corrupting aura."
"This is a letter from King Terenas to you. We will fully support the Alliance."
Hmm?
Things were getting more and more interesting!
Arthas opened the letter, which bore a magical seal, and read its contents, his expression growing increasingly intrigued.
It stated that Quel'Thalas had also discovered the plague spreading to their lands, and the elf King was willing to marry ranger-general Sylvanas to him, but on the condition that she must be the queen.
Lordaeron was the core of the Alliance. If Lordaeron didn't fall, Stormwind was still recovering.
If Sylvanas could become the queen of Lordaeron, it would bring many benefits to Quel'Thalas in the future.
In addition, Liadrin was sent to assist the Alliance as a token of sincerity.
Putting the letter away, Arthas smiled and said, "Then I trouble you. Have you made any discoveries?"
Liadrin had no idea about the letter's contents; she was simply ordered to assist the Alliance.
Over a decade ago, if Lordaeron hadn't sent troops to help, the high elf would have been wiped out by the orcs incidentally.
Traitors destroyed the magic circles, and the forest trolls led the way; it was truly a national crisis.
"There's a strong fluctuation in the granary over the mountain. We were just about to investigate when we were attacked by these undead creatures."
"I'm very sorry, prince Arthas, but all the residents here have become undead."
Arthas waved his hand, leading his troops onward.
Along the way, there were many undead who had risen from the dead, still somewhat confused, not knowing why they were like this.
The journey was uneventful, just fighting and killing.
Half a day later.
At the granary distribution point, several three-meter-tall flesh giants appeared before them, all pieced together from various corpses, with visible stitch lines.
In the game, it wasn't too nauseating, but seeing it in reality, not only was there a disgusting stench, but also a terrifying and horrifying appearance.
Beneath the towering granaries, Necromancers in black robes had been waiting for a long time.
Just as he was about to speak, Arthas roared, "Kel'Thuzad, I already know what you've done. You are doomed!"
His identity exposed, the Necromancer pulled back his hood, revealing a withered, bark-like appearance, neither human nor ghost.
"Oh? First time meeting you, prince. A pleasure, a pleasure."
"Unfortunately, I still have things to do, so I won't be staying! Rise, my servants, and destroy them!"
Just as Arthas was about to rush forward and capture him alive, Jaina held him back.
"No, he has set up a magic circle. If you go, you'll fall into his trap."
"Leave it to me. I'll break his magic circle. You destroy the undead."
"Alright."
The massive flesh Golem swung its blood-stained cleaver, and even steel shields were dented and deformed!
Fortunately, after datafication, health could be restored in time; as long as it wasn't emptied, they wouldn't die.
Arthas led the charge, facing the giant flesh Golem, and slammed his warhammer down hard.
Bash combined with a critical strike cleared a large chunk of its thousands of health!
With extremely good luck, three critical hits in a row caused the giant Golem to explode, scattering into a pile of corpses.
The putrid, pungent smell was nauseating, but there was no time to dwell on it now.
On the other side, Grom, fearless, led the orcs to block Kel'Thuzad's retreat route, holding him firmly to prevent his escape.
Left with no choice, Kel'Thuzad could only wave his staff, summoning more undead, and disguised himself as an acolyte to flee.
After accepting necromancy, arcane power abandoned him; otherwise, he could have easily left by casting a teleportation spell at this moment.
A pair of eyes, through the undead, fixed on Arthas. This agile figure, full of rage, and his identity as a prince, was precisely the spokesman the Lich King had been desperately searching for!
Instantly, he changed his mind, using his continent-spanning psychic power to give Kel'Thuzad and the lurking dreadlord Mal'Ganis their latest combat mission.
That was to further escalate Arthas' rage, lure him to Northrend, and step by step, corrupt him into his loyal servant, a death knight!