From a distance, Arthas saw the two individuals surrounded, along with the noble soldiers he had to deal with. Otherwise, when facing the Naga, these people would collapse at the slightest provocation and lead a retreat, which would have a deadly impact on morale.
It could potentially affect his position, damage his reputation, and he wouldn't be able to acquire as many resources if people looked down on him. Some matters can impact everything with just a single pull; it's not that simple.
'Edwin VanCleef' 'Vanessa VanCleef'
This is all too familiar; if there's anyone who embodies the term 'great wronged one', it is indeed Edwin. He was a famous stonemason, in other words, an architect in the Kingdom of Stormwind. However, being famous only goes so far—commoners are considered expendable pawns by the nobility.
In the storyline, the Orcs were repelled back to Draenor and the Kingdom of Stormwind was being rebuilt. The Mason Guild, led by Edwin, took on most of the reconstruction work for Stormwind City, working day and night to rebuild it. Once the reconstruction was completed, the members of the Mason Guild gathered to demand their wages, but the corrupt nobles of Stormwind City, influenced by the shapeshifting Countess Katrana Prestor, refused to pay anything.
After being owed wages by Stormwind City, Edwin VanCleef led his followers in a riot demanding payment, utterly unaware that King Varian Wrynn and his wife Tiffin were trying to calm the rage of the craftsmen. However, during the riot, Tiffin was struck on the head by a piece of stone and lost her young life.
In a fit of rage, King Varian ordered the exile of all members of the Mason Guild. The Guild was driven out of Stormwind, and with nowhere to go, they were forced into the barren western wasteland. Edwin, witnessing his brothers wandering in hunger and confusion, ultimately decided to lead them in revenge against the decaying nobles of Stormwind.
He and the angry craftsmen ravaged the common folk of the western wastelands, reaching out to nearly all pirates and thieves he could contact, along with former members of the Guild, and formed the Defias Brotherhood.
These brotherhood members continuously disrupted Stormwind and its territories, leading to the complete ruin of Moonbrook. In order to guard Elwynn Forest, Stormwind established Westfall Keep to prevent his brotherhood's invasion. Meanwhile, Edwin VanCleef built a stronghold in the Deadmines and secretly constructed cannons, intending to create a regiment armed with powerful artillery to destroy the very city he had built with his own hands, along with those nobles and invading soldiers. This proved that Edwin was not only a skilled stonemason but also a master spy and a military genius.
However, all this ended in failure when greedy adventurers hired by the nobles attacked, and he himself had his head cut off and presented as a trophy. Only Vanessa was left to wander alone, surviving and continuing to seek revenge against Stormwind as she grew up. Although he is a talented individual, he is also someone forced to the brink.
When in opposition, no one cares about the other party's past contributions, only how to eliminate them! While playing the game, Arthas deeply empathizes with this story.
Among the commoners, there are many promising talents; it's just too difficult to find them. Now that he has the chance to find one, how can he let them fall into enemy hands? By the time Arthas arrived, Edwin and Vanessa had already been surrounded. Faced with an organized group of soldiers, even a professional thief would find it difficult to escape! "It's His Highness the Prince!" someone shouted, causing everyone to clear a passage.
"Your Highness has arrived just in time. I've caught two spies sent by the tribe to gather intelligence. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will interrogate them to extract all the information they know." Roden said with a fawning smile, bowing slightly.
"How do you know they are spies?" A cold smile tugged at the corners of Arthas's lips, as if mocking him. Roden, oblivious to Arthas's intentions, went on to embellish the previous events.
He said Vanessa had seduced him, which he dismissed. However, during their conversation, he discovered something unusual about the father and daughter, and under pressure, they revealed their true identity!
"You're talking nonsense! You clearly just wanted to take me back and toy with me! Damn you! Dirty!" Vanessa exploded in anger; how could a young lady like her tolerate being slandered!
"You'll find out soon enough!" Roden sneered, then turned back to Arthas, bowing and scraping. "Leave it to me, Your Highness; you can take a break, and I'll inform you once I have results."
Arthas looked outside and asked his loyal captain of the guard, "Has Baron McCall brought them here?" "Yes, they're just outside" the captain responded respectfully. "Let him in." Arthas commanded expressionlessly.
Before long, a plump noble baron was brought in, and after a short distance, he was already drenched in sweat, visibly showing how weak he was. That's what happens when one indulges in women too much.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Good day to you." Baron McCall bowed respectfully to Arthas, recognizing him as the future heir! Indeed, the king cannot interfere in the affairs of the lords' territories, but the king can make things difficult for you, making your life miserable. He can hold your taxes, demanding this and that from you, and if you refuse, it's seen as ignoring the bigger picture—there are many tricks to bring them down.
Do not underestimate the king; such things should not be done unless the other party is too excessive, then one can take righteous action against the subordinate nobles. "Did these two just go work on your estate as stonemasons?" Arthas asked lightly.
"Uncle, it's me!" Roden quickly winked at Baron McCall, hinting that the other party was lying. Was this really subtlety or treating someone like a fool? Baron McCall did not know what was happening, but still cautious of his nephew, he shook his head and said, "I don't know them; I don't recognize them; I've never seen them before."
"You're talking nonsense! Isn't this a silver coin forged by you?" Vanessa angrily threw a silver coin at him, hoping to place her hopes on this human prince, wishing that Prince Arthas of Lordaeron would care about this matter. Despite the fact that nobles are often corrupt, there are still a few good people among them. She could only hope that she encountered a good person rather than a bad one.