Upon hearing Andreas introduce himself as a Druid, the expressions of the Moon Guards immediately turned grim. Clearly, they harbored a strong distaste for the Druidic profession.
Maiev noticed this as well and gave a light snort, explaining on Andreas's behalf, "Andreas is a favored of the Moon Goddess Elune. He received Elune's blessing not long ago; he can no longer be considered a mere Druid."
"A blessing from Elune?!"
Everyone, including Delier, looked at the smiling Andreas in astonishment.
As the name of this elite unit suggested, even though they spent most of their time safeguarding the interests of the Highborne, they still maintained a devout faith in Elune.
Delier and his men had besieged the Vault of the Arch over many days and had frequent contact with Maiev, who was responsible for external communications. They already had a fair understanding of her abrasive temper.
But they also knew that this iron-fisted priestess was never one to speak without foundation, especially when it concerned the Moon Goddess Elune. Her words carried immense credibility.
Led by Delier, the Moon Guards snapped out of their shock and respectfully pressed their hands to their chests, bowing to Andreas.
"Respected favored of the Moon Goddess, please forgive our previous offense."
"It's quite alright, no harm done," Andreas waved his hand dismissively. "I simply happened to receive Elune's blessing and a specific entrustment."
"Oh, right."
Speaking of the entrustment, Andreas struck his palm as if just remembering. "Since we're here, I have some questions for you. Shall we exchange some intelligence?"
...
Before Elune departed from the physical world, she had given Andreas a task, or rather, a request—to rescue her other favored, Tyrande Whisperwind.
"High Priestess Whisperwind?"
In a temporary camp several kilometers away from the battlefield, Delier frowned as he searched his memory. "Apologies, we aren't entirely sure of the latest situation in Zin-Azshari."
Delier explained with a bitter smile, "The person responsible for maintaining contact with the capital was my adjutant, Captain Albert Moon-Crown. Unfortunately, due to our disagreement, he did not join our movement."
Andreas and Maiev nodded noncommittally. They had already noticed that the number of Moon Guards present was less than half of the force they had initially encountered.
The other half, who chose to continue believing in the Burning Legion, had parted ways with Delier and the others after the battle, heading back to Zin-Azshari to report.
With the intelligence-bearing adjutant gone, Delier was equally in the dark regarding the most recent developments in the capital.
Andreas could only infer from Elune's warning that Tyrande had been captured alive in a recent battle. He had hoped to gain more specific details from the Moon Guard, but his wish went unfulfilled.
Although this group of Moon Guards was now in an information vacuum, the information they had gathered previously still provided significant reference for Andreas and Maiev.
Just as Andreas had said when enticing Maiev to move faster, the current leader of the Resistance was indeed her younger brother, Jarod Shadowsong.
The Resistance had established Black Rook Hold as their base. After the Wild Gods joined the fray, they launched a ferocious offensive toward Zin-Azshari.
Due to a lack of preparation, the Burning Legion's defensive lines were forced back repeatedly by the semi-gods rampaging across the battlefield. They didn't manage to stabilize until they reached the outskirts of Zin-Azshari, and only after high-ranking officers like Mannoroth personally took the field.
Upon learning that her younger brother was safe for the time being, Maiev let out a long breath of relief, her hand over her heart.
Andreas rubbed his chin and continued his questioning, "I have one more question. What about the Dragonflights? Have they not joined the fight?"
Delier shook his head. "Ever since the internal strife broke out among the five Great Aspects on the battlefield, we haven't heard a single word from the Dragonflights."
As expected... Neltharion's betrayal has already occurred.
Andreas nodded thoughtfully. Integrating the intelligence provided by Delier, he now had a rough understanding of the current state of affairs.
"Major Delier, thank you for the information."
Andreas looked up, observing the Moon Guards sitting around the fire on the opposite side, clearly separated from the priestesses.
"What are your plans next? As far as I know, Queen Azshara is not a woman who tolerates dissent. Once she learns that you have defied her will..."
At the mention of this, Delier and his men exchanged glances. A look of total bewilderment appeared in the eyes of all the Moon Guards.
"To be honest, we don't know," Delier said bitterly. "Although I thought I had prepared myself mentally, now that the moment is here, my mind is blank. I have no idea what the next step should be."
The Highborne's worship of Queen Azshara was absolute. This could be glimpsed from Lord Ravencrest's own attitude.
Until the moment he died, he was unwilling to believe that it was Queen Azshara who had sent assassins after him. His raising of the rebel banner was merely to "purge the court of villains" in the literal sense.
However, the power-hungry Azshara had always shown zero tolerance for those who betrayed her. The tragic fates of Lord Ravencrest and Prince Farondis of Azsuna were living proof of this.
"I have a question."
Andreas stared at Delier and asked, "Even now, do you still believe that someone has blinded the Queen, and that summoning the demons was not her intention?"
"Of course!"
Before Delier could speak, Jorge was the first to react excitedly. "It must be High Councilor Xavius pulling the strings in the shadows! That guy, who colluded with the demons, has been deceiving both those above and below him. Lord Ravencrest must have been set up by him too..."
"I'm sorry to say this."
Andreas cut off Jorge's speech decisively. "According to the intelligence we have gathered, the one who arranged for the assassins was Varo'then. And there is only one person who can command the Captain of the Queen's Guard."
Jorge stood open-mouthed, muttering in disbelief, "...No way? You're lying to me?"
Maiev added a final blow with an expressionless face. "He isn't lying. The one who ordered the assassination of Lord Ravencrest was undoubtedly the Queen herself. She is the only one with the authority to open the Well of Eternity for the Burning Legion. Does Xavius even have that kind of standing?"
At the end of the day, Xavius was just Azshara's simp.
Admittedly, he did have his own selfish motives; the High Councilor hoped to achieve great feats to become a man worthy of Azshara... even though Azshara had zero interest in him.
However, every one of his actions was remote-controlled by Azshara. There was no doubt about that.
Andreas looked at the dejected and lost expressions of the Moon Guards and offered a suggestion, "I know you can't accept the truth all at once, but you must move past your blind worship of Azshara and witness the facts with your own eyes."
"You all should be aware that our goal is to reach the capital, Zin-Azshari, and join the Resistance led by Jarod."
"If we move a large force by land, even if we rush, it will take at least a month to arrive. But... it would be different if we used the long-range teleportation spells you provide."
Andreas stood up and solemnly bowed to Delier and the others. "I hereby issue an invitation to you all in the capacity of a favored of the Moon Goddess. Please follow us to the front lines and witness the atrocities of the Burning Legion and Azshara for yourselves."
"I believe that by taking this brave first step, you will surely find the truly correct path."