Due to the sheer brutality of the fighting on the front lines, when Andreas landed at the military camp with Tyrande, only a few exhausted soldiers with light injuries stood up to question their origin.
Andreas, after all, was a disciple of the Archdruid Malfurion, and many second-generation druids had more or less heard of him.
After receiving approval from the camp guards, Andreas headed straight for the main command tent with a solemn Tyrande and a silent Leticia.
Pushing aside the tent flap to enter the commander's quarters, they found only Jarod Shadowsong, his brow furrowed as he stared at the strategic map on the table. None of the officers Andreas had seen previously were present.
"Hmm?"
Focused as he was, Jarod only snapped back to reality when he heard the movement of someone entering. When he looked up and saw Andreas and Tyrande, the young commander's eyes lit up.
"Andreas! You're finally back. It looks like your mission was a success."
Jarod politely performed a chest-salute to Tyrande. "Priestess Whisperwind, welcome back. Archdruid Stormrage can finally rest easy now."
Tyrande, possessing a naturally swift and decisive temperament, cut short Jarod's pleasantries. Pursing her thin lips, she asked, "Where is Malfurion? Is he hurt?"
Jarod froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Archdruid Stormrage is fine. However, due to the urgency of the battle, he is still fighting on the front lines. Do you need me to call him back?"
"Of course—"
The word almost left Tyrande's mouth subconsciously, but her rationality immediately stopped her.
"No, never mind." Shaking her head, Tyrande sighed. "I'll go see High Priestess Dejahna first. I heard she overexerted herself severely to cover the sisters' retreat. Has she woken up yet?"
Jarod nodded. "She woke up more than half a month ago, but the High Priestess's body is still very weak. It would be good for you to visit her."
"Very well, I'll take my leave then. If you need me to join the battle, notify me directly at the Sisters of Elune's camp area."
Having finished her business, the High Priestess turned and strode away without another word. Her brisk and fiery attitude made Andreas couldn't help but curl his lip.
Tyrande of this era might be a bit impulsive due to her personality, but she seems quite reliable.
After Tyrande departed, Jarod turned his gaze toward Leticia. "Andreas, this is..."
Andreas snapped out of his thoughts and scratched his head. "She is a Highborne, Leticia of the Moonsong family. For certain reasons, the Moonsong family has decided to migrate their entire clan away from Zin-Azshari."
Seeing the doubt in Jarod's eyes, Andreas shrugged. "I'll explain the details to you slowly later. For now, please find a magister to send Leticia to Black Rook Hold. She came ahead to scout for her family's move..."
"No."
Leticia, who had remained silent until now, suddenly looked up and spoke. "Please wait. Could you let me stay in the camp to observe for a while? I won't do anything to disturb you; I just want to stay and witness the true battlefield with my own eyes."
"This..."
Jarod looked at Andreas with hesitation. Leticia was a Highborne from Zin-Azshari, a sensitive identity within the Resistance. Jarod couldn't fully trust her yet, and it felt inappropriate to keep an outsider in the military camp.
Andreas paused to think for a moment. "Leticia, are you sure? A real battlefield isn't like the fairy-tale style you see in fantasy novels. Bloodshed and tragedy are the main themes here."
"I'm sure!"
Leticia gritted her teeth and clenched her small fists. "The demons killed my father indiscriminately. Just as mother said, as the heir of the Moonsong family, destroying the Burning Legion will become my life's conviction."
The young girl looked at Andreas with determined eyes. "Since I'll have to fight demons sooner or later, I might as well take this chance to observe them up close. I might even find some of their weaknesses."
Andreas was quite surprised by Leticia's firm resolve. A Highborne girl who had been living the carefree life of a noble lady not long ago had undergone a massive change in a short time, deciding to become an avenger.
To be honest, Andreas didn't want his savior to walk down the path of obsessive revenge—Shandris, who used to be frequently blinded by heat-headedness, was a prime example. Those driven by hatred progress very quickly, but their lives can hardly be called fulfilling or happy. The flames of revenge burn both the enemy and oneself. Once emotions and mental state spiral out of control, an avenger is easily consumed by their own obsession.
Of course, strictly speaking, Andreas wasn't in a position to blame others. Having inherited part of his predecessor's emotions, he was also an avenger with an uncertain future. It was just that compared to Shandris and the Leticia before him, he appeared relatively more rational.
"Sigh~"
Andreas sighed helplessly. "There's no problem with you staying in the camp; I'm willing to vouch for you. But I hope you'll reconsider."
He reached out and gently patted the stubborn Leticia's head, speaking earnestly. "Believe me, being an avenger is not easy. Once you resolve to be a warrior of vengeance, you must put in countless efforts for it."
Seeing Leticia about to speak, Andreas placed a finger in front of the girl's lips to stop her.
"Don't be impulsive and rush to give an answer. I'll give you half a month to think about it. During this time, experience what a battlefield is like and see what kind of enemies you will face. I hope you can give me an answer when you are completely calm."
Pating the slightly indignant Leticia's head once more, Andreas smiled and gave a promise. "If you still haven't changed your mind by then, as long as you don't mind, I can personally teach you. Consider it my way of atonement and repaying my debt to you."
Leticia didn't like Andreas treating her like a child and slapped his hand away. "Repaying the debt is one thing, but forget about atonement. Mother said the fault wasn't yours; it was Tichondrius who ignored the warning and forced his way in, leading to the tragedy."
Andreas smiled. "That's not for you to decide. I have my own standards."
Turning back to Jarod, Andreas spread his hands. "That's the gist of it. I'm willing to vouch for Leticia. Can she stay in the camp for now?"
Jarod gave a wry smile. "Since you've decided, what can I say? But I hope you can tell me the details regarding this Miss Moonsong later."
"No problem."
...
"Neltharion?"
That night, Andreas received intelligence from Malfurion, who had returned, regarding the reports sent back by Ohn'ahra and Koda Steelclaw, who had rushed to Highmountain for aid.
Koda's luck hadn't been great. When she arrived at Highmountain following Ohn'ahra, they happened to encounter the Black Dragon Aspect, Neltharion, throwing a frantic tantrum near his lair.
By this time, Neltharion had already betrayed the Dragonflight. The Dragon Soul he had tricked his siblings into forging had drained a portion of each Aspect's power. However, the first time this powerful artifact showed its might, it wasn't aimed at the enemy, but at the defenseless Dragonflights.
Andreas asked with a frown, "I heard Neltharion nearly wiped out the Blue Dragonflight and even severely wounded Malygos the Spellweaver. He actually dares to return to his old lair so brazenly?"
Malfurion said helplessly, "Though it's hard to understand, it is the truth. Having had a portion of their power drained by the Dragon Soul, all four Great Aspects have inevitably fallen into a state of weakness.
Not to mention that Blue Dragon King Malygos is severely injured; even if they joined forces, it would be difficult to defeat Neltharion while he holds that artifact. That must be the source of his arrogance."
"In any case, the Tauren are currently dealing with Neltharion's crazed destruction and cannot send reinforcements to us for the time being. I wonder if Rhonin and Broxigar, who volunteered to head to Highmountain, can find a way to lure that mad dragon away."
I see.
Andreas deduced based on the development of events. He roughly understood the reason for Neltharion's frenzy.
Has the Dragon Soul been stolen? Who did it? Illidan?