Azeroth: Starting with Eagle Eye in the Necropolis

Page 126

If a wraith is upgraded to a banshee, its combat power will be greatly enhanced. The power of the banshee combined with the wraith is simply a perfect match. The death power of Azeroth and the Heroes of Might and Magic system are perfectly compatible.

"It's just my mount, but if you're interested, I can lend you one temporarily. Your bat-like flying mount isn't very reliable," Sciark said.

"You're really generous. So, what's the price? I don't believe in free lunches," Sylvanas said with a sneer.

She certainly didn't think she could still use her high elf charm to make this death knight offer her a powerful undead dragon.

"I'm quite interested in your banshee techniques. I have a special group of undead under my command who can absorb the enemy's mana and automatically heal their injuries."

"And similar to your Banshee Squad, I think you can help me train them using your special methods," Stronk said.

Upon hearing this, Sylvanas's eyes lit up. The Lich King had actually developed a unit similar to her banshees. It seemed that Arthas and the Lich King Kel'Thuzad's people had never trusted her from the beginning.

The Banshee unit was created by Arthas when he attacked and slaughtered the high elf rangers and elven mages in Quel'Thalas. They were basically transformed from high elf women.

Ordinary human women cannot transform into such powerful banshees; they can only become ghostly creatures. As a former ranger general, he is the banshee queen, commanding all the banshee troops.

But now it seems that Riquel Suga has been secretly working on alternatives all along, and has entrusted some of that work to Scythe.

But this Death Knight in front of me is clearly not good at delicate work like studying Banshees. However, that's a good thing. You can give me these units to help you upgrade.

As a banshee, she will naturally obey my orders as the Banshee Queen, not yours as a death knight.

“I see, I understand. I can help with this. I’m also quite interested in your special banshee-like unit. May I take a look?” Sylvanas said.

Sciark nodded and, under Rhodes's orders, led the Banshee Queen to the lower reception hall, where a batch of Necropolis Wraiths that Rhodes had previously released were located.

They were a group of monsters wearing tattered black robes and with ghostly, skeletal bodies.

"We've arrived. These are the special ghostly creatures I told you about; their name is Wraith."

"Is this the special undead creature you were talking about? It looks somewhat like a ghost, but also a bit different."

The Wraith is a Tier 3 unit of the Ghost race with an attack power of 7, defense power of 7, health of 18, damage of 3-5, and speed of 7. It is a flying unit.

The unit's special ability can automatically regenerate health. The Wraith will absorb two mana points from the enemy hero each turn. In reality, during the Battle of Mount Hyjal, hundreds of Wraith troops once drained a Dreadlord commander of the Burning Legion dry.

Rhodes commanded the wraiths to demonstrate, and immediately two wraiths used their mana-draining skills on Sylvanas.

The Banshee Queen instantly felt her magic power being drained away, and was greatly surprised.

Sylvanas frowned at the peculiar ability of the wraiths, as it was very similar to the magic of the high elves.

Chapter 203 The Wraith Transforms into a Banshee, Sylvanas

Sylvanas's fingers brushed over the transparent body of a wraith, feeling the flow of death energy within, a glint of light flashing in her crimson eyes.

Its energy structure was completely different from any undead creation she knew, and it even belonged to a different state from the undead of the Scourge.

"Interesting creations... Their instinct to draw magic is powerful, but their forms are too primitive, lacking... intelligence, or rather, self-awareness." The Banshee Queen's voice carried an assessment.

The top high elf mages possess a very special ability called mana drain; some high-ranking mages, such as Prince Kael'thas, have the ability to steal the magic of others.

The abilities of these special ghosts were very similar. Sylvanas initially thought that these special undead were also created by the Lich King or Kel'Thuzad using the souls of high elves, but after careful observation, she found that they were not.

These creatures seemed completely different from the undead she had encountered before; they had no self-awareness whatsoever, as if they were merely tools.

It should be noted that most undead have developed self-awareness and begun to gain freedom after breaking free from the Lich King's control. Is this something the Lich King has newly researched?

"They should be endowed with the power of true banshees, such as life stealing, wailing intimidation, and even the ability to briefly take over the body of an enemy."

They need to be placed on my territory for deep transformation, which cannot be accomplished by simple rune imprinting; training is required.

"However, they don't seem to be very intelligent, so I'm not sure if we can succeed. I can only say we'll do our best," Sylvanas said.

These unusual ghosts are completely different from her banshees; she needs to observe them carefully and study them thoroughly.

She was over 90% confident she could successfully modify this special undead creature, but her main purpose was to get it for free.

What are you doing playing with Banshees when you're a Death Knight?! These Banshees are mine.

Upon hearing this, Stanker frowned, and just as he was about to refuse Rhodes's consciousness, it descended upon him.

(“Promise her, Stronk.”) Rhodes’ voice rang in his mind at just the right moment. (“Let her do the research. It’ll be good for us to see just how far her so-called ‘modification’ can go. She can’t touch the core permissions of the system creation.”)

"Master? Are you sure you really want to hand over the Bone Dragon and the Wraith to her?" Scink asked. Although he had absolute confidence in his master, he still instinctively resisted handing over such a powerful force to a potential enemy.

“Give it to her,” Rod said firmly.

"Not only should we give her the resources, but we should also show that we trust her completely... No one can shake the core permissions of the system. Let her do whatever she wants. All her efforts will ultimately only benefit us."

Sylvanas's idea is quite clever, but even the Lich King can't control my system units, do you think you can?

This time you've lost both your wife and your army. That's not quite the right way to describe it; you should say you've lost your underwear.

A faint smile appeared on Rhodes' lips, though he was far away. In any case, the distance between them wasn't too far, and Rhodes could use a teleportation spell to get to Stronk's side at any time.

Then we'll have a good time playing with Queen Hippo.

Upon receiving Rhodes's instructions, Sciark immediately turned to Sylvanas, nodded, and said, "Yes, ma'am, these wraiths... will be temporarily entrusted to you for 'research' and 'modification'."

I eagerly anticipate seeing how they will shine in your hands; I hope your skill will be worthy of your title, Queen of the Banshees.

Sciark deliberately emphasized the words "research" and "modification," as if he were truly placing his hopes on Sylvanas.

This time, he would first feign weakness, making Sylvanas believe that he was just a rough, reckless fool, a typical death knight, rather than someone with any intelligence.

He himself was not proficient in modifying undead plants, so he could only ask her, the Banshee Queen, for help.

"You can rest assured and leave them to me!"

Sylvanas sneered inwardly, but merely nodded slightly: "You will not be disappointed, Scythe. When they return to your hands, they will become your true weapons, enough to make Arthas and his lackeys tremble."

She had made up her mind not only to completely control these special ghosts, but also to leave some backdoors that only she knew about during the transformation process. At that time, this powerful ghost army would become one of the key forces for her to launch a sudden attack and seize leadership.

If Scythe can survive the duel with Arthas, she will consider taking the powerful death knight under her wing and making him her subject.

Become a loyal follower, become the leader of your own terrifying guard, and if the other party unfortunately dies in battle, then these special modifications and undead banshees will belong to you.

Of course, even if I survive, what's yours will be mine, and what's mine will still be mine, after all, I am the Queen of the Banshees.

“Well then, it’s a pleasure to cooperate, Banshee Queen.” Stank smiled and extended his right hand.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate, Death Knight." Sylvanas smiled and extended her arm, and the two engaged in a friendly exchange filled with forced smiles and cunning maneuvering.

With the agreement reached, Sylvanas lingered. She needed to return immediately to set up traps and prepare to "receive" the bone dragon and the special wraiths that were about to be acquired.

“I’ll take this bone dragon and those wraiths with me. Remember our agreement, Deathknell Canyon. I expect to see your Death Knights there on time.”

"Don't worry, I will personally toll the death knell for Arthas," Stank said confidently.

Sylvanas gave the enormous bone dragon one last look before leading her dark rangers, riding the massive bone dragon and carrying the flying wraiths and her dark rangers, back to the ground to prepare for an ambush on Arthas.

As he watched her leave, the arrogant look on Stanker's face gradually faded, and he became respectful.

“Great Master, she has taken the bait. She seems convinced that she can control the creation you have given her,” Stank reported to Rhodes via the mental link.

Rhodes, far away in the military camp in the ruins of Dalaran, also took in everything through Stangk's vision and smiled with great satisfaction.

“Very good, Stronk. You performed well, demonstrating both your strength and ambition while also revealing your ‘weaknesses’ and ‘needs’ in just the right way.”

Sylvanas must think you're a fool with all that strength and a thirst for power by now. "You really did a good job this time, you fooled Sylvanas."

However, this is also because I taught them well. After all, the four strongest fighters have always played the role of a roughneck in the Lich King's Scourge army according to my orders.

However, Stanker is quite clever. After all, he studied magic before. None of the Death Knights from Dia are easy to deal with. He always carries a spellbook with him, a privilege that other factions and physical attack heroes do not have.

"Your current task is to continue integrating the forces, especially to complete the upgrade of the Dread Knights as soon as possible. At the same time, keep a close eye on Kel'Thuzad's movements. Once Arthas is ambushed, he is likely to appear, which will be the best time for you to make contact with him."

“Understood, Master. The transformation of the Blood Terror Knights went very smoothly; their power far surpasses what it once was. As for Kel'Thuzad… I will appear 'just in time' when he needs help the most,” Stank replied, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust and belligerence.

He was already eager for a duel with Arthas. Even though his master had forbidden him from killing Arthas, it would be great to teach that arrogant prince a lesson.

“Okay, go ahead!” Rhodes nodded and cut off communication with Stanker.

The communication ended, and a slight smile appeared on Rhodes's lips.

“Sylvanas...you think you're on the fifth level, scheming everything, but alas, I'm standing in the atmosphere, overlooking the entire chessboard.”

You had no chance of winning this game from the very beginning, because I was cheating.

Next, Sylvanas ambushed Arthas, and Rhodes planned to go to the scene to witness Arthas's disgraceful behavior firsthand.

Rhodes can use the Disguise Technique to disguise himself as an ordinary undead. After receiving the gift from the Guardian of Medivh, he can now freely teleport within a few hundred kilometers of a continent. In the future, as his magical power increases, teleporting across continents will not be a dream, and even interdimensional teleportation will be possible.

Meanwhile, Sylvanas, having left Shadow Edge Keep, looked back at the floating city shrouded in an aura of death, a cold, confident smile playing on her lips.

“Sch'kk… a brute with strength but no substance. Your bone dragons, your army, and you… will all eventually submit to me, and I, Sylvanas Windrunner, am the only queen.”

She could almost see herself crushing the arrogant death knight underfoot after eliminating Arthas, using carefully prepared poison and a surprise attack from the shadows.

Sylvanas confidently believed herself to be the player and her opponent to be the piece.

Little did they know, the true mastermind was hiding behind the curtain, smiling as he manipulated the threads of everyone's destiny.

A few days later, Stank brought news that the three dreadlords of Lordaeron had made their move.

There was nothing for him to do at the Dalaran military camp for the time being. Rhodes told Jaina that he was going out for a few days and asked her to keep the coalition forces in check before leaving with teleportation magic.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Lordaeron, Arthas lost a significant amount of power because the Lich King was attacked by Illidan with the Eye of Sargeras.

Surrounded by three dreadlords, he could only flee in disarray, as a large number of demons began to hunt down the Lich King's strongest death knight.

“Arthas, I will let you and your master know what the fate of a traitorous legion will be,” Balnazzar said.

Chapter 204 Arthas in a sorry state, the Banshee

Lordaeron, the former capital of the Alliance, the pride of the human kingdoms.

Now it has become a scorched earth ravaged by the undead and demons. The successive destruction by the Scourge and the Burning Legion has left the city in ruins, with not a single living person on the streets.

Arthas and Kel'Thuzad got separated and could not reunite. However, unlike Arthas, Kel'Thuzad's power was not directly bestowed by the Lich King.

Therefore, even though the Lich King's power has weakened and he has even lost control over the undead, Kel'Thuzad remains incredibly loyal, and his power has not diminished in the slightest.

This is the difference between the two: the power one cultivates oneself cannot be taken away by others, but the power obtained by relying on external forces can be easily taken away.

"Run, Your Majesty! I will find a way out of the city and meet you outside. I have prepared a ship at the port of Lordaeron. Once you are out, come and meet me immediately." Kel'Thuzad nodded to Arthas after speaking, and his massive undead body immediately drifted away into the distance. They now had to split up, hoping that Arthas would survive.

"Alright, Lich, good luck, see you outside the city." Arthas said, then turned and charged out of the dreadlord's encirclement without looking back.

Although his power has diminished, the power of the Death Knight remains, and Frostmourne is still sharp.

On the shattered streets, Arthas Menethil—the former prince of Lordaeron, now the Lich King's chief death knight—was urging his undead warhorse, Invincible, through the burning ruins and amidst swarms of demons and undead attacks.