Chapter 9, Diverging Paths.

Get out! You cowardly wretch!

How could Arthas allow Kel'Thuzad to escape? He swung his round warhammer towards the mage's body and smashed it down. The blow hit Kel'Thuzad's back, causing the mage to stagger. Kel'Thuzad fell to the ground in a panic and shouted at Arthas.

That arrogant fool, does he not even consider that a great mage could be so easily dealt with?

Don't be complacent! Prince, in Stanisom, my allies are building a massive army capable of destroying the entire country, you all will be... Ah!!!

He is not an ignorant fool when it comes to magic. Obviously, it is because manipulating these undead armies has consumed too much of Kel'Thuzad's magic power, to the point that after being broken through by himself, he couldn't even defend himself and could only grit his teeth and sever the control over these undead.

Jaina's rarely seen fierce expression disappeared. She leaned on her staff, slowly squatted down, and leaned against the dirty corner of the wall. She tried hard to curl up her body, with both arms wrapped around her knees, burying her head down.

After 5 days, Dick once again revealed his signature squinting smile.

Dick's outstretched hand stopped in place. Despite his best efforts to conceal it, the emblem of the cursed sect on the back of his left hand was still so conspicuous.

Stan Som, that is clearly Kel'Thuzad's trap! He actually jumped in without even looking back! Truly... cough cough cough.

Farick held a large shield in one hand and a battle axe in the other. He turned around and struck down a ghoul that was attempting to ambush him, then quickly ran to stand in front of Arthas. His position was soon filled by another paladin.

Your Highness, do you want to take a day off? You look very tired!

Andohar, on the left side of Milondar Lake Bridge.

He hid in the darkness, watching the weeping young lady, witnessing for the first time the vulnerable side of the usually proud young lady, like a fragile little girl afraid of thunder.

However, at the moment, Arthas didn't know much. He only knew that Jaina had left the Crusader's Keep with Uther. But he didn't have the intention to look for that playful sorceress. He had more important things to do. He needed to rescue his people. As the future king of Lordaeron, Arthas was definitely a qualified ruler in this aspect.

Kel'Thuzad also looked at him with his eyes that had already changed greatly. This was the first time this proud fallen mage spoke to Dic with an attitude of equality. A mysterious smile appeared on the face of this body.

Dick hurriedly walked up to help her, but his hand was pushed away by the mage lady. In Jaina's eyes, she did not conceal her disgust and contempt for Dick.

His body stiffened for a moment as he went downstairs, but Dick quickly recovered and walked straight down the stairs, leaving Gianna alone upstairs.

Oh Holy Light, grant me strength!

Unfortunately...at that corner, there was already no one there.

This sound was very weak, but enough to let Dick, who was quietly hiding in the darkness next to him, hear it. When the name "Arthas" entered his ears, Dick fell silent.

He quietly walked away, this time, he didn't look back anymore.

Guess what?

This should have been an epic story of justice triumphing over evil, with the hero slaying the fallen. But to Jaina and Derek standing at the top of the tower in Arathi Highlands, it seems like a joke! Like a poorly staged play.

He doesn't understand why the great Lich King chose this weak paladin as his left hand. With just five percent of his power, he could easily kill this paladin. Even the foolish prince and the mage don't understand why they have to "die" at the hands of this guy.

And - Picture - Book "C'thun! You will pay the price for what you have done!"

Yes, Jaina deceived Arthas. The Lady did not inform Arthas about her and Dick's whereabouts, but instead stole Arthas's badge. This bold act almost cost the Lady her life.

Power! Power...

Arthas, wielding his warhammer valiantly, charged towards a visibly alarmed Kel'Thuzad. With a gentle tap, Kel'Thuzad's black and red staff flew to the side. Before the second strike could land, Kel'Thuzad forcefully spat out a mouthful of blood, causing the magical aura he was preparing to dissipate as well.

He charged bravely towards C'thun alone, like a unsheathed sword. However, around him, countless undead waved their arms, forming a terrifying "wall of flesh".

Sorry ... ... Dick ... ... If I didn't pull you out ... ... I shouldn't blame you ... ... Sorry ... ...

Arthas seized this opportunity keenly. With his warhammer held high in his hand, he called upon the power of the Holy Light. After being infused with energy from an unknown presence, Arthas's entire body began to surge with pure golden righteous light.

Thinking of the last words uttered by Kel'Thuzad, a hint of weariness appeared on Arthas's resolute face, but it soon transformed into determination. His stubborn gaze made everyone shudder involuntarily.

Angry emotions have stirred up her now very fragile body, coupled with the heavy anti-magic shackles on her hands and feet, causing her weakened figure to almost collapse to the ground.

Arthas, fully armed, swung his warhammer, smashing the ghoul in front of him. The intense holy light in his palm bloomed, incinerating the filthy, evil monster into ashes.

These people, like brave warriors challenging death, wherever they go, they purify the undead. The silent warriors plunged into the mist and soon disappeared without a trace.

These emaciated undead, who were still the living residents of Andorhal this morning, but by noon, with the sudden intensification of the mist that has shrouded Andorhal since the beginning of this year, within just three hours, Andorhal transformed from the largest city in the eastern Lordaeron into a true hell.

Jaina cursed impatiently, "Hate it when things don't go as planned." However, her body had just endured the torment of four curses, and coupled with the fact that this young mage was not yet the leader of the mages ten years later, even with the curse lifted, her body was still very weak. She even needed to lean on her staff to move around.

However, this weakness only fuels her anger.

A person that Dick had never seen before walked in through the front door and sat directly in front of Dick's seat. Although his appearance had changed drastically, even his voice had changed, Dick knew that inside this body was the recently deceased Kel'Thuzad, the inept male supporting character.

But just yesterday and today, he encountered two fools who thought they were hunters. They fell into a bigger trap and although they wanted to break free, their power was not even enough to qualify for breaking through a spider's web.

He's going to run!

Kel'Thuzad's fingers, which were behind his back, moved slightly. The undead, who had been firmly blocking Arthas on the periphery, suddenly revealed a slight gap.

Dick paid the price for his frivolity. Despite the transformation of his body, Kel'Thuzad's control over magic did not decrease. With a single "Lich Palm," Dick was sent spinning in the air before finally falling to the ground.

Farik, burn this corpse, bring the ashes, we're going to Stratholme!

After receiving intelligence from his most trusted captain of the guard, Farik, Alsaus immediately led all the paladins to march out upon discovering that Kel'Thuzad had returned to Andorhal from Brill.

Why do you feel ironic?

Alsa's voice was firm, and combined with his current expression, no one would doubt his words. The surrounding paladins showed a determined look upon hearing his words. Their morale was boosted, and soon they tore open a path through the undead, who were not even in formation, using the Holy Light.

A few seconds later, the sound of sobbing echoed in the dim space on the top floor.

Dick looked at him, looking very seriously at him.

Teresfa's brother has brought back news. We will set off tonight. And, little mouse, you better be honest with me! Maybe you're not afraid of death, but you still have to think about others, right?

Your punishment has arrived! Kel'Thuzad!

This holy light is like the melting sun to the undead.

Oh, let's see who this is... A little mouse pondering about life, how ironic.

He pursed his lips, trying to persuade himself not to pay attention to Jianna's misunderstanding. However, seeing the hatred in the young lady's eyes that seemed to want to kill him, Dick finally hid his worries deep in his eyes. He took a last look at the stubborn Jianna and turned around to leave this unguarded rooftop.

So I'm curious, how did you speculate the role of the plague steamer before all this happened? Why didn't you report this discovery to the king? Isn't this the responsibility of the sheriff?

Upon seeing this scene, His Royal Highness's eyes showed a hint of excitement.

Kel'Thuzad leaned on his staff, "Curse", standing expressionless in the center of the square in the city of Andorhal, watching Arthas struggling to "charge" through the undead horde, a hint of disdain flashed in the corner of his eye.

Wisdom, memory, these things often seem as worthless as foam in water when facing true power.

However, Kel'Thuzad is a very serious person when it comes to work. Since his omnipotent master requires him to do so, he does it in order to obtain more powerful strength and study deeper magic.

The warhammer enveloped in holy light gently swept by, and the gap in front of Arthas became much wider again. On both sides, the undead, all wailing, turned into gray ashes within the barrier formed by the holy light.

Sorry... *sob*... Sorry... Arthas... If it weren't for me...

The wailing of Kel'Thuzad was not yet over when the warhammer, once again, smashed his heart to pieces. The black blood stained the surrounding land black. Arthas glanced at Kel'Thuzad's corpse with disgust, then looked around at the undead, who had returned to their scattered and fearless form due to lack of control.

Under the tower, Dick lazily sat on a chair, his lifeless eyes fixed on the spider web at the top of the dark tower. He watched as the fist-sized black spiders struggled to weave their webs amidst the ravages of natural disasters and plagues. He had once wanted to be a spider, casting his own web over the entire world, watching the prey desperately trying to break free from the web, revealing their pitiful struggle.

Bang!

Arthas led nearly a hundred paladins, which was the entire military force withdrawn from the Crusader's Bastion.

Because I found that a humble commoner actually sees the world more clearly than a noble prince. I just checked your whereabouts. You came to Andohar a month ago and rescued a girl from a village on the outskirts, right? You also advised the owner of the Gairon Farm to get rid of our plague steamer, but unfortunately, that fool didn't listen to you.

Go, go find your dark master! Thank him like a dog for sparing your life!

Arthas personally wielded the warhammer at the forefront, with Uther carrying a small cloth bag walking behind him, while the other paladins followed behind.

No! I will not go directly to Stormwind. My people are suffering, and I will rescue them from the darkness!

However, this is also his biggest weakness. Unfortunately, this weakness has already been discovered by the behind-the-scenes manipulators.