Shadow Trails in Azeroth

Chapter 293 2. People who do great things (×) Reserve Dragon Knights (√)——[735]

(Added update [2/5] for brother Czh666)

On the second floor of the Red Jack Bar, in a very quiet private room, Oridon Perenold, dressed in casual clothes, sat opposite Blake on the sofa by the window.

Moros, who was wearing a butler's black and white tuxedo and a mask, was serving warm tea to his master and his guests in a very standard manner.

Kanrisad stood guard at the door, performing his duties as a servant.

"General Blackmoore just returned to the hills a few days ago. There is news that the Stromgard royal family intends to hand over Durnholde Castle to him.

While promoting his military rank, he was also given a knighthood. "

Compared to the last time they met, Oridon Perenold has become very calm now. Probably because he has experienced a war, this young man also has a hint of awe.

Although he was wearing casual clothes, his hair was neatly arranged and he had a simple family ring on his finger.

It represents another identity besides being a soldier.

He politely took the tea from Moros and nodded to the undead butler. As the steam from the hot tea in his hand rose, he said to Blake who was filling the pipe with tobacco:

“In short, Lord Blackmoore has realized his lifelong ambition. He has received a higher honor than his father, became a war hero in the Kingdom of Stromgard, and washed away the shame of his family.

In addition to finding another wife who meets his status, his achievements are already very enviable. "

"No, no, my friend, General Blackmore has more ambitions than that."

The pirate shook his head and said to Auriden:

"The current achievements will only stimulate his greater ambition. He will start another journey, but it is bound to be very difficult. Let's not talk about him, let's talk about you.

I heard that you have separated from the army of Durnholde Castle and are stationed near Steinblade City with your soldiers? "

"um, yes."

Speaking of this, Auriden was also a little proud.

He put down the tea cup, straightened his back, and said to Blake:

"I also made achievements in the war against the orcs, and was promoted to major based on my military merit. My friends in the army told me that after the war, my military rank will be further promoted.

But because of my embarrassing status, I couldn't get the award of knighthood.

But that's okay.

Leaving Durnholde Castle was under the instruction of General Blackmore. I regard him as a mentor, and my mentor told me that the situation in the Kingdom of Alterac is now very unstable.

Like you, he realizes that a drastic change is about to occur in the land of the Alterac Mountains.

My transfer order was arranged by him.

It was clear that my mentor wanted me to gain some semblance of power in my country and serve as his political ally. "

At this point, Auriden paused, and with a hint of heartfelt gratitude, he said to the pirate:

"To be honest, when I first arrived at Steinblade, I didn't know what to do to expand my power. Although I was born in a branch of the royal family, I didn't know much about politics.

Just when I was at a loss, Mr. Moros, whom you sent, gave me great help.

Without him, it would have been difficult for me to return to the Alterac aristocratic circle in more than a month, and it would have been difficult for me to gain access to the contacts I have now. "

"Is that so?"

Blake looked at Moros next to him in surprise.

The butler did not look proud, but maintained an elegant manner. On his left arm, he was wearing a fragrant handkerchief, ready to serve the master at any time.

"I thought that you would help Auriden assassinate his political opponents after you went there. Now it seems that you used another method?"

"Well, the nobles' method."

Moros said softly:

"After Lord O'riden returned to his homeland, he did not realize the political benefits that his surname would bring to him. I only gave him some trivial suggestions, and the rest relied on the Major's own efforts.

He is very talented in this area. "

"Don't be modest, Mr. Moros."

Auriden smiled and said:

"It was you who suggested that I form an alliance with the Barov family, and it was you who patiently planned the dinner for me, taught me etiquette, and taught me how to discern the deep meaning in the old noble's words.

Without your prompting, I, a young man, would only be played around by old Count Barov, and things would not go so smoothly.

That old fox is really scary, every sentence has to take many twists and turns, talking to him is much more difficult than killing greenskins on the battlefield, I can't handle it on my own."

"You have reached a political alliance with the Barov family?"

Blake asked curiously:

"Don't mind me speaking bluntly, but if an ancient noble like the Barov family really wants to form an alliance, it should be with someone of General Blackmore's level."

"No, I understand what you mean, Mr. Black, and I'm not angry about the truth."

Auriden waved his hand without any concern, and he patiently explained to Black the current situation of the Barov family:

"In the past, of course the Barov family would not have taken a fancy to me, a minor major and a member of the royal family, but the situation is no longer the same, Your Excellency.

During the Orc War, the shameless traitor Aiden, my legal uncle, surrendered to the orcs, opening up the Alterac Mountains and almost causing the Alliance to fall into despair.

Now that we have won, Aiden's trial will be on the agenda.

The key point is that when the orcs were ravaging Alterac, the territory of the Barov family happened to be on the marching route of the orcs.

The most powerful noble family in Alterac was forced to flee to the family's ancient fiefdom, Keldaron Island. Although they retained their family heritage, they lost all their territory in the country.

After the orcs were driven away, the Barov family immediately wanted to take back their territory, but they were rejected by the Lordaeron soldiers stationed in the Alterac Valley.

The old Lord Barov angrily complained to King Terenas, but the old king's reply was interesting.

He said that after the trial of Aiden, he would return the territory of the Barov family. At first, I thought that the old king really planned to do that. It was not until Mr. Moros reminded me that I realized that the Barov family was in trouble. . "

"Well, the meaning of Terenas II's move is obviously that he wants to use the name of hosting the Kingdom of Alterac to suppress the great nobles like the Barov family who occupy a large amount of territory."

Moros, who was beside Blake, patiently explained to his master:

“This involves some old things, and it would be too long to talk about.

Let me briefly summarize, the Barov family is a noble of the Kingdom of Alterac, but they occupy the legal ownership of four important areas of the Kingdom of Lordaeron and the Kingdom of Stromgard.

The land deeds for these four areas, Brill and Keldaron in Lordaeron, Tarren Mir in Stromgarde, and the important military town of Southsea, are all in the hands of the Barov family.

This left King Terenas and His Majesty Thoras Trollbane with a knot in their throats.

They had long wanted to take back these important territories, but in peaceful times, the interests involved between the nobles made it impossible for the two kings to do this.

The arrival of the orcs is both a disaster and an opportunity. "

The pirate nodded. He had received the task of these four land deeds in the game, but he didn't think much about it at the time. Now after listening to the two people's analysis, he quickly understood the intertwined interests involved.

He put the pipe to his lips, and Moros beside him immediately handed over a kindling to light the tobacco for Blake.

In the rich smell of tobacco, Blake said:

"So, King Terenas is planning to use the Barov family's territory in Alterac to blackmail that family and return the other territories in their hands to Lordaeron?"

"Well, that's what it is."

Auriden nodded and said:

“The interests of the Barov family were severely damaged in the Orc War, and they urgently need to protect the remaining territory to prevent the situation from getting worse, and the city of Steinblade where I am located happens to be this guy’s core area of ​​interest.

They readily reached an agreement with me.

They supported me in seizing power in the Kingdom of Alterac, and I helped them regain their territory, completely ruining the plans of the Kingdom of Lordaeron. "

Speaking of this, Auriden seemed to have remembered something interesting.

He covered his eyes and laughed, laughing back and forth, and said to the pirate:

"In order to win over and control me, the old fox even wanted to marry his daughter to me. But I also grew up in Alterac. How could I not know about the 'good reputation' of the eldest lady in his family.

It is said that she has more than a dozen lovers."

"You refused?"

the pirate asked.

Auriden shook his head and said seriously:

"No, I accept it. Marrying a slut home may be ridiculed by those who know about it, but only with the full support of the Barov family can I have the possibility to aspire to the throne."

"Very well, you are the one who does great things."

Black immediately gave a thumbs up and gestured to Auriden.

The man in front of him was really powerful, able to ignore the green and disturbing hat on his head, just to realize his pursuit of power.

Just looking at this, you can tell that Oridon, a young man who was once more exaggerated, has indeed grown a lot.

"To be honest, Lord Black, I came here this time to form an alliance with you!"

Seeing that the conversation was no longer getting heated, Auriden also became serious. He adjusted his clothes and said to the pirate in front of him:

"Your Excellency Moros has explained your current power to me, and I urgently need the goodwill from a master assassin and pirate captain.

Even though Alterac is truly a landlocked country, there are many, many areas where we can work together. "

"No need to say it."

Blake waved his hand, took off his pipe, and blew out a strange smoke ring. He said to Oridon:

"I am willing to ally with you, Auriden Perenolde, not only because you are an old friend of mine, but also because I really need the benefits you can get for me.

I will help you ascend to the throne of the Kingdom of Alterac, and I will do my best to help you.

This is my first round of assistance to you. "

The pirate took out twenty stacked golden cards from his pocket, placed them on the table in front of him, and pushed them to Auriden opposite.

The Major is not an ignorant man.

When he saw the card in front of him, his breathing became deeper.

"Each bearer gold coupon can be used to withdraw 50,000 gold coins from the goblins' bank."

Blake snapped his fingers and said:

"If you want to do big things, what can you do without money? The Barov family has money, and it belongs to them. Every time you bow to them, you will be controlled by them one more point.

I want you to stay independent and not rely on them too much.

This money should be enough for you to recruit troops and train an army loyal to you in the Kingdom of Alterac.

I will use my influence in Ravenholdt to obtain the highest priority for you to purchase information. Although my faction has just been established, it will develop rapidly in the future.

I will set up a stronghold in the Kingdom of Alterac, and you can issue tasks to them to get rid of those who hinder your rise to power.

I can even help you gain the goodwill and support of members of the royal family of Stormwind and Kul Tiras.

But I have a request for you. "

"Please tell me."

Auriden's tone of voice immediately changed.

"Don't touch the Presto family!"

The pirate warned in a deep voice:

"I know that that family is also a powerful noble in the Kingdom of Alterac. They may block your way, but no matter what the situation, you are not allowed to confront them head-on.

If they also aspire to the throne, support them instead and wait for the opportunity.

This is for your and my own good.

If I had heard rumors of your hostility to Prestor on the sea, I would have given up on you immediately. "

"this"

O'riden hesitated for a moment, feeling that the twenty gold coupons in his hand were a bit hot.

He glanced at Blake and said:

"I have no objection. I'm still young, and I have plenty of time to wait patiently. But the Barov family seems to have a lot of objections to the Presto family."

"Then give them up!"

Blake leaned on the sofa and crossed his legs, assuming a boss posture. Looking at Oridon in front of him, he said:

"I can give you whatever Barov can give you. I can give you whatever they can't! Of course, I can't find a slut of high status to marry you."

"No need to say it, Your Excellency."

Auriden didn't hesitate much. He reached out and unbuttoned the first button of his collar, stretched his neck, drank the tea in front of him, stood up, and said to Blake:

"If I had to choose between them and you, I would go with you."

The major smiled and joked:

"After all, the Barov family cannot find a master assassin as my backup, and I heard that the eldest lady of the Presto family, Miss Katrina Presto, has also reached the age of marriage.

Her reputation in the aristocratic circle is much better than that of the eldest lady of the Barov family. "

"Well"

This wave of answers caused Blake to shut down on the spot.

After several seconds, he raised his thumb with a strange expression and said to Oridon:

"I can confirm now that you are indeed someone who can do great things!"