Chapter 582: Alleria's Subtle Bragging

After Duke settled matters with the four guardian dragons, he returned just in time to witness the triumphant Alliance forces pass through Elwynn Forest.

To be precise, the Dark Portal closed on November 15th. After leaving behind the Stormwind Gryphon Legion, the Dwarven First Infantry, and the First Mechanized Division, the remaining hundreds of thousands of troops turned back.

Initially, the army had to fight its way south, crossing the Thandol Span that divides the continents, then laboriously trekking through the Wetlands, Loch Modan, the Badlands, Searing Gorge, Burning Steppes, Redridge Mountains, and Swamp of Sorrows, finally reaching the Blasted Lands.

Their return journey was less arduous. After passing through the Swamp of Sorrows and Redridge Mountains, they veered west through Elwynn Forest. From the ruins of Stormwind, they could board ships that had recently brought Stormwind refugees to Southshore. Meanwhile, the Lordaeronians and Gilneans chose to head directly to the Southshore coast.

As they traversed the fertile lands and dense foliage of East Elwynn Forest and learned it was the domain of the Windrunner sisters, expressions of astonishment and envy appeared on the faces of humans, dwarves, and even the Quel'Thalas elves of Alleria's lineage.

"Alleria, when we heard you renounced your position as the Quel'Thalas Ranger-General to serve under a human figurehead Duke, we thought you acted foolishly out of love," remarked Haduron Brightwing, still a junior in Alleria's presence, despite his own promotion to Ranger-General.

"Indeed! The things we do for love... such a lie," Lor'themar Theron mused, standing on a hillock and gazing at the expansive forest. He felt a twinge of envy, contrasting his own rank to Alleria's newfound status as 'Countess of East Elwynn Forest'. Her domain was equivalent to the combined holdings of a third of the Silvermoon Council.

At that moment, many Quel'Thalas rangers contemplated forsaking their homeland to serve under Alleria.

"I... I didn't expect Duke to grant me such vast lands. I thought a small village would suffice," Alleria replied modestly.

The expressions of the elves around her darkened, thinking of the struggles in Silvermoon for just a fraction of such land. Duke, standing nearby, rubbed his forehead, thinking, My dear, don't you know that humility can be a deadly weapon?

But to outsiders, Alleria's rise wasn't just because of her relationship with Duke. Since the Alliance's formation, she and her Windrunner family had continuously supported him. On the other hand, her illustrious record of slaying over ten thousand Horde members spoke for itself.

The envy was palpable among the elves. Their gazes filled with longing, comparing their small holdings with Alleria's vast domain.

"We should capture this moment with a magical crystal. I'll show those council members in Silvermoon their place," declared Haduron, eliciting laughter.

"Be wary of the council's retribution," Lor'themar teased.

"If they dare, let them disband the rangers!" Haduron retorted defiantly.

As the festivities wound down and they learned that Duke and Alleria would be staying in their domain, Haduron and Lor'themar's expressions grew somber.

Glancing at Lady Windrunner and her sisters, Haduron inquired, "Alleria, you and your sisters will attend the victory ceremony next month, right?"

"Of course," Alleria replied, her arm linked with Duke's—a sign of her stature. "I'll wear my Quel'Thalas Ranger-General's uniform as a last tribute to the high elves."

Everyone knew, however, that she would be attending the ceremony as a countess of Stormwind.

After Haduron and the others left, Duke and his party stayed on. After a brief return to Karazhan and dealing with an overly clingy Khadgar, Duke finally enjoyed a peaceful vacation, spending intimate moments with Alleria and Vereesa.

For nearly two years, Duke bore the weight of the Alliance's future. Now, with a brief respite, he could finally relax.

However, Northern Kingdom politicians noticed Duke's lack of intervention in their affairs. Many speculated he was too enthralled by his vast domain to care.

But on November 30th, an unexpected envoy arrived— Illucia Barov, mother of Jandice.

"Pleased to meet you again, Duke," she greeted.

Their relationship had been fostered when the Barov family aided Stormwind refugees upon their arrival at Southshore.

After exchanging pleasantries, Illucia got to the point, sipping her authentic Lordaeron tea, "Duke, are you aware of the northern situation? King Terenas might exploit the upcoming victory ceremony, where various nation leaders gather, to extend his reach into Alterac."

Duke smiled, "You're referring to Lord Daval Prestor, I presume?"