Broxigar

Death Knight Broxigar's freedom lasted only a short while.

For a brief two or three minutes, he fought for himself, free from the Lich King's will.

He could choose whether to fight, whether to stay or leave; no one commanded him to do anything, and no power could force him to disobey.

This was a freedom he had never felt since his transformation into a Death Knight.

He was incredibly excited, experiencing the joy of battle for the first time!

He simply craved battle and reveled in its passion!

His opponents, Grom and Varok, were both strong Orc warriors.

However, they were already exhausted and wounded from their previous clashes.

Even together, they couldn't defeat Broxigar in his current state.

That is, until Karthus was crowned the new Lich King, and he regained control of all the Scourge on the Gilneas battlefield, including Broxigar.

The undead army ceased all attacks and stood silently in place.

Grom was bewildered when the opponent who had nearly pushed him and Varok to the brink suddenly dropped his weapon and stood still.

Even with Gorehowl at Broxigar's neck, the Death Knight remained unresponsive.

As a warrior who valued honor, Grom felt it was an ignoble victory.

Grom glared at Broxigar and roared, "Pick up your weapon, Broxigar, and fight me!"

Broxigar's eyes showed disdain. "Isn't this what you wanted? You've won."

Varok looked at his half-brother with complex emotions.

He stepped forward, pushed Gorehowl away from Broxigar's neck, and said to Grom, "Chieftain Grom, wait."

"Hmph!" Grom snorted resentfully.

He desired victory, but even without Varok's intervention, he would not deign to kill a defenseless enemy.

Varok quickly learned about the Scourge's change from Warchief Thrall.

At least the 200,000 Scourge before them were now, in effect, their "allies."

He found it absurd, and many warriors couldn't understand.

They had just fought these evil creatures to the death, and now they were supposed to shake hands and make peace?

Aiden and Karthus approached.

"Broxigar, we meet again," Aiden said.

Broxigar ignored him and knelt on one knee before Karthus. "Master!"

"Rise," Karthus said, sensing the Death Knight's reluctance.

He could now control the minds of these undead at will, ordering them to do anything for him.

Undead like Broxigar, who retained memories of their former lives, might harbor resentment, but they would inevitably carry out any command of the Lich King.

As long as the Lich King maintained his power, no Scourge could defy his will.

"I know you harbor resentment, even crave freedom," Karthus said, his voice not angry at the Death Knight's rebellious thoughts, "If I grant you freedom, what would you do?"

Broxigar coldly snorted, "I would use my axe to sever your neck.

I would use the Helm of Domination on your head to crown myself!"

"Haha, I sense that is your true desire," Karthus let out a grating laugh.

Aiden said, "Broxigar, I know you were once a renowned warrior among the Orcs.

You have the courage to cut off Karthus' head, but do you have the courage to cut off Archimonde's head?"

"I don't need courage," Broxigar said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"If the Lich King gives such an order, I will charge towards Archimonde!"

Aiden stared at him and said bluntly, "There is no order.

If he gives you freedom, and the armies of the Alliance and the Horde are no longer your enemies, you are completely free.

Would you dare to stand with us and fight against the Burning Legion?"

Varok looked eagerly at his brother, hoping he would make a wise choice.

Broxigar sneered, "Then give me freedom first, and I'll consider it."

Freedom?

He had just tasted freedom after the Lich King's death.

He was a Death Knight!

He didn't believe that these people would genuinely restore his freedom out of kindness.

It was just a means of winning people's hearts.

Although he was once an Orc, he wasn't stupid!

True freedom was not bestowed by others, but earned by oneself!

Karthus looked at Aiden, and upon seeing his commander nod, pointed a finger at Broxigar.

An invisible force was released, severing the connection between them.

Broxigar immediately felt the taste of freedom he had just experienced.

He took a deep breath, feeling the air flowing through his chest.

As a Death Knight, he didn't need to breathe, but now he relished the feeling of breathing, the most cherished act that proved he had once lived.

It was exactly the same as those few minutes earlier.

However, in the next instant, his rune axe was suddenly at Karthus' neck, a sneer on his face.

"You actually dared to return my freedom?

Don't you know what a mistake that is?

I just said, I would cut off your head!"

"Broxigar!"

"Stop!"

Varok and Thrall were shocked, and everyone else around them suddenly changed color.

If Broxigar's axe came down—they couldn't imagine what would happen.

Aiden was also very nervous.

He gripped the Staff of Time, ready to stop time at any moment.

If Broxigar had not wasted words and directly cut off Karthus' head, he wouldn't have even had time to react—he trusted Broxigar too much.

Previous impressions led Aiden to believe that Broxigar would not be a despicable person.

He was once a great warrior, a legendary warrior.

Because of this, Aiden asked Karthus to persuade him, hoping he could stand on the side of justice.

Just like Darion Mograine in the game, although a Death Knight, he led the Ebon Blade, fighting against the evil Lich King as a free agent!

As the one being threatened, Karthus was the calmest.

He stared at Broxigar and said lightly, "Perhaps it was a mistake.

A few minutes ago, my commander was willing to trust me, to risk everything to place the Helm of Domination on my head, to make me the new Lich King, to lead the undead army to fight against the Burning Legion."

"He told me before that Broxigar was a noble and great warrior.

In another timeline, he returned to the ancient times, when the Burning Legion first invaded this world."

"At that time, the portal summoning Sargeras, the Lord of the Burning Legion, had already opened.

In order to stop the Dark Titan's arrival, knowing he would die, he jumped into the portal without hesitation, fighting the invincible Sargeras to buy time for his allies.

He wounded Sargeras with a blessed battle axe, and then died heroically."

"It was because of his delay and the wound on Sargeras that the allied forces finally won, driving Sargeras and his Burning Legion back into the Twisting Nether, preventing the destruction of this world."

"I have faced Sargeras's dark soul and know his power; my commander and I have also fought Archimonde ourselves and know that the current Demon Lord is not worth mentioning compared to Sargeras back then.

Broxigar of that timeline could do such a thing, and I know how difficult it was."

Karthus narrated this story in a calm tone, not at all like a person whose life was being threatened.

Then he looked at Broxigar: "You and Broxigar of that other timeline are essentially the same person.

My commander is willing to trust you, and so am I.

I am willing to take this risk.

If you cut off my head, it only proves that we misjudged you, and that is the price we must pay."

Everyone fell silent.

Some even shed tears.

Varok looked eagerly at Broxigar, hoping he would return to the right path—compared to the Death Knight before him, he felt that Broxigar in Karthus' story was more like the brave and fearless brother he knew.

If Broxigar hadn't become the way he was now, Varok knew he would have made the exact same decision when faced with such a situation!

"…" Broxigar withdrew his axe, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing relief.

"You have convinced me," Broxigar leaned on his axe and knelt on one knee, this time sincerely.

"From today, from this moment on, I and my battle axe will fight for justice!"

Broxigar had done what Darion had done in another timeline.

Aiden looked at this scene, feeling very gratified.

Earlier, because of his guidance, Broxigar died in Stratholme during the jailbreak to rescue Eitrigg, and then Baron Rivendare stole his body, which was then transformed into a Death Knight by Kel'Thuzad.

After learning of this, he had been burdened with guilt. Because of his words, Brox, who should have died gloriously after single-handedly challenging Sargeras, became an evil death knight; Gavinrad the Dire, who should have bravely sacrificed himself under Arthas' blade to protect Lordaeron, was also tempted by the dreadlord and met a tragic end.

He had caused two heroes to die without a good end.

Now there was only one left.

—

The surrender of the Gilnean Scourge caused the dreadlords who had teleported over with Dath'Remar a great deal of trouble. Except for Mal'Ganis, who was no match for them from the start and fled, the rest were captured in one fell swoop. This included Varimathras, who was on the verge of death after being attacked by Thrall's magic.

"I surrender, I surrender!" Seeing the heroes of the Alliance surrounding him with ill intentions, Varimathras hurriedly scrambled to his feet, knelt on the ground, and begged for mercy loudly.

"But what use is there in keeping you alive?" Aiden asked.

"I, I, I am very useful! I know many secrets of the Burning Legion! I can lead you!" Varimathras said frantically and incoherently.

Aiden sneered, "We don't need you to lead us. The Burning Legion has already come knocking on our door." He winked at Pamyel, and the angel immediately walked forward, holding the Flame Sword.

"Don't, don't, don't kill me! I have important information!" Varimathras almost burst into tears.

As a dreadlord, he shouldn't have been so afraid of death. However, ever since these creatures called angels appeared in Azeroth, the Nathrezim demons, who were originally impossible to kill, had been in trouble. The other party's holy fire had the effect of burning souls. Not to mention that Valoran also had several experts who played with souls. Once a dreadlord's body died, it was difficult for the soul to escape. Now, if they died, they would be completely dead, with no chance of resurrection.

Balnazzar and Tichondrius were examples of this.

The harder it is for someone to die, the more afraid they are of death. This is definitely the case for the Nathrezim.

"Then speak quickly, or my sword will chop off your head and burn your soul!" Pamyel shouted coldly. She ignited the magic sword with holy fire, looking eager to try.

Varimathras hurriedly begged for mercy, "Don't kill me, don't kill me, I'll talk, I'll talk! I'll talk right away! But you have to promise not to kill me!"

Aiden said with a cold face, "That depends on whether your information is worth your life."

"Absolutely, absolutely! This is incredibly important information for you!" Varimathras looked incredibly certain. Seeing that the angel was getting impatient, he immediately opened his mouth and said, "My master—"

"Hmm?" Pamyel immediately glared at the dreadlord.

Varimathras immediately changed his words, "I mean my former master, the great demon Archimonde, he is preparing to build a portal to allow more and stronger demons to enter this world!"

"Where is he building it? Speak quickly!"

"In Silvermoon City!"

—

From learning the Burning Legion's target to the start of the Battle of the Sunwell, the high elves had a total of only ten days to retreat. Quel'Thalas could only move some important and not-too-large things as much as possible. However, even with the urgent time, they still dug out the large rune stones originally placed in Quel'Thalas. These were important components of the magic barrier that once enveloped Quel'Thalas. After thousands of years of modification by the Sunwell's energy, they had acquired some magical properties.

When the orcs invaded this place, Gul'dan once used the energy of a rune giant stone to transform ogres, mass-producing two-headed ogres, who were originally very rare, for his use.

Anasterian, of course, couldn't bear to lose these treasures.

After the end of the Battle of the Sunwell, Archimonde led the Burning Legion south from Quel'Danath, destroying all the buildings and forests along the way. Wherever the Burning Legion passed, no grass grew. The earth was polluted by fel energy, and the forests were burned by flames. It was impossible to see that this place had once been a unique and beautiful elven kingdom.

After arriving at Silvermoon City, the demons turned the left half of this magical city into ruins. The remaining right half of Silvermoon City still maintained its original appearance. It's just that it welcomed a new master—Archimonde and his Burning Legion.

Although Archimonde liked destruction and devastation, no normal person would want to live in ruins. Because of this, the right half of Silvermoon City was preserved.

The result of the Battle of the Sunwell made Archimonde deeply realize the problem of insufficient troops. In order to destroy Quel'Thalas' magic barrier, the spell he cast using bone ash consumed a lot of mana. The same was true for summoning the Burning Legion. However, these demons, on whom he had placed high hopes, did not completely crush the natives of this world, but were instead beaten to a pulp by the native coalition forces.

"The Burning Legion needs more troops, and more powerful weapons!"

Archimonde built a magic circle in his current palace, the Sunstrider Spire, to connect with the Twisting Nether. His first step of the plan encountered failure. The idea of using the power of the Sunwell to strengthen himself was completely shattered! It was even impossible to summon Kil'jaeden.

Kil'jaeden's phantom appeared on the magic circle from the Twisting Nether. Cross-space holographic communication had been connected.

The Deceiver wore a relaxed smile on his face and asked, "How is it, my brother? Have you occupied the Sunwell?"

Archimonde's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "No, I failed. The Sunwell was destroyed by the natives here!"

Kil'jaeden was a little surprised, "These natives... are a bit stubborn!"

"Yes, and they are not afraid of the power of the Burning Legion, and they even dare to form an alliance to fight against us! They have mastered some technological weapons, which have caused great losses to my servants!"

In front of his good brother, Archimonde didn't need to hide anything. However, mentioning this matter again still made him feel very ashamed. After he became the actual commander of the Burning Legion, his first battle to invade the real world encountered such a setback. How could he bear it when he wanted to establish his prestige in this battle!

"Then, it seems you need more power to help you destroy this world." Kil'jaeden narrowed his eyes.

Archimonde's eyes were filled with hatred. He clenched his fists and roared in a low voice, "Yes, my brother. I want to build a long-term portal here to transport a large number of legion soldiers and powerful war machines from the Twisting Nether! I want to completely crush all resisters!"

"Building a long-term portal—this will greatly deplete your and my power. Are you sure you want to do this?" Kil'jaeden was a little surprised by his decision. The Burning Legion had conquered countless worlds, and they rarely built long-term portals in those worlds. In fact, when invading most worlds, it was enough for their deputy to take a legion.

For people like Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, it was easy to open a holographic communication between the Twisting Nether and the real world. But building a long-term portal was not easy. This required both sides to exert force together, and the consumption was huge. Neither of them could recover for a long time.

The world of Azeroth was a bit special. There were many hidden transcendent powers inside. If Archimonde lost his power because of building a long-term portal, and encountered the siege of those transcendents—he might be in danger.

"I have to do this." Archimonde didn't originally plan to build a long-term portal. He only planned to open a temporary passage and summon a certain number of demons to descend. Adding the power of the Scourge would be enough to sweep this world. But he thought of the news that Anatheron had just reported tremblingly—the Lich King Dath'Remar was dead, and even most of the power of the Scourge would rebel against the Burning Legion!

This was simply the worst news possible. Archimonde suddenly lost most of his power, while his enemies gained an army of hundreds of thousands out of thin air!

Archimonde looked at Kil'jaeden's phantom with a straight face, "The Lich King you created, he was killed by the natives here. Most of the power in the Scourge is no longer under our control!"

"Hmm?" This news surprised Kil'jaeden even more than the destruction of the Sunwell. He personally created the Lich King, and he knew very well the effect of the Helm of Domination. This meant that the new Lich King had a stronger mental power than Ner'zhul—were there such people among these native mortals?

"Then, I support you, my brother. Building a portal seems imperative."