Chapter 160

Luode actually decided to spare Kaizi's life and even take him as a subordinate only after careful consideration.

Why? The reason is simple: Kaizi's political acumen is far inferior to that of Luosema.

This regent of Silvermoon City is the true political expert.

Upon discovering that his own prince had pledged allegiance to the Burning Legion, his first thought was not anything else, but to eliminate the prince.

He even sought to utterly annihilate all the elite troops under the prince's command, completely eradicating every follower of the Sunstrider royal family.

He aimed to make the entire blood elf populace submit to his single authority—this political maneuver is truly formidable.

He would justifiably execute the prince on charges of treason, thoroughly eradicating the influence of the Sunstrider family.

Know this: if Luode had not intervened, the ones coming to storm the Stormspire dungeon would have been the blood elf elite army, personally led by this regent.

When this regent stormed in, he showed no mercy, basically slaughtering Kael'thas's close associates to a man.

Afterwards, he led the blood elf race onto this great ship of the Horde.

Later, when the Nightborne appeared, he even married the chief arcane mage, the supreme leader of the Nightborne.

He abandoned his former lover Liadelin, or rather, his original official partner.

Although the Nightborne faction was brought into the Horde by Sylvanas, ultimately the Nightborne grew closer to the blood elves, and this is entirely due to Regent Luosema's efforts! Luode indeed wanted to co-opt the power of Silvermoon's blood elves for his own use, but Luosema is an obstacle.

With him around, Luode could never control Silvermoon City, since Luode spends most of his time not staying in one place and needs a qualified steward.

For example, Kaido of the Beasts Pirates, Charlotte Linlin of the Big Mom Pirates, and Sylvanas Windrunner of the Forsaken.

He does not rule directly, but through indirect rule: each faction has a steward who governs these subordinates on his behalf.

This steward cannot be too politically astute, so the regent is unsuitable, but the blood elf prince can be—Kael'thas can.

This blood elf prince, if you do not betray him, will treat you unconditionally well! In the early days, he joined the Alliance, endured various hardships from the Alliance's grand marshal, still completed his mission, was later framed, and even imprisoned in Dalaran's dungeons—this is what triggered his rebellion.

Following Illidan early on, he was diligent and uncomplaining; whatever Illidan commanded, Kael'thas carried out faithfully, without the slightest hesitation or delay.

During these years in Outland, even if he no longer trusted Illidan.

When Illidan ordered him to attack Shattrath, Kael'thas unhesitatingly dispatched his own army, although this force was later collectively absorbed by the Naaru.

Kael'thas once again pleaded with Illidan to send his demon hunter troops to assist, but Illidan still refused, which finally made Kael'thas completely disillusioned with Illidan.

Had Illidan not been so dismissive of this prince—having others do the work, giving him no benefits, and even taking large numbers of his blood elf troops for himself—Kael'thas would not have rebelled.

After pledging allegiance to Kil'jaeden, he served diligently, and were it not for Aweyna finally releasing a divine interference that caused Kil'jaeden to flounder, their plan would have succeeded.

Later, in the Shadowlands, Kazi this guy was also honestly serving as second-in-command, diligent and uncomplaining.

Kazi this guy is simply born to be a second-in-command!

After much deliberation, Luode intends to support Kael'thas as king of the blood elves, rather than let Regent Luosema lead this people.

Aqiang! Aqiang! Leader of the blood elves, this position is not for you to even consider!

Kazi, if you perform well, I'll give you the night elf wife originally belonging to Luosema!

Let you marry a chief arcane mage of the Nightborne, and bring the Nightborne into your faction.

Anyway, their union is partly a political marriage, and partly because a certain chief arcane mage took a liking to Luosema.

But Luosema isn't nearly as handsome as you! You need to make the chief arcane mage chase after you.

If you kill Illidan, you can then obtain several bottles of the Well of Eternity's water from him.

By then, the Nightborne's Nightwell can also be replenished, which is also a good thing for the Nightborne people.

"I follow your advice, great demigod, but I don't understand—how exactly should I carry out this 'suicide ploy' you mentioned?" Kael'thas asked, somewhat puzzled.

This term has never even appeared in Azeroth—what does 'suicide ploy' mean? What's the connection between 'bitter' and 'flesh'?

Kael'thas completely fails to grasp its meaning.

"Remember, you did not defect to the Burning Legion; you are merely lurking near Illidan, the Legion's claw, doing work for Azeroth, gathering intelligence on the Legion.

Even to gain the Legion's trust, you did not hesitate to endanger yourself, absorbing fel power—you are a great hero, not a traitor." Luode spoke.

"Ptooey! Yes yes, I'm giving you a lesson—Blizzard's whitewashing school."

"What! What? Lord Luode, is this, is this not deceiving my people?" Kael'thas spoke.

"This is not deception, but a benevolent lie—you have already turned from evil to good.

Naturally, you must now resume leadership of your people; do you really want to stand by and watch your soldiers who follow you, even those Illidan lured away, all be slain?"

Kazi is also quite pitiful—he led his blood elf elite forces here, only for part of them to be absorbed by Illidan, becoming his die-hard fans.

Another part was sent to attack Shattrath, but was absorbed by the Naaru's holy light, becoming the astronomers of Shattrath City.

As a result, of the blood elf army he brought, the only ones still following him are this group in Stormspire.

Luode just used his Observation Haki to sense that the blood elves here in Stormspire total only a few thousand—one can imagine how miserably this Outland prince has fared.

"I, I! Lord Luode, demigod! Please instruct me—what should I do? How can I earn my people's forgiveness?" Kael'thas spoke.

"First, you must firmly believe this: you never defected to the Burning Legion; from beginning to end, you have been its enemy, and then tell everyone.

Years ago, Illidan accepted Kil'jaeden's command, then led you, Fathis, and large numbers of blood elf troops to Northrend to assault the Icecrown Glacier.

Illidan, he is the Burning Legion's claw.

These years you've lurked by his side have been to gather intelligence; Illidan has already fully pledged himself to the Burning Legion, even attempting to summon Kil'jaeden in the Black Temple.

You and your subordinates used fel power only because Kil'jaeden and Illidan forced you—if you refused,

then Kil'jaeden and Illidan would annihilate you, and Illidan even detained part of your people as hostages." Luode spoke.

??? At this moment, Kael'thas stared at Luode with a face full of surprise—is there really such a method? I'm almost convinced I was truly lurking beside Illidan, spying on the Burning Legion's intelligence.

"The specific procedure is... like this, like this, like this—do you understand?" Luode spoke.

"Understood, great demigod—everything is for our people; I will surely kill Illidan, then obtain the Well of Eternity's water from him to save my kin." Kael'thas spoke.

"The student can be taught! To ensure the plan's safe execution, besides yourself, we still need to make a few preparations." Luode finished speaking, snapped his fingers, and sent Bulin to the safe zone, as well as the unconscious Liadelin, back.

"Lord Luode! It seems you've already won—this one looks like she's been roughed up badly!" Bulin spoke.

"Bulin! Now is your time to shine—your current ability can delete and modify memories from how long ago?" Luode spoke.

During this time, I have been infusing Bulin with life energy every night, and I also gave her the desperate remedy, so the little girl's strength has increased considerably.

"Lord Luode, I can now modify memories from about four months ago." Bulin spoke.

"Excellent! Kael'thas, among your subordinates, how many know that you have pledged allegiance to the Burning Legion commander Kil'jaeden?" Luode spoke.

"Great demigod, only my four advisors, the chief astrologer, and a small number of high-ranking personnel." Kael'thas spoke.

Even within my Storm Fortress, there are hardly any demons present, and truly few know that I have pledged allegiance to the Burning Legion.

"Excellent! Then we will modify the memories of these few subordinates of yours, changing their memories to that you endured humiliation and bore burdens.

Feigning acceptance of the Burning Legion's persuasion to surrender, while actually gathering intelligence for Azeroth.

And you have already made a breakthrough, Illidan intends to use the waters of the Well of Eternity.

To summon Kil'jaeden's descent at the Black Temple, we must stop Illidan's evil plan." Luode spoke.

"Good, good! Great demigod, we, we must stop the evil Illidan." Kael'thas said.

"Keep this pig-headed look of yours, it will garner sympathy when you go out later." Luode spoke.

Demigod, your consideration is truly thorough.

After discussing the specific plan, several people began to act, and Kael'thas brought along those who knew of his allegiance to the Burning Legion.

Then Bulin went through them one by one, erasing their memories and implanting false ones.

(End of chapter)