Volume 3: Tides of Darkness Chapter 150: Varian's Invitation
Murphy returned to his residence in Stormwind Fortress and waited patiently. However, he did not receive the "call of destiny", but instead received the servants sent by King Llane.
"Prince Aidan, Prince Sigrette, Prince Darabonba, His Majesty the King invites several princes to attend the dinner tonight. Please be sure to attend."
Murphy agreed readily, and as soon as the servants left, Sigellet and Dara Benba became excited.
Sieglet: "Haha, there's also a palace dinner to attend. This prince's title is not bought in vain."
Speaking of the most cost-effective prince title, it must be the Prince of Alterac. With just 500,000, one can participate in the high-level decision-making of the Alliance, which is really a great deal.
Dara Bengba: "I say, thirty-sixth brother, we three brothers must behave well tonight and build relationships with other kingdoms. We three brothers are too weak, and we will have to count on their help when we clear out the traitors and seize the throne in the future."
Murphy had already explained his strategy to the two of them before. To combine the three of them, gather elite troops internally and recruit strong reinforcements externally, and wait until the right time for the orc army to attack Alterac. That would be the day when Murphy would become king.
Once Murphy becomes king, as partners, the two will each give him a big city as a fiefdom, and they can make money together. The two agreed very readily. Although they are older brothers, they admire Murphy very much because of their understanding of the game.
When they heard that they were going to attend a court banquet, they immediately became excited.
Murphy said, "Don't take it too seriously. This palace banquet is just to make some faces. If you really want to gain the support of other countries, you must win their favor through plot events, just like saving Arthas to gain the favor of the Kingdom of Lordaeron.
Stormwind's favorability can be improved by participating in the Dark Portal campaign, but it's more difficult to improve the favorability of the other kingdoms, but it's definitely not something that can be improved by just drinking a few glasses of wine and saying a few nice words."
Dara Bengba said, "Don't worry, this game has a high degree of freedom. It's better to do it than not to do it. It's okay to make some faces . If we choose the king in the future, these people must stick to familiar people."
Murphy thought so too.
When it was time for the dinner, the three of them changed into their most respectable attire and came to the banquet hall of the palace.
Tonight's banquet was very grand. Not only were there King Ryan and the royal family of Stormwind Kingdom, but also envoys and deputy envoys from various countries, as well as all the nobles of Stormwind Kingdom and their children. The entire banquet hall was crowded with people, skirts fluttering, glasses glistening, and the atmosphere was truly warm.
All kinds of delicacies filled the long tables in the banquet hall. Princesses, princes, earls, dukes, and even kings and queens, all the participants were people of noble status.
Murphy first enjoyed a sumptuous meal, and then it was time for the dance.
Murphy had no dancing skills, but luckily he was agile enough so he didn't embarrass himself. He danced two dances and then left. Sieglette's dancing skills were surprisingly good. He hugged a countess and danced all over the stage. Perhaps he had some skills or talents in aristocratic etiquette. His meticulous etiquette showed some of the elegance of a prince, and won the favor of some princesses and noble ladies.
Dara Bangba's way of building relationships was much more unconventional. He would hold a bottle of dwarven liquor and toast everyone one by one. He would drink until the glass was dry. In a short while, several people were drunk and fell down. But the effect was quite good. He became friends with several rough-looking dwarves and human nobles, and they were so close that they were almost like brothers.
Murphy couldn't help but find it interesting. These two were really relaxed.
Next is the time for free socializing.
Holding a ball at this critical moment of the kingdom's crisis is not entirely for enjoyment, but more for creating a social occasion for high-level officials from various countries to build relationships, reach secret contracts, and build relationships.
Soon, all the nobles in the audience split into small circles. It was obvious that King Ryan had not given up on winning over various countries to form a coalition, or at least wanted to gain support from various countries.
Holding a glass of wine, he would have an intimate conversation with this prince, and then have a cordial meeting with that minister, without any airs of a king at all.
The Kingdom of Ironforge, as the Alliance force closest to Stormwind City, naturally cannot be ignored. The Kingdom of Stromgarde and Stormwind City have some blood ties, as both are descendants of Emperor Thoradin, and are also key targets for winning over. The Maritime Kingdom of Kurticus can directly support Stormwind City from the sea, and has also made great efforts.
Kel'Thuzad in Dalaran is the focus of attention.
Although the elves of Quel'Thalas are arrogant, they have the most powerful magic army, and they can also win over some of them.
King Llane, with a group of Stormwind nobles, almost surrounded these people.
In comparison, not many people pay attention to Murphy. There is no other way. A weak country has no diplomacy. As the weakest of the seven human kingdoms, the Kingdom of Alterac has no soldiers, no generals, no money, and is very far away. It is really not worth winning over.
Even if Alterac agrees to send troops, they can only send a few soldiers, and they are still far away. By the time the reinforcements arrive, it will be too late.
Murphy was also enjoying his leisure time, drinking a glass of wine by himself. It was quite interesting to see the lineup of big figures in reality, who he had only seen on computer screens in the past. Suddenly, a young servant came over.
"Prince Aidan, my master wants to see you."
Murphy nodded, without asking who the master was, and followed the servant into a compartment on the side.
Inside was a secluded lounge, with a heavy wooden door that blocked the noise from the banquet hall. Varian and Arthas were each holding a glass of wine, chatting. Murphy was a little surprised that it was Varian who invited him, but when he saw Arthas winking at him, he immediately understood.
Varian (Storm Prince): "Ah, Prince Aidan, welcome to join us. I guess you must be bored out there. Those old men are all boring and old-fashioned. Even if they say some flattery, it's just clichés."
As he said this, he poured a glass of wine himself and handed it over.
Murphy was not polite either. Although the prince of Alterac was not worth much, he was still a prince no matter how worthless he was. At least on the surface, everyone was equal.
He took the wine glass and sat down, looking at Varian and Arthas beside him, feeling quite emotional. The two protagonists of destiny got together, but no one knew what they were talking about.
In the original history, Arthas and Varian were good friends. When Stormwind City was breached, Duke Lothar took Varian to Lordaeron for refuge. Varian and Arthas were both children, so they naturally became good friends. However, their later fates were quite different. The Prince of Stormwind, who had lost his country, successfully restored his country and eventually became the High King of the Alliance, while the prince of the powerful Kingdom of Lordaeron destroyed his own country and eventually became the Lich King.
They are simply two extremes.
Now it seems that this friendship was born ahead of time, but neither of them probably had any idea how funny this moment was.
Varian (Prince of Stormwind): "Arthas spoke of your heroic deeds on the Stormy Sea. I have to say, it was very admirable. You saved the prince from the evil naga, pirates, and terrifying sea beasts, crossed the terrible storm, set foot on the mysterious island that no one had ever set foot on, and pulled out the legendary sword...
That is a story that only exists in ancient heroic epics.
But this story also makes people feel regretful. The once great alliance is now so fragmented and divided that even pirates can see the weakness of the alliance and act recklessly because of it. It is such a shame.
My naive father actually thought he could rally all the countries to form a coalition. Humph, sometimes I really wonder who is the young and ignorant one. "
Murphy was secretly delighted when he heard this. He had experienced it himself and didn't think it was a big deal, but after hearing Varian say it, it seemed really awesome.
However, I didn't expect that this kid had so much resentment towards his father.
Aidan (Prince of Alterac): "Your Majesty Llane must have his own difficulties. To protect his country, he must hope to get more help."
Varian (Storm Prince): "Well, maybe, but instead of begging for help from others, it is better to strengthen ourselves. The Alliance has long been divided. Everyone is trying to seek personal gain for themselves and refuses to fulfill their obligations. They have long forgotten the ancient covenant and the glory that the Alliance once had.
This is why the Arathi Empire collapsed and disintegrated. It is obvious that they have not learned any lessons from history.
The past thousand years of peace had made those kings and nobles corrupt and decadent. They had long lost the courage and glory of their ancestors and only knew how to whitewash the situation, play tricks, and engage in intrigue.
But peace will not last forever. I once led adventurers into the Endless Sea and explored the wild archipelago. I also set foot on the icy continent of Northrend. In the far west of Kalimdor, I encountered the ancient night elves and evil races that no one had ever heard of.
I saw a lot and felt a lot.
The darkness is stirring, the threat lurking underground is awakening, the invasion of the orcs is just the beginning, I can feel that the threat facing the Alliance is far more than this.
It's time for someone to stand up and unite the alliance. My father's idea is right, and we should indeed form a coalition, but his approach is wrong. People will not selflessly sacrifice for a piece of covenant. Only strong power is the key to uniting the alliance."
