Chapter 121: City of Sunlight (Second Update)

Giselda gazed thoughtfully at the map before her, uncertain whether allies existed in this entirely unfamiliar world. Yet, according to the map left by Lord Gul'dan, their march was indeed heading this way.

At present, Lord Gul'dan was engaged in a spiritual connection with a sorcerer named Medivh. No one dared disturb him. The sight of Gul'dan in fury was terrifying; a vast surge of shadowy power erupted, striking deep into one’s soul. Even now, the memory sent a shiver down Giselda’s spine.

Setting aside all extraneous thoughts, the army’s route could only be determined by themselves. Giselda resolved firmly: “Lord Gul'dan’s will must be carried out.”

“Warchief Blackhand, at any cost, lead the charge directly into the Duskwood Forest west of Deadwind Pass, and annihilate those small, cowardly creatures.”

Warchief Blackhand raised his weapon, muscles coiled and eyes filled with reverence. “In accordance with Lord Gul'dan’s will, we shall be invincible! For the Horde!”

A flicker of disdain crossed Giselda’s face. She disliked this war chief, for he was merely a puppet of the Shadow Council. As a member of the Shadow Council herself, she need not seek his permission for anything. Yet, to maintain unity, she gave a symbolic assent: “For the Horde!”

The charged words ignited the zeal of all orcs present. “For the Horde!”

“Norsgrim: For the Horde!”

“For the Horde!”

“For the Horde!”

And so on.

—————

While Lothar led a squad to raid Karazhan, the human forces defending Deadwind Pass suffered continuous setbacks, eventually forced to retreat to White Dove Town, a small settlement on the western edge of Duskwood Forest. Rich in resources, it was a granary for the Storm Kingdom, with endless farms and forests. Like many towns, it supplied tribute to Stormwind and the northern lands of Lordaeron.

At the northern end of Duskwood lay a sunlit resort filled with blooming trees, succulent fruits, and towering woods. Many nobles from Stormwind enjoyed summer retreats here.

But the situation had changed. War tightened its grip; the frontline faltered, and troops retreated steadily. The Alliance’s main logistical hub was relocated to White Dove Town. This once prosperous town, known for its flocks of white doves, had grown solemn.

The streets teemed with soldiers of all sorts. Many residents of Dawnbreak Town near the front had followed the troops in mass migration. The retreating soldiers busied themselves setting defenses along the tranquil gardens and mountain passes, prepared to halt the orcish advance.

The orcs’ newly constructed catapults moved swiftly to the front. In a single night, humans lost all of Deadwind Pass. After plundering local resources, the orcs regrouped and pressed northward. Beyond the crossroads lay the Elwynn Forest, straight toward the capital of the Storm Kingdom—Stormwind itself.

—————

Quel’Thalas, Sunwell Sanctum.

Chief Information Officer Yanida issued new orders to the six members of the Decision Council: “By directive of Chief Patrick, all personnel must evacuate the Sunwell Sanctum area and reach a designated safe zone.”

Yanida unfurled a freshly drawn map, marking the entire Sunwell Sanctum and its surroundings as an experimental zone, even encompassing parts of Sunscar Peak.

Quillinthis studied the blueprint drawn by Patrick. “Do you think Chief Patrick will succeed?”

In truth, Quillinthis harbored doubts as well. Elevating the entire Sunwell Sanctum and its environs into a floating city would be the greatest feat in the history of the Quel’Thalas dynasty, pioneering the first airborne city in Azeroth.

This was not merely a mage tower or a castle, but a true floating city capable of housing all residents around the Sunwell Sanctum. Judging by the plans, it would be about the size of Silvermoon City's eastern district. The thought of living in such a city filled Quillinthis with a subtle excitement.

Edonis and Candris exchanged a knowing glance, expressing trust in Patrick. “We have faith in Lord Patrick Kaboron. During our battles against the trolls, it was Patrick’s timely interventions that turned the tide, enabling us to foil their schemes.”

“Moreover, Patrick personally saved both Candris’s and my lives. During our surprise attack on the Forest of Life, we fell into a troll ambush. It was only through Patrick’s overwhelming magical power that our strike force escaped and returned safely to the eastern sanctum.”

Since those battles, Edonis and Candris had become almost unquestioning followers of Patrick Kaboron. Their confidence in him was unwavering, and they felt fortunate to have aligned themselves with the elves’ future, which now seemed bright.

Yanida quietly executed Patrick’s will. Although often unnoticed, it was thanks to diligent elves like Yanida, who undertook arduous administrative tasks, that the Sunwell Sanctum’s operations ran smoothly. The position of Chief Information Officer had been created precisely for this purpose.

All civil servants of the Sunwell Sanctum mobilized. The elves carried out their lord’s orders meticulously. Though some were discontent, upon learning of Patrick’s grand experiment, they willingly evacuated for the time being.

The entire elven population gathered outside the Sunwell Sanctum. Civil servants established boundary lines to prevent residents from entering the area for safety. Even Arelia left the mage tower to wait outside, her blue eyes fixed intently on the distant Sunlight Spire, silently praying...

With preparations complete, Patrick integrated the runes inscribed on the Platinum Disk with the newly constructed levitation magic circle. The disk was successfully placed at the center of the magic rings. Channeling his spirit, he guided the two composite magic arrays to merge, allowing the energy from the disk to flow through arcane circuits into the levitation array, activating the intricate carvings on every magic ring.

The rings surrounding the Platinum Disk spun rapidly. The entire magic array’s effects were conducted through a central device in the secure chamber, linking to the energy power center on the third underground level of the Sunlight Spire. From there, energy spread outward through the foundation layer on the fourth underground level, permeating the soil. When the array reached the prescribed scale, multiple enchantments took effect: spatial confinement, earth solidification, energy binding, and surface fortification.

The purpose was to stabilize and strengthen the floating city’s foundation, ensuring it could support the elves’ activities, production, and daily life above. The levitation effect was limited solely to the foundation; anyone or anything above it would not experience weightlessness and would live as if on solid ground.

Arcane energy flowed continuously. As the Platinum Disk nestled into the center of the ring assembly, all runes and sigils on the rings began to glow with a silvery light. The Titan power contained within the disk coursed slowly through the rings, activating the arcane magic array.