Chapter Ninety-Three: Expansion Complete

Patrick believed that when you subjectively acknowledge the brilliance of a place—especially if that brilliance is something you’ve never possessed—you are inclined to believe in it, to accept it. Most elves found their abilities less valued in Silvermoon City; their only hope for a better life lay in relying on the master arcanists. It was unfair to them.

Why, then, were so many high elves lingering in Dalaran, willing to risk the stigma of treason? Deep within, many high elves carried a thought: Why should I return? Yes, that place is luxurious, prosperous, and beautiful, but I have no desire to go back. I am neither a high-ranking spellcaster nor do I hail from a powerful clan. Would I return just to endure the contempt of the upper echelons?

Though Dalaran offered only superficial friendliness to the high elves, and daily life was arduous, at least their efforts earned them the respect of humans—even if it was merely for ordinary labor. Moreover, the fair skin and exquisite appearance of high elves were attractive to humans; finding a high elf partner could send a human into month-long celebration, as if they had acquired a rare treasure.

What Patrick wanted was to reverse Silvermoon’s image. After Arthas trampled Silvermoon, the Kingdom of Quel’Thalas would need to preserve its last vitality to strive for a brighter future.

There is no betrayal without cause, nor trust without reason.

What? You ask me why I so easily trust Allen Moon-Sacred?

As for her—what choice do I have? When I crossed over, she was already in my mind, lurking deep within my consciousness, steadily gathering arcane energy. If I don’t trust her, what else can I do? She can even peer into my memories. Who would willingly host an ancient matriarch in their mind, one who can steal glimpses of your memories?

[Do you think I want to be stuck in your head? And if you call me “old lady” one more time, I swear I’ll play divine tunes in your mind every day.] Allen’s voice thundered.

I have no choice but to trust her. Besides, is there any way not to? I have no alternatives, and she’s at least somewhat useful—she’s helped me quite a lot. Age brings experience, knowledge, and wisdom.

[It’s too much, really too much; carrying Tang Sanzang, following three disciples. Where’s your conscience? The dog took it; gone for tens of thousands of miles.] The discordant voice echoed in my mind.

“I was wrong, please, master, cease your magic,” Patrick immediately conceded.

Returning to the main topic, Patrick’s goal was to have elves of all kinds reside in the Sun Sanctuary, expanding his influence among them and establishing a city grounded in a virtuous cycle.

The new Sunlight Spire had been erected. Patrick had personally modified the arrangements, moving his office from the fifth to the sixth floor. The entire fifth floor was reorganized as the headquarters for the decision-making council—Patrick’s confidants and the Sun Sanctuary’s leaders would gather here, facilitating meetings and governance.

Between the fifth and sixth floors, a central room was set apart, completely isolated from the surrounding space and accessible only from Patrick’s office on the sixth floor. The internal magical array was inscribed by Patrick himself. Though the scholars didn’t understand his intentions, they said nothing, assuming it to be a confidential chamber.

Finally, Talonnikus connected all spell circuits to the sixth floor of the mage tower, handing over the control core to Patrick. At the tower’s summit, the Arcane Gem radiated a light as brilliant as the sun. With all tasks completed, Talonnikus led the scholars back to the royal court to report to King Anasterian.

The elves under Patrick’s command threw themselves into their new roles with zeal. His father, old Phil, sent another group of clansmen to fill the vacant positions below.

Returning to his office, Patrick discovered messages awaiting him. He’d been so occupied with the expansion of the mage tower that he hadn’t had time to attend to incoming magical correspondence.

The first letter was from the family. The base in the Forest of Life had commenced production, and they inquired if Patrick would begin production at the Sunlight Spire.

The subsequent letter was from Aurelia. At the camp in the Forest of Life, the Windrunner and Cabron families each held half the shares, and Aurelia sought Patrick’s opinion.

There were also notes from Patrick’s visits, records of the Sun Sanctuary and frontline outposts, with many observations from Aurelia. Since Patrick and Aurelia had led the army to disrupt the demon lord Marakas’s ritual, the trolls had quieted, confining their activities to nearby woods, where Aurelia sent scouts to investigate. The trolls were merely foraging.

Several letters chronicled Aurelia’s work and life during this period. For Patrick, the shared trials and dangers he and Aurelia had weathered deepened their feelings, though both held prominent positions. Their mutual concern and understanding were marked more by empathy than romance. Aurelia knew Patrick’s habits well; Patrick understood the weight of Aurelia’s responsibilities.

Storing away the elf maiden’s thoughts, Patrick planned to invite Aurelia to send some personnel to take charge of the ranger forces rotating and garrisoning the Sun Sanctuary. Though Patrick was the highest authority here, the Cabron family, Ethanis, Quelintis, and others were all mages, unfamiliar with ranger tactics and management. Having outsiders oversee these matters would contradict Patrick’s intentions.

Thus, Patrick resolved to have Aurelia dispatch professionals for positions at the Sun Sanctuary. Sometimes, he truly felt he might have overlooked something.

He sent the letter. Aurelia was still at the frontline camp, and he expected a reply soon.

Patrick stood on the balcony, gazing out. Newly arrived municipal officials were re-measuring the land, carrying out Patrick’s directives to expand cultivation of the surrounding territory.

The new lands would be used to grow herbs, grains, and other essential materials—both economic and food crops were necessary, forming the foundation of Patrick’s preparations for the future. The Sun Sanctuary needed to vigorously develop magic-related industries to support military supplies, ensuring independent survival without relying on outside aid.

To everyone else, Patrick’s directive was clear: accelerate development, use the best resources, achieve the fastest progress. He intended to make the Sun Sanctuary the second largest city in Quel’Thalas, standing tall at the heart of the Ghostlands.

All the mages of the Sunlight Spire were energized, none scoffed. They all hoped to follow in Patrick’s footsteps, to become the new nobility.