Chapter 417

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Chapter 417: Promotion Achieved

After returning to Nethergarde, Jesse was taken to the priest for a quick bandage. Although his wound from the stabbing was deep, it was only a surface injury.

Thanks to the blessing of the Black Dragon blood, Jesse’s constitution was unbelievably strong. With a Healing Potion to ease the pain and the priests using Holy Light to cleanse the remaining fel magic infection, he felt he didn’t even need a bed.

However, considering it was a rare wound left by a Shivan, the priests still wanted him to stay for observation for a couple of days.

That evening, he lay in bed listening to the news of the recent demon attack on Dreadmaul Keep. The first batch of mages rushed to support Nethergarde and defend the fortress. Archmage Malin from the Wizard’s Sanctum cast a huge firestorm that swept across half the battlefield, defeating many Mo’arg Demons trying to breach the outer wall.

Hearing the surprised voices of the soldiers, Jesse remembered he also needed to go see his teacher.

The next morning, Jesse saw that most of the people lying here were severely injured by fel magic or disabled. Feeling uncomfortable, he decided to leave after talking to the priests.

In the morning, Jesse went to the Mage Tower and found Old Malin’s room as Amy had instructed him. He knocked on the door.

"Master Malin." When the door opened, Jesse peeked inside and saw Old Malin. He seemed thinner than before, with his cheekbones standing out.

"Master… Are you okay?"

"I am fine, Mr. Seso." Malin waved his hand and said, "Come in, I heard from Amy that you had arrived here. I was not surprised at all. You must not be content with just assisting in Stonard; you would find your way here sooner or later."

"I did not sneak in, Master Barry Fred accepted my request…" Jesse entered the room. The archmage’s residence was cramped, even narrower than the apartments in the Mage Quarter. It was like a small square where two people could hardly sit comfortably.

Jesse found a chair to sit on, while Malin sat on a small bed that seemed too small to stretch out on, looking somewhat distant.

"Teacher… maybe I shouldn’t ask, but I feel like you’re not doing too well," Jesse whispered.

"Indeed," Malin said. "I overestimated my own strength a bit. When I went to support the Alliance army at Dreadmaul Keep that day, I thought I was still in my thirties or forties. But it’s clear that my magic hasn’t caught up with my age, I can’t cast spells as effortlessly as Master Antonidas from the Kirin Tor at that age. This is the consequence of overusing magic, the momentary pleasure comes with a huge cost, Mr. Seso, look at my appearance, I am considered lucky."

"More mages are coming here, Master," Jesse said. "You can rest assured and take a break."

Malin was silent for a while, then the sound of allies arriving outside the window was heard.

"Can you feel that this place is slowly dying, Jesse Seso?" the elderly mage suddenly said. "The power emanating from the Dark Portal is gradually tearing this world apart, these past few nights I could hear the earth, the sky screaming in pain."

It’s not an exaggeration or personification, Jesse could also hear it, the magical wind blowing out from the Dark Portal is not just a simple airflow, the pressure of another world’s destruction that Azeroth has been enduring has never diminished.

He heard last night that a watchtower guarding the Dark Portal in the south collapsed, the demons didn’t even attack that place, the building couldn’t support itself.

If it continues, before long, destruction will begin to affect the city walls here, and then spread even further.

"But we have no choice, right, teacher?" Jesse said. "We must resist no matter what."

Malin looked at Jesse and nodded, saying, "You’re right, Mr Seso. It’s just an old man being sentimental. So, I can’t just lie down quietly like that. Next time, I’ll remember to bring more Mana Potions."

The atmosphere lightened up as they chatted about the mine. Malin didn’t seem too happy about her daughter fighting against a Shivan opponent, feeling that she always put herself in danger. However, her words revealed a pride and satisfaction that she couldn’t hide.

Coming out of the Mage Tower, Jesse planned to get some extra bread to eat. He saw a group of goat riders with a team of dwarf warriors had already arrived at the square. The dwarves stood in the center of the square, shorter than the surrounding humans but broader and sturdier.

Each of them wore a heavy helmet, chainmail or even plate armor, carrying axes and shields, hammers and swords, resembling a group of fully armed Norse pirates.

Groups of musketeers followed them, with many holding guns so big they looked like small cannons.

Jesse continued to stare at each dwarf inside, trying to see which one was Greed. However, as always, it was difficult to determine their identity based on their appearance of well-equipped dwarves with rough hair and beards.

Then, he noticed several Gryphon Riders sitting on the steps under the city wall, watching the Bronzebeard Dwarves with a smile and chatting. Among them, one’s laughter stood out too much, making him curious.

Jesse quietly approached and observed a black-bearded dwarf for a while, then slapped him on the back of his head.

"Who the heck dared to hit me?!"

The dwarf took off his goggles and looked up at Jesse. His beard on both sides immediately curled up. It was indeed Greed!

"Oh! I couldn’t find you on the Mage Tower side. I thought the demons had already chopped you up!"

"When did you arrive?" Jesse asked.

"Last night!" Greed stood up and walked to Jesse. "Where were you? I thought you lived in the Mage Tower?"

"I haven’t been at the Mage Tower these past few days…" Jesse said.

Greed, sounding worried, said, "You are already a celebrity, Jesse Seso. When I went to the Mage Tower, everyone at the Wizard’s Sanctum knew your name, but didn’t know where you were. I wonder when I will have such fame in Aerie Peak or Ironforge!"

"You’ve already descended from the gods, you could just transform in the middle of Ironforge Hall," Jesse said.

"Hah," Greed chuckled. "I’ve only recently gained this power and still need practice. There are more than just the Bronzebeard Mountain Kings in Ironforge. What if, after a performance, a taller dwarf transformation appears in front of me? I haven’t planned for that kind of fame."

Jesse smiled and asked, "Then why didn’t you come with the Ironforge group?"

Greed tapped Jesse’s arm and said, "I am a Gryphon Rider, why would I walk here with these people?!"

"Ouch!" Jesse cried in pain, "I just recovered a little, and you hurt me with that tap!"

"What happened to you?" Greed noticed the bandage on Jesse’s shoulder.

"Got stabbed by a demon," Jesse gritted his teeth, touched the bandaged wound, and said, "Luckily not too serious, it should be fine in a few days. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I be at the Mage Tower?"

"Oh, I see… so you did fight a demon?" Greed asked.

"Of course," Jesse said, "And I’ve killed quite a few demons, at least… seven or eight."

"Bluffing," Greed immediately replied, "There can’t be that many demons for you to kill."

"You probably don’t know since you just arrived," Jesse said, "Take a ride on a gryphon in the sky and you’ll see how many demons there are for you to kill, Greed."

"Really? Sounds so exciting," Greed adjusted his large leather pants and said, "Compared to demons, Orcs, trolls, they’re no fun. This is the battle I’m looking forward to, you know?"

At that moment, a dwarf riding a black goat, wearing thick armor and a cloak, appeared in the crowd. He had a black helmet with two horns standing upright, and a dark brown beard peeping out from under it, looking like a cloud of anger-filled black smoke.

"Is that Muradin Bronzebeard?" Jesse asked, squinting. "I can’t see clearly."

"No," Greed replied. "Muradin should be in Lordaeron now. If he were to come, he would be with the Lordaeron army. This Bronzebeard Dwarf is an Ironforge dwarf, one of the few remaining descendants of their clan. Look at his helmet, that’s the helmet of the last Mountain King."

"So, his grandfather ruled Three Hammers," Jesse said.

"His grandfather, probably," Greed continued. "Whether it’s his father, grandfather, or great-grandfather, I’m not sure. But I know there are probably only three or four Ironforge dwarves left in the world. If they continue to eagerly prove their family heritage on various battlefields, it won’t be long before there’s none left."

"By the way, didn’t you say you were a former Gryphon Rider?" Jesse asked.

"I have rejoined the Ironforge Gryphon Knight Order," Greed explained. "Although I follow the orders of King Bronzebeard, there are also many Dwarf Wildhammer among us. This is to maintain the alliance we had during the Orc War, Jesse. So, now I am officially a Gryphon Rider."

"Congratulations, Greed," Jesse patted the dwarf’s chest.

"I won’t forget that it’s all thanks to you," Greed nodded, looking at him. "My dear friend, rest assured, even if you were buried among over two hundred Demon Guards, I would risk my life to pull your body out."

"Why didn’t you pull me out alive?"

"How the heck did you survive being surrounded by over two hundred Demon Guards?"

"Maybe!"

"That doesn’t matter whether I live or die!"