Chapter 73

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Chapter 073: Long Live the King

At some point, the walls of Stonewatch Keep were already adorned with the blue and gold lion flag, the crest of the Wrynn family and the emblem of the entire Kingdom of Stormwind.

In Stormwind, you can see white bricks, blue flags, and golden symbols everywhere, blending together seamlessly. However, in Redridge, the unnatural deep blue colors contrast sharply with the distant red mountains, nearby dark green forests, and yellow soil.

Jesse stared at the flags, standing in the middle of the courtyard, at the end of the line of soldiers from the previous city defense. Just then, a horn sounded from the city walls, urgent and full of rhythm, drowning out the sound of the rushing waterfall.

"The king is here!"

"The king is here!"

"Hail to the king!"

"Long live the Alliance!"

Cheers echoed from the mouths of different messengers as a group of gallant cavalry dashed in from outside the gates of Stonewatch Keep. Even Jesse’s chestnut horse trembled in fear.

The cavalry were clad in heavy armor, their horses covered in thick metal armor and capes. Running like struggling machines, each step kicked up a cloud of dust.

Leading them was a tall young man with black hair, strong as a young bull. His broad chest and powerful thighs made his chestnut horse seem small in comparison.

He didn’t wear any fancy accessories or hats, nor any jewelry to show off his identity. He only had on a blue cloak with a border, which made it clear he was not a commoner.

But when he dismounted, his eyes swept over everyone in Stonewatch Keep, as if he had built those walls himself.

This was definitely Varian Wrynn.

He was definitely older than the "Golden Prince" Arthas Menethil, and by quite a bit.

Jesse thought he might be remembering wrong, whether Varian had said in the official novels or the game that he was the same age as Prince Arthas of Lordaeron.

All Jesse could say was that if being off by 5 years still counted as the same age, then maybe he didn’t remember incorrectly.

Just from his appearance, this guy didn’t look like he was under twenty, Jesse was willing to believe he was nearing thirty.

Varian was nearly six feet tall and solidly built, making it hard to imagine how he managed to exercise regularly. Even when walking among soldiers and attendants, he looked like an undeveloped Orc.

He had a bit of stubble, seemingly trying to appear more mature, but his age clearly limited the thickness of his facial hair. Only in this detail could Jesse barely see that he was a young man who was truly not yet twenty.

Jesse couldn’t stop thinking about a question when Varian Wrynn came into view, for some reason.

What would happen if this guy met the Orc Shaman who summoned lightning by the lake before?

The young king walked into the crowd, stayed silent for a moment, until the shouts of his name around gradually quieted down.

"You warriors have faced challenges beyond my imagination. Both I and the people of Stormwind are still reveling in the joy of defeating the Orcs, almost overlooking our ancient enemies, the despicable and cruel Gnolls who continue to disturb our land and home. But you have shown that even after the brutal onslaught by the Orcs, even after Stormwind was destroyed… in the name of the Holy Light, the Kingdom of Stormwind and its people still stand here, never to be defeated!"

"It is because of heroes like you…"

He looked this way, his eyes shimmering. Jesse noticed a hint of hesitation on his determined and sharply defined face, almost like a statue.

Varian fell silent again for a moment, all the soldiers present gazing at him, as if waiting for him to gather his emotions.

Jesse knew he forgot his words.

"It is because of you. It is because of you that all this has been possible."

Varian turned around and walked towards this way with big steps, Jesse noticed Baron Gray Alleyan standing far away and let out a sigh of relief.

It was only then that Jesse finally noticed the people who had followed the king here.

Varian Wrynn was so bright that he overshadowed all the entourage, Jesse saw Gray Alleyan continuously talking to a slightly older strong man beside him.

The man had brown hair, a thick beard that made him look older than his actual age. He was dressed in very fancy clothes, wearing a magnificent cloak, a silver crown, possibly the highest-ranking person here apart from the king.

That was Bolvar Fordragon.

Ten years later, Varian went missing under the influence of Onyxia, his young son Anduin Wrynn succeeded him, Bolvar became the Regent of Stormwind, now he was the highest-ranking lord and general in all of Stormwind, also serving as the king’s advisor, assisting him in becoming a capable ruler after the war.

Standing beside Lord Bolvar was a tall figure, wearing a silver gown, a noblewoman with light golden hair, a blue pendant visible even at this distance on her neck, she should be Varian’s wife, Tiffin Wrynn.

Jesse searched the crowd for a woman with black hair and a red dress, but found nothing, just as he thought, the black dragon princess Onyxia had not arrived here yet.

"Ahem."

Suddenly, Jesse turned his eyes back and Varian was already standing in front of him, standing a bit too close.

It was only then that Jesse noticed that he was standing a bit further forward than the soldiers next to him.

Had the other soldiers finished talking in that little while? How come it was his turn so soon?

"You are… Jesse Seso?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, he remembered the etiquette that Baron had told him about, and quickly bowed.

Thud.

His head hit something like a stone slab, or banged into… darn.

When he raised his head again, several nobles in the distance had already covered their eyes.

A strange smell of sweat mixed with cologne hit them. The king’s sweat had soaked his black hair and was dripping down his forehead. It was hard to tell who was more nervous at that moment.

But Varian seemed to relax a bit compared to his stiff face earlier. He realized he wasn’t the most awkward person in the room.

He whispered, "You are the hero of Stonewatch Keep. I heard about your bravery from Colonel Troteman’s letter. You guarded a watchtower alone, saved the soldiers of Stonewatch Keep from being attacked by Gnolls from all sides. Without you, our casualties would have been much higher. The fort might have fallen to the Gnolls."

Although the king’s voice was still a bit tense and stiff, it had become magnetic and compelling. After speaking, Jesse heard him exhale deeply, then say, "If you have any wishes, please speak now, and I will try to fulfill them."

"My greatest wish is to be loyal to the kingdom, Your Majesty," Jesse said as Baron had taught him.

Varian said, "Those who are loyal to the kingdom must be rewarded in practical ways, Mr. Jesse Seso. Since you are not a member of the army, I cannot reward you as I wish. You may directly state your request."

"I…" Jesse hesitated for a moment and said, "I wish to become an official apprentice at the Wizard’s Sanctum, Your Majesty."

"A promising young man indeed," remarked a noble from afar.

"Your eagerness to learn puts me to shame," Varian Wrynn said. "As you wish, I will personally go to the Wizard’s Sanctum and try to secure your qualification as an apprentice to study magic with the mages and elders there. If they agree, I hope you will cherish this opportunity, work hard, and eventually become a respected mage like Nielas Aran, a pillar of magic for the kingdom, and make outstanding contributions to the people of the kingdom and the entire alliance."

"I will wait for you at Stormwind Keep, Mr. Seso."

Jesse hadn’t thought this far ahead, but when Varian said it, he suddenly felt excited. Being a mage from the royal family was quite special.