Chapter 630

Chapter 630: The Red Dragon

Jesse certainly remembered him.

Not only remembered, but also knew why he had come.

"Looking for you alone? Trouble?" Greed asked quietly, eyeing the mage nearby.

"It’s fine, Greed," Jesse said, tilting his head. "Go ahead; it’s late. I’ll treat you another day."

"You said it," the dwarf nodded, glancing back repeatedly before leaving the street corner.

The High Elf watched him go, then approached Jesse. "Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I’m unaccustomed to revealing my identity. I am Krasus, representing the Kirin Tor."

"I’ve heard your name, Master," Jesse gave a slight nod.

Krasus glanced at the house behind Jesse. "You might think I’m blocking your reunion with your parents like Bethor Iceshard, but the opposite is true."

Jesse stayed silent as Krasus continued, "You’ve been aiding Stormwind’s investigation into orc-dragon connections, correct?"

"Yes," Jesse replied. "I’m Archmage Malin’s apprentice and assisted him in this work."

"Then you know the key to resolving the Dragonmaw Orcs’ threat."

"Finding the Red Dragon Queen."

The red-robed mage nodded. "Precisely."

Jesse studied Krasus’s eyes. The hidden red dragon couldn’t fully contain his emotions—mentioning the queen made Jesse feel the searing heat churning within him.

*So this is why he came.*

Rescuing Queen Alexstrasza. Should this fall to him?

In another time, Rhonin—imprisoned for a wartime accident—accepted this suicidal mission. After nightmarish trials, he freed the Red Dragon Queen from the Dragonmaw and even defeated Deathwing…

Jesse furrowed his brow, thoughts chaotic. Noticing his expression, Krasus said, "I know you’re reluctant, Mr. Seso. But succeed, and you’ll clear your name across the Alliance. Step back into the light, and you can bring your parents to this home you fought for."

Jesse remained quiet.

Krasus pressed on, "If I were you, I’d seize this chance. Kel’Thuzad confirmed your Orcish fluency and dark magic prowess at the Dark Portal. I’ve long considered you the ideal candidate."

Jesse froze. "Kel’Thuzad?"

"Indeed," Krasus said. "He strongly endorsed you at the Kirin Tor Council, persuading the others—Antonidas included—to send you to Khaz Modan. You’re to trace orcs in Grim Batol."

Jesse ran his tongue over his teeth. *So this was where he was being cornered. That cunning old bastard.*

Krasus noted Jesse’s shift in demeanor but continued, "The Kirin Tor believed closing the Dark Portal trapped Deathwing and his brood on Draenor. Many even thought the Father of Black Dragons dead. But recent signs show adult black dragons remain in Azeroth—not mere whelps harassing villages, but true grown drakes. Possibly even… Deathwing himself."

"I must find him. The entire Kirin Tor hunts his trail and other adult blacks. Before they detect us, I need someone reliable to extract the Red Dragon Queen from Grim Batol. Time is short."

"Tell no one. Any third party risks the plan—even loved ones. Deathwing’s spies infest Azeroth: loyalist clans, Wyrmcult infiltrators… One leak, and he knows."

*But he already knows,* Jesse thought.

This was suicide—Krasus knew it. Kel’Thuzad knew it too.

Kel’Thuzad’s recommendation reeked of a ploy to eliminate him, silencing the risk of his exposing their collusion.

*If Kel’Thuzad works with Deathwing, he learned of this mission the moment Krasus addressed the Council.*

Yet voicing these suspicions to Krasus? The red dragon trusted Kel’Thuzad, while Jesse was merely a sunlight-shunning warlock consorting with demons.

Besides, he had no proof—only conjecture.

Objectively, Kel’Thuzad’s choice made sense: Jesse attended Orcish councils, mastered dark magic, and ranked among Kirin Tor’s best.

Orcs and black magic? Grim Batol’s greatest threats played to his strengths.

*Had everything since joining the Wizard’s Sanctum led to this suicide run?*

The mage straightened. "I know this is hard. You need time, but we have little. Each day the queen suffers under orcs heightens the threat. Black dragons may beat us there. I’ll await your decision in the Mage Quarter, Mr. Seso. Don’t delay."

*Why was his plight worse than Rhonin’s?* In that other timeline, Krasus promised Rhonin an elven escort—Vereesa—at Menethil Harbor.

Now? No mention of any protector. Did the Council mage deem him strong enough to go alone?

The mage had vanished before Jesse could speak.

Not that he’d known what to say.