Chapter 672

Chapter 672: The Troubles of the Northerners

"Can I go take a look?" Jesse asked.

"I’d suggest you don’t," Jarel said. "Zardeth wouldn’t let anyone open that door. You’d better not go alone, Jesse. But that demon inside has been quiet—it was summoned about a week ago, and there hasn’t been a single sound since. If you’re curious about the process, you could ask Ursula downstairs now. I know nothing about your spells and magic, and I’d hate to mislead you by saying something wrong."

"Is Ursula down there? All right, thanks, Jarel," Jesse said.

Jarel opened the door for Jesse and said, "No trouble. I’m glad to see you’re safe."

Jesse glanced at him. Though he knew Jarel Moor was just being polite, the words still touched him. When he entered the basement hall, the sight before him froze him in place.

On a large rug, Erlan lay on top of a female succubus, while a fully naked Surena sat beside them making out with him…

Surena noticed Jesse first and stopped. Erlan looked over too. The three locked eyes awkwardly until Surena hesitantly asked, "You… joining us?"

"Thanks, but I’ll pass," Jesse said.

The unfamiliar succubus lifted her head, squinted at Jesse, and asked, "Who’s this, master?"

Erlan answered, "Jesse Seso—our strongest warlock. You ought to know him. Jesse, you’re never around… Didn’t even tell us you were back. When are we grabbing drinks?"

"Another time. I won’t interrupt your… activities," Jesse said. "Is Ursula inside?"

"She’s reading in there," Erlan replied.

"Good," Jesse said. "Don’t mind me—carry on."

Erlan and Surena nodded. Jesse cleared his throat and walked down the corridor, hearing the commotion resume behind him.

As he neared the Alchemy Room, Ursula peered out.

"Jesse! Heard your voice… At least you didn’t vanish for half a year this time."

"Just went north—wasn’t Kalimdor, after all," Jesse said with a smile.

Inside, Ursula handed him a cup of herbal tea. "But it felt like a month. You seem…" Jesse cradled the warm cup. "What?"

Ursula leaned against the table, sipped her tea, and studied him. "You look… sharper. Not that thin, weak version of yourself anymore. Glad you recovered from the Dark Portal ordeal. Honestly, you seem better than before—taller too, turning into quite the handsome lad."

"Don’t know if that’s true, but I’ll take it," Jesse said.

"I mean it," Ursula pressed. "So? How many of my potions did you drink?"

"All of them."

"All?!" Ursula exclaimed. "Did you guzzle them like water in the wilds, or sell them in Dalaran?"

"Faced some nasty trouble. Had to use every advantage," Jesse explained.

"Did my potions work?" she asked, a proud smirk forming.

"More effective than you can imagine," Jesse said. "So I’ll help you for free. Name what you need—materials, or…"

Ursula waved a finger. "You brought me Silithid heads from Kalimdor—impossible to find here—and paid me generously. I can’t ask more of you, especially after that elixir took so long."

*Your potions helped me kill Deathwing*, Jesse thought.

He knew it: without the Flask of Distilled Wisdom and Restorative Potion working together, he’d never have suppressed Nekros’s demon form. Without the elemental protection brew, Vereesa and Greed wouldn’t have survived that hellstorm of fire and dark magic.

And without the Invisibility Potion, their three-man infiltration of Grim Batol would’ve failed from the start.

Without Ursula, Jesse couldn’t have secured those potions in two days. Who else could craft banned or near-impossible concoctions like Invisibility Potions or Flasks of Distilled Wisdom?

"It’s fine, Ursula," Jesse said, placing a cloth bundle on the table. "Have Jalane mend this Robe of the Void. I’m heading to Lordaeron soon—tell me if you need anything."

"Lordaeron?" Ursula stored the bundle, scratching her chin. "Nothing really… Oh, wait—"

"What?" Jesse asked.

"Never mind." The Alchemist waved dismissively. "No tasks for you. Knowing you’re alive is enough."

"Just say it. If I can’t get it, no harm done. If I can, I’ll try."

"You’re serious?"

"Dead serious."

"Alright, Jesse." Ursula sighed. "There is a… messy problem. Not sure I should involve you. Remember that merchant I mentioned?"

Jesse stiffened. "I do. But I won’t kill anyone for you."

"Obviously!" Ursula said. "I wouldn’t let Zardeth or Gakin do it, let alone you. But killing a demon? That’s different—summoning one’s a crime in Lordaeron. Mages hunt strays all the time… You’d just be keeping the peace."

"Fair. What demon?"

"A succubus," Ursula said. "I’ve learned those Weald folk hired a Dark Iron Dwarf warlock who summons her to liaise with assassins. That Satyr who attacked me? Probably connected to her."

"She turns invisible, and Andorhal’s got no real demon hunters. Her warlock often sends her out alone—that’s our chance, Jesse. Her death would warn that dwarf: *back off before this drowns you*."

She paused, then added, "Zardeth says she’s in Andorhal now… Though if you’re bound for the royal city, it’s out of your way. Is this too much to ask?"

"I’ll go," Jesse said. "Are there many demons in Andorhal?"