At some point, the walls of Stone Fort were already filled with blue flags with golden lions. This is the royal emblem of the Urien family and also the emblem of the entire Stormwind Kingdom.
It can be seen everywhere in Stormwind. White bricks, blue flags, and golden emblems seem to have merged into one. But in this area of Redridge Mountains, this unnatural dark blue forms an extremely strong contrast with the distant red mountains, the nearby dark green forests, and the loess.
Jes kept looking at these flags. He stood in the middle of the drill ground, at the end of the line of soldiers who had defended the city last time. At this moment, horns sounded from the city wall, urgent and with a strong sense of rhythm, drowning out the sound of the rushing waterfall.
"The king is coming!"
"The king is coming!"
"Salute the king!"
"Long live the Alliance!"
Slogans rang out from different messengers. A group of valiant cavalrymen rushed into Stone Fort from outside the gate. Even the chestnut horse that Jes rode neighed in fear.
These cavalrymen were clad in heavy armor. Even the horses were wrapped in thick metal armor and robes. Running was as laborious as an underpowered machine, but every step was so heavy that it kicked up a large cloud of dust.
The leader was a tall young man with tied black hair. He was as sturdy as a calf. His broad chest and thighs so muscular that they stretched his tight pants made the strong chestnut horse under him seem inferior.
He didn't wear a headdress, crown, or any ornament that could identify his identity. Only a blue robe with trimmings showed that he was at least not a commoner.
But after dismounting and landing on the ground, his eyes swept over everyone in Stone Fort. That imposing manner was as if these walls had been built by his own hands.
This is Varian Wrynn, without a doubt.
He is definitely older than the "Golden Prince" Arthas Menethil, and by a lot.
Jes felt that his memory might be off. He remembered that in the official novel or the game, Varian had once said that Prince Arthas of Lordaeron was his contemporary.
It can only be said that if a five-year difference can also be considered contemporaries, then he is not wrong.
Judging from his appearance alone, let alone being under twenty years old, even if it is said that he is almost thirty, Jes would be willing to believe it.
Varian may be nearly one meter nine tall, and so sturdy that it's hard to imagine how he usually exercises himself. Even when walking among a group of soldiers and attendants, he looks like an underdeveloped orc.
He had a little beard, seemingly to make himself look more mature. But his age clearly limited the abundance of stubble. Only in this detail could Jes barely tell that he was really a big boy under twenty years old.
For some reason, ever since Varian Wrynn came into view, Jes couldn't help but think about a question.
What would happen if this guy met the orc shaman who summoned lightning by the lake before?
This young king walked among the crowd and was silent for a moment until the voices calling his name gradually subsided.
"You have endured difficulties beyond my imagination, soldiers. Whether it is me or the residents of Stormwind, we are still immersed in the joy of victory over the orcs. But we almost ignored our ancient enemy. Those despicable, shameless, and cruel gnolls are still invading our land and homes. But you have proven that even after the brutal destruction by the orcs, even if Stormwind is burned down... In the name of the Holy Light, the Stormwind Kingdom and her people still stand here and will never be defeated!"
"It is precisely because of heroes like you..."
He looked over here, and there was a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Jes observed that on his resolute and angular face like a statue, there was actually a trace of hesitation.
Varian was silent for another moment. All the soldiers present stared at him as if waiting for him to gather his emotions.
Jes knew that this person had forgotten his lines.
"It is precisely because of you. It is precisely because of you that all this has been achieved."
Varian turned around and strode towards this side. Jes noticed that Baron Gray Allian standing in the distance heaved a deep sigh of relief.
It was only at this moment that Jes finally noticed the people who had come here with the king.
Varian Wrynn was so dazzling that he overshadowed the figures of all the entourage. Jes saw Gray Allian constantly talking to a slightly older and stronger man beside him.
That man had brown hair and a thick beard, making him seem older than his actual age. He was dressed in extremely luxurious attire, wearing a magnificent cape and a silver crown. He was probably the person with the highest status here except for the king.
That is Bolvar Fordragon.
More than ten years later, Varian disappeared under the manipulation of Onyxia. His young son Anduin Wrynn succeeded to the throne. Bolvar became the regent of Stormwind. Now he is also the highest-ranking lord and general in the entire Stormwind City. At the same time, he also serves as the king's advisor and assists him in becoming a qualified ruler after the war.
The noblewoman standing beside Lord Bolvar, with a slender figure, wearing a silver long dress, a blue pendant clearly visible even from this distance around her neck, and light golden long hair, should be Varian's wife, Tiffin Wrynn.
Jes searched hard in the crowd for a woman with black hair and a red dress but found nothing. Just as he had thought, Onyxia, the black dragon princess, had not come here yet.
"Cough."
Jes suddenly turned his eyes back. Varian was already standing in front of him, and he seemed to be standing a bit too close.
Only then did Jes notice that he seemed to be standing a bit more forward than the soldiers beside him.
Just now, had the other soldiers finished talking already? So soon it was his turn?
"Are you... Jes Seso?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Suddenly remembering the etiquette that the baron had taught him, he bowed deeply.
Boom.
His head hit something like a stone slab. Or did he bump into... Damn it.
When he looked up again, several nobles in the distance had covered their eyes.
A strange smell of sweat and cologne came rushing towards him. The king's sweat had seeped through his black hair and flowed onto his forehead. It was hard to say who was more nervous at the moment.
But compared to his stiff expression just now, Varian seemed to have relaxed a lot. After all, he had realized that he was not the most awkward one in the whole place.
He whispered, "You are the hero of Stone Fort. I learned of your heroic deeds from Colonel Todman's letter. You defended a watchtower alone and saved the soldiers of Stone Fort, preventing them from being attacked by gnolls with stones and crossbows from all directions on the city wall. Without you, our casualties might have increased several times, and even this fortress might have fallen into the hands of the gnolls."
Although the king's voice was still a bit nervous and stiff, it was already extremely magnetic and infectious. After finishing speaking, Jes clearly heard him heave a sigh of relief and then said, "If you have any wish, mention it now. I will try my best to fulfill it."
"Serving the kingdom loyally is my greatest wish, Your Majesty." Jes said according to what the baron had taught him.
Varian said, "Those who serve the kingdom loyally must also receive practical rewards. Mr. Jes Seso. You are not a member of the army. I cannot reward you according to my own will. You can directly state your request."
"I..." Jes pretended to hesitate for a moment and said, "I hope to become a formal apprentice in the Wizard's Sanctum, Your Majesty."
"What an ambitious young man." A noble in the distance muttered.
"Your eagerness to learn makes me ashamed." Varian Wrynn said, "As you wish. I will personally go to the Wizard's Sanctum and ask the mages and elders there to fight for the qualification for you to become a formal apprentice and learn magic. If they are willing, I hope you will also cherish this opportunity, work hard, and eventually become a respected royal mage like Nielas Aran and become the magical pillar of the kingdom, making even more outstanding contributions to the people of the kingdom and even the entire Alliance!"
"I will be waiting for you in Stormwind Keep, Mr. Seso."
Somehow, Jes hadn't thought that far before, but now that Varian had said it, he suddenly felt a surge of excitement. Royal mage... Although it's just a promise, it's tempting.