Chapter 692: The Beginning of "For the Horde"

Perhaps the epic chapters standard in the mouths of bards seem far removed from the people of today, deeds long since forgotten by the world, existing only in fragmentary rumors and legends that appear hopelessly out of reach; perhaps some have already become vanished myths, yet others have been unfolding continuously, from the past unto the present, only failing to circulate among the common masses.

Humanity dwells, as it were, on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far; perhaps most should count themselves fortunate that they have not sailed too far, nor delved too deep.

At this moment, within the Silver Moon Forest of the elven race.

The Elven Royal Court housed the most noble of the elven royalty, a sanctuary where none but the elders and true scions of the bloodline could enter.

Beside a lake as smooth as a mirror of polished glass stood an elven elder with hair and beard of silver, his deep eyes seeming to pierce through the water's surface, gazing into the vast void beyond.

"What do you see, Grand Elder?" A middle-aged elf, arrayed in similarly magnificent elder robes, approached slowly from behind.

"I see nothing... naught but a blanket of darkness..." the elder murmured, "...how long has it been... since we last received enlightenment from the Elven God...?"

He was met only by a gathering silence.

"..."

"Elder," a long while later, an elf stepped forward to report, "piecing together the scattered clues we discovered before, we seem to have... uncovered something new..."

The elven elder of silver hair and beard nodded, his countenance hardening. "By the by, Elder Xivi—why have we not seen her of late?"

"Elder Xivi departed for the human realms; she said she was going to a place called the 'Origin Internet Club' to test some sort of mystic realm. She is due back at the end of August."

"What month is it now...?" The Grand Elder of the elves glanced at the surrounding trees, where spring reigned eternal, yet subtle changes in detail could still be discerned.

"It is October, Elder."

"...Has Elder Xivi returned then...?"

"Not yet..."

...

Within the Origin Internet Club, inside the newly opened Jiuzhou City branch.

At this hour, Proprietor Fang's Penguin Communication interface was blinking incessantly.

The chat window with Dong Qingli read:

Big Boss Fang: "I say... you've run your shop for so long, can't you discern even a single business opportunity?"

Dong Qingli: "(Pikachu Acting Cute Emoji) What business opportunity? Your instant noodles aren't even available for bulk purchase by the hundreds of boxes!"

Boss Fang's face twitched: "No... with so many people arriving from out of town, do you comprehend what needs they have?"

"What needs? (Pikachu Befuddled)"

Boss Fang: "...They need to eat!"

Dong Qingli: "I know that; quite a few of them come to my restaurant, to the point where sometimes there aren't enough seats... later on, some of them even started bringing their own dry rations..."

"Precisely..." Boss Fang prompted, "could you not launch a food delivery service?! If the shop is full, you can deliver! Now that communication jades are so widespread, can you lot not use your wits to conjure up some new tricks?"

"Hmm... it seems that might actually work...?" Dong Qingli mused.

"What do you mean 'might actually work'?!" Boss Fang's face darkened. "Do you know how to run a shop or not? How is it that the Grand Proprietor himself has to remind you of such matters?"

"I don't know... my shops are all managed by Wanyu and the others..."

Boss Fang: "..."

The chat window with Shen Qingqing read:

Boss Fang: "Do you have any... plans for after graduation?"

Shen Qingqing: "...What plans?"

Boss Fang: "Do you possess no ambition whatsoever? What is your dream? (Facepalm)"

Shen Qingqing: "My dream is simply to remain in Jiuhua City; I know that if I persist (in playing games) for a few more years, (given my talent) I can become a female Martial Emperor."

Big Boss Fang: "...Do you not have any grander aspirations?"

Shen Qingqing: "...I think that is grand enough."

Boss Fang looked utterly dejected: "...You bunch of salted fish. By the way, I have outlined the contents of the official novels; one is 'Dungeon & Fighter', and the other is 'World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde'."

The narrative of 'Dungeon & Fighter' mainly consolidated the previous adventurers' lore to pave the way for the Empyrean and the Otherverse, which would be relatively straightforward, whereas the other was 'Rise of the Horde'.

As for the book 'Rise of the Horde', it could actually be found within the game world of 'World of Warcraft'; at that moment, before Boss Fang's screen, an Undead Rogue held just such a tattered tome in his hands: 'Rise of the Horde'.

The pages were turned, revealing glimpses of incomplete text.

In 'World of Warcraft', treasure chests and valuables might exist within many ruins and caves, and similarly, within certain ruins or libraries, there remained chronicles regarding the history of the world—tales of a... deeply moving past.

"Phew..." Fang Qi exhaled a long breath; he only remembered the general outline of the book's contents, so if he could find the original text, even a fragmented copy would be of immense help.

Naturally, within the game, the book could only be read in the Orcish tongue, and only in fragments; the task of translation required someone proficient in both the language of the Spirit State and the tongue of the Norra Continent.

And so...

At this moment, a group of janitorial staff, including Jessica, who were sitting in the Yuanyang City branch nibbling on melons and sipping tea, held their communication jades: "...Eh? An opportunity for promotion...? Translating 'Rise of the Horde'?"

"What on earth is that?"

...

With the teleportation arrays now active, it was rather convenient for Fang Qi to travel between the various shops.

Inside the Clear Wind and Bright Moon Pavilion, Boss Fang requested a private room.

Aside from Boss Fang, there were only Shen Qingqing, Jessica, and the rest of the janitorial celestial squad.

Boss Fang felt somewhat depressed; as an internet cafe owner, he actually had to tell stories to these people.

Yet, upon reflection... if the games in his own shop could be presented to all players in a flawless state, it would not be a bad fortune for him after all.

...

Just as the book recounted: "This is a story not of the Horde of today—that loose affiliation of orcs, tauren, Forsaken, trolls, and blood elves—but of the first Horde. The rise of the original Horde. It was born, like an infant, in blood and fire; its first cries for life marked the death of its enemies."

"Such a bloody tale had a peaceful beginning, nestled in the endless valleys of a verdant world known as Draenor..."

The entire chronicle primarily detailed how the orcs transformed from a peaceful race into the slaves of the Burning Legion, becoming bloodthirsty, warlike, and desperate to destroy all things. It also recounted how Ner'zhul and Gul'dan succumbed to corruption due to the dark temptations of strength and power.

The entire volume was penned in a tragic tone, recalling the gradual descent of the orcish race and the helpless lamentations of all honorable orcs who stood powerless against it.

The exile of the Frostwolf clan ultimately left the orcs with a glimmer of hope; they stayed far from the strife, allowing the orcish race to preserve its final strength.

...

Among the passages, there was one that went thus:

Blackhand, Chieftain of the Blackrock clan, after training the first batch of warlocks to display before the other clans, spoke:

"Brothers and sisters of the Horde!" Blackhand bellowed. "You have given me honor and respect, and I shall never fail the countless noble warriors gathered here. Day by day, we forge stronger weapons and heavier armor, and now, we cast aside the fickle elements to possess true power—a power that begs and kneels before no one and nothing, but is held and mastered by our warlocks. This is true strength! Our purpose is clear; we shall wipe the draenei from our lands, and they will crumble before this tide of warriors and warlocks, this all-consuming Horde. We shall be their most terrible nightmare! To battle!"

He raised both hands and roared: "For the Horde!"

Thousands upon thousands of passionate voices echoed the cry: "For the Horde! For the Horde! For the Horde!"

It was both tragic and exhilarating; perhaps it was but a tiny wave in the vast lore and worldview of 'World of Warcraft', yet without a doubt, those three words, "For the Horde," would henceforth resound across the entire world.

.

.

PS: The exact origin of the slogan "For the Horde" is difficult to trace; this book adopts the version from the novel 'Rise of the Horde', while another theory suggests it was carried over from 'Warcraft'.

In truth, I believe it to be a measure of both.