Chapter 165: Victory Day

The Ghostlands, Floating City.

Through the arcane shield, clouds drifted outside. Although suspended high in the air, the constant-temperature enchantment kept the interior of the floating city as warm as spring.

Elven civilians bustled about within the city. Markets, trading posts, and theaters were packed with people, while engineering crews elsewhere worked with burning enthusiasm to build this rising new metropolis.

In their spare time, many elven workers would lay down their tools to gaze at this city in the sky, watching it slowly take shape by their own hands, filled with boundless pride.

Having finished the daily affairs of the Council, Patrick immediately resumed his relentless pursuit of the arcane path. Before the arrival of future formidable foes, he needed to continue developing an offensive super-magic spell to demonstrate his strength. For the sake of the floating city's "tranquility," Patrick needed to put a protective facade on his faction, warning those harboring malicious intents not to act rashly.

Salewor had already been sent back to Silvermoon City by Patrick. He would never agree to the Council's compensation policy. As for how the King would handle it, that was the King's business, and Patrick did not need to pay it special mind.

There was only one thing Patrick had not anticipated: even now, the Councilors still refused to give up, setting traps everywhere for him to walk into. When he held the upper hand, Councilor Orcus naturally stood on his side; but when his momentum waned, Orcus Sunblade would naturally shift to the side of "justice," pinning all responsibility onto Patrick.

However, having already taught the Sunwings and the others a lesson right in front of the King—without fully grasping Patrick's data or completely understanding his spellcasting abilities—the four major families, having once suffered losses, would not dare to confront him head-on.

In the eyes of these immortals of Quel'Thalas, power was not much of a threat, and the four major families would not believe that Patrick had transcended mortality to enter the realm of immortality or demigodhood. If that were the case, they believed this newly minted Council member would not keep enduring in silence, because once the strength of both sides exceeded a certain threshold, all schemes and conspiracies would become mere jokes.

If Patrick had truly reached the level of immortality or a demigod, even if he directly broke ties with them and openly sailed the floating city out of Quel'Thalas, the Sunstrider royal family and the Councilors would be utterly powerless. They could only watch him leave. Perhaps His Majesty Anasterian would come over to spout some grand reasoning and try to persuade him to stay, but it would fundamentally be useless.

Right now, what they needed was to focus more on analyzing and researching Patrick's combat records, news of his arcane research, and his specialized fields in magic. Much like Patrick, these Councilors were masters of arcane research with absolute authority within their respective fields of study. As long as they could analyze Patrick's weaknesses and figure out a way to defeat him, ultimate victory would still be theirs.

Therefore, they were in no rush. Ever since they kicked a steel plate last time, they intended to first understand this new Councilor. They also had plenty of time to exert effort in politics, unite their mindset to deal with Patrick Carvolth, and then slowly play games with him by gathering intelligence through their family networks.

...

"Damn it, he's immersed himself in his arcane research again." Alleria was nearly buried beneath administrative tasks as she muttered, "Pushing all the work onto his subordinates, having his wife supervise, and then disappearing back into those ethereal arcane researches—are mages always this boring and stubborn?"

"I recall someone once saying she would absolutely never marry a mage, but in the end, things turned out contrary to her wishes." Sylvanas's voice rang out. The only one who could speak to Alleria in such a teasing tone was Sylvanas.

Patrick and Alleria were already married. As the sister-in-law, naturally no one would stop Sylvanas from entering the mage tower. Moreover, the entire Windrunner Village had now relocated to live within the floating city, and the Windrunner family could be considered the minor lords of the Sun City.

Seeing that the visitor was Sylvanas, Alleria revealed a knowing smile. "Could it be that my little sister is also starting to take an interest in mages?"

"You..." Sylvanas stared closely at Alleria. "It seems love really has changed my sister."

Alleria blinked without refuting. "You surely didn't run all the way over just to check out the daily life of me and your brother-in-law."

"Of course I'm not that bored. Besides, a mage's life is the most dull and tasteless thing imaginable. I don't know how you manage to endure it."

"Patrick is different from ordinary mages. Although they are both immersed in the arcane, his sense of duty and responsibility are not something those mages who only know how to shirk blame can compare to." Alleria seemed to recall the past, but upon catching Sylvanas's gaze, she immediately returned to normal. "I won't tell you any more than that. State your business."

"Indeed. The two of you must have plotted this long ago," Sylvanas couldn't help teasing. "The family's new territory is basically finished construction. Once you give your final review, we plan to start rebuilding our new home."

"There's no need for me to review it again; you can review it yourselves." Alleria looked at the city planning her husband had drafted on the desk. "The new Windrunner Village will no longer mix civilians and the military together like the original one did. The various zones within the floating city will no longer be divided strictly by profession either. The specific zoning will be uniformly regulated by the Sun Tower based on the functions of each district."

Having obtained Alleria's confirmation, Sylvanas eagerly returned to the new Windrunner Village. Ever since the Orcish War, many of the Windrunner kin had been quite sorrowful. After all, their home of many years had been utterly destroyed by the Orcs, naturally leaving many elves with mournful expressions and listless spirits day in and day out.

"Madam, we have received a letter from the human faction. They wish to invite Councilor Patrick Carvolth to attend the Alliance's victory banquet and jointly celebrate the triumph over the Orcish War. The location is Lordaeron Capital City," Yenida's magical voice transmitted.

"Very well, I will relay it to him."

Patrick had dispatched auxiliary forces to reinforce the Lordaeron Alliance during the Second War. Following the victory, since the elven army was still stationed in Lordaeron, Patrick was naturally treated as part of the victor's side and invited to the Alliance's spoils-sharing council.

Because King Aiden Perenolde of Alterac had betrayed the Alliance during the Second War, this victory banquet naturally included the trial of the Kingdom of Alterac. By this time, Terenas had already dispatched troops to the Alterac capital, declaring martial law while placing him under house arrest, awaiting the arrival of all Alliance members.