457 Chapter 457: Beware of Gul'dan

Alonsus Faol, for the entire Alliance, is a figure of transcendent status. As the common national religion of the seven nations of the Alliance, he is undoubtedly a great figure who can sit on par with any king.

At this time, the Alliance had just seen the dawn of victory and was about to launch a counterattack. The news of Archbishop Alonsus Faol's critical illness broke out at this critical juncture, casting a shadow over the victory just won by the Alliance.

Especially for Anduin, both publicly and privately, it was a significant blow.

Publicly, because Alonsus had promised that after Stormwind regained its territory, he would mobilize the faithful to raise funds for the reconstruction of Stormwind. Once the most prestigious Alonsus died, the revival of Stormwind might be delayed for a long time.

Privately, Anduin and Alonsus have been old friends for over twenty years. With his old friend critically ill, he was naturally anxious.

When Duke arrived, several kings who had come to visit had already changed.

At this moment, only two high priests of the Church of the Holy Light, Anduin, and Uther were accompanying Alonsus.

When Duke arrived with Gavinrad, he immediately noticed the abnormal atmosphere.

"What's the matter? Illness or something?"

To say it was an illness, Duke didn't believe it.

Because priests can cast [Cure Disease] and [Remove Disease], the best doctors in this era are priests. Even more so for Alonsus Faol, the Archbishop who is at the top of all priests?

Secondly, it was the sickbed.

This was a very special sickbed. To call it a sickbed, it would be more accurate to say it was a low water tank. Because Alonsus was lying on it, more than half of his body was immersed in the golden holy water, with only his head propped up by a pillow, exposed above the water.

Beside Alonsus, another priest was continuously casting spells, dispelling the foul breath that was leaking from the Archbishop's mouth and nose.

Anduin leaned over and whispered to Duke, "It seems that Alonsus was researching the body of a Horde chieftain and came into contact with the demon blood in the chieftain's body, which may have triggered a curse that was already in his body. He is now in a terrible state of continuous weakness."

Seeing Duke come in, Alonsus opened his half-closed eyes, "Everyone else, leave. Only Uther and Duke need to stay."

Anduin wanted to say something but finally left with the two high priests.

Only Uther was left, purifying the air in the room with a low-level spell to dispel disease.

Duke was a bit hesitant. In history, Faol didn't die so soon.

After the victory against the Horde, Faol raised a large amount of funds to build the Cathedral of Light in the newly rebuilt Stormwind, and thus he became the Archbishop revered by both Lordaeron and Stormwind.

To commend his dedication to the Church of the Holy Light and his contribution to the reconstruction of Stormwind, a statue of Alonsus Faol was erected in front of the Cathedral of Light. The inscription on it praised Faol's great achievements in the Second War for the Alliance - raising funds to help rebuild Stormwind and the Northshire Abbey.

Faol didn't die until the Third Dark Portal War, just before the Scourge invaded Lordaeron, and the cause of death was unknown.

Duke had never heard of Faol being critically ill.

He thought of a terrifying possibility. In the end,

he still asked, "Archbishop Faol, was it that day at the Storm Altar..."

Indeed, if there were any changes regarding Alonsus, it would be when Duke asked this great Archbishop to help purify the Storm Altar, which had been corrupted by demonic power, while he was stealing Gul'dan's labor results.

Alonsus laughed, "My dear disciple, please swear in the name of the Holy Light that you will not speak of what you see and hear today."

Uther's face, resolute and devout, twitched slightly, "I swear in the name of the Holy Light."

Only then did Alonsus turn to Duke, "To answer your question just now. Yes, and no."

Yes? And no?

Duke was a bit confused.

"I have spent most of my life spreading the Holy Light, hoping in the Holy Light, and driving away all darkness and evil. But I found a fact, that is - whether the Holy Light drives away evil, or darkness swallows light, it is a relative process."

"Relative?"

"Yes. The more devout and pure the heart, the more Holy Light it produces. But only the side with greater total amount and higher quality is the winner of this battle. That day, I indeed inhaled an excessive amount of demonic power. I thought I could purify it with my own power, but obviously, I failed. But that's not important."

"Not important!? Don't joke, Archbishop, I..."

Alonsus stretched out his hand from the holy water, gesturing to stop Duke from continuing, "I won't die so easily, as long as I am sent back to the Cathedral of the Holy Light in Stratholme, I can survive with the help of the power of the holy water, at most losing some vitality. This is not the time for me to rest forever! The most important thing is actually you - Duke!"

"Me!?" Duke was taken aback.

"Yes! You!" Alonsus pointed at Duke's chest, "In these days, you have undoubtedly proven to everyone that you are the brightest new star of the Alliance. Your wisdom, your vision, almost made me doubt that you are a prophet sent by the Titan of Creation."

"Uh."

Well, you got half of it right.

"But what I worry about the most is also you. Compared to your powerful magic and wise mind, your will is too fragile. If some evil existence intends to deal with you, you are the kind of person who is most likely to be corrupted and fall."

Duke, who was hit by the truth, had a face as if on fire.

Yes, he was just an ordinary college student before he crossed over. He hadn't experienced the ups and downs of life, lacked sufficient tempering, and didn't have enough life experience. This was his biggest shortcoming and a weakness he couldn't solve for the time being.

So, Duke was a sure hit for any [Fear] spell.

If it weren't for the system spirit, he would have been dead long ago.

"I will be careful."

"No, just being careful is not enough. You need a firm faith, otherwise, if you become the next Xavius, it will be a nightmare for the Alliance."

Xavius, he was once a head of the night elven society, the core leader of the Kaldorei civilization in ancient Kalimdor, second only to Queen Azshara in status. Later, however, his mind was corrupted by Sargeras, leading directly to the first invasion of the Burning Legion in the world of Azeroth.

Alonsus's words were heavy.

What else could Duke say? He could only accept it, receiving a copy of the Doctrine of the

Holy Light handwritten by the Archbishop himself.

Before leaving, Alonsus grabbed Duke's hand and instructed him with utmost seriousness, "Beware of Gul'dan."