Sandro's ambition caused Rhodes to fall silent for a moment. He had to admit, this top-tier schemer was still the same Sandro he remembered. A Sandro who didn't want to be the Lich King simply wouldn't be Sandro.
He understood the nature of Necromancers all too well: a thirst for power and a need for control were their fundamental drivers. Fortunately, the absolute constraints of the system meant this ambition could only be exercised within the boundaries Rhodes defined. If a Sandro without these shackles were ever unleashed, Rhodes shuddered to think of the consequences; the man would likely become a literal expansion-level raid boss.
"The Lich King... it's an interesting thought, Sandro," Rhodes said slowly.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Master. It is only thanks to you that I could reach this strange land and touch the civilizations and magic of this alien world." Sandro thanked Rhodes from the bottom of his heart.
Although enslaved, being able to travel to this magical world and master its necromantic lore was a dream come true. Of course, it would be even more perfect if he could regain his freedom.
"But the time isn't right," Rhodes countered. "The game between Ner'zhul and Arthas has not concluded, and the Jailer, Zovaal, is watching. Intervening now would make us a target for all three factions. You need to focus on helping me control the Forsaken, infiltrating the Horde's high command, and accelerating our work on Kel'Thuzad's floating necropolises."
"I am already on it, Great Master. I have learned many spells from Azeroth, and the battle for Stratholme has increased my level. Soon, I will seek out Kel'Thuzad for a 'chat.' I believe we will find much in common," Sandro said. He was fascinated by the Archlich and looked forward to their exchange.
"I'll be monitoring your 'chat' remotely," Rhodes noted.
"Understood, Master. But what of my transformation into a Grand Lich?" Sandro asked.
"I approve," Rhodes nodded. "What are your thoughts on a mana source?"
Sandro's evolution from a Necromancer to a Grand Lich would undoubtedly boost his power significantly. However, becoming a Grand Lich required a massive fountain of magical energy, something akin to the Sunwell.
"Thank you for your trust, Great Master! I have a few targets in mind: first, the Nexus in Northrend—a convergence point for Azeroth's ley lines. I could perform the ritual there. Then there is the Nightwell, and of course, the Sunwell remains an option."
"The Sunwell and the Nightwell are out," Rhodes shook his head, rejecting the ideas immediately. "If you drain them for your transformation, they'll be ruined. The Sunwell was already desecrated once by Kel'Thuzad; if you do it again, it's finished. I'm counting on the Sunwell to provide me with a Holy Fire Phoenix every month once it's restored! As for the Nightwell, you think the Nightborne are just going to let you walk in? Do you expect me to go to war with Suramar just for your ritual?"
Regarding the Nexus, Rhodes could only sigh at Sandro's audacity. "The Nexus? Are you serious? That is the headquarters of the Blue Dragonflight. Malygos, the Aspect of Magic, lives there."
While people often joked that Blue Dragons were "weak," many of them having been turned into Frost Wyrms, mistaking them for easy targets was a fatal error. Malygos was a peak demigod-tier being, stronger than most Watchers. If you attacked the Nexus, the Red Dragonflight at Wyrmrest Temple wouldn't just sit by; Alexstrasza herself would bring the full might of her flight.
"I'm not going to throw my army into a suicidal war against the Dragon Aspects just to upgrade you," Rhodes stated flatly.
"Ahem... Master, I would perform it in secret," Sandro added quickly. "I wouldn't use necromancy or shadow energy to pollute the source. Kel'Thuzad ruined the Sunwell because he had a specific goal ordered by the Legion. I only need to 'borrow' the energy momentarily."
"I said no to those three. Don't even think about the ley line hubs of Azeroth. If you're interested, look to Outland. I think the Black Temple would serve well, or perhaps Netherstorm," Rhodes suggested after stroking his chin.
The hubs of Azeroth were off-limits, but Outland was fair game. In the future, Kael'thas would use Naaru technology to extract arcane energy from the storms of Netherstorm to create mana crystals for his people. As for the Black Temple, Illidan chose it precisely because its unstable void energies were perfect for opening portals. Performing a Lich transformation in either place wouldn't matter—they were already saturated with Fel and Void.
Sandro nodded in agreement. He hadn't been on Azeroth long enough to know its geopolitical nuances as well as his master. "Very well, Master. I think Netherstorm is suitable. Once the Forsaken are settled, I will ask you to open a portal so I can travel to Outland for the ritual."
Sandro had much to do. He needed to secure the Forsaken and extract the proper Grand Lich transformation methods from Kel'Thuzad; the scrolls Stronk held were only for common Liches. Once he became a Grand Lich, Sandro also intended to develop a training method to upgrade all of Rhodes's Power Liches into true Lich units.
Rhodes readily agreed, even offering an escort for the ritual, given the inherent dangers. After a few more details, Rhodes ended the communication.
He took a deep breath, stepped out of his room, and found Jaina and Maiev.
"Have you decided?" Maiev asked. "If so, we need to summon the Wardens and the Druids."
"I'll support you regardless, Rhodes," Jaina added. "If you've made up your mind, I will find a way to convince my father."
"I've decided," Rhodes replied. "We return to Azeroth as planned. We retake Lordaeron City and stabilize the Eastern Kingdoms. Northrend is on hold for now. Let Arthas have his crown. By my estimate, it will take him several years on that throne to fully merge with the Lich King's power. We will use those years to unify the Alliance. If he is foolish enough to strike the Eastern Kingdoms then, we will face him with the full strength of the world."
Jaina's eyes showed a hint of relief; she trusted his judgment. Maiev shrugged; with Illidan out of reach for now, hunting Scourge was as good a form of justice as any.
"When do we leave?" Jaina asked.
"As soon as Akama's people are ready. Illidan and Mother Shahraz have established a basic order here. It's time to go home. Lordaeron is waiting for us."
Three days later, on the morning of the fourth, a troop of elite Draenei Paladins arrived at the Black Temple. Among them were the Broken Rhodes had purified and reinforcements sent by Prophet Velen.
"Lord Rhodes," Akama said, kneeling in his magnificent gold-filigree plate armor. "To repay our debt of gratitude, 6,000 Draenei warriors will fight for you. Lead us toward the Light!"
"With your help, our cause is unstoppable," Rhodes smiled. "Together, we shall drive the Dreadlords and their demonic lackeys from the walls of Lordaeron."