I traveled through time and space and became the Archbishop of Stormwind!

Naralex finally came to his senses in the benign silence that surrounded him.

He patted Tanika's muscular arms gently and said, "Tanika, dear, put me down quickly. Everyone is watching."

"Just watch!"

The Minotaur girl didn't care at all, her voice still echoed like thunder in the valley, echoing in the silent night.

She held his arms tighter, and those arms as strong as steel seemed like the safest barrier, making Naralex almost breathless, but he was willing to accept it.

"I knew the spirits of our ancestors would bless us and let us meet again!"

"Yes, the merciful goddess Elune also heard the prayer, and she sent her messenger, Lord Elwing and his companions, who rescued you from the shadow of Maraudon."

He said this reverently, attributing the credit to his faith.

Alvin stood aside. Although he had no idea what specific areas the so-called goddess Elune was in charge of, he just touched his nose because it was sincere praise.

What followed was naturally a scene of endless gratitude.

Tanika finally and carefully lowered Naralex back to the ground, but one hand still held his arm tightly, as if afraid he would run away.

She, her father Calgar, and several tauren elders who were able to stand up expressed their most sincere gratitude to Alvin, Shandris, and Akalitrassa.

Village chief Kalga even wanted to salute again, but Alvin quickly held him back.

The look that Tanika gave Naralex was so hot that it could almost melt steel. She rubbed her big head against his shoulder without any hesitation, which made Naralex feel embarrassed and happy. He could only whisper, "It's okay, I'm glad you're back."

Taking advantage of the commotion, Alvin turned to the old chieftain, Calgar, and asked, "Village Chief Calgar, please forgive my curiosity. From what I understand, Desolace isn't a place of abundant vegetation. Why would the tauren choose to settle here? The environment here seems quite harsh."

The old minotaur sighed heavily, and helplessness appeared in his huge bull eyes.

"You are right, venerable benefactor. This is not the home our people long for. We originally lived on the fertile grasslands of Mulgore for generations. Later, some of our people went out to explore the wastelands and headed for the Thousand Needles, while others continued to explore south, eventually entering the jungles of Feralas. And our tribe, alas, has come here by fate."

He shook his head,

"We've long wanted to abandon this barren land and return home. But the centaurs, those damned marauders, have been a constant hindrance to us. They've blocked the relatively easy southern route, preventing us from safely traveling south through Desolace into Feralas and then back to Mulgore. So we can only make a huge detour—going north to Stonetalon Peak, then turning east, crossing the equally harsh northern Barrens, and then heading south to the Crossroads to finally return to Mulgore. It's a long and dangerous journey."

Naralex, standing nearby, stiffened slightly when he heard the words "return to Mulgore." He quickly looked at Tanika, his tone tinged with subtle nervousness, "Tanika... are you guys going back to Thunder Bluff?"

Seeing his instantly lost expression, Tanika suddenly understood and explained in her thunderous voice, "No, Naralex, I only escorted my father and the surviving villagers back to their homeland so that they can live out their old age in the protection of Thunder Bluff. I will come back for you! I swear!"

Her promise spoke loud and firm, clearing the haze from Naralex's eyes.

"Actually, following Chief Kargar's plan and going around the Barrens is far too risky. But the centaurs of Maraudon have been terrified by Akali's dragon might and won't dare to stop anyone anytime soon. Perhaps you don't need to take the long route anymore. You could head directly south from Desolace, into Feralas, and from there find a way back to Mulgore. This would be much closer and relatively safer."

Alvin mentioned it at the right time.

This news made the Tauren people overjoyed. They gathered together and discussed in low and excited voices, planning to return home along this newly opened road as soon as the wounded got better and recovered some strength.

The old village chief, Calgar, was also delighted, but as if suddenly remembering something, he raised his heavy head, his expression becoming somewhat serious. He said to Alvin and Shandris, "Dear guests, you just mentioned Feralas... My hunters recently brought back some disturbing news about that place. If you plan to travel there next, please be cautious."

His words immediately attracted the attention of Alvin and others.

"I heard from the goblin caravan that visited our village before that a group of suspicious individuals have recently gathered on a previously uninhabited island near the coast of Feralas. They are well-equipped and act in secret. They have captured many local natives and forced them to do hard labor. They seem to be digging or building something."

Karga paused, a look of vigilance flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Even stranger still, they reportedly sent people to try and infiltrate the cursed city - Dire Maul."

"Doomsday Maul?"

Alvin frowned. The name sounded ominous. He had gotten lost there many times in the past.

"What are they doing there? Hasn't it been abandoned for a long time?"

"No one knows the specific purpose of those lunatics."

Karga shook his head.

At this moment, Shantis took a step forward, her tone somewhat anxious.

"Elwin, I'm afraid something unexpected is going to happen. Dire Maul is not a simple abandoned city. It was once the ancient Highborne city of Eldre'Thalas, which survived the ancient Sundering but is shrouded in eternal curse. It is filled with mad ghosts, twisted magical artifacts, and sealed ancient knowledge. Frankly speaking, although that place is full of dangers, it is definitely a treasure trove full of forbidden temptations. If the Twilight's Hammer really finds something good there, the consequences will be unimaginable."