Five years had passed since the end of the War of the Ancients. For the first three years, Andreas had no choice but to accept the request of the overburdened Malfurion, busy "wiping the floor" for the rookie leader Tyrande in administrative affairs.
Andreas didn't believe he had performed any world-shaking work in this regard; at most, he had acted as a lubricant between the overly rigid Tyrande and the common populace.
However, in the two years since Andreas led his followers away, the residents of Annahis would occasionally find themselves missing the days when the "Moonshadow-Exarch" was still around.
It wasn't that Tyrande had done anything to earn public wrath, but her clumsy governing methods were quickly exposed once they lost the smoothing influence of Andreas.
Fandral, who replaced Andreas, was certainly capable, but this first-generation Druid had a short fuse and an emotional temperament. Once his blood was up, he often preferred to clash head-on without considering the consequences. While things hadn't quite reached the point of open hostility between him and Tyrande, the compatibility between the two was undeniably poor.
Although Fandral refrained from publicly dissing Tyrande out of respect for Malfurion, his private mockery of the High Priestess's management abilities inevitably leaked out.
"Tyrande simply doesn't know how to lead our people."
Andreas was quite surprised when he first heard this; he hadn't expected Fandral's famous quote to appear so early in history.
From the time he left Annahis to the founding of Moonshadow's Rest, Andreas had enjoyed very little leisure over the past two years. Between the development and management of the town, the preparation and establishment of the navy, the preliminary exploration of Darkshore, the defenses against Naga incursions, and the education of the growing Leticia, he was swamped.
With so many miscellaneous matters occupying him, Andreas had unknowingly let the casual promise he had made years ago slip his mind completely. He reached out and gently traced the signature at the bottom of the parchment letter, letting out a sentimental sigh.
"In the blink of an eye, five years have passed."
During these five years, Andreas' appearance had not changed in the slightest, but Leticia—the young girl who had lost her family—had gradually grown up. Recently, Andreas had begun entrusting some simple management tasks to her, allowing her to slowly accumulate experience.
After pondering alone in his room for a while, Andreas tucked the parchment back into his dimensional bag and stood up.
"Lety."
"In here, in here!"
Leticia, still chewing on a piece of fruit, poked her head through the doorway. "Looking for me?"
Andreas looked at his increasingly "free-spirited" apprentice with a conflicted expression. Leticia, who had once received a refined Highborne education, seemed to have... grown a bit "crooked" during these five and a half years of loose schooling?
He wasn't talking about her appearance. As she neared adulthood, Leticia had inherited the excellent genes of Lady Felitris. In recent years, many adolescent Night Elf youths—driven by surging hormones—had launched fierce pursuits of her, including but not limited to males...
However, Leticia maintained an impartial attitude toward all her suitors, rejecting them without exception. The arrogant nobility of the Highborne had gradually faded within her relaxed growing environment.
While the current Leticia still retained the elegant poise cultivated from her childhood, her unpretentious behavior gave her a level of approachability that was leagues above the pampered Highborne ladies in Annahis who still put on airs.
Rubbing his temples with a headache, Andreas beckoned Leticia over.
"The Tauren and Drogbar of Highmountain have sent a joint letter. I'll be going on a long journey soon."
Leticia's eyes lit up at this, her long elven ears twitching upright instantly. Finishing her fruit in a few bites, she grabbed Andreas's sleeve with hands still sticky with juice. Ignoring her mentor's look of utter disgust, she widened her watery eyes and acted cute.
"I want to go too, Andreas! Please take me with you, okay~?"
When Leticia first began living with Andreas, she had been extremely reserved, respectfully calling him "Mentor." But as years passed and their relationship shifted closer to that of a father and daughter, her attitude had become much more casual, and she had begun calling him by his name.
"No."
Andreas had long since become immune to this routine of acting cute. With an expressionless face, he curled his finger and gave the girl a light flick on the forehead.
"There is a very high probability of a direct confrontation with Deathwing on this trip to Highmountain. Although you've made significant progress these past few years, facing Deathwing is still far too early for you."
"Stay home like a good girl and assist Maclay in managing the territory for me. It's time you learned to focus your mind."
"Eh~" Leticia clutched her forehead, playing for sympathy. "Uncle Maclay is so boring. He keeps a straight face all day and does everything strictly by the book. There's no motivation at all working with him."
Maclay Pathstrider was one of the administrative officials Andreas had brought from Annahis. After two years of observation, Maclay's outstanding management abilities had allowed him to stand out from his colleagues, and three months ago, Andreas had appointed him as the provisional Administrator of Moonshadow's Rest.
However, despite his excellent work capability, Maclay had a glaring personality flaw: he was rigid. He handled everything strictly as official business and never showed personal favoritism. For this reason, Andreas had only given him the title of "provisional" administrator, intending to observe his performance for six months to a year.
Leticia did not care for the by-the-book Maclay. Every time she spoke with him, she felt as if she were talking to a self-disciplined Arcane construct.
Ruffling Leticia's purple hair, Andreas comforted her with a smile. "Don't be petulant. Consider it helping me evaluate his suitability for the position of Administrator."
"You know how capable Maclay is at his job. I need to assess how much his personality flaws will impact administrative efficiency."
"Fine..." Leticia pouted unhappily but ultimately agreed, albeit reluctantly. Her eyes darted around, and the Highborne girl asked mischievously, "Andreas, if I make a significant contribution while you're away, will you reward me when you get back?"
"Hmm?" Familiar with her antics, Andreas felt something was off as soon as he saw the smirk on her face. He asked back with a hint of wariness, "Why are you asking that? Let me be clear—you are not allowed to run wild as you please."
"Of course not." Leticia giggled, pulling on Andreas's left hand and swaying it. "Then it's a deal. You have to keep your promise when you return."
A deal for what? I haven't agreed to anything yet...
Andreas slapped his forehead helplessly and waved her off. "Fine, fine~ As long as you don't make trouble for Maclay, I'll thank the heavens."
"Hehe~ You can set off without a worry!"
If I could stop worrying, that would be a miracle... I better warn Maclay and the others before I leave.