As time drew closer to the moment the Dark Portal would open, more and more events began to present themselves more frequently to Andreas and all the living beings of Azeroth.
The trouble with Saronite was just one of them—a problem that was quite difficult to solve... or rather, to eradicate.
The root of Saronite came from Yogg-Saron. If one wanted to completely eliminate future worries without side effects, killing Yogg-Saron once and for all would be the most suitable method.
However, anyone could guess that this would be incredibly difficult. Setting aside Yogg-Saron himself for a moment, his loyal lackey Loken currently controlled Ulduar and the Forge of Wills.
If they could not find a way to seize the authority held by Loken first, the Night Elves would eventually be bogged down by an endless army of Titan-forged.
The three Old Gods each had their own minions. From the current perspective, the most powerful faction was undoubtedly Yogg-Saron, who had corrupted the Titanic Watchers. This Saronite, growing unscrupulously from the ground, was a symbol of his arrogance.
"Hehe~" Xal'atath laughed sinisterly. "That guy finally couldn't help himself. Although Yogg-Saron is the most powerful of the three existing Old Gods, his patience is far inferior to N'Zoth's. Should we take this opportunity to chop off his claws?"
"It's not that easy."
Andreas shook his head and said, "Even if we could successfully break into Ulduar, the losses for the Night Elf Republic would be immense."
"Considering the low birth rate of the Night Elves, I do not advocate for this method. Once the Republic exhausts its military strength, who will be left to solve the next difficult problem? It's not worth it for just one Yogg-Saron."
"Oh?"
Xal'atath understood the hidden meaning in Andreas's words. "You want to find a race with a high reproductive capacity to act as cannon fodder? Do you have a suitable candidate?"
"Of course I do." Andreas smiled silently. "The time for their rise shouldn't be far off."
...
Although Aurora hadn't exactly lived in luxury due to Andreas's strict requirements, her living conditions were indeed far superior to what children from ordinary civilian families could hope for in a lifetime.
Having seen many precedents where "a doting mother spoils the child," Andreas had an open and honest discussion with Shandris about Aurora's upbringing plan when she was still very young.
Neither of them intended to interfere much in Aurora's future direction. They would only objectively tell her the pros and cons of various industries and let her choose the path she wanted to take.
Born in an era of peace, Aurora had little interest in fighting and killing. However, being naturally gifted, she still followed her parents' requirements and learned "self-defense" techniques from Aunt Celeste.
It was only after she grew up that Aurora realized these self-defense and "juggling" techniques were actually Arcane magic—one of the forms of the fighting and killing she disliked.
The tricked Aurora puffed out her cheeks in protest to her parents and Celeste, but the die was cast, and she could only choose to accept reality.
After more than 2,000 years, Aurora had grown into a graceful young woman.
Even though Andreas and Shandris had announced that their daughter had no interest in political or military families, families still flocked to Moonshadow Manor to request marriage alliances.
Knowing that Aurora loved art, the young men of the current generation felt embarrassed to tell others they were from prestigious families if they couldn't sing a few lines of poetry, paint a few pictures, or play a few instruments.
However, Aurora, who had been educated by her father's "100 Rules of Anti-Wolf Education" since childhood, had no interest in these peacocks displaying their feathers; she could see the impure motives in their eyes at a glance.
Using the excuse that she was still young and didn't want to consider marriage for the time being, Aurora lived freely under the protection of her parents and elders.
Andreas was worried that Aurora might become addicted to the Emerald Dream like the Druids, so he never allowed her to enter the dream world casually.
This rare opportunity was something Aurora didn't want to miss. She wanted to see for herself just how charming the dream world was that made the Druids linger so long.
Entering the dream under the care of the Druids of the Cenarion Circle, Aurora regained consciousness to find herself within the Emerald Dream.
An adult Green Dragon, rarely seen in the physical world, flapped its wings and flew before her. While Aurora was still a bit dazed, it spoke: "You must be Aurora, daughter of Speaker Moonshadow? Please come with me. The Druids have already told us the general situation."
"Ah? Oh..."
'It doesn't seem like anything special, just towering plants everywhere.'
Aurora followed the Green Dragon through a green portal in a daze, successfully arriving at the Pillar of Sky Peak in the center of the dream world.
'Teleportation? It's a bit different from the teleportation spells I know.'
Following the Green Dragon to a huge cave, Aurora obediently waited at the entrance as instructed.
"Lady Ysera, I am Itharius. Aurora, the daughter of Speaker Moonshadow, seeks an audience."
"Andreas's daughter?"
A gentle, slightly surprised voice came from the cave. "I see. Let her in."
"Yes. Miss Aurora, please."
'Hmph~'
Aurora wasn't fond of others calling her "Speaker Moonshadow's daughter." She believed it wasn't based on respect for her as an individual, but rather currying favor because of her father.
Entering the cave, what greeted Aurora's eyes was a massive Green Dragon with an elegant posture and a kind gaze.
"So... so big."
Aurora's cute reaction of opening her mouth slightly made Ysera let out a happy, low-pitched chuckle.
"Aurora, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Ysera the Dreamer. Andreas has finally been willing to let you enter the Emerald Dream."
Aurora quickly returned the greeting politely. "Greetings, Lady Ysera. I am Aurora Moonshadow. It is an honor to meet you as well."
Turning to business, Ysera's expression turned serious. "I have heard a rough summary from the Druids. What exactly happened in Moonsong Forest?"
"It's like this..."
Aurora described the strange ore they had found on the border of Moonsong Forest to Ysera.
"Pale green ore that can absorb surrounding life force?"
Ysera frowned and murmured to herself, "It sounds like Fel energy, but it shouldn't be, right?"
Aurora nodded. "Father said they come from the Old Gods. If not handled properly, they might spread to all of Northrend. He hopes the Dragon Aspects will take this matter seriously."
Hearing the mention of the Old Gods, Ysera's eyes suddenly became sharp, giving the attentive Aurora quite a shock.
'What terrifying pressure.'
Ysera's aura was released and withdrawn instantly. She said apologetically, "Sorry, did I scare you?"
"I will arrange things in the dream as quickly as possible and head to the physical world. Please tell Andreas that I will help notify the Blue, Black, and Red dragons."
"Okay."
A look of curiosity flashed in Aurora's eyes. "Don't the Bronze Dragons need to be notified?"
Ysera gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "No need. I think they must have known about this long ago. Perhaps a representative of the Bronze Dragons has already arrived at Wyrmrest Temple to wait."
'Oh? Those mustard-yellow dragons are that powerful?'
Since the Tanaris desert had long since fallen into the hands of the Night Elf Republic, Aurora had seen Bronze Dragons in the desert when she used to badger her father and mother to travel around the Kalimdor continent.
'I'll ask Father after I get out. Speaking of which, why does he rarely mention the Bronze Dragons to me?'
...
When Aurora emerged from the dream world, Andreas was sitting at his desk not far away, inspecting a piece of Saronite ore.
"Is it done?"
"Yes, Lady Ysera said she would convene the four dragonflights as soon as possible."
"By the way, Dad."
With no outsiders around, Aurora's attitude relaxed considerably. she approached Andreas with a smile and asked, "Why did you rarely mention the Bronze Dragons to me before?"
"That..."
Andreas rubbed his daughter's long blue-purple hair, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Because I don't have a good relationship with them. You'll understand once you come with me to Wyrmrest Temple this time."