Theoretically, Quel'Thalas now has a total of five Grand Dukes, including the newly promoted Sharlayan.
The other four are the descendants of the four nobles who assisted Dath'Rema Sunstrider in making great contributions during the founding period.
However, after more than 7,000 years of changes in the times, although the four nobles still have their heritage, the people have long lost feelings such as admiration and yearning for them, and what remains is only awe caused by the status gap.
After the four nobles had an affair with the Amani Trolls and were purged by the previous king Anasteria, their reputation in the kingdom had fallen to the bottom, and their influence was no longer what it used to be.
The young talents of the four nobles, including Solanlian and Calpurnia, are trying hard to save their family's face. However, compared with Sarlayan, who has made great achievements in recent years, their performance is still not impressive enough.
Moreover, in the eyes of the people of Quel'Thalas who came to watch the ceremony, Sarlayan's promotion path was open and transparent, and he was rewarded every time for his great achievements.
In contrast, since the four major nobles are naturally noble, their descendants will be much taller than Sarlayan who was born into a minor noble.
The people of the high elves will unconsciously suspect that the reason why they are in high positions is only because of the nepotism secretly established among the great nobles.
And this is exactly what Kael'thas wants to see.
He deliberately made Sarlayan, who was promoted rapidly due to merit, as a role model. This was to rekindle the ambition of the high elves who had gradually become lazy and Buddhist because they had no way to rise, and further accelerate Quel'Thalas.
development and reform process.
Unless there are special circumstances, the Grand Duke is the pinnacle of all nobles.
In some small countries where central power is not centralized enough, a grand duke is even qualified to build his own fiefdom into an independent grand duchy, which is only nominally under the management of a higher-level kingdom.
Sarlayan did not have the time to build a grand duchy. It was precisely because of his indifferent attitude towards holding power that two generations of Sun Kings trusted Sarlayan and never worried that he would rebel.
After patiently cooperating with Kael'thas to perform the reward and the subsequent celebration banquet drama, Sarlayan said goodbye to the nobles at all levels who had repeatedly saved him, and returned to the distant place with Valeera and others without any regrets.
Unicorn City in the southern part of Eversong Forest.
After returning to his own territory, Sarlayan, who had been smiling so hard recently that his face was cramped, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ha~ The boring social interactions are finally over."
Rubbing his slightly stiff cheeks with his hands, Sarlayan looked at the family members following him.
"Next, I may have to retreat for a period of time to consolidate the state after the breakthrough." qqxsnew
"After all, I will have to inform Malfurion, Tyrande and others about the relevant insights in the future. After all, I still need to sort out the relevant wording of the manuscript first."
"What about you? What are your plans?"
The Burning Legion was defeated, and there was no movement from the Old God faction and the Death Side for the time being. Azeroth had indeed begun to enter a period of relative peace.
Although he had just been promoted to a noble title, since he usually took care of the affairs of the territory in an orderly manner, the management of the Grand Duke of Shenying did not need to make many adjustments.
As long as nothing major happens, Sarlayan can safely assign affairs in the territory to those officials at all levels who are already skilled.
Valeera and Stellagosa, who are in charge of secretarial work, can also take a rare vacation and have a good rest.
Stellagosa was the first to speak: "Since you have taken the lead in breaking through from behind, I can't lag too far behind you."
"I plan to return to the Demonic Nexus to practice hard, and strive to cross the final threshold as soon as possible under the guidance of my grandfather and His Majesty Malygos."
Sarlayan nodded and encouraged the little star with firm eyes: "Come on, I believe you can do it."
"Ha~" Onyxia yawned lazily and leaned against Sarlayan without standing up: "I'm still the same as before. You can find me at any time in the entertainment street in the city."
Sarlayan rolled his eyes angrily: "Okay, but you should take it easy, be careful not to be overtaken by Stella and me."
"Haha~" Onyxia smiled nonchalantly: "It's not that easy. Even if you are all geniuses among geniuses, the road ahead still needs to be walked slowly step by step. If you want to catch up with me, it will be difficult.
It’s not that easy.”
"But... you are right."
Onyxia moved her delicate and white neck: "Considering that Azeroth is destined to have many big things happening in the future, I will take some time to practice every day... although I don't know how effective it will be."
According to Onyxia, an experienced person, after entering the realm of demigods, it is difficult to achieve immediate results just by practicing hard. In more cases, you need to rely on your own enlightenment to advance your strength.
This is why many high-level demons in the Burning Legion are stuck in the embarrassing position of demigod goalkeeper, especially the simple-minded abyss lords.
Before entering the demigod realm, Sharlayan could quickly enhance his strength through self-disciplined daily practice and actual combat training. It was precisely through his unremitting efforts that he was able to catch up with Malfurion and Malfurion in just ten years.
Tyrande and other powerful veterans.
But that’s where it ends.
During this period, Sarlayan himself could vaguely feel that since the breakthrough, the effect of daily training was not as good as before.
Since he has never been able to find time to patiently comprehend the new realm, Sarlayan has been standing still in the past few days after his breakthrough, making almost no progress.
After finally having some free time, Sarlayan planned to analyze and sort out the rules for progress after becoming a demigod, and also pave the way for Little Star, Valeela and others who would step into this realm sooner or later in the future.
Valeela habitually fiddled with a small throwing knife on her fingers: "Uncle Welles... or His Majesty Kael'thas gave me a long vacation."
"It just so happens that I also plan to take this opportunity to practice hard in seclusion and see if I can make a second breakthrough before Stella."
"Oh?" Little Xingxing, who has always had a gentle temperament, suddenly became competitive. She looked at Valeela with interest and said slightly provocatively: "Then let's compete. The winner can get a month to replace the other party.
Eligibility for 'scheduling'."
Valeela agreed without any sign of weakness: "Okay, it's a deal."
"Ah this..." Sarlayan complained speechlessly: "Why are you betting so bad? Why do you insist on betting on this?"
Valeela and Stellagosa, who were high in fighting spirit, said in unison: "It is this kind of lottery that can better stimulate the desire to win, so just leave it alone."
Sarlayan shrugged helplessly: "Yes, yes, it's up to you."
"Where are Gianna and Little Tina?"
"Me~" Jaina smiled bitterly and shook her head: "I am not as free as you. Ronin has not yet secured his position as Kirin Tor Speaker. I want to take advantage of this period of peace to go back and help him. It's just the right time.
It can also consolidate my position as a member of parliament."
Jaina had just broken through to become an archmage, and she was still a long way from reaching the threshold of a demigod. There was no need for her to rush into seclusion and practice hard.
Due to the invasion of the Burning Legion and the threat of the Scourge, the Kirin Tor Council temporarily put aside its internal strife and united with the outside world.
With the arrival of peacetime, Dalaran, which is no longer threatened by the outside world, will inevitably restart internal strife, and Modera is likely to take action against Ronin, whose position is not yet stable.
"Okay." Sarlayan rubbed Jaina's head: "If you need help, please contact us at any time. With my current influence, Modera will be more or less willing to take action."
Jaina narrowed her blue eyes like she did when she was a child, enjoying the moment of intimacy with a smile.
"I know~ I won't be polite when I need to use off-site support."
Tinagosa looked hesitantly for a while before making a decision: "Since you all have your own personal affairs to be busy with, I will follow Jaina to Dalaran for a while. It just so happens.
I can help her."
"Then it's settled."
Sarlayan patted Tina's little head encouragingly: "Let's start with a period of two months. If there are no special circumstances, everyone will return home after two months to report on their latest progress."
"When everyone is finished with their personal affairs, let's find a tourist destination to relax. In the words of Kael'thas... learn to let go of anxiety and enjoy life?"