"Leave it to me. I'll need the Black Dragonflight's help. Before we enter the Molten Core, I need to defeat their minions, the Dark Iron Dwarves," Arthas said, taking charge. "If you need anything in the future, just tell me directly. I'll do what I can."
Onyxia hesitated, her beautiful eyes revealing her worry. "But Ragnaros is very strong. You don't have a chance of winning against him. The Firelord is not so easy to deal with. He is the lord of the fire elemental plane, and his true strength is actually at the peak of the Demigod level. Even though he hasn't recovered to Demigod strength yet, his methods are still very difficult to counter."
"As long as he's not a Demigod, it's fine. If it really comes down to it, you can still step in. Don't worry, we will win!" Arthas took out the Life Essence and fed it to the slumbering Titan soul. Titans were powerful; even a slumbering, weakened Titan was not something other creatures could handle. And there were vast differences in power among Titans. Even the weakest Titan could kick a Demigod and crush a whole bunch of Heroic Tier beings. And among Titans, they could instantly kill each other. With great power came a harder fist.
Eonar's soul briefly awakened, and the power it brought was enough to put Onyxia's mind at ease. After all, this was a Titan, the very being who had helped her inherit the Guardian Power.
Blinking her beautiful eyes, Onyxia remembered that a Titan's soul was slumbering within her husband. Only she knew this secret, and she would never tell anyone.
"You're my husband, so you call the shots!"
With the strategic direction set, the next step was to face the Dark Iron Dwarves. They were the first barrier blocking their way into the Molten Core. If they didn't know what was good for them, then they would all be eliminated.
Two days later, Arthas received a batch of special trinkets from Muradin. They were made from molten ore and were about the size of a square floor tile. Their main function was to absorb heat.
"This is molten ore. It can absorb a large amount of thermal energy. If a mage uses it, they can even use the thermal energy inside as fuel and shoot it out with even greater power!" Muradin even demonstrated how to use it. From this, it was clear he was a very competent teacher.
"These trinkets are quite powerful. Would they be useful outside?" Arthas stroked his chin. The Dwarves knew Ragnaros was slumbering, which was why they dared to attack the Dark Iron Dwarves. Otherwise, who in their right mind would want to pick a fight with a Firelord made entirely of magma? That would just be asking for trouble.
"They're useless! They can only be used in this specific situation, and if you don't use them for a long time, these blocks will become scalding hot," Muradin stated the truth plainly. These things were only useful in Blackrock Mountain; they were mostly useless elsewhere. It's like a monk having no use for a comb. Same principle.
After distributing the trinkets, Arthas selected a portion of his elite troops. These were captives from the Warsong clan, with Orcs from the Burning Blade Clan serving as captains to manage them, interspersed with a few veterans. This would ensure maximum effectiveness and also serve as a way to get rid of the troublemakers and the Orcs still affected by the Demon Blood. Since they were so warlike, he would let them fight to their hearts' content!
Boom! The thick, heavy gate was blasted open by explosives, and the Dwarven soldiers from Ironforge charged in, roaring.
Opposite them were the Dark Iron Dwarves, arrayed for battle. Both sides fired at each other with black powder firearms.
Clang, clang, clang! Bullets struck shields, producing crisp sounds. The mortar team in the rear calibrated their aim, awaiting their captain's command.
"Fire! Blast them to bits! Five-round volley, fire!" the artillery commander ordered.
Boom! Boom! Boom! A continuous barrage of shells traced arcs through the air and landed in the Dark Iron Dwarves' formation, sending the still-firing Dwarves flying. In an instant, many Dark Iron Dwarves fell to the ground, coughing up blood. Just as the priests in the rear were about to heal them, an arrow tore through the air and pierced a throat!
The sounds of battle cries, screams, and clashing cold weapons filled the air as death spread relentlessly.
Arthas led a squad to charge at the forefront, leaving the rest of the army under Brigitte's command. The Naga hadn't joined the battle at all; in this scorching environment, their scales would probably crack before they even arrived.
Clang, clang, clang! The Holy Light shield Arthas threw bounced continuously among the Dark Iron Dwarves. Those who were hit became extremely angry, clearly Enraged.
"Bloodlust!" Arthas's expression turned crazed. The longsword in his hand brutally cleaved a Dark Iron Dwarf, shield and all, in two. He himself was struck by two longspears, but his shield blocked the attacks at just the right moment. Even in the midst of his frenzied hacking, his blocks were effective, and almost no attack could break through his defense.
"Ah!" The reflected damage made the attacker cry out in pain. He hadn't taken any damage, but his attacker was grievously injured.
A tangible red Rage swirled around his body; this was the Enraged state. In this furious state, his attack speed and power increased significantly.
Pfft! An axe struck his body, but Arthas didn't even bat an eye. In his frenzied state, even his sense of pain was greatly diminished.
A shield bash sent the opponent staggering back, followed by a backhanded Bloodlust strike. A thick surge of blood transformed into energy and entered his body, pulling his declining health back up. He grew stronger as he fought. This process of constantly fighting within a chaotic melee was simply too exhilarating!
On the other side, Brigitte advanced according to the three-man cell infantry tactic Arthas had implemented, supported by priests and mages from the rear, with Dwarf Riflemen providing covering fire from the middle. The shield-bearing warriors pressed forward relentlessly, compressing the Dark Iron Dwarves' battle line bit by bit.
Not long after the engagement began, they pushed forward to a wide plaza. Its ceiling was as high as a normal building, which was already very high for Dwarves.
A squad of Dark Iron Dwarves, leading Fire Elementals wreathed in roaring flames, stood in formation. Behind them was a Dwarf with explosive muscles, a full beard, and crimson eyes. A name hovered above his head: "Dagran Thaurissan."
"Dagran! Release my daughter!" Magni roared in fury, smashing the head of a Dark Iron guard blocking his path with his hammer.
"Moira and I are truly in love. Go back to your Ironforge. You are not welcome here!" King Thaurissan managed to keep his composure, but the bulging veins on his forehead showed he was suppressing his anger as he spoke.