Harry Potter: Journey to Godhood

The embrace between the two lasted for quite a while before Janice finally pulled away.

When Alaric once again met her beautiful gaze, he noticed that although her eyes were still slightly red, her complexion had improved noticeably, she no longer looked as weary as before.

Janice was indeed worthy of becoming an Archmage.

Though weakness might momentarily show itself in her, it could never truly take hold. In this regard, she far surpassed most women born into noble families.

After the Barov family lost all its male heirs, this female mage had indeed stepped forward to become the pillar of her entire household.

Now, Janice looked at Alaric with a gaze full of nostalgia, reminiscing with him.

"Little one, it's been nearly a year since we parted ways in Dalaran, hasn't it?

I never expected that the boy who once had to study basic magic around the clock would become such an important figure in the Alliance."

Their friendship had begun when Alaric published his theory on Transfiguration magic.

The groundbreaking nature of that theory was so earth-shattering that even Janice, who had been residing in Alterac at the time, couldn't resist making the journey to Dalaran just to meet him.

Perhaps it was the motherly instinct within her, Alaric was about the same age as her sons, but from the beginning, she had taken a strong interest in the boy.

She had helped him greatly during his intense studies of Azeroth's magic.

Hearing Janice's words, Alaric frowned helplessly.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me 'little one.' I'm not a child."

Counting his past life and experiences across multiple worlds, he was definitely the older one between them.

But in the face of his rebuttal, Janice acted like a mischievous older sister, or perhaps an indulgent elder teasing a junior. She waved him off carelessly.

"Alright, little one. I get it, little one."

Seeing that she had no intention of correcting herself, Alaric could only roll his eyes. "Whatever. As long as you're happy."

His helpless expression made her laugh again.

Seeing that her smile had regained a trace of its former radiance, Alaric kept a stern face, but in his heart, he was relieved.

He hoped this female mage could soon move past her grief.

After chatting about old times and updating each other on recent events, the conversation finally turned to more serious matters.

"So, your presence here means the Alliance has noticed the Horde's movements in Alterac, right?" Janice asked.

"Actually, I was the one who noticed the Horde," Alaric shook his head and said vaguely.

"Ever since Orgrim escaped from the valley, I've been keeping an eye on the Alterac Mountains, watching for any Horde activity. It wasn't until today that I spotted something suspicious."

"I see," Janice looked slightly disappointed but quickly perked up again. "So, as long as you send this intel back to the Alliance, reinforcements will arrive in Alterac, correct?"

"Of course," Alaric nodded.

"That's wonderful," Janice said excitedly, then began to vent, "Most of the Barov family's territory has been seized by those beasts.

Many of our subjects and a large portion of our wealth were destroyed by them. I hope the Alliance can send help soon so we can reclaim everything. The Barov family will be sure to repay the Alliance generously."

Alaric nodded at her request, but his expression grew hesitant, as if something weighed on his mind.

Noticing his look, Janice felt a twinge of unease and asked directly.

"What is it? Did the Alliance run into trouble?"

"No, it's not about the Alliance."

Alaric shook his head. After carefully considering his words, he looked at Janice and said, "It's… about the Kingdom of Alterac and the Barov family."

The mention of the Barov family's troubles made Janice's face grow more solemn. She straightened up and met Alaric's gaze.

"I'm listening."

"Alterac's betrayal may have caused trouble for the Alliance, but now that it's been discovered, the Alliance can handle it appropriately," Alaric said confidently.

"But… have you considered what happens after?"

"After?"

"Yes. Once the Alliance has completely defeated the Horde, what do you think will become of Alterac?"

"Alterac's fate…" Janice fell into thought. "Either the other kingdoms will abandon the original Perenolde royal family and install a new monarch, or they'll simply divide up Alterac's lands.

After all, Alterac has territorial disputes with its neighbors. The royal house of Stromgarde has never had a good relationship with Alterac. If the kingdom falls, then the Barov family…"

At that thought, Janice's expression suddenly changed.

In a trembling voice, she spoke of a nearly inevitable future.

"...Without Alterac's political protection, the Barov family will likely… be carved up as well…"

The Barovs and Alterac had always had a mutually beneficial relationship, one provided political and military support, the other economic resources. If one side fell, the other wouldn't last long either.

Janice Barov's face turned ashen.

If the Horde occupying their lands was a temporary issue, then being partitioned by the other human kingdoms would be a nearly unsolvable crisis.

After all, the Horde's rampage was short-lived. It was the human kingdoms that truly ruled over the lands of Lordaeron.

She sank into deep thought, trying desperately to come up with a way out of this impending disaster.

If the Barov family still held all their lands, they could rely on their generational wealth to barely hold their ground.

But now, most of their lands were already in the hands of the Horde, and much of their wealth had been plundered.

And once the Alliance reclaimed those lands from the Horde, trying to take them back from the other kingdoms would be next to impossible.

Having reached no conclusion, Janice turned her gaze to Alaric.

Looking at the mage who now held considerable prestige within the Alliance, her eyes began to shine with a desperate hope, as if she had found a final lifeline.

She tightly grasped Alaric's hands and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Little one… now, only you can save the Barov family."

"Me?" Alaric gave a helpless chuckle. "I'm just a regular mage. I hold no power in the other human kingdoms. How could I possibly save the Barov family?"

"No, you can!" Janice gripped his hands even tighter. "Don't underestimate yourself. Right now, you're the second most important figure in the Alliance.

You've earned enormous military merit in this war against the Horde. No king in any human kingdom can afford to ignore your influence. When the time comes, if you speak up, they'll have to listen."

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