Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1360 Silence and fear

"You are definitely underestimating the Giant King."

Setting his drink down, Cloudsong pushed a dish of shimmering, fried golden strips toward his guest. "Go ahead. Give one a try."

The stranger took the offer without hesitation. He grabbed a strip and bit in, a sharp, audible crunch filling the quiet space of their booth.

"Extremely crispy. It has a triple-spice blend... savory, with a trailing heat. What exactly is this?"

It was a high-quality snack—the ideal salty companion to cut through the thickness of a dark ale.

"It is an insect."

Cloudsong smirked, observing the man's expression. "To be precise, it's a grub protected by a carapace. If you strip away the fried coating, the shell becomes visible."

To prove his point, Cloudsong tossed one into his mouth, making a show of the loud crunching sound.

The stranger froze. He remained silent, merely picking up another strip and giving it a momentary glance before consuming it whole. He did not bother peeling it this time. However, his pace of chewing slowed as his gaze drifted, his mind clearly processing the deeper meaning behind the snack.

"Brilliant," the stranger remarked at last, swallowing the mouthful. "Truly brilliant."

"Is that so?"

"You are using their stomachs to desensitize the masses, aren't you? It is a clever tactic to slowly dissolve their terror."

Cloudsong lifted his goblet in a mocking salute. "Your perception remains as keen as ever." Leaning back, he maintained a relaxed posture, though his eyes sparkled with intensity. "The Silent Goblet is more than just a tavern; it is the source of all trends. Whatever vintage we pour or dish we create... within a week, every inn and public house on the continent will be imitating it."

The bard waved a hand toward the plate. "Just think about it. Once this becomes a craze, legions of hunters and mercenaries will be prowling the wilds. They won't be fleeing from these bugs; they will be tracking them down for the kitchen."

Cloudsong was radiating pride. As transmigrators from a different world, they held a level of foresight that the natives simply could not match. They understood that a clash between the two worlds was unavoidable. The recent signs in the sky were merely the opening act—a glaring warning that the end of days was approaching.

"I also received word that the inner city Colosseum released high-value bounties this morning," the stranger noted. "They are seeking insectoid slaves that are capable of combat."

"Ah, the Colosseum. That is the other marvel of this metropolis," Cloudsong reflected. "The solitary location in the inner sanctum where social rank is irrelevant. Even commoners can enter without being harassed by the guards."

"Do you understand the weight of this?" The stranger’s tone shifted, becoming grave and analytical.

"Enlighten me."

"The inhabitants here... they are evolving from the hunted into the hunters."

Having crossed through many realms and witnessed the rise and fall of various peoples, the stranger sensed the changing tides. The mental fortitude of the city was becoming tempered.

"So," Cloudsong said, swirling the liquid in his glass. "Is this why you have arrived? To set up a branch of the Mercenaries' Guild for your people?"

The stranger shook his head. "You are well aware that this territory is already spoken for. If we attempted to plant our flag here, we would be reduced to ash before the sun rose." He pointed out the window toward a massive, spire-like building in the distance—the Seeker's headquarters.

"A valid point." Cloudsong nodded as the logic clicked. "Then what is your purpose?"

"We have come for the Princess."

"Her Highness, Elara?"

"Precisely."

Cloudsong blinked in shock before the realization hit him. "Right. I had forgotten. You are a mage as well."

"You intend to scout her?"

The stranger confirmed with a nod. "You cannot comprehend the influence a genuine prodigy exerts on a magic-based faction. Providing her with a guild that can offer proper Cultivation guidance isn't just beneficial for her—it is vital for the Stoneheart Horde. If she aligns with us, the Stoneheart Horde secures a massive edge in the coming chaos."

It was a perfect tactical move. A scenario where everyone gained. The faction acquired a genius, the girl gained strength, and the city gained powerful partners. He felt certain she would accept.

"Well, I wish you luck with that endeavor," Cloudsong replied, backing away from the subject. Dealing with the internal politics of the Stoneheart royal family was a messy business, and as a bard, he preferred to document history rather than be crushed by its gears.

"My thanks." The stranger raised his glass, his eyes flashing with certainty.

With their formal business concluded, the two companions relaxed to catch up, as Cloudsong spent the night regaling him with stories of the peculiar traditions and wonders found within Stoneheart City.

Outer City, Stoneheart Military District

Deep in the subterranean levels, the glowing runes of a teleportation array sparked into life.

Kronos emerged from the shimmering light, flanked by his personal retinue. The soldiers moved with the heavy, disciplined steps of seasoned veterans, their eyes scanning for threats with lethal focus. These were men who had tasted blood and survived the horrors of war.

By contrast, Kronos appeared completely out of place at their head—a young child leading a pack of predatory wolves.

As they left the underground chamber and entered the crisp air of the military encampment, Kronos halted. He turned toward the guardians who had traveled with him from Soaring Bird City.

"Wait here. I must proceed to the castle alone."

His voice was youthful and high, yet it possessed a cold edge of authority that allowed for no contradiction.

"As you wish, Your Highness."

The Royal Castle, Main Hall

"Kronos offers his greetings, Father."

Kronos knelt upon the freezing stone floor, his head bowed deeply. He did not dare to raise his eyes.

Orion was seated upon his throne. He had ascended to the rank of a Demigod. To gaze upon him directly was to risk blindness, as the sheer pressure of his divine Qi was enough to burn the eyes of the weak.

Orion opened his eyes, letting his heavy gaze fall upon the small boy kneeling before him.

"I am pleased with the results of your actions in Blackstone City."

These were Orion's opening words. Though Kronos had not been raised under his direct supervision, the child had earned his acknowledgement.

"Request your reward."

In the past, the wealth and resources of the Stoneheart Horde had rarely reached Kronos. He had been an unproven outsider. But the situation had shifted. He now possessed military merit and the bloodline to justify his position. He had fought for his place in the hierarchy.

"Father," Kronos spoke, his voice unwavering. "I request a formal status for my mother. With the Great Change looming, I want to relocate her here, to Stoneheart City."

Ava had been a good mother to him. Regardless of her other flaws, she had raised a son who knew his duty.

Orion remained silent for a long interval, causing the atmosphere in the hall to grow suffocating. His thoughts traveled back through the years to the moment he had first taken Ava. Those memories were devoid of tenderness.

*Sigh.*

The sound vibrated through the massive chamber like a falling mountain.

"Her current predicament... is the consequence of her own overthinking. She was never particularly bright in such matters."

Orion’s voice deepened, rumbling with a strange blend of weariness and memory.

"When your mother was first brought before me, she was in chains. She was delivered to me by the Horde's warriors as a prize of war."

Orion sensed the emotional distance between himself and Kronos—a formality that was absent when he spoke with Pallas. However, blood was blood. He chose to close the distance the only way he knew how: by speaking the harsh truth.

He was unsure what fairy tales Ava had told the boy, but Orion intended to set the record straight. Kronos was considered an adult by their laws; he was capable of handling the reality of the situation.

For the hours that followed, the King spoke.

He told the tale of how he and Ava met, the friction of their early days, and the political and personal motivations that had kept Kronos in the human kingdom for so long.

"If she had simply approached your mother—Lilith—and stated her concerns clearly, her position would have been made official years ago," Orion finished, his tone heavy with exhaustion. "But she opted for secrecy and terror instead."