Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1366 The Pontiff’s Gamble and the Great Exodus

"Jack, what do you think? Is this feasible?"

Valerius shifted his gaze toward the Clown, posing the question directly. Since the Clown was the solitary member of their group who had actually engaged in combat with the Atlantean Demigods, his perspective was considered the most authoritative.

"It’s worth a shot," the Clown answered, his expression masked behind a static, painted grin.

There was no reason for him to object. Should the recruitment prove successful, he would reap the prestige of the achievement. It would result in a formidable new ally joining the Cult of Four’s network—someone who would be indebted to them.

As for his intentions to promote the Witch? Those ambitions would simply have to be delayed. Long-term maneuvers demanded a patient approach.

Lurking in the shadows, the Witch felt a surge of bitter resentment rising within her.

She and the Clown had traveled to the Silverwood Realm with two specific goals: the destruction of the Champions Alliance and the seduction of Pontiffs Yriel and Valerius to their cause. These milestones were intended to be the foundation of her rise to power.

Instead, Atlantis had risen from the depths, completely overturning her strategic chessboard.

Damn it... damn it all.

Why was this happening?

She fixed a burning glare on the Clown’s back. Why are you agreeing to this? Why aren't you fighting for me?

However, the Clown paid no mind to her stare, continuing his casual conversation with the other Pontiffs as if she were completely invisible.

Titanion Realm, Human Kingdom

Rumors regarding the approaching dimensional collision and the coming Great Change had initially circulated as quiet whispers among the high-ranking elite.

The monarchs, the arch-mages, and the patriarchs of the Great Houses were the first to be informed. In total secrecy, they prepared by liquidating assets and reinforcing their strongholds. Only after their personal safety was guaranteed did the news begin to trickle down to the masses.

Terror did not erupt instantly; it seeped through the social strata.

Paradoxically, the panic didn't originate with the slaves or the common folk, who possessed nothing to lose. Instead, the hysteria began with the middle class—the minor nobility and landed gentry whose properties were located far from the protection of the metropolitan centers.

They witnessed the Great Houses selling off their holdings. They saw the gold-laden caravans trekking toward the capital. It became clear to them that they were being abandoned.

Fear acted like a virus. It jumped from the nobles to the merchants, and from the merchants to the soldiers. Before long, even the massive cities were saturated with the stench of impending doom.

While the majority of the nobility fought desperately for a spot in the congested capitals, a few cunning individuals—and those with no other options—searched for an alternative path.

In Soaring Bird City, the atmosphere was markedly different.

A day after Kronos arrived with his personal elite guard, Ava, the city's governor and the eldest Princess of the Kingdom, stood before the central plaza.

"Citizens of Soaring Bird," her voice echoed, projected into every alleyway by magical arrays. "I am Princess Ava. It is with a heavy heart that I must confirm the truth of the rumors. The invasion is coming. Our world is being transformed."

A profound silence gripped the assembly.

"A disaster is approaching that these stone walls cannot repel. As your leader, my obligation is to protect your lives, not these buildings."

She paused to steady her resolve.

"Consequently, I am hereby dissolving the administration of Soaring Bird City."

Shouts of surprise echoed throughout the plaza.

"You are faced with two paths. You may gather your things and travel toward the Kingdom's central hubs. I will grant travel permits to anyone who requests one. The Kingdom will not forsake you."

This was a falsehood, and the crowd knew it.

A travel permit was merely a scrap of paper. During such upheaval, refugees carrying their life's wealth were nothing more than walking targets for thieves. The paths would be crawling with bandits—many of whom were likely former soldiers or starving commoners turned into predators.

Even if they reached their destination, the central cities would drain them of every coin before granting entry.

Ava waited, allowing the grim reality to be understood. She loathed this situation. As royalty, she had been groomed to safeguard her subjects. Deserting the city felt like a stain on her lineage.

"Or," she resumed, her tone strengthening, "you can choose the second option."

"To our north lies the lands of the Blood Elves, and beyond that... the Stoneheart Horde."

"That is the territory of a Demigod. It is a fortress that will remain standing when all others crumble."

She pointed toward the massive presence standing at her side.

"This is my son, Kronos. He is the Young Lord of this city, and he is a Prince of the Stoneheart Giants."

Kronos moved to the front.

He manifested his True Form—a gargantuan titan of muscle and stone, possessing four heads and eight arms, resembling a living iron pagoda.

He offered no words. He simply unleashed his aura.

BOOM!

A tidal wave of Legendary-level pressure swept across the square. It was heavy, oppressive, and undeniably dominant.

The crowd gasped in shock, their eyes wide with reverence. For many, this was their first time witnessing a Lord-class powerhouse.

Ava smiled with pride. This was her son. He was more than a warrior; he was a genius. He was destined to become an Arch Lord, or perhaps even a Demigod like his father.

Because of his immense strength, she was no longer a woman hidden away. She was no longer a source of shame kept in the dark. Kronos had marched into the Giant King’s court and demanded her rightful place.

"Kronos offers you his protection," Ava declared, her voice filled with newfound confidence.

"He possesses the strength to shield you within the Stoneheart territories."

"Pack whatever you can carry. Follow us. We depart for Stoneheart City tomorrow at dawn."

"I give you my word: your lives will be guarded, and your property will remain your own."

That was the deciding factor.

Soaring Bird City served as a commercial hub. Its inhabitants—merchants, mercenaries, and artisans—had prospered by facilitating trade between the Human Kingdom, the Blood Elves, and the Giants. They were pragmatists. They recognized the importance of a powerful protector.

The cleverest among them, who understood the need to hedge their bets, had already shifted their wealth into Giant territory. To them, this wasn't a desperate flight; it was a strategic move.

"You have one day to make your choice," Ava finished. "We leave from the North Gate at sunrise."

The speech was over, but the real labor was only beginning.

"Princess! What will happen to our shops?"

"Will the Giants prey on us?"

"Are we allowed to bring our animals?"

The crowd rushed forward, filling the air with a barrage of questions. Ava remained, addressing each concern one by one, her anxiety replaced by the exhausting, focused work of leadership. She had an entire city to relocate.