Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1376 Bait

Time's significance vanished completely. In the end, Orion's eyes opened once more.

"I see."

Via the quiet pulse of his bloodline, Orion absorbed the full background on Kaelen.

He gave his approval.

Kaelen's urge to pursue and eliminate Arch Lord Emeric went beyond mere justification; it was essential. This echoed Orion's own grudge against Reynard for slaying his sister, Clymene.

Certain marks demanded cleansing by blood alone. Certain shames called for direct vengeance.

After Kaelen slays Emeric, the moment will come to escort him and his mother back home, Orion resolved.

Should Kaelen triumph, he would validate his capabilities. He would temper himself amid trials of hardship in a manner Kronos and Pallas never achieved. While Caelus stood as the genius Orion esteemed, Kaelen emerged as the resilient fighter Orion honored.

"He deserves a bigger battlefield," Orion whispered, shutting his eyes with a content grin. "He deserves the resources to burn and the space to grow."

Orion sank anew into the profound rest of godhood, his thoughts now serene.

Silverwood Realm, Current's Bend

Tension filled the air densely.

Beyond the free city of Atlantis, numerous warships floated on the ocean swells, their platforms crowded with knights clad in armor and Sea Race fighters. Yet the vessels themselves weren't the true peril. Trailing the fleet, a enormous form concealed itself below the waves, from time to time surfacing to unleash a deep, humming roar that rattled the structures of close ships.

It was the Sacred Beast belonging to the Cult of Four—Pontiff Valerius's own companion.

Within the profound halls of Atlantis, two groups faced one another.

To the left were the hosts: Leonidas, the First Grand Marshal, clad in splendid garments topped with dragon horns; the Abyssal Dreadfin Orion, in his hybrid human-beast shape; and Kraken, bearing a huge octopus perched on his head like a vital headdress.

Collectively, they formed a scene of ancient terrors—a set of beasts hardly restrained by mortal seating.

To the right were the visitors: The Clown, Valerius, Yriel, the Witch, and the Mysterious Demigod.

The five chiefs of the Cult of Four showed up in human guise, emitting no clear sense of dominance. Still, every dweller in Atlantis sensed the burden of their arrival. The Cult had come, carrying the tempest alongside them.

In spite of the lopsided balance, Leonidas pounded the table, locking eyes with Valerius directly.

"We can submit. We can join the Cult of Four," Leonidas proclaimed, his tone thundering. "But here are the terms: We want dominion over the entire Moon Sea. And we demand a position higher than the High Priestess."

He bent closer, revealing his fangs in a fierce smile. "We want real power. Don't try to buy us off with empty titles."

It was a bold lion's claim. Claiming the whole Moon Sea? Utter folly. Should the Cult consent, the three siblings would rise as major forces immediately.

Yet the Pontiffs weren't naive.

"Grand Marshal, you demand too much," Pontiff Valerius responded calmly, his voice steady. "If we grant you the entire Moon Sea, the Cult profits nothing from this conflict. I cannot accept that. My allies won't accept. My subordinates won't accept."

Valerius served as the negotiation's front. The Clown and the rest remained quiet, echoing Orion and Kraken. This was a clash of rulers and commanders.

"Give us the Moon Sea, and Atlantis will offer tribute," Leonidas shot back. "But the Sea Race must rule these waters. We will not serve as slaves you summon for cannon fodder in your battles."

It was a standard bargaining move: request the unattainable to set the baseline, then negotiate toward your true goal. Leonidas wielded the "sanctity" of Atlantis's independence as leverage to probe the Cult's boundaries.

"One quarter," Valerius stated, holding up four fingers. He had at last set his boundary. "You can have self-rule over one quarter of the sea, as long as you provide tribute."

"One quarter?" Leonidas tilted his head back and chuckled loudly. "Pontiff Valerius, are you serious? Do you believe Atlantis is feeble?"

"Current's Bend alone is practically a third of the Moon Sea!" Leonidas bellowed.

He was bluffing, naturally. Current's Bend formed a vast inlet, but it spanned less than one percent of the Moon Sea's expanse. Still, Leonidas blended terrain with strategy— alluding to the existing three-way power split in the area.

"Current's Bend is stunning, and Atlantis is mighty," Valerius admitted, unmoved by the display. "That's precisely why we're negotiating. But one third marks our firm ceiling."

Valerius observed the trio with true regard. Leonidas exuded the clear presence of a Demigod. Orion, appearing now as an Arch Lord, had shattered the Clown's Demigod illusion, revealing his actual form as Divine. And the Witch praised Kraken highly.

Should Valerius win the loyalty of the three Grand Marshals, the Cult would swiftly acquire two Demigod-tier warriors. And crucially, they would owe him their allegiance.

"Grand Marshal, before you reject once more," Valerius cut in as Leonidas parted his lips to dispute.

"One third stands as the boundary for land. The assets and forces we've invested in the Moon Sea effort are immense; sharing the gains proves intricate."

Valerius halted, allowing the quiet to intensify. Then he revealed his trump card.

"However, considering Atlantis's might... we stand ready to offer a unique concession. We five will collectively propose to His Grace that you, Grand Marshal Leonidas, join the Twelve Pontiffs of the Cult of Four."

Valerius grinned. "A true Pontiff. With a true place at the council. Just like me."

Silence gripped the chamber.

This marked the pivotal shift. Leonidas, Orion, and Kraken stiffened. They shared looks, gazes sharpening as if exchanging thoughts without words.

Valerius and the Clown eased back, patient in their wait. They understood the impact of their proposal. They allowed the surprise to linger.

The lure had been seized. Now, they needed only for the trap to close.