Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1455 No Second Exception

"All that is irrelevant. The true issue is: Who will seize the remains left by the Human Kingdom?"

Kadir folded his arms, with one hand supporting his chin, and laid down the most critical query of the evening on the table.

At present, the unchallenged top predator across the continent remained the Stoneheart Horde. Should the Horde fail to assert dominance over the forsaken lands, what other force would risk reaching out?

"It makes no sense. This entire affair stinks," Tristan grumbled, tapping his fingers against the table while attempting to cut through the haze of conflict. "Consider it. What sort of being is our King? Could you believe a full kingdom might relocate without his awareness? Nevertheless... the Horde has released not a solitary order about the Human lands."

He glanced toward his allies, his gaze sharpening. "Do you grasp the implication? No group rejects gratis territory and assets."

His statement's gravity took hold, igniting an abrupt epiphany in Tristan and Kadir.

"The Swarm!"

"Otherworlders!"

The epiphany struck them at the same instant. The Stoneheart Horde wasn't overlooking the territory; it was withdrawing its border defenses. It was readying itself for battle.

pallor washed over Tristan and Kadir's features. For thousands of years, the Human Kingdom had ruled the southern regions, supported by Archlords and sacred relics. If such a mighty force had been compelled to escape, the advancing foe spelled utter devastation.

City of Blessings, Blood Elf Territory.

Far inside the broken realm that sheltered the Guardian Tree, the air hung heavy and oppressive. Grand Elder Lireesa and King Rommath displayed faces etched with somber resolve.

The Human Kingdom's departure had abruptly intensified the strain on the Blood Elf Race twofold.

Compounding the trouble, the proposed union between Ariselle and Giant Prince Pallas lingered unresolved. The Stoneheart Horde's position stayed frustratingly unclear—refusing to affirm or reject the alliance.

And the most dire update? Prince Pallas no longer resided in the Stoneheart Horde. Reports indicated he had journeyed to a different realm to "find shelter."

Shelter. Lireesa and Rommath saw it that way. Lately, many of Orion's offspring had slipped from sight. To the Elves, it appeared the King was concealing his successors ahead of the impending tempest. Yet for the Blood Elves, this spelled catastrophe; it halted the strategic wedding meant to secure their future.

"Guardian, what path do we take?" Rommath inquired, his tone revealing his inexperience. Confronted by a threat to their very existence, the King and Grand Elder could only turn to their timeless guardian for guidance.

"Your Majesty, I am unable to decide this for you," the voice of the Guardian Tree echoed, profound and timeless. It harbored no ambition for authority or control; it refused to force its judgment on the Elves. "Yet... maybe someone else holds the key."

While the Tree uttered its words, a glow from a teleportation incantation burst forth. A woman of the Blood Elf lineage appeared in the holy chamber.

She was Lycanor.

"Lyca!" Lireesa exclaimed, invoking the girl's old pet name.

"How did you arrive?" Rommath exclaimed suddenly.

"I worried you might act rashly," Lycanor replied, a intricate grin curving her mouth. "Thus, I appeared."

Formally, as a Blood Elf wed to an outsider, Lycanor held no say in her people's domestic matters. Still, there she remained.

"Prior to sharing my view, pose your inquiries. I'll respond as fully as possible."

A noticeable change swept through the chamber's atmosphere. Previously, before the Elf King and Arch-Elder, Lycanor would have knelt deeply in respect. Today, she held her posture upright, on par—possibly surpassing them.

"Has the Stoneheart Horde approved the union of Ariselle and Pallas?" Rommath demanded right away. "What stance does the Giant King hold toward our kind? And now that the humans have vanished, what action will the Horde take next?"

Three queries unleashed in quick succession. Rommath believed he acted decisively, placing his race's endurance first. However, to Grand Elder Lireesa and Lycanor, his standing fell sharply.

Far too youthful. Far too frantic.

In Lireesa's mind, Lycanor counted as a visitor—a formidable ally back only to aid them. Even as the heavens crumbled, proper protocol required a cordial welcome. Inquire about her days in the Horde. Share courtesies. Forge the connection before attempting to traverse it.

"Lyca... your presence here instills optimism in me," Lireesa advanced, softly securing a stray lock of hair behind Lycanor's ear prior to drawing her into a affectionate hug. "No matter our destiny, it won't be utterly bleak with your return."

That basic, nurturing action closed the divide at once. Recollections from bygone times surged; Lycanor rested against Lireesa's clasp, sensing she had returned to her mother's embrace. This place was her roots. She genuinely desired the Blood Elves' endurance.

"Arch-Elder," Lycanor murmured gently, slipping into the dialogue. "The delay in the marriage stems not from Lilith. It's Pallas. He has yet to approve."

"The Horde honors the autonomy of the Giant Princes," she clarified. "Lilith shared this with me directly. She will set up the meetings, but the ultimate choice lies with Pallas."

She withdrew a bit to meet their eyes. "Pallas and Ariselle share a strong rapport. Prospects for their bonding are promising. My suggestion? Allow it to unfold organically. Ariselle ought to concentrate on her growth, maybe spend more time in the Stoneheart Horde. Upon Pallas's return from his ordeals, I'm confident a positive result will follow."

The contrast between Lireesa and Rommath stood out clearly. A single heartfelt embrace had opened Lycanor's honesty.

"Regarding your second query," Lycanor went on, facing the King. "Orion has welcomed the Blood Elf Race's loyalty. He shall provide us protection as the disaster descends."

Rommath's gaze brightened. "Did he consent to the Autonomous Province?"

"No."

Lycanor's response came curt and firm.

The spark in Rommath and Lireesa's gazes extinguished right away.

"The Ogre Province stands apart. No further exemptions will occur in the Horde's domain within the Titanion Realm," Lycanor elaborated, noting their profound letdown. "Grasp the background, though."

"Aldous and Orion forged a tie amid the flames of the North-South Civil War," she stated. "During that era, Ogre lands adjoined the Stoneheart Horde. They served as the barrier versus the Human Kingdom, the cushion enabling the Horde's peaceful expansion."

Lycanor echoed Lilith's words to her. In those initial times, the Ogre Horde and Stoneheart Horde were inseparable—companions in hardship and strife. Moreover, Aldous proved cunning and devoted. Spotting Orion's ascent, he refrained from bargaining; he yielded his whole Horde and lands without reserve.

The Blood Elves had arrived too tardily to claim an identical reward.