Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1456 Lose to Gain

Such determination? The Blood Elves possessed none of it. The ancient Dwarves lacked it as well. The Human Kingdom was equally deficient.

This very quality elevated Aldous and the Ogre Race to their unique, revered status in the Stoneheart Horde.

"Finally," Lycanor replied to Rommath's third query, her voice lowering a tone. "The Stoneheart Horde holds zero desire for the human lands."

"Zero desire?" Rommath's eyes widened in bewilderment. "What exactly does that imply?"

Sudden understanding struck him like a forceful strike.

"You're saying... with this impending catastrophe approaching, the Stoneheart Horde itself is pulling back its borders?"

This revelation brought no relief. For the Blood Elves, it rang like a fatal chime. As their ruler, Rommath's tactical insight revealed the dire reality. When the top hunters retreated, the hunted faced certain doom.

"Your Majesty, our choices are exhausted," Lycanor exhaled, shifting her eyes from Rommath to Lireesa with grave intent. "From my perspective, achieving independence would prove disastrous for the Blood Elf people. It would leave us alone. It would breed grudges among the Horde's other groups, blocking any real blending."

"In this transformed realm, isolation spells ruin for the Blood Elves."

Her attention shifted to the Grand Elder. "Arch-Elder, at times surrender leads to victory."

She recognized that only Lireesa held the power to influence the King decisively.

"Observe the Succubi, the Buffalofolk, the Obsidian Golems... even the Gnolls. Autonomy evades them all, yet they harvest greater rewards than most," Lycanor urged. "Orion stands as a Demigod. Titan blood flows in his veins. His command will soon rule this whole land. Seize this final moment for seamless union. Delay, and the proposal may vanish."

It transcended mere counsel; it served as a stark alert.

There lingered the unvoiced fact regarding the Ogre Province: Ogres generally proved too dim for self-rule in matters of administration. Their "autonomy" remained mostly symbolic. Still, such a title carried profound prestige—earned through bloodshed and legacy that the Elves had never claimed.

Lycanor inclined forward, dropping her tone to whisper a secret known only to the elite circles.

"The Human Kingdom's exodus ties to another Demigod on this plane. He yields territory to Orion. The supreme forces divide the terrain. If a Demigod bows to Orion, Blood Elf defiance amounts to self-destruction."

"I stand with Lyca," Lireesa declared, her tone resolute. "Delay is not an option. Politics evolve, but the land itself transforms too."

"Mana levels climb, yet the surroundings grow fiercer," the Guardian Tree interjected, its profound timbre rumbling across the ground. Roots delving into the earth's depths granted it keen sense of the world's rhythm. "Insect hordes overrun the wilds. Woods, plains, waterways—they fall to consumption. The Swarm breeds at a horrifying pace. Soon the flood will crash upon the City of Blessings. Demigod protection is essential."

A thick, powerless quiet enveloped the room.

Stoneheart Horde, Stoneheart City.

As Blood Elves wrestled with their destiny, the fortress received a prodigal heir.

Orion occupied his lofty seat, observing Lilith and Sophia, the Butterfly Mother, depart linked by arms. Only after the pair faded from sight did he direct his eyes to the youth positioned in the vast hall's midst.

Kaelen.

"So? Did the Stoneheart Horde fall short of your hopes?"

Kaelen denied with a shake. "Be it southern or northern reaches... the prosperity and vastness surpass my wildest thoughts."

For someone raised in the seclusion of Phoenix Butterfly Ridge and Gossamer Reach, the Horde's magnitude proved staggering. Adaptation would demand effort.

"Your arrival comes at an awkward moment," Orion remarked. "Your oldest sister and three brothers pursue their quests. Family gathering waits on their homecoming."

Kaelen inclined his head. Eagerness burned for his siblings—undoubtedly stronger than himself.

"Birth on the Chaos Continent marked you distinctly. Your upbringing skipped the Horde's support. View this as overdue compensation."

With a snap of his fingers, Orion produced a bone shard, dark as midnight, in his palm.

It embodied the Serpent-Demon's Grasp. A Legendary-grade relic. Worn, it evoked six spectral draconic talons to shred foes. To present-day Orion, it ranked as mere bauble. For Kaelen, though, it shone as a vital edge.

"I sense it... Father has kept watch over me always," the youth murmured.

Regret eluded Orion. Yet he respected the youth's background. Kaelen grasped his identity and his mother's deeds. Orion and Lilith's embrace sufficed to kindle deep thanks in the boy.

"Claim it. As a Giant Prince of the Stoneheart Horde, you shouldn't roam destitute."

Orion hurled a second object airborne. Kaelen seized it.

It formed the Abyssal Devil Shield.

The shield's face appeared to twist, bearing a fiend's stare that twisted sight, sense, and reason in adversaries, plunging them into delusions.

Armed with Serpent-Demon's Grasp for attack and Abyssal Devil Shield for guard, Orion trusted his offspring would avoid recklessly risking his heritage in combat once more.

"Accept without argument. Your siblings possess comparable arms," Orion interrupted Kaelen's objection. "Have them. I assign you a task."

Kaelen held his tongue and stiffened his posture.

"The Titanion Realm endures a phase of change. In mere years, invasion from other realms looms," Orion announced, his words resounding through the chamber. "To the Stoneheart Horde, this spells no calamity. Rather, it offers chance. Grounds to broaden our domain. And for you... it charts your rise to Archlord."

Orion avoided mere commands; he supplied framework. He required Kaelen to grasp the gravity.

"At present, untamed lands past key settlements teem with threats. Insect scourges infest everywhere. Broods and colonies sprout endlessly."

"Lead the 2nd Legion and Volunteer Corps. Purge the regions. Eradicate the Swarm by fire. Forge secure, steady grounds for the Horde."

"Do you accept?"

Orion's plan layered purposes. Indeed, the pests demanded removal. Yet chiefly, he sought to forge Kaelen's renown. Through sacrifice for the Horde and safeguarding its folk, acceptance would follow. It marked an indispensable initiation. Absent it, Kaelen's journey would eclipse even Kronos's trials.

"I accept!"

Kaelen knelt on one leg, head lowered in obedience and determination.

Orion approved with a nod. "This launches you. Your initial true showcase in the Horde. Excel. Reveal your essence to our kin."

Thus, Kaelen embraced the duty. He gained Vice-Commander role over the 2nd Legion. Not from doubt, but due to lacking Archlord status. In the Stoneheart Horde, position demanded proof.