Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1470 Rot from the Outside

Stoneheart City. The Castle.

As Zhenlo, Bastien, and Redfang indulged in their drinks and fantasies of triumph, the harsh truth about Northguard's crisis had already landed on Lilith's desk.

'The density of Insectoids feels off,' Lilith declared, her eyes flicking over the parchment. 'Missing the usual culling covers part of it, but not everything. A bigger issue lurks beneath.'

She handed the report on intelligence to Ava and Sylvana.

Ava grabbed the document eagerly. Northguard fell under Theodore's control; her nephew's fate hung in the balance.

'At least three Wormhole Realms remain active around the city's edges,' Sylvana pointed out. The Vixen's gaze pierced sharply; she had absorbed the info swiftly while Ava still scanned it in haste. 'These aren't random creatures roaming. They're flooding from fixed rifts.'

'Without clearing out the swarms, Northguard can't just hide behind its defenses,' Sylvana went on, her tone dark. 'The problem will fester from the borders inward. Let it build, and they won't merely storm the walls—they'll devour the very rock.'

This warning held no exaggeration. Had Theodore not yielded Northguard to the Stoneheart Horde, the place would lie as ruins already.

The Horde's experts had examined the Insectoids discovered in their domains. This surge featured initial evolutionary stages—voracious consumers thriving on vegetation and meat. Yet the scholars understood the progression. With enough duration and resources, they would evolve, gaining twisted and unique powers.

'It's feasible,' Sylvana whispered, her claw drumming on the surface, 'that an Insectoid at Archlord level hides within one of those Wormhole Realms.'

Her instinct struck with chilling precision. Indeed, Orion had quietly verified this to Lilith in private.

At the mention of Archlord rank, Ava's head jerked upward. Color fled her cheeks. Should an Archlord target her nephew, Northguard spelled doom.

'You're correct,' Lilith replied gently, validating the dread. 'Not long back, Orion detected the trace of an odd Archlord. It faded in moments, yet he perceived it.'

Crash.

The delicate teacup tumbled from Ava's shaky grasp, breaking on the hard floor.

'Calm yourself, Ava. Stay composed,' Lilith urged, her tone shifting to comfort. 'Northguard stands under the Horde's banner now. Orion watches over it.'

'He has set up protective barriers around the city. They're unbreakable. Should a massive swarm attack, the walls will endure.'

Lilith extended her hand, covering Ava's. She understood the woman's worry extended beyond Theodore to the myriad innocents caught in the northern trap.

'Moreover,' Lilith continued, a assured grin reappearing on her face, 'most of our hired forces and freelance fighters head northward already. They sense opportunity. They'll act as the force to shatter the blockade.'

'And remember, Dirtclaw has emerged from the Divine Kingdom. He's been appointed as Commander of the Fourth Legion. He leads the purge effort in person.'

Commander of the Fourth Legion.

The rank held profound weight. It indicated Dirtclaw's rise to Archlord. He now existed as a supreme being in the Horde.

Ava and Sylvana fixed their stares on Lilith, the broken cup pushed aside.

Dirtclaw's elevation served as a blazing beacon. The Stoneheart Temple represented more than an icon; it formed a path to divinity.

They had caught Orion's booming proclamation over the city before. They knew of Dirtclaw's breakthrough. But confirmation here added a unique intensity.

When would their opportunity arrive?

'It's... challenging,' Lilith admitted, sensing their eager longing. She offered a bitter smile while shaking her head.

'Should you choose to forfeit the chance to carry Orion's offspring, I suspect he wouldn't mind you stepping into the Temple for strength.'

The women's faces paled in the chamber.

Forfeit the privilege of his descendants? Never.

In this realm, might proved essential, yet bloodlines ensured stability. Relinquishing their ability to conceive meant yielding in the harem—shifting from leader to subordinate. They grasped where lasting authority truly resided.

Lilith observed them, aware the topic had closed. She changed the subject.

'Kaelen has subdued the Insectoids holding Soaring Bird City. He's heading south, clearing the lingering pests from the former human lands.'

'He anticipates encountering large groups of displaced people. Where do we direct them? Northguard, or Rosethorn?'

Kaelen had pressed on for days, with accounts of famished stragglers starting to flow in.

'Rosethorn,' Ava answered without delay. 'The North rages with battle, and travel there risks too much. Rosethorn offers greater safety.'

Lilith inclined her head. 'Agreed.'

Directing the displaced to Rosethorn favored Ava—strengthening the numbers in a region she valued, compensation for her endless service to the Horde.

Lilith settled into her seat, wrapping up the day's affairs. Her gaze wandered to the window.

I wonder how the kids are faring?

World of Eldoria. Beyond Dolame Square.

Dolame Square pulsed as the core of the Andor Diocese, a stronghold of the Holy Order's dominance.

Or so it once was.

Father Orel, the priest in white robes who once oversaw this area, possessed cunning. Timid, maybe, but sharp. He predicted the brewing chaos. Prior to any violence, he requested reassignment to a frontier outpost in a fresh world, approval swiftly given by Cardinal Maelric.

The Holy Order constantly sought personnel for expansion drives, making Orel's departure seamless. He escaped at the perfect moment.

No one foresaw Hellscream pulling an Evil God and His devotees into the mix so soon. Orel's successor hadn't even journeyed from the Agaman Diocese when conflict ignited.

Thus, the Andor Diocese stood exposed. The Holy Order lacked an Archlord here to defend it.

As for aid arriving?

Elara, Makareth, Isabella, Kaedros, and Aina paid it no mind.

Actually, they welcomed Holy Order support. Extra soldiers equaled more fodder for slaughter. A confined battle now reduced opposition for the full-scale clash later.

'No need for debate,' Makareth stated, his words icy and absolute. 'All humans in this area perish.'

He surveyed the gathering of aggressors around the table.

'My Undead Legion demands bodies and offerings. These inhabitants provide the essence.'

'Plus, the Andor Diocese becomes our alliance's base. Removing the... unnecessary elements... proves the wisest path.'

Makareth held the top status among them. His view wasn't optional; it commanded.

'I back Makareth,' Elara responded right away.

She came not as a holy figure. She arrived to fight. Prior to leaving, Orion had instructed her clearly: the Seeker of Change in this venture sought humanity's end here. Elara merely followed the objectives.

'I see no issue,' Kaedros growled.

The Dragonblood fighter, under Leonidas and a moderate Archlord, exuded a heavy draconic presence.

'That said,' Kaedros added, 'what's the plan if foes bring major backup? How do we counter?'

'Backup?'

Makareth tilted his head and chuckled, the sound harsh and grating.

'Bring it on! We slaughter however many they dispatch.'

'And should a Demigod appear?' Makareth's gaze sparkled with evil. 'That shifts beyond Archlord concerns then. The Boss takes care of it.'