Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1491 Foundations of Stone

Stoneheart City, the Outer Ring.

The early sun bathed the streets, offering a crisp, pleasant warmth that lacked the oppressive heat of the midday sun. It made the morning trek feel almost enjoyable. Bustling bazaars were already in full swing; the air was permeated by a mix of commercial chatter and the appetizing scents of freshly baked rye, savory roasted meats, and the unmistakable, smoky musk of charred insects.

"It definitely has a kick to it, I'll give you that. It just lacks that crisp, fresh snap of greens to balance out the richness."

Theodore held a piece of bread in his left hand and a skewer of roasted insects—a delicacy that had become quite popular across the Stoneheart Horde recently—in his right. Curiously, he seemed to relish the rugged snack. It was an irony not lost on him; living in Stoneheart, a metropolis teeming with monstrous races, he found an odd comfort in food that felt more like home than anything he had eaten in months.

"The Horde reorganized the districts years ago," Delphine noted. "Fresh produce and butcher stalls are relegated to specific markets now. If you have a craving for fruit, we can make our way to the South Gate. With a bit of luck, we might even locate some alchemical-grade berries."

Delphine linked her arm through his, enjoying the skewer she held. She paced on her toes, her eyes reflecting sheer contentment.

Life took strange turns. The Human Kingdom had retreated, and the Blood Elf Race had offered an unconditional surrender. By every standard, their paths should have been worlds apart, with their wedding plans lost in the chaos. Yet, here they stood, reunited within Stoneheart.

And, currently, without occupations.

Therefore, they had embraced a more spontaneous approach. No grand, formal ceremony or political posturing occurred. It was merely a quiet exchange of vows, witnessed by old General Oswin Calder, Grand Elder Lireesa, and Lycanor, who stood in for Lord Orion. It was a simple union defined by genuine affection—a state of bliss that both Theodore and Delphine willingly embraced.

Beyond the romance, navigating Stoneheart had become their chosen hobby. While Theodore understood the tactical layout of the primary districts, the raw, gritty atmosphere of the Outer Ring’s lower quarters was an entirely new experience.

"I struggle to wrap my head around it," he whispered. "So many distinct species, simply... merging into the fabric of the Horde."

"For millennia, the Blood Elves could not achieve this. The Human Kingdom certainly lacked the capability."

"But today, it is reality. The Stoneheart Horde has truly brought it to fruition."

Integration. Coexistence. It felt like a momentous unification, a turning point where civilization finally ascended beyond mere barbarism.

"That is the true magnitude of My Lord," Delphine whispered softly.

They strolled through the crowded, narrow walkways. The scene was almost like a fever dream—exotic beings donning leather jerkins, ornate brocade, or simple linen tunics. Mercenaries armed with massive greatswords and axes pushed through the bustling crowd. From time to time, a high-ranking dignitary draped in flowing silks would glide past, flanked by a phalanx of watchful guards.

"Let's head for the Seeker," Theodore said, shaking his head to clear his wandering thoughts. "The market will still be there tomorrow. But the auction... if we let this opportunity slip, it may never return."

"I heard that the Prince secured a Broodmother in the south," Delphine said, tilting her head as she weighed the rumors. "They say the Horde rejected it due to its injuries, or perhaps poor stock, so it was sent to the auction house instead."

"A Broodmother would demand an astronomical price. Are you certain about this?"

Delphine was only conveying what she had gathered, but information sourced from the Seeker was rarely inaccurate.

"Father provided a significant endowment before he departed," Theodore replied. "However, no amount of wealth can truly mirror the worth of a Broodmother."

The Human Kingdom had been obsessed with obtaining a Broodmother ever since Lorelia and Soraya appeared among the Stoneheart ranks. They had attempted to secure one, but the rigid nature of the Kingdom's nobility meant their resources were too fragmented to sustain such a massive endeavor. Furthermore, the constant paranoia regarding betrayal stifled their efforts.

Theodore, however, grasped the underlying truth. He understood how incredibly rare and valuable a tamed Broodmother was—especially one broken by the Insect King himself. The risk of disloyalty was effectively non-existent.

"Can we even afford the upkeep?" Delphine asked. It was not a reprimand, but a practical observation. Maintaining a Broodmother was the equivalent of sustaining an entire nation.

"We cannot afford to pass it up." Theodore held out his bread for her to take a bite. "Are you aware of how the Horde reared that High Broodmother? They fed her everything. The tribe's entire surplus—prey, war spoils, prisoners. Every resource was poured into her."

"That is precisely how they forged the Cave Spider legions that once struck terror into the world."

Lorelia was a legend here, surpassed only by Dirtclaw.

"We lack the resources to feed her like that today," Theodore admitted. "But in the future? We will provide even more."

"If we fail to acquire her now, we will regret it for the rest of our days."

Theodore possessed a keen perception. A Broodmother was essentially a logistical miracle. Lorelia had been a stroke of impossible fortune—hatched from a Chest of Embers. Soraya was an evolved, sapient being who had married into their faction. And Myxara, the Mayfly matriarch, had been raised by Lilith from maturity.

Wild Broodmothers were notoriously untamable. Unless one possessed a unique presence like Kaelen, they simply would not submit.

"Theodore," Delphine said, squeezing his arm firmly. "I am with you. All the way."

To feel understood and supported—Theodore was flooded with a surge of warmth. He desired to rise. He wanted to carve out a legacy within the Horde, possibly even establishing his own domain. A Broodmother would serve as the cornerstone of that future. Just as Orion had utilized Lorelia to bolster his vanguard, Theodore would establish his foundation upon the power of chitin and venom.

"Let's go," he said. "We should browse the Seeker’s offerings before the gavel falls."

***

The South. The city of Sophia.

Kaelen had named the location in honor of his mother. The reasoning was straightforward. Across the continent, nearly all of his aunts had cities named after them—or after symbols deeply associated with them.

As her son, having been raised under the nurturing care of Sophia and the Dark Butterfly Race, Kaelen sought to settle that debt. He aimed to ensure his mother possessed everything her sisters claimed. If she lacked any honor, he would carve it out of the world for her himself.

So, when the Horde granted him this territory to raise a new fortress, he did not hesitate. It would be Sophia.

"Your Highness, we remain a long journey from Stoneheart," Thundar cautioned. "I strongly advise that you petition the Chieftain to construct a local teleportation array immediately. We require an open conduit to the Horde."

"Furthermore," the veteran warrior added, "the distance makes the transport of conventional slave labor impossible. The insect swarms and human survivors you have subdued will have to serve as our primary workforce."

Transporting standard laborers via a teleportation array was a luxury beyond the reach of the Stoneheart Horde.

Thundar stood by Kaelen's side, serving as a mentor to the prince who had spent his youth in exile. To Thundar, Kaelen was extraordinary. Barring a lack of familiarity with the Horde's internal politics, his combat prowess, tactical instinct, and military resolve were impeccable. He perceived qualities in Kaelen that were noticeably absent in Pallas.

"Once the array is operational, merchants from the Horde will surely flock here. Promise them a share of the profits, and we can expedite the city’s construction significantly."

It was another sound strategy. The concepts of capital accumulation and joint enterprise were already becoming standard within the Stoneheart Horde. Constructing a city-fortress was a monumental task, even with the support of the Horde.

"Your Highness, you still need to march south to purge the lingering insect swarms. It would be wise to appoint an administrator here who is both capable and reliable."

Kaelen shifted his gaze from the crater to the seasoned warrior, his eyes filled with genuine appreciation. It was thanks to this veteran—one of the remnants of the Horde's old guard—that his integration into the military had been so fluid, allowing him to accumulate victory after victory without political friction.

"Uncle, I have already sent word to my mother and the others. They will oversee the administration for now. Tomorrow, we march south."

Thundar was a comrade of Orion and a contemporary of Rendall. Kaelen’s usage of "Uncle" was no mere formality; the man had truly earned the title.

"The Dragons hold dominion in the south. Move with extreme caution. As the world remains in flux, we must take care not to fracture the uneasy alliance between our races."