Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1522 Lorelia’s Test

Melissa averted her eyes from the vast structures of the Stoneheart capital and looked toward Kaelen, who was seated with his eyes closed in rest.

His self-discipline stood out impressively. Over their whole journey, even squeezed together in the tight space of a carriage, he never once attempted any improper move on her.

"This serves as the Stoneheart Horde's main base in the south," Kaelen stated, eyes remaining closed. "It stands as a tribute to the Horde's former glory and honor. Instead of being dazzled by the city's splendor, you should ponder deeply on how to confront my father and mother."

He held back his other thoughts: should Melissa hold even a hint of betrayal, she wouldn't survive until dusk.

Melissa gazed at him with wide eyes. But in her bright stare, Kaelen detected scant traces of fear.

"My King, no group would reject a fully developed broodmother," she responded. "Particularly when I pledge my loyalty with complete honesty."

Kaelen stayed quiet. He lacked the will to shatter her hope at this moment. In the Stoneheart Horde, numerous broodmothers existed whose strength far outstripped Melissa's. He didn't need to search distant—his Butterfly Mother Sophia alone was a fearsome being Melissa could never rival.

"My King, doesn't your high position guarantee me protection?" Melissa inquired, confusion filling her eyes.

He held the title of Insect King and giant prince of the Stoneheart Horde. Bearing such a distinguished double role, how could he fail to shield one mere broodmother?

Unless... she hadn't fully won his confidence yet.

That realization silenced Melissa. In the end, this wasn't Swarm lands. The natural link between Insect King and broodmother carried little weight here.

After half a day, Melissa trailed Kaelen into the castle's majestic keep. She had only stepped forward a bit when her frame started shaking without control.

It came from suppression. A total, overwhelming supremacy born from superior bloodline depths and an unbridgeable rank divide. This horrifying pressure targeted her alone.

"Oh my... are you the Master's youngest son? You resemble him so much!"

Suddenly, a lady in a blazing red gown appeared right before Kaelen. Beneath his mildly alarmed look, she extended slender fingers and pinched his cheeks hard—cheeks mirroring Orion's strikingly.

This marked Kaelen's initial meeting with Lorelia. She squeezed his face eagerly; after all, this youth bore Orion's blood, and her loyalty to the father spilled over to the son.

"You're not too clever, little one. Not nearly as smooth as your elder brothers!" she joked. "Don't you know my name? I'm the famed Lorelia, celebrated across the Stoneheart Horde!"

With an elegant bound, Lorelia perched flawlessly on Kaelen's shoulder. She bounced side to side like a thrilled kid, bursting with wild vigor.

"Kaelen greets Sister Lorelia!" he blurted, bowing deeply in place. The alarm in his eyes faded at once, giving way to pure delight.

Having studied the Stoneheart Horde's history thoroughly long ago, how could he ignore the legendary cave spiders broodmother, Lady Lorelia? Moreover, tales always whispered that his shrewd mother cherished Lorelia like true kin. Addressing her as "Sister" fit perfectly.

Gaining Lorelia's approval sent Kaelen's heart pounding with elation. Yet with that thrill came the same crushing, breathless force from her—the dread aura unique to a top-tier broodmother.

His eyes widened. He knew the Horde hid mighty broodmothers, yet he never imagined this woman dwarfed his Butterfly Mother Sophia so completely. No surprise Butterfly Mother urged him repeatedly to stay humble and low-key upon his Horde return.

"Such a well-behaved little fellow. Take this welcome present." Done with her hopping, Lorelia rested on Kaelen's shoulder and flung him a strange token bearing the cave spiders' totem.

"That's my personal conscription order. It lets you head to Moonshadow Valley near Blackstone City and call up ten thousand cave spiders guards anytime." She cocked her head. "You've just returned to the Horde; surely you lack strong forces. I'll add two Legendary spider guards too."

Lorelia lounged on Kaelen's shoulder, her fair bare feet swinging idly as though carefree. But her words rang utterly true.

Kaelen's spirits lifted at the offer. He currently managed two domains: a royal city guarding Blackstone City—a private holding for every giant heir—and Sophia's city, raised from a toppled human realm's ashes. Despite Dark Butterfly Race aid, his troops stretched perilously thin. Lorelia's lavish boon proved a divine blessing.

"Hmm? Little one, is that quivering insectoid behind you your follower?"

Lorelia held off until Kaelen stowed the token respectfully, then turned with a sly grin, locking eyes on broodmother Melissa.

One ranked as noble High Lord, the other a simple local lord; their status chasm proved vast. Without Kaelen there, Lorelia's fickle temper might have led her to swallow this Dragonlouse broodmother as a tasty morsel.

"Sister Lorelia, she's Melissa. She's pledged herself to our Stoneheart Horde as my subordinate and asks for my safeguard." Kaelen kept it short. "I've brought her to introduce to my father today!"

Lorelia showed clear disinterest, though.

"Introduce her to the Master?" Lorelia sneered. "Does she merit it?"

In a flash, Lorelia released her High Lord's full, savage might. It slammed down like a toppling peak. Melissa's legs buckled, her fall cracking the sturdy stone floor instantly.

Yet Melissa's spirit burned defiant. She gritted her teeth, swallowing any cry of agony, far from pleading.

From her vantage, Lorelia eyed her coldly, gaze turning frigid. The air chilled, the air growing thick and suffocating.

"Sister Lorelia... Melissa may well serve as my personal servant soon," Kaelen spoke up at last. His voice edged toward supplication as he deftly stepped in for her.

Kaelen grasped the truth: Lorelia built his dominance for him. Her brutal show aimed to smash any foolish dreams Melissa clung to.

"Oh... so she's truly your subordinate, little one. Fine, I won't devour her!" Lorelia flashed a bright grin. She hopped off Kaelen's shoulder lightly and patted his brawny arm.

"Strive hard, little one! Surpass those elder brothers quickly. I expect great things from you!" She winked. "Face trouble—or spot fun—seek me at the Mistress's home anytime."

Her words encouraged while carrying a senior's wisdom. Before Kaelen answered, Lorelia whirled. With light, fluttering steps like a butterfly, she danced off and faded away.

"Stand," Kaelen commanded.

He watched Lorelia's vanishing spot, offering a farewell wave, then faced Melissa, still bowed on the broken stone.

Only at Kaelen's order did Melissa rise, body quaking. Truth be told, briefly, death's cold grasp had seized her. She'd truly thought consumption awaited. In the brutal insectoid realm, unrelated broodmothers meeting often sparked deadly devouring fights.

"Do you get it now?" Kaelen questioned. "Someone like you holds little value in the Horde's view."

He paused, letting the stark reality hit.

"Especially without being Horde-bred."

That detail mattered most; treatment differed vastly. Consider Lorelia and Soraya. The former grew up in the Horde from birth. From top lords to bottom soldiers, all in the Stoneheart Horde embraced and trusted her fully.