Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1523 A Place in the Horde

Should Lorelia claim the pinnacle among the Horde's broodmothers, Soraya solidly held the runner-up spot. Although the Horde didn't raise her from birth, she enlisted in its explosive early expansion. Her Scorpion Swarm displayed unyielding devotion via endless battle accolades and piles of slain foes. Thus, the Horde harbored total confidence in the Scorpion Swarm.

The third level featured Myxara, broodmother of the Flying Fish Mayflies, alongside Sophia, the Butterfly Mother of the Dark Butterfly Race.

Broodmothers shy of Legendary rank existed in fair numbers. Yet, in the Stoneheart Horde's existing hierarchy, they barely merited mention, let alone a council seat. What's more, Kaelen knew some tightly kept secrets: across the Horde's Abyssal World lands, plenty of elite broodmothers languished in chains.

Melissa's presence meant zilch to the Stoneheart Horde at large. To Kaelen, however—whose power remained immature—she held crucial value. She supplied the bedrock might essential for seizing upcoming triumphs for himself and the Horde. For that reason, Kaelen needed to champion her position.

Before anything else, though, he must validate Melissa's rank and obtain the Giant King's approval.

"Let's go," Kaelen stated sharply, guiding Melissa to the palace where Orion rested.

Scant fifteen minutes afterward, a smothering aura once more cloaked Melissa. Simply lingering beyond the palace entrance surged her with an overpowering impulse to bolt. Every broodmother's primal flight response shrieked for retreat.

Stifling her surging dread, Melissa confronted the grand aura emanating from the palace in deepest respect. She grasped at once that this radiated from a Demigod—a power pinnacle forever beyond her grasp.

Stifling her surging dread, Melissa confronted the grand aura emanating from the palace in deepest respect. She grasped at once that this radiated from a Demigod—a power pinnacle forever beyond her grasp.

Stoneheart Horde, Giant King, Kaelen, Insect King... these names seared into her consciousness. At last, a sincere, intense yearning to surrender burgeoned within her core.

Her original pact with Kaelen had seemed a mere interim refuge—a launchpad to superior prospects. But beholding Lorelia's horrifying strength and sensing Orion's divine might, she cast aside those deluded thoughts forever. Pledging to a Demigod delivered a solid path to real transcendence. Broodmothers boasted keen minds, expert at assessing enduring rewards.

With her head lowered in meek rumination, Melissa caught soft footfalls and a known aura. Kaelen had stepped out from the palace. She itched to glance up and read his face, but dared not.

"Do not resist," Kaelen ordered. In the same instant, he smacked an enchanted parchment onto her forehead.

A restrictive pact burrowed into Melissa's frame, etching an unseen arcane brand. Resistance never crossed her mind; truly, she rejected it. Relief and faint elation flooded her instead. Kaelen's pact formally inducted her. Security now enveloped her fully.

"My father said you will be granted an audience once you advance to the rank of High Lord," Kaelen noted diplomatically.

To elevate a broodmother like Melissa to those peaks demanded colossal resources and sprawling domains. Securing them in the Stoneheart Horde required oceans of martial achievements. And those achievements demanded fealty, blood, and sacrifices.

Melissa raised her head at last, a fleeting shadow of dismay flitting over her visage.

"The Horde is not just a feral Swarm. You have much to learn," Kaelen continued. "Also, you still need to meet my mother."

"My King, I obey your will," Melissa answered respectfully. In the inner city, a lavish auction raged inside the Seeker faction's sumptuous chambers. As twilight cloaked the outdoors, the Seeker estate's innards flared with sorcerous glow, rivaling noon's blaze.

Each noble visitor crossing the threshold received a warm welcome and escort from a stunningly alluring succubus servant. Should any guest spurn dark kin, a equally captivating elven attendant would smoothly assume the role.

This eagerly awaited auction, a nexus of boundless elite and riches, unfolded in a splendid vast chamber. The climactic prize awaited reveal, yet frenzied bids already erupted. Dazzling rarities had already enthralled the throng.

To heighten hype for the ultimate treasure, the Seekers meticulously assembled peerless relics. Each artifact's debut elicited stunned gasps and awed whispers. The auctioneer's captivating tones spun mythic backstories for every piece. Provenanced items always commanded steeper sums.

"Got it," Theodore exhaled.

Perched next to Delphine in a secluded nook of the vast hall, he dropped his paddle only as the auctioneer's gavel slammed down with a thrilling thud.

Theodore skipped the vaunted insectoid eggs, claiming instead a superbly forged crossbow etched with wind-and-fire dual runes.

"I didn't have much in the way of a proper gift when we got married," Theodore murmured tenderly. He took the crossbow from the arriving succubus attendant, then offered it to Delphine. "Let this bow make up for it."

As a Blood Elf, Delphine excelled in archery beyond question. Arming her with this enchanted crossbow would boost her battle prowess by no less than half again.

"Thank you, Theodore." Sweetness brimmed in her heart. Such a considerate present, proof of her husband's profound care, touched her deeply.

"But why didn't you save more of our funds for the eggs?" she inquired softly.

His wife knew Theodore's dreams intimately, along with their financial bounds precisely. This buy seemed to doom his shot at the auction's endgame prize.

"What, you want me to get into a bidding war with my brother-in-law?" Theodore gazed at her, eyes alight with wry humor and warm fondness. "Besides, I'm in no position to compete with the Elf King right now."

Theodore knew his limits well. Lacking a human realm's support, his wealth paled beside Rommath's endless coffers.

"You know that's not what I meant!" Delphine objected, torn between loyalties. Her elder brother on one flank, beloved spouse on the other—she yearned for both to thrive.

"I know." Theodore drew her into a cozy hug, conveying his full grasp of her sentiments. "If your brother wins the eggs, it benefits us too, doesn't it? We're all family now."

Delphine nodded into his embrace. Human realms and Blood Elf lands faded into history; all now dwelled under Stoneheart Horde's banner. No clashing agendas divided them. They formed true kin, a unified clan.

"In truth, the other items up for grabs tonight are exquisite artifacts handpicked by the Seekers. Winning them makes this trip more than worthwhile," Theodore declared, voice growing grave. "Delphine, we have to prepare for the future."

As the old saying goes, when husband and wife are united, nothing is too strong to break. Walking forward side by side, step by step—that is the true mark of a lasting union.