Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1524 Beyond the Spectacle

The auction dragged on late into the night, with Theodore successfully claiming several outstanding treasures.

As the broodmother eggs emerged for the grand finale, the stunning display and the crowd's collective gasps failed to impress the newlywed pair in the slightest.

A subtle fragrance of magical elixirs wafted across the vast hall, borne on a soft breeze that calmed the spirit and instilled deep serenity.

"This isn't exactly like I pictured it," Delphine whispered, resting her head on Theodore's shoulder. She savored the soothing scent amid the fierce bidding that sent the eggs' price skyrocketing.

Each surge in the bidding drew shocked exclamations and resigned sighs from the rival bidders.

"It just hit me," Theodore murmured quietly. "In the Horde, only a select few factions possess the credentials and riches to claim those eggs." He counted them on his fingers. "The Succubi, the Constructs, the Buffalofolk, the Gnolls, the Ogres, the Blood Elves... and me, standing for humanity. Yet ultimately, the ones who crave them most desperately are me and your brother."

A stark realization had dawned on Theodore: the long-standing races embedded in the Stoneheart Horde likely disregarded the eggs' genuine worth.

Their fervent bids and clamor were merely for the thrill and to stir excitement. They treated the auction like a platform to effortlessly display their vast fortunes and might. To those entrenched groups, the cave spiders and Lorelia functioned as their personal broodmothers.

When troops were required, the strong alliances and devotion they shared with the Horde and Lorelia spared them the hassle of cultivating a broodmother anew. By supplying the Horde with vital resources and gifting Lorelia items she liked, they could easily receive an army of cave spiders. This skipped the arduous, resource-intensive ordeal of raising one themselves.

"Theodore, do you mean they're all just watching the show?" Delphine inquired, her gaze filled with bewilderment.

Theodore nodded before shaking his head. "The scarce elixirs, the expertly forged weapons, the battle arts recovered from distant realms... those were the true prizes everyone battled for."

Theodore wasn't alone in departing the auction laden with remarkable gains. As an exclusive event for the Stoneheart Horde, the rewards went to the factions whose battlefield exploits had forged the empire. They deserved it all.

"Time to leave," Theodore declared, rising to his feet. "The remainder of this charade holds nothing for us."

Delphine stood with him, and they gave a courteous nod toward the far-off Elf King, Rommath. As kin, they ought to have shared seats and backed one another publicly. Yet to dodge the embarrassment of clashing over the broodmother eggs, they had picked distant spots from the start. If rumors spread, they risked becoming the court's jest, but such was the absurd truth of their circumstances.

What's real anymore? Theodore wondered inwardly.

...

Minor Hell, Ashenheart Domain.

While the Stoneheart Horde hosted its private auction, Orion's phantom will lay dormant deep in a cave.

"Ahhhh..."

Abruptly, a booming yawn reverberated through the cavern. Leonidas was stirring awake, and the over-the-top sound was deliberate. His aim was clear: wake his comrades—particularly the Deputy Commander, whose help he sought.

"Lion, that absurd racket always signals you're gearing up to grovel to someone," a voice emerged from the gloom. Alexander, the first to rouse, spoke. "Whose feet are you polishing now?"

"I'm a glorious dragon now, not merely Lion!" he fired back, rolling his neck. His voice dripped with playful cheekiness. With his buddy Alexander, Leonidas felt no restraint.

"So you've sunk to being a pet dragon?" Alexander countered. "Or maybe a fawning dragon? A fawning dragon from the Divine Dragon Race?"

Leonidas rolled his eyes, stifling his comeback. He chose to brush it off.

"Old man, I see you're up too. Got nothing to add?"

In their circle, only Deputy Commander Edward fit the "old man" label, with his white-haired elder look. Edward stayed quiet. He fixed Leonidas with a piercing stare from his starry eyes, cutting through the foolishness.

"When you call me 'old man,' it's because you need a favor," Edward stated at last. "Spill it. Let's hear your latest scheme to con me."

Leonidas flashed a cheeky, unapologetic smile. Embarrassment was foreign to him.

"Did you and Hulk kick up a storm? Overwhelmed by that world and calling for reinforcements?" Arthas's voice slithered from the shadows, weary-inducing even to hear.

Leonidas laughed. Be it Alexander or Arthas, they were his dearest allies, bonded deeply. The jabs and mockery merely paved the way for his true revelation.

"Nope," Leonidas sang, wagging his head to affirm they'd stayed out of trouble. "Arthas, I swear I'm not exaggerating—our little brother(Orion) has grown ridiculously powerful. Stronger than me, than you—stronger than every one of us together."

He halted for emphasis.

"He straight-up repelled Goddess Agaman, armed with a Demigod Artifact. The instant his Divine Kingdom appeared, he became an overwhelming juggernaut. Completely unbeatable."

Leonidas's accolades for Orion poured forth endlessly.

Deputy Commander Edward, Arthas, and Alexander fell utterly quiet. Leonidas's words delivered a profound jolt.

"A Demigod Artifact?" Alexander broke the silence. "Something with that might could erase you with a look. How are you still breathing?"

The harsh query grated. Leonidas itched to retort, but lacked a solid riposte. Plus, he needed Alexander engaged, so he bit his tongue.

"Hey, assassin, don't go for the sore spots, okay?" Leonidas sidestepped slyly, embracing his rogue persona. "We're bros. Give a guy some face."

"Cut to the chase," Arthas cut in. "We're not wasting faith energy on your drivel."

Their routine held firm: when two of the trio squabbled, the third always intervened to refocus.

"The World of Eldoria belongs to us!" Leonidas proclaimed gravely. "Our little brother took it single-handedly, mostly. He battled the Holy Son of the Holy Order plus their five divine Templars. Then he scared off the supreme Goddess Agaman's avatar descent. Lastly, bloodlessly, he forced the sea's three Demigods to flee and relocate."

Now he could fully recount the events to his veteran comrades.

"Truthfully, when that Demigod Artifact—a shard of a magic mirror—emerged, I sensed none of us could stand against it," Leonidas confessed, voice trembling. "And as the Divine Kingdom unfolded, a swath of the Abyssal World sprang up underfoot. It nearly yanked my dragon soul free. Pure terror."