Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1554 Ambition in the Dark

Firstly, Orion's continuous advancement necessitated his unceasing drawing of power from The Void. Allowing the Council to investigate the Sealing Temple would inevitably impede this process, thus their research timeline needed to be postponed as much as possible, ensuring the temple remained completely untouched for his exclusive use.

Secondly, in stark contrast to the vast and layered bureaucracy of the Saint Gran Council, Orion and Leonidas placed their trust solely in the Deputy Commander.

Thirdly, channeling this agreement through him guaranteed that the Deputy Commander would also reap significant benefits. It was a reciprocal utilization of influence that would only serve to solidify the strategic alliance between them.

"In that event, my storm avatar shall remain stationed here," the Deputy Commander declared, his expression unreadable. "Any findings or resources obtained from the temple will be relayed to you without delay."

He offered a slight inclination of his head. Honestly, this outcome had been precisely what he had foreseen. He understood Leonidas, Orion, and the general operational mindset of the Champions Alliance members with remarkable clarity.

"Moreover, the preparations of the Platinum Authority are nearing completion," the Deputy Commander disclosed. "They will initiate their actions shortly. Be prepared; your strength will be indispensable when the moment arrives."

Orion and Leonidas had been anticipating the Platinum Authority's operation for a considerable period. Both gave their assent with a shared nod.

Titanion Realm, City of Stoneheart.

The widespread alarm and commotion stemming from the celestial anomaly persisted for a mere three days. Following this, the inhabitants reverted to their established routines—eating, drinking, and striving to survive, precisely as they always had.

What ensued was a period of sunless obscurity that endured for half a month. This pitch-black shroud was only briefly dispelled when the two distinct celestial skies converged overhead. For a fleeting instant, the realm was bathed in daylight intensity. Every star within the heavens blazed with spectacular luminosity, fully illuminating the Titanion Realm.

Regrettably, this astonishing spectacle endured for no more than fifteen minutes. Subsequently, an absolute, oppressive darkness descended once more. There was no night sky, no sun, no moon, and no constellations. It was as if the recently merged cosmos had been consumed or obscured by some immense entity, leaving not a trace. The entire world was plunged into an abyssal void devoid of light.

This time, the terror and apprehension that seized the populace were exponentially more profound. It was the primal dread of the unknown—a deep-seated apprehension concerning a future utterly beyond prediction.

For Orion, however, this period represented a tremendous advantage. Day and night, the number of tribespeople offering prayers at his effigy swelled dramatically, their fervent devotion intensifying due to sheer desperation. Orion could perceive it with clarity; the faith energy he accumulated during this time was exceptionally purer and vastly more abundant.

"Orion, Lorelia and Myxara have just sent word. The insectoid swarms have fallen into a state of agitated unrest," Lilith stated, her brow furrowed as she stood on the balcony, relaying the latest intelligence. "Many of the lesser insectoids are losing control, spontaneously entering berserk states or undergoing forced evolutions."

"Remain calm," Orion responded with unwavering composure. "The fundamental laws of this world are undergoing transformation, triggering the awakening of dormant bloodlines within the Insectoid Race. Allow it to proceed. Regardless of whether their evolutions prove successful or not, any who defy orders will be put to death and their remains utilized as livestock."

The world-merger was rapidly approaching its culmination. The cosmic principles favoring the Insectoid Race were being fully unleashed, and numerous insectoids were poised to reap considerable advantages. This presented a dual-edged circumstance.

The positive aspect was that factions commanding insectoid swarms would experience a significant reinforcement of their military capabilities. The negative aspect was that the evolved insectoids would become excessively aggressive, inclined towards desertion, or worse—turning upon their former masters.

Even at this moment, within the range of Orion's senses, swarms of varying scales were descending into anarchy. Broodmothers were being consumed by their own offspring, and countless Insect Kings were perishing in brutal conflicts for dominance. This was the inherent crucible of species evolution. It was natural selection at its most savage.

"Orion, the wild, feral insectoid populations are experiencing an exponential surge, and their individual combat prowess is escalating. We have received numerous urgent pleas for assistance from settlements scattered across our domain," Lilith continued her report. "Should we deploy rescue forces?"

Technically, those peripheral settlements were under the dominion of the Stoneheart Horde. As the Horde's de facto administrator, Lilith felt a moral obligation to intervene. After all, an increased number of subjects translated to a greater volume of faith energy for the Horde to harness.

However, Orion's reply took her by complete surprise.

"The current situation marks the peak of a monumental upheaval. Dispatching our warriors beyond the city’s defenses at this juncture presents an unacceptably high degree of peril. Moreover, the very settlements issuing these pleas for aid are the same ones that previously disregarded our directives to seek refuge within the city."

Orion’s tone was glacial, his indifference towards subjects who demonstrated a lack of faith and obedience was palpable. "They harbor distrust for the Stoneheart Horde. They possess no sense of loyalty. They are not worthy of salvation. What, precisely, do you believe such settlements can offer us? Warriors of a loyal lineage? Unwavering faith?"

"Our immediate course of action should be to maintain our position and observe the world's transformation," he concluded. "The true peril has yet to manifest. Preserving our strength is the only prudent strategy."

Given Orion’s unwavering resolution, Lilith ceased her arguments, setting aside her lingering apprehensions.

The South, City of Blessings.

From the highest spire of the Elven Palace, Rommath and his Broodmother observed the darkened firmament.

As the darkness enveloped them once more and the stars disappeared, Broodmother Laito emitted a piercing screech. "Master, you must make preparations for conflict."

"My ancestral memories indicate that the convergence of worlds is approaching its culmination," Laito rasped. "When the foreign realm finally descends, the entirety of this world will teem with insectoid legions. Furthermore, the territories outside the city walls will become infested with nests reminiscent of the Wormhole Realm. This will present an unparalleled golden era for resource acquisition. This nascent world will nurture innumerable rare materials essential for progression—that is your path to further ascension, Master."

Laito's voice carried a hint of mania, quivering with unbridled fervor. Every word spoken was the absolute truth. Laito had personally experienced numerous world convergences of this nature throughout its existence.

Indeed, the native realm of the God-Devouring Insectoids had ascended to its formidable status by methodically consuming lesser worlds. Laito understood unequivocally that this amalgamation of the Titanion Realm and the Insectoid Realm was significantly skewed in favor of the latter. If not, the fundamental cosmic laws of the Titanion Realm would not be shifting to promote insectoid proliferation.

Moreover, the newly unified world would boast substantially enlarged territories and limitless resources, inevitably leading to the emergence of a new generation of Demigods. To secure a portion of this bounty in the impending holy war, the preemption of resource control was an essential undertaking.

"Master, it is too late for us to initiate the mass incubation of a new swarm from the ground up," Laito urged. "We must subjugate lesser Broodmothers and Insect Kings. This is the sole method for exponential force expansion and the only means to protect your City of Blessings and your royal citadel."

Laito's words were coated in a seductive allure. Within its persuasive discourse, the City of Blessings and the Elven Palace were presented as Rommath's exclusive dominion. At this moment, Laito was visibly agitated, exhibiting erratic behavior, and inadvertently revealing a sliver of its true nature. Had Rommath been in a state of clear consciousness, he would undoubtedly have harbored suspicions.

Why did Laito possess such profound knowledge? Why did Laito retain inherited memories when no other Broodmother within the Horde did?

Alas, amidst the cataclysmic celestial transformations, Rommath’s mental clarity was severely compromised. In truth, from the moment he had breached the interdimensional nexus and seized control of the Wormhole Realm along with its vast spoils, Rommath’s psychological state had been profoundly distorted.

His aspirations had ballooned monstrously, his deepest desires amplified to an immeasurable degree. For Rommath, Laito’s enticing pronouncements were not a warning; they were the resonant herald of his own magnificent ascent. He was poised to ride the crest of this epochal shift to unparalleled heights.

The very contemplation sent a tremor of eager anticipation through Rommath's frame. For a brief, intoxicating instant, Rommath even envisioned the legendary spectacle of himself crushing the esteemed Giant King beneath his heel.