Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1573 The Offer of the Profane Lands

While the ramparts became a scene of desperate and bloody slaughter for Horde bloodline warriors such as the Gnoll Arlo and the Giant Kordun, their ferocious war cries soared over the city like the ceaseless beating of war drums, their echoes reaching all the way to the royal castle.

Ever since Orion had begun to conceal his movements, Lilith had ascended to occupy the high throne.

War is a ravenous beast; a single misstep and it will utterly devour our civilization and order. Yet, it also acts as the ultimate catalyst, forcing our society to evolve and advance. Each war that descends upon us serves as a baptism of fire for the Stoneheart Horde. I—and my people—will only emerge from this ordeal stronger, our resolve tempered like iron.

Lilith's mind was as serene as an undisturbed lake. She arched a delicate brow, her eyes revealing a striking duality: a profound calm coupled with a brilliant intensity.

This marked her first time commanding the grand board as the supreme tactician. Transitioning from the shadows of the inner sanctum to the absolute forefront, she sat elevated upon the throne, exuding the majestic and untouchable authority befitting an empress.

However, this imposing aura was abruptly shattered by a Succubus handmaiden who rushed in with a report.

"Your Highness, an unidentified cloaked figure has arrived outside the palace gates, requesting an audience! Our intelligence from Seeker indicates there is absolutely no record of this individual!" the handmaiden exclaimed, specifically mentioning Seeker to highlight the sheer anomaly of the stranger's undocumented existence.

A cloaked stranger? Unknown origins? Heh... To boldly request an audience during such a tense, apocalyptic war... this newcomer is certainly a foe, not a friend.

Lilith narrowed her beautiful eyes, extending her senses outward without the slightest restraint. A moment later, she fell into a heavy silence.

I cannot pinpoint his exact realm, nor can I fathom the depths of his power. He is far beyond me, she deduced internally. Could he be an Archlord? Or perhaps a Demigod phantom?

In truth, whether the intruder was an Archlord or a Demigod phantom, Lilith felt no fear. This was the royal castle; this was Orion's absolute domain. It was precisely because of this that the mysterious figure was waiting respectfully at the gates to request an audience rather than simply barging in. Had the stranger exhibited even a sliver of killing intent within the City of Stoneheart, the residual cosmic laws of Orion's divine power would have obliterated him on the spot.

An entity above the Lord tier... he isn't here for me. The one he truly seeks is Orion. Who might he represent? The swarm?

Although the swarm's attempt to seal and assassinate Orion hadn't been made public, Orion himself hadn't made an appearance among the Horde recently. Whether he was dead or alive was the ultimate burning question for both the insectoids and the other predators lurking in the shadows. If Orion had truly fallen, the Stoneheart Horde would instantly become a massive, defenseless feast ripe for the taking.

What is his objective in seeking Orion? Should I grant the audience or not?

For a moment, Lilith was torn. Her instincts screamed that, during a crisis like this, barring the gates to all strangers was the only logical course of action. Yet, she was also acutely aware of a stark reality: she was merely a Lord. If the figure outside was indeed a Demigod, his arrival wouldn't signify a lone wanderer; it would represent an entire powerhouse faction. The high-stakes geopolitics between Demigods were beyond her complete understanding, and far beyond her capacity to meddle in.

"Allow him entry. I wish to ascertain precisely which faction these hidden players belong to." Just as Lilith was lost in her thoughts, Orion's deep, unshakably confident voice resonated directly in her mind.

Reassured by Orion's presence, Lilith's eyes snapped open, her regal, empress-like aura blazing back to life.

"Bring him in!"

At her command, the waiting Succubus handmaiden bowed and swiftly departed to escort the stranger.

Moments later, the cloaked figure entered the grand hall. Facing Lilith, the stranger made no move whatsoever to lower his hood or reveal his face. From Lilith's perspective, this was profoundly insolent. However, from the perspective of a Demigod, it was entirely standard procedure. To Vaelian, a Legendary-tier combatant like Lilith was fundamentally indistinguishable from an insect.

Despite this, Vaelian still projected a thin veneer of civility and respect. It wasn't for Lilith; it was entirely directed at Giant King Orion.

"Your Grace, we should converse. I, Vaelian, hold something that you will inevitably require in the days to come."

Vaelian's voice was placid and smooth, completely devoid of any oppressive weight. He sounded exactly like a shrewd merchant arriving to broker a high-stakes deal, maintaining perfect cordiality to ensure a profitable outcome.

Lilith remained silent, fully aware the words weren't intended for her. Thus, she held her tongue and her regal stance, her icy gaze fixed upon the shrouded figure.

Moments bled into one another in the stifling quiet of the grand hall. The hushed breaths of the handmaidens were audible, and the distant, hellish screeches and roars of combat from beyond the city's defenses carried with unnerving clarity.

"Forget whatever secrets you conceal. I am far more intrigued by your origins and your masters' ultimate goals," Orion's voice resonated, heavy with celestial might and an overwhelming pressure, after a drawn-out, tense silence.

Upon hearing Orion's words, the corners of the cloaked figure's mouth twitched upwards, a clear sign of elation, like a hunter who had finally cornered his prey.

"Your Grace, your survival despite the swarm's trap proves your immense power," Vaelian stated with practiced ease. "Such a formidable being as yourself is the ideal partner for our endeavor."

The cloaked figure slowly lifted his head. Though his hood obscured much, Lilith caught a partial glimpse of his face.

It was a visage of dreadful monstrosity and profound evil. One side was savagely bestial, featuring a vertical, crimson demonic pupil and a jagged tusk protruding past his lips. The other half belonged to a human woman, her expression frozen in a rictus of agony, a horrifying blend of anguished cries and desperate pleas. It was a sight that defied nature and curdled the stomach.

Naturally, what Lilith perceived was crystal clear to Orion, who likely saw far more into the entity's true essence.

"We originate from the Profane Lands," came the response.

The answer was surprisingly direct, catching Orion somewhat off guard. Revealing one's origins so readily, whether truth or deception, was unexpected.

"Hehehe... Your silence confirms your ignorance of the Profane Lands and our heritage," the cloaked figure chuckled, a smug, unsettling sound that soon erupted into unrestrained laughter.

"This is a blessing in disguise! Your lack of knowledge means you won't be hindered by preconceptions or unnecessary suspicion when you join forces with us."

Just as Orion's divine wrath was about to flare, the cloaked figure abruptly ceased his mirth. The palpable arrogance, smug superiority, and lawless contempt for all existence vanished instantly, swallowed back into the darkness of his hood.

"This world has already transformed into a grand banquet," Vaelian declared, his tone chillingly calm. "And among those feasting, only you and the Insect Queen possess the Authority to claim the spoils."

"My objective is simple: to elevate your strength, ensuring you possess the might to vanquish the Insect Queen when the time comes. Nothing more."

With that, Vaelian inclined his head, fixing his gaze on Lilith. Within the shadows of his hood, his two disparate eyes—one bestial, one human—mirrored the same intense, predatory anticipation and alluring temptation.

Lilith's unparalleled beauty went completely unnoticed by him.