Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1581 Fish in a Barrel

"Easy! Take it easy! That actually hurts!"

Pallas let out a huge sigh of relief once Caelus released his vice-like grip. He quickly inquired, "What are you doing here? You aren't also part of the Platinum Authority, are you?"

Caelus's grin showing his teeth widened, completely disregarding the question. His eyes moved from the white deer cradled in Pallas's arms to Wepwawet, who stood behind him.

"Wepwawet offers his respects to His Highness, the First Prince!" Unlike the confused white deer, the Gnoll Wepwawet—a native of the Stoneheart Horde—had already dropped into a deep bow before Caelus even glanced his way.

Despite Wepwawet being Pallas's sworn protector, his devotion to Caelus was unwavering. Within the Stoneheart Horde, Caelus was an almost mythical figure; his name alone invoked notions of the unknown and insurmountable power. Encountering him in person, the Gnoll was overcome with a mixture of profound shock and admiration, even more so than fear.

Caelus gave a slight nod to the Gnoll but uttered no words.

"I acquired some excellent spoils in the Platinum Realm. I still owe you a welcome present, so take a look and see if you like it." With a swift motion of his hand, Caelus tossed a spatial ring towards Pallas.

At that precise instant, a voice thundered from the distant horizon like a clap of lightning.

"Insignificant scoundrel! You dare pilfer my clan's most prized treasure? You shall forfeit your life!" The booming voice resonated through the heavens, laden with an imposing, suffocating pressure.

"What an obnoxious and bothersome old man." Caelus knitted his brows, casting a brief glance over his shoulder before turning back.

"Younger Brother, I must depart!"

"Younger Brother, I must depart!"

Before the reverberating echo of his double pronouncement had even faded, Caelus had disappeared. When he reappeared, he was merely a distant speck on the horizon. Pallas watched until his brother had completely vanished from sight, then directed his attention toward the origin of the thunderous shout.

That sound is originating from the Withered Plains and Mount Oread. What on earth did he steal?

A sense of unease settled upon Pallas as he projected his consciousness into the spatial ring. Three heartbeats later, his head snapped up, his eyes wide with sheer incredulity.

"How could he possibly have achieved this?"

...

Seven days elapsed. High above the Verdant Cloud Realm.

Five figures, cloaked in concealment, stood within a vast magic formation that encircled the entire world. Their gaze was fixed upon the realm about to be rebranded as the Platinum Realm.

"Utterly lamentable."

"To imagine a demigod reduced to the status of a mere insect under the Commander's strategy."

Leonidas sighed. In times past, before his own ascension, a demigod had represented an all-powerful deity in his perception. And now? The local demigods were completely oblivious to any trace of the trap meticulously laid by the Commander of their Champions Alliance. The entirety of the world had already been enveloped by his influence.

"They are nothing more than fish caught within a barrel." In the presence of their Commander, a demigod was indistinguishable from an ordinary mortal.

"A demigod is simply a mortal with slightly enhanced physicality," Alexander interjected. It was evident that he harbored some personal anxieties regarding his own demigod standing. Nevertheless, he was equally filled with awe at the terrifying might displayed by their Commander and the immense disparity in power that could exist even among demigods.

"Hey, your young protégé is quite the unpredictable element. I rather like his approach," Leonidas remarked, having observed Caelus as he plundered the Verdant Cloud Realm. "Care to send him my way? Let your big brother whip him into shape?"

"He does not have the leisure to indulge in frivolous activities with you."

"Until he ascends to the demigod level, none of you are permitted to interfere with his training."

This sharp admonishment originated from Deputy Commander Edward, who had remained silent until this moment. As he spoke, he cast a cautionary glare towards both Alexander and Orion. As one of Caelus's two principal mentors, the Deputy Commander was resolute in preventing a boorish individual like Leonidas from corrupting such nascent talent.

"He is currently undertaking a trial assigned by the Commander. Merely observe." Edward redirected his gaze towards Orion, the unvoiced directive unmistakable: Orion, do not dare to impede Caelus's trial.

Orion inclined his head. He had placed his trust in Caelus's tutelage under the Commander; he would not now second-guess the established process.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on his Younger Brother? Might you be able to train him for me?" Orion smoothly shifted his attention.

Orion was on the verge of commencing his world-integration initiative. Once he achieved the status of a literal embodiment of the rules within the Titanion Realm, he would lack both the time and the energy to mentor his own offspring. Recommending Pallas to Leonidas was a strategic decision.

"Pallas?" Leonidas looked downwards, his gaze penetrating the thick cloud layer to fix upon Pallas, who was presently traversing the Mystic Woods.

"The kid is too indolent and lacks motivation. He needs some hardship," Leonidas declared. "His innate talent doesn't quite match his older brother's, but it's not drastically different. Molding him would be simple. However, my pedagogical approaches are... unconventional. Are you not concerned I might corrupt your son?"

In all honesty, Pallas possessed a talent so remarkable that it captured even Leonidas's sharp scrutiny.

"It would be an esteemed privilege for him to gain some wisdom from you, Brother," Orion responded. "Ever since Caelus and Kaelen emerged, he has been faltering. Their appearance dealt a significant blow to his self-esteem, leaving him lacking confidence. When it comes to bolstering confidence, I place my absolute trust in Brother's unique methods."

Sometimes, pride and audaciousness were merely the external coatings of unwavering self-assurance—qualities Leonidas embodied abundantly. Orion understood that associating with someone like Leonidas would naturally influence Pallas.

"Heh heh... Very well, if that is your wish, I shall claim Pallas once our current affairs are concluded."

"Agreed." Leonidas grinned, clearly basking in the acknowledgment that Orion held him in such high regard as to entrust his own offspring to his care.

"I have taken notice of your fourth son," Alexander chimed in. "Should he require refinement, bequeath him to my tutelage."

Alexander had observed Kaelen in combat. He had seen the young prodigy execute the clandestine techniques of the Dark Butterfly Race, and in doing so, recognized within him an unparalleled aptitude for assassination. Coupled with the formidable physical might of a Stoneheart Titan, Alexander felt assured that he could sculpt Kaelen into an instrument of lethal precision.

"Then I shall entrust him to your competent supervision, Brother!" Orion's eyes sparkled. He had not anticipated Alexander taking a personal interest in Kaelen. This was a chance many would covet dearly.

"I assure you, if Arthas were present, he would be fiercely advocating for your youngest son," Leonidas quipped, his gaze drifting towards a stationary phantom of a demigod standing a short distance away. It was Arthas.

Due to the substantial portion of his consciousness being anchored within the Minor Hell realm, the phantom projection Arthas had manifested would only stir if a battle of demigod caliber commenced.

"On that subject, why has the Commander not yet made his descent?" Orion inquired, deftly sidestepping Leonidas's jest. He was fully aware of Arthas's predicament; his Brother would not be emerging from the Minor Hell realm for a considerable duration.

"Do not direct your inquiries towards me. I possess no information," Deputy Commander Edward responded, meeting the expectant stares of Orion, Leonidas, and Alexander.

"The Commander indicated he is handling this personally. Our sole responsibility is observation. Furthermore, the Platinum Authority is making preparations to advance into the Platinum Realm. If the factions under your command have any outstanding mercenary contracts, feel free to post them."