Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1597 A God's Proposition
Previously on Titan King: Ascension of the Giant...
The crisp morning air graced Stoneheart City as raven flocks and swarms of Flying Fish Mayflies traversed the skies above the Horde Hall's domed roof. The bustling city, a true melting pot, began to stir, its atmosphere perfumed by the magical essence of elemental sprites.
Upon the cobblestone plaza, the populace of the Stoneheart Horde offered their solemn prayers before the Divine Idol of the Stoneheart Titan. In the distance, the city's vibrant life echoed through the peddlers' calls, the sharp cracks of coachmen's whips, the groaning protest of wagons, and the thunderous roars of crowds at the newly reopened colosseum, all contributing to the image of a flourishing metropolis.
Yet, the heavily guarded perimeter around the Inner City and the Horde Hall served as a stark reminder of the truth: this world had only recently weathered an apocalyptic cataclysm.
Gazing upon the formidable citadel before them, Pyraxis Bloodflame, Kassophyr, Baelnac the White, and Glacial Dragon Jorik experienced a palpable sense of awe. It was the overwhelming majesty of the world's supreme ruler. To the assembled dragon delegation, the city, bathed in a divine luminescence, shimmered with unparalleled glory – the glory of the Stoneheart Horde, the glory of Orion, the Giant King.
As the four dragons awaited, a resplendent royal honor guard, comprised of giants and succubi, emerged from the Horde Hall. Lilith, adorned in magnificent regal attire, led the procession, personally stepping forth to extend a welcome to the demigod powerhouses of the dragon race.
"Honored Pyraxis Bloodflame, honored Kassophyr," Lilith addressed them, her voice carrying warmth. "Please, follow me. Orion awaits you within the main hall."
Despite standing before demigods, Lilith, the Horde Queen, carried herself with an unpretentious demeanor, speaking with the familiar ease of an old comrade.
"Your Highness," Pyraxis Bloodflame and Kassophyr responded in unison, their replies concise. The urgency of their matters with Orion left no room for casual pleasantries.
Lilith guided the two demigods towards the throne room, entrusting Baelnac the White and Glacial Dragon Jorik to a nearby side hall. After ensuring the demigods were safely inside to meet Orion, she released a soft sigh and proceeded to the side hall.
"Lord Baelnac, Lord Jorik. My apologies for the delay in your reception," she offered with a welcoming smile.
She then summoned a retinue of succubus handmaidens, who promptly served exquisite wine and delicacies, extending a warm greeting to the two respected old friends of the Horde.
"You are most gracious, Your Highness," Baelnac the White replied courteously, maintaining a respectful distance due to their less familiar relationship.
"It is a profound honor. Had it not been for Lord Kaelen's intervention against those insidious Wyrm-rot Parasites to the south, I would not be standing here today to witness your magnificence," Glacial Dragon Jorik guffawed heartily. Jorik, having had the most extensive dealings with the Stoneheart Horde, often served as the dragons' representative. He knew Lilith well, interacting with her as an equal and a friend without any trace of awkwardness.
"The Frostpeak Mountains and the Black Forest in the north alike endured the prolonged, biting chill of the Coldsnap. In such darkness, one must share warmth to survive," Lilith stated, raising her goblet. "The bond between the Stoneheart Horde and the dragonkin stretches back to the tumultuous North-South War. Lord Baelnac, Lord Jorik—to our enduring alliance!"
She voiced this toast with the fervent hope of securing the dragons' unwavering allegiance in the wake of the world-altering reboot.
"To our everlasting alliance!" Baelnac echoed the sentiment, raising his own goblet.
"Congratulations on attaining the Arch Lord tier, Your Highness," Jorik added, lifting his glass. "To our continued friendship!"
Jorik's keen senses confirmed it: Lilith had indeed ascended to true Arch Lord status. Surviving the global collapse and subsequent reset had yielded unforeseen benefits. This enhancement wasn't exclusive to her; nearly every living being had experienced some form of advancement. Some discovered latent talents, others underwent bloodline evolutions, achieved significant cultivation breakthroughs, or underwent physical mutations. The Titanion Realm's transformation into an Ascendant Plane had fundamentally reshaped its inhabitants.
Upon hearing Jorik's commendation, Lilith offered a smile—a profound, self-assured, and dangerously captivating expression, reminiscent of a demonic lotus in full, alluring bloom.
Main Hall, Horde Hall.
An ethereal projection of Orion occupied the Giant King's throne. Since his assimilation with the Titanion Realm, Orion's presence in this world manifested solely through avatars, as he no longer possessed a physical form. To manifest a true corporeal body, he would need to achieve complete unification of the realm—a feat currently beyond his reach.
Theoretically, he could withdraw into the primordial chaos, utilizing his Divine Kingdom to absorb raw power and forge a new Divine Vessel. However, this endeavor would span millennia. Moreover, Orion lacked the energy reserves to manifest additional demigod projections and could not abandon the Titanion Realm. Should The Lifeless Dreadgod, Archbishop Kysar, or Moriphara detect even a slight decrease in his power, they would undoubtedly unite against him within the realm of rules to seize his Authority.
"Take a seat," Orion commanded. "Despite some unexpected shifts within the Titanion Realm, our alliance remains steadfast."
With a mere gesture, two slightly lesser thrones materialized from the void, a gesture befitting fellow demigods.
"We pay our respects to the Giant King," Pyraxis Bloodflame and Kassophyr declared in unison, offering a profound bow. "Your brilliance dispels the darkness, ushering in a new dawn for the world. We are grateful for your awakening us from slumber."
Though they were demigods of the formidable dragon race, a trace of arrogance was absent. The prevailing circumstances necessitated complete deference. While the unenlightened masses might remain oblivious, these two demigods possessed a clear understanding of Orion's current stature. Within the Titanion Realm, he reigned as an absolute deity. They, as mere first-stage demigods, would find even a fourth or fifth-stage powerhouse compelled to kneel before him in this domain.
"You have observed the current landscape," Orion stated plainly. "Forces from beyond covet the Titanion Realm. It has fractured into four primary factions, diminishing the influence of our native races in shaping the world's destiny. Yet, significant boons have also been acquired."
"The Titanion Realm has successfully ascended to become an Ascendant Plane. Your innate talents and bloodlines have seen a dramatic surge. Inconceivable numbers of Primordial Treasures are manifesting across the globe daily. This is truly an era of unprecedented miracles."
Orion saw no reason to conceal the reality of the global situation; transparency was unnecessary. If the dragons exercised wisdom, their choice of allegiance would be evident. The fact that the Stoneheart Horde had secured an entire continent against such formidable invading powers served as irrefutable proof of his might. Ostentatious displays were superfluous. As long as he drew breath, the Titan Continent was his, and his dominion was absolute.
"Regarding your former territories, I can only extend my apologies," Orion said. During the world's profound reset, the dragons' ancestral southern domains—both the landmass and the surrounding oceanic expanses—had been completely absorbed and assimilated into the Titan Continent.
"Should you choose to formally align with the Stoneheart Horde's faction," Orion proposed, "I guarantee that any future oceanic territories you claim will be recognized as belonging to the dragonkin."
He held all the leverage. Orion saw no need for intricate political maneuvering or disingenuous declarations. His offer was laid bare, leaving the decision solely to them.