Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1600 Bones and Mortar

Observing that Orion lacked the inclination for heroic actions, Leonidas redirected his attention from the distant view to scrutinize the Death-Soul Fiend with interest.

"This avatar is the sole form I possess to traverse the realm at this moment," Orion declared, his gaze fixed on The Bastion Wall snaking through the verdant mountain range, a hint of irritation coloring his tone. His Abyssal Dreadfin was occupied defending the seas, and his Insect King avatar was still undergoing maturation. He couldn't even afford to detach a demigod phantom. The limitation irked him immensely.

"Rest easy, my friend. With me holding this position, any fool daring enough to attack will be utterly annihilated," Leonidas reassured, clapping Orion on the shoulder, greatly amused by Orion's difficult situation. Orion's strained resources meant he would have to depend on Leonidas, a prospect Leonidas relished for the influence it granted him.

"But in earnest, as vast as The Endless Bastion is, its current state is rudimentary." He gestured towards the stone structures. "It's a natural bottleneck, not an impenetrable stronghold. Let's set aside the notion of inscribing eternal magical runes and arrays onto The Bastion Wall for a moment. We require fundamental fortifications as a priority: ramparts, watchtowers, gatehouses, beacon towers, arrow towers, and suspension gates. A comprehensive military defense network needs to be established across this pass, and swiftly."

Orion was fully aware of these necessities; it was precisely why he had sought Leonidas out.

"I understand your need for manpower, my associate. I shall provide it immediately."

With a sweep of his hand, Orion tore open a Dimensional Rift. A torrent of thick, venomous death energy erupted from the fissure, its putrid stench so potent it caused Leonidas to raise an eyebrow. An Arch Lord Skeletal Knight emerged first, followed by meticulously organized phalanxes of Skeletal Knights.

"This is my sister, Clymene. You have encountered her previously," Orion stated before Leonidas could inquire. "The recent cataclysm elevated her to the Arch Lord rank."

"Greetings, Your Excellency," Clymene intoned, executing a deep bow. Having witnessed much of the world, she recognized the formidable power emanating from the demigod before her, affording him her utmost deference.

"Intriguing. An Arch Lord Skeletal Knight is indeed a rare entity," Leonidas remarked thoughtfully. "Even Arthas does not command a Skeletal Knight of this caliber within his legions."

Orion inclined his head, internally marveling at the achievement himself. A Skeletal Knight forged from the amalgamation of seven distinct souls—Clymene, Bloodfeather, Nyx, Aha, Cyrilla, Carola, and Jayne—achieving the Arch Lord tier was nothing short of miraculous.

"Furthermore, I have relocated The Great Necropolis of the Skeletal Knights to a position beneath The Bastion Wall," Orion added. "This will facilitate the summoning of additional undead units with greater ease."

The Great Bastion of the East was facing an onslaught from innumerable insectoid swarms. Without the augmentation of the undead scourge to bolster their numbers, the Stoneheart Horde would stand no chance in a protracted war of attrition, let alone achieve dominance.

"I have also recalled Ashreign!"

The instant Orion concluded his declaration, a colossal Dimensional Rift ripped open the fabric of space. Arch Lord Ashreign, the formidable Commander of the Wraith-Knights, emerged astride a terrifying warhorse. Following in his wake, one hundred thousand Wraith-Knights advanced from the confines of the Minor Hell realm.

In comparison to Clymene, Ashreign represented a significantly higher echelon of power. While the Skeletal Knight had just attained the Arch Lord tier, Ashreign was already established as a High Arch Lord.

"Ashreign offers his respects, My Lord!" The Commander dismounted, bowing profoundly. Behind him, a hundred thousand Wraith-Knights halted their mounts, the thunderous clatter of hooves echoing as they mirrored his action.

"Greetings, My Lord!" they bellowed in unison.

Orion acknowledged their salutation with a nod, then turned his attention back to Leonidas. "They are now under your command." Without further preamble, Orion transferred control to Leonidas in the presence of the assembled army.

"A contingent of one hundred thousand Wraith-Knights, thirty thousand Skeletal Knights, supplemented by the numerous beast lairs I have established... yes, this should suffice for the present." Leonidas sported a confident grin. "I guarantee the foundational elements of your defenses will be erected within a month's time."

In reality, Leonidas held a slightly inflated estimation of the Skeletal Knights' immediate combat readiness. Ashreign's Wraith-Knights had been tempered in the unforgiving crucible of the Minor Hell realm—they were battle-hardened veterans prepared for total war. Clymene's legion, however, presented a different scenario. Apart from a select cadre of elite warriors, more than half were newly summoned entities, yet to experience their first taste of battle.

Nevertheless, the Skeletal Knights possessed their own distinct advantage: they thrived on combat, accruing strength with each fallen foe. Moreover, with Leonidas tasked with constructing defenses from the ground up, they would serve as exceptionally capable and indefatigable laborers for the foreseeable future.

Orion offered no commentary on the ambitious guarantee. He simply gestured, causing the rift to seal shut, and then directed his gaze beyond The Bastion Wall. The distant mountain peaks formed dark, serrated silhouettes stretching towards the horizon. High above them, minuscule black specks were visible, circling in the vast expanse of the sky.

A maddening, incessant chittering, like an echo within Orion's mind, heralded the swarm of insectoids advancing across the land bridge that joined the two continents.

"We necessitate scouts deployed immediately," Orion declared, fixing Leonidas with a direct gaze. "Firsthand intelligence will determine the trajectory of this conflict."

"Already on it," Leonidas responded with a grin. "Stealth beasts have been dispatched. And now that you've bestowed this undead legion upon me, I shall disseminate them to secure the sectors. Incidentally, contact Makareth. Instruct him to channel more abyssal units, similar to the Shadow Wraiths, your way. They excel in operations of this nature."

Orion gave a nod. This was merely the preliminary phase, these legions forming the bedrock of their defenses. Before long, the forces from the other Champions Alliance members would arrive, bolstering all four corners of the continent. Furthermore, the primary legions of the Stoneheart Horde and their associated allies would deploy reinforcements.

"The responsibility now rests with you." His business concluded, Orion departed without delay. He had other sectors to secure, and time was of the essence.

As Orion vanished from sight, Leonidas's eyes narrowed, the prior amusement vanishing from his expression. Regardless of demigod status, assuming the role of a regional guardian within the Ascendant Plane imposed an immense burden. He grasped the stark reality: the impending war would not involve a mere one or two demigods. Should his own strength not increase, he would inevitably become a liability.

He could sense it, he mused, his hand gripping the stone of The Bastion Wall. With every passing second spent here, World Essence coursed into his being. Was this a benefit of the Ascendant Plane? Still, it was insufficient. The pace was too slow. I must devise a solution...

Unbeknownst to Leonidas, from the instant his World Dragon avatar was designated the perpetual guardian of The Great Bastion of the East, it became intrinsically linked to the Titanion Realm. In essence, the nascent world developing within him had already commenced its integration with the realm itself. This vital connection was the true catalyst for his World Dragon avatar's escalating power with each passing moment.