Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1609 Fiefdoms and Fertilizer
Previously on Titan King: Ascension of the Giant...
The establishment of the Glory Points system was decreed by Orion.
Waves of allied forces were imminent for the Titan continent. Allocating contributions and future profits could not be left to Orion's sole discretion; a lack of structure would inevitably lead to chaos. Thus, the Glory Points system was conceived to record battlefield victories and catalog donations of supplies like weapons, provisions, and restorative draughts.
Moreover, this system would integrate a branch dedicated to quests, managed by a specific department. This initiative aimed to encourage and finance a wide range of activities, including expeditions, feats of daring, construction projects, supply chain management, and animal husbandry – essentially, all the elements required for the continent's smooth operation.
There was a significant amount of development required for the newly formed Titanion Realm.
"However, I have a contrasting proposition." Elara's captivating lips curved into a subtle smile. Both Lilith and Onyx recognized that this particular expression signaled impending misfortune for someone.
"The Clayfolk Race originates from another dimension, does it not? That presents a remarkable opportunity," she elaborated. "My father governs the Titan continent, and he must continually broaden our world's influence within the Titanion Realm. Would not the world from which the Clayfolk originate serve as the ideal resource for our expansion?"
Elara's eyes widened as she gazed at Lilith and Onyx, her expression a mask of feigned innocence. It conveyed a clear message: Mother, I've stumbled upon another prize waiting to be claimed!
"Can we realistically achieve such a feat?"
His throat felt dry. Onyx swallowed with difficulty, attempting to quell a sudden surge of apprehension. Since his induction into the Stoneheart Horde, the notion of plotting against an entirely different world, especially one harboring a demigod, had never crossed his mind.
"We can commence by establishing the foundational elements. When the opportune moment arrives, my father will undoubtedly need to intervene and manage the more substantial aspects of the plan," Elara stated. "On that note, this serves as a crucial reminder. The Horde's focus should not be solely confined to gathering intelligence on the Titan continent. We must investigate the backgrounds of all these newcomers and the dimensions they originated from. Occasionally, a single piece of crucial information can completely alter the trajectory of an insurmountable challenge in our favor."
Her fingers lightly tapped a rhythm on the tabletop. Her eyes narrowed into crescents as she hummed a nearly inaudible melody.
"Elara's insight is accurate. Circumstances have evolved," Lilith remarked, her eyes partially closed as she observed the shifting patterns of the clouds overhead in the courtyard. Her decision was made. "The Stoneheart Horde is no longer the entity it once was, nor is the Titan continent. We now have a demigod defending our interests, and following the cataclysm, Arch Lords have begun to emerge within our ranks. It is indeed time for us to broaden our perspective, looking further, wider, and towards a more distant future. Let us utilize the Clayfolk Race as an initial trial. Regardless of the eventual outcome, it will provide invaluable lessons for the Horde."
"My dear Elara, the negotiation with the Clayfolk will be under your purview. You possess complete authority. Draw whatever resources you require from the Horde's reserves; you have our unwavering support." Lilith rose and moved behind Elara, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from the girl's head. This child has truly matured. Elara remained silent, closing her eyes and savoring the comforting warmth of Lilith's maternal affection – her most cherished moments.
Stoneheart City. The Silent Goblet establishment.
Within a secluded chamber on the third level, the assembled individuals exchanged looks of utter astonishment. The mesmerizing performance of the succubus dance troupe, visible through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, drew no attention from them.
Their collective focus was fixed entirely on the individual seated across from them: Orion.
Or, to be more precise, Orion's remarkable Insect King avatar.
"A Legendary-tier Insect King avatar?" Aerin exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. "Sugar daddy, you have my utmost admiration! Impart some of your wisdom to me! I implore you!"
When it came to sheer audacity, Aerin existed in a category all her own. She dropped to her knees without hesitation, performing a kowtow on the floor as she lamented dramatically. "I pledge my complete devotion! I shall serve as your subservient companion! I will pour your tea, warm your bed..."
No one found this amusing. This close-knit circle understood each other implicitly. Over time, they had come to realize that in her previous world, Aerin had been an avid consumer of media, a recluse engrossed in fictional romantic heroes and dramatic love stories. And Orion, present before them, represented a level of allure far surpassing any celebrity from a television series. Her complete absence of decorum was entirely consistent with her character. Now that she felt at ease with the group, she had shed all pretense and was simply expressing herself freely.
"It is merely an avatar," Orion responded, completely disregarding Aerin's elaborate display as he proceeded to pour beverages for everyone at the table. "Once you reach the pinnacle of the Legendary tier, or achieve advancement to the Arch Lord realm, you too will begin to create avatars – if only as a means of self-preservation."
It was standard practice. Orion and Kraken possessed them, as did Leonidas and Alexander. Heaven only knew how many skeletal duplicates Arthas had stockpiled.
"Cheers," Orion proposed, raising his chalice. "Welcome to the Titanion Realm, and a warm welcome to the Stoneheart Horde. The continent I reside on is consumed by war. Peaceful interludes are a rarity."
This was no overstatement. Factions ignited North-South conflicts with regularity, vying for territory and dominion. Regardless of the conflict's magnitude, these wars invariably annihilated entire species. During his ascent, Orion had guided the Horde through several such campaigns merely to secure a fertile southern expanse. Since then, it had been a relentless cycle of calamity and warfare, persisting until the world's demise and subsequent rebirth.
"I could not extend assurances before, but now I can. While you remain within the Titan continent, your safety is guaranteed," Orion declared. "Even if a deity were to appear, I could contend with them."
This proclamation seemed like a grand boast, yet it bore a significant resemblance to the truth. In an epoch where divine beings seldom revealed themselves, no one possessed the authority to contradict his assertion.
Orion, however, was not merely boasting or inflating his ego. He was conveying to his closest confidants that he had finally attained sufficient strength to serve as their ultimate safeguard. Just as Orion had joined the Champions Alliance and designated the Valkorath Realm as his final refuge, the Titanion Realm could now function as the ultimate haven for Aina, Aerin, Caesar, Scarecrow, and Tangere.
To redirect their focus from somber subjects, Orion tapped his glass against the table, signaling a shift in conversation.
"I shall bestow upon all of you the distinction of Bronze Noble within the Stoneheart Horde, alongside a domain substantial enough to sustain a lesser lord. You may select your own locations. There is one available for each of you."
A permanent, indefeasible grant of land for allies of Legendary status—Orion was making a significant investment. Now that the Titanion Realm had ascended to an Ascendant Plane, every sliver of land was invaluable. To claim it was worth its weight in gold would be a profound understatement; Primordial Treasures could potentially emerge from the very soil at any moment.