Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1326 The Brotherhood's Watch

Leonidas grinned as he turned his attention toward Orion.

"Brother, you have just consumed a massive portion of territory. Surely your hunger for the Godforsaken Land hasn't been satisfied yet, has it?"

Orion had truly profited like a bandit during this conflict, largely due to the support of his brothers.

"You must be joking," Orion replied, shaking his head with a faint, wry smile. "After witnessing the power of those Abyssal Rulers firsthand... do you honestly believe I would complain about possessing too much land?"

Leonidas let out a booming laugh, throwing his head back.

"So," Arthas interrupted, cutting through the casual banter. "Is your True Body finally ending its seclusion?"

Orion froze, his glass paused halfway to his lips. He stared at the undead knight with a look of genuine astonishment.

How could he possibly know? I haven't uttered a single word about it.

Arthas didn't require telepathic powers to understand the situation. He simply tapped his temple. "It is written in your eyes, Orion. Your confidence has returned. Moreover, unless my senses deceive me, this is the first genuine smile you have shown in an entire decade."

The observation was accurate. For ten long years, Orion had lived as if the Sword of Damocles hung over him, constantly fearing the next move from the Abyssal Rulers. It was difficult to find joy when one was perpetually anticipating total extinction.

"Hah! He speaks the truth," Leonidas shouted, striking the table with his palm. "Brother, when a man carries a heavy burden on his soul, he resembles a walking corpse. His eyes grow dull, and his shoulders sag under the weight."

"It’s always easy to spot the men who aren't getting any rest," Leonidas went on, his grin widening. "Dark circles under the eyes, bloodshot gaze—they look like they’ve survived twelve rounds with a hangover. But once that weight is lifted? Boom. You radiate light. You look as though you’ve just hit the jackpot."

Leonidas pulled out a flask containing high-grade spirits along with a set of goblets, pouring a round for everyone at the table. The past decade had been an exhausting grind for all of them, not just for Orion.

"You are like an open book right now," Leonidas remarked, sliding a filled glass toward Orion. "No defenses, no guarded expressions. That indicates you feel secure. It shows us that you trust your brothers."

That was the heart of the matter. The Champions Alliance was far more than a mere political pact; it was a true brotherhood. Orion hadn't even attempted to mask his relief because he felt no need to maintain a facade in their presence.

"So," the Deputy Commander cut in, shifting the focus back to their objectives. "Is it truly happening? Are you making your appearance?"

Orion scanned the faces around the table. He saw concern, excitement, and anticipation reflected in every one of them.

He gave a solemn nod. "I could awaken at any moment. I... I can't express how much I appreciate you all. Truly. You put your own lives on hold just to watch my back in this hellish place."

Rising to his feet, Orion offered a deep bow. This wasn't a mere formality; it was an act of pure, raw gratitude. For most, remaining in the Sixth Layer of the Abyss during a power vacuum was a death sentence, yet they had stayed by his side.

"Oh, stop with the dramatics," Edward scoffed, though a warm tone lingered in his voice. "You are a Demigod now. Start acting like one. Don't be so sentimental."

From the perspective of the Alliance, Orion's breakthrough was a massive increase in their collective power. Even before reaching the Demigod realm, he was an Over-tier combatant. The thought on everyone's mind was whether his absurd growth would persist. Could a newly ascended Demigod Orion actually challenge established deities?

"I still have many questions regarding this realm," Orion confessed as he sat back down. "My path... it is unconventional. I need to consult with Commander Thresh and seek his guidance before I make any reckless moves."

The others nodded in agreement. Each of them had made a similar pilgrimage to the Commander following their own ascensions. It was a mandatory rite of passage.

"Well, make it quick," Leonidas grunted, draining his wine in one go. "Because those bastards from the Sea Race and the Cult of Four are starting to lose their patience regarding Atlantis."

The strategy for the Silverwood Realm had been frozen for ten years. While Leonidas, Orion, and the Kraken had established the underwater city of Atlantis to rule the seas, the crisis in the Abyss had forced them to pause their expansion.

"Rumor has it they are tired of waiting," Leonidas cautioned. "They are currently mobilizing their Demigods to put pressure on the city."

"Let them try," Orion stated, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Once my main body awakens, my avatars—the Abyssal Dreadfin and the Deathly Soul-Reaper—will receive a massive boost to their stats. I will deal with the fish myself."

Leonidas smirked, his thirst for battle beginning to flare. "That is exactly what I wanted to hear."

"We shall remain here for one more year," the Deputy Commander declared. "We must ensure the transition remains stable."

The struggle for the Abyssal throne had concluded, but the political aftershocks were only just starting. Kaidric, the newly crowned Ruler, would be busy consolidating his reign. This meant that House Julius—the supporters of the previous regime—were now fair game. Every petty tyrant and Arch Lord in the Sixth Layer would soon be hunting Chaos Demons for sport.

"It is going to be a total bloodbath out there," the Deputy explained. "We have to ensure that none of the collateral damage reaches Orion's lands while he is absent. A year provides him the necessary buffer to stabilize his Cultivation."

"Furthermore," Alexander spoke up for the first time, his voice soft yet intense. "Keep a close eye on the Clown."

Orion shifted his gaze toward the strategist.

"He hasn't appeared in your world lately, but he has been prowling around the 'lair' I managed to locate," Alexander noted. "Now that you have reached the Demigod stage, I am withdrawing some of the safety nets I placed in your homeworld. You no longer require a babysitter, and I need to reallocate those resources."

It was a formal handover of responsibility. Alexander had been quietly protecting the Stoneheart Horde for years behind the scenes.

"I understand," Orion replied, meeting the strategist's eyes. "I will handle the Clown. And... thank you for holding the line."

"Alright, that’s enough serious talk," Leonidas cut in, pouring another round of drinks. "We are family here, so stop making things awkward. Let's change the subject."

He leaned forward, a glint of mischief shining in his eyes.

"Brother, that Plague Lord you introduced us to? The one currently in the Silverwood Realm?"

"What about him?"

"I went to check on his progress. He has been grinding away in silence for ten years," Leonidas laughed. "He is still a few years away from becoming an Arch Lord, but man... that fellow is a shady operator. A genuine hustler."

"We have all kept an eye on him," Leonidas added. "He seems capable. When do you plan to officially bring him into the Champions Alliance?"