Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1350 The Burden of Survival

Titanion Realm: The Human Kingdom

Hardship was the constant companion of those traveling the commercial roads.

The trade connection between the Stoneheart Horde and the Human Kingdom had been built from the ground up.

Ever since the time of Torin, starting with the establishment of Highbird City as a border bastion, this route had been a theater of endless strife. In those early years, merchant caravans were forced to traverse the deadly territories of aggressive Ogres simply to reach the lands of the Stoneheart.

During that era, only the most reckless merchants and the most battle-hardened Mercenary Corps possessed the courage to tread that path.

In the present day, the route is no longer haunted by the erratic brutality of the Ogre Tribes. Instead, it is being throttled by the cold, bureaucratic greed of the Blood Elves.

Although the frequency of massacres has dropped, the overhead for commerce has reached staggering heights. Every caravan and Mercenary Corps crossing through the Blood Elf domain is forced to pay exorbitant tolls in gold. Having paid a bloody price to seize these territories, the Elves have no intention of granting passage to anyone—be they from the Human Kingdom or the Stoneheart Horde—without a fee.

However, the payment of a toll does not ensure one's safety.

The trade route remains a graveyard for those who let their guard down. It is a trail traveled by desperate men living on the brink, teeming with outlaws and famished monsters waiting for any sign of vulnerability.

Beneath the burning sun, clouds of dust rose into the sky, signaling the approach of a large caravan.

Sturdy draft horses moved with powerful, rhythmic strides, pulling wagons that creaked under the weight of Human Kingdom merchandise. Positioned at the heart of the formation was a carriage that combined luxury with heavy fortification. Two massive crossbows, engraved with glowing magical runes, were fixed to the rear, aiming toward the forest. Two squads of veteran guards maintained a constant circle around it, their gazes scanning for threats.

It was obvious that the individual inside held immense status.

"Edwin, are we still within the borders of the Kingdom?"

Marquess Roderic was the firstborn of Grand Duke Richard, the man responsible for brokering the trade agreements with the Stoneheart Horde. This wasn't Roderic's first expedition to the Horde’s territory, but the atmosphere felt unusually heavy this time.

He was plagued by restlessness. The beautiful vistas that usually charmed travelers now only served to intensify his internal dread.

"My Lord, at our current speed, we will arrive at Soaring Bird City in three days," Edwin answered with a smooth tone. "If the travel is becoming too taxing, we can stop there for a short rest before continuing."

Edwin served as a senior manager for the Golden Apple Chamber of Commerce, the trade organization supported by Grand Duke Richard. To Edwin, Roderic was more than a noble; he represented the future of their business. His voice carried a perfectly practiced air of submission.

"Three days?" Roderic scowled, tapping his fingers nervously against the armrest. "That is far too slow."

Edwin hid his astonishment. From a professional standpoint, their pace was excellent. The carriage was drawn by blood-crossed stallions—creatures of magical descent bred specifically for speed and stamina. Compared to a typical convoy, they were practically flying.

"My Lord," Edwin asked with caution, "is there some urgent matter?"

He only inquired because Roderic’s tension was filling the carriage like thick smoke. However, Roderic, currently a bundle of raw nerves, snapped his head toward him, eyes narrowing sharply.

Edwin’s heart skipped a beat. He realized he had stepped out of line.

"Please forgive me," Edwin said quickly, lowering his head.

"That is not your concern," Roderic replied, turning away. He was certain of Edwin’s loyalty—the magical contracts guaranteed it—but terror made men short-tempered.

"I only mentioned it because your distress is plain to see, My Lord. It concerns me."

Roderic took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax his shoulders. He adjusted his expression, once again putting on the mask of a detached aristocrat. "We are transporting a massive shipment of rare goods. Perhaps I am merely over-analyzing our security."

It was a believable deception. As a manager, Edwin was well aware the manifest was worth a king's ransom. He nodded and chose to remain silent.

Roderic looked out the window. The passing woods seemed more ominous than usual, with the shadows between the trees suggesting hidden predators.

His thoughts returned to the secret discussion in his father’s study before they set out.

"The Giant King has ascended. He is now a Demigod," Grand Duke Richard had declared with a somber voice. "His power radiates to every corner of the continent. Roderic, you will act as the representative of our house. You will deliver a tribute worthy of his new divinity."

That was the public narrative. That was why the mercenaries were in such high spirits—they believed they were part of a historic diplomatic mission to a newly risen Demigod.

But Roderic’s gut twisted because of the second revelation his father had shared. The secret that filled him with terror.

The Giant King's ascension was the only positive news. The alternative was a nightmare that was starting to circulate among the elite of the Titanion Realm.

Their world had been compromised. An invasion from a different plane was coming. An inter-dimensional war could break out at any moment.

This wasn't a commercial trip; it was a flight to safety. The Kingdom's security was nothing more than a facade.

"Roderic, you are my eldest. By right, you should remain here to inherit my position," the Duke had said, his face showing the raw fear of a father. "But we cannot risk the end of our line. When the war begins, the safest location on the Utessar continent won't be the Human Kingdom or the Dragon territories. It will be Stoneheart City."

"The Giant King resides there. A Demigod can offer protection. Take a portion of our house's wealth. Go there. Survive. Ensure the survival of our bloodline."

He was being sent away like a seed to be planted in safer ground. Roderic wasn't merely chasing gold; he was an asylum seeker.

Is our destiny truly tied to the Stoneheart Horde? he pondered. Can we really—

Hiss… Hiss…

His train of thought was violently interrupted by a sharp, whistling sound coming from the thick woods lining the road.

Before Roderic could react, the brush exploded. Dozens of long, snake-like shadows darted from the trees like living projectiles.

They were segmented, worm-like beasts, each exceeding six feet in length and armored in chitinous plates. They leaped into the air, spines standing on end and jaws widening to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.

They crashed into the convoy, lunging directly for the necks and faces of the guards and mercenaries.

Chaos erupted instantly. The sheer scale of the ambush threw the formation into disarray.

However, the guards were veterans of this trade route. Once the initial shock faded, training took over. Swords gleamed and shields were locked into position.

Despite their aggression, the worm-monsters were physically weak. Biologically, they were only low-tier beasts—deadly to a commoner, but merely fodder for trained warriors. The mercenaries reorganized and launched a counter-attack, slicing through the creatures in a spray of dark fluids.

Within moments, the ground was covered in twitching, severed remains.

"My Lord, the area is secure," the guard captain shouted, cleaning green ichor from his sword. "It wasn't a beast tide. Just a nest of Thorn-Worms. The vibrations from the heavy wagons must have agitated them."