Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1359 The Ever-Burning Oath

"I discovered this location a century ago."

"I was a nobody back then, lacking the raw power required to fight for dominance in this place. The most I could manage was positioning an avatar within the shadows to siphon off small amounts of Soul Power."

Orion kept his peace, listening with full attention. He knew that the chronicles of power often held hidden wisdom.

"Once I reached the rank of Arch Lord, I managed to claim a piece of territory for myself. I became something of a minor warlord," Arthas explained, his words resonating against the jagged volcanic stone. "Upon hitting the Demigod stage, I expanded my reach. Finally, I earned a seat at the table."

"Then, roughly fifteen years in the past, the reigning Lord of Hell for this specific domain ascended into a higher-dimensional Hell. The throne was left vacant."

Arthas halted, turning his gaze toward the group. The gravity of his scheme seemed to weigh down the sulfur-choked atmosphere.

"That occurred right around the period I obtained the World Dragon Egg from you."

"And that sparked a truly reckless idea."

"With the Deputy Commander’s assistance, I moved. After preparing the egg, we smuggled it directly into the heart of the Ever-Burning Volcano."

Orion’s pupils shrank. The final objective became instantly clear to him.

"Precisely," Arthas said, acknowledging the realization on Orion’s face. "My goal is for the egg to soak up the Essence Laws of this realm. I want it to hatch right there in the volcano. When that dragon finally emerges from its shell, it won't be a mere creature. It will be born as the legitimate Lord of Hell."

The title of Lord of Hell was more than a name; it represented a Divine Throne.

This meant that at the very second of its birth, the dragon would already be a Fourth-Stage Demigod.

The sheer scale of this ambition was breathtaking. It was a heist on a cosmic level.

"However, things are never quite that simple," Arthas admitted with a sigh.

"The power vacuum left by the former Lord has attracted eyes. Every insignificant Demigod with an ego is trying to seize the Ever-Burning Volcano."

Arthas locked his gaze onto Orion’s.

"You must grasp the weight of what you are joining. For over ten years, we have held this position. We face constant assaults from Demigod-level raiders."

"Furthermore, because I altered the incubation to tie the dragon to this specific world, the hatching process has slowed. We are preparing for a siege that could last a thousand years."

A millennium. Standing guard over a World Dragon Egg to ensure a Fourth-Stage Demigod ally and absolute dominion over a Hell dimension.

The potential return on investment was beyond calculation.

Yet, the price was a thousand years of endless warfare against the most dangerous scavengers in the multiverse.

Orion exhaled deeply. He looked over at the Deputy Commander, Alexander, and Leonidas. He glanced toward the darkness where his two elite guards were stationed.

The reality was obvious. Everyone, the Commander included, was fully committed to the gamble Arthas had taken.

His allies had anchored their Demigod Phantoms here with no plans of retreating. They were prepared to fall defending this ground. They had kept it from Orion only to spare him the burden.

"Bro," Orion spoke up, his tone steady and intentional. "I brought some cards. We can play Texas Hold’em during the breaks between the killing."

He met the eyes of Arthas. It was his silent vow that he was staying.

"Leonidas," Orion said, turning his attention to the scorched warrior. "You should start looking for some hobbies. We have a thousand years to burn. How are we supposed to survive the boredom?"

The stoic expression on Arthas’s face wavered as emotion touched his eyes, but Orion had already shifted the focus to Leonidas to keep the mood light.

"Don't sweat it," Leonidas said with a grin, his white teeth contrasting against his soot-covered skin. "I’ve already started a project."

"Since you're here, I finally have the help I need to crack the multiverse’s biggest scientific mystery: how to get men pregnant. We have to find a way to populate this rock, after all."

"..."

The joke was bleak, dry, and terrible. No one laughed, but the heavy tension finally snapped.

Titanion Realm, Stoneheart City

Sitting upon his castle throne, the main body of Orion opened his eyes. A flicker of gravity manifested in his gaze before fading away.

Arthas had managed a feat of this magnitude without a single word leaking out.

A sharp sting of guilt hit Orion. He felt he had been careless.

For years, whether it concerned the [Emerald Dream Realm] or the [Silverwood Realm], the focus had always been on his own drama and his own conflicts. His friends were always there—offering support, standing by him, and shedding blood for his cause.

They clearly had their own battles, yet they rarely asked for his aid.

The only significant help Orion had provided was assisting the Deputy Commander in claiming a small territory in a Godforsaken Land.

Arthas, Leonidas, Alexander... they never made demands. They only gave.

"It is time I settled my debts," Orion murmured.

He felt a wave of satisfaction. After years of being the one receiving help, he finally possessed the strength to be the one providing it.

Still, he was no fool. The situation within the [Ashenheart Domain] was bound to be a meat grinder.

To defend the [Ever-Burning Volcano] for ten centuries, he would have to funnel a relentless supply of Divine Power into the Phantom he had stationed there.

The drain on his resources would be immense.

Currently, he drew income from the [Titanion Realm], [Emerald Dream Realm], [Silverwood Realm], and the [Valkorath Realm]. Additionally, three Godforsaken Lands and a vast territory on the Abyss's sixth layer were generating Faith Energy for him.

"It isn't enough," Orion whispered, performing the mental math. "Not even close."

I require more territory.

Helping Arthas secure the [World Dragon] wasn't merely a gesture of friendship; it was the ultimate strategic move.

If they succeeded, Orion would gain a Fourth-Stage Demigod supporter. That was the level of power the Commander held with Kaidric—an authority capable of halting wars with a single command.

It seems I must accelerate the invasion of Eldoria, Orion resolved, his eyes narrowing.

Who should I appoint to lead the vanguard?

Stoneheart City, The Silent Goblet

Ever since it first opened, The Silent Goblet had served as the primary information hub in Stoneheart City. It was also the premier spot to encounter the city’s high-ranking figures.

The tavern was never quiet, but business had surged recently.

The ground floor hall was packed to capacity. The second floor was equally crowded. Even the restricted third floor, meant only for those of Legendary rank, held a fair number of guests sipping on premium spirits.

"This is quite the office you have," a stranger remarked, taking a seat across from the famous Bard, Cloudsong.

The two men looked at each other with easy recognition.

"I have no complaints," Cloudsong replied with a smile, swirling his wine glass. "The growth of this city’s prosperity is almost frightening. I truly love this place; it feels alive. And I adore the audience—so many eager eyes waiting for a new tale."

"But beyond that," Cloudsong continued, his voice taking on a tone of deep respect, "I have great admiration for the Lord of the Stoneheart Horde. His wisdom and foresight... he is the real deal."

This wasn't simple brown-nosing. Cloudsong truly believed it.

Within the walls of The Silent Goblet, every tale Cloudsong spun spread across the continent, becoming legendary lore for ambitious youths everywhere.

"I can see that," the stranger noted, lifting his glass in a silent toast. "Before you came up here, you were recounting the story of the insect plague's eradication."

"If I were the Lord of this city," the stranger added with a smirk, "I'd be thanking you for the excellent public relations."