Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1372 You're even more terrifying than we predicted

"A Second Step Demigod... to be honest, I anticipated a tougher battle."

Orion gazed down at his outstretched hands, curling and uncurling his digits.

Only after the dust had cleared did the full weight of his advancement sink in. His strength had soared to heights that challenged all reason. If a second-stage demigod crumbled so easily under his grip, how would a third-stage one fare?

Amid the quiet that followed, Orion's drive evolved. No longer fixated on the immediate challenge, he turned his eyes to the peak ahead.

What chaos would erupt if I brought down even a fragment of my genuine divine form? he pondered. What devastation could that trigger?

The event that had just demolished his foe wasn't a full manifestation at all. It was simply an echo of his Divine Kingdom—a mere outline of his might. And yet, that faint echo alone had erased a second-stage demigod, reducing them to dust.

A pressure built in Orion's chest, igniting a rush of reverence for the powers surpassing demigods.

"The Commander was spot on. You're far scarier than any of us imagined."

From a shattered spatial rift emerged Deputy Commander Edward, as the traces of the foe's array faded away in his wake. He approached Orion with a piercing stare.

Based on the schedule, their individual fights had concluded simultaneously. The contrast was immense, though. Orion had wiped out a [Second Step] expert. Edward had only handled a [First Step] adversary.

A heavy dread settled in Edward's gut at the thought of clashing with Orion—the result would end in an instant. Eyeing the younger warrior, the Deputy Commander experienced a sharp sting of his own shortcomings.

Does all that rigorous practice, those endless years of struggle and violence, amount to so little?

Doubt infiltrated Edward's thoughts for the very first time. Yet as a battle-hardened soldier, he stamped it out swiftly before it could grow.

Hulk stands as an exception, Edward told himself. He's forging a route unseen across any realm.

Edward's resolve remained unbreakable. He brushed aside the irritation and straightened his posture.

"Your showing today would leave the other leaders seeming like novices," Edward remarked, his words laced with sincere respect. "You operate on a whole different plane."

A wide smile spread across Orion's face as he soaked up the commendation from the typically reserved leader. "Watch it, Deputy Commander. That almost comes off as flattery."

"If you're owning up to being one, then yeah, take it as such."

Orion let out a hearty chuckle. "Point taken."

Not lingering a moment longer, Orion joined the Deputy Commander's side. Together, they advanced to the following area, systematically eliminating the leftover intruders.

Eldoria, The City of Grimm

Perched high in the Windmill Keep, Aina huddled amid the castle gardens, her attention locked on a delicate shoot emerging from the blood-red earth.

Just two small leaves adorned it, quivering in the soft wind. To an outsider, it seemed one puff of air could shatter it. But Aina understood its resilience—she had crushed it underfoot with her entire force, and it hadn't yielded an inch.

"I'm truly sorry, little one. Mommy didn't intend to harm you," she murmured tenderly, her tone overflowing with love. "Mommy needed to confirm you truly emerged from the Curse Seed."

Her hand hovered gently over the foliage. "Please forgive me, precious. Mommy will fetch you something tasty immediately."

A soft, nurturing glow emanated from her. The sight was stark—this fragile woman led [Hellscream], renowned globally as a sacred saintess.

Aina hoisted a pail of boiling, newly drawn blood and emptied it straight into the ground. As it seeped down, the sprout's hue shifted from faint rose to a swollen, deep crimson. It expanded right before her eyes, absorbing the offering hungrily.

Aina's lips curved into a smile. It shone with holy bliss, yet chilled the soul.

"Saintess," came a call from the entrance. "We've received reports from beyond the storm."

Moments after entering the council room, the caring parent had vanished. Now, an embodiment of frost and command took her place, her features half-hidden by a crimson shroud.

"Report," Aina demanded, her tone flat and detached.

"The settlement of Astravale has vanished into the tempest. All communications have ceased. Regional authorities are now alerted," the messenger stated while bowed low. "Probes from all sides attempt to breach the storm barrier to uncover events within."

Aina was already aware of this. The 'nourishment' she had provided the cursed tree moments ago derived from those exact intruders.

"Whispers circulate in the Holy City," the scout went on, his speech quaking a bit. "They claim a potent blasphemy has sprouted here. The Holy Order mobilizes the masses. They demand a Crusade."

A Crusade. Such a noble term masked extermination. In truth, it meant the Holy Order harnessing noble militias for an enormous raid and plunder.

"Can you vouch for your informant's credibility?" Aina inquired.

The looming danger from the Holy Order failed to unsettle her. She fixed her unyielding gaze on the prostrate figure. This individual was a thrall, his consciousness bound by a relic from the Survivor's Platform. As a [Hellscream] affiliate, he ranked among the deeply altered. Even with total dominion, Aina's suspicion endured. She questioned all, not due to faulty data, but from inherent distrust.

"I'd never conceal facts from you," he faltered, fear gripping him. He recognized her essence. No saintess, but a deranged soul more warped than any under her. "The details stem from an inner circle ally, cross-checked via my connections."

"Let them arrive," Aina declared, a wicked twist forming on her mouth. "Grimm requires forced workers. Greater numbers mean quicker progress."

Backed by a demigod such as Orion, [Hellscream] had shed its early vulnerability. Orion bolstered Grimm's barriers, funneled assets into the [Eye of the Storm], and widened its scope each day. Crucially, he infused the gale with a targeted, weakening affliction. Lacking Grimm's remedy, entrants to the Eye of the Storm would see their vitality drain rapidly.

Enveloped in such defenses, Aina deemed it secure to remain in the Windmill Keep, amassing her strength.

"Spread fresh gossip," Aina instructed. "Claim Grimm overlies the remnants of an Ancient Dragon's den. Mention untouched dragon eggs stored in the depths."

She halted, allowing the notion to brew.

"And state the Eye of the Storm arises from the Ancient Dragon's residual sorcery."

Tales of riches served as irresistible lures. They would draw thrill-seeking explorers and avaricious lords. Aina planned to chain the mighty for construction and shatter the frail into informants.

Titanion Realm, Stoneheart City

Word of the cross-realm conflict rippled outward, igniting widespread alarm. Groups mobilized frantically, while ordinary folk trembled at the looming strife.

But Stoneheart City remained untouched by such fear.

In fact, prosperity boomed like never before. The Stoneheart Horde maintained iron discipline. During daylight, markets overflowed with traders and wagons, trade pulsing endlessly. After dark, it morphed into a glowing haven of indulgence and excess.

Enigmatic silhouettes wove through the throngs—youthful elites of diverse origins, newly arrived, eager to lavish wealth on hidden desires.

With enchanted lights igniting the horizon, Lilith pushed her documents away. She traversed the hushed halls to the royal quarters where Orion rested.

He stirred not at once. Lilith perched by the bedside, observing quietly. It was her aura filling the space that finally coaxed Orion's lids apart gradually.