Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1373 The Four Guardian Cities

"Trouble?"

Orion straightened his posture abruptly. He understood Lilith's nature intimately. In contrast to Delilah, who might slip into his quarters to mock him or pull him into some sinful escapade, Lilith's presence at this hour signaled no casual tryst.

Her visit at this time meant serious matters.

"Orion, Kronos and his mother have left Soaring Bird City," Lilith announced, her tone even and composed. "What are your plans for their approach?"

Orion arched a brow. He examined her expression, sensing the hidden depth in what she left unsaid.

"My dear Lilith," he whispered, "do I detect a spark of scheming in your gaze? Or maybe a hint of hesitation?"

Long years of alliance had built an intuitive bond between them, almost like mind-reading. No explanations were required.

"Princess Ava will stay in the castle, naturally."

Lilith locked eyes with him. A brief flash of jealousy appeared there—a spouse's rightful claim—yet it hid beneath veils of teasing tact. Her choice of the official "Princess Ava" served as a sly poke at the circumstances.

"And the hundred thousand humans following in her wake?" Lilith pressed, getting straight to the core issue. "Shall we allow them to settle in Stoneheart City forever?"

She halted, allowing the suggestion to linger. "That seems like a disaster in organization just begging to unfold."

Orion inclined his head gradually. So that explained it. This journey wasn't truly centered on Ava. It revolved around the flood of refugees accompanying her.

Welcoming Ava to the castle went without question. The true challenge lay with the enormous group of uprooted humans. They had not pledged loyalty to the Stoneheart Horde; the leadership viewed them as foreigners. Still, Ava and Kronos's protection rendered them off-limits.

This created a tricky diplomatic bind for Lilith. Scattering them could provoke Kronos and Ava's ire. Permitting them to gather without oversight might spark rebellion and chaos in the heart of the city.

"You've already devised a fix, haven't you?"

Orion extended his hand, gently placing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then pressing a kiss to her brow. This act of closeness went beyond simple affection; it conveyed a quiet gratitude.

"My King," she breathed, pressing closer to his caress. "Your three heirs... they've all reached maturity. It's unfit for them to remain in the castle beneath your influence any longer."

Orion's gaze intensified. This revealed the real purpose.

With Kronos and Ava's coming as the spark, his Succubus Queen was artfully guiding him to the vital discussion of inheritance and land allocation. Her timing proved impeccable.

"The kids behave as if they're adults," Orion reflected.

He leaned back into his throne, drawing Lilith onto his knee while gazing through the window at the vast spread of Stoneheart City.

To be precise, Caelus, Kronos, and Pallas had all surpassed eighteen. The moment had arrived to urge them from the family roost.

"Time steals away unnoticed," Orion breathed out, a uncommon trace of sorrow coloring his words. "In one instant, you're sowing the fields; in the next, the crops are reaped and faded. Years dissolve into fleeting seconds."

Suddenly, it struck him how numerous his offspring had become in this realm.

"What advice do you offer?" he inquired gently.

"Mmm... that's yours to choose," Lilith replied softly, nestling her head on his torso. She shut her eyes, relishing the comfort of his hold.

She gave a faint shake of her head. Lilith possessed sharp intellect, and she respected her limits. The power to bestow territories and ranks rested exclusively with the King of Giants. She would never seize that right, nor permit others to attempt it. Her part was to guide; Orion must deliver the verdict.

Orion fixed his sight on the far-off skyline, where azure heavens held floating wisps of clouds. He permitted the quiet to extend, his thoughts tackling the practical details.

At last, he glanced downward and kissed her once more.

"We'll construct four outlying cities," Orion proclaimed. "Two positioned beside Stoneheart City, and two next to Blackstone City. Our offspring will rule them, creating a protective barrier around our central lands."

He ran his hand along her spine. "In this manner, their domains stay nearby. Should we long for them, we can call them back. Or you might journey to see them anytime the castle's barriers grow stifling."

His words carried deep honesty.

Ever since ascending as King, since forging the Horde's unity, Orion had become captive to his triumphs. The liberty to roam freely, the vision from his rebirth, had been offered up to obligation's demands.

And Lilith had shared his confinement. As he pursued strength and supplies, she remained bound to the Stoneheart Horde's governing machinery, battling through documents and supply chains. He couldn't recall her last casual trip beyond the capital.

"You've shouldered far too heavy a load for ages," he stated.

Lilith grinned, denying it with a head shake. Silence sufficed.

"Regarding the humans trailing Kronos," Orion went on, his voice shifting to authoritative resolve, "they fall under his charge. Hand them over to him. Have him guide them to his fresh city's location."

"They'll erect it on their own," Orion declared. "Brick upon brick. Only through that effort will they truly claim it as theirs."

"When they sacrifice for it, it'll claim them in return. Just so will they merge into the Stoneheart Horde."

This approach was practical. It provided Kronos with laborers and gave the displaced a goal.

"Naturally," Orion noted, "we're no despots. The affluent may purchase entry to Stoneheart City status. The unwilling to toil can employ stand-ins from various peoples. But those lacking funds or drive to contribute... they may depart. Idlers hold no place here."

Lilith agreed with a nod.

"And Pallas?"

"Pallas manages well enough," Orion replied casually, shrugging. "Send him to the Giant Tribes for his laborers. This land is familiar to him. A single banner raised, and Giants, Succubi, Gnolls, Buffalofolk, and Obsidian Golems will rally to his side."

That formed Pallas's edge. He embodied the native spirit.

Lilith voiced her assent with a soft hum. Though she lacked decision-making power, she could certainly evaluate, and she deemed his strategy impeccable.

"What of Caelus and Elara?" she inquired.

Mentioning this pair brought even Lilith a budding migraine.

Caelus resembled a specter. Sightings of him in the Stoneheart Horde were scarce. He regarded the capital as a mere inn, appearing solely when drained from blade practice in the Valkorath Realm. Even so, his visits never lingered.

Lilith held formal oversight of Caelus, yet she wisely avoided restraining a tempest. His aptitude chilled the soul; Orion himself granted him unrestricted path. Her duty merely involved preparing a cozy resting place and nourishing feast upon his returns.