Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1432 Blood and Stoneư

"Let us become a true family!"

This formed the heart of Magmus's beliefs.

It was straightforward, in truth. For him, the young ones he had raised with were like siblings. Whether Giants, Gnolls, or Golems, they counted as family. The blood ritual didn't alter their essence; instead, it wove that deep connection into their bloodstream, turning their devotion into raw strength.

"Elders, don't stare at me as if I've sprouted an extra head," Magmus remarked, rolling his enormous shoulders like the idea weighed nothing at all.

"I assure you, the young Gnolls, the Succubi, the Buffalofolk... they're all harboring the very same desire. At this moment, I wager they're pacing wildly in their homes, eager to storm into the Stoneheart Temple. They're simply biding their time for a power that makes them stand out."

He balled his hand into a tight fist. "This represents our opening. A shot to outpace our rivals. A shot to outpace even you."

Zeal. Pressing need. Craving. Frankness. Drive.

This stood as the Magmus that Onyx, Rockwell, and Gort now witnessed. Or maybe, after endless years of standstill, they were at last glimpsing the real essence of the rising youth—a breed utterly unlike their era.

"Hahahaha... pardon these weary old eyes. I misjudged you youngsters!"

Onyx tilted his head skyward and let out a hearty laugh. The concerns that had gnawed at him abruptly felt absurd. Over time, the initial key races yielding to the Stoneheart Horde had fused seamlessly. The fresh arrivals, inspired by that sight, had joined in kind.

"Prophet, the era has shifted," Rockwell whispered. His mindset drew partly from Onyx; they often aligned in their views.

"Maybe it shifted ages back, and we were merely too shortsighted to notice," Gort laughed softly. The tense air atop the ridge started to ease.

"In that light," Gort proclaimed, "let's fully unite with the Stoneheart Horde."

"Indeed. Let us forge a genuine family, bound by blood and stone."

"This defines our Stoneheart Horde."

***

Far to the south, beneath the fury of a rain-soaked evening.

Aldwyn, with his spouse and child in tow, reached the Stoneheart Horde's frontier resembling a ragged outcast.

Upon entering the scouts' watch area and spotting the warriors from Stoneheart City, it felt like beholding saviors from the heavens—a faint glow amid boundless, devouring night.

Rescue had come.

While no grand reception awaited them, the intel they shared about the bug horde secured them supplies. At minimum, they wouldn't trudge toward Stoneheart City with growling bellies.

Stoneheart City, the Citadel.

As evening lamps ignited against the fading light, the city's lively chaos funneled into stacks of documents that overwhelmed Lilith's workspace. Luckily, she had gained two skilled helpers; without them, the governance could have crumbled entirely.

"You've arrived. Take a seat."

Lilith glanced up as Ava stepped inside, giving a courteous grin. Ever since settling in the citadel, Ava—with her real know-how from overseeing Soaring Bird City—had been pulled in by Lilith to lend a hand. Skilled leaders were something the Stoneheart Horde desperately lacked.

Normally, when free, Ava would drop by with Sylvana to tackle the paperwork. Yet it was getting late. Ava realized Lilith wouldn't call her this evening without good reason.

Ava settled down. Right as the tea warmed her mouth and the cup returned to its dish, Lilith pushed a decoded intel summary over the table.

"Border guards close to the Blood Elf lands caught a message. A roving knight called Aldwyn delivered thorough details on a bug assault hitting Soaring Bird City."

Lilith observed Ava's face intently. The brief spark of shock and ease verified her hunch.

"He says he's your loyalist, journeying with his wife and daughter to reunite with you. Kindly confirm if this holds true and if the individual can be trusted."

Lilith rapped the document. "Moreover, the bugs overrunning Soaring Bird City appear to be using it as a hive. We require a full city layout and every bit of useful data."

For the Stoneheart Horde, handling insect swarms meant three paths: Watch, Wipe Out, or Breed.

Evidently, the one at Soaring Bird City was marked for Wipe Out.

"If his name's Aldwyn, then yes, he serves me," Ava stated after pausing to reflect. "Prior to the Soaring Bird City exodus, he headed south to fetch his kin. Given the schedule, he should've reached them only a few days past."

"Sister," Ava went on, inching closer, "Aldwyn's a knight. He brandishes a sweeping sword almost his height. His ride is a beast-blooded horse tracing back to Earth Dragon stock, able to cover vast distances daily."

Lilith dipped her head. The secret edition of the summary she recalled aligned spot-on with Ava's words. The sheet before Ava was just the cleaned-up one for general view.

"Don't worry, your loyalist got support from the guards. They'll reach Stoneheart City shortly."

This lifted Ava's spirits. Yet Lilith had more to say.

"Separately," Lilith noted, her voice turning sharp all at once. "The bug plagues are ramping up. Rosethorn's building must speed up once more."

Ava's chest clenched without clear cause.

"That's Kronos's domain. You have to urge the folk you led here," Lilith stated, her tone shedding its prior kindness. "Aim to shelter all within the barriers before winter strikes. It's the sole method to ensure their protection."

On insect matters, Lilith had stayed soft. But on Rosethorn, she turned firm, commanding—like a real sovereign.

"You can count on me, Sister. I'll handle the oversight myself from tomorrow on," Ava answered swiftly.

"Excellent."

Lilith inclined her head. That was precisely the response she sought.

Rosethorn got its name from Kronos to recall the Rose Manor of his youth—a tribute to delight and respect his mother, Ava. At first, the work had surged ahead wildly. But as people tend to do, some always sought to cut corners.

Lately, progress at Rosethorn had lagged, hindering the Stoneheart Horde's key plans for the areas around the heartland. That's why Lilith felt compelled to 'prompt' Ava.

It went beyond a mere prompt, truly. Ava was Kronos's mom. With Kronos off on duty, she alone fit to manage his territory while he was gone. Plus, the humans slacking and scheming on-site had joined the Horde as Ava's own people.

They required Ava to set them right. And as another overseer, Ava grasped Lilith's aim completely.