Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1436 Sword Song

Gustalon also detected the subtle shift. Yet, this alteration proved fleeting, like a fleeting breeze in the spiritual realm that eluded his grasp for description.

Dirtclaw shot a look at the elemental, noticing his eyes shut in deep focus. He chose not to interrupt. Turning away, he silently admired the stunning panorama of the mortal realm beyond his "kennel."

Had Orion been present, he would have immediately grasped the unfolding event. Within Gustalon's spectral body, an essence was beginning to form.

The process remained subtle, and Gustalon wasn't actively guiding it.

This marked the emergence of a Body of Faith—the initial stage toward becoming an Archlord.

In fact, Dirtclaw had misjudged the situation.

The breeze in Blackstone City wasn't turning warmer. Rather, the members of the Stoneheart Horde were.

With additional clans and races merging in, their shared resolve grew tougher and more unyielding. The heat that Dirtclaw and Gustalon experienced stemmed from the glow of unadulterated Faith energy.

Though Dirtclaw failed to recognize it, Gustalon, immersed in its embrace, hovered right on the brink of a major advancement.

Unknown Realm, Sword King City.

While Gustalon advanced unknowingly in leaps and bounds, Orion's biggest admirer was achieving a similar feat.

Caesar at last comprehended the essence of reaching Legendary status.

His awareness raced over his lands like a fierce storm. He "perceived" the streams of mercenaries and adventurers entering and leaving Sword King City. He spotted the grain wagons from the Silverwood Realm heading steadily to the City of Triumph amid the Forest of Nature.

For the first time, Caesar possessed a sharp, vivid mental outline of his territory's limits.

His mind returned abruptly to his physical form. The freshly elevated Legendary fighter lifted his eyelids.

"The me of now could crush a hundred versions of my former self."

"So this is the divide between Alpha and Legendary?" Caesar wondered aloud, gripping his hand tight. "It's incredible how enormous the leap from 10 to 100 truly is!"

Only then did he fully appreciate the immense divide that once stood between him and Tangere. At present, though, he could faintly glimpse Tangere's silhouette far off.

As for Orion? Deep in Caesar's soul, the supreme leader stayed an indistinct shadow—a being so distant that no speed from Caesar could even catch the trail of his passage.

Truth be told, Caesar's assessment was off due to his limited exposure. He had encountered scant few Legendary experts. Since Tangere sat at the pinnacle of the Legendary tier, pitting a novice ascendant against him was bound to feel discouraging.

A more fitting comparison would involve Scarecrow.

"This power is excellent. At last, I possess the strength to aid Aina in claiming vengeance!"

The assault on Eldoria held no secrets from their close-knit group; prior warnings had reached them. Caesar brimmed with delight, knowing his enhanced might would let him bolster the team's efforts. He had gained vast lands in the Silverwood Realm—it was high time to repay the favor.

"Yet first... Sword King City calls for a grand festivity. Summon visitors from every direction to offer homage."

Caesar rose to his feet and advanced with just one stride.

Hummmm—

A chorus of sword hums filled the air across the entire city.

In that precise instant, blades carried by all mercenaries and adventurers in Sword King City started vibrating within their scabbards.

A wave of Legendary-level aura burst from the Castellan’s residence, crashing over the urban expanse like a tangible surge. Caesar’s steady, commanding tone rang out in every listener's ears.

"Henceforth, the region spanning one thousand kilometers around Sword King City falls under my rule."

"Every village, tribe, and settlement in this zone shall render tribute to Sword King City."

"Defiers will face banishment!"

This set Caesar apart from figures like Orion or Tangere.

Should Orion or Tangere issue such a decree, "banishment" would strike as squandering potential. To them, dissenters simply awaited execution. Slaying them offered the swiftest resolution. Caesar, however, retained a spark of compassion.

Astonishment. Bewilderment. Skepticism.

Such sentiments surged among the residents. How could a modest outpost like Sword King City produce a Legendary titan? It challenged all reason.

Nevertheless, as word disseminated, the truth took hold. Groups of mercenaries and adventurers rushed to align with the city, drawn by the safeguard and glory of serving under a Legendary ruler, infusing fresh energy into Caesar’s realm.

Eldoria, the Grimm Continent.

Within the Princess's Windmill Keep.

The Cursed Tree that Aina had sown was at last producing its yield.

The initial crop delivered precisely one hundred fruits. Aina collected each one into her private vault.

"My sweet little one, oh, my precious darling... Mother is fetching you a tasty treat!"

"Hurry and blossom fast. Produce fruit swiftly. Mother has countless tasks where you can assist!"

Aina lingered under the Cursed Tree, dumping pail after pail of blood at its roots. From time to time, she embedded premium monster cores into the surrounding earth.

The scene clashed harshly. The iciest, most merciless Saintess from the Hellscream faction beamed with innocent joy, whispering tender words to a blood-thirsty tree.

"My sweet little one, before long, I'll spread your seeds over the whole globe."

"..."

While she whispered to her "offspring," Orion’s voice abruptly echoed within her thoughts.

"Aina. Update me on the four Rite of Fatebound Offering arrays."

Four arrays in total. One dedicated to the sea. Two assigned to the primary forces of Orion and Leonidas. And a dedicated one for the Undead.

For this incursion, Orion planned to deploy his sibling Clymene’s Skeletal Knight Legion, alongside an Undead Legion positioned by Arthas in the Emerald Dream Realm.

Conflict bred mortality. And mortality supplied fresh troops. The Skeletal Knight Legion stood ready to indulge.

"Lord Orion," Aina answered through her mind, "sites for all four arrays stand chosen. We're simply awaiting sufficient captives to ignite them."

The Rite of Fatebound Offering diverged sharply from a conventional Cross-Realm Teleportation Array.

Eldoria stood shielded by a Holy Order and encased in a Realm Barrier. Attempting a direct teleportation channel for a huge force would alert the Realm Barrier to the intrusion, prompting it to assault the passage.

However, the Rite of Fatebound Offering served as a clever evasion. This unique ritual array came from the Saint Gran Council, secured by the Deputy Commander.

Through offering local Eldorian beings, the gateway would mask itself in the world's own aura, thus evading the Realm Barrier's watch. It enabled Orion and Leonidas to slip their forces inside undetected, entering via a hidden route without raising alarms.

"Within one month, I'll directly supervise the launch of one array," Aina vowed, setting a firm timeline.

Orion approved. Such resolve signaled readiness for grand endeavors.

"Regarding the map I requested. Transmit it via my secure line for the team's planning."

"Got it. I'll handle that right away!"

Considering Hellscream's existing influence, the map was sure to lack fullness. Orion sought no flawlessness. True mapping would fall to expert squads and tools after his and Leonidas’s troops established a foothold.

For now, he required an outline—a basic diagram to guide his scouts in crafting tactics.

"Excellent. In one month, my avatar shall arrive in this realm."

"At that point, the conflict ignites."

Aina dipped her head faintly, her grin twisting into a shadowy, thrilled expression.