Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1455 No Second Exception

"All of that is irrelevant. The true issue is: Who will seize the remains that the Human Kingdom has abandoned?"

Kadir folded his arms, with one hand supporting his chin, and laid down the most critical query of the evening on the discussion.

At present, the unchallenged top predator across the continent stood as the Stoneheart Horde. Should the Horde fail to assert its claim over the forsaken lands, what other force would have the audacity to reach out?

"It just doesn't make sense. Everything about this stinks," Tristan grumbled, tapping his fingers against the surface as he attempted to cut through the haze of conflict. "Consider this. What sort of being is our King? Could you honestly believe a full kingdom might relocate without his awareness? Yet... the Horde has released no orders whatsoever about the Human lands."

He glanced toward his allies, his gaze sharpening. "Do you grasp the implication? No group rejects gratis territory and assets."

His statement hung heavy in the air, igniting an abrupt epiphany in both Tristan and Kadir.

"The Swarm!"

"Otherworlders!"

The insight struck them at the same instant. The Stoneheart Horde wasn't overlooking the territory; rather, they were pulling back their borders. They were gearing up for battle.

Pallor washed over the faces of Tristan and Kadir. For thousands of years, the Human Kingdom had ruled the southern regions, supported by Archlords and sacred relics. If such a mighty force had been compelled to escape, the impending foe spelled utter devastation.

City of Blessings, Blood Elf Territory.

Far inside the broken realm that sheltered the Guardian Tree, the air felt oppressive. Grand Elder Lireesa and King Rommath displayed looks of somber inevitability.

The departure of the Human Kingdom had abruptly intensified the strain on the Blood Elf Race twofold.

Compounding the trouble, the betrothal pact linking Ariselle to the Giant Prince, Pallas, lingered unresolved. The Stoneheart Horde's position stayed frustratingly unclear—refusing to affirm or reject the bond.

And the most dire update? Prince Pallas no longer resided in the Stoneheart Horde. Rumors indicated he had journeyed to a different realm to "seek refuge."

Refuge. That's precisely how Lireesa and Rommath viewed it. Lately, multiple offspring of Orion had slipped from sight in public. To the Elves, it appeared as if the King were concealing his offspring prior to the tempest's arrival. Yet for the Blood Elves, this catastrophe halted the strategic wedding meant to serve as their salvation.

"Guardian, what should we do?" Rommath inquired, his tone revealing his inexperience. Confronted by a threat to their very existence, the monarch and the Grand Elder could only turn to their timeless guardian for guidance.

"Your Majesty, I cannot decide this for you," the voice of the Guardian Tree echoed, profound and timeless. It harbored no ambition for authority or control; it refused to force its intentions on the Elves. "However... maybe someone else can."

While the Tree uttered its words, a glow from a teleportation incantation burst forth. A woman of the Blood Elf kin appeared in the holy area.

It was Lycanor.

"Lyca!" Lireesa exclaimed, invoking the girl's early moniker.

"How did you get here?" Rommath exclaimed abruptly.

"I worried you might take a foolish step," Lycanor replied, a intricate grin curving her mouth. "That's why I arrived."

Formally, as a Blood Elf wed to an outsider, Lycanor held no say in the race's domestic matters. Nevertheless, there she remained.

"Prior to sharing my view, pose your queries. I'll respond to the fullest extent possible."

A noticeable change swept through the chamber's vibe. Previously, before the Elf King and the Arch-Elder, Lycanor would have knelt deeply in respect. Today, she held her head high, on par—or maybe even above them.

"Has the Stoneheart Horde consented to the union of Ariselle and Pallas?" Rommath shot out right away. "What's the Giant King's stance on our kind? And now that the humans have departed, what's the Horde planning next?"

Three inquiries in rapid succession. Rommath believed he was acting decisively, focusing on his people's endurance. But to Grand Elder Lireesa and Lycanor, his standing fell sharply.

Too inexperienced. Too frantic.

For Lireesa, Lycanor counted as a visitor—a formidable one back purely to aid them. No matter how dire the circumstances, essential protocol required a cordial welcome. Inquire about her days in the Horde. Share courtesies. Construct the connection before attempting to traverse it.

"Lyca... your presence here restores my faith," Lireesa advanced, softly placing a stray lock of hair behind Lycanor's ear prior to drawing her into a tender hug. "No matter our destiny, it won't be utterly bleak with your return."

That basic, nurturing action closed the divide in a flash. Recollections from bygone times surged; Lycanor rested against Lireesa's grasp, sensing she had returned to her parent's comfort. This place was her origin. She genuinely desired the Blood Elves' endurance.

"Arch-Elder," Lycanor murmured gently, slipping into the dialogue. "The delay in the marriage stems not from Lilith. It's Pallas. He hasn't approved it as of yet."

"The Horde honors the autonomy of the Giant Princes," she clarified. "Lilith shared this with me personally. She will set up the meetings, but the ultimate choice lies with Pallas."

She drew away a bit to meet their eyes. "Pallas and Ariselle share a fine rapport. Prospects for their joining look promising. My suggestion? Allow it to unfold on its own. Ariselle ought to concentrate on her growth, maybe journey to the Stoneheart Horde with greater frequency. Upon Pallas's return from his ordeals, I'm confident of a positive result."

The contrast between Lireesa and Rommath proved striking. A single genuine embrace had opened Lycanor's frankness.

"Regarding your next query," Lycanor went on, facing the King. "Orion has acknowledged the Blood Elf Race's loyalty. He shall provide us protection amid the impending disaster."

Rommath's gaze brightened. "Did he consent to the Autonomous Province?"

"No."

Lycanor's response came blunt and firm.

The spark in Rommath and Lireesa's eyes faded at once.

"The Ogre Province stands apart. No further exemptions will occur in the Horde's domains within the Titanion Realm," Lycanor elucidated, noting their profound letdown. "You need to grasp the backstory."

"Aldous and Orion formed a tie born from the flames of the North-South Civil War," she stated. "During that era, the Ogre lands adjoined the Stoneheart Horde. They acted as the barrier versus the Human Kingdom, the cushion that permitted the Horde to thrive undisturbed."

Lycanor echoed the account Lilith had given her. In the initial times, the Ogre Horde and the Stoneheart Horde were inseparable—comrades in hardship and strife. Moreover, Aldous had proven cunning and devoted. Upon witnessing Orion's ascent, he didn't bargain; instead, he surrendered his whole Horde and lands without reservation.

The Blood Elves had arrived far too tardily to claim an equivalent reward.