Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1456 Lose to Gain

Such determination? It was absent in the Blood Elf Race. The ancient Dwarves lacked it too. Even the Human Kingdom was without it.

This exact reason elevated Aldous and the Ogre Race to a unique, prestigious role inside the Stoneheart Horde.

"Finally," Lycanor responded to Rommath's third inquiry, her tone lowering noticeably. "The Stoneheart Horde holds zero desire for the human lands."

"Zero desire?" Rommath's eyes widened in bewilderment. "What are you saying?"

Suddenly, the truth struck him with forceful impact.

"Do you mean... with this impending catastrophe approaching, the Stoneheart Horde is pulling back its borders?"

This revelation brought no comfort. For the Blood Elves, it rang like a fatal bell. Rommath, as their King, possessed keen tactical insight to read the dire signs. When the top hunters retreated, the hunted faced utter doom.

"Your Majesty, choices are scarce now," Lycanor exhaled, shifting her eyes between Rommath and Lireesa with grave intent. "From what I see, seeking independence would spell disaster for the Blood Elf Race. It would leave us alone. It would breed hatred from the Horde's other peoples, blocking any real merging."

"In this transformed realm, isolation for the Blood Elves means total loss."

Her eyes shifted toward the Grand Elder. "Arch-Elder, at times, surrender brings true victory."

She understood that Lireesa alone held the power to influence the King.

"Consider the Succubi, the Buffalofolk, the Obsidian Golems... and even the Gnolls. Autonomy evades them all, but they harvest greater rewards than others," Lycanor urged. "Orion stands as a Demigod. Titan blood flows in his veins. His command will rule this whole land. This moment offers the final window for seamless blending. Delay, and the proposal could vanish."

Her words had evolved beyond suggestion; they served as a stark alert.

An unvoiced fact lingered about the Ogre Province: the majority of Ogres proved too dim-witted for self-rule in matters of administration. Their "autonomy" existed mostly in name. Still, even that symbolic standing represented a rare distinction—earned through rivers of blood and a storied past unknown to the Elves.

Lycanor inclined forward, dropping her tone to whisper a secret whispered only among the elite.

"The Human Kingdom's exodus ties to yet another Demigod in this realm. He yields territory to Orion. The supreme forces divide the lands. Should a Demigod yield to Orion, Blood Elf defiance amounts to self-destruction."

"I side with Lyca," Lireesa declared, her tone resolute. "Delay is impossible. Politics evolve, yet the world itself transforms too."

"Mana grows denser, yet surroundings grow fiercer," the Guardian Tree interjected, its profound timbre resonating across the room. Links to the earth's depths provided it straight access to the world's heartbeat. "Insect hordes infest the wilds. Woods, plains, streams—they fall to consumption. The Swarm multiplies at a horrifying pace. Soon, the wave will crash upon the City of Blessings. Demigod protection is essential."

The room fell into quiet. A weighty, powerless quiet gripped it.

Stoneheart Horde, Stoneheart City.

As Blood Elves wrestled with their destiny, the fortress received a wayward heir.

Perched atop his seat of power, Orion observed Lilith and the Butterfly Mother, Sophia, depart linked by arms. Merely after the pair vanished from sight did he direct his attention to the youth positioned amid the vast chamber.

Kaelen.

"So? Did the Stoneheart Horde fail to impress?"

Kaelen denied it with a shake. "Be it southern reaches or northern expanses... the prosperity and vastness surpass my wildest thoughts."

A youth raised in the seclusion of Phoenix Butterfly Ridge and Gossamer Reach found the Horde's immensity daunting. Adaptation would demand effort.

"Your arrival comes at an awkward moment," Orion remarked. "Your oldest sister and three brothers pursue their ordeals elsewhere. Family gathering waits on their homecoming."

Kaelen inclined his head. Intrigue burned for his kin—undoubtedly stronger than himself.

"Your birth occurred on the Chaos Continent. Your situation... proved exceptional. You matured lacking the Horde's support. View this as overdue compensation."

With a snap of his fingers, Orion summoned a bone fragment, dark as deepest night, into his palm.

It bore the name Serpent-Demon's Grasp. An artifact of Legendary rank. Upon arming it, six ghostly dragon talons emerged to shred foes. For today's Orion, it ranked as mere plaything. Yet for Kaelen, it shone as a vital edge.

"I sense it... I know. Father has kept watch over Kaelen all along," the young one murmured.

Regret? None stirred in Orion. He recognized the lad's roots. Kaelen grasped his identity and his mother's deeds. Acceptance by Orion and Lilith sufficed to swell the boy with thanks.

"Claim it. As a Giant Prince in the Stoneheart Horde, empty hands won't do."

Orion hurled a further object across the space. Kaelen snatched it mid-flight.

It proved the Abyssal Devil Shield.

The shield's face appeared to twist, bearing a demonic stare that twisted a foe's sight, senses, and decisions, submerging them in illusions.

Armed with Serpent-Demon's Grasp for attack and Abyssal Devil Shield for guard, Orion trusted his offspring would avoid recklessly endangering his lineage in battle once more.

"No rejections. Your siblings possess matching equipment," Orion interrupted Kaelen's objection. "Accept them. A task awaits you."

Kaelen bit back his response and stood taller.

"The Titanion Realm endures a phase of change. Years from now, otherworldly foes will invade," Orion announced, his words booming through the space. "To the Stoneheart Horde, this spells no ruin. Rather, it offers chance. Grounds to widen our domain. For you... it paves the road to Archlord status."

Orion offered more than commands; he supplied background. Kaelen required grasp of the perils.

"Currently, lands outside key settlements teem with chaos. Bug infestations plague all. Broods and lairs sprout endlessly."

"Lead the 2nd Legion alongside the Volunteer Corps. Purge the regions. Torch the Swarm away. Forge secure, steady grounds for the Horde."

"Do you accept?"

Orion's plan layered deep. Indeed, he craved eradication of the pests. Yet chiefly, he sought fame for Kaelen. Through sacrifice for the Horde and safeguarding its folk, acceptance would follow. This trial proved vital. Absent it, Kaelen's journey would eclipse Kronos's struggles.

"I accept!"

Kaelen knelt on one leg, lowering his head in obedience and determination.

Orion approved with a nod. "This marks your entrance. Your initial showcase to the Horde. Excel in it. Reveal your essence to our kin."

Thus, Kaelen embraced the role. He earned Vice-Commander of the 2nd Legion. Not from doubt, but due to his Archlord rank's absence. Within the Stoneheart Horde, status demanded proof.