Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1470 Rot from the Outside

Stoneheart City. The Castle.

As Zhenlo, Bastien, and Redfang indulged in drinks and visions of triumph, the harsh truth about Northguard's plight had already landed on Lilith's desk.

'The Insectoid numbers are unnaturally high,' Lilith remarked, her eyes flicking over the document. 'The absence of routine hunts accounts for part of it, but not all. Something more sinister lies beneath.'

She handed the spy report to Ava and Sylvana.

Ava grabbed the sheet eagerly. Northguard fell under Theodore's domain; her nephew's safety hung in the balance.

'At least three Wormhole Realms are active near the city's edges,' Sylvana pointed out. The Vixen's gaze was keen; she had absorbed the info while Ava still scanned it in haste. 'These aren't random creatures. They're emerging from fixed rifts.'

'Without clearing out the hordes, Northguard can't just hide behind its fortifications,' Sylvana went on, her tone somber. 'The peril will seep inward from the borders. Allow it to fester, and they won't merely storm the defenses—they'll devour the very rock.'

This warning held no exaggeration. Had Theodore not yielded Northguard to the Stoneheart Horde, the place would have turned into a burial ground already.

The Horde's experts had examined the Insectoids discovered on their territories. This onslaught featured initial evolutionary stages—flesh-hungry devourers feeding on vegetation and meat. Yet the learned ones understood the progression. With enough duration and sustenance, they would evolve, gaining twisted and unique powers.

'It's feasible,' Sylvana whispered, her claw drumming on the surface, 'that an Insectoid at Archlord level is already hiding within one of those Wormhole Realms.'

Her instinct proved eerily spot-on. Indeed, Orion had quietly assured Lilith of this.

At the mention of Archlord rank, Ava's head jerked upward. Her complexion paled. Should an Archlord be stalking her nephew, Northguard spelled doom.

'You're correct,' Lilith replied gently, validating the dread. 'Not long ago, Orion detected the presence of an unfamiliar Archlord. It faded swiftly, but he registered it.'

Crash.

The delicate teacup tumbled from Ava's shaking grasp, breaking on the hard floor.

'Calm yourself, Ava. Stay composed,' Lilith urged, her tone shifting to comfort. 'Northguard is under the Horde's protection now. Orion watches over it.'

'He has set up unbreakable wards around the city. They're unbreachable. Should a massive swarm attack, the defenses will endure.'

Lilith extended her hand, covering Ava's. She recognized that the woman's worry extended beyond Theodore to the myriad civilians ensnared in the northern chaos.

'Moreover,' Lilith continued, a assured grin gracing her features, 'most of our hired forces and freelance fighters are heading northward. They sense opportunity. They'll act as the force to shatter the blockade.'

'Don't overlook Dirtclaw; he's emerged from the Divine Kingdom. Appointed as Commander of the Fourth Legion, he's spearheading the purge himself.'

Commander of the Fourth Legion.

The rank held profound weight. It signified Dirtclaw's triumph in reaching Archlord status. He had become a supreme being in the Horde.

Ava and Sylvana fixed their eyes on Lilith, the broken cup dismissed from mind.

Dirtclaw's rise served as a beacon. The Stoneheart Temple wasn't merely an emblem; it formed a path to divinity.

They had caught Orion's proclamation echoing through the city before. They were aware of Dirtclaw's elevation. Yet confirmation here imposed a new intensity.

When would their opportunity arrive?

'It's... challenging,' Lilith observed, noting the ambition in their stares. She gave a rueful chuckle.

'Should you choose to forgo bearing Orion's offspring, I suspect he wouldn't mind you stepping into the Temple for strength.'

The women's faces lost all color.

Forfeit the chance to carry his descendants? Never.

In this realm, might was essential, yet bloodlines ensured stability. Relinquishing their ability to conceive meant yielding in the harem—demoting to attendant instead of leader. They grasped where lasting influence truly resided.

Lilith regarded them, aware the topic had concluded. She changed the subject.

'Kaelen has subdued the Insectoids in Soaring Bird City. He's advancing southward, clearing the lingering pests from the former human realms.'

'He anticipates encountering large groups of displaced people. Where to direct them? Northguard or Rosethorn?'

Kaelen had been traveling for days, and tales of famished survivors were starting to flow in.

'Rosethorn,' Ava declared without delay. 'The North is a battlefield, and the path there is perilous. Rosethorn offers greater security.'

Lilith inclined her head. 'Agreed.'

Routing the refugees to Rosethorn favored Ava—enhancing the numbers in a region she valued, compensation for her unending service to the Horde.

Lilith settled into her seat, wrapping up the day's affairs. Her gaze wandered to the window.

I wonder how the children are faring?

World of Eldoria. Outside Dolame Square.

Dolame Square pulsed as the core of the Andor Diocese, a stronghold of the Holy Order's might.

Or it once did.

Father Orel, the priest in white robes who once oversaw this diocese, was clever. Timid, maybe, but clever. He had predicted the brewing tempest. Prior to any violence, he requested relocation to a frontier outpost in a fresh world, approved swiftly by Cardinal Maelric.

The Holy Order constantly sought personnel for expansion drives, making Orel's departure effortless. He escaped at the perfect moment.

No one foresaw Hellscream introducing an Evil God and His devotees into the fray so soon. Orel's successor from the Agaman Diocese hadn't even shown up when conflict ignited.

Thus, the Andor Diocese stood vulnerable. The Holy Order lacked an Archlord here to maintain order.

As for aid arriving?

Elara, Makareth, Isabella, Kaedros, and Aina remained indifferent.

Actually, they welcomed Holy Order support. Additional soldiers equaled more fodder for destruction. A confined conflict now would weaken opposition for the impending full-scale assault.

'No debate needed,' Makareth stated, his voice icy and conclusive. 'All humans in this area perish.'

He surveyed the assembly of aggressors around the table.

'My Undead Legion demands bodies and offerings. These inhabitants provide the necessary resources.'

'Additionally, the Andor Diocese will function as our alliance's base. Removing the... unnecessary elements... ensures maximum safety.'

Makareth held the top authority there. His view wasn't optional; it commanded obedience.

'I support Makareth,' Elara affirmed right away.

She came not as a savior. War was her purpose. Prior to leaving, Orion had instructed her clearly: the Seeker of Change in this venture sought humanity's annihilation here. Elara merely followed the directives.

'I see no issue,' Kaedros growled.

The Dragonblood fighter, loyal to Leonidas and a moderate Archlord, exuded a tangible draconic force.

'That said,' Kaedros added, 'what's our strategy if foes bring major backup? What's our counter?'

'Backup?'

Makareth tilted his head and cackled, the sound harsh and grating.

'Bring it on! We slaughter whatever they dispatch.'

'And if a Demigod appears?' Makareth's gaze sparkled with vicious intent. 'That ceases to be your Archlord concern. The Boss takes care of it.'