Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Leonidas: "Deputy Commander Edward, invading the Emerald Dream Realm is probably not as simple as we thought."

Leonidas: "On the half-continent Orion and I are on, there are two Arch Lords, and we've already alerted them."

Valkorath Realm, Soraya City, within the magical plants garden.

The Deputy Commander glanced at his disciple Elara, who sat opposite him in closed-eyed meditation, then slowly closed his own eyes.

Edward: "Alexander, what about your side?"

The Deputy Commander did not immediately respond to Leonidas's complaint, instead inquiring about Alexander's situation on the other continent.

Alexander: "My invasion here is going quite smoothly. I haven't encountered any Arch Lord powerhouses yet."

Alexander: "However, I feel my side isn't simple either. For such a large continent, it's very strange that I haven't sensed a single Arch Lord's aura."

Hearing Alexander's description, even Orion realized that the continent Alexander and Isabella were invading was definitely abnormal.

Edward: "Alright, how about this: you all prepare for your true bodies to descend upon the Emerald Dream Realm."

Edward: "If too many Arch Lords appear, we don't need to be secretive. We'll invade openly and honorably."

Edward: "If any demigod powerhouses intervene, I will take action."

These words from the Deputy Commander were a great reassurance to everyone, meant to soothe their hearts.

Orion stared at the Deputy Commander's message, an eyebrow raised, feeling that this invasion of the Emerald Dream Realm was about to escalate further.

Leonidas: "Squiddy, how are things in your sea region?"

Kraken: "Reporting, Big Boss! My side is great! An endless ocean—this here is my paradise."

Leonidas: "Take it easy, be cautious. This Emerald Dream Realm is mysterious through and through. Don't get yourself buried in the deep sea; no one will be there to collect your corpse if you do."

Kraken: "Thanks for the reminder. I will act cautiously."

Seeing Leonidas and Kraken communicating, Orion quickly shared the decision he and Leonidas had made.

Orion: "Leonidas and I have decided to send reinforcements to the Emerald Dream Realm. Kraken, if you also have plans to send reinforcements, you can use the cross-realm teleportation array in Red Moon Valley as the teleportation coordinates."

Orion: "Also, that Reaper introduced some dark races into the Emerald Dream Realm. We've already encountered demonic wolves and Hellhound Knights."

Orion: "Kraken, Alexander, you need to be careful. Their combat strength is not weak!"

Sharing intelligence—this was what allies ought to do.

Only by first giving could one receive the reminders and goodwill of companions with a clear conscience; Orion understood this point well.

Kraken: "Reinforcements? I'll have to consider that."

Alexander: "Dark species and abyssal species have actually appeared. It seems this world is more chaotic than we imagined."

Leonidas: "Alexander, can your shadow army send some units over to us? Orion and I will likely face a major battle next."

Alexander: "Wait for it!"

...

Marshlight Sanctuary, in an area filled with old palaces and dilapidated churches, cave spiders stood guard on the ground while wyverns patrolled the skies.

In the largest of the ancient palaces, Leonidas and Orion slowly opened their eyes.

"Bro, is the shadow army very strong?" Orion asked.

The shadow army—Orion had heard long ago that Alexander possessed a very special army.

"Very strong," Leonidas replied. "It's an army Alexander specially cultivated for assassinating important enemy figures."

"You can think of them as a group of assassins, or as special forces specifically for decapitation strikes."

Speaking of the shadow army, Leonidas's eyes were bright. From his smile, Orion could guess that the shadow army was undoubtedly very effective.

"Can they assassinate Arch Lords?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"What about assassinating Legendary-level lords?"

"That's possible. There have been successful cases."

"Alpha-level assassinating Legendary-level?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Hearing this, Orion sucked in a sharp breath.

Orion was well aware of the difficulty involved for an Alpha-level individual to assassinate someone at the Legendary level.

The Stoneheart Horde had quite a few Alpha-level powerhouses, but not a single one capable of killing a Legendary-level being.

Not even Gustalon.

"Bro, using the shadow army purely for assassinating enemies isn't the best way to utilize them."

"Hmm?" Orion looked puzzled, listening attentively, clearly eager to learn.

"Given the current situation, if we integrate the shadow army into our own forces, the casualties among our Alpha-level subordinates will be greatly reduced."

"For example, that spider broodmother of yours. With the shadow army protecting her, her death becomes highly unlikely."

"How important a broodmother is on the battlefield—I don't need to tell you; you should know very well."

This point, Orion knew all too well.

Ever since Orion had become a lord, aside from clashes between top-tier powerhouses, in most situations, it was the broodmothers who supported the entire war effort.

"Protecting our own commanders as the primary duty, and on that basis, eliminating enemy commanders—that's the true way to use the shadow army."

"Think about it. If there was a shadow assassin following and protecting your Alpha-level powerhouses fighting on the very front lines, wouldn't the losses among your mid-to-upper-level personnel be greatly reduced?"

Leonidas's words brought a sudden understanding to Orion.

"How many enemies can assassination actually kill?"

"And once the enemy is prepared, sending any number of assassins is just sending them to their deaths."

"Letting the shadow army operate freely on the battlefield—providing protection while also seizing opportunities for targeted slaughter—can leverage their strengths and reduce casualties for both them and us."

This was precious battlefield experience, and also a practical application for the shadow army.

Leonidas told Orion these things because he knew that sooner or later, Orion would come into contact with Alexander's shadow army.

In the distance, while Leonidas and Orion were discussing the finer points of this invasion, a pursuit and a series of skirmishes continued to erupt on the borders of Marshlight Sanctuary.

The roars of icefield snow wolves echoed through the forest, accompanied by the clash of blades and the shouts of bloodline warriors.

Woof!

Dirtclaw sank his teeth into a hellhound's neck, shaking his head with desperate, frenzied abandon, rattling the hellhound until it was dizzy and disoriented.

Only when the hellhound stopped struggling, when no more blood flowed from its body, did Dirtclaw release his powerful jaws.

"Dirtclaw, you've won again!"

This was the second time Fergus had spoken words of praise; Dirtclaw had earned it.

"These filthy things! Instead of obediently submitting, they dare to challenge me in the name of hellhounds. Do they think I'm weak?"

"Fergus, this fellow's dark source crystal is yours."

"Don't be polite. If you and Thundar hadn't been nearby providing assistance, I wouldn't have fought so recklessly."

Fergus nodded, not standing on ceremony.

He lightly patted the eager head of the abyssal dragon beneath him. The latter, having received approval, lowered its head and began to tear ferociously at the hellhound's corpse.