Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

"Hehe, Bro, you don't need to dwell on it."

Leonidas took the fine wine Orion handed him and gulped it down in large mouthfuls, feeling immensely refreshed.

Leonidas had previously pointed out a path for Orion to advance to Arch Lord, and Orion had accepted it.

However, Orion was currently hesitating, pondering which of his kinsfolk to relocate here to propagate their lineage and defend the territory.

"This problem is actually very simple!"

"I think your cave spiders, gnolls, succubi, abyssal giants, and Skeletal Knights are the most suitable races to stay in the Emerald Dream Realm."

"Just have these races migrate half their population over. Once they arrive, provide them with supplies and just let them keep popping out little ones."

"Bro, these races I mentioned are all rather dark-aligned. Coming here is more beneficial than detrimental for them."

Orion nodded, agreeing with Leonidas's proposal, as it made a lot of sense.

Having made his decision, Orion closed his eyes and communicated via his will projection, relaying his orders to Delilah, Lilith, and Rendall.

Currently, Rendall was guarding Blackstone City, Lilith was guarding Stoneheart City, and Delilah was on the western coastline of the territory, dealing with the Sea Race.

The mobilization of the Horde's population required the joint coordination of these three individuals to proceed in an orderly manner.

Furthermore, convincing a portion of the succubi and giants to leave their homeland required the personal involvement of important figures like Delilah and Rendall.

Just as the orders were transmitted, Orion's brow suddenly furrowed deeply. He discovered that his connection with the Shadow Paper Figure had been completely severed.

The last scene the Shadow Paper Figure had transmitted to Orion was of a silver-haired, silver-eyed man slowly looking towards the Shadow Paper Figure, and then striking it down.

"Something wrong?"

The change in Orion's facial expression was very obvious; how could a powerhouse like Leonidas not perceive it?

"A sudden incident. When I first proposed invading the Emerald Dream Realm, the Deputy Commander gave me an Owl, you gave me a Teleportation Sphere, and Alexander gave me a Shadow Paper Figure."

"Now, the Shadow Paper Figure has lost contact with me. Perhaps it was destroyed."

Orion told Leonidas what he had just encountered. After listening, Leonidas also frowned deeply.

Leonidas and Alexander were very close and had cooperated countless times over the years.

Leonidas, of course, knew about the Shadow Paper Figure, as he himself had used it before.

Logically speaking, the Shadow Paper Figure was of a very high grade; it shouldn't be detected unless it encountered an Arch Lord-level existence.

Even an ordinary Arch Lord would likely not be able to discover the Shadow Paper Figure.

And yet, now the Shadow Paper Figure had disconnected from Orion; it was most likely destroyed.

"Bro, tell me the specifics."

Orion nodded and explained how he had dispatched the Shadow Paper Figure to cross the Ashenfang Traverse, intending for it to scout the other half of the continent for intelligence.

The Shadow Paper Figure had not failed its mission and had successfully crossed the continuous mountain range.

However, after crossing the mountains and entering a city, it had been eliminated.

Leonidas muttered, "A silver-haired, silver-eyed human race… a large city representing civilization… strange runic weapons…". He was searching his memories, trying to identify a similar race.

After a long while, Leonidas shook his head.

"There is no similar race in my memory. They are likely a high civilization developed by the natives here."

In truth, Orion had a similar suspicion.

Orion said, "Bro, this time, you might really be right."

"To conquer this continent, we must prepare for a long, sustained war of attrition."

Leonidas offered, "Bro, you have to think of it this way: the longer it drags on, the more advantageous it is for us."

"When Arthas awakens, we'll have another demigod powerhouse on our side."

"And if our Commander also awakens from his slumber, then things will get really interesting."

"Hehehe…"

Compared to Orion's deep worry, Leonidas appeared much more optimistic.

Of course, it might also be that Leonidas had experienced more battles and had long grown accustomed to similar situations.

"Bro, don't overthink it. Let's put our heads together, figure out how to take down those two Arch Lords, and unify this half-continent sooner."

"By then, I reckon you'll be about ready to break through to Arch Lord yourself."

Leonidas handed Orion a cask of fine wine, gesturing for him to drink his fill.

After Orion tilted his head back and downed the contents of the wine cask in one go, Leonidas jumped up and clapped him on the shoulder.

"That's the way! A man should be more straightforward!"

"Bro, I believe in you."

Orion let out a wine-scented burp, a puzzled expression on his face.

Leonidas continued, "Think about it. Once you successfully advance to Arch Lord, will those enemies beyond the mountains still be enemies?"

"Bro, don't tell me that after advancing to Arch Lord, you'll still feel pressured by them."

"Surely not?"

Leonidas analyzed while simultaneously goading Orion, a shrewd glint flickering deep in his eyes.

Perhaps it was due to drinking too much wine, or perhaps he had been successfully goaded by Leonidas, or maybe it was the thought of his own power after advancing to Arch Lord—a light of pride began to sparkle in Orion's eyes.

"That's true. Once I advance to Arch Lord, forget mere Arch Lord powerhouses—even if I face demigod powerhouses, I could… maybe I could… trade one for one."

Leonidas roared with laughter. "Now you're talking, Bro!" He once again handed Orion a cask of wine. The two clinked their casks together, then began to feast on meat and drink heartily.

Leonidas thought to himself just before succumbing to drunkenness, "My heavens, if you're not bluffing and can really trade one for one with a demigod powerhouse, that would be somewhat terrifying."

As good friends, Leonidas and Orion, during this drinking session, did not use their internal blood and life force powers or supernatural abilities to dispel the effects of the alcohol. They both drank to their hearts' content and became thoroughly intoxicated.

Titanion Realm, Stoneheart City.

Void energy fluctuated around the teleportation array located in the military encampment. A graceful and charming beauty in a red dress stepped out from it.

Soraya thought to herself, "I didn't expect to return so soon!"

"Although the time hasn't been long, it really feels like so much has changed."

These were Soraya's innermost thoughts. She recalled how, when she had followed Orion across the realms, she had essentially gambled everything, including her life.

In her heart, Soraya had already been prepared to die in a foreign land.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving in the Valkorath Realm, she had encountered a great opportunity.

Supported by seemingly endless resources, she had broken through to the Legendary level, becoming a Legendary-level broodmother.

Legendary-level broodmother—such a status was akin to a pillar of support in any large faction.

"Welcome back to the Stoneheart Horde, Warden Soraya!"

Just as Soraya was lost in her feelings, Lilith, accompanied by a retinue of succubus maidservants, walked into the teleportation array area, a smile on her face as she looked at Soraya.

Hearing Lilith's voice, Soraya snapped back to reality, a smile appearing on her own face.

"You're too kind!"

Soraya walked forward to meet her, took Lilith's hand, and then gently took Pallas from Lilith's arms.

"It's been so long since I saw the little one! He's grown so big!"