Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Chapter 1455: No Second Exception

"None of that matters. The real question is: Who claims the carcass the Human Kingdom left behind?"

Kadir crossed his arms, one hand propping up his chin, and dropped the heaviest question of the night onto the table.

Currently, the undisputed apex predator of the continent was the Stoneheart Horde. If the Horde didn’t stake a claim on the abandoned territories, who else would dare extend a hand?

"It doesn’t add up. The whole situation reeks," Tristan muttered, drumming his fingers on the table as he tried to pierce the fog of war. "Think about it. What kind of entity is our King? Do you really think an entire kingdom could mobilize without him sensing it? And yet... the Horde hasn’t issued a single command regarding the Human territories."

He looked at his companions, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know what that means? No faction turns down free land and resources."

The weight of his words settled in, sparking a sudden realization in Tristan and Kadir.

"The Swarm!"

"Otherworlders!"

The realization hit them simultaneously. The Stoneheart Horde wasn’t ignoring the land; they were contracting their defensive lines. They were prepping for war.

The color drained from Tristan and Kadir’s faces. The Human Kingdom had dominated the south for millennia, backed by Archlords and divine artifacts. If a power like that had been forced to flee, then the enemy approaching was beyond catastrophic.

City of Blessings, Blood Elf Territory.

Deep within the fractured dimension housing the Guardian Tree, the atmosphere was suffocating. Grand Elder Lireesa and King Rommath wore expressions of grim finality.

The exodus of the Human Kingdom had just doubled the pressure on the Blood Elf Race.

To make matters worse, the marriage alliance between Ariselle and the Giant Prince, Pallas, remained in limbo. The Stoneheart Horde’s stance was maddeningly ambiguous—neither confirming nor denying the union.

And the worst news? Prince Pallas wasn’t even in the Stoneheart Horde anymore. He had reportedly traveled to another world to "seek refuge."

Refuge. That was how Lireesa and Rommath interpreted it. Several of Orion’s children had vanished from the public eye recently. To the Elves, this looked like the King hiding his heirs before the storm hit. But for the Blood Elves, it was a disaster; it stalled the political marriage that was supposed to be their lifeline.

"Guardian, what do we do?" Rommath asked, his voice betraying his lack of experience. Faced with an existential crisis, the King and the Grand Elder had no choice but to seek the wisdom of their ancient protector.

"Your Majesty, I cannot make this choice for you," the Guardian Tree’s voice resonated, deep and ancient. It had no desire for power or command; it would not impose its will upon the Elves. "However... perhaps there is one who can."

As the Tree spoke, the shimmer of a teleportation spell flared. A female Blood Elf materialized within the sacred space.

It was Lycanor.

"Lyca!" Lireesa gasped, using the girl’s childhood nickname.

"How are you here?" Rommath blurted out.

"I feared you might do something unwise," Lycanor said, a complex smile playing on her lips. "So, I came."

Technically, as a Blood Elf who had married outwards, Lycanor had no voice in the internal affairs of the race. Yet, here she stood.

"Before I give you my perspective, ask what you must. I will answer as best I can."

The dynamic in the room shifted palpably. In the past, facing the Elf King and the Arch-Elder, Lycanor would have bowed low in deference. Now, she stood tall, an equal—perhaps even their superior.

"Has the Stoneheart Horde agreed to the marriage between Ariselle and Pallas?" Rommath fired off immediately. "What is the Giant King’s attitude toward our race? And with the humans gone, what is the Horde’s next move?"

Three questions in one breath. Rommath thought he was being proactive, prioritizing the survival of his people. But in the eyes of Grand Elder Lireesa and Lycanor, his status plummeted.

Too young. Too desperate.

To Lireesa, Lycanor was a guest—a powerful one who had returned solely to help them. Even if the sky was falling, basic diplomacy dictated a warm greeting. You ask about her life in the Horde. You exchange pleasantries. You build the bridge before you try to cross it.

"Lyca... seeing you here gives me hope," Lireesa stepped forward, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Lycanor’s ear before pulling her into a warm embrace. "Whatever our fate, it cannot be too dark if you have returned."

The simple, maternal gesture bridged the gap instantly. Memories of the past flooded back; Lycanor leaned into Lireesa’s hold, feeling as though she were back in her mother’s arms. This was her home. She truly wanted the Blood Elves to survive.

"Arch-Elder," Lycanor said softly, easing into the conversation. "The marriage isn’t being stalled by Lilith. It’s Pallas. He hasn’t given the word yet."

"The Horde respects the free will of the Giant Princes," she explained. "Lilith told me this herself. she will arrange the introductions, but the final decision rests in Pallas’s hands."

She pulled back slightly to look at them. "Pallas and Ariselle get along well. There is great hope for a union. My advice? Let it happen naturally. Ariselle should focus on improving herself, perhaps visit the Stoneheart Horde more often. When Pallas returns from his trials, I am certain there will be a good outcome."

The difference between Lireesa and Rommath was stark. One sincere hug had unlocked Lycanor’s candor.

"As for your second question," Lycanor continued, turning to the King. "Orion has accepted the Blood Elf Race’s allegiance. He will grant us sanctuary when the calamity strikes."

Rommath’s eyes lit up. "Did he agree to the Autonomous Province?"

"No."

Lycanor’s answer was dry and absolute.

The light in Rommath and Lireesa’s eyes died instantly.

"The Ogre Province is unique. There will be no second exception within the Horde’s territory in the Titanion Realm," Lycanor explained, seeing their crushing disappointment. "You have to understand the history."

"Aldous and Orion shared a bond forged in the fires of the North-South Civil War," she said. "Back then, the Ogre territory bordered the Stoneheart Horde. They were the shield against the Human Kingdom, the buffer that allowed the Horde to develop in peace."

Lycanor was repeating what Lilith had told her. In the early days, the Ogre Horde and the Stoneheart Horde were joined at the hip—brothers in poverty and war. Furthermore, Aldous had been shrewd and loyal. When he saw Orion rising, he didn’t negotiate; he handed over his entire Horde and territory on a silver platter.

The Blood Elves were simply too late to the table to expect the same meal.