Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Chapter 1597: A God’s Proposition

The morning air over Stoneheart City was crisp and cool. As flocks of ravens and Flying Fish Mayflies swept past the domed roof of the Horde Hall, the melting-pot city awakened to the magical scent of elemental sprites.

On the cobblestone plaza, the citizens of the Stoneheart Horde knelt in prayer before the Divine Idol of the Stoneheart Titan. In the distance, the shouts of peddlers, the cracking of coachmen’s whips, the creaking of wagons, and the roaring crowds of the newly reopened colosseum all painted a picture of a thriving metropolis.

Only the heavy security around the Inner City and the Horde Hall betrayed the truth: this world had just survived an apocalypse.

Staring at the citadel before them, Pyraxis Bloodflame, Kassophyr, Baelnac the White, and Glacial Dragon Jorik felt an oppressive weight. It was the majesty of the world’s absolute ruler. To the dragon delegation, this city, bathed in divine light, was gilded in glory. The glory of the Stoneheart Horde. The glory of Orion, the Giant King.

As the four dragons waited, a royal honor guard of giants and succubi marched out from the Horde Hall. Lilith, dressed in resplendent regal attire, walked at the center of the formation, personally stepping out to welcome the demigod powerhouses of the dragon race.

"Honored Pyraxis Bloodflame, honored Kassophyr," Lilith said. "Please follow me. Orion awaits you in the main hall."

Despite facing demigods, Lilith didn’t put on airs as the Horde Queen. She spoke with the warm familiarity of an old friend.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Pyraxis Bloodflame and Kassophyr replied, keeping it brief. This was no time for small talk; they had urgent matters to discuss with Orion.

Lilith led the two demigods toward the throne room, leaving Baelnac the White and Glacial Dragon Jorik to wait in a side hall. After seeing the demigods in to meet Orion, she let out a soft breath and headed to the side hall.

"Lord Baelnac, Lord Jorik. Apologies for keeping you waiting," she said.

She summoned a squad of succubus handmaids to serve wine and food, greeting the two old friends of the Horde with a warm smile.

"You’re too kind, Your Highness," Baelnac the White replied politely, keeping his distance as they weren’t well acquainted.

"It’s an honor. If Lord Kaelen hadn’t bailed us out against those Wyrm-rot Parasites down south, I wouldn’t be standing here to witness your glory today," Glacial Dragon Jorik laughed. Jorik dealt with the Stoneheart Horde the most, often acting as the dragons’ envoy. He knew Lilith well, treating her as a friend without any awkwardness.

"The Frostpeak Mountains and the Black Forest in the north both suffered through the long, freezing night. In the dark, you have to share the fire to stay warm," Lilith said, raising her goblet. "The friendship between the Stoneheart Horde and the dragonkin has endured since the North-South War. Lord Baelnac, Lord Jorik—to our everlasting alliance!"

She hoped to ensure the dragons remained firmly on their side after the world-shattering reboot.

"To our everlasting alliance!" Baelnac echoed.

"Congratulations on reaching the Arch Lord tier, Your Highness," Jorik added, raising his glass. "To our enduring friendship!"

Jorik’s senses were sharp. Lilith was now a genuine Arch Lord. Surviving the world’s collapse and subsequent reboot had paid dividends. It wasn’t just her; nearly every living creature had benefited in some way. Some awakened new talents, others experienced bloodline evolutions, tier breakthroughs, or physical mutations. The Titanion Realm’s ascension to an Ascendant Plane had fundamentally altered its inhabitants.

Hearing Jorik’s praise, Lilith smiled—a deep, confident, and dangerously alluring expression, like a blooming demonic lotus.

The Main Hall, Horde Hall.

Upon the throne of the Giant King sat an ethereal projection of Orion. Ever since he merged with the Titanion Realm, Orion no longer had a physical body in this world, save for his avatars. To forge a true body, he would need to completely unify the realm—an impossible task at present.

He could theoretically retreat into the chaos and use his Divine Kingdom to siphon raw power to forge a new Divine Vessel. But that would take thousands of years. Furthermore, Orion couldn’t afford the energy to split off more demigod projections, nor could he leave the Titanion Realm. If The Lifeless Dreadgod, Archbishop Kysar, or Moriphara sensed even a fraction of his power waning, they would ruthlessly gang up on him in the realm of rules to steal his Authority.

"Take a seat," Orion said. "The Titanion Realm has undergone some unexpected changes, but that doesn’t affect the alliance between our peoples."

With a wave of his hand, two slightly smaller thrones descended from the void—a courtesy fitting for demigods.

"We greet the Giant King," Pyraxis Bloodflame and Kassophyr said in unison, bowing deeply. "Your glory pierces the dark and brings dawn to the new world. We thank you for waking us from the silence."

Despite being demigods of the proud dragon race, they showed absolutely zero arrogance. The circumstances demanded total submission. While the ignorant masses might not understand, these two demigods knew exactly what Orion was now. On the Titan Continent, he was an absolute god. They were merely first-stage demigods; even a powerhouse at the fourth or fifth stage would have to kneel before him here.

"You’ve seen the board," Orion said plainly. "Outsiders covet the Titanion Realm. It’s been split into four major factions. Our native races no longer have the final say over the whole world. But, we have also reaped incredible rewards."

"The Titanion Realm has successfully evolved into an Ascendant Plane. Your talents and bloodlines have surged. Countless Primordial Treasures are being born across the world every single day. It is an era of miracles."

Orion didn’t bother hiding the truth of the global landscape. There was no need. If the dragons were smart, they would know exactly which side to choose. The fact that the Stoneheart Horde had secured an entire continent against such monstrous invading forces was proof enough of his strength. He didn’t need to flex. As long as he drew breath, the Titan Continent belonged to him, and he was its undisputed master.

"As for your old territories, I can only offer my apologies," Orion said. During the world’s reboot, the dragons’ former southern domains—both the land and the surrounding seas—had been entirely swallowed up and integrated into the Titan Continent.

"If you are willing to formally join the Stoneheart Horde’s faction," Orion offered, "I promise that any oceanic territories you conquer from now on will belong to the dragonkin."

He held all the cards. Orion had no need for political dancing or empty rhetoric. He was simply putting the offer on the table and letting them choose.