Titan King: Ascension of the Giant-Chapter 1453: Forging the Future

Moments later, the rift erupted.

Droves of Ocean Hunters, aquatic Hydra-beasts, and Sea-Drake Cavalry surged forth like a tide of teeth and scales.

Orion’s plan was simple: unleash the horde. He would let this army sweep the Westreach Trench, hunting down every last Siren hiding in the crevices. But their true purpose was that of canaries in a coal mine—fodder sent ahead to trigger whatever lethal traps the Sirens might have hidden in their lair.

Now, all Orion and his brothers had to do was wait for the results.

Seizing the lull in combat, Orion let his consciousness drift, sinking into the metaphysical space of the Survivor’s Platform to marshal his forces.

Hulk: "The Rite of Fatebound Offering arrays will activate on schedule in three days. Are you all prepared?"

Orion broadcast the message to his private circle.

Aerin: "Godfather, all provisions and fodder for the campaign are stockpiled and ready. I wish everyone a victorious start!"

Aerin, the Wood Elf, was not joining the invasion force. The Forest of Nature had only recently known peace, and the Elven population was still critically low. Furthermore, Wood Elves were pacifists by nature; their enthusiasm for a war of aggression was nonexistent. They were a race that would try to negotiate peace even while their enemies were burning down their front gates.

The Demonic Disaster had hardened them somewhat, but nature was nature. Only a small fraction of the Elves had developed a thirst for blood. Orion didn’t force the issue. As long as Aerin managed the logistics and kept the supply lines flowing, she was doing her part.

Tangere: "All systems go. Ready to descend at any moment."

Tangere responded immediately after Aerin. Conquest and territorial expansion were burning desires for him; he had been silently preparing for months.

Caesar: "Boss, Caesar is ready too!"

With the expansion of the Sword King City, Caesar’s resources and power had grown significantly. Since advancing to the rank of Lord, his confidence had bolstered.

I have to do more this time, Caesar thought to himself. I need to pull my weight.

He was deeply grateful for Orion’s patronage, for the aid Aerin and Tangere had given him in the Silverwood Realm, and for the death-substitution artifacts Scarecrow had traded him. He owed them all.

Scarecrow: "Boss, I’m good to go."

Seeing that everyone had checked in, Orion continued.

Hulk: "You will land in the central region of the Andor Diocese. When you arrive, the Crawler Legion and the Undead Legion will have just pushed past your drop zone."

Hulk: "Consolidate your forces. Tangere will take lead command. Follow behind the two main legions and support them in sweeping the entire Andor Diocese."

Among Tangere, Caesar, and Scarecrow, Tangere had the strength and the temperament best suited for leadership. Orion had brought these juniors along to gain experience and reap benefits, not to die senselessly. For them, safety was priority number one.

Hulk: "The continent of Santdagon produces a special mineral called Sunstone. Mining it carries a chance of finding a higher-tier byproduct: Void Sand."

Hulk: "Sunstones can be forged into equipment to provide warding and purification effects against evil—useful for your troops. Void Sand, however, is a material I am personally seeking. If you find any, bring it to me. I will trade for it."

Void Sand was a critical component for forging Relic Sets. Orion had been collecting it for some time. At his current level, ordinary Relics were beneath his notice, especially after obtaining the shard of the Mirror of Theras.

His grand design was to gather the necessary materials for a full Relic Set and then nurture it into a Semi-Divine Artifact exclusive to him. The process would consume a sea of rare materials, but as a Demigod, Orion had all the time in the world to collect them.

Caesar: "Don’t worry! I will find that Void Sand for you!"

Tangere: "I will keep an eye out for any intelligence regarding it."

Scarecrow: "Boss, I’ll do my best."

Having settled matters with his subordinates, Orion sent a private message to Isabella.

Hulk: "Are you ready for the descent?"

Isabella’s reply came quickly, though her tone was sharp.

Isabella: "Your Eminence, Lord Hulk. This humble Isabella has washed herself clean and is ready to warm your bed at a moment’s notice. Do you require my services now?"

Was this roleplay?

Obviously not.

Orion’s earlier joke about her being "his woman" still rankled, and the little minx was mocking him with feigned submission. Both were high-status beings—a Queen and a Demigod. There was a perverse thrill in framing such power within the context of slavery and humiliation.

Hulk: "Don’t think I have the time right now. Otherwise, I’d put eight or ten brats in you and keep you stuck in bed for the next decade."

Perhaps it was their familiarity, or perhaps just a sudden surge of wicked humor, but Orion lowered the bar of his shamelessness to new depths.

Isabella: "Shameless! Vulgar! Old lecher! Breeding bull!"

Isabella finally cracked, firing back a string of insults.

Eight or ten brats? Bedridden for a decade?

What kind of nightmare scenario is that?

Ah... terrifying...

Strangely, Isabella found herself involuntarily visualizing Orion’s threat. She imagined herself with a swollen belly, surrounded by a chaotic circle of screaming, crying, snot-nosed, diaper-soiling infants.

The mere thought of a room reeking of milk and excrement gave her a violent urge to tear someone apart.

Isabella: "Damn you, Hulk!"

Isabella: "You hateful giant!"

Isabella: "Brainless Demigod, thinking with your cock... I will never bear your whelps!"

Amidst her curses, they finalized the time and coordinates for her arrival.

Just as Orion was about to exit the Survivor’s Platform, a message from the Demon Makareth popped up.

Makareth: "Orion, I want in."

Makareth: "Give me all the enemies. Below the level of Demigod, I am invincible!"

Orion could tell just by the tone that Makareth had successfully advanced to the rank of Archlord. And, like many who experience a sudden surge in power, his ego had bloated. It was a classic case of "new level confidence."

Eventually, Makareth would run into a truly seasoned Archlord and get beaten black and blue, deflating that arrogance. But for now...

Hulk: "Go to the Emerald Dream Realm. There is a teleportation point there. Cross over with the Undead Legion."

Orion didn’t waste words. If Makareth was bursting with aggression, he was the perfect candidate for the vanguard.

A Demon descending to lead the charge, shrouding the continent of Santdagon in absolute darkness?

Orion pictured Makareth leading the invasion. Yes, he thought. That sets the right mood.