Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

At midnight, the flap of the chieftain's tent was lifted, and a gust of icy wind swept in.

Lilith entered, wrapped in a thick fur cloak, followed closely by Lysinthia and Violet.

"My dear Orion, is there something to celebrate? You're smiling so brightly!"

The moment Lilith stepped inside, she noticed the faint smile lingering on Orion's face.

Orion lifted a corner of the massive fur blanket covering him, gesturing for Lilith to join him and warm herself.

Lilith's face lit up with a blissful smile. She quickly shed her clothes and slipped under the fur, pressing her body against Orion's, rubbing against him like a playful cat.

Orion wrapped his arms around her, halting her teasing movements.

"I have a gift for you."

Lilith poked her head out from under the fur, looking up at Orion with wide, expectant eyes.

"My dear Orion, do you really have a gift for me?"

Hearing this, Lysinthia and Violet, who had been standing quietly, turned their attention to Orion, their curiosity piqued.

Orion nodded slightly and reached into his cloak, pulling out the delicate black butterfly hairpin.

"It's yours."

Lilith extended her hand, taking the hairpin with its gently fluttering wings. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

"My love, is this really for me?"

"Yes, my Lilith. It's yours."

Overcome with emotion, Lilith leaned in and kissed Orion passionately. The kiss lingered, deep and fervent, until Lilith finally pulled away, breathless and reluctant.

"My dear, will you put it on for me?"

"Of course."

Orion took the hairpin and carefully placed it in Lilith's hair.

The black butterfly nestled in her locks, its wings fluttering faintly, exuding a charm that was both sweet and elegant, noble and seductive.

"I can feel it… This hairpin is incredibly precious. Where did you get it? Could it be…"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Orion raised a finger to her lips, silencing her before she could finish.

"You already know the answer."

Lilith's eyes widened briefly before she understood. A sly, seductive smile spread across her face, her allure undeniable.

The next moment, Lilith slipped back under the fur, trailing kisses down Orion's body. She moved from his chest to his waist, stopping only when she reached his cock. Without hesitation, she took him into her mouth, her movements slow and deliberate.

It didn't take long for Orion to harden fully, his cock growing larger and firmer. He lifted Lilith effortlessly, positioning her above him, and they began to make love in a passionate, intimate rhythm.

Lilith moved with fervor, her body rising and falling as she moaned seductively.

From the side, Violet and Lysinthia watched with envy, their gazes lingering on Lilith and the black butterfly hairpin in her hair.

The hairpin seemed almost alive, its wings fluttering in time with Lilith's movements, adding an ethereal beauty to the scene.

Both Violet and Lysinthia, skilled in magic, could sense the powerful aura emanating from the hairpin. It was undoubtedly a high-grade magical artifact.

What others had, they did not. It was only natural to feel a pang of jealousy. Violet and Lysinthia were no exception.

That night, under Lilith's lead, Orion's tent was filled with romance and passion. Each woman reached her climax before falling into a deep, satisfied sleep.

---

As the days passed, the long winter began to wane.

One morning, the familiar sound of Rolan's grunts and shouts during training echoed outside the tent, like a natural alarm clock.

Orion slowly opened his eyes, pushing aside the large breasts pressing against his face. He pulled the fur blanket over the sleeping women, got up, and began preparing for the day.

Stepping outside, he was greeted by the sight of Rolan practicing his stances while wielding a trident.

"Mentor!"

"Hmm. Good work. Keep it up."

Orion nodded approvingly before turning toward his guards.

The four Frost Wolves stationed nearby perked up at his approach, their tails wagging as they let out low, eager whines. Their massive heads jostled against each other as they vied for Orion's attention.

Orion chuckled, patting their heads affectionately before pulling out four Pet Pills to feed them.

Today, all four of his guards were present—a rare occurrence.

Orion studied them closely. These guards were his personal protectors, fiercely loyal and dependable.

After enduring the trials of the dark beast tides and with the assistance of the Frost Wolves, each of them had grown significantly stronger.

The strongest among them, Dace, had already reached the late stages of hero-level strength.

"Keep working hard. I expect all my guards to become Alpha-level warriors one day!"

Orion's words were both encouragement and a challenge, a way to motivate them further.

Just as he was about to say more, a drop of rain landed on his forehead.

Orion wiped it away and looked up at the sky.

The spring rain had begun to fall, light and steady. Orion closed his eyes, letting the cold droplets wash over him.

For a brief moment, all of Blackstone City fell silent, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Then, cheers erupted from both Moonshadow Valley and Blackstone City.

The spring rain was a signal—the dark beast tides were retreating, and the northern icefield monsters were preparing to invade.

"Dace, send word. The council will convene for an emergency meeting in thirty minutes!"

"As you command, Chieftain!"

Orion's voice dropped, carrying a weight of authority that demanded immediate obedience.

Rolan, distracted by the sudden shift in Orion's tone, glanced over.

"What are you looking at? Focus on your training. Starting today, you'll train two extra hours every day. If you don't finish your tasks, you won't eat!"

For the first time, Orion spoke to Rolan with a cold, commanding tone, leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, Mentor!"

Rolan didn't know what had happened, but he was smart enough not to ask. Orion's stern demeanor made it clear that now was not the time for questions.

A moment later, Lilith, Violet, and Lysinthia emerged from the tent, their expressions a mix of joy and apprehension as they gazed at the rain.

"Get ready. You'll be joining me at the council meeting."

"Understood."

Lilith nodded, fully aware that the arrival of the spring rain signaled the start of a new battle.

---

Half an hour later, in the chieftain's tent.

The council had gathered, and the Horde's two Wardens, Lilith and Lorelia, were present. The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

"Elders, the spring rain has arrived," Orion began, his tone cold and his gaze sharp as he addressed the council.

"According to our plan, our bloodline warriors and cannon fodder troops will depart north tomorrow. They must arrive at the ambush points designated by Elder of Stewardship Delilah on time."

"Rendall, Lilith, and Lorelia will remain in Blackstone City to ensure the Horde's safety."

"Onyx, Delilah, and Thundar will accompany me on the expedition."

After outlining the key points, Orion left the remaining details to Delilah.

The elders had anticipated this meeting, so it concluded swiftly, wrapping up in just thirty minutes.

Once only the four senior elders and eight council elders remained, Orion continued.

"Gather your scouts. I'll be departing shortly to survey the northern regions."

Delilah nodded, glancing at Dirtclaw, who immediately understood and scurried off to assemble the scouts.

"Prophet, during tomorrow's expedition, you'll temporarily lead the troops. Delilah will join once she's finished handling logistics."

"Chieftain, rest assured. I'll ensure the troops are in position at the ambush points and that all traps are properly set."

Orion nodded. He trusted Prophet Onyx to handle the task with precision.

---

"Rendall, while I'm away, you'll be in charge of Blackstone City. If anyone dares to cause trouble—kill them without mercy!"

A flash of cold intent flickered in Orion's eyes. The Stoneheart Horde, being a coalition of multiple races, naturally had members of varying temperaments and loyalties. Among them, there were always those who refused to follow orders.

For those who dared to undermine the Horde during critical moments, Orion had no tolerance.

"Don't worry. If anyone stirs up trouble or harbors ill intentions, I won't hesitate to deal with them!" Rendall replied firmly.

Orion nodded but decided to give Rendall one last piece of advice.

"If you encounter a situation where you're unsure, consult with Lilith and Lorelia. The three of you can make a decision together."

"I understand!"

Orion took a deep breath and stood up, his voice calm but resolute.

"Then that's settled. Everyone, take your positions. Let's work together for the glory of the Horde!"

The four senior elders and eight council elders rose to their feet, their voices ringing out in unison.

"For the glory of the Horde!"

"For the glory of the Horde!"

"…"

---

Moonshadow Valley, Western Peak

By the time Orion arrived at the western peak, a team of scouts was already waiting for him.

Also present were the thunderhawk and two Wind Eagles, their wings spread wide and ready for flight. The Blood Vulture, however, had been left behind in Moonshadow Valley to assist Delilah in relaying messages and handling emergencies.

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"Honored Chieftain! You've arrived!"

"Good afternoon , honored Chieftain!"

The greetings came from Elan of the Skytalon Tribe and his son, Lorne.

Seeing the father-and-son duo both present for this mission stirred something in Orion.

Orion regarded Elan thoughtfully. Since joining the Stoneheart Horde, Elan had worked tirelessly to build and maintain the Horde's aviary for flying beasts and the nurseries for magical plants.

"You've done well. If we succeed in driving the tundra invaders out of the Black Forest, I'll grant you a seat on the council."

Elan's body trembled slightly at Orion's words.

He understood the significance of joining the council—it meant becoming part of the Stoneheart Horde's inner circle. For the Skytalon Tribe, it symbolized full integration into the Horde and an end to any marginalization.

"Thank you for your trust, Chieftain. Elan will lead the Skytalon Tribe to drive out the invaders with all our might!"

"Good. Prepare yourselves. We're leaving immediately."

Orion's gaze swept over the team of scouts—twelve in total. Among them were eight succubi, three gnolls, and one gecko.

Just as Orion was about to mount the thunderhawk, he paused, as if remembering something. Turning to Delilah, he handed her the spider silk weapon he had obtained earlier.

"This suits you. It's yours now."

Delilah's face lit up with surprise as she accepted the spider silk. Almost immediately, she sensed its unique skill—Illusionary Prison—and her expression turned to one of disbelief.

"What's wrong? Don't like it?"

"No, no! I love it!"

"Hahaha… That's good!"

Orion laughed heartily, then turned and leapt onto the thunderhawk's back. With eight scouts in tow, the thunderhawk took to the skies, heading north.

Elan and Lorne exchanged a quick word with Delilah before urging their flying beasts to follow the thunderhawk.

Delilah watched the thunderhawk disappear into the distance, her eyes curving into crescent moons, her expression brimming with charm.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. If only she had reacted faster, been a little bolder—perhaps she could have stolen a kiss from Orion.

A kiss in exchange for a gift? That didn't seem unreasonable, did it?

The thought made Delilah's smile deepen, her mood growing even brighter.

---

High Above the Black Forest

On the thunderhawk's back, the scouts remained silent, gazing down at the vast expanse of the Black Forest below.

From this height, the landscape stretched out like a living map—mountains, rivers, and trees shrouded in a perpetual black mist. It was a sight none of them had ever seen before.

"Do you have a leader among you?"

Orion, after surveying the surroundings of Blackstone City from above and finding nothing unusual, suddenly turned to address the scouts behind him.

The question caught the eight scouts off guard. For a moment, none of them spoke.

"Honored Chieftain, I am the leader of this forward team and the one in charge of this group!"

Orion raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. The one who had spoken was the only gnoll among them.

"What's your name?"

"I ... I am Ragscrape, cousin to Dirtclaw!"

Orion studied the gnoll for a moment before speaking in a calm, reassuring tone.

"Don't be nervous. As a scout, you must remain composed in all situations."

"Yes, Chieftain!"

Orion gave Ragscrape another glance. The gnoll had quickly regained his composure after Orion's words of encouragement, a trait that impressed him.

It was no wonder this gnoll had been chosen to lead the team—he was performing better than the succubi, who were typically more adept at such roles.

"Did Delilah give you specific instructions before departure?"

"Yes, Chieftain!"

"Do you know where to land?"

"Yes!"

"Are your supplies sufficient?"

"They are!"

"Good. Keep up the good work."

Orion was pleased with Ragscrape's responses. He didn't ask about the specifics of their mission, but his questions confirmed that the scouts were well-prepared.

Satisfied, Orion turned his attention away from Ragscrape and began contemplating the broader situation.

The Black Forest, geographically speaking, occupied a highly advantageous position within the Four Domains.

To the south, it bordered the Thunderwood Forest, which bore the brunt of the beast tides. But in other directions, the environment was far more favorable.

To the north lay the vast territory of Lord Gareth, part of the Abyssal Chasm, the largest region in the Four Domains, covering nearly half of its total area.

The northeastern and northwestern edges of the Black Forest were flanked by the Abyssal Chasm's lands, forming an inverted U-shape that bordered the Desert Oasis, the Black Forest itself, and the Poison Dragon Swamp.

In essence, the Black Forest was nestled in the center, its location both strategic and advantageous.

However, this time, the tundra invaders were forcing their way through the Abyssal Chasm, threatening not only the Black Forest but also the Desert Oasis and Poison Dragon Swamp.

To be honest, sending only twelve scouts to cover such a vast area was far from ideal.

But Orion had no choice. The Stoneheart Horde's flying beasts were too few in number, and this was the most they could deploy at once.

Even so, the fact that they had twelve scouts was largely thanks to the thunderhawk's capacity.

Orion glanced eastward and westward, his thoughts drifting. He wondered how Soraya of the Desert Oasis would handle the tundra invasion.

And what of Slagor in the Poison Dragon Swamp? After being rejected by Orion, would he choose to go to the Abyssal Chasm?

---

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

One by one, the scouts on the thunderhawk's back were dropped off at their designated locations.

After such a long flight, Orion and his team had yet to reach the northernmost edge of the Black Forest. However, they had entered the pre-planned battle zone.

From this point onward, the scouts would operate within this area, gathering intelligence and preparing for the battles to come.