Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

*Stoneheart Tribe→Stoneheart Horde*

Orion's sudden question caught Prophet Onyx off guard. After a brief pause, Prophet Onyx responded with a hint of confusion.

"Chieftain, are you referring to the Trolls we encountered in the Barren Mountains last time?"

"Yes."

"Chieftain, are you thinking of subduing them?"

"That's right. Do you think it's possible?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Prophet Onyx fell silent again, contemplating the possibility of bringing the Trolls under their control.

During their last encounter, Orion had been in a hurry to reach the Poison Dragon Swamp and didn't want any unexpected delays, so he hadn't engaged with the Trolls. But Orion remembered them well—those Trolls were strong.

Among them, there was one whose strength was comparable to Prophet Onyx's, and another who was at the peak of hero-level, very close to becoming Alpha-level.

If Orion could subdue these Trolls, the strength of his forces would increase significantly.

"Chieftain, the Troll chieftain is named Gronthar, and his strength is about equal to mine."

"He also has a brother named Brakthul, whose strength is not far behind."

"If you want to subdue them, I'm afraid you'll have to handle it personally."

Orion turned to Prophet Onyx, his expression inviting further explanation.

"Trolls, like us, respect strength. They've also seen the outside world and are fierce warriors."

At this point, Prophet Onyx's expression darkened, and his tone became more serious.

"But, the Trolls once had their own Alpha-level warrior."

"And from what I've heard, their previous Alpha-level warrior was one of Lord Gareth's most trusted fighters."

"I suspect the reason the Trolls haven't submitted to Slagor of the Poison Dragon Swamp is that they're waiting for one of their own to ascend to Alpha-level."

Orion nodded. Prophet Onyx's reasoning made sense.

Any tribe that had once produced an Alpha-level warrior would have some foundation and knowledge of how to cultivate another. Such tribes wouldn't easily submit to just any Alpha-level warrior—unless it was someone as powerful as Gareth, a Legendary-level figure.

"Forget it for now. When the time is right, you'll accompany me to visit them."

Prophet Onyx nodded. Ever since learning of Orion's grander ambitions, the fire that had been dormant in his heart for centuries had reignited.

---

That day in Moonshadow Valley was unusually calm and peaceful.

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No beast tide came, and the horde members were able to relax, their anxiety easing.

However, in the middle of the night, a haunting melody began to echo from the depths of the forest outside Moonshadow Valley. The song was eerie yet strangely beautiful, sending chills down the spines of those who heard it.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Upon hearing the song, Orion, Prophet Onyx, Thundar, and others quickly left their tents and gathered on the wall's foundation, peering into the distant forest.

Moments later, Delilah arrived with a large group of tribe members, her expression slightly uneasy.

"You know what's hiding in the forest?"

Orion's keen observation had already noticed that Lilith's face had been tense earlier. Now, seeing Delilah's similar expression, he knew something was amiss.

"Chieftain, this is the Lament of the Banshees. Hidden in the forest are Weeping Banshees."

Delilah's gaze was cold as she stared into the distant woods.

Orion was puzzled, but his wife Lilith stepped forward to explain.

"My dear Orion, the Weeping Banshees are actually a branch of our Succubus race, but they are traitors."

"A branch of the Succubi? Traitors?"

Lilith nodded, as if recalling the ancient history of her people.

"Like the Giants, the Succubi have a pure bloodline."

"However, after arriving on this continent, some of the Succubi were swayed by other gods and transformed into Weeping Banshees."

Delilah, her voice icy, continued the explanation.

"The irony is that after the gods used the Weeping Banshees in their wars, they abandoned them."

"They are a race forsaken by the gods, shunned by all other races, forced to live in hiding."

"I never expected that they would still have a foothold in the south."

After finishing her explanation, Delilah gave Orion an apologetic look.

"Honorable Chieftain, as the Queen of the Succubi, your servant and woman, I request permission to let us Succubi handle this matter ourselves."

Orion glanced at Delilah, recognizing the subtle manipulation in her request.

"Go ahead."

Orion agreed without hesitation.

"My dear Orion, it is the duty of royal Succubi to cleanse our bloodline of such filth."

Lilith stepped forward, drawing the dagger and whip that Orion had gifted her.

"Be careful."

Orion gazed at Lilith for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Lilith kissed him before joining Delilah.

It was a rare sight—two Succubus sisters, usually at odds, now united in a common cause.

"In the name of our ancestors, we shall purge the filth and slay the traitors!"

Delilah raised her staff high, and the Succubus bloodline warriors stepped forward, gathering around her.

Orion, along with the rest of the horde, watched them closely.

After a moment of thought, Orion activated his Berserk Aura, empowering the Succubus warriors with increased Constitution and other attributes.

At the same time, Delilah began to sing, and Lilith joined her, their voices weaving together into a mysterious and enchanting melody that drowned out the eerie song from the forest.

In the depths of the forest, the haunting song of the Weeping Banshees faltered, replaced by pained screams.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

Delilah and Lilith spread their black wings and glided low to the ground, leading their warriors into the forest.

Some of the Buffalofolk and Giant warriors stepped forward, ready to offer support.

"Stop. Don't go."

"The battles between Succubi are filled with illusions. The forest is dangerous."

"This is their fight. We shouldn't interfere."

"Our job is to trust the Elder of Stewardship."

Orion's voice was calm, and the warriors heeded his command, returning to their posts and watching the distant forest from afar.

Within the forest, the Succubi's song rose and fell, while the Weeping Banshees' screams grew sharper and more desperate, but also fewer in number.

"Honorable Chieftain, I suggest we clear all the trees within a kilometer of the wall."

"Hmm… why?"

"It's too dangerous! The forest provides too much cover for enemies to hide."

Prophet Onyx's suggestion reminded Orion of the potential threat.

The idea of hidden enemies resonated with Orion.

"Thundar, did you hear that? This task is yours."

"Understood. I'll take the tribe out tomorrow morning to start cutting down the trees."

Thundar nodded in agreement. He also believed that the area outside the wall should be cleared of trees.

Ahhh…

A sharp scream echoed from the distance, filled with sorrow and pain.

Ahhh… ahhh… ahhh…

The screams rose and fell several times before finally falling silent.