Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

It had to be said—Lilith was a clever and strategic succubus.

With Delilah already holding the critical position of Stewardship Elder within the succubus clan(tribe), any attempt by Lilith to vie for power would undoubtedly invite gossip and dissent. Just because there wasn't any now didn't mean there wouldn't be in the future.

By positioning herself correctly from the start, Lilith demonstrated her intelligence and foresight.

Her choice to stand behind Orion, rather than taking a seat among the senior elders, earned her the favor and respect of the four senior elders. Aside from Delilah, the other elders nodded slightly in acknowledgment of Lilith's gesture.

Lilith returned their nods with a polite smile, and the meeting resumed.

"This time, our elders Desdemona and Vespera didn't participate in the Myriad Races Invasion. While they're clever, their experience is far too shallow," Delilah began, her tone calm but firm.

"They've been able to handle things smoothly under our watchful eyes, but that's only because we've been there to clean up their messes. We must be clear—they're not ready for major responsibilities yet. They still need more training and observation."

This was Delilah in her element—high-ranking, far-sighted, and adept at navigating the delicate balance of power.

Lilith's ascension to Alpha-level had already elevated the succubus clan's status to rival that of the giants. Yet, as Lilith soared to new heights, Delilah's words subtly suppressed the rising influence of the other succubus elders who had performed well recently.

Delilah understood that the horde needed balance as much as it needed growth. Her actions weren't just for herself—they were to reduce potential trouble for Orion and the other three senior elders.

Prophet Onyx, Rendall, and Thundar all nodded in agreement, their smiles signaling their approval of Delilah's perspective.

And Delilah wasn't wrong.

"The Giant Tribe elders—Slate, Samson, and Ursa—aren't stupid, but they're not exactly brilliant either," Rendall said bluntly. "Their current positions are the result of accumulated battle merits and their previous status."

"Still, I agree with the Stewardship Elder. We should give them opportunities to prove themselves and see if they can transform into true pillars of the horde."

Rendall's straightforwardness was a hallmark of his character. His life and loyalty were wholly intertwined with the tribe, and he never hesitated to speak plainly about the strengths and weaknesses of its members.

Orion nodded, signaling his agreement with Rendall's assessment.

"In that case, I'll take all eight council elders with me on the next southern campaign during the Myriad Races Invasion," Orion declared.

"We'll see then—are they dragons, or are they rats? Time will tell."

With this statement, Orion not only gave the eight council elders a chance to prove themselves but also determined their fates.

As for Rockwell and Dirtclaw, there was no need for further discussion. Both had survived the last Myriad Races Invasion, clawing their way back from the brink of death. Their combat prowess was solid, and their unique statuses made them valuable assets.

The four senior elders had no objections to these two. As long as they continued to grow, they were destined to become pillars of the Stoneheart Horde.

Meanwhile, deep in the dense woods of Thunderwood Forest to the south, a man was running for his life.

Lorne, the young chieftain of the Skytalon Tribe, and his father, Elan, had both bonded with flying beasts. Though their beasts were only hero-level, this was still a rare feat in Thunderwood Forest—harpies excluded, of course.

Thanks to Lord Ariel's guidance, the harpy clan had undergone a remarkable transformation. Every harpy could now soar freely through the skies.

During the last Myriad Races Invasion, Lorne had followed his father Elan's orders and delivered Reynard's sister, Rowena of the Skybond Clan, to the Fireraven Tribe.

But after hearing that Thunderhawk City had fallen, Lorne had been consumed by torment.

On one side was his beloved Rowena; on the other, his revered father, Elan.

Caught in this impossible dilemma, Lorne had nearly lost his mind.

In the end, he made his choice.

A father is irreplaceable. A lover, once lost, can always be replaced.

That was Lorne's decision.

Rowena, the proud yet pitiable woman of the Skybond Clan, was knocked unconscious by Lorne and handed over to Seth, the young chieftain of the Fireraven Tribe.

In exchange, Lorne was released from his semi-imprisoned state and granted freedom to move within Fireraven territory.

But this choice set off a chain of events that forced Lorne to flee northward for his life.

After Lord Ariel's forces occupied various regions of Thunderwood Forest, they discovered the Skytalon Tribe's betrayal. A kill order was issued against the tribe, and Lorne became one of the targets.

If not for a warning from a sympathetic clansman, Lorne would already be dead—or worse, enslaved. Either way, his fate would have been grim.

Compared to Lorne's desperate escape, Rowena's situation was far worse.

In a small wooden cabin, a man from the Fireraven Tribe emerged, whistling as he left. He was the twenty-first man to violate Rowena.

Rowena had been reduced to nothing more than a tool for pleasure, her life now a living hell.

"Brother… where are you?"

"Lorne… where are you?"

Her voice cracked with despair, her words laced with venom.

"I hate you… I hate you all…"

If Orion had been there, he would have realized that Rowena had gone mad.

She lay limp on the ground, her body trembling as she let out a hoarse, broken laugh. Another man from the Fireraven Tribe took her, his actions as brutal as the others before him.

What happens to a woman when she loses all dignity and becomes a plaything for others' cruelty?

Orion didn't know. Lorne didn't know.

At that moment, Lorne wasn't much better off than Rowena. Two hero-level harpies were hot on his trail.

Using his wits, Lorne sent his bonded Wind Eagle flying in the opposite direction to draw the pursuers away. Meanwhile, he slipped into the dense forest, heading north and following the secret markers left by his father, Elan.

As he moved, Lorne caught glimpses of an Alpha-level harpy driving a beast tide. He recognized her—Aella, a member of Lord Ariel's clan. He had once seen her from afar in Thunderhawk City.

Lorne was lucky.

The harpies chasing him lost sight of him near the Wind Eagle and realized they'd been tricked. Instead of killing the Wind Eagle, they let it go and followed it northward, hoping it would lead them back to Lorne.

But Lorne was also unlucky.

The two harpies weren't fools. The freed Wind Eagle became their bait, and they followed it closely, waiting for Lorne to summon it again and fall into their trap.

And so, the pieces fell into place: Lorne, the Wind Eagle, the two harpies, the beast tide, and Aella—all moving northward, as if drawn together by fate.