Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Chapter 104 We’ll follow your lead

Prophet Onyx's words brought back memories for Orion. At that time, a Storm Vulture, an Alpha-level beast, had descended upon Moonshadow Valley, delivering a summons from Lord Gareth.

"Prophet, are you talking about that Storm Vulture?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Prophet Onyx's face, but he quickly nodded in understanding.

"Yes, Chieftain!"

Orion nodded in return, then asked another question.

"Do you know the name of the messenger?"

Prophet Onyx thought for a moment, his tone uncertain.

"Chieftain, if you mean the Storm Vulture's rider, I believe his name is Arden."

Orion fell silent.

The one riding the Storm Vulture must have been its master, and that would be Arden.

Returning to the matter at hand, Prophet Onyx, seeing that Orion wasn't interested in further details about the Storm Vulture or Arden, shifted the conversation back to the flying beast they were currently dealing with.

"Chieftain, it's been nearly a century since the last return tide occurred."

"We don't know the specifics of the last Myriad Races Invasion, which means we're essentially blind and deaf to the outside world."

"Chieftain, if possible, you could seek advice from other chieftains in the region or even directly from Lord Gareth."

Orion shook his head. The nearest chieftain, Slagor, had already been thoroughly offended, so there was no chance of asking him for help.

To the west lay the desert, a harsh environment where they might die before even reaching another chieftain.

As for Lord Gareth, Orion had already seen during their last encounter that she wasn't someone who could be easily reasoned with.

After Orion's battle with Slagor, it hadn't taken long for Gareth to intercept him on the road.

Orion didn't believe for a second that Gareth had just happened to be passing by because her Abyss Dragon had sensed another of its kind.

"I'll lead the expedition myself next year. I'll personally open the path to the outside world."

Orion rejected Prophet Onyx's suggestion and brought the conversation back to the beast tide.

"I don't think this beast tide will end with just one or two waves. There will likely be several more."

"I'll keep an eye on the flying beast above Moonshadow Valley. You all focus on the ground forces."

"And make sure to rest and recover your strength. The next battle could start at any moment, and when it does, there won't be time to rest."

The impromptu meeting lasted less than half an hour before Orion sent the weary elders off to rest.

Prophet Onyx and the others had barely slept for one hour when the war horns of Moonshadow Valley blared once again.

One by one, the bloodline warriors were jolted awake, grabbing their weapons and rushing out of their tents.

"Mommy, Daddy's running out of the tent with his axe again!"

Inside a giant's tent, a curious three-year-old giant peered out through the tent flap, watching the world outside with wide eyes.

To the young giant, today's Moonshadow Valley felt very different from usual.

He had been confined to the tent all day, unable to go outside, and even his mother wasn't allowed to leave.

"Rolan, be good and stay in the tent. Mommy will make you some roasted meat!"

"Mommy, I want to practice with the trident and spear. I want to be a strong warrior like Chieftain!"

"Alright, Rolan can practice with the trident and spear. When you grow up, you'll become a bloodline warrior like Chieftain!"

"Okay, I'll listen to Mommy!"

Little Rolan grabbed a stick his mother had broken off for him and began swinging it around inside the tent.

This heartwarming and inspiring scene was something Chieftain Orion couldn't see.

Because outside Moonshadow Valley, in the distance, the ground was trembling once again.

"Chieftain, it's CutterSaurs!"

The speaker was Thundar, his eyes still bleary from being abruptly awakened.

Orion gazed into the distance and asked a question.

"Did the scouts you sent out bring back any news?"

Thundar's face fell, his expression sorrowful.

"No, not a single one returned."

Orion fell silent. If none of the scouts had returned and another beast tide was approaching, there could only be one conclusion—they had all perished.

"I understand. Go and prepare."

After Thundar left to organize the defense, Orion turned to the succubus twins standing behind him—Queen Delilah and his wife, Lilith.

"What do you think?"

Delilah brushed a strand of windblown hair from her face, her brow furrowed as she looked into the distance.

"Chieftain, the scouts Elder Thundar sent out were all from our succubus tribe."

"Among them were two elders, and the rest had special skills for concealing themselves."

"If none of them returned, they were either wiped out or trapped outside."

Though Delilah was speaking about her own people, her tone was devoid of emotion.

"Chieftain, sacrifices are necessary for survival."

Sensing Orion's somber mood, Delilah offered a gentle reminder.

Orion exhaled slowly. Ever since he had taken on the role of chieftain, he found it increasingly difficult to remain indifferent to the loss of his people.

Perhaps this was the burden of leadership, Orion thought, trying to console himself.

"You should go as well. The logistics can't run without you."

"As you wish."

Delilah nodded and descended from the tower.

"My dear Orion, the beast tide is upon us. We'll follow your lead."

Lilith didn't say much, but her words were full of encouragement.

Orion nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, his mind sharp and alert.

The fact that none of the scouts had returned meant they had likely all been killed.

Whatever had exposed and overwhelmed them could only be an Alpha-level beast.

Which meant that behind this beast tide, there was a high likelihood that an Alpha-level beast was lurking.

"I just don't know if it's that flying beast…"

Orion muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing like a predator's.

By now, the sky was darkening, and dusk was approaching.

Orion couldn't help but curse under his breath—these bastards really knew how to pick the perfect time to attack.

"Dace, send the order!"

"Tell Elder of Stewardship Delilah to light bonfires throughout Moonshadow Valley and around the wall's foundation."

"I want the flames to illuminate every corner where our people are fighting!"

Dace acknowledged the command and hurried off to relay the message.

"Lysinthia, have the Twilight Viper burrow beneath the wall's foundation and lie in wait. Its job is to deal with any CutterSaurs that get too close."

"Yes, Master!"

After giving Lysinthia her orders, Orion turned his attention back to the approaching beast tide. The battle was about to begin.

"You two should go as well. Work with the Twilight Viper to protect the wall's foundation and cover our people."

Orion reached into his Bagbird pouch and pulled out an elite-grade one-handed sword, handing it to Lysinthia.

"This weapon is yours now."

Lilith and Lysinthia joined the battle, while Orion remained on the tower, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond.

In the distance, Orion could faintly sense a powerful presence.