Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Orion frowned, lost in deep thought.

Seeing Orion frown, Lilith dared not disturb him, and the bedroom quickly fell silent.

It wasn't that Orion was overly suspicious, but Lilith's mention of the dark beast tides had reminded him of a point the Deputy Commander made earlier.

The demigod-level powerhouses of the Titanion Realm, after repelling the Emerald Dream Realm's invasion, had in turn become greedy for the Emerald Dream Realm.

Could the absence of the dark beast tides this year mean that those demigod-level powerhouses in the Titanion Realm were plotting something?

Dark beast tides… invasion… counter-invasion…

Orion's frown deepened as he tried to immerse himself in that chaotic scenario, to discern something from it.

…

Trident Sea Region, Azurecrown Royal Harbor.

This was once the territory of the Seadragon race's Seventh Prince, Aurelian. After both the Seventh Prince and the Twelfth Prince died in this sea region, the underwater city gained a new name among the nearby Sea Folk: the City of Sorrow.

Today, this city, known to all as the City of Sorrow, welcomed a new master: Seadragon King Neptor.

Descending with Seadragon King Neptor was the Seadragon race's elite force, the Seadragon Cavalry.

The Seadragon Cavalry was a force composed of Seadragons and Tidewyrms, each cavalry member an elite selected from the Seadragon race.

This time, the Seadragon race had come to avenge their recent humiliation.

However, how to go about it was a matter of careful consideration.

"Father, the Coralborn race has been slaughtered to the last. Their corpses were all dumped on the coast."

The Coralborn race was a vassal of the Seadragon race, one of the largest Sea Folk tribes in the nearby waters.

After the deaths of the Twelfth and Seventh Princes, the Coralborn tribe had been ordered to stay away from the coast, guard this sea region, and gather intelligence.

But no one had expected the Dragons to be so utterly depraved as to wipe out the Coralborn tribe entirely.

"The corpses of the Coralborn tribe, did they appear in Blood Elf territory?"

Seadragon King Neptor's voice was flat, yet with a discernible trace of disdain.

"Yes, Father, your guess is correct!"

Third Prince Voryn nodded. Although everyone had their suspicions before, there was no concrete proof.

As events unfolded, the truth was just as everyone had speculated.

Whether the Dragons were behind it, or whether there was evidence, no longer mattered.

"Hmph, merely a clumsy trick by the Dragons!"

"They merely want us to recall our reinforcements and redeploy our forces here? Then I shall grant their wish."

"However, whether this war is fought or not—that is for the Seadragon race to decide."

Seadragon King Neptor's tone was profound and unfathomable; behind his deep, resonant voice, something seemed to be brewing.

"Father, how do you intend to approach this war?"

Voryn gazed at his father, beneath whose calm expression lay a towering inferno of hatred and anger.

The deaths of the Seventh and Twelfth Princes were a blow to Seadragon King Neptor, and also a humiliation.

Such humiliation could only be washed away with blood.

But whose blood, and how much—this required careful consideration.

The Seadragon race was not invincible. To face both the Blood Elf race and the Stoneheart Horde simultaneously was very challenging and risky.

Third Prince Voryn was not foolish, nor was the high command of the Seadragon race, and Seadragon King Neptor least of all.

Therefore, even after the elite forces of the Seadragon race appeared in Azurecrown Royal Harbor, war did not immediately erupt.

"How to fight? Who said I was going to start a war?"

Seadragon King Neptor's icy voice cut through, attracting the attention of Third Prince Voryn, Seadragon Cavalry Regiment Commander Thaloryn, Seadragon Royal Guards Dravion and Aquilon, and First Prince Maroth.

Including Seadragon King Neptor himself, they numbered six Legendary-level powerhouses.

If their companion Tidewyrms were counted, they totaled eleven Legendary-level powerhouses.

This was undoubtedly an all-star lineup. The Seadragon race had deployed its elites, underscoring the importance they attached to the Stoneheart Horde and the Blood Elves.

"Maroth, you will lead a contingent of Seadragon Cavalry as envoys to the Blood Elf race."

"Voryn, you will lead a contingent of Seadragon Cavalry as envoys to the Stoneheart Horde."

"Tell their lords that in one month, I will host a banquet at Azurecrown Royal Harbor, inviting them to attend our Seadragon race's Sea Offering."

The Sea Offering was, in essence, a funeral.

The Seventh and Twelfth Princes of the Seadragon race had died in this sea region; it was perfectly reasonable for the Seadragon race to hold a funeral here.

As for why Seadragon King Neptor invited the Stoneheart Horde and the Blood Elf race to attend the Sea Offering, that remained unknown.

"Your Majesty, Thaloryn is willing to lead the escort for His Highness the Third Prince to the Stoneheart Horde."

The speaker was the commander of the Seadragon Cavalry Regiment, Thaloryn. His voice was sinister, and his tone clearly indicated his deep malice towards the Stoneheart Horde.

Thaloryn dared to speak thus because his strength was at Legendary peak.

With his companion Tidewyrm, that made two Legendary peak powers.

With such strength, Thaloryn was entitled to his arrogance.

The last time Third Prince Voryn and Seventh Prince Aurelian went to the Stoneheart Horde to demand an explanation, the result was one dead and one fleeing.

In Thaloryn's eyes, this was the greatest insult to them.

Therefore, Thaloryn wanted to take this opportunity to reclaim the dignity of the Seadragon race.

Seadragon King Neptor said nothing; he was somewhat hesitant about Thaloryn's request.

If the Sea Folk went to war with the Stoneheart Horde and the Blood Elf race, that would be falling right into the Dragons' insidious trap.

Seadragon King Neptor did not want to be tricked, but he also wanted to regain face. So, he planned to hold the Sea Offering to gauge the stance of the Blood Elves and the Stoneheart Horde.

Ascertaining the enemy's position and bottom line was the decisive factor in whether war would erupt.

As for the two deceased princes of the Seadragon race, they were important, but with the rise or fall of the entire race at stake, their lives and dignity could be temporarily set aside.

This was the perspective of Seadragon King Neptor, the caliber of a king.

"Your Majesty, if the Stoneheart Horde's lord cannot even pass my test, then they are not qualified to attend the Sea Offering."

"At that time, Thaloryn will unleash a great tsunami to claim justice for the Seadragon race!"

"Our princes are not so easily killed; the enemy must pay in blood!"

These words from Thaloryn moved Seadragon King Neptor.

If that Legendary peak Giant King couldn't even defeat Thaloryn, then there was indeed no need to negotiate with him, nor would he be qualified to attend the Sea Offering.

"Go then. Protect Voryn well!"

"Remember, if things become untenable, drop your stance."

"We can be proud, but we cannot be foolish."