Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

When Orion appeared in the meeting hall with Lilith and Lysinthia in tow, all the council members were already gathered.

Orion settled into the main seat, half-closing his eyes as he swept his gaze over the elders. At the same time, he took in everything happening outside the Horde Hall.

On the castle walls, Horde bloodline warriors were patrolling, their expressions vigilant and proud.

At the castle gates and the entrance to the meeting hall, two powerful obsidian golems stood on either side, serving as guards. They wore fearsome bone armor, and at a glance, their presence was truly formidable.

Orion shifted his attention back to the matters at hand and released the overpowering aura of his Legendary-level might, instantly subduing everyone in the hall.

"Elders," he began, "winter is almost upon us!"

"Let us stand witness to the glory from the Stoneheart Horde!"

Rising to his feet, Orion led the way out of the meeting room. Lilith and Lysinthia said nothing, quietly following behind him. With Rendall and Onyx at the forefront, four senior elders and eight council elders also left in silence. Seeing this, the other elders promptly rose and followed them out.

Orion did not travel far. He brought the elders up to the walls of the Horde Hall. Standing atop the battlements at the city's highest point, he gazed into the distance.

It was early winter. Although it was midday, the daylight was waning and the skies were grim. The chilly air, drifting in from all directions, made everyone stand a little straighter and more alert.

"Everyone," Orion said, voice calm but carrying far, "winter is cold, the days grow dark, game is scarce, and the environment is brutal."

His voice carried through Blackstone City, reaching every member of the horde who dwelled there.

"From this day on, darkness shall no longer shroud our Blackstone City. May the dread and fear in our hearts be driven away."

As soon as his words fell, transcendent power surged from the Horde Hall. Every special building in the city began to emit a faint glow. Most notably, a few arrow towers standing tall atop the Horde Hall and the outer walls shone like beacons, illuminating Blackstone City.

In the central plaza, three structures gleamed brilliantly, drawing countless onlookers to pray and give thanks. These were the Hall of Glory, Orion's statue, and the Slaughter Tyrant statue.

The Hall of Glory was dedicated to honoring the horde's fallen heroes. Like Orion's statue, it could gather faith.

The Slaughter Tyrant statue was a rare treasure Orion had once obtained from opening a special chest, capable of summoning a powerful Slaughter Tyrant once it absorbed enough faith energy. At present, it was only at an early Alpha-level, yet Orion had placed it in the plaza to safeguard Blackstone City's interior, preventing enemies from tunneling up from below.

It was a marvel—truly a miracle.

Unlike previous winters when Blackstone City's bonfires couldn't light beyond a small radius, leaving large swaths in darkness, these special buildings now illuminated the entire city. Their brilliance also lit a spark in the hearts of the populace, inspiring many to offer prayers in every corner of Blackstone City.

"Is this a blessing from the Titan God?"

"Mom, look! Our Blackstone City is glowing!"

"Dad, do you see it? There will be no more polar night in the winters to come. The sky is bright again!"
Continue your journey at My Virtual Library Empire

"Check it out—the Horde Hall and the arrow towers are radiating light!"

"It's the lord's doing, a miracle has arrived!"

"Yes, it must be the work of our lord!"

…

Standing on the battlements, Orion could sense his faith energy steadily growing. However, part of that faith energy vanished into the void, beyond his grasp. He sighed, somewhat resigned.

By now, Orion was no longer clueless. He understood that the missing portion of the faith belonged to other gods or ancestral spirits worshiped by various races—energy he could not intercept.

"The reason," Orion reflected, "is that I'm not strong enough yet. If my power were greater, my light would overshadow and suppress those gods and ancestors entirely."

He cast a glance over the now-illuminated Blackstone City, then turned and led everyone back toward the meeting room.

Inside, some elders still wore stunned, uncertain looks. Orion, however, said nothing. He retrieved two boxes from his storage ring.

"Starting today, I will open this wooden box. It will release a strange aroma that attracts beasts and dark creatures. Elders, prepare for battle against countless dark creatures."

He did not elaborate further. Picking up the other wooden box, he opened it to reveal a jet-black Alpha-level crystal core. It immediately drew the keen interest of everyone present.

"After the dark beast tides," Orion continued, "I will reward whoever achieves the greatest battle merits—and is part of our resources hierarchy—with this Alpha-level resource."

By showing them something as tangible as an Alpha-level prize, Orion ignited the horde's passion. Sometimes, talk alone isn't enough; actual, immediate benefits are far more motivating.

With a satisfied tilt of his lips, Orion no longer had to persuade people with more words. He passed the responsibility of running the meeting to the four senior elders, while he and Lilith took their positions in lofty seats, quietly awaiting the final decisions.

The council meeting lasted an entire day. It covered logistics, patrol duties, defensive zones, and mixed-unit tactic assignments. Watching his people grow step by step, while the horde's institutions and regulations gradually improved, Orion felt a swelling pride and sense of accomplishment.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered the name Arthas had mentioned—Commander Thresh. Compared to them, Orion still had a long road ahead.

"I'm still not strong enough," he mused. "And I'm not satisfied with the horde as it is."

When evening arrived and the elders dispersed from the meeting hall, nothing outside had changed from midday. The polar night in Blackstone City was truly gone. Many elders looked up at the still-bright sky, shaken once again.

"The lord was right. Cold and darkness will never again blanket our Blackstone City!"

"Is this what a Legendary-level supernatural miracle looks like?"

"We're on the rise now!"

"Mom‒Dad, do you see it? This is our Blackstone City today!"

…

Different people felt different things. Some reflected in awe, some were moved by the good life they now enjoyed, and others sighed over loved ones who weren't around to witness this shining moment.

As for Blackstone City's lord, Orion, he had already taken Lilith and Lysinthia into the inner keep of the Horde Hall to enjoy their private life for the night.