LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 587: That is my child
"Remember, I keep my word!"
Orion departed, heading north all the way towards the ogre territory.
Not long after, King Harold, having comforted Princess Ava, returned to the royal palace, back beside the magic mirror.
Within the magic mirror, the figures of Grand Duke Richard and Grand Duke William reappeared.
"William, are you injured?"
"No, that Giant King didn't truly attack me, just threatened me a bit."
Before leaving, Orion, to strengthen his persuasiveness, had attacked Grand Duke William.
As for why it was him, and not King Harold or Grand Duke Richard:
King Harold represented the Human Kingdom; losing face himself meant the entire Human Kingdom lost face.
Orion was not a fool; he knew where the line was.
As for Grand Duke Richard, he and Orion were acquainted; they had fought together in the dragon territory.
Furthermore, privately, Grand Duke Richard was one of the Stoneheart Horde's largest partners. Orion certainly couldn't cause him to lose face either.
"He was demonstrating his power to us!"
"None of us can stop him. He wasn't lying."
Grand Duke Richard stated Orion's intention. This point, surely everyone present understood; Grand Duke William was just rather unlucky.
"The current situation is quite good. Kronos stays in the kingdom; our relationship with the Stoneheart Horde now has a connecting link."
"Henceforth, Kronos's treatment should follow that accorded to a prince."
Everyone remained silent, none objected.
Experts of their status held little resistance or objection to racial divides.
Some nobles, in order to improve their family bloodline, would even choose beautiful blood elves or succubi as lovers to bear offspring.
This was one reason why succubus slaves were highly sought after in the Human Kingdom.
"What about the lizardfolk territory?"
"So many idle nobles in the kingdom; they nearly went mad when the news arrived."
This was fact. With the kingdom newly acquiring the lizardfolk territory, the nobles enfeoffed under the King and the two Grand Dukes had been bringing gifts these past few days, nearly wearing down the thresholds of their residences.
Next, after a round of bargaining, a list designed to win over the nobles was born in King Harold's hands.
Just as Prince Theodore had anticipated, the lizardfolk territory became his fiefdom.
However, his fiefdom was packed full of nobles, large and small, from all over the kingdom.
...
Stoneheart City, Tavern third floor.
Delilah remained in a daze, but her mind was full of concerns.
Back then, to ensure Lilith successfully conceived, the Succubus tribe had obtained two fruits from the Beastfolk territory.
One had already been used by Lilith, resulting in successful conception.
The other remained in Delilah's hands.
At this moment, Delilah hesitated, debating whether she herself should personally use it, allowing the Succubus race to produce two of Orion's heirs.
Tossing and turning the idea, the agitated Delilah couldn't make a decision.
However, just then, the will projection slumbering near Delilah's brow awakened.
"Delilah, have Brom and James take a squad of Raptor cavalry to Rose Manor in the Human Kingdom."
"That is my child. His name is Kronos Stoneheart."
"This news can be selectively disclosed within the Horde, but limited only to council members."
"Kronos will live in the Human Kingdom until he comes of age. Have the scouts watch over him."
The voice of Orion's will projection was calm, showing no emotion.
However, Delilah, having shared countless intimate moments with Orion, immediately understood that Orion was very serious at this moment.
A serious Orion was calm and profound.
Furthermore, this was an order issued by Orion, an order from the Giant King.
"Understood. I will handle this matter properly!"
This was why Orion favored Delilah and entrusted her with authority.
Delilah certainly had her own thoughts, but she would strictly execute Orion's commands.
As for the individuals Orion specified, Brom and James, they were Orion's childhood playmates from the Blackstone Tribe.
With the help of abundant Alpha-level life essence, Brom and James had also recently advanced to the Alpha-level.
Orion's meaning was also simple: appoint Brom and James as Kronos's guards.
One was an Alpha-level giant bloodline warrior, the other an Alpha-level giant shaman. Coupled with a squad of Raptor cavalry, it was sufficient for Kronos's needs.
Moreover, Brom and James served as guards, but also as supervisors—supervising both Kronos and the Human Kingdom.
Orion would never allow the nobles of the Human Kingdom to brainwash his son; he had to have contact with giants and the Stoneheart Horde from a young age.
"Soon, I will return with the various armies."
"Make preparations. The area of ogre territory bordering ours—a portion will be ceded to the Stoneheart Horde."
"I need you to send people to receive it, demarcate the boundaries, and construct watchtowers."
Hearing this, Delilah's eyes brightened slightly.
More territory meant more cities could be built, more lords could be enfeoffed.
The voice of Orion's will projection grew fainter, finally falling back into slumber.
Only at this moment did Delilah's heart truly relax.
The giant cub at Rose Manor was indeed Orion's bloodline; this was within expectations.
Now that Orion had confirmed it, although Delilah felt somewhat complex emotions, she had come to accept it.
Especially when Orion mentioned that the giant cub would live in the Human Kingdom until adulthood, Delilah's heart had already begun to cheer inwardly.
This meant that the future Kronos could absolutely never become the legitimate heir of the Stoneheart Horde.
Would a prince who didn't grow up witnessed by his own people be acknowledged by the various races?
Clearly, that was impossible.
More severely, even the younger generation growing up alongside the prince wouldn't acknowledge him.
"Kronos Stoneheart?"
"Is the hope that he too becomes a Titan King?"
"But is that possible?"
At this moment, a smile finally appeared on Delilah's face.
Unlike Kronos, Lilith's child was destined for the spotlight, destined to grow up under the focus of all the tribes.
Such a giant prince would receive everyone's acknowledgment, everyone's support, everyone's allocation of resources.
Thinking of these things, the pressure Delilah carried truly lessened significantly.
"Poor Lilith. I wonder what your reaction will be when you hear the news about Kronos."
"..."
Valkorath Realm, Soraya City.
Inside Dusk Castle, Lilith, who was speaking with Soraya, suddenly froze, rooted to the spot.
"What's wrong?"
"Is the little one in your belly causing trouble again?"
The Legendary level Soraya easily detected Lilith's abnormality and inquired with concern.
Lilith didn't speak. After remaining stiff for a quarter of an hour, she finally let out a slow sigh.
"That princess in the Human Kingdom... gave birth to a son for Orion."
"His name is Kronos Stoneheart. Orion's firstborn."
This news stunned Lilith, and even the Legendary-level Soraya.
For a time, silence fell over Dusk Castle.