Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Delilah felt somewhat curious—not about Torin, but rather about Orion.

She knew Orion to be an intelligent giant. He only wore that contemplative, half-lidded expression when he was torn between choices, creating a tense atmosphere. It was one of the small habits Delilah had observed in him.

"I'm very pleased with the tribute you've presented."

After a long silence, Orion's voice finally came from the throne. Torin's body froze, then slackened, as though narrowly escaping disaster.

"However, I don't understand the meaning of this contract. From what I've heard, Soaring Bird City is no longer under your control."

Orion picked up the contract from the fifth box. His deep voice resounded with effortless authority. Weighed down by that power, Torin didn't dare lift his head and look Orion in the eye.

Fear gnawed at Torin. He dreaded the possibility that Orion might fly into a rage and kill him on the spot.

Giants were notorious for terrible tempers, for being bloodthirsty and brutal. Should that happen, no one would avenge him; indeed, the human kingdom might well celebrate his demise, since it would leave Soaring Bird City open to the noble families' ambitions.

"Most…esteemed Giant King, this contract doesn't refer to my present situation; it refers to a year from now."

Torin did his best to keep his voice steady, but the giant's commanding presence made it difficult.

"A year from now, is it? Interesting. So, human, what exactly are you hoping to obtain from me?"

Orion was growing curious about the boldness behind Torin's scheme.

"Honored Giant King, as you can see, I have nothing left at present. But my caravan and I can help the Stoneheart Horde purchase certain items forbidden by the human kingdom for export—treasures such as magic equipment, human slaves, seeds, and grain. If you're willing to pay enough gold, we can carry it out."

"I can also help recover more of your kin—those giant slaves and war prisoners lost elsewhere."

"In the future, my Soaring Bird City will become the Horde's most loyal ally…"

Torin unveiled a range of what he could do, some of it wishful talk, some feasible. Still, he never once said what he wanted in return.

"Human, you've shown me your value. Now tell me—what do you want from me?"

Orion's tone hinted at a slight eagerness, letting Torin believe the Giant King might be keen on hearing his request.

"Honored Giant King, I want to obtain Knight Galahad's armor and sword."

A sharp light flashed through Orion's eyes; he had guessed as much. Torin sought Galahad's relics to gain a knight's legacy—an easier route toward Alpha-level in the absence of any direct supply of Alpha-level resources.

It wasn't a bad idea.

Unfortunately, Galahad's relics had already been traded back to Prince Theodore.

"Knight Galahad, you say?" Orion replied calmly. "Pity—you're too late. Prince Theodore reclaimed his belongings some time ago."

Hearing that, Torin's face fell. A silent sigh of regret swept over him, and the slump of his shoulders made him look almost stooped.

Silence filled the throne room for a while. Torin abruptly realized he was allowing his mind to wander at such a critical moment and jerked himself out of it with a shiver.

"Honored Giant King, Torin and Soaring Bird City yearn for your protection."

Torin's voice turned urgent, quickly expressing a second request.

"Oh? And just what sort of protection did you have in mind? You realize the Stoneheart Horde and the Humans are allies—we won't be starting a war with humanity."

Sensing Orion might be misunderstanding, Torin hastened to clarify:

"Honored Giant King, what I mean is, I'm willing to pay generously to hire powerful bloodline warriors from Stoneheart City to safeguard the goods of my caravan."

"I'm also prepared to sign specific trade agreements with the Stoneheart Horde, so that you can meet your needs."

Orion had to concede that Torin was quite clever, managing to propose this scheme out of sheer desperation.

Silence settled briefly throughout the hall.

In truth, Orion was satisfied with how the negotiations had gone. Torin needed him, which kept Orion squarely in the dominant position. His current pause was calculated to make Torin believe he was weighing it over.

"As you wish," the Giant King finally pronounced. "I'll have the Stoneheart Horde's Elder of Stewardship draft the necessary agreements with you."

Brimming with relief, Torin trembled anew. This time, however, it was from excitement.

"Honored Giant King, Torin will carry out your orders without fail."

That seemed to conclude their meeting. Torin was eager to take his leave of the castle, feeling stifled in the giant's presence.

Just then, Orion's impassive voice sounded once more.

"Knight Galahad's relic may have gone back to Prince Theodore, but I do happen to have Arthur's sword right here."

"Interested?"

With a clang, Orion tossed out a golden longsword that landed at Torin's feet.

"Knight…Arthur's…Sword?"

In no time at all, Torin's demeanor shifted from confusion to amazement—then to unbridled joy. It all happened in under half a second.

"Honored Giant King—"

Before Torin could finish, Orion cut him off in an uncompromising tone:

"Starting next year, you'll tribute five rare treasures to me every year. Just like those you offered today, remember: no cheaper than this batch."

"Agree, and the sword is yours."

To take it or not… Torin needed only three seconds to decide. He reached out and seized the golden sword.

"Excellent. Words alone are meaningless—sign this contract."

A scroll dropped in front of Torin. After reading it, he immediately signed.

"Hahaha…what an interesting human!" Orion laughed heartily. "Delilah, I'll leave the rest to you."

Orion's laughter still echoed through the palace as he vanished from sight.

"This way, Lord Baron," Delilah said with a seductive smile. It felt to Torin as if he had no control over his body. Like a puppet on invisible strings, he rose and followed her out.

Only when the succubus maidservants addressed him outside the castle did Torin come back to himself.

In that instant, he realized he was drenched in sweat from head to toe.