Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Orion opened his eyes from his light doze and spoke calmly.

"Dace, Otho—I have a task for you. On our journey, hunt some high-tier beasts to provide more food for those younglings. They're too scrawny. Even though they're shamans, they're still giants, and giants should have strong bodies."

All four guardians nodded in agreement. And so, led by Orion, the small expedition left Stoneheart City, heading north toward the Beastfolk regions.

Not long after Orion's departure, the first visitors from beyond the city walls arrived at Stoneheart City. In a palace specifically used to receive foreign delegations, Elder of Stewardship Delilah personally welcomed the Blood Elf, Lycanor.

In truth, Delilah had never expected the Blood Elves to send someone of Legendary level such as Lycanor for this visit. Hence, there was another person present to greet her—Lilith.

Though Lilith was not Legendary level, her status as Orion's wife meant that coming forward to greet Lycanor was, in terms of etiquette, faultless.

"Honorable Lycanor, welcome to Stoneheart City!"

Lilith handled herself impressively, showing no hint of intimidation in front of the Legendary-level Lycanor.

Lycanor glanced briefly at Lilith and then at Delilah, who had received her earlier. Her eyes shone openly with curiosity.

"Are you two twins?"

"Yes, I'm the younger sister!"

"And I'm the elder sister!"

They spoke in unison, their tone and rhythm perfectly aligned.

Lycanor nodded, then pointed at a Blood Elf behind her. "You can discuss trade and any negotiations with her. I'm just here to watch."

Lilith and Delilah exchanged a look, immediately understanding Lycanor's meaning.

From there, it all went smoothly. They divided the tasks at hand: Lilith invited Lycanor to stay in the castle for a few days, while Delilah and the Blood Elf in charge of the talks went to begin negotiations.

This time, the Blood Elves had brought along some rare goods to exchange and also wanted to establish a diplomatic presence in Stoneheart City. In the future, they would open an Elven-run shop here as well. All these matters had been discussed back during the Five-Race Alliance. Likewise, a delegation Lilith had sent to the City of Blessings was already on its way.

In the castle's rear garden, Lilith and Lycanor sat facing each other—both of them beautiful women, one possessing remarkable power, the other a lofty status.

"This city is nothing like it was before," Lycanor said as she sipped her floral tea, taking in the fragrant taste. "Lord Lycanor, how is it different from before?" Lilith asked. To be honest, she herself had only arrived here a few days prior; she had never seen Starveil City in its previous state.

"It used to be called Starveil City, territory of the former Giant King, Balor," Lycanor explained. "Back then, Starveil City was much smaller, without such grand or elegant buildings. I lived in Starveil City for a short while, and the feeling was very different then."

Yes, it truly felt different. As Lycanor spoke, her gaze drifted now and then toward the four towers outside the castle. A vague sense of threat emanated from them.

Lycanor sensed that they must be powerful, specialized constructions—she had felt a similar aura only from the Blood Elves' ancient war trees. The castle itself, inside and out, radiated a profound mystery. But as a guest, she refrained from prying.

"To be honest, Lord Lycanor, I've also only just arrived in Stoneheart City. I hardly know more about it than you do," Lilith said, pouring Lycanor another cup of tea, freely admitting her own unfamiliarity with the castle and Stoneheart City.

Lycanor nodded without pursuing the point. After another sip, she spoke in a measured tone. "I sense a familiar presence here: the aura of the Beastfolk seer. Is she here as well?"

"You must mean my younger sister, Sylvana." Lilith set down the teapot, smiling at Lycanor.

"Sylvana… your sister?" Lycanor echoed.

Lilith merely smiled and summoned a succubus maidservant, instructing her, "Please invite my sister Sylvana here and let her know an old acquaintance has come calling."

A short while later, Sylvana arrived in the rear garden—filled with magical plants—supported and guided by the old elder of the fox tribe.

"It's been a while, Sylvana."

Lycanor fixed her gaze on Sylvana's unseeing eyes and didn't speak further until the other woman sat down. "Hello, Lord Lycanor," Sylvana said, standing to greet her before taking a seat again.

"What happened to your eyes?"

"I've lost my sight. The backlash of the seer's art."

Lycanor fell silent. Sylvana also said nothing. The cause was surely the last great North–South War, when she had tried to see into the future.

Lycanor was no seer, but she knew the basics: the more people involved or the stronger the individuals one sought to peer into, the more severe the potential backlash. So it was unsurprising Sylvana had paid a heavy price.

As the two of them lingered in silence, Lilith spoke. "The past is gone, yet it lingers in memory. Blood and fire alike have been covered by the blooming of magical plants. Here, you see flowers and fruit in abundance. Now, it's time for us to look ahead. Wouldn't you agree?"

She stood and poured Sylvana a fresh cup of floral tea.

"Thank you, Mistress," Sylvana said.

Lilith smiled.

Given that Sylvana lived in the castle as one of Orion's women, she fell under Lilith's purview. Yet over these last few days, Lilith had shown her no hostility, even sending her little gifts and specialties from the Black Forest.

"Look ahead…" Lycanor murmured, as though recalling something, but soon she shook her thoughts away. "Yes, we should look to the future. The Blood Elves' visit this time is all about furthering peace in the southern region."

She turned her attention to Lilith, now finding this wife of the Giant King more interesting than she'd initially thought.

"Indeed. Only through peace can we develop and allow everyone to live securely." In that moment, Lilith seemed to glow with a regal bearing. All trace of the darkness and bloodlust typical of abyssal succubi vanished.

…

In the Human Kingdom, Soaring Bird City.

"Sir Samuel, this has all been a terrible misunderstanding. I've already severely punished those dumb slaves who offended you."
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Inside a makeshift tent, Torin sat across from Knight Samuel of the human delegation, goblet in hand, offering a steady stream of apologies and toasts.