Titan King: Ascension of the Giant-Chapter 453: I’ll keep it in mind

Valkorath Realm, Bone City.

Lightning flashed; thunder abruptly ceased. Orion and Vexis landed atop the city wall, catching sight of Arthas, who was stationed there.

"Seems the battlefield is missing one legendary-level slime mold. You're stronger than I expected," Arthas remarked calmly, turning his head toward Orion.

Though he had not witnessed the fight himself, Arthas was certain Orion had struck the killing blow on that legendary-level slime mold.

"Bro, I was just testing them. These slime mold mutants are mightier than I imagined."

Orion's voice was equally composed, with a relaxed air—like speaking to a longtime friend after many years. Yet the moment he addressed Arthas as "bro," both Vexis and the subordinates behind Arthas watched him intently.

Faced with all that staring, Orion seemed utterly unbothered, as though he did not notice at all.

"Is the situation critical over here?"

Orion turned sideways, gazing out at the vividly colored world in the distance together with Arthas.

"We're holding out all right, but Leonidas and Alexander are not doing so well," Arthas replied.

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"So it's those ordinary slime mold mutants causing them trouble?"

The very fact that Orion could say this proved he was no longer the novice who once depended on the Alliance's stronger warriors for protection. From his recent encounters and understanding of the situation, Orion saw that the problem plaguing their allies in Valkorath Realm was not so much the formidable slime mold mutants as it was the countless ordinary ones that, try as they might, they could never fully wipe out.

This was especially difficult for Leonidas and Alexander, who relied on beasts and sapient creatures as their main fighting forces; facing the slime mold mutants was especially disadvantageous for them.

"Sooner or later, you'll run into the same trouble. I sense you've brought plenty of scorpions, which I assume is your plan for a renewable fighting force?"

"Yes."

Orion nodded, his brow tightening reflexively.

"Slime mold mutants here are hardly limited to parasitic forms. We also have slime mold dragons and living-flesh undead," Arthas continued. "These wretched units have all been bred and split from the slime mold brood mother, tailored to our particular strengths."

His tone turned heavy. These fungal creatures were the most difficult foes he had faced in many years.

"Since you've come to assist the Champions Alliance, here are supplies for you."

Arthas raised his hand, and a cube-shaped storage device landed in Orion's palm.

A quick scan told Orion that it contained a huge amount of grain and military provisions. Without ceremony, he pocketed the cube. His 300,000-strong contingent consumed enormous quantities of food daily—no small matter indeed.

Once the scorpion tribe started breeding and spawning troops at will, the required resources would be even more frightening.

"Don't worry about your subordinates' growth," Arthas reassured him. "Those slime mold mutants make excellent nourishment. But understand, this war will be a long haul and might last at least ten years—or even a century—without ceasing."

Orion was taken aback. "Bro, you can't be serious?"

He turned, watching Arthas's distant gaze.

"Let me put it this way: this war is something the commander prepared for me, Leonidas, and Alexander," Arthas explained. "It's been far too long since any of us made a breakthrough. The battlefield offers both growth and testing."

He paused, unwilling to elaborate further, and shifted the conversation back to Orion.

"I noticed your broodmother(Soraya) doesn't have her own Nest yet. You can ask Leonidas for one—he won't refuse."

Orion nodded, making a mental note of that. When Soraya descended upon Valkorath Realm, indeed, she had arrived without a proper Nest or the conditions necessary to spawn troops on an ongoing basis.

"Cryptopolis is essentially my territory. Once you get settled here and the time is right, you can move out and build a city of your own," Arthas went on.

Orion grasped his meaning. Cryptopolis was merely a base Arthas was lending him so he could learn about Valkorath Realm and get a feel for the military situation. Since it came with troops and defensive towers, it served as a secure stronghold.

Still, to establish a true foothold, collect faith, and claim territory in Valkorath Realm, Orion would eventually need a main city of his own, with a territory core.

Valkorath Realm was indeed large enough to accommodate many. However, Orion was well aware that the Alliance would almost certainly add more gifted survivors in the future—people who would also lay claim to portions of Valkorath Realm.

Therefore, the sooner he staked out his land, the better.

"Thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind."

Arthas did not respond to Orion. Instead, he continued speaking in his own way.

"Next, I plan to allow some slime mold layers to spill into the region around Cryptopolis. Your subordinates will get a chance to become familiar with how these creatures fight.

"You can go on the offensive yourselves, or you can rely on the defenses of Cryptopolis. Three days from now, it'll all begin. Make sure they're ready."

It was a peculiar sight indeed—at least for Arthas's Legendary-level subordinates. They had never seen him like this, talking at such great length: part aloof and distant, part eager to pass on tips for dealing with the enemy.

…

Even after returning to Cryptopolis, Vexis still looked shaken and in disbelief.

"Lord Orion, what do we do next?"

Without realizing it, Vexis had already come to rely on Orion, treating him as her anchor.

"Get some rest. We'll strike first in three days."

Orion spoke these words, then headed toward the city's only palace.

Seated on the throne, Orion summoned his subordinates. Except for Gustalon, who was away cartographing the territory, everyone else—Soraya, Onyx, Earthshaker, Gronthar, Dirtclaw, Drakthul, Marnok, Gormathar, Veldrok, and Thunderclaw—had arrived, none missing.

"Three days from now, a batch of slime mold mutants will appear near Cryptopolis," Orion began. "At that time, Marnok, Gormathar, Veldrok, and Thunderclaw will stay behind to guard Cryptopolis. The rest of you will come with me to launch an active offensive against the slime mold mutants."

"As for what exactly slime mold mutants are, Ms. Vexis here will explain shortly."

What followed was a short orientation session, with Vexis leading the discussion while Orion's subordinates raised all sorts of questions.

Only after that gathering broke up, and everyone left the palace, did Orion remain on his throne, taking out the life essence he had secured earlier.