Titan King: Ascension of the Giant-Chapter 784: The Sigil of Substitution

The fact that these two beings were taking turns to speak, to persuade, gave Orion a crucial insight. Their situation was likely precarious. Perhaps they were locked in their eternal struggle, unable to take any direct action against him. They could only resort to words.

Realizing this, a plan began to form in Orion’s mind. He knew nothing of these secret ascension rites, but the veterans in the Champions Alliance certainly would. Before he acted, he could ask for their counsel.

"You are not worthy of making a deal with me, little crawler," the serpent hissed, its voice dripping with contempt.

Orion remained silent, his gaze locked with the serpent’s. It stared back, trying to plumb the depths of his thoughts. Seizing the opportunity, Orion diverted half of his focus, opening a channel to the Alliance.

Survivor’s Platform // Champions Alliance Public Channel

Hulk: Brothers, I need assistance. I’ve run into a complication. I’m near the Spring of Life, facing two will-projections. One is the great evil being, the other is a demigod from the Chaos Continent...

Orion quickly summarized the situation, including the serpent’s offer of a secret rite for ascending to the rank of Archlord.

Leonidas: A secret rite of ascension? Do those things actually exist? Well, my friend, it seems your luck is in!

Orion ignored Leonidas’s jest. His response made it clear he knew nothing of such matters.

Alexander: I have heard whispers of such rites, but I have never seen one.

Alexander’s words made Orion’s expression grow grim. He had underestimated the serpent’s offer. If a veteran like Alexander had only heard rumors, the technique must be rare beyond measure. No wonder the serpent demanded submission, not partnership.

Edward: Rites of ascension are exceptionally scarce. Neither I nor the Commander possess such a thing. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

The Deputy Commander’s timely intervention cast a pall of silence over the channel. If even the Commander did not have one, the true value of what the evil being offered was staggering.

Edward: Such a rite simplifies the process of fusing will and faith. It makes the creation of a specified body of faith much easier. However, the drawbacks are immense. The process of fusing will and faith is, in itself, a tempering. It is a crucible that forges the body of faith, and it is a step that no true aspirant to power can afford to skip. By enduring that process, the will is hardened, the faith is purified, and the resulting body of faith becomes a perfect extension of the self.

As both Kraken and Orion were on the cusp of this very step, the Deputy Commander decided it was time to elaborate.

Edward: Ascension through such a rite is a false path. Hulk, Kraken, Isabella—you are forbidden from using such a method. An Archlord created that way is the weakest of its kind, and has sealed its own path to ever becoming a demigod.

His words were both a lesson and a warning, the stern counsel of a respected elder.

Kraken: Thank you for the guidance, Deputy Commander!

Hulk: Thank you, Deputy Commander.

Such wisdom was a gift, and Orion was deeply grateful for it.

Edward: However. While that rite is useless for your own ascensions, it is of enormous strategic value to the Champions Alliance as a whole. Hulk, since you have stumbled upon this, you must acquire that rite.

The Deputy Commander’s tone was now deadly serious.

Leonidas: Sir, if the rite is useless for us, how can it improve the Alliance’s overall strength?

Leonidas, ever the one to spot a contradiction, immediately posed the question.

Edward: If we possess the original rite, the Commander and I can study its principles. We can attempt to modify it, to reverse-engineer a safe version exclusive to the Champions Alliance. With such a thing, we could perhaps increase the number of Archlords within our allied factions.

A proprietary rite of ascension. That was the prize the Deputy Commander sought. Not for the core members, whose potential was already vast, but for the most talented individuals within their subordinate factions.

Edward: And I have another, less conventional idea.

He didn’t wait for questions.

Edward: As we all know, any warrior of the Legendary tier possesses some measure of faith energy. If we could use a modified rite to help them condense that energy, to create a temporary echo of a body of faith... it would grant them a taste of an Archlord’s power. It would give them a trump card that could ensure their survival, or even allow them to dominate their peers.

A stunned silence fell over the channel. The Deputy Commander’s idea was radical, audacious. After a moment, the silence broke.

Leonidas: Gods below, Commander, that’s an absolutely insane idea!

Alexander: Hulk. You must get the rite. Do you need me to come and assist?

Kraken: Hulk, my friend, our future happiness is in your hands!

Isabella: Get that rite. I will find you a dragon egg when you return.

The channel erupted with excitement and fervent desire. To be honest, Orion coveted the thing himself. A technique that could grant Legendary warriors a taste of a higher power, a new defensive trump card, and one exclusive to the Alliance... it was a prize beyond imagining.

Hulk: Alexander, your help isn’t needed for now, but thank you. Deputy Commander, I will do my best to acquire the rite. The problem is, the evil being will not trade or cooperate. It will only accept submission.

This was the crux of the matter. No submission, no rite.

Edward: Then agree to submit. That is not a problem.

As he spoke, a transaction notification appeared before Orion. An item had been transferred to him.

[Sigil of Substitution]

Type: Special Sigil (Single Use)

Quality: Legendary

Description: A sigil created by an ancient magical order. The complex patterns and symbols upon it represent transference, substitution, and concealment. It is said that the creation of each sigil required the living sacrifice of a master mage.

Evaluation: The Sigil of Substitution exists to mock all binding oaths and fatal curses.

Looking at the description, Orion could only sigh in amazement. The resources of a demigod were truly beyond his comprehension. With this sigil, he could play the serpent’s game.

Hulk: Brothers, sisters... wait for my good news.

Orion disconnected from the platform. A new, urgent light gleamed in his eyes.

"Your eyes tell me you have made your decision, little giant."

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