Titan King: Ascension of the Giant - Chapter 549

Chapter 549: Exchange of interests
Staring at Soaring Bird City, Torin was seething with anger and envy.

This place was supposed to be his city—his territory.

Yet there was more to his fury than that alone.

“Master, the guards at the city gate want us to pay an entrance tax before letting us through.”

“What did you say?”

Torin ground his teeth; his voice and expression had turned almost demonic.

“Master, they want us to pay a tax to get inside!” Mike spoke quietly, his tone full of bitterness.

But that single, humiliating statement was enough to further inflame Torin.

“Fuck!”

“What do they think they’re doing?”

“Who’s the real lord of this place?!”

To be forced to pay a tax in his own territory, his own city—what an outrage! How utterly humiliating!

Torin reached for the sword at his waist, ready to slaughter the nearby guards. But the instant his hand touched the hilt, he suddenly regained his composure.

“If I can’t keep my temper in check over something small, I’ll wreck the bigger plan. I must stay calm—I have to hold back.

“It took me so long to establish ties with the Stoneheart Horde; if I lose my head before I gain any real power, those damned nobles will kill me.”

“I need to reach Alpha level first. Only then can I assert any real authority here in Soaring Bird City.”

Torin took a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly. Regaining his cool, he turned to Mike and Wyatt, his tone icy.

“Follow me.”

He rode his beast-blood mount to the Soaring Bird City gate, flung a bag of coins to the guard, and said, “Is this enough?

“If you think it’s not, go report to your commander. Tell him to come talk to me.”

“Tell him he can come ask the lord of Soaring Bird City for… an entrance tax!”

Torin’s voice was cold, enunciating each word slowly and distinctly. The guards, taken aback, dared neither speak nor stand in his way. With a derisive snort, Torin urged his mount forward into Soaring Bird City.

Mike, Wyatt, and a squad of tall giant bloodline warriors followed him through the gates.

…

Inside the city, in a makeshift tent, Henrik and Mateo sat facing each other, each with a drink in hand. Moments earlier, a guard had reported everything that happened at the gate.

“He’s still a noble, after all—he’s got some backbone and pride left,” Henrik said. Standing behind him was the Earl of Sebastian, and behind that earl stood Grand Duke William of the empire. Opposite them was Mateo, flanked by the Earl of Oliver and Grand Duke Richard.

This powerful backing was exactly why they dared to seize overt control of Soaring Bird City. As for Torin, had it not been for his ties to Princess Ava, he would have been assassinated long ago.

“He must’ve come back from giant territory with a ton of valuable items,” Mateo mused. “Should we take it from him?”

Mateo set down his goblet, letting out a low, rasping chuckle.

“This is Soaring Bird City, and at least nominally he’s still the lord here,” Henrik replied. “A human lord, robbed in his own territory—do you want Soaring Bird City’s reputation in the kingdom to be left in tatters?”

Henrik shook his head, shooting down Mateo’s idea. “You’re well aware how much these two earldoms prize Soaring Bird City, how huge its future profits will be. Besides, Torin is still Princess Ava’s subordinate, isn’t he?”

Henrik, being older, conveyed a steadier, wiser aura.

“And what difference does that make?” Mateo snorted.

“That Rose Knight Regiment was wiped out; among the kingdom’s nobles, it’s a complete joke. Word is Princess Ava’s been hiding in Rose Manor ever since—too embarrassed to see anyone!”

Henrik’s words only fueled Mateo’s contempt. In the human kingdom, while the royal family and the two Grand Dukes stood firmly united on major policies, they still vied with one another internally.

The throne had a deeper foundation than the two Grand Dukes, and those Grand Dukes, joined together, formed a tangled network with the royal family. Few outsiders knew the extent of it; those who did simply chose their sides in silence.

“Mateo, watch your mouth!” Henrik warned. “This isn’t your home—it’s Soaring Bird City!”

He refused to continue, glaring daggers at Mateo, ready to kill at any moment. “If the King or the Prince heard what you just said, not even the Grand Duke could protect you. If you have a death wish, go somewhere else. Don’t interfere with my duties to His Grace.”

Under Henrik’s menacing stare, Mateo realized he’d gone too far. Still, he was too proud to admit fault, so he merely lowered his head and kept drinking.

“I hope Torin’s wise enough not to stir up trouble. As long as he keeps his head down, we can leave him alone,” Henrik said. “With two earldoms and the Grand Dukes in play, not even Princess Ava herself can turn the tide here.”

Henrik refilled his goblet, adopting the smug expression of a man who controlled the situation.

Meanwhile, Torin had returned to his temporary camp.

…

Once inside, Torin issued two orders.

“Mike, here’s a letter to Princess Ava. You must deliver it to Rose Manor in person.”

“Let Her Highness know we’ve gained our first profits from our dealings in giant territory. We’ll send her share soon.”

“Use this chance to explain what’s happened in Soaring Bird City—the difficulties we’ve run into. Ask for her aid.”

It was a straightforward exchange of interests.

Torin didn’t believe Princess Ava would do nothing after receiving her cut. Even the smallest move on her part could make life in Soaring Bird City more manageable for him.

“Yes, Master. I’ll do it right away!”

Torin nodded. After Mike left to carry out his errand, Torin addressed Wyatt. “Taking our goods to the kingdom’s capital would bring bigger profits, but it’s more trouble than we can handle. The costs are too high.”

“We’ll stay here in Soaring Bird City, find a suitable buyer, and trade everything off.”

“Trade it, not sell?” Wyatt asked.

“Exactly. Gold is useless to us right now. Holding on to the supplies and resources the Stoneheart Horde needs is a far better choice.”

“So, Master, what exactly do we need in exchange?”

“Food, weapons, slaves, equipment—anything the Stoneheart Horde can use.”

“But won’t that draw a lot of attention?”

“Go ahead. This is Soaring Bird City, the kingdom’s farthest fringe. If you name it, they’ll be up for a deal.”

“I understand!”