Titan King: Ascension of the Giant - Chapter 609

Chapter 609: We cannot do that
Orion didn’t speak, and the assembled group waiting in the hall for orders dared not speak either.

“Delilah, share your thoughts!”

After a long pause, Orion finally spoke, directing his question towards Delilah, the leader amongst them.

“I temporarily don’t have any thoughts either!”

This was the truth. Actively invading another world—the situation had arisen too suddenly, and Delilah had never encountered such a thing before.

If Delilah had a good response plan at this moment, that would actually be strange.

“However, there is one point we must pay attention to.”

Although Delilah lacked a corresponding plan, she still offered some suggestions.

“My lord, those foreigners who voluntarily joined the invasion force must be managed properly.”

“We cannot let them affect our bloodline warriors, affect the army’s morale.”

“I suggest separating those foreigners, forming them into an independent army.”

Saying this, Delilah seemed to recall something and spoke again.

“Among the volunteer contingent from Stoneheart City, three Alpha-level experts have signed up.”

“They are the human knight Godfrey, the dwarf warrior Grum Ironfist, and the blood elf archer Saelen.”

“My lord, we can let them lead the foreign army to join the invasion ranks.”

This was an idea Delilah suddenly thought of; it wasn’t particularly good, nor was it bad.

“What about the rest of you? If you have any proposals, feel free to speak?”

Orion looked towards the remaining seven individuals, his gaze primarily landing on Earthshaker, Drakthul, and Taran.

Among these people, only these three possessed slightly more adept minds.

Unfortunately, the three shook their heads, offering Orion no opinions.

Orion sighed inwardly; it seemed the Stoneheart Horde’s strategy team needed strengthening again.

“Your method isn’t bad, but we cannot do that!”

Orion looked at Delilah and spoke calmly.

Before Delilah could press further, Orion began to explain.

“The members of Stoneheart City’s volunteer army primarily come from merchant groups, mercenary bands, slave-catching groups, and envoys from other territories.”

“They harbor selfish motives; that is certain.”

“But they descended under the banner of the Stoneheart Horde, and furthermore, they did so in Stoneheart City, under my protection.”

“Regardless, we cannot push them aside, cannot abandon them.”

From a moral standpoint, Orion absolutely could not abandon these people.

Because these individuals were one component of the economic prosperity of Stoneheart City and the Horde.

These people, during the conquest of the foreign race, might be burdens, might be bad apples spoiling the bunch.

However, upon their return, they would again become one of the countless factors driving the Stoneheart Horde’s economy.

Abandoning them, resulting in excessive volunteer casualties or even annihilation, would surely invite slander later, and blame would fall upon the Stoneheart Horde and Orion.

Conversely, if they were protected well, ensuring fewer deaths, allowing the vast majority of volunteers to gain benefits…

What the Stoneheart Horde would gain is support, praise, eulogies.

Therefore, Delilah’s method was not entirely feasible.

“Additionally, the volunteers from the other four cities are predominantly from the vassal races within our territory.”

“They are also part of the Stoneheart Horde; we cannot let them suffer excessive losses.”

Delilah understood this point.

She managed all major and minor affairs within the Horde. Vassal races not only provided tax revenue to the Horde but also continuously supplied small contingents of troops and personnel with special skills.

Although the numbers were small, there were numerous tribes, especially the Beastfolk tribes within the territory, numbering in the thousands large and small.

“The volunteer army—we must treat it as an auxiliary force, not the main force.”

This was Orion’s positioning for the volunteer army. These people were only suitable for fighting battles where the odds were in their favor.

Therefore, the person leading them must possess exceptional wisdom and also command some prestige.

Naturally, Orion’s gaze fell upon Delilah.

“It’s been a long time since I went out for a walk. I am very willing to serve!”

Delilah’s expression gradually became serious.

She was Orion’s ‘secret’ lover; Delilah instantly guessed Orion’s thoughts.

Actually, Delilah herself had long wanted to suggest the idea of going outside to gain practical experience.

With the immense resources Orion poured into her, her strength had also reached the late stage of Alpha-level, and her progress was becoming increasingly slow.

Delilah needed to enter the battlefield, feel the atmosphere of combat, and hone her fighting strength.

Orion nodded, once again falling silent.

Unlike Delilah, Orion considered far more factors.

This time, Orion’s goal was not only for his subordinates to lead the armies in plundering vast resources, but also to secretly confirm the landing sites for the undead armies.

“Gormathar, Taran, Brontes, Steropes, you four will lead two orc armies, one gnoll army, and one cannon fodder troop, obeying Delilah’s command.”

“Delilah, I will transfer the Thunderstorm Bearmen army currently amassed in Blackstone City over to become your personal guard.”

“Furthermore, the volunteer army is also allocated under your command, to be led by Godfrey, Grum Ironfist, and Saelen.”

“The appointment of those three foreigners will be issued personally by you.”

Not long after, Orion’s majestic voice sounded, directly assigning the forces.

Six regular armies, plus a hundred-thousand-strong volunteer army, totaling over five hundred thousand troops.

Such a massive force could only be commanded by Delilah.

Although it would be very dangerous, it was also a great test.

Once Delilah successfully managed this invasion campaign, her capabilities and strategic perspective would reach a new level.

“Additionally, I will grant you two Scorpion Soldiers to serve as your guards.”

“They both possess late Alpha-level strength. They are responsible only for protecting you, not for participating in combat.”

Counting Delilah herself, the number of Alpha-level beings under her command now reached ten.

Such a lineup was definitely stronger than the core teams of some Legendary level lords.

“Delilah will definitely not fail my lord’s entrustment!”

Delilah was extremely satisfied with these arrangements made by Orion.

Because it meant Orion cared about her, worried about her.

Orion nodded, signaling the elders who had received their orders that they could leave to prepare.

The remaining personnel were Earthshaker, Gronthar, and Drakthul.

For these three subordinates, Orion had other arrangements, preparing for them to lead another three armies and descend alongside the five Necromancers.

The undead armies—Orion did not intend to expose them to the volunteer army.

Orion knew very well that among those volunteers, some harbored impure motives.

An extremely small number were simply scouts from other races, wanting to use this opportunity to probe the foundation and specific strength of the Stoneheart Horde.

The existence of the Undead armies was part of the Stoneheart Horde’s foundation, secret reinforcements.

Orion couldn’t possibly let those volunteers discover the Undead armies.

Therefore, the five Alpha level peak Necromancers needed to act separately.

Their objective: plundering resources was secondary; finding suitable landing sites was the primary mission.