Titan King: Ascension of the Giant - Chapter 667

Chapter 667: A great war is inevitable
“Orion is smarter than you; he knew when to stop and didn’t fall into the abyss of greed.”

“Dain, this is a lesson!”

Strictly speaking, Dain was Lireesa’s junior. Lireesa had known Dain’s deceased father, and they had been friends.

This was why Lireesa could leverage her seniority to lecture Dain, the representative of the Dwarven race.

“Lady Lireesa, it’s no use saying anything now. My friend was sacrificed, and I’ve lost many of my prized possessions.”

Dain looked like he wanted to cry but had no tears left; before Grand Elder Lireesa, he was like a child.

“Go back. Our two races just need to quietly await the final outcome.”

“We can only go with the flow.”

Meanwhile, Grand Duke Richard had followed Orion all the way to the palace where Orion was lodging, showing no intention of leaving.

“Giant King Orion, it seems the Dragon Emperor holds you in high regard!”

On the balcony, Orion frowned. He turned his head, looking down at Grand Duke Richard, at this partner of the Stoneheart Horde.

“Mr. Richard, if you have something to say, please say it directly.”

Orion could tell Richard’s words held a hidden meaning.

“Giant King Orion, do you know how mermaids are classified?”

Orion shook his head, a curious look on his face. He wondered what strange tales Richard was about to reveal.

“To tell you the truth, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor also sent several mermaids to the palace where I am staying.”

“However, the mermaids I have, their tails are all aquamarine.”

Orion glanced back at the mermaid hidden behind the curtain in the pool, then quickly averted his gaze.

Then, Orion made a gesture indicating he was all ears.

Grand Duke Richard chuckled softly, gazed at the distant deep sea, and began to speak faintly.

“Giant King Orion, the waters near the Dragon race’s territory are inhabited by the Slark Merfolk.”

“Among the Slark Merfolk, there are many clans. The ones who attacked us last time were the Reverse Whale clan, the most skilled in combat.”

“Your mermaid belongs to the Tidefang Clan; they are nobles among the Merfolk.”

Grand Duke Richard glanced back at the mermaid in the pool but didn’t stare; he was well aware of certain unwritten rules among men.

“Among mermaids, they are further divided into five branches based on their tail colors: silver, sea-blue, moonlight, aquamarine, and dark-ink.”

“Giant King Orion, the Dragon Emperor gave you the only mermaid with a sea-blue tail. You clearly hold significant weight in his eyes!”

Orion remained silent. To learn more secrets of the Sea Race from Richard was something he hadn’t expected.

Besides, there were many questions lingering.

How did Grand Duke Richard know all this?

Even if the Human race had deep reserves of knowledge, how did Grand Duke Richard know that the white dragon Frostsire possessed only one blue-tailed mermaid?

And what was Richard trying to lead to by telling Orion all this?

Orion slowly exhaled, raised his goblet, and gestured to Richard for a toast.

After they had drained their wine, Orion looked at Richard with an expectant expression.

“Mr. Richard, you intend to tell me more than just this, don’t you?”

Orion’s smile was peculiar—anticipation mixed with curiosity, and within that curiosity, a hint of condescension.

This smile made Grand Duke Richard, who was deliberately being mysterious, feel a bit uncomfortable.

“Giant King Orion, you are as perceptive and formidable as they say.”

Orion ignored Richard’s flattery, looking directly into Grand Duke Richard’s eyes, willing him to speak the truth.

Grand Duke Richard downed his wine in one gulp, then leaned over the balcony railing, gazing at the endless azure expanse of the distant sea.

“Three months ago, the Reverse Whale race was suddenly attacked by the Dragons. An upper-Legendary level Merfolk lord was captured, their fate unknown.”

“Considering the current situation, it seems the white dragon Frostsire convened this Five-Race Alliance conference to keep us tied down in Whitecliff City, to face the Sea Race’s retaliation together.”

“To put it bluntly, that powerful Dragon Emperor wants us all to join this war against the Sea Race.”

These words were conveyed by Grand Duke Richard to Orion via voice transmission, audible only to the two of them.

On the balcony, one of them leaned over, gazing into the distance, while the other stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking straight ahead.

At a glance, there seemed to be no secrets between them, presenting a rare, candid scene.

Orion didn’t speak, nor did he press for more.

But Grand Duke Richard knew very well that Orion was listening intently.

Orion’s slightly raised eyebrow was the best proof.

Grand Duke Richard withdrew his sidelong glance at Orion and continued his voice transmission.

“Reliable sources say the Sea Race’s grand army is massing. A great war is inevitable.”

“It’s highly probable this war will spread to all coastlines, affecting each of our territories.”

“Giant King Orion, what do you say? Should our four races get involved in this war?”

Only then did Orion withdraw his gaze from the distance and scrutinize Grand Duke Richard seriously.

Grand Duke Richard spread his hands, allowing Orion to appraise him.

“Mr. Richard, you are the most erudite human I have ever met.”

“And, of course, your sources of information are truly eye-opening.”

This wasn’t mere flattery; Orion genuinely admired and respected Richard.

No wonder humans could surpass the Blood Elves and Dwarves to become the dominant power in the southern regions.

With individuals like Grand Duke Richard, the human race wouldn’t decline in the grand scheme of things.

What was more disconcerting was that Orion still didn’t know Grand Duke Richard’s stance—his attitude towards the Dragons, and towards the Sea Race.

Orion also didn’t know what purpose Grand Duke Richard hoped to achieve by telling him all this.

Or, to put it another way, Orion didn’t know what he could do for Grand Duke Richard.

Unable to clarify these matters, Orion dared not make any rash decisions or choices.

“Hahaha… Giant King Orion, we pursue mutual interests. Only profit is our common goal, isn’t it?”

Orion nodded; he admitted this point.

“Since we pursue profit, we side with whoever offers more of it. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Orion nodded again, deeply concurring.

“Giant King Orion, our interests align. We are cut from the same cloth; we should make a common choice.”

Grand Duke Richard performed a nobleman’s bow, flashed an enigmatic smile, and then strode out of Orion’s palace.

Watching Grand Duke Richard’s departing figure, Orion’s expression gradually returned to neutrality, then grew increasingly profound.

He had to admit, Orion had underestimated the Human Kingdom, underestimated King Harold, and the two Grand Dukes of the Human Kingdom.

To be able to lead the Human Kingdom and suppress the Dwarves and Blood Elves—the formidable strength of the Human Kingdom was beyond doubt.

“Interesting. Everything on this continent seems even more complicated than I imagined!”