Titan King: Ascension of the Giant
Chapter 816 - 816: Big Sister is Always the Boss

Lireesa turned her head to look at Lycanor, the child she had watched grow into a formidable woman. To marry an Archlord like Orion, to secure his protection for the blood elf people… perhaps it was the best possible outcome. Perhaps it was Lycanor's ultimate destiny.

Time can change everything, the Grand Elder mused. It can build a bond between two strangers that reaches into the very depths of their hearts and souls.

The calculus was simple. By arranging this marriage with the Stoneheart Horde, though Lycanor would not be the primary wife, her status as a champion of the highest order(upper Legendary tier) would grant her a position of significant influence.

With that secured, so long as the blood elves did not display any untoward ambition or make any foolish moves, they could look forward to several millennia of peace. After all, they would be kin by marriage to both the Stoneheart Horde and the human kingdom.

Lycanor said nothing. She simply continued to stare at the man on the high platform, her thoughts a mystery.

The Next Day, at the Castle.

After the ceremony had concluded, the Colosseum had hosted one performance after another, ensuring every guest departed thoroughly entertained. This morning, the real work began. Envoys from the Sea Race, the blood elves, the human kingdom, and other factions arrived at the castle for an audience with the King. The most important gifts and trade agreements were not matters for a public festival.

"Your Majesty, the esteemed King of the Giants, my father sends this gift to honor you," a tall Sea Race woman announced. Her name was Nerida, and while she had not yet reached the Legendary tier, her station was high indeed. She was the Fourth Princess of the Sea-Dragon(Sea-Drake) Race, an eloquent diplomat with a peerless ability to read the mood of a room.

Orion gestured, and one of his succubus handmaidens gracefully took the rolled parchment Nerida was holding and presented it to him.

As he unfurled it, Orion's eyes narrowed slightly. It was a sea chart, detailing a large portion of the Trident Sea Region. More than that, it had a sizable island clearly marked for his claim.

The gift from King Neptor was a heavy one, but considering Orion had saved his life in the world tunnels, it was not entirely unexpected.

"This is a fine gift. I accept it," Orion declared. "Please convey my thanks to King Neptor. In return, the Stoneheart Horde's City of Guardians, Ironveil Escarpment, will be opening for trade in the near future. As a show of my gratitude, I will give instructions that a specific trade district be set aside exclusively for the Sea-Dragon Race."

This was his counter-offer, part of the cooperation he and Neptor had already discussed. The sea-dragons would cede an island to the Horde, and the Horde would become the primary trading hub between the sea-races and the peoples of the continent. It was a clear win for both sides.

As for the sea-dragon prince Orion had killed… in the face of such mutual benefit for both their peoples, the matter had been deemed utterly irrelevant. King Neptor had many children; one more or less was of little consequence.

"Princess Nerida thanks Your Majesty, the King of the Giants!" she said, offering a deep curtsy. A warm smile played on her lips, her eyes hinting at a personal interest in the King. But Orion's cool, professional reaction made it clear that her interest was not returned.

Nerida skillfully tucked her own feelings away. She had completed the mission her father had given her. She would return home and receive a Lord's Stone, a key that would open her own path to advancement. That was enough.

Orion waved a hand, and the princess took her leave. The next to enter the hall was Prince Theodore.

"Your Majesty, esteemed…"

Theodore began his formal address, but before he could finish, Orion had already descended from his throne and was walking past him.

"Come with me," Orion said simply.

Theodore frowned, confused, but followed without question. He and Orion were familiar with one another; they had negotiated, they had spoken. For Orion to act this way meant he had a purpose.

They emerged into the castle's main square.

There, two brothers who had never laid eyes upon each other finally met.

"You are Pallas. I challenge you!" Kronos declared with grave seriousness, already assuming the combat stance his tutor, Tarn, had taught him.

Defeating Pallas was the mission his mother, Ava, had given him. If he completed it, she would surely be happy.

Who Pallas was, he did not know. What their relationship might be, he did not know. Whether he could even win, he did not care. In his small heart, victory was the path to his mother's joy, which in turn would make him happy.

"You are Kronos?"

The first response, however, came not from Pallas, but from Elara.

"I am!"

Elara looked at the boy's face, a face that was a clear echo of her father's, and she felt the strong pull of his giant bloodline. She had already suspected who he was. "My name is Elara, and this is Pallas," she said. "Do you know what our relationship is to you?"

"I don't know, and I don't care!"

A slow smile spread across Elara's face, the corners of her eyes and mouth turning upward. Anyone who knew her recognized the sign immediately: Elara was getting a little angry.

"You don't know? Is that so," her voice, usually so bright, took on a teasing, manipulative tone. "Well, if you don't know, I can tell you. I am the First Daughter of the Stoneheart Horde. Pallas is the Giant Prince of the Stoneheart Horde."

A small, cold smile touched her lips. She had been looking forward to meeting this unknown brother of hers. Her daddy had told her she had three of them, and she had imagined they would all be great fun. But for this one to immediately challenge Pallas… it was a poor first impression. She decided then and there to teach this unlikable little brother a lesson.

"I am your older sister," she said plainly. "He is your younger brother. And you, an older brother, want to challenge your younger brother? By that logic, does that mean I, the eldest sister, can challenge my younger brothers whenever I please?"

The smile on her face became a dismissive smirk, a micro-expression she had learned from watching her father.

"Sister? Brother?" Kronos was stunned. His mother had never told him. His cousin hadn't told him. No one had. To hear for the first time that he had siblings was an unimaginable shock. "You're lying! My mother never told me I had a sister and a brother!" he retorted, relying on the only truth he knew.

"Kekeke…" Elara giggled, her eyes glinting with the same playful mockery Orion's often held. "Just because she never told you, little one, doesn't mean we don't exist. Has your mother truly never told you who your father is?"

She understood now. Kronos was being kept in a state of protected ignorance, shielded from both harm and truth. Elara decided, with all the authority of an eldest sibling, that she would be the one to tear open that protective film. She would show him the truth. She would let him know that there was always someone bigger and better in the world.

And that Big Sister was always the boss.