Chapter 757: Expand the guards

The sea region should contain quite a few large islands, inhabited by many races.

The Sea Folk would find it difficult to manage those land-dwelling races, perhaps even being helpless against some.

Exposing such islands to the Stoneheart Horde would, in fact, be akin to borrowing a knife to eliminate a rival.

However, it was too early to say for sure. Orion hadn’t yet met and discussed this with Seadragon King Neptor, so it wasn’t appropriate to bring it up with Delilah now.

...

Deep Sea, Azurecrown Royal Harbor.

In a palace crafted from coral, Seadragon King Neptor, seated on his throne, suddenly opened his eyes, a look of surprise in them.

"To think that Giant King is an Over-tier powerhouse."

"With such a formidable individual on this continent, how could that Human Saint possibly tolerate it?"

In truth, no one could tolerate an Archlord appearing in the territory under their protection; that Human Saint was no exception.

Coincidentally, the appearance of the White Dragon Frostsire had timely diverted the Human Saint’s attention.

Furthermore, the intelligence that Orion could match an Archlord had not yet reached the Blood Elves or the Human Kingdom.

If these two factions knew this information, their attitude towards the Stoneheart Horde would undoubtedly change again.

The appearance of White Dragon Frostsire and Orion’s terrifying growth rate had led to the Stoneheart Horde gradually becoming a colossus.

Relying on his own strength and the faction behind him, Orion already possessed the confidence to negotiate on somewhat equal footing with the Archlord factions of this world.

White Dragon Frostsire had its subordinates kill the Seadragon race’s Twelfth Prince and dump his corpse in Stoneheart Horde territory. The reasoning was that the Stoneheart Horde’s foundation was not strong, making them susceptible to Sea Folk invasion.

However, Orion’s personal combat power was immense, capable of significantly tying down the Seadragon race’s top-tier strength.

These two points seemed contradictory, but they were indeed the reasons the Dragons acted as they did.

"Over-tier powerhouse... Orion... Giant King..."

"That White Dragon, such cunning schemes."

"Hmph... I won’t let you have your way!"

"The situation is becoming increasingly unstable. When will this conflict with the Emerald Dream Realm ever cease?"

No one heard Seadragon King Neptor’s mutterings.

His thoughts were like rare treasures hidden in the deep sea, hard to find, hard to fathom.

...

Three days later, Ironveil Escarpment.

During these three days, the seawater receded. With water lizards assisting in moving the remaining water, the excavation of the grand canal quickly resumed.

However, many of the newly constructed defensive fortifications had suffered severe damage and needed to be rebuilt.

On the cliff edge, the sea breeze, damp and salty, made Orion’s cloak flap loudly.

Behind Orion, there were no outsiders, only his three guards: Dace, Beyn, and Torba.

"Otho died in battle. I feel your pain as if it were my own."

"However, life must go on, and the Stoneheart Horde must continue to develop."

"For yourselves, and for your families, you should strive to become stronger, not give up on yourselves."

"The deceased are at rest; the living should strive to become stronger!"

With one guard lost in battle, Orion felt the loss keenly.

It was not just a loss of talent but also a diminishment of faith and the dissipation of an emotional bond.

Otho’s death had been a huge blow to Dace, Beyn, and Torba.

During this period, these three had lost their former drive.

"How about this: afterward, you will follow me to the Emerald Dream Realm. Battles are constant there, and opportunities abound."

Previously, Orion’s requirements for his guards were not high.

As his strength increased, and with the possibility of advancing to the Archlord rank, Orion’s thinking had gradually changed.

Otho’s death had reminded Orion that some people around him, if they didn’t change, would sooner or later be left behind.

This category included Orion’s women, guards, friends, kinsmen, and even his children.

If their strength and status did not match his, it would bring them not glory, but pain and inferiority.

"As my guards, you either follow in my footsteps or die on the battlefield."

Orion turned, gazing at Dace, Beyn, and Torba. This was the first time he had made such a demand of his guards.

"I’ll follow you through fire or blood, my lord"

"I’ll follow you through fire or blood, my lord!"

...

The three responded with firm determination, a flash of shame on their faces, though the sadness in their eyes had not faded much.

"Go and prepare. In a few days, you will accompany me to the Seadragon race’s Sea Offering!"

Orion waved his hand, dismissing the three to make their preparations.

Not long after, Delilah, with her graceful and charming figure, came to Orion’s side and took his arm.

"My dear, the number of guards should be expanded!"

"If Dace and the others want to grow, they definitely cannot avoid the battlefield, which means they cannot always be by your side."

"Furthermore, Lilith and Pallas, as well as your other women, should also have trustworthy Giant-bloodline warrior guards."

"Pallas is the Giant Prince of the Stoneheart Horde; his guards, especially, should be cultivated from a young age."

Delilah held Orion’s arm; only when she was close to Orion did she dare to voice these words.

Delilah controlled the Sentinel Corps and understood the situations in both the Valkorath Realm and the Emerald Dream Realm.

She knew that Orion had hopes of advancing to the Archlord rank.

Precisely because she knew this, Delilah, at Alpha peak and not yet a Lord herself, felt immense pressure.

As Orion’s woman and grand steward, if she couldn’t keep up with his pace, she would sooner or later be left behind.

Delilah understood this better than anyone.

Because in the Succubus tribe, those Succubi who couldn’t keep pace with her had all been eliminated or cast aside by Delilah.

This was a similar situation. Although Delilah was very confident in herself, she also feared her position in the Stoneheart Horde—and with Orion—being replaced.

Currently, the Legendary-level women by Orion’s side included Lumi and Soraya.

The presence of these two Wardens put considerable pressure on Delilah and Lilith, the Succubus sisters.

"Expand the guards, you say?"

Orion thought of Lilith, of Pallas, and of Kronos in the Human Kingdom.

"How about this: expand the number of guards to three hundred. Let Lilith handle the selection."

"There’s no need to deliberately distinguish between the Stoneheart, Ironbone, and Starveil branches. Ability and loyalty are paramount."

Orion found Delilah’s suggestion sound and immediately agreed, assigning the task to Lilith.

Such an arrangement was a show of trust in the Succubus tribe, and by extension, in Lilith and Delilah.