[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant":3,"chapter-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-629":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Titan King: Ascension of the Giant",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},244849,518,"Chapter 629: Free is also the most expensive","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-629",629,"\u003Cp>However, at this moment in the pitch-black sky, a brutal aerial battle was underway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four-Winged Blood Bat was single-handedly taking on an entire Dark Bat Hawk flock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High in the sky, dark shadows and roars were everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many Dark Bat Hawks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah couldn't track the Four-Winged Blood Bat at all; she could only rely on their contractual link to sense it fighting desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can't wait any longer! Have the spear throwers and archers attack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah gave the order. Initially, her idea was for the Four-Winged Blood Bat to kill the leader of these Dark Bat Hawks, thereby deterring or even dispersing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it seemed this idea was somewhat unrealistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Four-Winged Blood Bat was very powerful, it was alone. Without backup, it could only face being mobbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish! Swish! Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order given, the already impatient archers and spear throwers quickly found their targets and launched their attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Saelen was the most eye-catching. She was the blood elf clan's master archer and also an Alpha-level being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every arrow Saelen shot, a Dark Bat Hawk fell from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time went on, Delilah even assigned Saelen two assistants: one to hand her bolts, and one to carry them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehehe... everyone watch, I'll show you a trick too, broaden your horizons a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grum Ironfist the dwarven warrior pulled out two steel tubes from a hidden layer in his trousers, assembled them quickly and deftly, and fired a shot into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Orion were here, he would surely be surprised to find that this thing was already an early form of a hand cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, in this world where magic and supernatural powers coexisted, the might of firearms hadn't garnered much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the dwarven clan currently only considered these hand cannons as novelties and hadn't tried to integrate powers from another system into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following a loud bang, the steel tube smoked, sparks flew, and a Dark Bat Hawk also fell from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See that? When it comes to beasts in the sky, dwarves aren't defenseless either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing off his toy was one thing; demonstrating the strength of the dwarven clan was Grum Ironfist's true purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grum Ironfist, that thing of yours is worse than a crossbow inscribed with a magical formation. When we use it, there's no guarantee of accuracy at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many mercenaries in the mixed armies knew about these hand cannons; it could be said they were well aware of what good things the dwarven clan's blacksmith shops offered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries had tried these things too, but their accuracy was insufficient; for the time being, they weren't as convenient as crossbows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell do you know? Soon, we dwarves will develop a brand new advanced version, even more powerful, allowing ordinary people to kill enemies with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grum Ironfist put away his hand cannon; he wasn't carrying much ammunition and couldn't fire continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah glanced at Grum Ironfist the dwarven warrior, her gaze lingering on the hand cannon in his hand for a moment before looking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Stoneheart Horde had also purchased a few of these and sent them to the Bureau of Weapons for research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this thing seemed very difficult to research; no feedback had come from the personnel at the Bureau of Weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have the soldiers patrol the surroundings. Tonight is destined to be an eventful one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the aid of burning oils and fire stones, the great fire ignited by the Stoneheart Horde didn't last long in this Shadowcrag Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest was full of damp giant trees exuding a dark aura; for ordinary flames to burn them wasn't impossible, but it required prolonged heating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after a long time, the giant trees didn't catch fire, and the flames themselves died out first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the aid of a large fire, what everyone had to face wasn't just the Dark Bat Hawks in the sky, but also various dark creatures from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you command!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gormathar, Brontes, Steropes, and others, after receiving the order, personally went down to inspect and patrol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn't entrust security patrols that concerned their own safety to personnel from the mixed armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the clues left by Drusilla, we are not far from that city of dark creatures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah looked up, her eyes fixed on the sky, but her mind was on the unknown city ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To take one step while seeing three ahead was something a person in power must do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The void passage. Orion, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lolth, Queen of the Blind Spiders on the other side, had spoken again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giant King Orion, I want to know, on what grounds do you guarantee the safety of me and my clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lolth ask such a question, Orion felt considerably relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because only if one had decided to surrender would they consider such forward-looking questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Lolth's cautious and meticulous behavior also earned Orion's goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be said, this spider broodmother was truly too cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sign the contract, surrender voluntarily, and we will transfer a portion of your clan members away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an answer wasn't quite what Lolth wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her delicate eyebrows arched slightly as she gazed at Orion with her beautiful eyes; her originally firming gaze actually became more hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion, of course, noticed this subtle change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what you're thinking, and I understand your concerns.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you don't actually believe that signing a contract will immediately bring salvation to you and your clan, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion's demeanor once again became lofty, and he revealed a trace of disdain for Lolth's thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only by demonstrating your value to a mighty existence can we gain hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Orion used \"we\" instead of \"you,\" drawing his relationship with Lolth closer, subconsciously telling her: I am the same as you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lolth, since you could advance to Legendary level and possess the status of a lord, you should understand that in no world does a free lunch exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, there is no free lunch in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it's free now, it just means the time for you to pay the bill hasn't arrived yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sometimes, what's free is also the most expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Orion; his joining the Champions Alliance wasn't free either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, Arthas could get many good things from Orion in the early stages; this was the premise of their association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, when Orion entered the Champions Alliance, whether it was the two trips to the Godforsaken Land or entering the Valkorath Realm to clear out fungal creatures, Orion demonstrated his value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, when one contributes, receiving returns from the team is perfectly legitimate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Orion also bore significant risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, when the fungal creatures launched their all-out attack, he shared the burden of a broodmother counterpart for Arthas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the subsequent cleanup, he again confronted a broodmother evolution; these all involved taking great risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the previous time, Orion had almost perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the days to come, Orion would still have to drag the Stoneheart Horde along, sharing various dangers with his allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the Deputy Commander and the Commander; the dangers that beings of their status might bring were definitely at a disaster level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, could any of this be considered free?\u003C\u002Fp>",1236,"2026-05-29T15:49:28.616Z","2026-06-01T04:29:39.741Z",1,"novelbin.me","eccd77d6f730a45020f6d9c8927cd5b5425474b9c5a06680fc50129286034e24","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-630","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-628",1606,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftitan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-cover.jpg"]