Titan King: Ascension of the Giant-Chapter 575: This is an excellent gift

"My friend, Aldous is happy to see you again!"

Orion and Aldous met on the border between the ogre and giant territories.

"Aldous, I'm happy to see you too!"

"Now, I've come to fulfill our agreement."

Orion leaped down from the back of a Raptor and bumped arms with Aldous.

"Hahaha... This time, I'll definitely smash those lizardfolk heads!"

Aldous was overjoyed, waving his arms and legs while roaring continuously.

"Idiot, quickly bring out my gift!"

Aldous extended his left hand and smacked the other large, drowsy head hard.

Bluehide was jolted awake, its first groggy question being: "Is it a fight?"

A look of disgust appeared on Aldous's face as he turned and gave Orion a helpless smile.

"This fellow has been a bit irritable lately!"

"We've divided the labor; he controls the right hand, I control the left."

As he spoke, Aldous manipulated both hands, reaching into his pouch.

The next second, Aldous pulled out a massive iron ball, slamming it onto the ground with a thud.

"Friend, this is my gift to you. This big guy found it; it's one of our treasures."

Orion watched the iron ball sink deeply into the ground, his eyes twitching involuntarily.

"Is this... meteorite iron?"

"Hahaha, no, this is Aether Iron, rarer even than meteorite iron! My friend, do you like this gift?"

How could Orion not like it?

Aether Iron was one of the auxiliary materials used by the Stoneheart Horde's Bureau of Weapons to research weapon transcendence techniques.

Such a large amount of Aether Iron would significantly accelerate the process of creating transformative weapons.

"This is an excellent gift!"

Orion reached out, and with a light wave of his hand, stored the Aether Iron away.

"Aldous, let me give you a little something too!"

Orion thought for two seconds, then selected a Hero-level piece of equipment from his inventory and gave it to Aldous.

It was an item resembling a bracelet, capable of slightly enhancing mental attacks.

Aldous was quite curious after receiving the bracelet.

However, due to its incompatibility with his size, he couldn't wear it on his wrist at all.

Orion mentally transmitted the bracelet's function to Aldous, whose large eyes instantly lit up brightly.

To Orion's astonishment, Aldous lifted the bracelet and hung it directly on his ear.

The bracelet instantly became an earring.

"Hahaha... Aldous has never received such an exquisite gift. Aldous likes it very much!"

Orion forced a few laughs along with Aldous. Afterward, they each summoned their subordinates and headed towards the Human Kingdom's Soaring Bird City.

"Friend, why are we bringing those tasty humans along this time?"

"Lokiviria and Ssorin aren't enough for the three of us to divide!"

Good grief, in Aldous's eyes, Lokiviria and Ssorin were already his food.

Orion gazed at the road winding into the distance and spoke calmly.

"This trade route passing through giant, ogre, and human lands is ours; it's important to all of us."

"Giant caravans were attacked by lizardfolk, human caravans were also plundered, and the ogres were even driven out by them."

"We are invading the lizardfolk territory to protect our own interests."

Orion stated it as a fact, not a question.

Aldous was clever; he understood.

This battle, initiated to protect themselves, was not an invasion, at least not overtly.

"The lizardfolk territory is to your east, bordering the Human Kingdom and also bordering the territories of other races further east."

"If a part of this territory becomes human territory, given our alliance with the humans, don't you think the ogre territory would become safer?"

"This way, both our peoples will see better days!"

After hearing Orion's explanation, Aldous's eyes shone brightly, gleaming with a cunning light.

"You mean give a portion of the lizardfolk territory to the Human Kingdom, letting them become a protective wall to the east of our territory?"

"Correct!"

Orion nodded affirmatively.

If the ogre territory stabilized, the Stoneheart Horde's territory would become more stable, benefiting population growth and the economy.

"This time, Lokiviria's territory is our true target."

Aldous paused for a moment, then frowned in thought.

He had reservations about Orion's idea because it meant the Human Kingdom would take the lion's share of the benefits from this war.

"Friend, if that happens, we'll become neighbors with the humans."

"Those humans are cunning and filthy. They cannot be friends; they aren't worthy of our trust."

Aldous spoke with conviction, holding no goodwill towards humans.

In Aldous's perception, the relationship between ogres and humans was that of hunter and prey.

Aldous and his kin had eaten humans.

From the fragmented memories left in the flesh, they had learned something of human nature.

Selfishness, cowardice, greed... and cunning. Therefore, allowing human territory to border ogre lands made Aldous somewhat resistant.

"Therefore, in the south, ogres and giants must always stand united."

"Only then can we contend with the humans and blood elves, isn't that right?"

Orion spoke plainly, telling Aldous clearly that if ogres and giants wanted to live peacefully in the south, they had to unite.

"Yes, we must unite, become true allies."

Aldous nodded while raising his left hand, fondly fiddling with the earring on his ear.

Orion smiled. With Aldous agreeing on the general direction of distributing the benefits, even if Prince Theodore objected vehemently, it wouldn't have much effect.

"My friend, you are cleverer than Aldous!"

Orion and Aldous looked at each other, chuckled, and quickened their pace towards Soaring Bird City.

...

Human Kingdom, Soaring Bird City.

Ever since Prince Theodore arrived, he had essentially taken control of Soaring Bird City.

Whether in terms of power or status, no one dared to oppose Prince Theodore.

"Soaring Bird City is territory of the Kingdom, a home under the protection of law and faith."

"Everything here must be done according to the rules."

"The rights of the nobles are inviolable. The portion belonging to Baron Torin must not be diminished."

This was the final word, Prince Theodore's stance, representing the position of His Majesty the King and the two Grand Dukes.

Henceforth, from the profits generated by Soaring Bird City, the local lord, Baron Torin, would receive 10%.

As for the remaining 90% profit, 60% would be divided among the royal family and the two Grand Dukes, with the other 30% split among the major nobles of the Kingdom.

Of course, behind those major nobles stood the royal family and the two Grand Dukes.

No one would oppose Prince Theodore's decision; they lacked the courage and strength.

Regarding the outcome of this meeting, Torin, seated at the very back, was both dissatisfied and satisfied. His feelings were conflicted.