Chapter 843: Our Stoneheart Horde
Orion explained that building the Ice Phoenix Palace had consumed not only a vast amount of rare materials but also a single Lord’s Stone.
Most importantly, the loyalty of the palace and the Ice Maidens within was absolute. They belonged completely to Lumi, and to her alone, a private army bound to her will.
"The Ice Phoenix Palace and all who dwell within are now yours."
Orion transferred control of the palace to Lumi and, before she could fully react, wrapped an arm around her slender waist and stepped with her into its crystalline halls.
He had traveled from Stoneheart City well in advance to prepare this gift, a gesture of his genuine affection—one best consecrated in the warmth of their intimacy.
In the south, at the Ironveil Escarpment.
The preliminary work on the City of the Guardian, built upon the escarpment, was nearly complete. After the Stoneheart Horde and the Sea-Drake(seadragon) race finalized their alliance, the pace of construction had accelerated. Even the grand canal, planned to connect the entire territory, was about to be opened.
"Sister Lycanor, the city is in your hands now," Delilah said. She and Lycanor stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the cliff’s edge. They had a good relationship, and as Orion’s women, they addressed each other as sisters.
"What is that?" Lycanor asked, nodding slightly as she pointed to a tall tower in the distance. When she had first arrived, she had felt a little awkward around Delilah. However, Delilah had proactively broken the ice, speaking of private matters concerning the three of them, and their relationship had naturally grown closer.
Neither Delilah nor Lycanor was a fool. They both knew they had their own positions to maintain and represented different interest groups. But there was no great rivalry between them; they already had status and power.