The bonfire roared, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the giants. Flames licked at the night sky, and the air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and strong ale.
The old giant Yaruru took a massive gulp of his drink, his words slurring slightly. "So, you're saying you want an audience with His Majesty, Harald, little Silas?"
"That's right," Silas confirmed, his voice calm amidst the revelry.
He had only two goals for coming to Elbaf. The first was to recruit the future Emperor, Charlotte Linlin. The second was to obtain a supply of Adam Wood. His first goal was already halfway complete; as long as Carmel agreed, tricking five-year-old Linlin onto his ship would be a simple matter. As for the Adam Wood, Silas wanted to acquire it through proper channels, which meant he needed to speak with the current king of Elbaf. This should not be too difficult. Their relationship had been forged through combat, and while they were not exactly friends, they were at least on speaking terms.
"Hmph. His Majesty, Harald, might not agree to see you." Yoruru, the other giant elder, sat off to the side, his expression as cold as a winter stone. He was not about to say anything kind about the pirate who had abducted his great-great-granddaughter.
Fortunately, Silas had no intention of recruiting any more giants. Otherwise, Yoruru would not be nearly this civil. In his mind, giants belonged with the Giant Warrior Pirates. Crews like the White Wolf Pirates were nothing but a wicked path.
"Sister Ripley, how could you join another pirate crew?"
On the other side of the feast, a young giant boy, who looked to be the equivalent of a seven-year-old human but already stood over five meters tall, spoke with a booming voice. "As giants, we should join the Giant Warrior Pirates! They are our only true home!"
For him, a boy whose life goal was to revive the legendary crew, Ripley's choice was completely incomprehensible.
"Zabababa! Well said, Hajrudin! Our Giant Warrior Pirates are the strongest crew there is!" Yoruru laughed, his spirits lifted by the boy's passion. Though Ripley had been led astray, the future of the giants was still in good hands.
"Old man, don't stir up trouble!" Ripley shot back, looking helpless. When the White Wolf Pirates had last visited, Hajrudin had been too young to be influenced, spending most of his time with the king. As she had grown older, she had become less certain Silas would ever return, so she had never boasted about his crew in front of the younger boy. And in truth, the current White Wolf Pirates, with only three members, were a shadow of their former glory.
Compared to Silas and Ripley, who mingled easily with the giants, Rocks seemed much more withdrawn. He sat alone in a corner, methodically eating his food, his eyes scanning the scene. It was not that he disliked socializing, but rather that he felt he did not have the luxury for it.
The giants… they're truly strong, he thought, his gaze sweeping over the boisterous warriors. He could almost feel the terrifying power contained within their massive bodies. The giants sitting around this fire alone could probably destroy an entire country.
"Bokakakaka! Silas, that little kid named Rocks is your new crewmate, right?" Yaruru stroked his fluffy beard, his eyes twinkling as he noticed the boy. "How about we make a bet?"
"Oh?" Silas's interest was piqued. "Yaruru, what are you planning to wager?"
"How about we have Hajrudin fight him?" Yaruru said with a wide grin. "If your boy wins, I'll put in a good word for you with His Majesty. If Hajrudin wins, you have to stay here and help train the village children. Two years isn't too long, is it?"
Silas felt a flicker of temptation. Although he was confident Harald would see him, getting the giants to willingly part with their sacred wood was another matter. If Yaruru, a former captain of the Giant Warrior Pirates, whose prestige was second only to the king, spoke up for him, it would make things much easier. And all he had to do was let Rocks fight a giant kid. He had no reason to refuse.
Seeing Silas remain silent, Yoruru thought he was hesitating. "Zabababa! What's wrong? A crewmate of the mighty White Wolf Pirates can't even handle a child? If Yaruru's word isn't enough, how about I add my support to the bet as well?"
The two old giants could tell at a glance that Rocks was a rookie who had not even learned Haki. In such a fight, a giant's physical advantage was enormous. Even though Hajrudin was just a child, he was the king's son. How could he possibly lose?
They had no idea that Silas, far from wanting to refuse, was on the verge of bursting into laughter.
Hajrudin versus Rocks? Seriously?
Don't be fooled by the fact that Rocks had only been at sea for two months. His growth in that time had been monstrous. If it were the Rocks from when he had just set sail, Hajrudin might have stood a chance. But now? Rocks could give the giant boy a one-armed handicap and still win without breaking a sweat.
Even so, he had to put on a show.
A troubled expression appeared on Silas's face. "Rocks only joined my crew two months ago. He has talent, but Hajrudin is Harald's son. And besides, two years is a very long time." He was seventy years old. Without the system's help, two years in Elbaf might leave him needing an IV drip just to stand.
"Then what do you propose?" Yoruru asked impatiently.
"How about we change the terms?" Silas suggested, holding up a single finger. "Regardless of the outcome, I will stay in Elbaf for two years. In return, during that time, your giant craftsmen must build me a new, sufficiently sturdy ship."
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming in the firelight as he delivered the final, crucial detail.
"Using Adam Wood."
[Chapter Complete]
***
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