"The palace is just ahead. I can only take you this far—my business is in the lower district."
Ayla gently lowered her hand, letting Kael hop down onto the massive cobblestones.
"Thank you, Ayla. Honestly, if I'd walked the whole way myself, it would've taken hours just to cross the main square."
Ayla laughed, the sound like low thunder.
"You're very welcome. It was refreshing talking to a human wizard and hearing about the world beyond the canyon. Take care of yourself, Mage!"
"Goodbye, Kael!"
Buri waved a hand the size of a dinner table.
Kael smiled and waved back until they disappeared into the crowd. It had only been a brief meeting—an interlude in his journey—but he found himself genuinely liking the giant folk. They were far more hospitable than the legends suggested.
Turning his attention back to the task at hand, Kael approached the Royal Palace.
"Halt!"
"State your name and business, traveler!"
Two guards, clad in gleaming bronze armor and standing over twenty-five meters tall, crossed their spears—effectively forming a wall of metal in front of Kael.
"I'm a wizard from the Fairy Tail guild. I'm here to fulfill a request issued by the Crown."
"A request?"
The guards glanced at each other.
"Is it that mission? The kidnapping case?"
One of the giants leaned down, his face looming like a moon.
"Then enter at once! We've been expecting a representative from the human guilds."
"Wait… don't you need to search me? Or check my identification?"
Kael asked, surprised by the complete lack of procedure. He had already prepared his guild emblem and mission papers.
The guard let out a booming chuckle.
"Hehe… no need. To be honest, trying to search human-sized luggage is… delicate for our hands. We'd probably crush your belongings just trying to open the zippers."
Kael looked at his backpack, then at the guard's fingers—each one thicker than Kael's entire torso.
"Fair point,"
he muttered.
"Come. I'll take you to His Majesty personally."
The guard strode toward the main hall. Kael had to break into a light jog just to keep up. Even with his enhanced physique, matching a giant's "casual" pace was a workout.
After several minutes of navigating corridors that felt like aircraft hangars, they reached the towering doors of the audience chamber. Kael felt less like a guest and more like a mouse scurrying across a ballroom floor.
"Your Majesty! The wizard from Fairy Tail has arrived!"
A deep, melodic voice echoed from within.
"Oh? Finally! Bring him in immediately!"
Kael stepped into the hall, hopping over a two-meter-high threshold that served as a mere "doorstep" for giants. He looked up and saw the King of Elbaf. Unlike the ancient, wizened monarchs Kael had met elsewhere, this King looked remarkably young—perhaps in his thirties by human standards, though Kael knew giant lifespans made that guess nearly meaningless.
"Greetings, Your Majesty,"
Kael said, bowing respectfully.
"I am Kael of Fairy Tail. I've come in response to the request you sent to our guild."
The King leaned forward, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Fairy Tail, eh? Tell me… how is that brat Makarov doing these days?"
Kael blinked, stunned.
"You know our Master?"
"Oh? Is that brat the Master now? Well, I suppose it's been long enough. Human lives are so fleeting, after all."
The King laughed, a hearty sound that made the banners overhead tremble.
"Ah, the memories!"
the King said, eyes bright with nostalgia.
"I bet that guy never told you how many times I tossed him across the training field—or kicked his backside. He was tiny, but he had plenty of spirit. He even tried to woo Lina! Can you believe it? My Lina! In the end, she chose me, of course. Hahahaha!"
Kael's lip twitched as he processed it. Master Makarov… trying to woo a female giant? He pictured the tiny old man standing beside a mountain-sized woman. I mean, he does use Giant Magic, so maybe he was aiming for a literal match. Still… the sheer ambition is terrifying.
"What are you laughing about so loudly, my King?"
A graceful female giant stepped into the hall, her presence radiating quiet strength.
"Lina! You're just in time,"
the King beamed.
"This little fellow is one of Makarov's boys."
Queen Lina's eyes widened, genuine joy crossing her face. She crouched down, lowering her gaze closer to Kael's level.
"You're with Makarov? How is he? Is he eating well? Is he happy?"
"The Master is doing very well, Your Majesty,"
Kael replied.
"He's older now, and he complains about his back a lot—but he still spends his days drinking, laughing, and giving the Magic Council headaches. He's quite comfortable."
"Is that so? I'm glad,"
Lina said softly.
"He always did have a talent for finding trouble."
The King cleared his throat, his expression sharpening.
"Enough nostalgia. We have business to discuss. Kael… tell me—what do you think of our kingdom's strength?"
Kael glanced around at the towering pillars and the sheer presence of the royal couple.
"It's formidable. Truly. Even on a continent as vast as Ishgar, Elbaf is likely the most physically powerful nation in existence."
"Hehe. You're kind,"
the King said, though his eyes stayed sharp.
"But I know the true overlords of this world are humans—especially with things like the Magic Council's Etherion. One strike from that weapon could level my city."
"That's a weapon of last resort,"
Kael noted.
"The Council wouldn't use it unless they had no other choice."
"Perhaps,"
the King sighed.
"But that's an external threat. My current problem is much closer to home."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"You see, Elbaf shares a border with another nation of equal strength."
He spoke the name with unmistakable weight.
"A place we call the Troll Kingdom."