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"This… what the hell is this?!!"
Even though his eyes were covered, little Loki could still see everything on the light screen. He cried out in shock.
Beside him, the young Hajrudin had turned deathly pale as well, fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.
Though more composed than Loki, witnessing their father being besieged by his own subordinates was an equally unbearable, massive blow to him.
Harald himself stood frozen like a petrified giant statue.
The complex expression on his face ultimately settled into a profound, near-despairing grayness.
He had seen it—seen how he naively believed the promise, signed the contract, obtained the so-called "Power of Immortality," only to become a puppet in the end. Not only did he die, but he nearly dragged all of Elbaph into an irredeemable abyss.
What the light screen revealed was not mere death, but the complete collapse of faith and the potential destruction of the entire tribe.
Cold sweat slid uncontrollably from his enormous forehead.
A bone-chilling cold gripped his heart. Right now, he was terrified of one thing above all.
If Imu—that being on the Empty Throne—were to unleash those "black tendrils" or similar means of domination on him right this moment, the same way they controlled Rocks…
If he lost control and reason, with his current power and knowledge of Elbaph…
Elbaph would face total annihilation!
Just as Harald sank into deep regret and terror, a warm yet resolute hand gently clasped his slightly trembling giant palm.
It was Ida.
She said nothing, simply gazing at him with those gentle but equally firm eyes, silently conveying support and companionship.
She might not fully grasp the political conspiracies or dark powers at play, but she understood her husband's fear and pain right now. All she could do was stand by his side.
"Damn bastards!! Harald actually…"
Rocks ground his teeth, rage nearly bursting from his eyes as he glared fiercely at the still-indifferent Five Elders in the distance.
Harald was his friend—a truly respectable rival and comrade.
Seeing a friend deceived, exploited, and meeting such a tragic end filled Rocks with fury even greater than witnessing his own future fate.
The Five Elders, however, ignored Rocks' anger entirely. Their gazes remained locked on the light screen, as if assessing the "feasibility" or "flaws" in some plan.
"It's all my fault…!"
Harald painfully closed his eyes, voice hoarse: "I was too naive… to believe the World Government's lies so easily!
All that talk of peaceful recognition, joining them… pure bait! I almost… almost became the sinner who destroyed Elbaph!"
"Those sanctimonious beasts of the World Government!"
Loki's voice sharpened with fury. He clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked, the bandage over his eyes slipping off at that moment. His blood-red vertical pupils locked onto the direction of the Five Elders.
"I always said Elbaph should never bow to them! Just wait! When I grow up, when I get stronger…
I will definitely, definitely tear down their lair! Avenge Dad!!"
The boy's rage burned hot and pure; he nearly charged forward recklessly.
"Loki!"
Rocks' low but authoritative voice stopped him.
Rocks shook his head, eyes signaling him to calm down: "Not yet. Not for you right now."
Though impulsive, Loki instinctively trusted Rocks' words.
He halted, chest heaving violently, eyes full of unwillingness.
He understood too: even with strength surpassing others his age in the Giant Tribe, facing the eerie, seemingly "undying and immortal" Five Elders, he was still far too green.
The scene on the light screen did not linger on the castle tragedy but switched again.
This time, the location was the area of Elbaph known as the "Yang Realm." In the frame appeared two people leisurely soaking in a massive open-air hot spring pool.
When their faces became clear, gasps erupted throughout God Valley!
"I… I end up settling in Elbaph in the future?!"
Scopper Gaban suddenly pushed up his glasses, nearly flinging them off, his face full of disbelief.
The relaxed man soaking in the hot spring on the light screen was none other than his future self!
And sitting opposite him was Shanks—having shed his Celestial Dragon finery, dressed in simple cloth, his expression far steadier and more resolute than in the earlier hall scene!
"Captain Roger… had a child?!"
The conversation between Scopper Gaban and Shanks came through. They were discussing shocking news.
In the future, Scopper Gaban had encountered Garp at sea, learning from him that Roger had left behind a posthumous child named "Ace"!
"So that's how it is…"
In the hot spring, a warm smile spread across Shanks' face—one filled with deep nostalgia for his captain and joy at the arrival of new life.
"Then the Captain's child… is like a little brother to me! I really want to meet him."
Seeing Shanks' genuine happiness, Scopper Gaban smiled with relief as well.
To these old members of the Roger Pirates, Shanks and Buggy—two brats raised on the ship—were like their own sons.
Watching Shanks retain such pure-hearted innocence and care for his comrades despite everything he had been through filled Scopper Gaban with immense comfort.
The two continued chatting about many things. The topic gradually shifted to the Holy Land and the so-called "contract."
Shanks openly admitted that both he and Harald had signed some kind of contract with that "Lord."
Before fleeing the Holy Land, he had briefly spoken with Harald.
In Shanks' description, Harald was a "kind-hearted king who only wanted the best for his people, even overly idealistic."
Shanks held respect for this Giant King, along with hidden concern.
And during his time infiltrating the Holy Land, Shanks had not come away empty-handed.
He had uncovered many secrets about the "God's Knights"—
The true nature of that so-called "Power of Immortality," the immense regenerative ability and near-limitless stamina… and the hidden costs and control behind them.
Outside the light screen, Saint Garling's face grew darker and darker with every revelation Shanks made, like a sea before a storm.
Not only had Shanks "defected," but he was now exposing core secrets of the Holy Land—and sharing them with "lowly scum from the lower world"!
This was practically grinding the Figarland family's and God's Knights' dignity into the dirt over and over!
Saint Garling felt waves of dizziness and extreme humiliation. The pirates' unabashed mocking stares around him pricked like needles on his back.
At that moment, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter—the Scientific Defense God—perhaps unable to stand Saint Garling's broken appearance any longer,
or perhaps simply finding it embarrassing, spoke in his calm yet unquestionable voice:
"Garling, it's merely a worthless bloodline. Why cling to it so? Do not forget your position and duty. Offspring—who cannot bear them?
Since this child inclines toward the 'lower world' and willingly degrades himself, let him go. Let him fend for himself and perish as he will.
Would your bloodline, your glory, truly be tarnished by one rebellious child?"
These words were cold and pragmatic, as if discussing the disposal of an object.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's meaning was clear: Shanks was simply a "defective product." Discard him and move on. With Saint Garling's status and "capabilities,"
he could simply find suitable women and produce "qualified" heirs.
As leader of the God's Knights, upholding the order of the "gods" was paramount. No need to dwell on a rebellious "flaw" and lose composure.
Saint Garling shuddered at the words.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions within.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter was right. He was the pride of Figarland, leader of the God's Knights—his worth did not hinge on one disobedient son.
Shanks… may as well have never existed! His gaze turned cold and hard once more, regaining some of the arrogance and indifference befitting a commander.
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