...
On the light screen, Harald's near-despairing dying entrustment landed like a massive stone in still water, sending layers of suppressed ripples through both God Valley and beyond.
After a brief, deathly silence came irrepressible curiosity and discussion.
"Elbaph's secret treasure? Sounds like something incredible!"
One pirate stroked his chin, eyes gleaming: "Looking at the expressions on the Giant King and the elder, it's probably a Devil Fruit! One guarded by Elbaph across generations—how powerful must that fruit be?!"
"Definitely a Mythical Zoan type!"
Someone nearby immediately chimed in, excitedly speculating: "Eat it and turn into a super-giant? Or gain some world-destroying power?"
"I really want to know what it is! Hurry up, light screen, show us!"
Many stretched their necks, wishing they could dive into the light screen to see for themselves.
The pirates in God Valley temporarily forgot the earlier heaviness. The words "secret treasure" had ignited strong interest, and they chattered away, the atmosphere turning somewhat lively.
However, for the people of Elbaph—the ones directly involved—the mood was completely different.
In reality, Harald stood silently, his enormous hand slightly clenched, his face filled only with deep pain and complexity.
He knew exactly what the "secret treasure" meant: a legacy passed down through generations in Elbaph, containing immense power yet burdened with heavy "costs" and taboos.
Dorry and Brogy, the two legendary warriors from Elbaph, also restrained their usual boldness, their expressions unusually grave.
They exchanged a heavy glance, each seeing in the other's eyes a profound understanding of that long-sealed past and the "secret treasure" itself.
It was not merely power—it was responsibility, a choice that could alter fate or even upend everything they knew.
Roger, ever curious by nature, instinctively wanted to ask about this mysterious "secret treasure" when it was mentioned.
But the words died on his lips. He saw Harald's heavy expression and noticed the seriousness of Dorry and Brogy.
This was, after all, one of Elbaph's deepest internal secrets. As an outsider, it wasn't appropriate to pry carelessly.
He respected that boundary.
Rocks also remained silent.
Though wild and unrestrained, he maintained basic respect and distance regarding major inheritances within a friend's tribe.
He simply watched Harald quietly, sensing the massive waves churning in his old friend's heart at this moment.
And right now, far away on the native soil of Elbaph, the giant populace watching everything through the sky-covering light screen had fallen into overwhelming grief and rage!
They had witnessed their king—Harald—the hero who severed his own horns for the dignity of his tribe, who wandered alone in the mist atoning, always holding onto hope for peace…
…how he was step by step deceived by the World Government's honeyed words, signed a "selling himself" contract, gained eerie power, lost his reason, slaughtered his kin, and plunged into the abyss of self-destruction!
"His Majesty Harald…!"
"World Government… liars! Demons!!"
"That damned contract!!"
"We can never trust them! Absolutely not!"
…
Roars, sobs, and curses echoed through every village in Elbaph.
The Giant Tribe, which had long harbored expectations of joining the World Government, saw their faith completely collapse in this moment—replaced by the fury of betrayal and deep terror for their future fate.
Harald's tragedy rang out like the loudest alarm bell, awakening every giant who still clung to illusions of "official recognition."
At the light screen site, Elder Jorul gazed at the image of Harald—struggling in pain, ultimately entrusting everything—and his cloudy old eyes filled with heartache and regret: "Harald… you did too much for Elbaph, paid too high a price…"
This elder, who had watched Harald grow and assisted him in governing Elbaph, felt his heart twist like a knife at this moment.
The light screen image cleared once more—cruel and unrelenting.
In the hall, Harald's final wail cut off abruptly.
All the pain, struggle, and trace of humanity on his face vanished as if erased by an eraser.
In its place emerged an empty, cold, almost inorganic indifference.
His eyes were now fully overtaken by a dull, lightless hue that nonetheless contained violent energy—identical to the hollow gaze Rocks had when darkness overtook him back then.
"Clang!"
He suddenly yanked the greatsword embedded in the ground—no, the giant sword—and with a casual swing, unleashed a fan-shaped, razor-sharp sword wave!
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft—!"
The few guards trying to approach him or protect Loki had no time to react before being bisected at the waist or decapitated by the terrifying sword energy!
Blood sprayed like fountains across the ruined hall walls and floor; the thick stench of blood became almost tangible.
Harald didn't even glance at the fallen clansmen. He sheathed his sword, his body swaying slightly as if adjusting to this new form, but he quickly stabilized.
He strode toward the hall entrance.
Outside, more guards—who had heard the commotion but didn't know the details—stood armed and alert.
"There is a criminal intruder in the castle,"
Harald's voice rang out—calm, cold, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet carrying an unquestionable command: "Seal all exits, especially the main gate. Without my order, no one is permitted to enter or leave."
The guards at the door froze. They hadn't entered the castle, so they didn't know what had happened inside…
But long years of loyalty and obedience to the king—and hearing "criminal intruder"—made them instinctively assume it was Loki causing trouble again. The guard captain gritted his teeth and shouted loudly: "Yes! Your Majesty!"
He immediately ordered his men to use heavy steel chains and massive bolts to lock the thick metal doors of the main hall from the outside—sealing them tight!
However, just as the doors were about to fully close…
"Pfft!"
A bloodstained long blade suddenly thrust from behind, piercing straight through Harald's neck!
The wielder was a young giant guard. Tears filled his eyes, rage and unbearable grief burning as he glared at Harald's unresponsive back and roared hoarsely:
"How dare you… lay such a vicious hand on your own people! You're no longer… the King Harald we knew!!"
Harald slowly turned. The wound on his neck writhed; in mere seconds, the bleeding stopped, and healing began rapidly.
His vacant eyes "looked" at the brave yet despairing guard. His voice remained ice-cold: "Of course I am Harald. Merely… a servant serving that supreme Lord."
Before the words finished, his enormous hand clamped around the guard's head like a vice and flicked—
"Bang!!"
The guard flew like a broken kite, slamming hard into the distant stone wall before sliding down unconscious.
Having dealt with this minor "accident," Harald ignored the guards outside still locking the doors and turned his attention back to the living people inside the hall.
Primarily Loki—who, under Elder Jorul's cover, was sprinting madly toward the depths of the castle!
"Hurry! Loki! Faster!"
Elder Jorul swung his long sword to try blocking Harald while urgently shouting toward Loki.
He knew the only hope now was for Loki to reach the secret chamber storing the "secret treasure" and consume that fruit as quickly as possible!
Harald ignored Jorul's harassing attacks and took long strides to pursue Loki.
"Stop him! For His Majesty! For Elbaph!"
The remaining living guards let out desperate yet resolute cries.
Knowing they were no match, they still charged like moths to flame—using their flesh-and-blood bodies to form a human wall against Harald!
They couldn't bring themselves to strike their beloved king fatally; they could only try to block him with their bodies, even if just for one more second!
Blades slashed across Harald, leaving shallow white marks that vanished almost instantly.
Fists and feet struck his legs like ants shaking a tree. Yet the guards pressed forward wave after wave, sacrificing their lives to buy Loki time.
Harald advanced like a giant elephant trampling through grass!
With every step, guards were sent flying, crushed, or knocked down.
He drew closer and closer to Loki's back.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Elder Jorul roared, gripped his giant sword with both hands, and hurled it like a javelin with all his strength!
The sword whistled through the air, stabbing viciously toward Harald's back!
Harald paused, reached behind without looking, pulled out the giant staff on his back, and hurled it back toward Elder Jorul—faster, with even greater force!
"Elder, watch out!!" a guard cried in alarm.
Elder Jorul was elderly and couldn't dodge in time.
"Pfft!"
The blade embedded itself in Elder Jorul's head. He grunted, staggering backward as blood poured from his forehead.
In that brief delay, Harald had nearly caught up to Loki, who had just turned into another corridor!
Just as Harald was about to seize Loki…
"Pfft!" x2
Two sharp breaking-air sounds—one from left, one from right—erupted from the shadows on both sides of the corridor, striking Harald fiercely!
From the left came a spinning, double-bladed giant battle axe glinting with cold light!
From the right came a condensed, straight sword beam infused with dark red Armament Haki!
The axe slammed into Harald's raised left arm, carving a deep gash!
The sword beam struck precisely at his right flank; the penetrating Haki numbed his body, slowing his movement by half a beat!
Harald was forced to halt. His vacant gaze turned toward the attackers.
Emerging from the shadows were none other than Scopper Gaban and Shanks!
Scopper Gaban gravely scanned the corridor littered with giant guard corpses and bloodstains, then looked at the eerie-auraed, hollow-eyed Harald, brows furrowed tightly: "What the hell… happened in this place?"
Shanks stared fixedly at Harald—especially the jet-black, twisted symbol that had replaced the contract mark on his wrist—his eyes burning with rage and sorrow.
He tried calling out: "Harald! Snap out of it! Do you still remember Elbaph? Don't let that power control you!"
But the only response was a meaningless low growl from Harald's throat and the raising once more of his giant sword—now wreathed in ominous black energy.
Harald's consciousness had clearly sunk completely; he even seemed to begin "enjoying" the destructive pleasure this powerful body brought, intoxicated by the false omnipotence granted by the "Power of Immortality."
"No use, Shanks!" Scopper Gaban said grimly, gripping his battle axe tighter.
"His sanity has been devoured by that thing! Be careful!"
Shanks gritted his teeth, a flash of resolve in his eyes. He stopped trying to awaken him and focused entirely on the fight.
He could see clearly now: the root of it all was that eerie contract symbol on Harald!
That thing was twisting and controlling this once-kind Giant King!
With Scopper Gaban and Shanks—two powerful reinforcements—Harald's pursuit of Loki was successfully halted.
The three erupted into fierce combat in the narrow corridor: sword energy slashing wildly, axe shadows flashing, walls and floor constantly cracking.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Loki ran onward without looking back.
His father's final entrustment echoed in his ears, along with the sounds of battle and his clansmen's screams from behind.
He couldn't stop! He had to obtain the "secret treasure"!
Passing through ancient stone doors and mechanisms, Loki finally reached the deepest part of the castle. The chains on the door had already been broken by his brute strength earlier.
He shoved open the heavy treasury door. The secret chamber was small; at its center stood a single stone platform bearing a seemingly ordinary yet ancient-aura-emitting massive treasure chest.
This was where the "Elbaph secret treasure" was kept!
Loki panted heavily, stepping toward the wooden chest. His hand trembled slightly from excitement, fear, and grief.
He could almost hear his father's voice urging in his ear: Hurry! Eat it! Only you can stop me! Protect Elbaph!
He reached out to lift the lid…
In that instant, a sudden change occurred!
From behind the wooden chest, a warhammer swung with vicious wind—crashing mercilessly toward Loki's head!
"What?!"
Loki never expected this. He quickly ducked the attack, staring in utter confusion at the iron hammer before him!
...