"'Holy Mother,' huh…"
Wright's lips curled into a slight smile as he shook his head gently, though he said nothing more.
"Back in those days, Elbaf did indeed make 'peace' with humanity and the World Government. In fact, the Giant Vice Admirals in the Marines joined the Navy thanks to the efforts of Carmel."
"Then what upheaval are you talking about…?"
Hearing Wright mention the Giant Vice Admirals, Brogy grew even more confused.
"That was a good start… If things went down that path, Elbaf should have been interacting with humans and the Marines a long time ago. Why would you need to come all the way out here to find us?!"
"You're right. Under normal circumstances, that's exactly how it should have been."
Wright waved his hand, and two beams of golden holy light descended upon them. To their astonishment, Dorry and Brogy found that not only were the wounds they had just received from being kicked by the Fleet Admiral healing, but even older injuries from their mutual battles had disappeared!
"This is…!"
The two exchanged a shocked glance, just as Wright spoke again:
"Once again—I mean no harm."
"You've been cut off from the outside world for over a decade now, haven't you? Otherwise, this healing technique would be recognized anywhere in the world."
"I'll have someone bring you some newspapers later. There are some things that are too complicated to explain with just words."
The look they gave Wright grew increasingly strange, but now clearly wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"Your Excellency… what kind of upheaval did Elbaf experience? We've heard fragmented bits of news over the century… but nothing about this!"
"'Holy Mother'—Carmel—adopted an orphan 62 years ago, just like she always did… a child abandoned by her parents."
"But this orphan… was a monster from birth."
"At the age of five, she destroyed a village in Elbaf and killed a giant hero—'Waterfall Beard' Jorul."
"What did you say?!"
"Jorul-sama—he was killed?! By a five-year-old child?!"
Dorry and Brogy were nearly losing their minds.
"That's impossible!"
"Every giant in the world knows this story by now—except for you two, isolated from the world."
Wright looked at the devastated giants. Regardless of what they thought, he continued speaking.
"Carmel protected the unconscious child from the wrath of 'Mountain Beard' Jarul, and left Elbaf with the children of the 'House of Lambs.' But shortly afterward, on that monster's sixth birthday…"
Wright's face briefly darkened with an unreadable expression.
"Carmel… vanished without a trace. All the other children in the House of Lambs disappeared as well—only that monstrous child remained."
"…"
Dorry and Brogy could no longer speak. Their eyes were bloodshot.
"Holy Mother… she…"
"No one knows what exactly happened that day. A single giant saw part of it—but he suffered a breakdown. After he returned to Elbaf, that child became the sworn enemy of all giants."
"The giants hate her. They don't even speak her name. And Carmel… disappeared from the world that day and was never seen again."
Wright slowly delivered the final blow:
"That child… I'm sure you've heard of her."
"She is now one of the Four Emperors who rule the New World… 'BIG MOM,' Charlotte Linlin!"
"It's her…!"
Even Dorry and Brogy, cut off as they were, had heard of the Four Emperors. But never could they have imagined that one of them was so deeply connected to Elbaf!
"After that incident, the Marines lost all contact with Elbaf. The giants isolated themselves, and sightings of them at sea became rare."
"But recently, the Navy discovered… Elbaf may be connected to another Emperor!"
Wright's words snapped Dorry and Brogy out of their stupor.
"As Fleet Admiral of the Navy, I have to get to the bottom of this. Elbaf is too powerful. Known as the 'Strongest Nation in the World,' we had no reason to interfere as long as they remained isolated."
"But now that they might be allied with an Emperor, we can't ignore them anymore. I must ensure they don't interfere with the Navy's plans to pacify the New World!"
"This Emperor—'Red-Haired' Shanks. We have evidence suggesting that his ties with Elbaf are strong—possibly even an alliance."
"And since the Navy hasn't contacted Elbaf in over sixty years, forcing our way in is out of the question—even without the presence of an Emperor."
"That's why I need your help."
Wright looked them in the eyes with all seriousness.
"You two are the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates. Your return would undoubtedly draw the highest attention from Elbaf. With your leadership, I can formally travel to Elbaf as the Fleet Admiral of the Navy."
Dorry and Brogy exchanged glances. After a brief silence, Dorry spoke up.
"Your Excellency, if you want to go to Elbaf and investigate this connection with a pirate Emperor… what right do we, as pirates, have to help a Navy Fleet Admiral?"
Brogy added gravely:
"Even if the Marines pardoned the crew members of the Giant Warrior Pirates who were captured… that was a century ago. As for us—the captains—our bounties have never been revoked, have they?"
"If we help you, what benefit does Elbaf gain?"
Wright chuckled. The fact they were even asking these questions told him everything—these two were just as desperate to return to Elbaf.
Whether it was Jorul's death or Carmel's disappearance, they had no idea what had happened.
But Charlotte Linlin was still alive.
They would want to know the truth.
"As Fleet Admiral of the Navy, it's my duty to defeat the pirate Emperors."
Wright met their steely gazes.
"Elbaf has yet to take revenge on Charlotte Linlin… for two reasons. One—'Mountain Beard' Jarul promised Carmel that if she disappeared with her children, Elbaf would drop the matter."
"Two—they simply don't have the power to defeat an Emperor now."
"But if things go well this time, I swear as the Navy's Fleet Admiral—I will crush Charlotte Linlin. And the giants won't even need to lift a finger. They won't have to break their sacred oath. How about that?"
Again, Dorry and Brogy exchanged a look. These two warriors, who had fought each other for a hundred years, nodded in silent agreement.
"Give us a Den Den Mushi!"
Dorry spoke in a low voice.
"I'll return to Elbaf first and discuss this with our king. If he agrees, I'll contact Brogy. Then he'll escort you to Elbaf!"
"Cautious… but wise."
Wright nodded.
"I accept."
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