Witnessing Gurd's power, Loki immediately backed down: "My apologies, I was just joking earlier!"
"..."
Gurd spoke calmly.
"Chikara."
"Here."
Chikara hurried over and, with a series of incomprehensible actions, conjured an exquisite tea table along with black tea and pastries amidst the icy wilderness.
Gurd sat down, leisurely savoring the black tea in the freezing snow as if on vacation.
Loki stared dumbfounded.
This damn human was quite particular.
One minute... ten minutes...
Loki couldn't hold back any longer.
"Hey! How long are you going to keep drinking?!"
"Do you want some tea too?"
Gurd glanced at Loki.
"I don't want tea! If I'm drinking anything, it should be alcohol!"
Loki's mind raced, hatching a plan.
"You're a Pirate, right? You must have enemies you want dead. If you can remove my shackles, I'll help you kill them. How about it?"
"That does sound appealing."
Gurd set down his teacup, lips curling.
"There is someone I'd like to eliminate."
"Who?"
Loki's heart leaped as he pressed eagerly.
Once freed, he'd kill this bastard human first.
Gurd stood up, facing Loki.
"Red Hair Shanks!"
"Huh?!"
Loki froze, then erupted in fury. He'd been captured by Red Hair—asking him to kill Shanks was practically suicide!
"Are you mocking me?!"
"I don't have time for jokes."
Gurd's gaze turned icy: "Loki, I've heard about your history. Red Hair is your sworn enemy. Seeking revenge against him is only natural, isn't it?"
"Of course!"
Loki gnashed his teeth.
The Four Emperor Red Hair was the person he hated most right now. If he could break free, his first act would be vengeance against Shanks!
"Then it's settled."
Gurd stretched out his hand, and the rocks at his feet rapidly rose, forming an enormous stone axe in his grasp.
His greatsword had been shattered by Red Hair, and his new weapon was still being forged. For now, he had to make do with rock.
"Clang!"
The axe became coated in Haki.
Loki sensed danger.
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"Freeing you from your chains."
Gurd raised the massive axe with both hands, aiming at Loki's ankles: "Sea-stone is nearly indestructible. The simplest way to release you is to sever your limbs. Don't worry—it'll be over quickly."
"You bastard, stop right there!"
This time, Loki was genuinely terrified. An indescribable fear surged within him—this man was even more ruthless than he was.
If his limbs were gone, how could he ever take revenge?!
"There's a key! There's a key!"
"A key?"
Gurd paused, frowning.
"Where?"
"It's in the Upper World above us!"
Loki explained frantically, sweat pouring down his face: "The true Elbaf lies in the Upper World, but it's now occupied by cowardly giants. They've hidden the key there!"
"Giants live up there?"
Gurd looked skyward.
The dense branches of the World Tree obscured the heavens, shrouded in swirling mist that blocked both sight and perception.
His memories from his past life ended at Egghead Island, so he knew little about Elbaf's current state. He hadn't realized the giants now lived among the treetops.
No wonder he'd seen so few of them.
World Tree... Upper World... Underworld...
Wasn't this Norse mythology?
Gazing at the impossibly high Upper World, Gurd's frown deepened.
Damn it, how do we get up there!
He can't fly!
Do we have to climb up the tree trunk?
Gurd withdrew his gaze and looked at Loki.
"How do we get up?"
"Did you see the rainbow when you came here?"
Loki felt his confidence returning and grinned. "Board a boat onto the Rainbow Bridge, and you can reach the Upper World!"
"Alright."
Gurd nodded and turned to leave.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Just like that?
Loki stared at Gurd's retreating figure, momentarily stunned.
What the hell did this guy come here for?
Could it be to save him?
Or was it to use his power against Red Hair?
Loki licked his lips.
If that's the case, then it seems they could become "friends"!
Half a day later, a small tavern.
A massive snow leopard stopped outside the tavern.
"Mountain Master?!"
Gerd's eyes nearly popped out of her head at the sight of the snow leopard, her once beautiful face now twisted in terror.
With such a colossal size, it had to be a Mountain Master from the Underworld. Why was this monster appearing on the coast?!
"Grrrrrr!"
The snow leopard bared its fangs, letting out a menacing growl.
"Thud!"
With a dull thump, the snow leopard whimpered pitifully as it crouched low, covering its head with its front paws.
That hurt!
"Idiot, don't scare people!"
Gurd appeared atop the snow leopard's head and waved down at Gerd.
"Gerd, we're back!"
"Mr. Gurd?!"
Gerd gasped softly, her eyes darting between Gurd and the snow leopard before realization dawned on her.
"You went to the Underworld?!"
"Just took a little trip."
Gurd descended with his companions.
Gerd glanced around cautiously and asked, "What about that brother and sister who were with you? They didn't get eaten, did they?"
"They're not that easy to kill."
Gurd chuckled and shook his head, glancing back toward the Underworld.
They'll probably survive.
Given Ulti and her brother's current strength, as long as they don't provoke the Mountain Masters, survival shouldn't be an issue. Those two are too proud and lack hardship—they desperately need life-and-death trials.
In less than two years, the Worst Generation will set sail.
Even Urouge, the lowest bounty among them, managed to defeat Snack, the weakest of the Sweet Commanders. If they don't toughen up, those siblings might really be left behind by the times.
Gurd turned his gaze to the giantess.
"Gerd, I want to go to the Upper World."
"The Upper World?"
Gerd hesitated.
Hajrudin had specifically warned her to keep an eye on Gurd and his group, especially to prevent him from entering the Upper World.
"Why do you want to go there?"
"Haha, of course to witness the warriors of Elbaf!"
Gurd's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
He wasn't lying—the warriors of Elbaf were renowned worldwide, their reverence for battle inspiring fighters from all corners of the globe.
In Little Garden on the Grand Line, the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, Dorry and Brogy, had fought for a hundred years for honor. What an awe-inspiring duel that was!
He wanted to see it for himself.
There must be an enormous, life-and-death Arena there, right?
Rivers of blood!
He wanted to see rivers of blood!
Gurd grinned brightly at Gerd. "Can you take me there? Gerd, we're friends, aren't we?"
"Friends!"
Gerd's eyes lit up.
She loved making friends with humans!
"Sure, I'll take you there!"
Soon, Gerd rowed over on the Mist Boat.
As the Mist Boat ascended the Rainbow Bridge, everyone on board couldn't help but raise their arms and cheer excitedly, even ordinary warriors like Antelope were no exception.
The Beasts revered strength above all else!
"Elbaf!"
"Elbaf!!"
"Elbaf!!!"
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