Elbaf, Port!
The Mist Boat reached the end of the Rainbow Bridge and landed on the Sea Cloud. Though called a cloud, it had buoyancy similar to seawater, identical in nature to the Sea Clouds of Skypiea.
Gerd leaped onto the shore, then spread her arms toward the people on the boat: "We're here! Welcome to Elbaf!"
"Whoa, this is incredible!"
The pirates gaped at the colossal world before them—the most magnificent sight they had ever seen in their lives.
"It feels like we've shrunk!"
"I feel the same way!"
"Haha, it's just that everything here is so huge!"
Everyone disembarked.
Everything around them was enormous. Even ordinary wild grass towered over normal humans, making them feel as if they had indeed become smaller.
"Bzzz—"
A bee, larger than a human and wielding a spear, buzzed past the group.
"Gulp!"
The pirates swallowed hard in unison.
"Look, it's the giants!"
In the massive village, giants could be seen everywhere, busy with their tasks. When they spotted Gerd, they smiled warmly.
"Gerd, long time no see!"
"Yeah, it's been a while since I was last back."
Gerd greeted them cheerfully, her sweet demeanor unchanged.
The giants noticed Gurd and his group. Instead of hostility as one might expect, they regarded them with curiosity.
"Are these your friends?"
"Yep!"
Gerd nodded vigorously.
So happy!
The giantess turned her gaze to Gurd.
"Let me take you inside. Hajrudin will definitely be angry when he finds out you're here, but just ignore him."
"Alright, thanks."
Gurd smiled in gratitude, then looked toward the giant village.
His eyes were filled with confusion.
It was indeed spectacular, but completely different from what he had imagined. He had assumed the giants would be as wild and untamed as the Beasts Pirates.
Yet the giant village before him, aside from its massive scale, was no different from an ordinary human settlement. Perhaps due to its isolation from the world, the atmosphere was peaceful and serene.
This would be a great place to retire.
But where was the Arena he had been dreaming of?
Gerd led the way, introducing Elbaf's customs and landmarks: "This is West Village, where most of Elbaf's warriors live."
"That over there is the Warrior's Spring. It looks like a beach, right? That's because part of the tree has been weathered over time. Kids love playing there."
"Next to it is the Owl Library—it has tons of books! Oh, and that's the Walrus Academy!"
"By the way, see that castle?"
Gerd crouched down and whispered to Gurd: "That's Orlsto Castle, where King Harald once lived. Don't go near it—the guards will treat you as enemies!"
"Got it."
Gurd's mind stirred.
A castle, guarded by sentries.
The most dangerous places often hide the most important things!
Speaking of which, it's enormous!
Its scale was even more staggering when viewed from this crouched position.
After a long moment of thought, Gurd finally voiced the question that had been on his mind: "Gerd, do giants ever fall in love with humans?"
"Huh?"
Gerd's face flushed even redder.
She wouldn't mind trying it herself.
"Yes, we do!"
"Wait, really?"
Gurd was dumbfounded.
He had only asked casually—did it actually happen?
Gerd leaned in closer to Gurd and whispered, "My friend Ripley is married to a human man, and they even have a child together."
"They had a child?!"
Gurd gasped sharply.
Damn!
Who's that bold?
Truly enviable—he'd love to experience the taste of a giantess himself!
As they walked, the group arrived near the Walrus Academy, where a bunch of bratty giant children spotted them and charged over with sticks.
"Look, tiny humans!"
"Let's capture them as prisoners!"
"Stop! Don't chase the humans!"
The children shouted loudly, splitting into two factions—the rowdy boys and the much gentler girls.
Gurd shot them a glance.
"Thud!"
The charging brats all dropped to their knees in unison, clinging to each other and trembling, tears streaming down their faces.
They're gonna be killed!
These tiny humans are terrifying!
The little girls quickly ran over, apologizing fearfully, "We're sorry these idiots caused trouble! We were just curious."
"..."
Gurd furrowed his brows, his cold expression making the children even more frightened.
Gerd immediately shielded the kids, shooting Gurd a completely ineffective glare that looked more like flirting.
"Don't scare the children."
"I wasn't trying to scare them."
Gurd sighed helplessly.
Even if they're children, aren't they supposed to be future warriors of the Giant Clan? What's with this weak display?
Not just Gurd, even his subordinates wore expressions of disdain.
They're worse than the brats on Oni Island.
Gerd had been observing Gurd and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Gurd, you seem a bit unhappy."
"Not unhappy, just... Elbaf isn't quite the warrior nation I imagined. There's a bit of a gap."
Gurd explained patiently.
"Ahahaha, feeling disappointed?"
Another giantess approached, laughing as she explained, "Elbaf warriors conquering the world is a tale from 100 years ago. Modern Elbaf has long abandoned those traditions."
"Violence, plunder, war!"
"Those haven't been Elbaf's labels for ages!"
Gurd looked at the giantess.
Gerd lifted Gurd up and whispered, "This is Ripley, the one I mentioned earlier. She's now a teacher at the Walrus Academy."
"This is her?"
Gurd was stunned.
My apologies! My apologies!
A love that transcends size and race—such courage deserves praise!
Gurd turned to Ripley. "You mentioned Elbaf abandoned its traditions. Could you explain why?"
"That's because the great King Harald reformed Elbaf. The king was determined to renounce violence and build bridges with nations worldwide—a kind and wise ruler."
Ripley smiled as she recounted history, then sighed softly. "Unfortunately, King Harald was killed by his own son, Loki. But his spirit lives on. Nowadays, the only remaining warriors in Elbaf are from our generation."
"I see."
Gurd nodded slowly, his gaze darkening.
"So, modern Elbaf has no giant Arena? No giant warriors fighting to the death for glory?"
"How could there be?!"
The giants roared in unison, even the children looking indignant.
"We don't want to fight—it's too dangerous!"
"That stuff's outdated now!"
"We yearn for peace!"
Gurd's face darkened.
His subordinates behind him were equally disheartened.
They had come to Elbaf, yet they couldn't even witness a duel between giant warriors—how utterly disappointing.
What a damn joke of a warring nation!