Chapter 213 The Giant King
"Hahahaha! What a remarkable warrior!"
The Giant Kingdom's civilization wasn't particularly advanced—in fact, "backward" might be a more accurate description.
Their national structure centered around a royal capital that governed everything, with warrior villages scattered throughout the outer regions.
These villages operated almost independently. While they answered to the royal capital, their internal affairs were largely self-governed.
The key to this self-governance lay in the fact that nearly every village had a respected giant hero serving as its leader.
"Hero" was what the giants called their most powerful warriors.
The logic of this country was simple and brutal: if you possessed great strength, you could lead.
Right now, the elder managing this particular village was laughing heartily, raising his drinking horn high. "Let us celebrate the arrival of this powerful warrior!"
The white-haired elder, who appeared quite elderly, had visible bruises on his face—clear evidence he'd just been soundly beaten.
In fact, he wasn't alone. In the village square, gathered around the bonfire singing and dancing, many of the giants bore similar marks.
Yet despite this, their spirits remained sky-high.
"Celebrate this warrior's arrival?" Tesoro muttered with a curl of his lip. "They're acting like we don't even exist."
"This race has always been this way," Katakuri said calmly. "They only show warmth to those they acknowledge as strong."
"Drink deeply, mighty warrior!" The giant elder's gaze burned with intensity as he looked at Brett.
Brett felt a headache coming on.
Just moments ago, this village had experienced a massive brawl.
Brett had beaten every single adult giant warrior in the village.
Including this white-haired elder who, despite his obvious age, had charged at Brett roaring and swinging a greatsword.
For Brett, it had been rather tedious. Honestly, a single burst of Conqueror's Haki could have left them all unable to stand. Even using just his fists and feet, he only needed to strike once to down a giant.
But for the giants, this seemed to be an incredibly joyous occasion.
Even when knocked down, even when instantly defeated, they laughed loudly.
The only conclusion was that not fighting them would actually make them unhappy.
The giant race took pride in battle.
Brett had never encountered such a warlike nation.
With their overwhelming racial advantages combined with this cultural tradition, it would be strange if this country wasn't among the world's strongest.
Brett raised his cup and drank it down in one gulp.
The giant elder roared with laughter. "I've already contacted the royal capital. They should send someone to receive you soon, so for now—"
"Enjoy the feast that follows a satisfying battle!"
Brett's lips curved upward.
Brave, fierce, powerful, yet simple.
That was his first impression of this race.
A truly wonderful country.
Their great strength meant no one dared provoke them, and their simple, honest culture meant they felt no depression despite their lack of development.
Well then, time to enjoy this feast.
Brett raised his cup.
The celebration grew lively, with giants singing and dancing. Even Tesoro couldn't resist joining in, singing at the top of his lungs.
The only one maintaining his composure was the perpetually cool Katakuri.
Though he'd removed the scarf covering his mouth, he still carried the burden of his image.
The feast continued into the evening without ending. At that point, the thoroughly drunk elder raised his arm with drunken enthusiasm and shouted, "The daytime feast is over, so now let's begin the nighttime portion!"
The celebration seemed poised to continue even longer.
But just then, an enormous carriage came rumbling through the village entrance, rolling down the street with a thunderous roar.
Pulling the cart was a giant beast native to this country, resembling a four-legged dinosaur moving on all fours.
"The Emperor of the Deep, the fish-man Brett—he's here, correct?"
A giant descended from the carriage.
Even among giants, he was quite tall—nearly thirty meters.
His build appeared round and sturdy, with plump cheeks.
However, it was obvious that the fur coat he wore and the horned hat on his head were far more refined than those of ordinary giants. The hat was even decorated with a massive gemstone.
"Oh!"
The tipsy giant elder's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing the newcomer. He shouted happily, "It's Prince Loki!"
He waved excitedly at the visitor. "Come join the feast!"
"Oh! Looks quite lively!" The newcomer chuckled, seeming extremely amiable. Then he shook his head. "Though I'd love to, today won't work. Father is eager to meet this Mister Brett!"
His gaze had already passed through the crowd to land on Brett, who sat on the ground looking up at him.
"I see." The elder nodded. "Well, naturally the King's business takes priority."
He turned around. "Brett, Prince Loki has come to receive you!"
"Has he now?" Katakuri stood up cleanly. Though Brett and Tesoro were the main players this time, he needed to prepare himself as well.
He'd made his decision, yes, but that didn't mean he could treat this mission carelessly.
"Then let's depart." Brett also stood, smiling at the elder. "Thank you for your hospitality. You've shown us the warmth of the Giant Kingdom."
"Hahahaha! To host a warrior as powerful as you is also a matter of pride for us!" The elder laughed heartily.
Brett suddenly thought that if Alexander came here, he'd probably get along wonderfully with the giants.
Walking with Tesoro and Katakuri to stand before the smiling Prince Loki, Brett looked up at him. "Please lead the way."
"Please follow me." Loki clearly recognized him, simply smiling and gesturing for them to board.
The three climbed aboard, and the large carriage rumbled forward, traveling through the Giant Kingdom's wilderness in the darkness of night, heading toward the nation's capital.
"My apologies, Mister Brett, and to you other two gentlemen as well." On the carriage, Prince Loki spoke with genuine regret. "We've interrupted your enjoyment of the feast, haven't we?"
"No," Tesoro said with a smile. "Because I imagine His Majesty the Giant King won't be stingy with a feast either, will he?"
"Of course!" Prince Loki nodded with a laugh. "This country won't neglect any friend. A more lavish feast awaits you, naturally!"
"However, Mister Brett." Prince Loki looked at him, and Brett returned his gaze.
This prince's future fate would be rather miserable, honestly. The woman he loved would flee from their wedding, then run off with a pirate she'd just met.
But naturally, he didn't know that yet.
"When you meet my father, please don't take offense at his forwardness."
Brett raised an eyebrow.
The carriage reached the nation's royal capital by dawn the next day.
Without any pause, with no time even to observe what the city looked like, the carriage raced straight to the royal palace at the city's center.
And then Brett met the King of this country.
"Hahahaha! The Emperor of the Deep! A man who stands equal to those monsters! Whatever your purpose may be, convince me through battle! Fish-man Brett!"
Ah. How very characteristic of the giant race.
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