As the evening came, the castle grew quiet. Harald was alone in his chamber, sitting near the window where the fading sunlight touched the edges of his desk.
Ida did not live in the castle, choosing instead to stay near her tavern in the village, and both Thor and Loki were supposed to be resting in their own rooms.
The Rocks Pirates, meanwhile, were accommodated at Ida's tavern. Despite their large numbers, they fit comfortably since the establishment was built for giants, with tables, chairs, and ceilings tall enough for even the largest among them.
Harald sighed softly as he continued writing in his journal. His handwriting was firm yet uneven, showing the weight of the thoughts in his mind.
He reflected on everything that had happened in the past few days—the heated conversations with Xebec, the strange charisma of the Rocks Pirates, and the quiet stares of his sons.
Yet, what occupied him most was the continuous struggle he faced when dealing with the World Government.
Their resistance had made his dream of diplomacy increasingly difficult. Every attempt to communicate or negotiate was met with silence or rejection.
For years, he had wanted Elbaph to become a recognized member of the World Government, believing it would finally give his people stability and legitimacy among the human nations. But now, the walls he faced seemed higher than ever.
'What must I do to ensure that our kingdom will be accepted?' Harald thought as he rested his pen on the table. The flicker of the lamp beside him cast a faint shadow over his journal.
Then came a sudden knock on the door. Harald frowned slightly. It had been many years since anyone had come to his room unannounced. Ever since his youth, his chambers had been a place of solitude where no one dared to disturb him.
When he opened the door, he found Thor standing there, waiting patiently.
"Oh, Thor," Harald said, a hint of surprise softening his voice. "What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?"
Harald's tone was warm and filled with affection. Despite how busy he was as king, his love for his children—Thor, Loki, and Hajrudin—never faded. It was the simple, unconditional love of a father who had little time but endless care.
"May I talk to you, pops?" Thor said with a serious expression that immediately caught Harald off guard. Thor rarely spoke this way. He was usually cheerful, smiling even during battles, full of laughter and mischief. The only other time Harald had seen him this serious was during his fight against Xebec, when his grin carried the intensity of battle rather than joy.
"Come in," Harald replied, gesturing toward the room.
Thor stepped inside and joined his father near the desk where the open journal still lay. Harald sat down again while Thor remained standing for a moment before sitting across from him. The air in the room grew quiet, save for the faint crackle of the lamp.
"So," Harald said, looking at him with curiosity. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Thor took a moment before answering. His tone was calm but firm. "It pains me to say this, but I think Rocks is right about the World Government."
Harald's hand stopped midway as he was about to close his journal. He blinked, surprised. "Why do you say that?" he asked, waiting for Thor's reasoning.
"You see," Thor began, "ever since you've been so determined to make Elbaph a member of the World Government, I've been asking questions about how it truly works—what the requirements are, how countries maintain their membership, and what happens after they join. I wanted to understand what we were striving for."
He leaned forward slightly. "And do you know what I found out? What the most common answer was?"
"What?" Harald asked, genuinely curious.
"That to be accepted, a nation must pledge its allegiance to the World Government and be able to pay the Heavenly Tribute," Thor said plainly.
"I already know this," Harald replied. "The only reason Elbaph hasn't been accepted yet is because of our past reputation. The world still remembers the old ways of our people."
"That's exactly what I find suspicious," Thor said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The World Government values strength and contribution. Giants have both. Our people are unmatched in combat and in craftsmanship. We build structures that can last for centuries. Don't you find it strange that such a powerful and resourceful nation would be constantly blocked from joining?"
Harald fell silent again. Thor's words carried logic that he couldn't easily dismiss.
"I believe the World Government has another plan in mind," Thor continued. "They're not rejecting you because of your reputation. They're doing it on purpose—to make you more desperate to join. Eventually, they'll demand something in return, something far greater than just a tribute. By the time you realize it, it might already be too late."
Harald finally set his quill down and looked directly at his son. "You are still too young to understand what must be done for our people," he said firmly. "As crown prince, you must be prepared to sacrifice everything for the prosperity of our nation. That is the burden of a king."
Thor didn't flinch. His eyes stayed on his father, serious and unwavering. "I may be young," he said slowly, "but you are being far too naïve. You are older than Rocks himself, and yet he has seen more of the world's truth than you. You can't see beyond the log blocking your sight."
He took a deep breath, his tone growing sharper but still controlled. "You're chasing a goal that may never be achieved. Instead of throwing yourself at the mercy of those who don't care for us, you should be strengthening what we already have.
Focus on the relationships you've built with other kingdoms. We don't need the World Government to create alliances. We can stand on our own.
If we grow strong enough and protect those who ally with us, more nations will come to our side naturally.
They'll turn to us for protection that the World Government cannot provide. When that happens, our name will become known not as barbarians, but as guardians. That is how Elbaph will cleanse its image."
He looked directly at Harald now, his words deliberate and cutting. "A king shouldn't chase one plan blindly. You must always have more than one path. If something is not meant to work, no amount of pushing will change its fate."
Harald stayed silent, listening. Every word Thor said made sense, though his pride urged him to disagree. The thought that his son—so young and inexperienced—could see what he could not left a quiet discomfort in his chest.
After a long moment, Thor finally stood up. "I've said what I needed to say," he murmured. "I'll leave you to think about it."
As Thor walked back toward his quarters, he carried a single resolve in his heart. If his father refused to change, then he himself would ensure that Elbaph would never again be treated as mere muscle for others' ambitions. Giants would no longer be seen as tools or trophies, but as a people with their own power and their own pride—strength backed by purpose.