From the moment Imu struck until the fall of Elbaf, it had taken no more than two days in total.
But those who had hidden away had managed to hold out against Imu's demon army for over ten days, stubbornly surviving until Hajrudin and the others found help.
Naturally, there was an advantage in having a smaller group making for a smaller target, but the more critical factor was an issue with Imu himself.
Sunlight poured unchecked across the Heaven World. The harsh sun, which would be uncomfortable for ordinary people, didn't bother Imu in his current state. It even allowed him, for a fleeting moment, to feel as if he had returned to the [Room of Flowers].
After the God's Knights had all left, the black dragon slowly opened its distinctive ringed eyes, then furrowed its brow as if enduring intense pain.
"Futile. You are not Joy Boy. You are destined to be unable to break free from Mu's control."
The dragon roared, even spewing a vast cloud of frost directly from its mouth… the unique power belonging to Nidhoggr.
A mere 'leak' of this freezing breath transformed the thousand-mile canopy of the Heaven World into a landscape of ice and snow.
But this also indirectly proved that Imu could not perfectly control this body at present.
It was Loki's consciousness resisting.
It could be said that if Loki hadn't single-handedly held back Imu himself, the remaining forces of Elbaf would never have had the chance to hide for so long.
Of course, if Imu had been willing to loosen his control over the demon giants and channel all his power into eroding Loki's consciousness, then Loki's sense of self might have been completely extinguished long ago.
"Hmph… no need to rush. Mu must ensure there are no mistakes."
The dragon flapped its wings, and then a lump of black, mud-like 'flesh' dripped down from above, landing on the canopy and transforming into a stout, dark-skinned man.
Who else could it be but Marshall D. Teach, Blackbeard?
Compared to the God's Knights, who had a history of multiple failures, Imu felt this dark, stout man might be more reliable.
Especially since his body was now completely under Imu's control.
Honestly, if Teach weren't so ugly, and if Loki weren't a better option right beside him, Imu might have truly chosen Teach as his next vessel.
Three hearts, the powerful talent inherited from Rocks, plus two incredibly strong Devil Fruits… by any measure, he was a top-tier choice.
But the greedy Imu had decided… he would have it all.
Nidhoggr's massive ringed eyes slowly closed, while the dark, stout man's ringed eyes opened.
His main consciousness now needed to be fully devoted to subduing Loki, so his own safety would have to be entrusted to this body.
'It wouldn't take too long…'
'Soon… Mu would return.'
'Uzumaki Naruto… Joy Boy… No one could stop Mu's will.'
…
Shamrock and the other God's Knights quickly arrived in the Sun World and seamlessly took command of the demon giants.
"Too crude."
A hoarse voice issued a brief critique. Shamrock stared at the map in the castle's war room, which was the size of a manor, for a long moment, then turned to look at the others.
"No need to disperse our forces so thinly. The Rainbow Bridge has been severed. Without airships, they have no chance to escape."
Upon hearing this, Maffey opened her fanged mouth and took half a step forward.
"So we only need to blockade the sea routes… right?"
Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, seemingly unnerved by Shamrock's lifeless gaze. The foot she was about to extend was silently retracted.
For some reason, Maffey had the illusion that saying one more word would result in Shamrock mercilessly killing her. The way he looked at her held not a trace of living emotion, as if he were looking at a stone, a blade, or… a corpse.
Seeing this, Sommers immediately stepped in to take over the conversation.
"Yes! We'll go at once!"
As he spoke, he subtly tugged at Maffey's sleeve.
Gunko stood still, seemingly not hearing Sommers's words. At this moment, besides Imu, she only obeyed Shamrock.
"Go. Gunko stays."
This statement undoubtedly affirmed Maffey's suggestion. Under Shamrock's orders, the others each took a squad of demon giants and left the castle on airships, while Gunko remained silently seated, awaiting her orders.
"Let's go. To the Underworld.'"
Hearing this, Gunko nodded silently and followed Shamrock out.
The situation was much as Shamrock had predicted. The stragglers Imu regarded as mere insects were now barely surviving under the ice and snow of the Underworld.
"Hiss…"
Gaban sucked in a sharp breath but ultimately refrained from telling his wife to stop bandaging him. But how could the giantess warrior with war paint on her face, Ripley, not notice her husband's pain? She smiled sheepishly but didn't stop her bandaging.
For no other reason than that, in this secret underground space right now, wounded were everywhere, and there was simply no one else to treat him.
—And besides, if it were any other giant, they might not be as attentive as Ripley. Being an old married couple, Ripley was quite experienced in handling various matters concerning a smaller-sized being.
"Gaban, are we really not leaving yet?"
Looking at the vicious wounds covering her husband's upper body, Ripley would be lying if she said she wasn't worried. In fact, if it were just Gaban alone, he could have left easily. As long as he didn't face Teach or Imu directly, the demon giants alone would have no chance of stopping him from leaving.
But Gaban chose not to leave.
"Elder Jarul and the others are still trapped in the castle. I have to find a way to rescue them."
Gaban spoke, then grimaced as he tried to reach for his gourd, but his wife snatched it away.
"With injuries that severe, don't even think about drinking."
She set the gourd aside and sighed softly. Having been together for decades, how could she not understand Gaban's character?
This man wouldn't give up on saving others, but she also didn't want Gaban to die because of it. He had already saved many people, and his injuries were the price. The enemy's defenses would only tighten further. The next time Gaban went out, he might not return.
But she couldn't bring herself to say they should abandon Elder Jarul and their kin.
Seeing his wife's inner conflict, Gaban grinned widely, then endured the pain to jump onto her shoulder and gently rub his cheek against hers.
"Trust me."
Just then, a large squirrel suddenly burrowed in from the soil layer above, chittering incessantly as it ran up to Gaban and Ripley. Its name was Ragnir, the iron hammer that ate the [Squirrel Fruit].
It possessed the power to 'call lightning'. This underground refuge, capable of holding so many wounded, was dug by it.
And it was also Loki's weapon.
Before being controlled by Imu, Loki had managed to seize a brief gap to control his body and hurl Ragnir away. This weapon had not betrayed its master's will, joining forces with Gaban to defeat quite a few demon giants.
But ultimately, it was still just a weapon. Without a wielder, its power couldn't be fully unleashed.
The squirrel, whose head was a hammerhead, gestured frantically. Gaban and Ripley's expressions immediately darkened.
The enemy was here.
"Well… seems we don't have to hesitate anymore."
Saying this, Gaban picked up his weapon. He only had one of his two hand axes left, but luckily, one would suffice.
"I'll fight with you!"
Ripley grabbed her own weapon, ready to face the enemy alongside her husband.
This time, Gaban couldn't tell his wife to run. He knew Ripley wouldn't run, and there was no way to run. The enemy was upon them… escape was unrealistic now.
"Then let's have one last dance, Ripley."
Gaban's tone was light, as if he were just about to dance a duet with his beloved. As he spoke, he casually took back the gourd Ripley had set aside, gulping down a few mouthfuls.
This time, Ripley didn't stop him. Instead, she picked up a giant's iron flask, pulled out the stopper, and drank deeply herself.
The fiery liquid burned its way down her throat into her stomach, igniting the final flames of resistance within Elbaf.
Behind them, one by one, warriors rose to their feet… some still wrapped in bandages, others with splints, some missing an arm or a leg. Even the giant children who hadn't managed to escape with Hajrudin silently gripped the short swords issued to them.
This was the decisive battle. Now!