"Linlin, what happened? King Harald, he..." At this moment, Gerd and the other two also arrived by Charlotte Linlin's side, asking in confusion as they watched Harald's massive back gradually recede into the distance.
Even though they didn't possess Charlotte Linlin's Observation Haki, which could sense emotions, they could clearly feel the giant king's terrible mood at this moment just from his slightly hunched back and slow pace.
"Sigh~" Charlotte Linlin let out a rare sigh, her tone carrying a hint of complex emotion.
"It's nothing, just witnessed a pair of close friends... break apart because of irreconcilable ideals and cruel reality."
The three of them watched Harald disappear toward the end of the Stone Plain, nodding as if they understood, yet not quite.
They could feel the weight of it, but they didn't necessarily fully understand the intricate entanglements between the future of their race, the world situation, and personal friendship.
Just as they were preparing to leave this devastated battlefield, a frustrated and somewhat embarrassed shout came from a nearby dense forest.
"Hey! Big Sis Lin! Don't leave! Save me—!"
The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Everyone exchanged glances and followed the sound.
Pushing aside giant ferns that were even taller than Charlotte Linlin, the scene before her eyes made Charlotte Linlin instantly unable to hold back.
"Pfft, hahaha! Loki! Even a brat like you has a day like this!"
Beneath a massive ancient tree nearly a hundred meters tall, two children of the Giant Race were entangled by tough vines.
One of them was none other than Prince Loki! The horns on his head were, by some coincidence, tightly wound by several vines, suspending him in mid-air.
Because he was still young, his arms were still in a "short-hand" state. No matter how hard he flailed, he couldn't reach the vines tangled around his horns, and could only kick his legs in vain, swinging in the air like a human pendulum.
On the other side was an ordinary child of the Giant Race, also wearing a helmet but with his limbs bound by vines. His struggling was much less intense, and he appeared somewhat calmer than Loki.
Charlotte Linlin saw at a glance that these two brats were likely victims of the aftermath of the battle between Rocks and Harald—they were probably blown away by the shockwave and crashed into the forest, getting caught by the vines.
Seeing the usually unruly Loki swinging back and forth in the air like a small beast whose weakness had been seized, Charlotte Linlin laughed until she was doubled over.
Elbaf is called the land of giants not only because its residents are all giants, but also because its ecological environment is "designed" on a giant scale.
Towering trees nearly a hundred meters tall can be seen everywhere here. Besides their massive size, the texture of these plants is also far tougher than their counterparts in the outside world. This was exactly why Loki, a powerful warrior of the future, was currently trapped by mere vines.
While Charlotte Linlin laughed happily, Gerd shook her head helplessly. She had no interest in watching a child make a fool of himself, especially the prince of their giant kingdom. She directly drew Napoleon from her back and swung her arm, sending two sword beams through the air!
Swish! Swish!
The main vines binding Loki and the other Small Giant snapped.
Thud! Thud!
The two Small Giants fell heavily to the ground with two dull thuds, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
As for why she didn't use gentler means? For children of the Giant Race, who are thick-skinned and used to being knocked around since childhood, this height and impact didn't even count as an itch.
"Thank you, big sisters, for saving us." The other Small Giant scrambled up and bowed politely to Charlotte Linlin and the others, appearing very sensible.
"What a polite and good child," Ripley praised with a smile.
Loki also climbed up on the side. He patted the dust off himself, and instead of offering thanks, he raised his chin at Haidling with a haughty look.
"Hey! Haidling! Why aren't you thanking me? If I hadn't shouted to lead them over, you'd still be hanging from the tree like a bug!"
"Loki, I am your older brother. Thanking those who help you is basic etiquette."
Haidling, who was only as tall as Loki's shoulder, spoke calmly, saying words that made Loki instantly break down.
"Bastard!" Loki was like a cat whose Tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling and shouting loudly.
"I will never acknowledge a weakling like you as my brother!"
...Elbaf, the edge of the underworld, "Date's Tavern."
This was a tavern located at the edge of the underworld, run by a Female Giant named Date. At this moment, Charlotte Linlin and the other three were sitting in this tavern filled with a rugged style.
"Thank you so much, Linlin, and everyone else, for saving these two mischievous children."
The Female Giant Date, whose face was dotted with a few freckles and had thick lips, gave a warm smile and sincerely thanked Charlotte Linlin and the others.
She was the owner of this tavern, Haidling's biological mother, and Harald's wife. In terms of seniority, was she Loki's stepmother? Or perhaps a second mother?
"Well~ no need to be so polite, Date." Charlotte Linlin waved her hand, thinking of Loki's predicament earlier, and couldn't help laughing again.
"To be honest, even if we hadn't gone, with the way Loki was struggling, if he'd swung around for another half hour, he probably would have broken the vines and fallen down himself, hahahaha!"
"Bastard! You woman! What's so funny!" Sitting not far away, Loki heard Charlotte Linlin's ridicule and shouted, his cheeks flushing red with anger.
"Tsk, what a fickle brat," Charlotte Linlin glanced at him and teased.
"When you need help, you call me 'Big Sis Lin,' and when you don't, I become 'this woman.' Who did you learn this face-changing skill from?"
Date walked over to Loki's side, her voice still gentle: "Loki-kun, everyone helped you, you should thank them properly."
However, Date's defense did not earn Loki's gratitude.
He stood up abruptly and shouted in a sharp, rebellious voice characteristic of a youth:
"My business is none of your concern! Stop being so hypocritical here!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Haidling, standing beside Date, couldn't take it anymore. He clenched his fists and glared at Loki:
"Loki! What kind of attitude is that?! This is our mother!"
Facing Loki's rude retort, the smile on Date's face did not fade in the slightest. She knelt down to look Loki in his stubborn and angry eyes, her gaze showing maternal care and heartache.
"Mama (Loki's biological mother) is gone, and Papa, being the King, is always away working for the future of all Elbaf... Loki-kun, you... must be very lonely all by yourself, right?"
"Shut up! You old hag! I don't need you acting like a good person here!"
Loki reacted violently, glaring fiercely at Date.
Date, however, seemed not to hear those hurtful words. The smile on her face remained gentle, carrying a Warmth that embraced everything, as she softly suggested:
"Loki-kun, why don't you come and live with us from now on?"
"No way!"
This time, Loki and Haidling sternly refused almost in unison, the two brothers reaching a rare consensus on this matter.
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