Loki pointed at Date, "What kind of mother are you pretending to be?! Aren't you just putting on a show of kindness, thinking that I'll let you move into the castle and enjoy the treatment of a queen? You're just a... just a gold-digger who's after my father's status and wealth!"
"You bastard!!!" Veins popped on Haidling's forehead in anger, and he could no longer hold back, about to rush forward to teach his foul-mouthed younger brother a lesson.
However, facing such vicious and extreme accusations from Loki, Date herself did not get angry.
She reached out and gently stopped the impulsive Haidling, her gaze remaining fixed on Loki's small face, which was flushed with anger and perhaps a trace of imperceptible grievance.
On her freckled face, her smile slightly faded, and a deeper sense of heartache and understanding flashed in her eyes, as if she could see through the child's irritable exterior to the lonely and insecure heart caused by the loss of his biological mother and his father's busyness.
She sighed softly and, in a gentle tone that could embrace all grievances and thorns, whispered to herself:
"Children... when they throw a tantrum and act stubborn, even though it's a headache... it really is... quite cute."
"You really are gentle~ Not like a giant at all," Charlotte Linlin remarked with emotion as she watched the scene.
As someone who frequently visited Elbaf, she understood the temperament of the current Elbaf giants very well. While they weren't the type to resort to violence at the drop of a hat, they weren't the type to stay silent when insulted either. Even the Female Giants under her command, Gerd and Ripley, would likely have taught Loki a lesson in this situation.
Date smiled, as if recalling something interesting: "I am indeed not a giant of Elbaf. I am a giant whom Harald rescued during his travels, although the small human he saved was also my savior. But even back then, when Harald was still quite reckless, he already had a heart that cared for his people."
"I see. I was wondering how Harald, a giant living in Elbaf, could have such a mild personality. It seems you've had a great influence on him~"
Glancing at the not-so-good-looking, even ordinary Female Giant before her, Charlotte Linlin more or less understood what Harald liked about her.
"It's not all my influence. It's mainly due to the food crisis in Elbaf ten years ago. With the help of food brought by many small humans, Elbaf managed to avoid being destroyed in that riot. That's also one of the reasons Harald decided to join the Affiliated Nations. Ah! Right!"
Date seemed to remember something and pointed at a newspaper nearby: "You should know about Harald attacking the Marines, right?"
Glancing at the newspaper, which was about as large as she was, Charlotte Linlin nodded: "I know. I think that's also why Rocks came so early this time."
Although Rocks would come to Elbaf every year to invite Harald, ever since the first time Rocks beat up Loki and called Harald back from his expedition on the pretext of Loki's injury, the two had a tacit understanding to meet at the end of each year.
But now, with several months left until the end of the year, Rocks had come to Elbaf. He must have seen the news of Harald attacking the Marines and assumed Harald had given up on joining the World Alliance, so he rushed over early.
However, the reality seemed completely different from what Rocks thought. Not only had Harald not given up on joining the World Alliance, but he also seemed to have made some deal with the World Government, intending to use Rocks' head as an invitation to join the World Alliance.
"I'm not sure what the situation is with Rocks."
Date continued: "But the reason Harald attacked the Marines was that he saw them trying to send the small humans who helped Elbaf to Mary Geoise as Slaves, so he intervened. Attacking Rocks must be very painful for Harald as well."
"The Marines! Coming to a non-Affiliated Nation in the New World to capture Slaves! And in the latter half of the New World! And being seen by Harald?! This... is too much of a coincidence, isn't it?" Charlotte Linlin said subconsciously.
It's unlikely for the Marines to capture people as Slaves, but with such a large number of Marines, it's possible for a few scumbags to appear. But for the Marines to come to the New World to capture people, specifically in the latter half, and to capture Elbaf's benefactors, only to be coincidentally seen by Harald—no matter how she thought about it, Charlotte Linlin felt something was wrong.
Setting aside how those Marines had the guts to enter the New World, only giants knew about Harald's expedition plans. And shouldn't the Marines have hidden the people they captured as Slaves? How on earth did Harald just happen to see them? Could there be a traitor in Elbaf?
"But that was indeed the situation at the time," Date said helplessly.
"The stronger one becomes, the more one can feel the terror of the World Government," Charlotte Linlin remarked with emotion.
Recalling the previous battle between the Rocks Pirates and the Marines, their actions were clearly very fast. Even she had only known about the plan for a short time, yet the Marines had already assembled a large force. This made Charlotte Linlin feel that the Marines and the World Government definitely had spies planted within the Rocks Pirates, and their status might not be low!
...Ten days later, Elbaf Harbor.
Twenty brand-new, majestic warships were neatly moored behind the St. Freya. They were constructed entirely of dark Adam wood, with sleek and sturdy lines. Although their size was built according to "small human" standards, the exquisite craftsmanship showcased the deep technical heritage of the giant shipbuilders.
"Hahaha~!" Charlotte Linlin inspected her fleet with satisfaction and let out a joyful laugh.
"Harald, your giant craftsmen's skill is truly beyond reproach! This is fine work! It's definitely better than the works of those fellows from Water 7!"
As for where it was better, she didn't know, because she had never been to Water 7.
Harald, who had come to see her off, had regained his usual composure, though the heaviness deep in his eyes remained.
He nodded slightly, his tone calm: "It's good to have your approval. Elbaf's craftsmen have dealt with timber and storms for generations; this is very simple for us."
After a brief handover and some praise, the moment of departure arrived.
"Well then, we shall part ways here, Harald," Charlotte Linlin said. "Thank you for the ships and your hospitality these past days."
"Safe travels, Linlin. Say goodbye to Ripley and Gerd for me." Harald stood on the shore, his massive figure looking exceptionally towering yet exceptionally lonely in the morning light.
The St. Freya set sail first, leading the newly formed fleet of twenty Adam wood warships, slowly leaving Elbaf Harbor and heading toward Totto Land.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"