Black was not usually someone who enjoyed fighting and killing.
At least, that was the case before a conflict of interest arose between two sides.
But when dealing with races other than humans, reasoning truly had little effect.
Then again, even with humans in this world, reasoning was rarely effective.
Everyone had their own logic in their heads.
The more politely you treated them, the less seriously they took you.
Just like the Giant elder earlier.
He always clung to a sliver of hope, fantasizing that he could drive Black and his group away with words.
What a joke.
The sanctuary had already crossed the Rainbow Siphon Sea with great difficulty and finally reached Giant God Ridge, the main island of Degalt.
Were they supposed to turn back just because of a simple "unwelcome"?
What about the dignity of the World Government?
What made it even more ridiculous was that Herman's attitude was extremely firm and principled.
His firmness was genuine, yet he didn't actually dare to start a war with Black and his group.
Even from a superficial view, the Giants of Degalt clearly possessed far greater combat strength than the people aboard the sanctuary.
So what was the point of being so firm inside your heart?
I'm already on your island what exactly can you do about it?
Thus, as the afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground, Black had already arrived at the Degalt harbor.
He sat on the shoulders of a Slave with Giant blood in his veins, looking down at the Giants standing before him who did not dare voice their anger.
With a mocking smile, he waved his hand as if shooing away flies.
"Prepare some iced Giant mead for me."
"I'll leave once I'm satisfied."
"If you fail to satisfy me…"
He slowly glanced around at the surrounding Giants.
"Then perhaps I'll have to trouble you for a few more days."
Herman had already calmed down somewhat.
He replied stiffly.
"Very well. I hope you will keep your promise."
Black ignored him entirely and began wandering around the nearby area while riding on the Slave.
The houses in Degalt were generally over thirty meters tall.
Even the wine barrels casually placed at the entrances were as large as ordinary houses.
Farther away stood buildings hundreds of meters tall likely the council hall of the Giant elders.
Looking at this scenery, Black suddenly understood the description from Gulliver's Travels:
"It was more like a deep valley than a road."
When humans stood before structures far larger than themselves, they naturally felt a sense of awe.
Black quickly shook off the feeling.
After all, this was a world of extraordinary power.
Let alone these buildings even the entire Giant God Ridge would not withstand many attacks from him if he truly wished to destroy it.
Black did not wander too far from the port.
When he returned to the dock, the Slaves had already set up a temporary camp.
Mandy was sparring with Koala.
Stella was busy preparing food.
Robin sat reading a book.
Perona was making trouble.
Rami watched everything with a quiet smile.
By the time Stella finished preparing the meal, Herman had also delivered the Giant mead Black had requested.
Black opened the barrel and took a sniff.
A rich fragrance of alcohol immediately filled the air.
He looked at Herman with a half-smile.
"You didn't spit in it, did you?"
Herman was stunned for a moment before his face turned dark.
"The Giant Race would never stoop to such a despicable act!"
"You are insulting the honor of the Giants!"
But deep in his heart he thought,
Why didn't I think of that?
Black laughed and waved his hand.
"Look at you, getting angry again."
"How about this I'll leave tomorrow."
Just as joy began to appear on Herman's face, Black continued speaking.
"But I need to pass through the Summit of the Western Heaven."
"That's impossible!"
Herman immediately stood up, his emotions flaring again.
"The World Tree must not be desecrated!"
"Don't tell me no one has ever climbed it."
Black sneered.
"If that's the case, I'll simply requisition the entire World Tree."
"I believe the landscaping in Mary Geoise still lacks something this year."
Herman clenched his fists.
After a long moment, he finally said through gritted teeth,
"I will arrange a passage."
"Almost forgot."
Black's voice sounded from behind him.
"Remember to wipe the bark clean."
"If my gloves get dirty, I'll chop down your rotten tree."
Herman did not turn back.
He feared that if he did, he might lose control and attack a World Noble bringing catastrophe upon the entire Degalt Kingdom.
After Herman left, Koala looked worried.
"Your Highness… they won't sabotage anything, will they?"
"Relax. They wouldn't dare."
Black rubbed Koala's golden hair before pouring a little Giant mead for everyone.
"Try it. Even in the Holy Land, this is rarely available."
What Black disliked most about the Giants was their attitude.
Either they were completely cowardly.
Or completely stubborn.
Or they pretended to be cowardly first before suddenly acting stubborn.
Bold in words, timid in action.
Between losing face and losing dignity, they somehow chose to lose both.
Soon the next day arrived.
Under Herman's guidance, the sanctuary followed a water canal until it reached the base of the World Tree Yggdrasil.
Herman pointed toward a hollow in the trunk ahead.
"From there, you can reach the path that leads to Sky Island."
Black no longer cared about the Giant's attitude.
All his attention was focused on the World Tree before him.
In appearance, it somewhat resembled both the Tree of Knowledge from Ohara and the legendary World Tree of Elbaf.
The Tree of Knowledge had begun growing four thousand years ago.
Which meant the tree before them was likely over four thousand years old as well.
Black did not speak further with the Giants.
The sanctuary slowly sailed into the hollow of the tree.
After entering the interior of the World Tree, thick resin began wrapping around the ship like a transparent sightseeing capsule.
Carried by the flow of water, the sanctuary slowly rose upward as if riding an elevator.
Perona pressed her whole body against the resin wall.
"Wow! The clouds look like strawberry milk!"
The clouds truly had changed.
The once cotton-like clouds now glowed with a soft pink-white luster.
Several palm-sized Sky Fish suddenly bumped into the capsule.
Their translucent scales shimmered, and each flick of their tails scattered rainbow-like sparkles.
Koala lifted Rami up toward the window.
A faint blush appeared on Rami's pale cheeks.
"Rami, look! It's beautiful!"
The capsule continued rising.
After passing through the cloud layer, it entered a narrow passage inside the tree trunk.
Both resin walls were covered with colorful murals.
The pigments used were unknown, yet thousands of years had left no trace of fading.
Black glanced at them briefly before losing interest.
The murals here were far inferior to those in Elbaf.
There was little useful information, except for a single image of a giant straw hat that caught his attention.
Black had always wondered why ancient civilizations insisted on using murals.
If they wanted to record history, why not carve text like the Poneglyphs?
Why make everything mysterious?
If murals could last thousands of years without fading, what difference would it make to simply write things clearly?
By the time the sun reached its peak in the sky, the sightseeing capsule finally emerged at the treetop.
The entire platform was formed from crystallized island clouds.
Its surface displayed hexagonal honeycomb patterns, each cavity containing a singing Tone Dial.
"Hm. Now this finally feels like Sky Island."
Black looked around before turning toward the cloud pathway ahead.
"So… is this the entrance to the Summit of the Western Heaven?"