Chapter 295: The Blessing of the World Tree
Hearing what Hajrudin said regarding the ultimate fate of the previous generation's King of the Giants, Uma didn't speak for a moment.
He truly hadn't expected the outcome to be like this.
Just as Rocks had guessed—Harald was not someone who listened to advice.
The final choice he made was absolutely not a mediocre person's choice of 'playing it safe to protect oneself'.
But what puzzled Uma was...
"If the person who consumed that fruit was Prince Loki, then why is it now..."
He looked at Hajrudin and Jarul in front of him.
According to their account, before leaving, Harald hoped his two sons would jointly govern Elbaf.
If he really had to choose one person as King and leader for Elbaf, Harald clearly favored the much stronger Loki—the fact that he had Loki consume that national treasure passed down through generations was proof enough.
But now, the one responsible for governing Elbaf was Hajrudin.
And Loki had instead become the Lord of the Underworld, hidden behind the scenes. This was clearly somewhat strange.
"Mm—this old man indeed received His Majesty Harald's order, and during that period, the country was indeed jointly governed by the two princes."
At this moment, Jarul also answered in a deep voice.
"However..."
"Twenty years ago, an accident occurred."
As he spoke, Uma noticed Hajrudin behind Jarul tightly clench his fists.
"Twenty years ago?"
Uma murmured softly, and then recalled a certain segment of the plot from the original story.
"Yes."
Jarul nodded with a heavy expression: "At that time, Ida... mm, that is to say, Prince Regent Hajrudin's mother, and Prince Loki's adoptive mother—she was poisoned..."
As soon as these words came out, Uma thought sure enough.
He naturally knew this story—Hajrudin's mother, Ida, was not a native Giant of Elbaf, but an 'overseas Giant' from Samuwane Island in the South Blue.
She met and fell in love with the still very young Harald in a human kingdom, and gave birth to Hajrudin.
But due to her bloodline, she was not recognized by Elbaf and could not become Harald's true 'queen'—Harald's queen in name was Loki's biological mother, a woman with a terrible personality who once threw her newborn child into the Underworld, named 'Estrida'.
In the original story, it was exactly the village of this queen that believed 'Ida', a woman from overseas, becoming queen would bring shame to Elbaf's ancient traditions, so they poisoned her to death.
And clearly, even though Elbaf's plot had undergone massive changes now, this event still occurred—after all, in the original story, the people of that village dared to kill Ida even while Harald was still around, let alone now that Harald had gone missing.
But the difference was...
"My elder brother personally killed those who administered the poison, and I ordered all other accomplices to be exiled—the 'Brewing Village' no longer exists."
Hajrudin's voice was very cold.
Clearly, to the two brothers, their mother was a 'taboo'.
They would absolutely not forgive anyone who dared to lay a hand on her.
But...
"The poison in Mother's body is an incurable lethal poison. Her physical condition is still very poor. Elder brother can use his ability to preserve Mother's life, but they must remain where the World Tree's blessing is thickest."
"Therefore, elder brother chose to go to the Underworld and become the guardian of 'Hvergelmir'."
This was the reason.
And after hearing this, Uma no longer found it strange.
He knew very well—although Loki and Ida were not biological mother and son, their bond was no less than a biological one.
In the original story, Loki destroyed the entire Brewing Village because of Ida's death and declared that 'Ida is my only mother'.
She was the anchor of his familial love—since it was to preserve her life, it was not strange for Loki to go to the Underworld.
And after his elder brother went to the Underworld, Hajrudin naturally could only serve as the 'Prince Regent'.
With this, Uma finally understood what had happened in Elbaf over these years.
But then again—
"The 'blessing' of the World Tree?"
Uma naturally noticed this term in Hajrudin's words just now.
He was now basically certain that the ability of the fruit Loki consumed was highly likely related to the Source Energy of Lineage Factor.
And the fact that Loki needed to be near 'Hvergelmir' to preserve his mother's life, coupled with the fact that the Sun Stone was also produced near Hvergelmir—
The answer was self-evident.
"The source of Elbaf's Source Energy of Lineage Factor... is right near the Spring of the Underworld, 'Hvergelmir'!"
Thinking of this, Uma naturally felt tempted.
"Royal Father mentioned before he left—both he and elder brother believe in the person Rocks chose, so..."
At this time, Hajrudin also looked at Uma: "Elbaf is a friend of The Zodiac, and has been since thirty years ago."
"Your Excellency has traveled a long way. Please state whatever you need. As long as Elbaf can provide assistance, we will not decline."
As soon as these words came out, Uma was stunned, and then inwardly exclaimed good heavens.
Rocks, you've done well. You've done very well...
Although he hadn't truly met this overlord of the sea, Uma deeply felt the other party's influence.
One must know—Elbaf is the world's strongest nation.
If its powerhouses were formed into an army, it would be a force that Imu personally admitted was comparable to 'Marine Headquarters'.
And now, the controller of this force had already stated their position—Elbaf would stand on the side of The Zodiac.
This was undoubtedly a powerful asset.
"I..."
But before Uma could speak—
Rumble!
The next moment, the entire castle began to tremble violently.
"Ouch!"
The tremors made Jarul clutch his waist, tightly gripping the walking stick in his hand.
A moment later, the tremors stopped.
Rubble was still falling, but Hajrudin had already reacted: "The 'earthquake'? To think it appeared again so soon..."
And it wasn't just him; Uma's expression was also solemn.
The tremor just now was exactly the same as the one that occurred a few hours ago when he first arrived in Elbaf—the only difference being that it seemed even stronger.
"Regarding the earthquakes... does Elbaf not have any leads?"
Now that it was known Elbaf was an 'ally', he naturally had fewer reservations when speaking.
And on this matter, Hajrudin indeed didn't hide anything.
"It has already been confirmed—the source of the earthquakes is in the 'Underworld'."
"Two days ago, I asked my elder brother about the situation, and even asked Mr. Mountain to go to the Underworld to investigate."
"But elder brother stated he didn't find anything abnormal, and Mr. Mountain still hasn't sent any word back since he went to investigate..."
Speaking of this, Hajrudin also frowned slightly.
"Mr. Mountain? Gaban?"
Hearing this, Uma immediately understood—the so-called 'Mr. Mountain' was none other than the number three figure of the Roger Pirates, 'Mountain Devourer' Scopper Gaban.
After the disbandment of the Roger Pirates, this legendary pirate married a female Giant and had since lived in Elbaf under the alias 'Mr. Mountain'.
To think even he was involved in the investigation, and still hadn't returned...
"If it is convenient, please allow me to make a trip to the Underworld as well."
At this moment, Uma spoke decisively.
"If possible, I hope to pay a visit to Prince Loki along the way, and take a look at 'Hvergelmir'."
(End of Chapter)
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