Harald smiled, his eyes firm:
"How will we know it won't work if we don't try? Elbaf needs to change, it needs to integrate into this world. Besides..."
He looked at Charlotte Linlin, his tone carrying trust,
"Don't I still have you? If Elbaf truly faces a crisis of destruction, I know you won't stand idly by."
"Fine, with that stubborn temper of yours, I can't persuade you anyway."
Charlotte Linlin waved her hand, giving up the idea of further persuasion.
It wasn't that she hadn't tried; for the sake of Ripley and Gerd, she had mentioned it several times before. But the people on this sea, especially these top-tier powerhouses, were all stubborn and set in their ways.
"Ripley, move the 'local specialties' we brought down."
"Okay, Linlin." Ripley responded, turning to direct the Crew member and Homies to begin.
Soon, boxes and bags of food, piled like mountains, were moved down from the St. Freya.
Although Elbaf's land was vast, the giants were enormous, and the land suitable for large-scale cultivation on the trees was limited. Food had always been one of the problems plaguing this giant kingdom, which was an important reason why Harald had frequently traveled abroad in recent years, attempting to establish stable trade channels with other countries.
Or rather, before Harald implemented reforms, the warlike giants were more accustomed to obtaining resources through looting rather than production.
"Hahaha! Thank you so much!"
Harald looked at the mountain of food, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face as he cupped his hands in thanks,
"I like it best when you come to Elbaf as a guest, Linlin! Unlike that bastard Rocks, who comes empty-handed every time and even freeloads on food and drink, consuming the food I worked so hard to stockpile! It makes me furious just thinking about it!"
Mentioning Rocks, he couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Charlotte Linlin rubbed her nose awkwardly: "If you don't say anything, how would he know..."
In fact, she had forgotten about it herself; it was only after Puli's reminder that she specifically prepared a large amount of food as a gift.
Just then, a figure rushed out from the distant forest like a whirlwind.
It was a teenage giant, already over ten meters tall, radiating an aura of untamed defiance. He dragged a huge Spiked Club nearly as tall as himself, wore a uniquely shaped Horned Iron Helmet, and had bandages over his eyes. It was Harald's son, Loki.
Ten years had turned the former brat into a teenager.
"Rocks! Is Rocks here?!" Loki's voice carried the clear tone unique to a youth and uncontrollable excitement.
He had just felt the clash of Haoshoku and thought his idol had arrived, so he immediately dropped what he was doing and ran over.
"It's not Rocks, little Loki~" Charlotte Linlin looked down at the energetic Small Giant and spoke with a smile.
"Tch... So it's you, woman." The excitement on Loki's face instantly collapsed into undisguised disappointment, and he curled his lip,
"Happy for nothing."
"Loki!" Harald's brow immediately furrowed as he looked at his son, his tone reproachful,
"Are you looking for trouble with the citizens again? How many times has your Father-King told you! You are the future king of this country; you must treat all subjects equally and win their respect with benevolence and strength, not just oppress them with force!"
Loki stiffened his neck and retorted to his father without fear: "This is Elbaf! The strongest land of warriors! The weak are a burden; they deserve to die! That is our giant tradition!"
"Loki! You are my child! The future king! Don't learn that survival-of-the-fittest theory from that bastard Rocks!" Harald felt a headache coming on as he looked at his increasingly rebellious son.
"Captain Rocks is right! He is the strongest and most freedom person in the world! Might makes right, there's no mistake in that!" Loki shouted loudly, his eyes full of fanatical worship for Rocks.
"Loki! Stop right there!"
Seeing Harald reach out with his giant palm to grab him for a lesson, Loki nimbly turned around and ran away "thump, thump, thump," dragging his Spiked Club and leaving a trail of dust.
Harald sighed helplessly as he watched his son's disappearing back.
Charlotte Linlin took in the scene and let out a meaningful low chuckle:
"Well~ 'Might makes right,' huh? It seems little Loki really admires that fellow Rocks. As a father, your educational task is a long and difficult one~"
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