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Three Days Later, at the Tavern
Daichi sat at the bar, contemplating whether to return to Elbaf, as he couldn't release Loki without the key.
Moreover, three days had passed, and the Giants should have recovered from the disaster. If he showed his face and expressed his intentions, some Giants might follow him.
If he delayed any longer, the Red Hair Pirates would surely return, and it wouldn't be as easy to recruit the Giants then.
"Creak~~"
Several Giants pushed open the door and entered. It was the New Giant Warrior Pirates!
Daichi's gaze shifted, and his lips curved into a smile.
The people he was waiting for had arrived.
Hajrudin, along with three Giant companions, approached Daichi, slamming the key to release Loki onto the bar. Then he poured two large bowls of sake.
"Mr. Daichi, this is your key!"
Hajrudin sat cross-legged, without a single wasted word. With everyone in the tavern as witnesses, he held up a bowl of sake with both hands and offered it to Daichi.
"Mr. Daichi, on behalf of the four members of the New Giant Warrior Pirates, I invite you to drink this Followers' Sake with me!"
"Followers' Sake, huh."
Daichi took the sake bowl.
Followers' Sake was the most important ritual among pirates for establishing allegiance. Drinking this sake signified that they had entered into a subordinate relationship, and betraying it would incur the scorn of the world.
"Hajrudin, have you thought this through?"
"Yes!"
Hajrudin nodded vigorously, raising his own bowl of sake, and the Giants behind him also raised their cups.
"We are willing to join your command, and we stake our lives on this Followers' Sake, to fight for you across the world from this day forward!"
"Hahahaha, excellent!"
Daichi laughed heartily.
"Before you drink this sake, I'll ask you one last time!"
"Are you afraid of Loki?"
"No!"
This time, Hajrudin answered without the slightest hesitation, his voice strong and clear, his eyes equally resolute.
He had made up his mind!
Daichi's smile blossomed, and he raised his cup high.
"Cheers!"
"Clink!"
Everyone drank the Brotherhood Sake, signifying that the New Giant Warrior Pirates were officially under Daichi's command, becoming Daichi's subordinates.
"My boys, let's feast!"
"Oh oh oh!!!"
A banquet was held in the tavern. The Beast Pirates excitedly drank with the Giants. With the Giant race joining, the Beast Pirates would become even stronger.
As expected of Daichi-sama!
Half a Day Later
The Underworld, Beneath the World Tree
Loki raised his head, looking at Daichi and his group approaching, his gaze falling on Hajrudin, who was following Daichi. He smirked.
"Long time no see, Hajrudin. I didn't expect a coward like you to willingly appear before me."
"Loki!"
Hajrudin's gaze was cold as he pulled out the key.
"I'm here to release you."
"Release me? How unexpected!"
Loki made no attempt to hide his sarcasm, mocking him: "Hajrudin, aren't you afraid I'll destroy Elbaf?"
"I will stop you!"
Hajrudin replied calmly.
Loki was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, looking up at the sky.
"Dogahaha, how laughable! You say you'll stop me? With you, a piece of trash who can't even lift Mjolnir?!"
Hajrudin said nothing, walking toward the massive hammer beside Loki and grasping its handle with both hands.
Mjolnir, the thunderous hammer passed down through generations in Elbaf, a symbol of kingship and power. When swung, it could summon the power of thunder, possessing immense destructive force.
Only the King of the Giant race could wield it!
Loki watched Hajrudin's movements, his face full of mockery: "Oi, you're not actually thinking of picking up Mjolnir, are you? Don't waste your effort!"
"Shut up! Open your eyes and watch closely!"
Hajrudin gripped the hammer handle tightly, thick blue veins spread from his arms across his entire body, and his feet "BOOM!" sank into the ground.
The great fire of Elbaf reappeared in his pupils.
He was the Prince of Elbaf, a man determined to become the Giant King and lead Elbaf into the future!
How could he lose here!
"RAAAHHH!!!"
Hajrudin's face contorted, he mustered all his strength, roaring as he exerted himself, but Mjolnir remained motionless.
"How pathetic, a miserable warrior!"
Loki continued to mock, but his expression quickly changed.
"SIZZLE! SIZZLE, SIZZLE, SIZZLE~~~"
Like the cries of a thousand birds, a large amount of lightning erupted from Mjolnir!
"WAAAHHH!!!"
Hajrudin bore the brunt, enveloped by a massive amount of lightning, his entire skeleton clearly illuminated by the electricity. He couldn't help but scream, but his hands still clung tightly to Mjolnir.
Gerd and the other two shouted in horror.
"Hajrudin, let go quickly!"
"If this continues, you'll die!"
"Don't compete with Loki!"
Hajrudin felt as if countless sharp objects were piercing his entire body, leaving only pain. Faintly, he seemed to hear his companions' voices.
Compete?
No, that's not right!
He was here to defeat Loki!
He was here to become the King of the Giant race!
"RUMBLE~~~"
Mjolnir subtly trembled.
Loki was utterly astonished.
"Masaka!" (Impossible)
Hajrudin not only triggered the lightning, but he also just moved Mjolnir?
This was impossible!
Even if Hajrudin inherited ancient Giant bloodline from his father, his bloodline was thin. He didn't even have the horns symbolizing power, and his body was only slightly larger than an ordinary Giant.
He couldn't possibly gain Mjolnir's recognition!
"Sizzle~ Sizzle~"
The lightning gradually dissipated.
Hajrudin's eyes rolled back, his entire body charred black, and black smoke billowed from his open mouth. He held Mjolnir motionless.
He seemed to have lost consciousness.
Gerd was extremely anxious, looking at Daichi.
"Mr. Daichi!"
"Don't rush, wait a little longer."
Daichi slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed on Hajrudin with a solemn expression.
His breath was still there!
After an unknown amount of time.
Hajrudin's rolled-back pupils gradually regained focus, and his hands, which had previously lost strength, once again gripped Mjolnir tightly.
An invisible aura surrounded him.
Hajrudin was covered in wounds, his consciousness blurry, only one belief remained in his mind, and python-like blue veins bulged on his hands.
"I… will… become… the King… of all Giants!!!"
Accompanied by the Giant's furious battle roar, the heavy Mjolnir slowly lifted from the ground, hovering in mid-air.
He had picked up Mjolnir!
Loki was so shocked that his jaw dropped.
"Hajrudin picked up Mjolnir!"
"And he has… Conqueror's Haki… just like me!"
In that instant, Hajrudin unleashed Conqueror's Haki, and it was precisely because of this that he picked up Mjolnir!
Only the King of the Giant race could gain Mjolnir's recognition!
"Hajrudin, you did it!"
Gerd and the other two rushed to Hajrudin's side, overjoyed. Hajrudin had picked up Mjolnir, which meant he was qualified to be the Giant King!
The Giant Warrior Pirates had truly been revived!
"Hajrudin?"
"THUD!"
Hajrudin, holding Mjolnir, fell straight down into the snow.
"AHHH! Hajrudin!!!"
The three shouted in horror. If Hajrudin died here, the Giant Warrior Pirates would be completely disbanded.
Loki withdrew his gaze, looking at Daichi with a gloomy expression: "Human pirate, what did you do to my foolish brother? What happened in Elbaf?!"
"Nothing much."
Daichi said indifferently.
"I just let him witness hell. As for Elbaf, if you want to know, just go see it for yourself."
(Title: You are worthy)