Chapter 8 - 8 – Elbaf!

June, Year 1460 of the Sea Circle Calendar. Elbaf. A kingdom of giants located in the second half of the New World. For any traveler coming from afar, the first thing they would see upon approaching the island of the giants is that colossal tree—so tall it seemed to hold up the very sky. The Treasure Tree Adam! "It's... it's huge!" Originally thinking it was just a big tree, it wasn't until they had sailed toward it for an entire day and night that Rocks finally understood—it wasn't that the Adam Tree wasn't large, it was just that they'd been too far away to perceive its size. Only when up close could one truly comprehend— Why they say the Kingdom of Giants, Elbaf, is a nation built upon a tree. "Ha ha! Scared you, didn't it? I was just as shocked the first time I came here!" Right now, Rocks was still just a greenhorn pirate kid. In both experience and strength, he was worlds away from what he would become in the future. Staring up at the towering tree, a nostalgic light flashed through Magnus's eyes. It had been ten years since he was last here. "Let's go. If we're lucky and the Rainbow Bridge is up, we can head straight to the giants' village. But if you want a drink first at the coastal tavern, I won't stop you, ha ha." In this world, nations are roughly divided into two types: World Government affiliates and non-affiliates. The former must follow the laws issued by the World Government and pay the Heavenly Tribute in exchange for the Government's protection. The latter either can't pay or refuse to pay—and receive no such protection. In a world where oceans cover over 90% of the surface, seafaring and trade are highly developed—naturally attracting many outlaws. Although Magnus considered himself more of an adventurer, subjective and objective truth often diverge. Right now, he was one of those outlaws—at least in the eyes of others. And the natural enemy of people like him—was the Marines! The Marines are an organization under the World Government's command. As long as a country pays the Heavenly Tribute, it receives Marine protection. But what about countries that don't? They become lawless zones—paradise for pirates. Though, of course, there are exceptions. Like the Kingdom of Giants—Elbaf! Elbaf was a non-affiliate nation, and naturally didn't enjoy Marine protection. But its overwhelming national strength kept pirates far away. After all, most pirates are bullies who pick on the weak and avoid the strong. "Hey, is Balder here?" Docking their ship at the coast, Magnus and Rocks stood outside a tavern. The tavern's front door was twenty meters tall—making the two of them look like dwarfs in comparison. "Balder? Do you mean Papa?" Instead of the gruff voice from Magnus's memory, a young girl's voice replied. A freckled girl with a round face, orange eyes, and light golden hair peeked out from behind the door. But when she looked outside, she saw no one. "Hey, down here!" Only when Magnus waved and called out did the girl look down and realize the two tiny figures were people. "You're from outside the island?" A "girl" only in giant terms—because to Magnus and Rocks, she was without a doubt a giant. Just her height alone exceeded fifteen meters. When she opened the door, the gust of air that followed nearly blew them away. Suddenly, Magnus seemed to remember something. "Hey, are you Mardo? It's me—Uncle Magnus! Don't tell me you've forgotten me? That'd break my heart!" If he remembered correctly, this girl was the tavern owner Balder's daughter—Mardo. Ten years ago, Magnus had visited the tavern often, and spent most of that time telling stories to this little girl—who was then only twice his height. Finally, recognition dawned on Mardo's face. "You're Uncle Magnus? You look so different now—I almost didn't recognize you!" "Puhahaha, people age real fast if they let themselves go. Give me a few more years and even I won't recognize myself!" Magnus burst into laughter at Mardo's words. This world has a strange phenomenon: people who hold on to their dreams tend not to change much, even as they grow old. But those who lose their dreams, or stray from the right path—their entire appearance changes. Your face shows what's in your heart. Without the system, without hope, Magnus might've died at Farrell's hands—or just grown into a frail old man within a few years. But now, though still old, his energy and spirit were utterly different. "Uncle Magnus, come in! I'll mix you a glass of Elbaf's specialty—Green Fairy. I bet it's been ages since you've had one!" "Oi, oi, I just got here and you're already trying to lay me out for two days?" Magnus laughed and pulled Rocks forward. "Let me introduce you. This brat's a new crew member I picked up. Still stinks of milk. I'm planning to stay in Elbaf for a while, so please take care of us." "I do not stink of milk!" "You haven't even learned Haki yet. What else are you if not a brat?" Magnus gave Rocks a firm smack on the head. To Mardo, it looked like a warm relationship. "Hehe, if Papa knew, he'd be so happy." Mardo giggled sweetly, then peeked around. "By the way, where's Sister Lily and the others?" "Oh, them?" Magnus gave a helpless smile. "I disbanded my crew recently. Everyone's gone their separate ways now." "Compared to your giant lifespans, our time is far too short. We can't fight for as long." "As you can see... I'm an old man now." Magnus raised his arm. Once thick with muscle, it now looked withered. His whole body had grown thin compared to before. Hearing this, Mardo lowered her head. "...Sorry." "Haha! Don't worry about that kind of thing. Look—I've set sail again, haven't I?" Magnus smiled. While his body wasn't what it used to be, it was already much stronger than just a month ago. Perhaps that was the benefit of increased cell vitality. "Oh, right." He glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then beckoned Mardo closer and whispered like a conspirator: "Say, Mardo, have you guys chopped off any Adam Tree branches lately?" In Elbaf, the Adam Tree is considered sacred and is not easily harvested. But there were exceptions. Like during thunderstorms, when lightning sets part of the tree ablaze—they'll cut the burning branch to prevent the fire from spreading. If he was lucky, some of it might remain. "Umm..." Mardo looked troubled. "Should I tell you or not..." That expression—she looked just like her father, Balder. "Mardo, you've turned to the dark side." Seeing her hesitant expression, Magnus gave a pained, theatrical sigh. "Spill it. What's the price?" "Ehehe... Just tell me more stories sometime, Uncle Magnus!" Magnus pretended to hesitate, then nodded firmly. "Deal!" And just like that, he learned that a batch of Adam Tree branches had recently been salvaged from a fire. Even a "branch" from this tree was thicker than most ancient trees in diameter. But knowing they existed and getting his hands on them were two very different things. The giants never sold Adam Wood—not even fire-damaged branches. They were usually reserved for the most important annual festivals. Robbing them was out of the question—unless Magnus wanted to make enemies of all of Elbaf. But giants weren't without desires. And Magnus just so happened to know what they wanted—and how to help them get it. "Haha, anyway, since we're in Elbaf, I'm gonna drink to my heart's content. Mardo, if the Rainbow Bridge appears, remind me!" Elbaf was divided into three levels: The Heavens, top level The Sunlit Realm, middle level The Underworld, bottom level Right now, Magnus and Rocks were in the Underworld. Because of the Adam Tree's thick canopy, sunlight rarely reached this lower realm—so it was barren and poorly suited for habitation. Giants mostly lived on the Sunlit Realm—where the treetops basked in sunlight. To go from Underworld to Sunlit Realm, one must take a special Rainbow Bridge. But like Magnus said— After finally arriving in Elbaf, he was going to drink first. No need to rush. He'd waited this long—what were a few more days? "Oh, right." Suddenly remembering something else, Magnus asked quickly, "Mardo, is Mother Carmel still in Elbaf?" The clearest sign that one of the future Yonko was still on this island—was the presence of Sister Carmel. A woman with incredible influence, even among the giants. But Magnus had known her far longer than the giants had. He knew the other side of that woman. "You mean Sister Carmel? Yeah, she's still—" Before Mardo could finish, the tavern door swung open again. A bold, wild-looking young woman entered. "Mardo! Gimme a glass of Green Fairy!" "Coming!" Mardo quickly nodded and gestured toward Magnus and Rocks. "Be careful, Sister Ripley. We've got a couple of small customers today. And don't go smashing stuff when you're drunk—or you'll get scolded!" Mardo chattered away, not noticing that the Ripley she mentioned had suddenly frozen in place after seeing the tiny man at a nearby table. Magnus, sitting casually on the table, greeted her: "Yo, Ripley! Long time no see!" "...Magnus?" Ripley stared, stunned for a second—then clenched her fists. "You damn old man!" "'Long time no see'? My ass!" "You said once I grew up, I could join your crew—and now it's been TEN YEARS!!!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome] [Thank You For Your Support!]