Chapter 25: What a Special First Encounter
The Kingdom of Rommel bustled with activity. At its port, a massive ship belonging to the Elbaf pirates loomed like a mountain, its shadow swallowing the docks beneath it. Every traveler passing by couldn't help but stop and stare at the sight.
"It's a giant pirate ship… but what's that?" a merchant whispered.
Giants were rare and awe-inspiring, their strength and height unmatched. The legend of the Giant Pirates still struck fear into hearts across the seas. Yet this particular ship drew even greater curiosity—not because of its size, but because a human child sat perched proudly atop its massive figurehead, gnawing on a hunk of meat with a sword resting at his side.
"Did the giants raid a human village again?" one man muttered.
"Idiot! Look closer," another hissed. "That kid's eating beside them like a crewmate. You think a plundered captive would be treated that kindly?"
"But… if you're saying he's their child, that's even more unbelievable!"
Confused murmurs filled the docks.
Up above, Roy ignored the attention. He sat cross-legged, chewing on a bone with his sword in hand. Ever since he'd inherited Linlin's talent—her monstrous strength and defense—his appetite had become insatiable. Between training and eating, his life now resembled that of a small beast rather than a boy.
"Roy! Let's go have some fun in Rommel!" a giant called out cheerfully.
"Not interested," Roy replied, waving dismissively.
Whenever he stepped off the ship, Redding always sent a giant to guard him. It was supposed to be "protection," but to Roy, it was more like a leash. Every time he thought about sparring or exploring, the sight of a towering Elbaf warrior scared away every pirate or bounty hunter before he could even draw his sword.
He sighed. "There's no fun in this anymore."
"I heard there's a gorgeous stage actress here in Rommel," one of the giants said with a grin. "We should check it out!"
Roy blinked, then shrugged. "Fine. I'll tag along… reluctantly."
Stuffing the rest of the meat into his mouth, he grabbed Pandora, who was lazily floating nearby.
"Come on," he said, patting the creature. "Let's fly there directly."
Pandora let out a depressed hum.
The giants tried to hold back their laughter—but failed.
"Let's go, let's go!" one of them chuckled. "Pfft—"
They were used to Roy's eccentric habits. Despite his age, he already showed… certain adult tendencies. Like that time on another island when he'd kept glancing at a pair of female bounty hunters, muttering something about "appreciating beauty."
Now, every time they saw him, the giants couldn't help but snicker.
Roy glared. "You coming or not? Why are you all standing there like statues?"
Pandora floated forward, carrying him toward the port as the giants followed.
To Roy, Pandora wasn't just a companion. It was a tool, a vehicle, a pillow—and occasionally, a lighter. Though Pandora was powerful, it wasn't dangerous to him. To Roy, it was simply a mascot. After all, every proper ship needed one.
---
Not long after, they reached the Theater of Rommel.
The grand building was filled with music and laughter. The giants stood outside while Roy stepped in to take a look. After a few minutes of watching the beautiful actresses perform, he nodded with quiet appreciation—and promptly walked out.
The giant beside him stared. "You're done already?"
"I came to admire beauty, not to waste time," Roy replied flatly.
The giant chuckled awkwardly. Maybe they'd misjudged him. Perhaps Roy really was just an admirer of art and elegance, not some mischievous brat.
He felt a little guilty for assuming otherwise. After all, this boy wasn't an ordinary human. Roy was a warrior of Elbaf—recognized even by Lord Jarul himself.
"I'm only six," Roy muttered under his breath.
Six years old, and yet the giants already treated him like an adult. Not that he minded. He simply had higher standards than the average man.
There was a difference, he thought, between appreciating beauty and being a shameless pervert.
A true admirer admired from afar, letting affection grow with time and sincerity.
A pervert? "Oh, it's so big and white! Sister, let's bathe together!"
Roy nearly gagged at the thought. "Bah! Disgusting. That kind of man is no better than a street thug."
Even so, the original author of this world seemed to glorify those shameless types. Ridiculous, he thought, rolling his eyes.
"Let's go back to the ship," he told the giant, floating away on Pandora.
"Alright," the giant replied, following close behind.
But then Roy paused. His eyes narrowed as he pointed toward a distant street several blocks away. "What's that?"
The giant turned his head, following Roy's gaze. From their vantage point—Roy hovering in the air, and the giant towering over the rooftops—they could clearly see what was happening.
That part of the city was darker, dirtier, and full of chaos. It was the slum district—home to pirates, bounty hunters, and traffickers.
A wooden cart rolled through the street. Inside the iron cage atop it were chained girls, their wrists and ankles bound. Most looked broken, eyes dull and lifeless.
But one among them stood out.
A girl with long green hair. Her face was beautiful, her eyes sharp and alert. Unlike the others, she scanned her surroundings with quiet defiance.
"What's that?" Roy asked.
The giant frowned. "Human trade. Slavers sell them to nobles and pirates. It's filthy business, but it's common in this kingdom."
Roy's expression darkened. "Human traffickers."
He clenched his fist. "Let's rob them."
Pandora's eyes gleamed as it descended toward the street below. It didn't need further explanation—it understood its master's anger.
Roy had seen too many monsters like these. The nun had been one of them once, and now, fate had thrown him face to face with more.
Disgust churned in his chest.
And besides, there was something about that green-haired girl that drew his attention. Something important.
Even without a reason, he didn't need one.
He was an Elbaf warrior—robbing slavers was more than justified.
The traffickers froze as the ground trembled beneath the approaching giant.
"Don't—don't mess with us!" one stammered, brandishing a sword. "We're part of Rommel's largest auction house!"
But when he looked up and saw the shadow of the Elbaf warrior towering over him, his bravado crumbled. His sword hand trembled uncontrollably.
Roy smirked. "Oh? That's convenient."
He drew his blade, eyes sharp and gleaming.
"We're unreasonable pirates," he said calmly, stepping forward. "And we're robbing you."
As the terrified traffickers stumbled backward, Roy's gaze fell once more on the girl inside the cage.
The girl met his eyes—calm, poised, yet carrying centuries of sorrow.
She was Amatsuki Toki.
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