A man's friendship is sotis built in a single sentence, a clinking of glasses, and a battle.
And even if that friendship is severed due to the different paths the two choose—
The understanding and trust they have for each other will not change.
So Harald knew that Rocks D. Xebec would not lie to him.
That was also the reason why his reaction today was so extre—when Loki handed him that letter, he had already believed its contents.
His best friend had gone to his death.
And what about him?
He had once agreed to the World Governnt's request and attempted to kill Rocks.
He voluntarily offered his glorious twin horns to sign a 'Contract' with the world.
He did many underhanded things in secret for the World Governnt.
He even changed the 'culture' of Elbaf, which had remained unchanged for hundreds of years since its establishnt.
Who knows how many people were angered by this, how many were heartbroken, or even how many died because of it.
Once, Harald could convince himself—this was all for 'Elbaf', he had to do it.
But now, the facts told him.
He had been deceived. Everything he did was for nothing. He was rely an exploited, pitifully stupid fool.
Therefore...
"I will not consu that fruit."
Harald looked at Loki and Hajrudin.
"Are you stupid?"
Loki bluntly expressed his thoughts to his old man: "Rocks already said it, that kind of 'Contract' on you can only be erased with the power of that fruit, you..."
He couldn't finish his sentence.
Because Harald had already smiled.
"What does what that guy says have to do with !?"
He said this.
"I am not his subordinate. I am the King of Elbaf."
"Consuming that fruit to erase the contract on ... wouldn't that reveal its existence to the 'World'?"
According to Rocks, the power contained in that Devil Fruit of Elbaf was a power that even the world 'feared'.
It could erase the contract on Harald.
But at the sa ti, if Harald ate it, he could certainly ensure his continued survival and freedom from the world's control.
But the existence of this fruit and its abilities would be exposed as a result.
"In that case, just stay in Elbaf—you only signed a 'Shallow Sea Contract'. As long as you don't go near Mary Geoise, you won't be controlled."
Loki gritted his teeth.
"No."
But Harald still shook his head: "If I stay in the country, I am still an unstable factor, a 'bomb' that could go off at any ti."
"However, you are right—I only signed a 'Shallow Sea Contract'... I haven't offered my soul to the 'Abyss', which ans I've at least retained my sense of self."
That, at least, was so small fortune.
If the contract he signed was 'Deep Sea' or 'Abyssal Sea', his soul would completely fall into the Abyss—by then, he would have certainly offered the news of Elbaf's national treasure fruit to Imu as well.
But now, he at least still had a chance to choose.
And now, he had already made his choice.
"I will go to Mary Geoise to question the Five Elders. I want to witness with my own eyes the 'truth' of my life."
He stated calmly.
As soon as these words ca out—
Zzt!
Another intensely powerful Conqueror's Haki surged forth just the sa.
Rumble!
The sounds of howling wind and thunder seed to coexist as Loki's fist crashed into Harald's face in the next mont.
Harald's figure was instantly sent flying, while Hajrudin watched, stunned in place.
"You bastard!"
The next mont, Loki's angry roar echoed through the castle.
"You're going to throw your life away—how can you face Mother by doing this!?"
He roared like this, but tears stread down his face, raw and ugly.
Clearly.
This Cursed Prince had already seen through his father's true intention.
Harald already believed that everything Rocks wrote in the letter should be true—the so-called 'world' is the playground of the Abyss, and everything is bound.
So, he made his resolve.
He was going to Mary Geoise—both to witness what kind of ridiculous mistakes he had committed in his life.
And simultaneously, to atone for his sins.
As long as he went to Mary Geoise to question the Five Elders and died there, then the matter regarding 'Harald' would end there.
Everything would return to normal.
The World Governnt would only think he chose rebellion and wouldn't delve deeper into the existence of Elbaf's national treasure.
The World Governnt lost an opportunity to turn the Giants into their 'army'.
Elbaf lost a foolish king who nearly brought the kingdom to ruin.
That was all.
But Loki couldn't accept it.
Rocks was like this, and now Harald was also like this...
"Are you asking to lose two 'important people' in such a short period of ti!?"
He growled lowly.
And Harald, who had been sent flying by his punch, slowly stood up at this mont.
His face was already bleeding profusely from his son's punch just now, but he seed completely indifferent to it.
"A bastard? Indeed."
He muttered softly, his gaze turning to Loki and Hajrudin.
And both Loki and Hajrudin knew.
When Harald showed such an expression, it ant his resolve was set.
"Harald, let tell you, I will absolutely not go eat that national treasure whatever, I absolutely..."
Loki was still roaring angrily.
But the next mont...
Harald arrived by his side and embraced him.
"You will eat it, Loki."
He looked at his son.
He seed to be able to see beneath the bandages, those cursed and evil eyes that were once despised by the people of Elbaf.
He knew it was not a curse.
Just as he knew his son was never evil.
Just as he knew that no matter what Loki said now, when he needed to shoulder responsibility, he would always bear it.
"Go read the Hale Codex, Loki."
Murmuring softly to this point, Harald pulled Hajrudin to his side as well.
"I'm sorry, Hajrudin."
He apologized to his youngest son.
Even though he didn't possess the uniquely blessed strength of his elder brother, he was equally an outstanding man.
"I am an irresponsible father."
"But fortunately, I have two outstanding sons."
He looked sincerely at his two sons.
"Take good care of your mother for ."
"And... the future of Elbaf is entrusted to you two."
Those were the final words Harald left behind.
And after that day, the news that 'King Harald of Elbaf mysteriously disappeared' spread across the world. With him gone, Elbaf returned to barbarism.
But only his two sons, and Jarul who was summoned to the castle at the very end, knew his true ending.
"Royal Father went to Mary Geoise alone, only asking Elder Jarul for a bottle of wine."
Looking at Uma in front of him, Hajrudin spoke calmly.
"That was the wine he used to drink when drinking with Rocks—the wine he brewed himself."
Hearing this, even Uma could feel that tug of fate.
What a coincidence.
Two people who were once best friends, and later severed ties, ultimately chose to go to the sa place to face death.
Before going to his death, the forr hoped his past good friend would no longer be foolish.
But the latter rejected this goodwill.
He chose to bring fine wine and join him in death.
Just like in the past, the words they spoke when they first t.
"Hey, big guy, did you brew this wine yourself?"
"Yeah."
"Not bad. Not only are you good at fighting, but the wine you brew is pretty good too."
"Ah, thank you for the complint."
"Don't be so gloomy—want to consider my proposal? If your strength and mine combine, we can definitely change the 'World'!"
"Hah? Why do I have to do that kind of thing with you? If we fail, we'll die, right?"
"What does it matter? Since we're doing it together, if we have to die, I'll die with you!"
"Mm... that doesn't sound like sothing good to hear. And speaking of which, I don't even know your na. What kind of logic is that, inviting a stranger to die with you?"
"Eh? I didn't say? My na is Rocks—Rocks D. Xebec. And you?"
"...Harald."
(End of Chapter)
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