Chapter 111

“…Saras is a bit harsh.”

“Saraswati’s words are not wrong. This matter with the giants is only something we must address since ordinary creatures have no means to do so. Originally, all life must prove itself if it wishes to survive. This world is a place where only the suitable can survive.”

Palas said while patting the sulking Anart’s head.

“Don’t think too negatively. In a way, Saraswati is acknowledging humans. It means they are qualified to shed blood alongside us, not just as bystanders.”

“Is that so?”

“…Well, it’s not completely wrong.”

Saraswati cleared her throat in response to Anart’s gaze.

“Each individual may not be that exceptional, but they have built such a civilization. They are somewhat proactive in interacting with other races. In the future, they may occupy a very special position among the beings of nature.”

“Hmm.”

As they were chatting, the High Elves all turned their heads in the same direction.

“…Did you feel it?”

“Ah—It seems like it’s really coming. No matter how you feel it, it’s neither Mother nor that Gal Dragon. It’s radiating a very blatant energy.”

“We need to move.”

At that moment, a green silhouette entered from the window.

It was one of the 80 forest guardians stationed at Pohelrn.

“I report urgently. Outside the human city—”

“No, we already felt it. Honestly, there’s no need to say more.”

Saraswati, seemingly reluctant to leave the soft bedding, let out a sigh.

“Let’s go. We need to work. We must buy time until Araya arrives.”

◈ ◈ ◈

“…That too is an object of study. The giant race known as Titans was astonishing, but how can such a mass stay upright?”

“Such an existence cannot be measured by common sense. Just look at Mother.”

“Even so… That’s bipedal locomotion.”

Saraswati was left speechless, staring blankly at the sight before her.

Even standing at the edge of the horizon, its presence was distinct.

‘If it’s over 200 Elte… is it over 300 Elte?’

Saraswati groaned, calculating the path she created based on the energy standards.

Although still far away, it felt as if each step it took resonated here.

Or perhaps it wasn’t an illusion.

Her mind felt cold.

For such a being, it was already a mass weapon in itself.

What if it also had special powers like Mother?

‘It’s terrifying to think about.’

Saraswati looked down at the city wall she was standing on.

It was a magnificent wall.

To build something of this length and scale, reaching a height of around 14-15 Elte, was remarkable.

Even if it had the assistance of giants, it was undoubtedly an amazing structure.

Even if the Roas from the Elven Road or the Titans came, it seemed unlikely they could easily breach this wall.

Moreover, if you added the combat area originating from the Grand Temple’s Room of Worlds, it would undoubtedly become a hassle for the Elves.

But.

‘Is this wall safe from such a monster?’

This grand wall appeared so small that it barely reached the ankle of that towering giant.

If even she, who is aware of the existence of the combat area, is harboring such negative thoughts, what about the humans?

The soldiers stationed on the wall, keeping watch over the outside, stared blankly at the king of giants beyond the horizon.

‘…All of Araya’s recent morale-boosting efforts have become useless.’

Recently, when the giants gathered outside the wall, Araya swiftly decimated them before the humans’ eyes, proclaiming, ‘If the goddess, the heavenly lion, is present, giants are no problem.’

But now, staring at that giant approaching Pohelrn, it’s beyond imagination.

The thought of victory is unimaginable.

‘This is bad. This is bad.’

It was not just the humans.

Even among the forest guardians, unrest was stirring.

Those sensitive to the energies could easily feel the aura emanating from the giant that seemed to touch the sky.

‘…Was this intentional?’

If it was a show of force, it was highly successful.

Saraswati forced a smile.

“…Indeed, is that the king of the giants?”

As soon as the human king, Priegoss, heard the news, he rushed to the wall, his face stern as he gazed at the approaching massive figure.

“It feels ridiculous to even joke about its size. Do we look like ants to that giant?”

“Probably? It’s not just how it looks; they would actually feel that way.”

“…Can we win?”

“I’m considering it, but honestly, I don’t think thinking about it will yield any answers. It’s too overwhelming.”

Saraswati frowned at Priegoss’s question, showing signs of a headache.

“Palas. What do you think?”

“Honestly, it’s hard to guess. If we fought, I don’t think we could last more than five minutes.”

“That’s impressive, but it won’t help much.”

“…What about you, who says such things?”

“Well? I don’t really want to fight. To be honest, I just want to run away.”

“…You shouldn’t say that.”

Palas shook his head.

“…The spirits are all trembling.”

“They are sensitive beings. They would fear the presence of such a monster.”

The giant moved with strides fitting its appearance.

As the conversation without any real answers continued, the giant that had been on the horizon soon stood before the humans.

“Oh. Damn it.”

Saraswati tilted her head back to look up at the giant, causing pain in her neck.

The giant’s elongated shadow cast over the city wall and entered deep into the village of Pohelrn.

“Now that it’s right in front of us, it really feels massive.”

Periodic tremors of the earth.

A sudden shadow crossing the center of Pohelrn.

And the surreal sight of the giant standing as if to touch the sky at its end.

Even though the sun was still up, the sudden darkness caused the humans of the city to freeze as they looked up at the sky.

Chaos erupted throughout various parts of the city of Pohelrn.

“Ah… Ahh…”

Clang!

Nyaaaan!

Thud thud thud!

Woof! Bark bark! Eeeeek!

In Pohelrn, the citizens could see the giant standing outside the city wall no matter where they were.

What began as a small commotion quickly transformed into a panic that enveloped the entire city like a fragrance carried by the wind.

“…This is a rough start.”

Saraswati and the High Elves sensed the chaos brewing within the city with their acute senses.

Some merely gazed vacantly at the giant.

Others prayed, calling out the name of Ul Kanadiel.

Some were driven mad by fear, screaming.

While others took advantage of the chaos to steal items.

Even the mere appearance of the giant king Terato was enough to crumble the greatest city of humans, Pohelrn, from within.

Just by that, it was a desperate situation, but soon behind Terato, the hordes of Titans appeared.

10, 20, 50, 100.

In an instant, over 300 Titans gathered and lined up horizontally.

Just by that, it felt like another giant wall had risen on the plains in front of Pohelrn.

At that point, the soldiers on the wall sat down in despair, tears streaming down their faces.

“It’s over… It’s all over… We’re all going to die.”

“Ah… Mother. I must go to Mother.”

“Ul Kanadiel, please look over your poor flock.”

Amidst all the chaos, a voice echoed from the heavens.

“Foolish and pitiful little humans, listen.”

No, it was not the heavens.

It was simply a height that was inconceivably high.

Saraswati looked up at Terato, towering hundreds of Elte above.

“I hold the rightful power to govern this star. I am Babel Terato.”

A majestic and grand voice resounded.

That powerful voice resonated, filling the air from the gates to the ends of the opposite side.

Could a transcendent merely hold power in mere words?

The once chaotic city gradually quieted, as all gazes focused on the giant rising like a mountain.

“You little humans have reached into realms you should not touch, forgetting your station as mere creatures.”

There was a hint of anger in the giant’s voice.

Every being that sensed that anger trembled slightly.

“You did not just ignore my words that told you to correct this and return to your rightful places; you also brutally slaughtered my beloved children, damaging the authority of me, the rightful ruler of this star. This is an unforgivable sin.”

All the people of the city recalled the giants recently slaughtered at the hands of their goddess outside the city.

“However, you were foolish and, having not fully known me, Babel Terato, the master of all, could not avoid such foolishness; blaming this would not be wise as a rightful master. I will grant you the chance to seek forgiveness.”

As the word forgiveness came from the giant rising like a mountain, a flicker of hope began to return to the eyes of those who had fallen into despair.

“Submit to my authority. Worship me. Offer up that which has made you arrogant to me. And hand over the Elf known as Araya.”

As the final word ended, a terrifying murderous aura erupted from beside Saraswati.

What she turned to see was Palas, who was looking up at Terato with a dreadful flame contained in his eyes.

From another side, the spirits began to rise as well.

It was Anart.

“Hooh.”

Though they were not like the giant before her, both were exuding a presence of a different caliber.

They were quickly noticed by Terato.

“Are you refusing? That would be good. Lessons must accompany pain.”

“Ah—”

Saraswati tangled her hair in frustration and began to swirl mana around her heart.

“It has come to this after all.”

Saraswati showed an irritated expression.

“Wasn’t it supposed to go this way?”

“True, but ah, damn it. To be honest, if it wasn’t for the demand to hand over Araya, I was thinking of maybe just giving them a toy or something.”

The circles wrapped around Saraswati’s heart spun and released an explosive energy.

“I told you, whenever she’s involved, nothing ends well.”

“You possess extraordinary potential yet fail to grasp your limits.”

The giant’s hand reached toward the sky.

“You mentioned you were an Elf. Seeing you in person, I understand. Since the beginning of your existence, you’ve known no rivals and have likely grown arrogant without knowing the fear of anything. Then you shall learn through painful lessons—”

“Is the only thing you pride in your body-size? Your words have grown too long.”

In that moment, the giant’s deep voice was interrupted, and a clear voice echoed throughout Pohelrn.

Saraswati and the High Elves saw the mana in the atmosphere being sucked into one place in a grotesque manner.

With it, all sound vanished.

Creak.

Creak.

Creeeeeeeeak—!

Creeeeek!

A bizarre rumble.

“Umm—.”

The titan-like body of the giant staggered.

A massive line diagonally marked its chest, as if it were armored.

Holding onto its chest, Terato gazed at the being that had carved an immense wound in its body in an instant.

“Indeed. It possesses a tremendous mass. I intended to slice through in one go. That body has a density as if several mountains were compressed within.”

At the end of that gaze, a small human of golden hue was gliding through the air like a bird, looking at Terato with an expression of indifference.

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