"What is... that?"
Hajrudin, plummeting downward, stared somewhat blankly at the giant starlight ship below that was getting closer and clearer.
Its size could be called exaggerated even for the Giant race — that resplendent starlight almost filled the entire Underworld. At least within the range of Hajrudin's vision, nothing else could be seen.
And right now—
"Awoo!"
Accompanied by a low wolf howl, a pure white giant wolf abruptly leaped high from the edge of that giant starlight ship — of course, because the giant ship was truly so massive, even this giant wolf, already as huge as a mountain on the sea, appeared extremely petite in comparison.
Watching this, Dorry and Brogy were almost stunned on the spot.
Because they naturally recognized it — this giant wolf was the Wolf of the North Wind, Siflin, who had brought them to Jotun Snow Mountain in the Underworld earlier.
They had also noticed earlier that during the battle between Uma and Loki, this giant wolf should have fallen into the depths of the Underworld.
Coupled with the subsequent disaster of the entire Elbaf, they had originally thought this giant wolf must have died.
But now—
Accompanied by the howling, the Lord of the Mountain giant wolf, whose size far exceeded that of a normal Giant, easily caught the two of them and the children in their arms.
It was only at this moment that Dorry and Brogy noticed — this giant wolf's entire body was emitting starlight that was of the same origin as that giant ship.
And right now, under the pull of the starlight, it was quickly dragged back onto the giant ship.
"..." ×2
Dorry and Brogy looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
But they at least understood — from the looks of it, they were safe.
It's just that...
"Hey, Lord Siflin — there's also Prince Regent Hajrudin and the children over there, as well as everyone up in the Sun Realm..."
Soon, they spoke up repeatedly.
"Awoo."
The giant wolf howled.
"Speak human language — we can't understand you..."
Dorry and Brogy scratched their heads.
But exactly at this moment—
Boom!
They suddenly heard the sound of flapping wings coming from the giant ship below.
Accompanied by the sweeping of a fierce wind, a pitch-black giant dragon abruptly rose from the starlight.
That massive dragon claw caught Hajrudin and the children with just one swipe.
"Hajrudin."
In that low voice, there was distinct intimacy and a smile.
"Big brother Loki!?"
Hajrudin could naturally recognize Loki's ability, and let out a sound of pleasant surprise.
Although time and circumstances were tight, and Dorry and Brogy hadn't been able to tell him the specific situation in full detail, Hajrudin knew the general picture.
So he naturally understood — Loki appearing here right now, coupled with this giant starlight ship, was enough to explain...
"The Zodiac won!?"
Accompanied by Hajrudin's inquiry, Loki's massive figure landed on the giant ship.
"Mm. I'll tell you the specific details later — right now... let's rescue everyone in the Sun Realm and those who fled to the coast of the Underworld first."
"Otherwise, even if they successfully leave the vicinity of Elbaf, ordinary ships will be dragged into the deep sea along with the sinking of the World Tree."
Loki spoke softly. "Same as always, Hajrudin... you stabilize the order for me."
He looked at his brother.
"...Mm."
Hajrudin nodded deeply.
Then he didn't drag his feet, but leaped down and directly landed on the deck below.
Dorry and Brogy beside him followed suit, jumping down from the giant wolf with the children.
"Hm? This is..."
When they landed on the deck, their expressions changed slightly.
The children also stopped panicking and crying, widening their eyes and curiously touching the floor flowing with starlight beneath their feet.
Right now, they had all discovered it.
The starlight beneath their feet wasn't truly pure light as it appeared on the surface.
On the contrary—
"Soil?"
Hajrudin frowned — the Crown of Wisdom atop his head continuously emitted light, allowing him to glimpse some truths of this giant ship's deck.
This ship was composed of starlight, but simultaneously possessed substance.
Or to be more precise—
"It was originally a massive ship made of soil. Does this starlight... represent that it is undergoing some kind of transformation?"
The more Hajrudin looked, the more astonished he became.
He had never heard of a giant ship of this size, which could be considered exaggerated even for the Giant race.
"Good eye."
The next moment, he heard a slightly smiling voice.
Hajrudin turned his head, and saw a figure slowly walking out from the circulating starlight.
That familiar horse head mask naturally explained his identity.
"Lord Uma... you indeed won."
Hajrudin wasn't surprised, but merely sighed in admiration.
"Thanks to the leader's help, and just some lucky coincidences."
Uma waved his hand, his profound gaze behind the mask's eye holes looking at the giant starlight ship around him.
"The leader is currently presiding over the operation of this Aster, and has no time to meet you, so I am responsible for entertaining everyone."
As he spoke, Hajrudin also noticed — the Book of the Stars at Uma's waist was emitting a faint brilliance.
"The Aster? Leader?"
Under the enhancement of the Crown of Wisdom, Hajrudin quickly figured out the meaning of these words.
Aster — meaning 'cluster of starlight'.
And the leader...
"Star Lord is on this ship, and is presiding over its operation."
Coupled with the unique posture of this ship, that possibility was already clearly displayed before Hajrudin.
"This ship is the vessel of The Zodiac and Star Lord?"
He took a deep breath and spoke in a deep voice.
"Yes."
Uma didn't hesitate, quickly nodding. "This ship is the Ship of Starlight, the Ark of Salvation — only by riding the Aster, coupled with this Book of the Stars in my hand as a key, can one travel to our headquarters."
He waved the Book of the Stars in his hand. "Exactly because of this, I hold the responsibility of Recorder in the organization — everyone who enters and exits is recorded by me."
Hearing this, Hajrudin — who had already learned of Uma's abilities from Dorry and Brogy — felt awe in his heart.
He felt that what he was hearing right now was undoubtedly one of the greatest secrets on the entire sea.
The Zodiac actually had their own ship, as well as their own headquarters — Hajrudin naturally knew what monumental news this was.
And more crucially—
"Star Lord is here?"
He had naturally understood — that Star Lord, the master of The Zodiac, was on this ship right now.
"..."
Hajrudin took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the stormy waves surging in his heart.
He knew very well that what he needed to ask about first was not regarding The Zodiac, but the citizens of Elbaf.
"All you sons of the Giant race!"
Hajrudin opened his mouth and let out a low roar. "Listen to the arrangements of Lord Uma and my elder brother — prepare to rescue people!"
As his words fell, the Giant warriors responded in unison, and the giant ship Aster beneath their feet had already begun to move.
Rumble!
Rumble!
Countless falling giant logs and boulders smashed down, but were unable to harm this giant ship in the slightest.
"Look!"
"What is that!?"
"It's a ship!?"
The Giants still remaining in some safe places in the Underworld or the Sun Realm naturally also quickly noticed the figure of that giant ship.
And right now—
"Roar!"
Above the Aster, Loki — transformed into a black dragon — opened his mouth and let out a dragon's roar.
Lightning stirred up storms and thunder around him, clearing a path in the surroundings.
At the same time—
"Awoo!"
"Roar!"
"Woo!"
From beneath the deck, massive beasts also continuously leaped out from the starlight.
Like Siflin, they all had massive bodies and powerful auras. Among them were lions, tigers, leopards, bears, as well as snakes, bugs, mice, and eagles.
Without exception, they were all Lords of the Mountain from the Underworld who had been tamed by Loki previously.
Relying on their agility as beasts, they began to patrol between the Sun Realm and the Underworld under the support of that starlight.
Thus, the citizens of Elbaf began to be continuously transported and guided onto the giant ship one by one.
The Giants very quickly discovered something special.
That was — no matter how many people boarded this giant ship, the deck seemed to always be able to accommodate them. They could even clearly see the edges of this ship's deck becoming blurred.
This appearance was as if the deck of this ship itself had a size far exceeding cognition, only existing in another space.
"That is..."
Hajrudin tightly gripped his giant axe. While directing the Giant warriors to maintain order and settle the wounded, he simultaneously used his senses enhanced by the Crown of Wisdom to observe.
Then he discovered even more unusual aspects.
For example, as the number of Giants boarding the ship increased, he could even faintly see three massive objects resembling mountain peaks or masts in the distance of the deck.
Besides that, the space in the center of the ship's hull on the deck even rippled with vortices constructed by starlight — they were like doors above the deck.
Some Giant children who boarded the deck tried to enter them, but were consistently unable to do so.
However, one could faintly see that within those doors, there seemed to be some silhouettes.
That was not Elbaf's style, but special scenes resembling Heavenly Palaces or Pyramids.
"This is what Brogy and Dorry mentioned — Uma's ability..."
Hajrudin naturally realized this immediately — he had already learned of Uma's general abilities and the existence of the Phantasm World from Dorry and Brogy.
He had also heard that within the Phantasm World, one could faintly see the phantoms of some special scenes.
Looking at it now—
"As the administrator of the headquarters among The Zodiac and the recorder of entering and exiting guests, the posture manifested by Uma's Phantasm World is highly likely a real thing, not just an illusion."
"What he summoned might be the projection of the headquarters he spoke of? Perhaps through his ability, one can directly enter The Zodiac's headquarters from this ship?"
"This Aster is indeed not just a ship, but a mobile gateway... such a thing exists? Is it Star Lord's power?"
Hajrudin subconsciously looked at Uma again.
But this member of The Zodiac still seemed calm and focused, with only the brilliance of the Book of the Stars reflecting on his mysterious mask.
At this moment, Uma seemed to perceive Hajrudin's complex gaze, slightly tilting his head. The sight beneath the mask seemed to carry a trace of understanding, but he didn't say much, merely nodding gently — gesturing for him to continue focusing on the rescue.
"..."
Hajrudin was speechless for a moment.
As the user of the Crown of Wisdom, he was always curious about this.
However, as a sufficiently competent leader, he naturally had no intention of exploring the secrets of The Zodiac at a time like this.
He also knew — if it was a matter regarding The Zodiac, then this was not a domain he should interfere in.
Because his elder brother had long told him — matters regarding The Zodiac were the part he needed to handle personally.
And exactly at this moment—
Rumble!
While the Aster was everywhere in the Sun Realm and the Underworld rescuing the survivors of Elbaf, all the Giants could hear the massive roar coming from overhead.
That seemed to be the final mournful wail of Treasure Tree Adam.
Crack!
Crack!
Accompanied by that massive roar, the magnificent main trunk of Treasure Tree Adam finally completely snapped.
Ssh!
Golden sap flowed from the broken wound.
That giant tree, which had existed here since the birth of countless Giants, at the end of everyone's upward vision... began to completely collapse.
"The World Tree..."
"Treasure Tree Adam..."
Even though the Giant warriors present had long had a premonition of this scene, upon seeing it with their own eyes, without exception, they all gritted their teeth tightly.
The veins bulged on the arms of Dorry and Brogy as they gripped their weapons, and Saul's eyes uncontrollably brimmed with tears.
"..."
Even Hajrudin fell silent for a moment.
They all knew.
Today, they were about to lose their homeland forever.
The Giant race would, just like in the distant past, once again become the displaced people of this sea.
But—
"There is no need for sorrow or fear!"
From the sky above, the soaring black dragon surrounded by natural disasters let out a roar like thunder.
"This disaster is indeed a disaster..."
Loki looked at the Giants below, and also at the giant ship below.
In his mind, he recalled those people from the past — Harald, Rocks, Teach, and the Star Lord he had just seen with his own eyes.
That was enough for him to firm his resolve.
"I have already made an agreement with the Master of the Stars — he will find a new homeland for the Giants."
He spread his wings.
Just as Harald had said before leaving in the past — as his most outstanding offspring, as the consumer of the Nidhogg Fruit, as the Prince of the Giant race... he had the qualification to helm the future course of the Giant race.
And he had made his choice.
"We will leave our homeland. Elbaf will become the past."
"But we are absolutely not displaced wanderers — but warriors stepping onto the battlefield, about to lift the curtain on a new era!"
(End of Chapter)
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you
