Beneath the azure sky, a hawk soared overhead. At the edge of the giants' village, a massive ruin stood atop a tree growing from the cliffs.
The iron chain suspension bridge leading up from the Underworld stretched all the way here. Moss and vines covered the ground, while weeds sprouted from the cracks between worn stone bricks.
This was the Orsuto Castle Ruins, once the residence of the Giant Race's king. It had been abandoned after the battle between the Cursed Prince Loki and the previous king.
Even by giants' standards, these ruins were grand and magnificent. The instant Luffy and the others crossed the bridge and entered, the sight before them left them deeply shaken.
"You said something about a Cursed Prince earlier. What exactly was that about? Is the king gone now?"
Usopp questioned Gaban. Everything he had heard about Elbaf's customs and culture from this man, who called himself "Uncle Yama," had fascinated him.
Gaban gazed at the battered castle ruins before him, looking wistful as though he had fallen into old memories. After a moment, he smiled and said,
"It's a long story. I don't know whether you've heard the name Cursed Prince Loki. A battle broke out within the Giant Race back then. He killed King Harald, and it took all the giant warriors joining forces with Red-Haired Shanks to suppress him. He's now imprisoned in the Underworld below."
"Huh? Shanks?"
Hearing that key name, Luffy turned around. "That guy was so strong that it took all those giant uncles working together to beat him?"
"Yeah. Not only was Loki extremely powerful himself, he also ate the legendary Devil Fruit passed down through the Giant Race for generations. Before Red-Haired Shanks appeared, almost no one could stop him."
Gaban explained.
"Prince Loki? Wait, I think