Winter Solstice Festival

In the world where Magnus resided, humans were not the only intelligent beings. Besides humans, there were numerous demi-human races like the Giant race, Merfolk, Longarm tribe, and Dwarf race.

However, these demi-human races were ultimately a minority.

In this world where feudalism and slavery coexisted, differences in appearance often led to discrimination. The more numerous ordinary humans discriminated against the fewer demi-humans, capturing them and turning them into slaves. Such incidents were commonplace in this world.

The Giant race was also a type of demi-human.

It was just that, compared to other demi-human nations, the strength of the Giant race was far greater. Even the World Government was unwilling to provoke the giants of Elbaf lightly.

Magnus and Harald sat on the ground.

"Fish-Man Island is a member nation of the World Government, but due to humans' aversion to merfolk and its geographical location, Fish-Man Island has always been in a very awkward situation."

"You mean pirates?"

"Not just pirates, but slave traders too."

Magnus held a porcelain bowl larger than himself and lightly clinked it with Harald.

"Humans detest merfolk, yet the upper-class nobles take pride in raising a young female merfolk. In the black market, a young female merfolk can sell for tens of millions of Belly. Such exorbitant profits lead to frequent incidents of kidnapping and plunder on Fish-Man Island."

Fish-Man Island was located ten thousand meters below the sea, far from Mary Geoise. By all rights, it should have been very safe. However, since the advent of coating craftsmen, pirates, Marines, and all sorts of people could infiltrate the deep sea by coating their ships.

"If Elbaf wants to trade with other countries, it must have its own unique products. In my opinion, is there anything more unique than Adam Wood?"

Outside, a cubic meter of Adam Wood had a starting bid in the millions of Belly. To build a sailing ship entirely out of Adam Wood, the lumber alone would cost hundreds of millions of Belly.

Elbaf had no shortage of Adam Wood.

"However, I imagine you wouldn't trade Adam Wood lightly."

Seeing Harald's furrowed brow, Magnus knew that this path was impossible. Getting the giants to part with the Adam Wood they were forced to cut down due to a large fire was already their limit.

But for the giants to voluntarily cut down the Adam Tree was out of the question.

"Besides Adam Wood, you have nothing else to trade. Handicrafts are not valuable. Agricultural nations can only export farm products, but most farm products are not easily preserved."

"So, after thinking about it, it has to be that."

Magnus smiled. "If you are willing to act as bodyguards for the merfolk, I believe the King of Fish-Man Island would not refuse to pay a small reward for it."

Although Fish-Man Island was a mixed bag with all sorts of people coming and going, the passing travelers never hesitated to spend money.

Fish-Man Island was wealthy.

But the wealthy Fish-Man Island lacked the strength to protect itself.

The geographical location of Fish-Man Island dictated that those who could reach it were powerful pirates. Even the slave traders were those with backgrounds and connections.

Therefore, even though Fish-Man Island paid its full Celestial Gold to the World Government every year, the Marines under the World Government were still unable to properly protect Fish-Man Island.

On Fish-Man Island, you could throw a brick and hit several pirates worth tens of millions of Belly. Pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million were not uncommon.

In such a situation, ordinary Marines could not maintain order.

The Giant race was different.

The bounty of an adult giant started at a minimum of tens of millions of Belly. As long as their numbers were sufficient, even pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million would not dare to act recklessly.

If they only wanted to be self-sufficient, then Elbaf's small territory was enough for the giants to manage.

But if they did not want to be limited to that.

To interact and trade with other countries, they needed their own flagship products.

"What, do you think, Harald, that abandoning military force will bring peace?"

Magnus shook his head.

"This world ultimately speaks with strength. Strength itself is not right or wrong; the difference lies in whether it is used to invade others or to protect oneself."

"."

Harald was not so naive as to believe that abandoning military force would bring peace. He was just wondering if, in that case, their Giant race would be any different from mercenaries.

"Of course, there's a difference!"

Hearing Harald's doubt, Magnus said without hesitation.

"Mercenaries do anything for money, but your Giant race only protects the employer. There's a bottom line and no bottom line; isn't that a huge difference?"

". I will consider it."

Given that the future of the entire Giant race was at stake, Harald had to think carefully. Magnus was not in a hurry; as long as the Adam Wood was secured.

"Take your time to think. This is all the advice I can give. Perhaps you could also become a member nation through Carmel's connections. The World Government probably wouldn't mind you using people to offset the Celestial Gold you need to pay annually."

The World Government had long coveted the Giant race, otherwise, they would not have played along with Carmel, making her the bridge between them and the giants.

But working for oneself and working for others were definitely different.

"Sigh~"

Yaruru sighed, having listened to their conversation the entire time.

The world was changing.

Old men like him would eventually be swept away by the tide of the times.

In the past, the Giant race could live by plundering.

But that doesn't mean they can in the future.

To Magnus's delight, after leaving the castle, Yaruru ordered the giants to bring out the Adam Wood from the warehouse, preparing to build a ship for Magnus.

According to Yaruru's words, no matter what path Harald chose, they might need Magnus's help in the future.

Since that was the case, it was better to generously hand over the timber.

In a world of pirates lacking a heavy industry base, building a sailing ship took years. Most pirates who wanted a ship would either buy a used one or a ready-made one; very few would wait several years specifically for a single ship.

Magnus was one of the few.

There's no substitute for quality, and after sailing the seas for so many years, Magnus understood the importance of a good ship all too well. It was equivalent to a second life on the open sea.

This was also why Magnus agreed to stay in Elbaf for two years to help teach the children of the giants.

In two years, his ship should be almost finished.

The following time passed quickly.

After meeting Harald, Magnus spent most of his time in the giant village, playing with the giants and the children from the Orphanage of Lambs.

Sometimes Magnus even thought that if it weren't for the system's existence reigniting his fighting spirit, it wouldn't be bad to live out the rest of his life peacefully here.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

In Elbaf, Magnus and the others welcomed the giants' Winter Solstice Festival.