#545 - Chapter 545 Your Pride
Jin An nodded slightly, and said with a faint smile:
"We just did what we were supposed to do."
Although his voice was calm, it carried a power that could not be ignored, as if injecting a trace of stability into those tired hearts.
Whitebeard stood in the middle of the group, his huge naginata resting on his shoulder.
He scanned the giants and suddenly laughed loudly:
"Gurarararara! You guys have such lifeless eyes! Are you so easily satisfied just because you have benefactors? Or do the warriors of Elbaf only know how to be grateful and not how to continue fighting?"
The giants were startled by his words and looked at him in astonishment.
The older giants sighed, while the younger warriors clenched their weapons, as if their fighting spirit had been aroused.
"We giants are very brave."
"Please wait and see."
"......"
As the group moved forward, the outline of the Elbaf Royal Palace gradually appeared.
It was a huge stone building, with ancient walls engraved with the glory of warriors.
"Welcome, benefactors."
Several giant warriors were guarding the gate of the palace, and they immediately opened the gate after seeing Loki and his group.
Jin An walked in the group, his eyes sweeping over the giants with complex expressions.
He didn't say much, but instead turned his attention to Amatsuki Toki and asked in a low voice:
"How are the casualty statistics?"
Amatsuki Toki opened the notebook in her hand and replied in a low voice:
"The New Navy has lost more than 30%, and the seriously injured are still being treated; the Whitebeard Pirates are slightly better off. Although the giants have suffered considerable losses, their morale seems to have recovered somewhat due to our victory."
Jin An nodded, then quickened his pace.
He knew that their victory was not just for a moment of respite, but for a longer future.
However, just as the group stepped into the palace gate, a giant suddenly stood out and blocked Loki.
His eyes were sharp and cold, and he said in a low voice:
"Loki, you are not worthy to return here!"
"Benefactors, please come in."
In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.
Whitebeard stopped, his naginata lowered slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of playfulness:
"Gurarararara, this place is quite lively."
Jin An narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Loki's reaction.
He didn't speak, but the faint domineering aura shrouded the field like a mountain, making the atmosphere suddenly tense.
Loki was silent for a moment, and finally said in a low voice:
"I will prove with my actions that I am qualified to stand here."
Jin An smiled faintly and did not interfere.
He knew that what followed was the giants' internal problem, but he also knew that this victory was only the beginning for Elbaf.
Loki stood in front of the palace gate, facing the accusations of his clansmen, his body still standing as firm as an iron tower.
His face was as calm as water, seemingly unaffected.
However, his slightly clenched fists still revealed a trace of inner fluctuation.
"I admit that I was a little inappropriate in my choice to gain power."
He spoke slowly, his voice low and steady.
The clansmen were stunned when they heard this, seemingly not expecting him to admit his mistake.
But before anyone could refute, Loki had already raised his head, his eyes sweeping over everyone.
"But at this moment, we should focus on the real threat—the World Government."
His words carried a heavy weight, like a heavy hammer hitting the giants' hearts.
"......"
In an instant, the scene became silent.
But soon, someone muttered in a low voice, followed by a chorus of whispers.
"The World Government will definitely not let it go..."
"But Loki's mistakes cannot be forgiven just like that!"
"He is the king of our giants, shouldn't he be responsible for his choices?"
Loki listened to these discussions, his expression still unchanged, but he leaned back slightly, as if adjusting to the pressure he was bearing.
His eyes were firm, but that firmness also contained a hint of complex emotions.
Jin An stood aside, watching coldly.
He didn't speak, not even move, just silently scanning the field.
He could feel Loki's emotions, that forbearance and stubbornness, and the fragile struggle when his authority was questioned.
Suddenly, an elderly giant stepped out, his body hunched, but each step carried a heavy sense of oppression.
He looked directly at Loki, his voice like thunder:
"Loki, admitting your mistake is good, but what after admitting it? Do you have a way to get Elbaf out of its current predicament?!"
This sentence instantly detonated the scene, the giants' discussions suddenly increased, and anger, dissatisfaction, and questioning surged towards Loki like an invisible tide.
"I will have a way!"
Loki suddenly spoke, his voice like a bell, forcibly suppressing all the noise.
His eyes were as sharp as blades, meeting the elderly giant's gaze without hesitation.
"We have defeated the World Government's strongest force, we have the support of Jin An, the New Navy, and the Whitebeard Pirates.
As long as we unite, Elbaf can survive in this chaotic world, and even stand higher!"
The giants were silent, although the discussions did not completely disappear, they were obviously much lower.
The young warriors began to show a hint of yearning, while the older giants seemed more thoughtful.
Whitebeard, standing at the back of the group, grinned as he watched the farce:
"Gurarararara, this kid is a bit interesting."
Jin An didn't laugh, he just said faintly:
"If he can't even convince his own people, then he doesn't deserve to be called king."
This sentence made Loki's back tremble slightly, but he didn't look back, but continued:
"Warriors of Elbaf, if you want to prove me wrong, then stand up! Use your courage and wisdom to make me bow my head! But if you just stand there and criticize, then what qualifications do you have to talk about Elbaf's future?"
His words were like flames, igniting a trace of restlessness in the silent air.
Loki's last sentence was like putting shackles on the giants, and like shattering some stubborn ideas.
He no longer looked at the silent clansmen, but turned and walked towards the steps of the palace.
The giants stepped back, making way for him.
Although their eyes were complex, no one tried to stop him again.
Jin An looked at Loki's back, and the corners of his lips curled up in a faint smile.
He said softly to Amatsuki Toki:
"This king still has some hope."
And at the moment when the tall stone door was about to close, Loki suddenly turned his head and said forcefully:
"Elbaf will never have a second Loki making the same mistake, but I will prove that this Loki will be your pride!"
...
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