Dorry and Brogy were right; giants are incredibly hospitable, but only to those they consider friends.
On the way to the village, the giant leading the way enthusiastically introduced Nicholas to some aspects of the Giant Kingdom and curiously asked about overseas matters. Despite Dorry and Brogy, being among the few giants who had ventured out to sea, sharing much about the outside world, their information was outdated and their memories faded over a hundred years.
Nicholas, however, was different. His descriptions of Fish-Man Island, the Sabaody Archipelago, and other places he had visited captivated the giant named Olu.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nicholas also inquired about the basic situation of this country from Olu. For example, the current Giant King is named Yorm, and his wife is named Lorna. The couple are the strongest giants in all of Elbaf. They have three sons, all powerful warriors and strong contenders for the future king. They are among the top warriors in the Giant Kingdom.
Nicholas also learned that the Giant Kingdom's throne is not inherited by blood but is publicly selected by the great warriors of Elbaf. Whoever passes the King's Trial can inherit the throne. Alternatively, one can directly challenge and defeat the Giant King to qualify for the trial.
As they chatted along the way, a gigantic village appeared before Nicholas and his companions.
"What a big house!"
Yamato exclaimed as she looked at the village in the distance.
After all, the houses meant to accommodate giants, who are tens of meters tall, were not small by any measure.
"Is that the giant village?"
Jinbei was also taken aback. By his judgment, they would be like insects in the giant village.
Simon, Brook, and the others were also astonished.
Walking through the forest, they hadn't felt it, as the island's trees were also tall. Such tall trees, though rare in the world, weren't unheard of. Some deserted islands have giant trees thousands of years old.
But now, seeing the giant village was different.
Enormous.
That was everyone's first reaction.
Each house was like a small mountain.
"I'll go get Brother Dorry and Brother Brogy!"
Olu, the giant leading the way, ran into the giant village.
"Brother Dorry! Brother Brogy!"
A rough voice echoed through the giant village.
"No wonder Elbaf is known as the world's strongest military nation."
Simon remarked, looking at the vast giant village.
"If this is just one of many warrior villages in the Giant Kingdom, it's hard to imagine how many powerful giant warriors the whole kingdom has."
Jinbei said. The village wasn't small, with nearly a hundred towering houses. The village likely had a population of several hundred.
Don't underestimate a few hundred people. If armed, these few hundred could easily conquer some countries.
"How many giants are there in total? And how many brave and strong giant warriors do they have?"
Bonney was also astonished. The existence of giant Marine vice admirals wasn't a secret. If Elbaf's giant warriors had the strength of Marine vice admirals, it would be terrifying.
"No one has ever counted, but I recall someone saying that Elbaf has at least thousands of giant warriors."
Brook said, seemingly recalling something.
"So, you're saying that the Giant Tribe could easily field an army of over a thousand adult giants?" Katie asked, astonished.
Individual giants might not seem intimidating on their own, but with such a number, even they would find it challenging.
"Is this really the strongest nation in the world? It truly lives up to its name!" Nicholas said with a smile. Though the number didn't matter much to him, the idea of thousands of fully armed giants, each at least 20 to 30 meters tall, could indeed destroy any country on the sea.
No wonder Charlotte Linlin said that if she had the support of the giants of Elbaf, she could have surpassed Whitebeard long ago. Such a powerful force could indeed change the balance of power on the seas.
…
"They're coming," Nicholas said.
As his words fell, the ground shook, and a cloud of dust rose from the giant village.
"Gya ha ha ha!"
Brogy and Dorry, leading the way, waved their hands energetically as they ran toward Nicholas.
"Finally, Nicholas!"
Nicholas shouted back, "Long time no see, Brogy, Dorry!"
Despite the long separation, the two giants looked the same as ever. For giants, a decade or so is just a brief period in their long lives.
"Ka ba ba ba! You came at the perfect time! There's some excitement to see!"
"Excitement?" Nicholas asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Yes, excitement."
Guided by Brogy and Dorry, the group moved toward the other side of the village. As they approached, the noise grew louder.
Eventually, they reached a vast open area where a crowd of giants had gathered, cheering and waving their arms. The sound of their cheers was thunderous.
"What's going on?" Nicholas asked as he stood on Brogy's shoulder, observing two giants in the center of the field fighting each other with full force.
" Ka ba ba ba! This is to decide which of our village's warriors will participate in the War God Festival selection! Only the strongest among us have the right to represent our village in the capital city for the War God Festival," Brogy explained with a laugh.
"War God Festival?" Nicholas asked, puzzled. Is it some kind of traditional giant festival?
"Yes, the War God Festival! It's the most honorable festival of the Giant Tribe," Dorry added. "Only the strongest warriors from each giant village can participate, and the strongest warrior is determined in the capital! Only those who win the War God Festival are qualified to compete for the next Giant King!"
Hearing Dorry's explanation, Nicholas realized he might need to reassess the strength of the Giant King. The giants are already known for their power, and it seems the Giant King is chosen from among the strongest of many giants.
Considering the strength of Dorry and Brogy, Nicholas could estimate the formidable power of the Giant King.