Amidst the dilapidated ruins.
The relatively well-preserved church, with the singing emanating from within, seemed to come alive at this moment, reflecting multicolored light under the sun's rays.
Inside the church, around the girl earnestly playing and singing, the music seemed to possess magic, transforming into colorful notes, like butterflies dancing gracefully, constantly appearing and leaping around her.
At this moment, she was a spirit of music, a goddess of music.
The song ended.
The girl opened her eyes, revealing pure, black and white pupils within, and the notes that had materialized around her body vanished along with the music as she opened her eyes.
*Clap clap clap!!*
Just then, applause echoed through the church.
The applause was crisp and loud, and although there was only one person, it felt as if many were applauding the girl in the empty church.
Hearing the applause, the girl lowered her hands, turned, and looked at an old man standing at the very back of the lecture hall, smiling at her. He resembled Frankenstein, with a hideous scar spanning his entire head.
"How was it, Gordon?"
The girl asked the old man with a smile.
"Not bad. The piano melody was melodious, the singing was beautiful, and the theme was profound. It's a good song."
The old man nodded with satisfaction, his gaze filled with doting affection for the girl.
Although he was the only one who knew that the girl before him was the one who had destroyed his country, he believed "music is innocent"; the guilty party was the demon king behind the music.
Therefore, he harbored no resentment towards the girl. Years had passed, and the little girl had long become his only family, a daughter he cherished, and the successor of Music Island, Elegya.
He was genuinely happy and proud of the girl's achievements in music.
"Gordon, this song doesn't have a name yet. What do you think we should call it?"
The girl sat at the piano, touching her chin in a pensive manner.
"You, who created the music, know best what you want."
The old man descended the steps, walked behind the girl, and gently stroked her soft, red and white short hair, smiling. "The name of the music, of course, should be chosen by yourself; it's most fitting!"
"Then 'New Era' it is!"
As if she had thought of something, or as if she had been prepared for it, the girl looked up at the old man and said earnestly, "I want to establish a new era of peace and happiness with my voice."
"New Era?"
The old man nodded thoughtfully.
At that moment, he did not yet understand that the new era of peace and happiness the girl spoke of would, when it truly arrived, be nothing like he imagined.
Seeing her adoptive father nod, the girl's face lit up with a joyful smile.
However, behind this smile lay a deep, hidden hatred and sorrow for pirates.
...
Elbaf.
At the summit of the Tree of Knowledge, Adam, within the royal city of the Giant Kingdom.
Looking at the temple made of massive stones that had stood for countless years, Kōta and Guina's eyes revealed a sense of curiosity.
Robin, beside Guina, was visibly excited, with a touch of reverence akin to a pilgrimage.
When faced with history, Robin never appeared too composed, unlike her usual calm and intellectual demeanor.
In front of the three stood an old giant, his white hair and weathered face etched with the ravages of time, yet his body remained strong and robust. He wore golden armor and a crown.
This old giant was King Joy Boy Faburiti of the Giant tribe, whom Kōta had met briefly the previous night.
Faburiti looked up at the temple, a hint of emotion in his eyes.
Then, gripping his scepter, which resembled a spear, he walked step by step upwards.
The belongings of the giants were built according to their physique, so what were mere steps for Faburiti were like a wall for Kōta and the other two.
However, this did not pose a challenge for them.
The three faced the wall and continued forward, yet their footsteps seemed to tread on empty air, as if invisible stairs were welcoming them.
*Clang clang clang!!*
The stone door slowly opened from the outside, and a rich, ancient aura washed over them, evoking a sense of timelessness.
The historical weight emanating from beyond the massive gate instilled a profound sense of solemnity from the depths of their hearts.
At this point, Robin could no longer contain her excitement and, taking the lead, stepped through the stone door from beside Faburiti's feet.
"Haha! This young friend is truly impatient!"
Faburiti glanced at Robin, then smiled at Kōta.
His appearance was the same as when he sat on the throne last night, but his aura was vastly different.
Last night, Faburiti had felt to Kōta like a beast that had merely narrowed its eyes, exuding an aura and majesty that warned others to keep their distance.
But upon meeting him again today, he seemed to them like a gentle breeze, as if he had truly become an ordinary, kind, and benevolent old giant, always with a smile on his face, rather than the king of the world's strongest race and nation.
Looking up, Kōta met Faburiti's gaze deeply, a smile curving his lips, mirroring Faburiti's own smile.
"She's been holding back since she heard she could see the history of the giants. You know, Robin is a true historian; of course, she's eager!"
"So she's a historian too!"
Faburiti nodded. "No wonder I sensed the wisdom in her that only scholars possess."
"Alright, let's go in too. We shouldn't keep our young friend waiting."
Faburiti chuckled again and stepped into the temple.
The temple was empty, very spacious. Footprints on the ground indicated that it hadn't been visited in a long time.
However, besides Robin's distinct footprints, Kōta also spotted giant footprints.
Clearly, a giant had been here before they arrived.
Looking up at another door deep within the temple, a glint flashed in Kōta's eyes.
That was the place he couldn't sense.
"The aura of Elbaf."
Just then, the red pattern on Kōta's forehead flickered, and Bian's voice sounded in his mind.
"Yes! There's another little one inside."
"That is..."
"What's wrong?"
Kōta asked strangely.
"Hmm..." Bian pondered for a moment before saying, "It should be the awakening of a giant, but it's different from the little one below."
"Different?"
"Yes!" Bian nodded and continued, "The awakening place behind this door is clearly man-made. It's an awakening through some kind of power. If one awakens, it's a good thing, but if one fails to awaken, there's only death."
"And that little fellow, Moruo, is different. He's a natural awakening, making his innate strength and talent superior to the little one behind the door."
"I see!"
A hint of understanding appeared in Kōta's eyes.
One had to admit, an elder at home was a treasure. Many things Kōta couldn't understand could be seen through and answered by Bian.