The Iron Mountain Range, the domain of the giants.
“What did you say?”
“…Please, just hear us out about the humans.”
The giant seated on the throne squinted his eyes and asked sharply. Kushan bowed his head deeply in response. At once, a small commotion stirred among the dozen or so giants standing on either side of the throne.
Small commotion? Hardly. Except for Kushan, every one of them towered over seven or eight meters tall, their voices booming and thunderous.
“My little lord, what nonsense is this? Are you telling us to ally with humans now?”
“No, I knew this would happen! That’s why I insisted we crush those human scum and bring them here from the start!”
Shouts erupted among the giants, all directed at the lone small figure standing in the center. Kushan bit his lip as if expecting this reaction, glancing left and right before speaking again.
“I have returned here of my own will. I have lived among humans and suffered no harm. Can’t you see that?”
“The little lord still doesn’t understand the human race well enough!”
“Yes, I don’t. But living with them this time, I’ve learned at least this much: the humans waiting on the plains don’t want to fight us. They don’t want war! So why is it so hard to just listen to what they have to say?”
“Listen? Ha! The humans’ words are worthless.”
One giant snorted dismissively, and a flash of anger crossed Kushan’s face. Seeing these giants, who relied solely on their brute strength and ignored the gravity of the situation, made his chest tighten unbearably. He was about to try persuading them once more when—
“Enough!”
Suddenly, the giant on the throne let out a tremendous roar. He was larger than any of the others nearby, and his deep, resonant voice instantly silenced the uproar.
He slowly scanned the giants on either side before fixing his gaze on Kushan in the center.
“Just… this.”
“……”
“You came back only to say something like this?”
“It’s not just that…!”
“You came back to block us then, little lord, just to say this?”
“……”
Under the weight of the giant’s steady gaze, Kushan involuntarily fell silent. The low voice carried an unchallengeable authority, tinged with a hint of disappointment.
“Heh heh heh.”
Then the giant, mouth forming a round ‘O’, stepped forward and laughed freely. Though massive, his face was marked by deep wrinkles and a white beard, showing signs of age unlike the others. He was likely the eldest among them.
“It seems the brothers’ tempers have flared too much. I think many are unhappy with the little lord’s actions.”
“……”
“But perhaps it’s best to stop here. I understand your feelings, but shouting and threatening like this is not the right way.”
“……”
The old giant spoke calmly, stepping in to mediate. The surrounding giants, who looked ready to charge, cleared their throats and eased their hostility, though their sharp eyes remained.
The giant on the throne clicked his tongue and looked at Kushan.
“…You say they’re waiting for us on the plains?”
Kushan said nothing, only slowly nodding.
“Hmm…”
The giant pressed his forehead as if in pain, lowering his eyes, then gestured toward the entrance.
“Everyone, leave now.”
“Then…!”
“Summon all the brothers and have them wait. I will finish my talk with the little lord and then come out.”
“…Understood.”
At Kushan Thor’s command, the other giants reluctantly turned and began to leave. In effect, the order to “summon and wait” was an official declaration of how the giants would treat the humans who had come. War preparations. The dark shadow that clouded Kushan’s face was proof enough.
Some time passed.
Only the giant on the throne and Kushan remained where the others had stepped back.
“Kushan.”
Suddenly, the giant called Kushan in a rough but gentle voice—not the stiff tone from before, but one filled with warmth, like a parent calling their child.
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Tell me.”
“…Elder Kuchal.”
Kushan addressed the giant on the throne as Elder Kuchal. They were not related by blood, but Kuchal had taught Kushan many things since he was young and had taken on a fatherly role after the previous Kushan Thor left. Kushan trusted him more than any other giant in the clan.
“I just remembered my father’s words, Elder Kuchal. I believe the time has come for our clan to change.”
“Again with your father’s words? He abandoned you. He left you with the heavy responsibility of managing the sacred realm before you even had your coming-of-age ceremony.”
“He didn’t abandon us! He left because he worried about the clan’s future!”
“Worry? We all opposed that.”
“My father was not wrong! That’s why he left despite the opposition!”
“I never said he was wrong!”
For the first time, Kuchal’s voice rose sharply. Kushan flinched. Realizing this, Kuchal quickly softened his expression and sighed deeply.
“…But it’s different. So very different. There’s a clear difference between being wrong and being different. Why can’t you understand that?”
“…I feel misunderstood too.”
“The more you act like this, the more you affect not just us but the other brothers as well. Your words are dangerous—especially when dealing with humans!”
“How can you know without trying? How long are we supposed to live like this? Labeling everyone else as enemies, refusing any contact, and living in a closed-off world.”
“There are reasons for that.”
“What reasons?”
“Kushan…”
“Please tell me. If you don’t, I will protect the humans in front of everyone again.”
Kushan’s tone turned defiant. Kuchal called out to the central giant with a more urgent voice, but Kushan stood firm, eyes blazing, fists clenched.
Sigh…
This was the third sigh. Kuchal shook his head.
“That behavior is wrong. It will only harm you. And you’re too young now. You haven’t even had your coming-of-age ceremony. You’ll understand naturally when the time comes.”
“But this chance won’t come again.”
“You are the last of the Kushan clan. We want only one thing from you: grow up, complete your ceremony, and take your place as king. Then I will personally hand you Mjolnir. That’s all there is to it. So why do you keep looking elsewhere?”
“Even if that time comes, nothing will change. I’ll be the same. My views will clash with the clan’s, and I’ll end up leaving, just like my father.”
At that, a deep groan escaped Kuchal’s lips. The departure of the previous Kushan Thor had been no small matter, and Kuchal had been the strongest opponent trying to stop him. Kushan’s words were like a bombshell, threatening to repeat that very event.
“Hmm…”
Kuchal folded his arms and closed his eyes, lost in thought. Kushan gripped his trembling hands tightly, staring silently at the throne.
After a long moment—
“…Very well.”
Kuchal muttered softly and slowly rose. Kushan’s eyes widened in disbelief, unsure if he had heard correctly.
“Elder Kuchal?”
“If that is truly your will, then I will listen to your story.”
“Are you serious? Really?”
“Yes. But only to listen.”
Suddenly, a bright smile lit Kushan’s face. He raised his right hand and extended his pinky finger.
“Promise me!”
“Hmm?”
Kuchal looked puzzled. Kushan chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head.
“Oh, this is a promise… If we link pinkies and touch thumbs like this…”
“…A human custom?”
Kushan nodded cautiously. Kuchal let out a light laugh.
“Can’t hurt. But if I promise, you must promise too.”
“Me? What do I have to promise?”
Kuchan tilted his head. Kuchal’s gaze turned serious.
“You will stay out of this story. Wait here. And never say you’ll leave the clan again.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Kushan’s eyes.
“Alright. I’ll wait quietly here and never say I’ll leave again.”
“Good. Then let’s make this promise.”
Kuchal stepped forward and extended his right hand. They linked pinkies and pressed thumbs together. The promise between the two giants was sealed.
“Heh heh.”
“Is that really what you want?”
Kushan laughed heartily, and Kuchal joined in. Then, suddenly, Kuchal let out a soft “Ah,” as if remembering something he had forgotten to say.
“Kushan, now that I think about it…”
Kuchar hesitated for a moment, trailing off mid-sentence. Then, with a sharp glance around, he lowered his voice and continued.
“Watch out for Hachar.”
Kushan tilted his head in confusion at the sudden warning. Hachar was the oldest giant among their kin—the very one who had gently shielded Kushan earlier.
“Why… would he—?”
“His behavior’s been strange lately. There’s something off in his eyes.”
“…What? But—”
“Earlier, he might have been trying to win your favor for some hidden reason. Think about it. Hachar’s always been the brother who hated humans the most.”
Kushan’s face flickered with doubt, clearly sensing something unusual. Noticing this, Kuchar chuckled in his rough voice and lightly placed a hand on Kushan’s shoulder.
“But don’t take it too seriously. Just be cautious. It never hurts to be careful, right?”
“C-cautious?”
“Yeah. Anyway, don’t worry too much. As long as me and the others are around, nothing bad will happen to you.”
“……”
Suddenly, Kushan stared intently at Kuchar. Thinking back on his earlier actions, a pang of guilt stirred within him. Come to think of it, Kuchar wasn’t just someone who cared for him—he was like a real father figure, always offering sound advice and support.
‘But I…’
At that moment, Kuchar’s hand slowly slipped off Kushan’s shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be off then. You haven’t forgotten our promise, right?”
“Of course not. I’ll wait here quietly. It’s a promise.”
Even as he said the word ‘promise,’ Kushan felt a sharp prick in his chest. But Kuchar gave him a warm look and, with a final “I’ll be back,” turned and walked toward where the others were waiting.
Kushan watched Kuchar’s retreating back endlessly. Once he was completely out of sight, Kushan lowered his head, his gaze falling on his own shadow.
He finally spoke.
“Um…”
“Hohoho.”
Just then, someone suddenly appeared. It was Hachar—the giant who had been standing near Kuchar earlier. Kushan jumped in surprise and looked away, but Hachar approached with a broad grin.
“Hachar?”
“Well, well, this is unexpected.”
“……?”
“I thought you’d be down after getting scolded. But you look surprisingly cheerful.”
Caught off guard by Hachar’s sudden appearance, Kushan didn’t know how to respond. He worried that maybe Hachar had overheard their earlier conversation.
“Glad to see you’re doing well.”
Thankfully, Hachar didn’t seem to have heard anything. He smiled kindly as he stepped closer.
“Ahaha… thank you. Things have been going fairly well.”
“Oh? Is that so? That’s good to hear.”
“Good?”
“Hmm? Little master, why are you looking at me like that?”
“But Hachar…”
“…Ah.”
Realizing what Kushan was thinking, Hachar chuckled heartily.
“I don’t know what you think of me, little master…”
Then, closing the distance, he lowered his voice to a whisper.
“I’m not exactly opposed to your thoughts.”
Kushan blinked, hardly believing his ears.
But before he could gather his thoughts, Hachar continued.
“Not that I fully agree, of course. But I thought it wouldn’t hurt to hear you out, just as you said. Hohoho.”
“Is that so…? I’m glad to hear that.”
Just as Kushan was beginning to accept this, Hachar took a couple of steps back, still smiling as he looked at him.
“Hmm… I don’t know how this will end…”
“……”
“But once it’s over, why don’t you come visit? There are things I want to discuss with you about this incident, and things I want to show you.”
“Really?”
Kushan asked, but Hachar said no more. Without hesitation, he turned and ambled away.
‘He might have been trying to win my favor for some hidden reason,’ Kushan thought again.
‘Remember, Hachar’s always been the brother who hated humans the most.’
In the past, Kushan would have been thrilled to have an ally like this. But after hearing Kuchar’s warning, a deep instinctive caution had taken root. So even meeting a kin who seemed to side with him didn’t bring much joy.
Kushan watched Hachar disappear, then hurriedly bowed his head once the giant was out of sight. His gaze returned to his shadow.
This time, after making sure no one else was around, Kushan quietly crouched down and stared intently at his shadow. Pressing his index finger firmly into its center, he whispered softly.
“Um… it’s all clear now…”
At that moment, something emerged from the shadow. What stroked the top of Kushan’s head was none other than a human’s head. The figure glanced around to confirm they were truly alone, then fully stepped out of the shadow. Meeting Kushan’s eyes briefly, the man pulled a small round object from his pocket—a communication crystal.
The man tapped the crystal gently, as if to make sure Kushan was watching, then placed his hand over it. As he began channeling magic into the crystal, it started to glow with a clear light. Kushan swallowed hard, staring intently at the crystal.
A moment later—
A faint hum filled the air, and the crystal’s center displayed a scene of a vast grassland.
It was the meeting place between humans and giants.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------
The next chapter is coming right up.