The ground rumbled under his feet as thirteen colossal knees met it. Then, thirteen pairs of eyes, each as big as half his body scrutinised him.
Awe. He couldn't describe what he felt with any other words. Well, if one came close, it would be terror.
But he shook his head.
They were loyal, so he had no reason to feel fear. Still, his eyes narrowed on the lady leading them.
A second later, a frozen stat panel towered between them. Even though it was illusory, he could almost feel the chill released by its bright letters.
He nodded at the loyalty, reasoning that the ten additional points came from Hrimgar's convincing. He sifted through the others next. Like the demons spawned by the den, they had identical stats despite their different appearances.
Still, he couldn't help but twist his lips and click his tongue at the values.
'Tch. Even down seven levels, they're stronger than me. And that's their base form.'
Meanwhile, Gyda lowered her head, locks of pale white hair covering her determined eyes.
"To which country do we have to march on, my lord?"
He shrugged at her frosty voice and pointed towards a towering construction site.
"I need your help in construction for now." His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. "But if you're itching for a fight, you'll have fun in a week."
A few Jotuns sighed and shook their heads while others nodded in approval. He understood through that small gesture that, like other species, they had different views and priorities.
Smiling, he proceeded with his welcome speech and usual territory introduction before he appointed Gyda as their representative.
Then, he blushed slightly, and his lips quivered as the jotuns rose to their feet. Yet, he asked what made his heart race in desire.
"Can you let me climb on your shoulders? I promise not to ask again if you don't like it. But just this time..."
He massages his neck, smiling nervously as the Jotuns gazed at each other in confusion.
However, Gyda shrugged. Without a word, her fingers, each taller than him, gently wrapped around him.
With a startled yelp, he felt the wind brush against his body as the ground vanished under his feet.
A second later, his eyes rolled when he passed before Gyda's giant chest and the layer of frost covering it.
'It's proportionate, but Oh, my Tiamat...' Discover exclusive tales on empire
His lips quivered, and his eyes darted to the entrance to see if Luna was nearby. Then, he sighed in relief and landed on her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Gyda rolled her eyes and whispered.
Face frozen and torso jolted by the sudden comment, his voice cracked, and his fingers trembled as he pointed to the horizon.
He felt Gyda's suppressed chuckle through her shaking collarbones as he sat and let his legs dangle.
Then, he raised his fist, eagerness flooding his veins as he roared.
"I beat the saying! I'm literally standing on a giant's shoulder!"
Twenty meters above the ground, feeling each of her steps reverberate, he grinned under the setting sun and inhaled a bowl of fresh air. From his vantage point, he nodded at the fields that extended as far as the eye could see and the animals grazing happily.
As he did, the citizens gawked in terror as the loud tremors of the Jotuns' steps rocked the paved streets. Their legs chattered, screams almost bursting out of their dry throats.
However, someone's roar forced their hearts into a beating frenzy.
"Look! The lord! He tamed blue giants!"
Everyone's eyes focused on Gyda's shoulder as Adam's eyes took crescent shapes. With a warm smile, he waved at them and relished in their awe.
As he chuckled, he noticed the Gate below and asked Gyda to drop him. Fist clenched, he watched them leave for Ozymandias' construction site with a smile.
More than fighters, they would become the best builders with their size and ability to lift heavy blocks.
But if the Jotuns were an impressive addition to his territory, his heart almost exploded with each thunderous beating now. Because it was time! Time to use the bright stone Mab gave him. Time to summon her son! Time to meet a man, a legend everyone knew about.
His fist trembled around the stone as he planted his feet on the street slabs. His left leg rose high, and his right spun. The wind whipped against his leather armor as his arm cleaved through it, and his voice thundered.
"Come Ultra SSR + summon! Merlin!"
Like a missile, the stone ripped through the air into the empty Gate frame.
Instantly, mana hummed—softly at first before the volume increased. Soon, it sang in delight, contaminating the territory with unnatural joy as if the energy itself desired Merlin to step into this realm.
He watched with bated breaths as it consolidated into sparkling sky-blue streams and rushed into the frame.
Louder than a waterfall, they roared and swirled, casting their sheen on the entire town before stirring.
Lips bitten in impatience, he observed the form they took.
He gawked when a powerful staff that seemed to distort reality with its mere presence appeared. Then, he shuddered at a cauldron that cooked by itself to feed armies.
However, he almost lost his mind at the two next items.
Despite his yell and the burning sensation on his cheek as he pinched it, they still hovered before him: the mythical sword plated in gold and shining like a star. Its razor-sharp edges forced him to gulp and germinated an irrepressible desire to hold it. Yet, his eyes focused on the golden and blue scabbard.
Often outshined by the sword, he knew its enchantment was more potent and almost invincible!
However, the sword vanished in a puff of smoke before his widening eyes as a boyish voice echoed.
"I gave it to Arthur in the past, and I'll do it again. I don't need Excalibur."
A piercing pain cleaved Adam's heart in two as his mind rumbled.
'The heck are you doing?! If you don't need it, give it to me instead of arming potential enemies! AHH!'
As if to answer him, Merlin's playful teasings echoed. Yet, it was that of an aged man now.
"Instead, I'll take this even if it's not authorised. Anyway, it's mine, so suck it up, foolish gods. Hahaha."
The mana swirled eagerly with his words, taking the shape of a... golden cup?
"No way!" Adam channelled strength in his trembling legs not to drop to the ground as he blurted out in shock. "The grail? You found it?!"