One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 295 If this is the last time we meet, then I wish you a worthy death.
Sometimes, male friendships are forged in a single word, a toast, or a fight.

Even that friendship was severed due to the different paths they chose.

But
But their understanding and trust in each other will not change.

Therefore, Harald knew that Locke D. Giebeck would not lie to him.

That's why he reacted so strongly today—when Loki handed him the letter, he already believed its contents.

His dearest friend has gone to his death.

And what about him?
He had agreed to the World Government's request to try and kill Rocks.

He voluntarily offered up his glorious horns, thus signing a 'contract' with the world.

He secretly did many shady things for the World Government.

He even changed the 'culture' of Elbaf that had remained unchanged for centuries since its founding.

Countless people are angry about this, countless people are saddened by it, and countless people have even died because of it.

Harald could once convince himself that it was all for 'Elbaf', and that he had to do it.

But now, reality has told him otherwise.

He was deceived; everything he did was in vain. He was just a hopeless fool being used.

so.
"I will not eat that fruit."

Harald looked at Loki and Hajdin.

Are you stupid?

Loki, on the other hand, spoke frankly to his father: "Rocks said that the 'contract' on you can only be removed with the power of that fruit. You..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Because Harald was already smiling.

"What that guy said has nothing to do with me!?"

He said that.

“I am not his subordinate, I am the King of Elbaf.”

"Eat that fruit and remove the contract from your body. Wouldn't that tell the 'world' about its existence?"

According to Rocks, the power contained in the Devil Fruit of Elbaf is a power that even the world 'fears'.

It can nullify the contract on Harald.

However, if Harald were to consume it, he could certainly ensure his continued survival and freedom from the world's control.

However, the existence of this fruit, and its power, will be exposed as a result.

"In that case, you'll stay in Elbaf—you only signed a 'Shallow Sea Contract,' so as long as you don't get close to Mary Geoise, you won't be controlled."

Loki gritted his teeth and said.

"Do not."

But Harald still shook his head: "If I stay in the country, I will still be a destabilizing factor, and I might 'explode' at any time."

“But you’re right, I only signed the ‘Shallow Sea Contract.’ I didn’t offer my soul to the ‘Abyss,’ which at least allows me to retain my sense of self.”

He felt somewhat fortunate.

Once he signs a contract with the 'Deep Sea' or 'Abyss Sea', his soul will completely fall into the abyss—at that time, he will surely present the news of Elbaf's national treasure fruit to Im.

But now, at least he still has a choice.

And now, he has made his choice.

“I will go to Mary Geoise to ask the Five Elders, I want to witness the ‘truth’ of my life with my own eyes.”

He said calmly.

These words were spoken.

"Zi!"

Another extremely powerful Conqueror's Haki surged forth in an equally overwhelming manner.

"Boom!"

"call!"

The sounds of howling wind and thunder seemed to coexist, and Loki's fist slammed into Harald's face the next moment.

Harald was instantly sent flying, while Halding stood there dumbfounded.

"You bastard!"

The next moment, Loki's roar echoed from inside the castle.

"You're going to your death—you bastard! How can you do this to your mother?!"

He roared so fiercely, but tears streamed down his face.

obviously.

The cursed prince has seen through his father's true intentions.

Harald had come to believe that everything Lockes had written in his letter was true—that the so-called 'world' was a playground of the abyss, where everything was bound.

So he made his decision.

He was going to Mary Geoise—both to witness the ridiculous mistakes he had made in his life.

At the same time, it is also for atonement.

Once he goes to Mary Geoise to confront the Five Elders and dies there, the matter of 'Harald' will end there.

Everything returned to normal. The World Government would only think he had chosen rebellion and wouldn't investigate the existence of the national treasure in Elbaf.

The World Government has lost an opportunity to turn the Titans into its own 'army'.

Elbaf lost a foolish king who nearly brought the kingdom to its doom.

That's it.

But Loki couldn't accept it.

This was true of Lox, and it is true of Harald now.
"Are you trying to make me lose two 'important people' in such a short time!?"

He growled like that.

Harald, who had been sent flying by his punch, slowly stood up.

His face was covered in blood from the punch his son had just delivered, but he seemed completely unconcerned.

"What a bastard! Absolutely."

He murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on Loki and Hajrudin.

Both Loki and Hajrudin knew this.

When Harald displays such an expression, it means he has made up his mind.

"Harald, I'm telling you, I absolutely will not eat that so-called national treasure, I absolutely will."

Loki was still roaring.

But the next moment...
Harald came to his side and embraced him.

“You will eat it, Loki.”

He looked at his son.

It was as if one could see, beneath the bandages, the cursed, evil eyes that were once loathed by the people of Elbaf.

He knew it wasn't a curse.

It was as if he knew that his son was never evil.

It was as if he knew that no matter what Loki said at this moment, he would always take responsibility when the time came.

"Go see the Book of Halley, Loki."

After whispering this, Harald pulled Halding close to his side again.

"I'm sorry, Halding."

He apologized to his youngest son in the same way.

Although he did not possess the extraordinary strength of his elder brother, he was still an outstanding man.

“I am an irresponsible father.”

"But fortunately, I have two outstanding sons."

He looked sincerely at his two sons.

“Take good care of your mother for me.”

"And the future of Elbaf is in your hands."

Those were Harald's last words.

After that day, news spread throughout the world that 'King Harald of Elbaf has mysteriously disappeared and Elbaf has returned to barbarism'.

But only his two sons, and Aruru who was eventually summoned into the castle, knew his fate.

"My father went to Mary Geoise alone, and only asked Elder Aruru for a bottle of wine."

Looking at the horse in front of him, Haildin spoke calmly.

"That was the kind of liquor he used to drink with Rocks, the kind he brewed himself."

Even Wu Ma could feel the pull of fate at this point.

What a coincidence!

Two people who were once close friends but later severed ties ultimately chose to go to the same place to die.

Before his death, the former hoped that his former friend would stop being foolish.

But the latter declined the offer.

He chose to bring fine wine with him.

Just like the words the two of them said when they first met.

"Hey, big guy, did you brew this wine yourself?"

"Yes."

"Not bad, not only are they good at fighting, but their wine is also quite good."

"Ah, thank you for the compliment."

"Don't be so gloomy—how about considering my suggestion? If you and I join forces, we can definitely change the 'world'!"

"Huh? Why do I have to do that kind of thing with you? We'll die if we fail, won't we?"

"What does it matter? We'll do it together anyway. I'll die with you!"

"Hmm, that doesn't sound like a nice thing to say. Besides, I don't even know your name. What kind of logic is it to invite a stranger to die together?"

"Huh? Didn't I say? My name is Rocks—Rocks D. Giebeck, and yours?"

Harald.

(End of this chapter)