As the first ray of sunlight sliced across the ocean horizon, the entirety of Elbaf seemed bathed in gold. The colossal World Tree, taller than the clouds themselves, spread its lush canopy like a sky-covering umbrella, shading most of the island.
This was Elbaf in winter.
At the very top, the leaves were still a vibrant green, while the lower half of the tree was dusted with pristine white snow. Occasionally, snow would slide from the branches—like an avalanche.
That wasn't a metaphor.
Snow falling from Tree of Treasure Adam's branches really could collapse like a mountain.
"Waaahhh—!!"
Several figures dressed in white suits, wearing dark ties and masks, scrambled to avoid the falling snow, finally relaxing only after getting a safe distance away.
"No wonder they call this the kingdom of giants—even their avalanches are terrifying."
"I heard the giants aren't fond of outsiders."
"Hmph. Their opinion doesn't matter. This world belongs to us. They live on our land and refuse to pay tribute. If you ask me, the government should just send an army and wipe them out."
"…"
The white suits murmured in the shadows, until the leader finally spoke.
"…Let me reiterate. Our mission this time is to contact 'Holy Mother' Carmel. Do not engage the giants under any circumstances."
"What if we get discovered?"
"That scenario does not exist."
The lead white suit cast a cold glance at his subordinate.
"If it happens—either kill yourself, or kill the giant to silence them. There is no third option."
This man, Rock Stuart, was an agent of the Cipher Pol organization—CP, the secret intelligence agency under the direct command of the World Government, tasked with monitoring everything across the globe.
But unlike CP1 through CP8—the publicly acknowledged arms of the agency—Rock Stuart belonged to CP0.
Directly under the authority of the Celestial Dragons (Tenryūbito), CP0 is hailed as "the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons", and "the most powerful intelligence agency in the world."
As for why Rock Stuart had come to Elbaf—
He'd received a tip.
The long-time thorn in CP's side, the White Wolf Pirates, had—disbanded!
At first, Rock Stuart had assumed it was just a smokescreen orchestrated by White Wolf Magnus himself.
After all, the White Wolf Pirates had sabotaged CP time and again.
They might've claimed to disband, but who knew what scheme was brewing behind the scenes?
However, half a year had passed without any news of the White Wolf Pirates, and what began as suspicion had slowly turned into conviction.
That White Wolf Magnus—had really retired.
Once the intel was confirmed, the CP agents were overjoyed.
You guys get it, right?
The White Wolf Pirates would beat up CP agents for fun, and since they had nothing to lose, they never feared retaliation.
While the pirates roamed freely across the seas, these intelligence operatives had to build spy networks over years, and without powerful officers to protect them, they could only endure when targeted.
The White Wolf Pirates would stir up chaos, then disappear—leaving CP to deal with the aftermath.
Working overtime is exhausting.
So Rock Stuart came to Elbaf for one final test: if this mission succeeded, it would mean that the White Wolf Pirates were no longer a threat.
Many shelved plans could finally be revived.
Their current mission was to re-establish contact with 'Holy Mother' Carmel. Thirty years ago, it was supposed to be CP that connected Carmel with the giants.
But then Magnus swooped in, stealing the credit for the Navy.
Though CP and the Navy were both part of the World Government, they were rival factions within its hierarchy.
Unlike the Navy, CP operated in deep shadows.
Spying was just the surface layer.
Smuggling, arms dealing, and human trafficking—CP had its hands in all of it.
If they could recruit orphans from Carmel's orphanage—children with no identities or backgrounds—it would be a massive boon to CP's intelligence system.
Rock Stuart had long suspected that Carmel was colluding with Magnus, because every time CP tried to partner with her, the White Wolf Pirates would interfere.
But if Carmel was in league with CP's enemy, why would Magnus protect someone who trafficked orphans to the Navy as soldiers?
CP kept records of all Navy officers who came from the Lamb's House. If any showed connections to the White Wolf Pirates, they'd be dealt with mercilessly.
But thirty years passed.
The White Wolf Pirates disbanded—and nothing ever came of it.
"What a shame."
Rock Stuart sighed. The White Wolf Pirates clearly had their own methods of evading CP's pursuit.
For half a year now, they hadn't found a single trace of them.
"According to intel, Elbaf is currently celebrating the Winter Solstice Festival. During this time, the giants engage in twelve days of fasting and minimal activity."
"This is our chance!"
Don't be fooled by the fact that Rock Stuart brought only three CP0 agents—each one possessed battle power worth a thousand men.
Stuart's plan was to kidnap all the children from the Lamb's House, showing Carmel a demonstration of power—to coerce her into cooperation.
To show her: if she wanted to keep her orphanage running, she'd have to work with them.
Though he said they couldn't reveal themselves, Rock Stuart didn't take the giants seriously.
In one-on-one combat, ordinary giants couldn't match CP0.
They were nothing more than slow-moving targets.
And after twelve days without food, the giants would be weakened—even if discovered, CP0 could retreat with ease.
The plan was foolproof.
Under cover of night, the giants standing watch couldn't possibly spot intruders shorter than their knees, especially ones with superior strength.
Unless…
"Unless… the White Wolf Pirates are living in Elbaf."
"…But how could that be?"
Startled by his own thought, Rock Stuart shook his head.
They'd worked hard to build trust between Carmel and the giants.
How could a gang of pirates pull that off so easily?
Silently, they bypassed the night patrols and entered the village.
The Lamb's House was within reach.
Just as Rock Stuart gave the signal to begin the kidnapping—
A curious voice rang out above them.
"Hm? Who are you?"
Sitting on a branch of the Adam Tree, assisting the giants in their night watch—
Magnus looked down.
"Oh... So it's you guys. Little rats from CP0!"
(End of Chapter)
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