Chapter 174: Giants?!
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Both the woman and the man finally noticed Issei's gaze, and their reactions varied. The woman wore a serious expression when she saw him standing behind them, while the bearded man appeared calm and curious. Issei couldn't help but notice that the man was visibly intoxicated, evident from the nine empty Sake bottles in front of him.
Issei examined the man more closely, intrigued by his appearance. He resembled a powerful strongman or a former athlete. Despite his muscular build, some might consider him slightly overweight, but his physique was well-proportioned and defined. Issei wondered if he had been a retired powerlifter or an athlete in his prime. There was something about him that hinted at more than just being a regular human.
As a dragon, Issei had a keen eye for subtle details, especially when it came to assessing individuals. The man's body language exuded confidence and combat readiness, showing that he was skilled in fighting and unafraid of any challenge. Given his imposing size, few humans would dare to provoke him. Standing at over two meters tall and weighing roughly 150 kilograms, he could easily intimidate others.
Rossweisse, noticing Issei's prolonged stare, mustered the courage to address him. She seemed cautious and concerned about his interest in her and Thor. Issei couldn't discern if she knew he was a dragon or if she was simply wary of his rugged appearance, a reaction he had grown accustomed to. Rossweisse, with her silver hair and blue eyes, possessed a striking beauty that surpassed many women Issei had encountered.
Attempting to strike up a conversation, Issei asked in a vague manner, "Are you guys tourists or something? We don't see many people like you around here."
Surprised by the question, Rossweisse replied shyly, "Oh, really? We've actually seen quite a few foreigners in this city. I didn't realize it stood out."
Thor nodded enthusiastically, introducing themselves, "Indeed, we're tourists in a sense. I'm Magni, and this is Rossweisse! I have to say, I regret not visiting this country sooner. The food and the booze are both fantastic! This Oden dish is surprisingly delicious, and I definitely enjoy the rice wine. What was it called again?"
Rossweisse chimed in to answer, "It's called Sake, Magni."
Issei found himself amused as he witnessed Magni chug an entire bottle of Sake, slam it down on the table, and demand another.
"Magni, huh? Is that your first name or surname?" Issei wondered aloud.
Ddraig scoffed, "I'm not sure, but it does sound like a Scandinavian name."
Issei turned to Ddraig with a mental query, "Do you think these guys are heroes? They appear human, although the man certainly seems capable of fighting."
Ddraig considered Issei's suggestion and replied, "At this point, it wouldn't surprise me if they were heroes. If it weren't for the involvement of that Azazel guy, I would recommend asking Fafnir for more information. He's quite knowledgeable about Norse people, especially heroes. The only Norse hero I ever knew of was Beowulf."
"Isn't Vali from that region too? Well, she claimed to be at least. Perhaps she knows this guy," Issei speculated.
Ddraig expressed his skepticism, saying, "I wouldn't take everything Vali says at face value. Although Vali is indeed a Scandinavian name, considering she's half-devil, it's difficult to determine her true origins. Tiamat, for example, blatantly lied about her place of origin. That alone should raise suspicions."
"You're right. Tiamat claimed to be from Eastern Europe, but I always thought she had more of a Middle Eastern vibe. Maybe she meant a place like Turkey?" Issei wondered aloud.
Ddraig shared his knowledge, recounting, "Tiamat was worshipped by the ancient Mesopotamians. She resided in Babylon during that period. However, I actually encountered her in Europe before the rise of monotheistic religions. Eventually, she settled in Jerusalem, where she met her devil comrades and joined their ranks."
Curiosity still lingering, Issei decided to break the silence and asked Magni, the imposing man engrossed in his meal, "So, is Magni your first name or surname?"
Magni, swallowing a mouthful of food, chuckled and met Issei's gaze with his ice blue eyes. "Oh, I forgot that you Japanese people use surnames first. My full name is Magni... Hlóðynsson."
"Hlóðynsson?" Issei attempted to pronounce the name but shook his head in defeat. "I think I'll stick with calling you Magni."
Thor shrugged, unaffected by the confusion. "It's an old Norse name. Don't strain yourself, boy. What's your name?"
"I'm Issei Hyoudou, and this is Ingvild Levi," Issei introduced himself and his companion.
Thor's gaze shifted to Ingvild, narrowing slightly. "Ingvild? Sounds like a Norwegian name. Where are you from, girl?"
"I've lived here for most of my life..." Ingvild responded, her voice tinged with shyness and vagueness.
Before Thor could inquire further, Issei interjected with his own question. "So, where are you guys originally from? Sweden or something?"
"Norway, originally. However, my mother was from Iceland, and I spent some time in Denmark as well. But it's easier to refer to ourselves as being from Scandinavia," Thor casually explained.
With that, he immediately returned his focus to his meal, leaving Issei momentarily stunned by the revelation.
"Hlóðynsson... I feel like I've heard that name before, possibly associated with giants. Giants were known to have inhabited Iceland at one point. It's possible that this guy could be a giant," Ddraig speculated.
"Giants? So they actually exist too? This is the first time you've mentioned them to me," Issei responded with genuine interest.
'There are many types all over the world. The power and forms of giants are vastly varied and diverse. A lot of mythological beings in the world are actually classified as giants. Trolls and ogres from European lands are among the weakest type. Greek Cyclopes would be a tier above them. Nephilim in the ancient Christian lands are one of the highest tiers. They're also part angel. Above that you start getting closer to the more god-like giants. Daitya in the Hindu lands are a powerful and well-known type of giant. They're a type of Asura and many of them followed Vritra back in the day. I would classify their power to that of demi-gods if you want a scale for comparison. The most powerful giants were the god-like Jötnar in Norse Mythology and I believe the Titans and Hecatoncheires from Greek mythology as well. A friend of mine, Campe, was a dragon that worked for the titan Cronus. She guarded Tartarus and kept the Hecatoncheires imprisoned,' Ddraig explained in surprising detail.
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