Chapter 761 - 762

Evan suppressed the urge to draw their wands. While the giants seemed to be in awe of magic and admired the mysterious power it held, they were extremely repulsed by wizards pointing their wands at them or using magic on them. Such actions could easily turn the situation bad.

Finally, Evan understood why Dumbledore did not fear sending them to win over these giants. When considering the colossal and terrifying presence of the giants on the battlefield, the shock and control they could bring were immeasurable. If these giants were to ally with Voldemort, his dark forces would become exponentially more powerful, and few wizards could match the giants. Faced with such enormous monsters, most people wouldn't even have the courage to fight.

As they approached the lake, Evan looked around and saw that more and more giants were gathering in the area. He wasn't sure about the feelings of the other three, but his heart was pounding fiercely. Although Evan had encountered many dark creatures, there was something uniquely intimidating about giants.

In ancient times, giants were invincible and formidable creatures. Humanity had once built towering city walls in an attempt to resist them. Thankfully, the number of giants had dwindled, and that dark age was unlikely to return. Otherwise, humanity might one day recall the fear and humiliation they had endured under the control of giants imprisoned like birds in a cage.

"We come bearing gifts to show our respect!" Hagrid shouted in English. Most of the giants couldn't understand what he was saying and responded with meaningless, uncouth screams. However, several giants wearing some clothing seemed to have understood and turned to run to the opposite summit, causing a rumbling noise.

"They're informing their leader. We should stay put," Sirius said in a low voice.

Evan took the opportunity to survey the area. Before their arrival, the giants were scattered around the lake, living separately. A group of giants nearby was cooking food using a giant stone pot. Inside were boiling meat and other unidentifiable substances, likely ingredients for Voldemort's resurrection. This appeared to be a giant family consisting of a slightly thinner and weaker female giant and three strong male giants. They also had two children, who looked like young giants, although even these youngsters were much taller than Evan.

The two children hid behind their parents, curiously observing the four newcomers who had entered their camp. Their gazes eventually settled on Evan. Evan smiled at them, and in response, they let out a series of uncouth roars.

At that moment, the giants who had left earlier returned, rushing into the crowd.

"Humanity, they want to see you. Bring the gifts and follow me!" An elderly giant wearing a tattered brown robe spoke. Although his clothes resembled those worn by ordinary wizards, they appeared to have been modified to fit a giant's size. They walked toward the opposite summit, with the elderly giant leading. The giants around the lake seemed to fear that area and didn't follow.

Their path was constructed to accommodate the giants' size, making it extremely long for Evan and the others.

"I'm called Herbert!" the elderly giant said, his voice rumbling from above. "I once traveled to Poland to find a wife and start a family there. I lived there for quite some time, but that was over eighty years ago. Afterward, a terrible war broke out, and I had to flee."

As the elderly giant spoke, his pronunciation wasn't very clear but understandable. He then turned to Hagrid and Madam Maxime with dim eyes.

"Could you two be of giant lineage?"

"My mother is Fridwulfa," Hagrid replied, looking kindly at him. "Is she still alive?"

"Are you Fridwulfa's son?!" The elderly giant seemed somewhat surprised and examined Hagrid closely. "She is still alive, but her life hasn't been easy. Like us, giants living in human society are outcasts, considered low-status in the tribe. Other giants don't trust us; they think we're untrustworthy."

"My mother is also alive. Where is she now?" Hagrid's voice trembled with excitement.

"You'll see her, Fridwulfa's son! After giving birth to two more children, she passed away. One of them is just like you, an anomaly, but too short!" Herbert said, looking at Madam Maxime. "And who are you?"

"My father died in battle," Madam Maxime replied briefly.

"Yes, most giants meet that fate. They die in battle!" Herbert sighed and turned his attention away. "We've lost too many people, but the living never seems to learn their lesson and continue fighting. Humanity, why have you come here?"

"We've brought gifts and a message from Albus Dumbledore, hoping to ally with you," Sirius said. He patted Hagrid's back to signal him to calm down.

They hadn't expected to encounter such an elderly giant who was easy to communicate with. The giant's mindset was clear, not quite like a giant but more like a human living much longer.

"Albus Dumbledore?!" the elderly giant exclaimed. "I've heard of that wizard. He once opposed killing the last group of British giants and helped them leave. He's our friend. I think Cacus will be interested in hearing what he says."

Evan, Sirius, Hagrid, and Madam Maxime exchanged glances. Could it be that things were going too smoothly?

"Don't get your hopes too high. Giants thrive on war, not peace," Herbert continued. "Dumbledore's ideas won't have many supporters here. Giants like me are the exceptions. Few giants are willing to communicate with humans. But you've brought gifts, and they are pleased about that."

Herbert fell silent and led Evan and the others toward the summit. The cliff's peak was a large platform, and at the end of it was a cave, which they couldn't see clearly.

As they climbed, they noticed the platform was already crowded with giants. Compared to the giants below, these giants were even taller, wore simple clothes made of animal skins, and many carried weapons. Among them, there was a giant stone bed, simple but spacious. Two giants lay on it.

One was a massive male giant, standing at least 35 feet tall and extremely ugly. He appeared as heavy as three adult elephants, with tough, rhinoceros-like skin. He was constantly roaring, seemingly ordering nearby giants to bring him food while keeping his hands busy with other tasks.

There was no need for introductions; this had to be a giant Cacus. In his arms lay a female giant who was completely unclothed...

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The female giant lying beside Cacus was about 20 feet tall and was vibrating as if she were eating something with him. She appeared to be his wife, and the surrounding giants seemed accustomed to this, not finding anything amiss. The scene was shocking, but Evan and the others maintained their composure.

The surrounding giants were still making noisy shouts. Still, Hagrid and Madam Maxime held the gifts high, their eyes focused on Cacus and the ever-burning, immortal fire. Gradually, the other giants quieted down, and the four approached the giant stone bed. Cacus turned his head to look at them.

Cacus had an ugly and fierce expression with a menacing gaze. His body was adorned with various precious metal ornaments. Hagrid bowed and placed the gifts in front of him. Cacus glanced briefly at the goats but seemed interested in the immortality fire, which burned with a pale blue flame.

His wife also stopped her activities and looked at the fire, speaking a few words softly in Cacus's ear. Then, Cacus roared several times in words that Evan couldn't understand.

"Herbert, what did he say?" the old giant who had guided them to the summit asked.

Madam Maxime explained the significance of the immortal fire and the everlasting flame in detail. Herbert translated her words, and there was a commotion among the giants on the platform. They seemed delighted and excited by the sight of the immortal fire, and Cacus nodded in satisfaction.

"This is a gift from Albus Dumbledore as a sign of respect," Hagrid explained.

After understanding, Cacus nodded and let out a few more roars.

"He accepts the gift," Herbert confirmed.

"Albus Dumbledore has sent a message. Tomorrow, when the messenger returns with more gifts, he invites you to talk with him," Hagrid said.

Herbert translated the message, and Cacus didn't pay them much attention. He turned back to his activities with the female giant in his arms.

The four of them exchanged glances, understanding it was time to leave. They bowed to Cacus and then followed Herbert as they made their way back.

Giant creatures, especially those who had lived outside human society, were known for their primitive and straightforward nature. They weren't interested in prolonged communication and were easily satisfied with simple gestures. That was a positive sign since Cacus had accepted the gifts and indicated a willingness to meet again.

They were alone as Evan and the others descended from the platform with Herbert, returning to the area near the lake.

In a quiet moment, Evan gave Herbert a finely crafted pocket watch. While such a gift might not hold much significance for other giants, Herbert had spent time among giants in human society. He understood the importance of keeping track of time.

"You will return tomorrow morning, and I'll be here waiting for you," Herbert said. "Cacus and his followers are different from giants in that they crave battles but also have a liking for women and valuables of human origin. If your gifts continue to satisfy him, he will agree to your request for an alliance. What specific requests do you have?"

"Dumbledore is willing to provide you with annual supplies of essential materials to meet your needs. In return, he hopes you won't get involved in human wars," Sirius explained, looking at Herbert.

"That's the idea. But it's quite challenging. Giants have a natural inclination for war, and it's in our instincts," Herbert replied, seeming somewhat concerned. "Furthermore, not everyone in the tribe follows Cacus's leadership. Some powerful giants have gone rogue."

"Golgomath, you mean?" Sirius asked. "We heard his name before we came."

"Yes, he's currently the most formidable warrior in the tribe, and many giants support him," Herbert confirmed. "I heard that he openly defies Cacus's orders."

"Well, some of our gifts aren't for him. They're meant to show our respect. Could you help us deliver them?" Sirius requested.

"I can try," Herbert agreed cautiously, glancing around discreetly. "But don't get your hopes too high. Golgomath is different from Cacus. He's a pure giant and harbors strong hostility toward human wizards. He believes we should take human wealth by force rather than relying on trade or gifts."

Evan handed over the gifts for Golgomath, and Herbert concealed them in his robe.

"I'd like to see my mother," Hagrid suddenly said, looking at Herbert. "Where is she now?"

"Come with me. I was planning to visit her as well. She's on the other side of the mountain, away from the lakeside," the old giant said.

They walked in another direction along the hillside, entering a dense forest with clear signs of a giant presence. Many trees had been uprooted and strewn about haphazardly.

"The giants' energy is sometimes too exuberant, and they have nowhere to vent it, so they come here to play with the trees," Herbert explained, pointing to a large tree lying on the ground. "I was young once, too, and I understand that uncontrollable urge. But I was luckier than them. I lived in Poland then, and I had plenty of distractions to expend my energy. I even met my wife, a human woman. She was once my captive, and our initial connection was through conquest. But we fell in love over time and even had two children together."

"Where are they now?" Evan asked.

"I don't know. After I fled Poland, I never saw them again. They never came to look for me," Herbert replied sadly. "You are the first humans I've seen in many years. Giants have many descendants outside, but you are the only ones who have come. I believe Fridwulfa will be happy. She also had a glimpse of life outside, but it hasn't been easy for her in recent years."

They walked silently through the woods for over 20 minutes, far from the Giant Lake Camp. Eventually, Evan saw a giant sprawled out in front of him. It was a massive heap, almost as tall as Hagrid, and it had formed a barrier with the surrounding trees and branches, like a fence or blockade. However, Evan quickly realized it wasn't just a heap but a sleeping giant.

The giant appeared to be about 16 feet tall, and he was snoring loudly.

"This fellow is Grawp, Fridwulfa's other child," the old giant said, looking down at Hagrid. "From his age, he should be your half-brother from a different father."