Meet The Elder

"You're ready?" asked Arthur after he, Gilda, and Pipi were at the mouth of Howa's cave.

"Y-yes," Gilda replied nervously. Meanwhile, Pipi decides to stand on Arthur's shoulder to avoid his fear of other Jotuns.

As they entered the cave, the three were already greeted by Rudolf standing firmly in the middle while folding his hands together with a sharp gaze toward Gilda and Arthur. No exception for the other Jotun, they also whispered when they saw Gilda's presence.

Step by step passed, and finally, they also stood directly in front of the elder Jotun, Rudolf Howard.

"Good afternoon, sir," said Gilda shyly.

"What's the purpose of you coming here? Do you know that your place isn't here?"

The unfriendly remarks were enough to make Gilda's mentality shrink. How could he not? He never imagined that the form of Arthur's father was twice as scary as Arthur himself. His larger stature, muscles with veins arising around his arms were pronounced from a distance, and his deep tone of voice strongly indicated the authority that he was the most respected Jotun here. Rudolf's figure suddenly reminded Gilda of her father. Even though he was not young anymore, his fighting spirit remained high.

"I just want to talk to you, sir," Gilda replied nervously.

From a distance, Arthur blinked his eyes at the father as a reminder of their agreement. He hoped the father would understand and not confront Gilda with questions that worsened her whole person. Seeing his son's wrath, Rudolf took a deep breath and threw it away dramatically. Hopefully, this won't last long. At least, that's what Rudolf said in his heart.

"Follow me," asked Rudolf.

Rudolf directs Gilda and Arthur to a place not crowded with Jotuns. This is done to avoid commotion if there is something that makes other Jotuns hear and dislike what Gilda will reveal later.

"We're talking here. Please, just talk to the point," Rudolf said, not wanting to waste time.

Meanwhile, Arthur, standing in the distance to watch his father and Gilda, realized that Pipi was no longer hiding on his shoulders.

"What are you looking for?" asked Gilda, bewildered to see the unfocused Arthur.

"Pipi, she disappeared," Arthur replied.

"Oh, she just ran away outside the cave in fear. She's always been so when she feels terrified, I've also experienced it when I've been with her on the go. Later, she will definitely come back," Gilda explained.

Hearing Gilda's explanation, Arthur began to calm down a bit. However, Rudolf was upset because he saw the girl in front of him chatting with his son.

"Ahem..." dream Rudolf with both eyes rounded.

"Alright, my coming here was no bad intention and purpose. First, however, I want to try negotiating with you, Mr. Jotun," Gilda said. Her soft voice deeply soothed the heart Arthur, watching her from afar.

"Negotiation? We don't need that," Rudolf said concisely and clearly.

"I can give a reasonable reason for you to be able to accept this negotiation. First, I guess... human beings are the most disadvantaged creatures here. I don't mean to bring up the past, but if you know what you've done to us it hurts a lot. Here I play the role of protector of all my citizens. The solution I want to offer is, stop doing that, and instead, I'm willing to serve you Jotuns," Gilda said. Something happened beyond Arthur's expectations, so he wrinkled his forehead in confusion.

"Serve? What do you mean?" asked Rudolf.

Arthur rushed up to Gilda and Rudolf. And stood before the girl who was sitting opposite the father.

"Gilda, what are you doing? You're not talking about this to me? Serve? Is this a joke?" asked Arthur in a slightly raised tone.

"You just shut up, it's none of your business," Gilda whispered.

"QUIET!" exclaimed Rudolf as he pounded a table made of stone mounds with both of his big hands. This, of course, surprised Arthur and Gilda until the atmosphere instantly fell silent.

"For you, young girl. The tradition that we do is not for the sake of satisfaction alone. we do it because there is a specific purpose and it cannot be interfered with. Second, we don't need slaves let alone weak humans like you. Third, for you, Arthur. Take this friend of yours away or else she will be our next captive!" ordered Rudolf.

"But, sir this doesn't feel fair! I need to know what the purpose of the Lord means. Because, anyway, it's the humans who are the losers, not you!" protests Gilda's inadmissible.

"You're here just wanting to talk to me, right? And so that's it, our talk, it's over."

Rudolf left behind Gilda, who was upset because she didn't accept it. Even so, Gilda didn't dare to catch up with Rudolf for fear that something might happen to her. After all, she is currently in the territory of her nemesis.

"Gilda, understand... what my father said was true. I've helped you to talk to dad, but I can't help more. This is what I can only do for you," Arthur added.

Gilda was horrified, her legs feeling so weak that half of her body fell to the ground. She burst into tears while covering his face with both hands. But, of course, it made Arthur panic.

"Gilda, what's wrong with you? Please, don't cry like this," Arthur said as he put his arms around the girl's body.

"It's all over. What am I living for if I will be preyed upon by you too? This is all unfair!" said Gilda softly. Her sobs sounded louder and louder.

Arthur was further made awry by this circumstance. he then invited Gilda out of the cave so that the other Jotuns would stop looking at them with a look of hatred.

"You're waiting here. Let me try to talk to my father again," Arthur ordered, trying to reminisce about Gilda.

"But, it's free to do this. I'd better leave here and go back to my village to await my death," Gilda replied.

"Gilda, as long as I can. I'll help you, and I'll try my best for one more time. you take it easy, huh?" said Arthur.

"But, why would you do this for me?"

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