King Harald, the benevolent king of Elbaf, was the first in generations to break the chain of violence. The ancient giants were known for their violent nature and terrorized the seas with unmatched might. This created a sense of fear among people whenever they saw a giant. Well, King Harald wanted to change that; he wanted Elbaf to be connected with the rest of the world. Sharing knowledge, resources, and helping one another to maintain peace and harmony across the globe. However, his path to achieve this remarkable goal sowed the seeds for his own death in the One Piece series, as revealed in One Piece chapter 1168.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains spoilers about King Harald in One Piece. Proceed with caution.
King Harald Became a God’s Knight in One Piece Chapter 1168
As seen earlier, King Harald plucked off his own horns and was ready to become a slave to clear the sins of the ancient giants. He became a part of the God’s Knights and did everything to rise in ranks, which would also result in Elbaf becoming a World Government-affiliated nation. When Shanks absconded from his position, the opportunity to become an immortal knight fell into Harald’s hands, which he immediately accepted with honor.
Though Harald was surprised to see Imu sitting on the supposed empty throne, he had already made up his mind to do everything he could to change the image of giants in people’s minds. Thus, he was promoted to a God’s Knight sworn to protect Imu and their wishes. Then the king received immortality powers through the Depths Covenant straight from Imu.
At last, King Harald accomplished his goal of his homeland becoming a World Government-affiliated nation. People’s perspective about the giants was changing swiftly as the giants who enrolled in the Marines helped and protected everyone to secure peace. While Harald thought peace had been finally restored, Imu revealed their true colors, which the King of Elbaf continued to overlook.
Imu Took Control of Harald, and His Death Is Imminent in the Next Chapter
King Harald of Elbaf had a good intention of changing people’s views about the giants and connecting with the world to maintain peace. However, his noble wishes blinded him as he was willing to go to any extent to atone for the sins of his ancestors. Imu, who was looking to exploit the king, was given the very opportunity to do so by King Harald.
When King Harald made the Depths contract with Imu, he didn’t just receive powers from the ruler. Imu dropped the bomb that King Harald had completely lost control of his body to Imu once the Depths covenant was made when he was promoted as a God’s Knight. Imu has been using him all this time to let him become their slave and assume control of the army of warrior giants.
When we take a look back, King Harald’s death was a result of his own actions. Even after his friend Rocks warned him about the World Government, Harald put his blind faith in them, worked tirelessly for them, and at last inadvertently sold his soul to the sea devil.
King Harald’s body began to stop obeying him at the end of One Piece chapter 1168. This is the day the benevolent king is going to be massacred. We have almost reached the end of the flashback now, and the next One Piece chapter is confirmed to unfold how King Harald was killed by his own son. That said, what do you think about Harald’s motives and his actions in the story? Let us know in the comments below.
