NOVEL NEXT Chapter 308: Chapter 28. Did You Really Think You Could Get Away?
[Arc5] - 28. Did You Really Think You Could Get Away?
---
Zaratras, the Holy Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Liones, was known as a man akin to a god of war. Even when surrounded by the most ruthless knight order of Liones, he remained calm and composed.
He wasn't bragging, but he could take on a teenage Diane, the Sin of Envy... probably.
"I-I really just came to offer my condolences. If necessary, you could have Gowther erase my memory," Zaratras stammered.
"No way. That would turn a 'possible rebellion' into an 'actual rebellion,' and Holy Knights have strong resistance anyway," Meliodas shook his head and looked back at Merlin, who was floating in midair. "Merlin, give Zaratras that suspicious potion of yours."
Meliodas' words sent a chill down Zaratras' spine. Just as he was debating whether to plead for mercy with his stash of ale, the only conscience of the Seven Deadly Sins, Cyd, spoke up.
"Meliodas, stop scaring Zaratras, and Merlin, don't excitedly pull out that brain-draining potion."
As expected from the vice-captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, Cyd effortlessly achieved what others couldn't. However, Merlin showed no intention of putting the potion away, and that dangerous gleam in her eye clearly suggested she was still looking for an opportunity to make him drink it!
Though the crisis wasn't over, at least he wouldn't be forced to down some strange potion. Zaratras let out a slight sigh of relief, only for Cyd's next words to freeze him in place.
"Neither brainwashing nor forcing the potion is reliable. Why not just recruit him? As the Holy Knight Commander, Zaratras can offer us a lot of help."
"Including the right to freely enter Elizabeth's room?" Meliodas' eyes lit up.
"Even without that right, Lord Meliodas, you've already been sneaking into Princess Elizabeth's room! As the Holy Knight who protects the palace, I protest! Control your captain!" Zaratras complained.
"Oh, the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins has veto power, so I veto any rule that stops me from entering Elizabeth's room," Meliodas crossed his arms and, after thinking for a moment, added a new rule to the already short list of regulations for the Seven Deadly Sins.
The world is cold, but the fish pie in my arms warms my heart...
"How much do you like that fish pie? What if someone poisoned it?" Cyd asked, pulling Zaratras to his feet while shaking his head helplessly.
"Impossible. Unless I'm staying up late and starving, my willpower surpasses any fish pie." The glorious Holy Knight Commander of Liones shamelessly compared his will to a fish pie and was oddly proud of it.
Cough, cough!
Zaratras coughed, trying to regain his lost dignity as Holy Knight Commander. "I don't know what terrifying thing you're planning, but to me, it's just a minor issue after all I've been through." He took a bite of his fish pie as if nothing were amiss.
"Go ahead, discuss your treasonous plans."
"Holy War."
"Holy War? Lord Meliodas, you don't strike me as the type to think Holy Knights need war to find purpose." Zaratras furrowed his brow. The fish pie was now past its prime, and that was truly a pity.
"Bartra may be able to prevent the Holy War, but that's not the best solution. With his Vision magic, he can manage it, but what about the next king? Or the one after that? Seals aren't permanent. It's better to seize the initiative while Bartra still has his Vision," Meliodas explained, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Of course, it's not purely out of noble intentions. I just want to make up for... a person."
"The contrast between your childish face and your serious tone is unsettling," Zaratras muttered, focusing on the fish pie to distract himself.
"But if you explain this to His Majesty, he wouldn't oppose you outright. I'm not bragging, but the Seven Deadly Sins have become the symbol of terror in Britannia. Thanks to you all, the continent has remained peaceful."
"Zaratras, the prophecy of the Holy War comes from ancient Britannia. Back then, the most powerful beings were—"
"Ah—the fish pie is inedible now. I should head back!" Zaratras deliberately raised his voice to drown out Meliodas, dropping the fish pie and turning to leave. But Diane pressed her two fingers onto his shoulder, forcing him back down.
"Lord Meliodas, if you keep talking, I'll be trapped in this too," Zaratras tried playing the sympathy card since his strength was of no use.
"Yeah, my goal is to make sure you can't escape," Meliodas approached Zaratras. Though he was still shorter, the oppressive aura he exuded crushed Zaratras' hopes of leaving.
"I surrender! I surrender!" Zaratras raised his hands and sighed. "I get it. You're talking about the Demon Clan and the Goddess Clan, right? Only these two races have the qualifications to start the prophesied Holy War. But do you really think any surviving Demons could be stronger than Escanor at noon?"
"There are still some surviving Demons in this world, but they're just a ragtag bunch," Cyd glanced at Ban, who seemed oblivious as he sipped his drink.
"Our target is the sealed Demons," Meliodas clarified.
"Don't joke around, Lord Meliodas," Zaratras' face darkened. "Do you understand how dangerous those sealed Demons are?"
"I know better than you. Those sealed inside hold the power of the Demon King, his Ten Commandments," Meliodas said calmly, crossing his fingers. "The Seven Deadly Sins were formed to protect Liones. The only time we would be needed to protect the kingdom is against the Ten Commandments."
"Lord Meliodas, His Majesty would never agree to put the people at risk without any guarantees."
"That's why we're discussing it," Cyd massaged Zaratras' stiff shoulders from behind. "I agree with Meliodas. The prophecy is hanging over us, so rather than avoid it, we should prepare to face it."
Zaratras' expression wavered as he mulled over the pros and cons. He, too, was against merely avoiding the Holy War. Not because he thought the Holy Knights needed war for purpose, but because it made sense to gain an advantage while Bartra's magic was still strong and end the Holy War in one decisive stroke.
Prophecies could only be delayed, not ended. The only way to finish them was to let them come true.
But as the Holy Knight Commander of Liones, he could never willingly put the people at risk, even if it was to minimize the damage.
"So... does that mean Lord Meliodas intends to break the seal?" Zaratras nearly bit his tongue asking this, realizing the choice he was making.
"No. Even though I'm ready, others aren't," Meliodas shook his head vigorously. "Right now, the Seven Deadly Sins aren't strong enough to face the Ten Commandments. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, there are many ancient 'weapons' left over from the last Holy War hidden in Britannia that we need to deal with first."
"So now I really can't pretend to ignore this." Zaratras rubbed his forehead, realizing the situation was far worse than he had imagined. If they were facing the Ten Commandments, this was no mere knight order's problem—it was a crisis for the entire continent.
"But I have one question. Lord Meliodas, who exactly are you?" Zaratras had long been curious about Meliodas, whose demeanor and strength didn't match his youthful appearance.
"Me?" Meliodas pointed at himself, flashing a radiant smile on his boyish face.
"I'm the son of the Demon King, and the former leader of the Ten Commandments."
"Pfft—!"