I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc5] - 32. Plotting a Coup

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They were once sinners who committed grave crimes. The great King Bartra granted these sinners the opportunity to atone and become heroes. Yet now, these sinners have committed another grievous crime—they conspired to assassinate the Holy Knight Zaratras in an attempt to overthrow the kingdom.

They are labeled as villains because no one else can punish them for their sins.

"Oh wow, we're the bad guys now," Ban said, stroking his chin as he examined the wanted posters in front of him. Even during his time as a thief, he never stirred up this much trouble, yet now as a "good guy," he's got all sorts of heinous charges against him.

"Thanks to a certain fish pie-loving person," Cyd commented dryly, slicing an apple as he glanced at the Great Holy Knight lying on the bed, victim of the Seven Deadly Sins' "treachery."

It was as if the whole scenario had been pre-arranged. Right after the Seven Deadly Sins supposedly assassinated the Holy Knight, the news spread across Liones, and wanted posters filled every tavern. Conveniently, Dreyfus and Hendrickson, who "uncovered" the plot, were promoted to Great Holy Knights.

The Seven Deadly Sins quickly fell from being celebrated heroes to despised outlaws. The kingdom of Liones was in chaos; people didn't want to believe their heroes had betrayed them, but the evidence was irrefutable, and the king was suspiciously silent.

But contrary to the chaos outside, the Seven Deadly Sins were calmly hiding out at a secret hideaway of Merlin's, indulging as usual. Everyone but King was remarkably relaxed.

"Vice-Captain, why are you so calm? You're the worst of us!" King slapped the wanted poster onto the table, nearly spitting in Cyd's face.

Indeed, according to the poster, Cyd was portrayed as the most evil of them all. The Seven Deadly Sins were supposedly discontented with their treatment by Liones, and Cyd, in particular, was accused of aiming to be the new king, with the Sins as his henchmen.

"This is complete nonsense! The Vice-Captain is so detached from worldly desires!"

In fact, anyone who spends time around Cyd knows he's hardly ambitious, but from an outsider's perspective, his rise in rank has been quick and seemingly effortless. It's almost strange he's not a king already.

"Ah… it's just a bit of involuntary misfortune," Cyd sighed. He was already exhausted from trying to suppress Aphrodite's blessing, let alone dealing with all the other curses.

"However, it seems that real power in the kingdom has fallen into the hands of Hendrickson and Dreyfus. His Majesty likely realized this but chose not to interfere with the wanted posters for the Seven Deadly Sins," Zaratras remarked, panting as he leaned against the bed. Although Merlin's medicine had saved his life, he would likely need at least a year or two to fully recover. His Holy Knight powers were almost entirely gone.

"By the way, Zaratras, you mentioned that Dreyfus and Hendrickson were possessed by something. Do you know what it is?" Cyd tapped the table thoughtfully.

"That presence is well-hidden. After they stabbed me, I vaguely sensed one of them was being controlled, and the other was possessed."

"Is it Hendrickson? Dreyfus's willpower and magic are strong, but Hendrickson seems weaker," Ban chimed in disinterestedly, tossing his wine glass.

"It's likely Dreyfus. They're constantly together; Hendrickson might be used to threaten Dreyfus to let his guard down," Cyd rubbed his temples, glancing around at the oblivious faces of his comrades, realizing only he and King seemed troubled.

"Everyone else aside, Zaratras, could you at least show some concern for the kingdom's future?"

"Huh? I'm practically dead now; dead people don't work overtime," Zaratras replied, laying back down on the bed.

"Cyd, don't underestimate His Majesty's Vision. No one knows the true extent of his magical power, though he's not much of a fighter," he warned.

"So, does that mean this entire scenario is within Bartra's expectations?" Meliodas stroked his chin, nodding seriously. "Let's relax and leave it to Bartra; he'll handle everything."

"Take this seriously! His Majesty isn't all-powerful!" Zaratras shouted, coughing up blood, and then his entire body began bleeding.

"Ahh—he's losing a ton of blood!" King panicked, grabbing Merlin's medicine and dousing Zaratras. After a puff of suspicious smoke, Zaratras lay there with a strangely blissful look on his face.

"Wait, wasn't that an emergency medicine?"

"It stimulates the nerves, which basically makes wounds excruciatingly painful, speeding up regeneration," Merlin explained calmly, her gentle tone making everyone shudder.

"Good thing I'm immortal," Ban muttered, rubbing his arms, feeling that this seemingly normal woman was actually the most frightening one here.

"Meliodas, I think this is an opportunity from Bartra," Cyd said, ignoring the blissful yet pained Zaratras, folding his arms. "Now that people want to avoid the Holy War, we are essentially 'traitors' for facing it. We might as well take this chance to prepare for the Holy War behind the scenes."

"That's a solid idea; the Seven Deadly Sins are still too weak," Meliodas nodded thoughtfully. "Let's head to that place."

"The Druids' Holy Land, the Sacred Forest of Istar. I remember there's a place to train there."

"Hah, isn't that place a legend?" Ban, who had once sought the Fountain of Youth and Druid sages for purpose, was surprised.

"I know of it but have never been. It's supposed to be pure land," King muttered, scratching his head with concern about Meliodas's demonic nature possibly being a problem.

"It's fine; there's a Druid right here." Meliodas grinned at Zaratras, who seemed almost ascended, "Although normally we wouldn't be allowed in, I know someone there who'll let us through."

"…But, whether or not they treat us kindly, well, that's another story."

"Captain, you hesitated there. Does that mean they might not be so friendly?" Ban laughed.

"Since we just tried to kill the Druid-born Holy Knight, who knows if they'll let us in?" Meliodas shrugged with a helpless look.

"Let's just give it a shot," he said with a smile.