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

[Arc5] - 49. The Turning Gears

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Seven Deadly Sins' [Gluttony] Merlin, currently one of the "Three Beauties" serving at the Boar Hat Tavern, often lures customers with her enchanting smile, leaving them curious about the secrets behind it. Yet, none have dared to uncover them, for she is always accompanied by a fearsome, towering man.

As the notorious troublemaker of the Seven Deadly Sins, Merlin continues to stir things up at the Boar Hat. Despite her immense wealth, she insists on using the tavern's funds to buy experimental materials—incidentally, Hawk is one of her test subjects, though he's blissfully unaware, much to the envy of a certain strongman.

"Merlin, did you use the Boar Hat's funds again?"

Cyd had reached the fourth floor of the Boar Hat, which Merlin, as a mage, had taken over as her laboratory. Since all start-up and maintenance costs were funded by Merlin herself, any objections were summarily dismissed.

On the fourth floor, Cyd spotted a surprising sight—Diane, in her human-sized form.

As a giant, Diane faced many inconveniences, which Merlin solved by finding a mushroom that released spores shrinking those who inhaled it.

"Oh, Vice-Captain, I'm back," Diane greeted Cyd warmly.

Just as Diane had taken King back to the Giant Clan, King had brought Diane back to the Fairy King's Forest. Although initially unwelcome in the newly sprouted forest, King's earnestness won over the fairies, who didn't truly resent him.

It's said that King mourned for a long time, holding Elaine's body. Even with wings and newfound power, he was still the gentle Fairy King.

"What brings you back so soon, Diane?"

Every year, King and Diane visited the Fairy King's Forest briefly, and over time, they grew closer, to the point that Meliodas, Ban, and Cyd had started betting on who would confess first.

For the record, Cyd's money was on King.

"Hehe, Vice-Captain, without me here, wouldn't the Boar Hat lose a lot of business?" Diane shyly twirled her pigtails, feeling a bit bashful in the uniform Meliodas had chosen, which exposed his deepest desires for all to see.

Cyd hesitated, choosing not to tell Diane the truth. The uniform, designed to give customers a visual feast, had driven King and Escanor into a jealous frenzy, scaring away customers with an intensity fiercer than Diane's [Envy] or Ban's [Greed].

"Also, I'm out of medicine, so I came to get more from Merlin."

"Here you go, Diane. And give this to Gowther as well." Merlin handed Diane two bottles. "His armor can no longer suppress his magic; he'll need medication."

Ignoring how Merlin concocted medicine suitable for a puppet, Gowther's situation was indeed serious.

According to Meliodas, Gowther was the creation of a great mage, once the [Commandment of Selflessness] of the Ten Commandments, with the power to erase memories and emotions of those with desire. Gowther's current state likely stemmed from his desire to gain emotions and memories, ironically causing [Selflessness] to eliminate his own.

Now, Gowther's magic had grown erratic as he yearned desperately for a "heart." Diane's words on emotions nearly erased her memory, only stopped by King's intervention—and a fierce beating.

"Merlin, do you think Bartra could resolve this?" Cyd, unable to find a solution even after reviewing Gowther's records, had placed his hopes in Bartra, who initially entrusted Gowther to them.

"Perhaps His Majesty knows where Gowther's heart is, but unfortunately, we're wanted criminals, unable to move freely."

That was merely an excuse. Meliodas had posted their wanted posters on the Boar Hat's most visible wall, yet no one recognized them.

Of course, Cyd suspected this had something to do with the discrepancies between their posters and their actual appearances.

On a related note, Gowther was now one of the Boar Hat's "Top Three Lady Waitresses," dressed in heavy armor concealing a slender, handsome pink-haired boy who loved cross-dressing.

This reminded Cyd of Astolfo.

"I mean..."

"Aah—it's the ghost of Cyd, Vice-Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins! Run!"

Screams and clamor from downstairs interrupted Cyd, indicating that the rumored undead knight had shown up in their tavern. Fortunately, the Boar Hat had a prepay policy.

The three of them went downstairs and saw an armored figure lying on the floor, with Meliodas already dismantling the armor.

"Whoa~" When a head of silvery-white hair emerged, Cyd knew their peaceful days had ended.

Allow me to reintroduce the Boar Hat Tavern—affordable, honest, and offering exquisite food and drinks from around the world. It's actually a criminal organization, as the "staff" are the infamous Seven Deadly Sins, each wanted for their intentions to overthrow the Kingdom of Liones.

Currently, the young silver-haired girl lying on the bed, stripped of her armor, looked like a helpless lamb surrounded by eight ravenous wolves. Her frail frame seemed barely capable of bearing the heavy armor, exhaustion having overtaken her into unconsciousness.

Danger! Truly dangerous!

For a certain blonde boy was already acting like a wild beast, groping the girl's form.

"This sleeping face, this scent, these curves, and this... bounce…" Meliodas, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, squeezed the girl's chest as if his hand were magnetized to it, musing seriously, "Yup, she's definitely a woman."

"Haah—" Cyd slapped his forehead in exasperation. "Meliodas, Elizabeth is still a child."

The unspoken message: Take your dirty hands off her!

"I'm also a child!" Meliodas declared with a straight face.

Translation: I won't let go!

"Let go!"

"No way!"

Cyd grabbed Meliodas by the neck, attempting to pry him off, but Meliodas was unmovable, as though glued to the floor.

"I swore I'd never let go of this hand again!"

"Your cool line doesn't make up for the fact that you're groping her."

Cyd pulled hard, finally dislodging Meliodas, who yanked the girl upright by the chest, ruthlessly so!

"Pufft—"

The girl blushed in embarrassment, steam practically coming from her head.

"Oh, um…" The girl, naturally shy, was visibly flustered by being groped by a boy her age.

"Mhm, no abnormal heart rate." Meliodas nonchalantly let go, nodding as if everything was in order.

This pseudo-serious fool.

Everyone, including Hawk, had the same thought, except the girl.

"Th-thank you?"

The overly kind girl hadn't realized the boy had totally taken advantage of her.