Chapter 58. Inside and Out
[Arc5] - 58. Inside and Out
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"Damn, damn, damn! What's going on with the Seven Deadly Sins? They're on a completely different level than they were ten years ago!"
Dreyfus sprinted through the streets of Liones, clutching one of the fragments of the disc that could unlock the [Coffin of Eternal Darkness] and free the Demon Clan. Ten years ago, he dismissed the Seven Deadly Sins entirely, believing even Meliodas couldn't stand a chance against the [Ten Commandments], so he patiently waited within Liones for the right moment.
To break the seal, he needed the dragon-shaped hilt held by Meliodas and the blood of a Goddess. He realized that as Princess Elizabeth increasingly resembled the Goddess who had caused Meliodas to betray the Demon Clan 3,000 years ago, the rumored curse was likely true, making it possible to unlock the [Coffin of Eternal Darkness].
The Goddess Clan had lost their physical forms, but their powerful souls could temporarily transform ordinary bodies into those of the Goddess Clan. The reincarnated Elizabeth could provide the blood necessary to lift the seal.
Everything was in place, and all the conditions to break the seal were converging in the Kingdom of Liones. But what should have been a favorable development had turned into a serious problem at this moment!
The Seven Deadly Sins were too strong!
Whether it was the Fairy King, whose power had increased over tenfold, or the one pursuing him!
The being possessing Dreyfus could wield Dreyfus's magic, his body as resilient as his own indomitable will. But even the mere heat radiating from the approaching figure's relaxed walk was burning his skin.
"Is this the new Great Holy Knight of Liones? Pathetically fleeing for his life, how sad."
Escanor, dressed in battle attire crafted by Merlin, carried [Rhitta] on his shoulder. Strolling down the street as if he were out for a leisurely walk, he occasionally glanced at the surroundings. Though technically battle attire, it was only heat-resistant and stretchy, while the lion-like mane on his shoulders made Escanor look like the Lion King surveying his domain.
"Escanor, if you take too long, the Vice-Captain will be troubled," Gowther said, wearing the Seven Deadly Sins shop's women's uniform and following just behind Escanor, using his magic to knock out every Holy Knight who looked at them in terror.
"If we take too long, it'll be high noon, and if half of Liones gets blown up, the Vice-Captain will have a stomach ache from stress."
"The Vice-Captain won't be troubled by these things; the light of the sun shines bright at all times."
"Ah…" Seeing Escanor's unwillingness to cooperate, Gowther raised his voice and, with an emotionless scream, pointed toward Dreyfus's escape route. "Dreyfus seems to be heading to Merlin's old laboratory, which is filled with her secrets and valuable treasures!"
A glint appeared in Escanor's usually impassive eyes.
"Boom—"
Dreyfus abruptly halted, almost colliding head-on with Escanor, who landed in front of him like a meteor.
"Trying to enter a lady's private space without permission? How arrogant of you!"
"Damn it, [Pride] Escanor, I am the Kingdom's Holy Knight... Wah!"
Before Dreyfus could finish his threat, Escanor scratched his ear and swung [Rhitta]. A casual strike unleashed a flood of magical sunlight that overwhelmed Dreyfus.
"Evil creature possessing Dreyfus, be gone under the brilliance of our light."
"Damn it!" Dreyfus staggered back, smoke billowing from his body. He was fortunate he had chosen this body as his host; another would have been incapacitated by now.
"Oh? You're still standing after taking one of my casual blows. Perhaps I'm a bit tipsy from the drink I had on my way here." Escanor rubbed his thick neck, his calm smile turning even more imposing, causing Dreyfus to stumble back.
"What… what are you? I've never seen anyone like you before. You're not human, are you?"
Escanor shook his head, resting [Rhitta] on his shoulder and raising his right hand toward the sky.
"Of course, I am human, but I am a human who stands atop all races—the [Sin of Pride] Escanor."
"Damn, I need to escape!" Dreyfus searched for an opening. He was one of the last of the Demon Clan; if he fell, who would free the clan?
"Boom—"
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, and a charred figure crashed to the ground. Before anyone could identify who had fallen, another person descended and stomped on the smoking figure.
"Hendrickson, I'm not punishing you for poisoning the fish pie, but your body is so filthy I had to revitalize your blood and clear out the impurities."
Zaratras, in casual attire yet exuding authority, pressed his sword against Hendrickson's chest, electrocuting him with magic while applying the Druidic secret arts. It wasn't just clearing out impurities; he was ensuring every vein in Hendrickson's body was hit with electricity.
"Zaratras, you've already purified Hendrickson of the control and any filth; stop punishing him over a ruined fish pie."
Cyd, catching up, pulled Zaratras aside and patted Hendrickson, who was still smoldering.
"Hey, Hendrickson, are you still with us?"
"I… think so." Hendrickson barely opened his eyes. Since being controlled, he had been in a foggy state, but the electric shock had jolted him fully awake.
"As a Druid, Hendrickson, you've grown too complacent. If you can't even save your closest friend with your own power, you'll need to enter the Druid's sacred grounds and train properly." Zaratras huffed, and his stern demeanor caused Hendrickson to bow his head immediately.
"Yes, Sir Zaratras." Bowing his head, Hendrickson couldn't see the smug smile on Zaratras's face; he was just venting his frustration for being trapped in the sacred grounds for years.
"Alright, you creature possessing Dreyfus, let me show you the [Purge] I've spent years perfecting. I've waited long for this moment!"
"Zaratras has really changed," Hendrickson thought admiringly, even as he was shocked nearly to unconsciousness. "The once lazy and impatient Zaratras has genuinely honed his Druid skills."
In reality, Zaratras constantly complained about his hardships. If it hadn't been for the weekly wine supply from the Boar Hat Tavern, he wouldn't be so lively.
Cyd, aware of the truth, could only shake his head before turning his attention back to Dreyfus. In the face of true power, conspiracies meant nothing. It was laughable that Dreyfus even considered himself powerful.
The quality of the Holy Knights in the Kingdom had declined significantly; the elite Holy Knights of the Seven Deadly Sins era had mostly retired, leaving behind promising rookies like Gilthunder and unrefined newcomers.
These Holy Knights were no match for the Seven Deadly Sins. Surrounded by the Sins, Dreyfus had nowhere to run.
"This is too easy, Vice-Captain. The Holy Knights are no challenge at all," Ban said, massaging his neck as he dragged a bruised Holy Knight from the corner.
"You were pierced through the heart; why didn't you report that to the Vice-Captain?" King, transformed into a handsome youth, sat on the rooftop with a regal posture.
"Tch, you could've helped out if you saw."
"Sir Cyd, Merlin and I managed to lure away the Liones army!" Arthur, clad in golden armor, ran up to Cyd with hands raised, proudly reporting his victory over several knights.
The Seven Deadly Sins, the former Great Holy Knight, and the new King of Camelot—was this really the enemy he had to face?
Dreyfus's face twisted into a grimace. What an utterly hopeless situation—and he was all alone.
"Hey, Fraudrin," Meliodas said, lifting [Lostvayne] and aiming it at Dreyfus, his usual smile gone.
"Let's settle the score for Liz."
In the underground space beneath Liones, a badly burnt Vivian had barely teleported to safety. She clutched the cool surface beneath her, knowing she had arrived at her destination.
"Gil… thun… der… you're mine."
With her face twisted beyond recognition, Vivian used her last bit of strength to insert a needle into her remaining unburned flesh. Black liquid flowed through the thin tube into her body.
Beneath her was… a strange, large, gray humanoid figure.