Chapter 57. The Imminent Showdown

[Arc5] - 57. The Imminent Showdown

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"Gilthunder, are you sure you want to stand against me?"

Meliodas held [Lostvayne] calmly as he looked at Gilthunder, who blocked his path. Like Cyd, he wished he could muse about the passage of time, but he had no such leisure.

"Lord Gilthunder, let's quickly take Princess Elizabeth away," said a mage clad in metal who flattered Gilthunder. This mage, Vivian, was the disciple of Merlin, capable of teleportation and the Perfect Cube. Meliodas knew that a single mistake could see him isolated, helplessly watching Elizabeth taken away.

"Elizabeth, hold onto me tightly!"

"Y-Yes, Lord Meliodas." Elizabeth clung to Meliodas's small hand tightly. "I swear, no matter what happens, I won't let go!"

"...Is that so? That's wonderful."

No matter what, I won't let go, Elizabeth.

So…

Meliodas tensed his muscles, his aura fierce as a beast, forcing Gilthunder to take a step back, lightning surging over his skin.

"Help, Cyd! I'm gonna die here!" The fierce beast-like Meliodas immediately cried out, sounding as helpless as a stranded cub.

Even Gilthunder was momentarily stunned, but Vivian quickly realized—one member of the Seven Deadly Sins was already difficult enough, but if another arrived, she'd be in trouble!

"I am here. Meliodas, your cries really do sound like a piglet dragged from its den," Cyd said, descending from above to land beside Meliodas. The [Reforged Pandora] on his back transformed into an intricate hunting bow.

"What can I say? There's a tricky one on the other side," Meliodas replied, shamelessly. "[Sometimes we must fight together]; that was your idea for a rule."

"I just saw Gowther and Escanor. They're off to catch Dreyfus. Right now, our only task is to protect Elizabeth." Cyd moved closer to Meliodas and Elizabeth, knowing they couldn't predict where Vivian might teleport.

"We just have to hold out until Merlin arrives. With her here, no magic will work."

"Teacher Merlin!?" Vivian raised her voice sharply. Although her expression couldn't be seen under her helmet, the panic in her voice suggested Merlin had done something to her in the past.

"Damn it! If Teacher Merlin is coming, then…"

A glint of malice flashed in Vivian's eye as she vanished. Meliodas and Cyd simultaneously clasped Elizabeth's hands, vigilant for Vivian's ambush from any corner.

But… there was no attack. All was quiet as if Vivian had fled. However, neither Gilthunder nor Cyd thought she had run; the madness in her exposed eye revealed her obsession.

"Seven Deadly Sins, surrender your weapons now!"

Everyone looked up toward the voice's source. Vivian had appeared atop a training tower, holding a frail, silver-haired girl hostage.

"Margaret!" Gilthunder's eyes narrowed as he recognized her.

"Sister!" Elizabeth covered her mouth in shock.

Margaret, the first daughter of King Bartra, was both the kingdom's first princess and Gilthunder's childhood sweetheart and love. With Margaret as a hostage, Gilthunder had been forced to obey the orders of the Holy Knight.

"What do you want?" Cyd asked, narrowing his eyes. He understood from the coded exchanges with Gilthunder that a creature lurked in the shadows, ready to take Margaret's life if Gilthunder disobeyed.

"Stop wasting time! Surrender your sacred weapons immediately and don't resist, or else..." Vivian held a dagger to Margaret's throat, her fragile skin easily scratched by the sharp blade.

Cyd instantly dropped the [Reforged Pandora], and without hesitation, Meliodas placed [Lostvayne] on the ground. Saving Margaret was now the priority.

"No eye contact, no sounds. Leave Princess Elizabeth immediately." Vivian knew former heroes might communicate without words, and she couldn't risk them teaming up, especially not with these veteran knights. Luckily, she held an ace up her sleeve.

Satisfied, Vivian ordered Meliodas and Cyd, convinced they wouldn't disappoint her.

The two backed away obediently.

"Now, Gilthunder, seize Elizabeth and subdue the sinners! That way, you'll be a hero!" Vivian shouted at Gilthunder, eager for him to comply and receive glory. This would prove her worth over the "vase" princess she held hostage!

Gilthunder took a deep breath, placing a hand on his sword's hilt.

"[Eyes that see sin, mouth that speaks truth, heart filled with justice, sword that punishes evil.] I will carry out what I believe to be right."

"Yes, yes, that's my Gilthunder," Vivian expressed her unreserved admiration, finding him handsome and outstanding. But she knew…

A perfect knight would always love a beautiful princess. If she wanted to keep him, she'd have to ruin the knight she admired. She planned to make him kill those he respected and loved and then pick up the broken pieces to create a knight of her own.

"Gilthunder, kill them!"

Taking a deep breath, Gilthunder met Cyd's gaze, then charged, lightning engulfing his body. In a flash, he struck Meliodas, sending him flying, then turned to slash at Cyd, kicking Meliodas in the head as he fell.

With his lightning magic, Gilthunder could hold his own against both Meliodas and Cyd. To Vivian, they seemed like bouncing balls in the glow of lightning.

"Hahaha! See? That's my Gilthunder, the strongest knight!"

Margaret shut her eyes in pain. She knew Gilthunder's actions were to protect her, so her very presence was hurting him.

"Gilthunder! Don't kill those you admire!"

Seizing a moment of distraction, Margaret shoved Vivian away and leapt from the tower.

"Meliodas, I think these youngsters are underestimating us." Even after Gilthunder's relentless assault, Cyd stood unscathed, crossing his arms.

"Exactly. How about we show them our power?"

"You said it," Cyd replied, grabbing Meliodas's leg and flinging him toward the falling Margaret.

As she descended rapidly, Vivian teleported after her life-saving hostage, grabbing Margaret with a relieved smile. But in the next instant, a blade of black flames sliced through her.

"What! How did you escape Gilthunder?!"

Meliodas ignored the crazed woman and tightened his grip on the dark flames.

"[Hellblaze]!"

The black fire, like the flames of purgatory, engulfed Vivian, melting her metal helmet and revealing her twisted, pained face—a face far less beautiful than Margaret's, perhaps the reason she always hid it.

The flames burned her throat before she could scream, and the searing pain invaded her body.

"One more strike!" Not one to prolong his enemy's suffering, Meliodas raised his broken sword and slashed toward Vivian's neck. The blade cut halfway before she disappeared.

"She's as good as dead," Meliodas judged, landing safely with Margaret in his arms.

"Cyd! The princess is safe!"

"Got it." Cyd caught Gilthunder's head, then flicked two dragon scales, precisely striking two hidden creatures.

Vivian had made one mistake: the Seven Deadly Sins didn't need teamwork to succeed. They were a group of individualists who thrived regardless of cooperation.

"Margaret!" Landing, Gilthunder ran to his beloved, embracing her tightly. The two young lovers held each other like a fated reunion, ignoring the two older knights.

"Let's go, Cyd." Meliodas patted Cyd's shoulder, a shadow crossing his sunny smile. "I think I know who took Dreyfus's body. Someone we can't ignore."

"Is that so?" Cyd glanced at Gilthunder and Margaret, then sighed and hefted [Reforged Pandora].

"You two suffered because of us. Now rest and watch as we settle this unfinished business."