Chapter 20 – An Unexpected Lead

Morning slowly rose over the Isle of Renewal. In front of the inn, a gnarled tree stretched its branches over the entrance. Leaning against its trunk, arms crossed, the innkeeper waited patiently.

The door finally creaked open. Meliodas and Zeldris stepped outside—motivated… or almost.

"Well, you took your time," the innkeeper said with a sly smile. "For a moment, I thought you'd forgotten about me."

Zeldris cast an annoyed look at his brother, who was still half-asleep.

"Sorry… This idiot drank so much last night I had to shake him for an hour just to get him out of bed."

Meliodas, groggy, rubbed his head.

"Yeah, yeah… But come on, we finally got a real lead on Zéphyr. Had to celebrate a little."

The innkeeper burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! You two really cracked me up. Come on, follow me!"

They set off. Meliodas and Zeldris walked a few steps behind, taking in the quiet streets of the residential district.

"Anyway, thanks for showing us the way to this person," said Meliodas. "You didn't have to."

The innkeeper glanced back over his shoulder with a smile.

"Name's Boros. And don't worry… I was heading this way today anyway. It's on my route."

Zeldris narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Speaking of which, Boros… how did you know we were looking for someone named Zéphyr? I don't recall saying it out loud yesterday. And I doubt my brother did either."

Boros kept walking without slowing down.

"Heh… My place might be modest, but the walls have good ears. I heard the name while passing the hallway. And trust me, that's not a name one forgets."

Zeldris exchanged a wary glance with Meliodas but didn't press further.

A few minutes later, Boros came to a stop.

Before them stood a small church, its walls weathered by time, surrounded by a few trees and bushes. Nothing extraordinary… yet the place carried a strange, unique atmosphere.

"This is it," said Boros, pointing to the building.

Then, raising his voice, he called out:

"Hey! Rebecca!"

A young girl appeared almost instantly, darting out from behind the church.

She looked about ten years old, with long black braids, large brown eyes filled with curiosity, and a simple but tidy farm dress.

At the sight of Boros, she cried out cheerfully:

"BOROS! You're back!"

She ran up to him, full of excitement.

Meliodas and Zeldris shared a look.

"She's… the one who's supposed to help us?" Zeldris muttered, raising an eyebrow.