Time before the sins arrive at the Varbylos Stronghold: 30 minutes

Time before sunrise: 3 hours

As Merlin arrived at the encampment both King and Meliodas gathered around a table, inside the largest tent and began to discuss the strategy. They needed to analyse their situation, and they needed to think about their position. The Varbylos Stronghold had never been conquered, although in the last week, a renegade holy named Vladimir had besieged the stronghold and taken it without a single casualty. The man was the former great holy knight of Camelot. He was a loyal knight, who obeyed all his commands and scaled the ranks with his cunning ability and his power. He held the king's son, Kay, in high regard and even trained him in swordplay. However, when the king declared that Arthur would be the next king of Camelot he disagreed with the king. He left his position and home, but, took all the knights who followed him into battle. He had a strong force behind him and even Merlin was worried about his ability to defend the stronghold.

They used to call him Vlad the unpredictable and for good reasons. His strategies were extremely effective, despite their peculiar nature. His men trusted him completely and he managed to drop his casualty rate to around 1 man per 4 battles. These were very good odds for any general and it would surely take a miracle, or perhaps an outburst of power to take him down.

"We need to formulate a strategy and rethink our options. We cannot underestimate the strategic mind of this man. Our combined strength will not matter if we are unable to deal with any possible traps or surprises. The 3 of us need to think of a plan, we cannot run rampant into the stronghold like we usually do." Merlin said with a serious tone. She had scouted the area with location magic and with King's information they could plan their next course of action.

"I would assume sending Ban and Diane to attack the fortress head on would be enough to break the wall." Meliodas stated. He seemed less interested in making a strategy and more interested in returning to his arm wrestling competition with Ban.

"Captain, we can't send Diane to do that. They have 12 Ballistae on the wall, not to mention they greatly outnumber us." yelled King. He seemed thoroughly upset that the captain would send Diane to get hurt, without a second thought.

"Let's compare our forces then shall we?" suggested Merlin. Despite the desperate situation she was calm.

"They have 551 men including: 400 holy knights, 100 archers, 50 siege engineers and their leader. The power level required to become a holy knight of Camelot is 550 meaning their weakest members would be at least this strong. Their elite knights could be as strong as 2550. Considering their leader is Vladimir we need to consider his strategic mind and his power level of 3021. He could potentially defeat a member of the sins, if given the chance and is our most troublesome opponent. Furthermore each of the sins has a power level over 3000, but, considering there are 6 of us and 1 Escanor fighting 551 troops who are all hardened from countless wars, we need to consider our options carefully." Merlin explained. She was well prepared for the mission, more so than the other sins. It would seem Vladimir was an exceptional leader and Merlin had done her research about his capabilities.

"I see, so if we cannot charge the stronghold what do you suggest? Do you think he will let us inside if we ask him nicely? Said the captain. His response could have been taken as a joke, but, his tone and the look in his eyes were serious. Did he honestly think they would let them in? Merlin kept a smile on her face although King looked at him in disbelief.

"I don't think that will work captain" she said "He knows about the seven deadly sins and he knows what we are capable of. The trouble is, he has devised a way to repel all 6 of us."

"How does he plan on doing that?" asked King, clearly worried now that he had heard the news.

"I am not sure… I overheard one of the knights explaining to the men on the watchtower that if the seven deadly sins show up, commence operation "Purify".

With all the odds stacked against them, they came to a decision. They needed to find a way to break the walls without anybody getting hurt. They also needed to get inside without getting shot by siege equipment. This would take some time, but, the 3 sins left the tent and gathered the rest of the people.

"Alright everyone, we have a plan and we need you all to follow it perfectly, got that?" Meliodas declared as his smile eased them into a state of readiness.

A giant, a fairy, an emotionless man, a child, a sorceress and a human… they were probably the weirdest group of knights Escanor had ever seen and he felt as though he truly belonged with them. He was happy, even though the mission would be taking place shortly he knew that if they followed the plan they could make it back before sunrise. He did not want to change in front of his friends, nor did he want to scare them by doing so.

Meanwhile, at the Varbylos Stronghold:

"Have you placed the Ballistae on the walls? How about the surprise we have in store for any intruders?" a man in a black suit of armor asked. His grin was sinister and he was calm about the upcoming situation.

"Yes, Lord Vladimir, we are fully prepared for any invaders. Even the seven deadly sins will be unable to defeat us." said a random knight.

"I fully expect the sins to break down the walls and you are incorrect on your previous statement. There are not seven deadly sins there are six and we will not defeat them, we will crush them with all our might." Vladimir replied, his true colours revealed and his plan set in motions.

Will the sins be able to outwit the master of strategy and will they complete their mission before Escanor transforms?

Next chapter the assault on the stronghold begins and as the Pride of both groups of knights clash a great battle will commence.

Time until sunrise: 2:30 hours.