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Chapter 15 – Danafor (II)

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Bedivere opened his eyes and he found himself had a dream. Lucid Dream. Psychologically, you fell into your deepest slumber where you realized that you were having a dream. In his dream, he reminisced his old life in his previous life as Arthuria's Knight. When he looked straight to her back, he closed his eyes and smiled as he remembered the reason why he served her till her last breath.

"because I can still remember your smile from that day, my King".

Suddenly, their surrounding turned dark as Arthuria reached out her hand to him and sternly asked "then why do you not do as I command, Bedivere?".

Bedivere sucked in a deep breath and gulped, his breath stuck on his throat "...I--!?".

"I do not see any need to keep a disobedient dog--", Arthuria cupped his cheeks and coldly, glared down disdainfully "--who could not even fulfill my death wish by my side".

Bedivere lowered his head in shame "...you are right, my King. I am at fault, for everything, for failed you, for my incompetence and my failure".

This time, Bedivere heard Arthuria's child-like voice from behind along with the tug on his cape "that's right. You failed me, again. Why do you still alive, then?".

Bedivere turned his back and his eyes widened at the sight of Arthuria, in a child's body version, reached out her hand. She smiled despite the blood-covered all over her body "come here".

As he saw her started to sink into the darkness, Bedivere gasped and reached out his hand forward "my King!".

It was a mere dream. Sitting on his bed, Bedivere closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands, trying to catch back the rhythm of his breathing's quickened paces. Perspirations covered his face and body. Looking around, he found himself in a room that fulfilled with the smell of fresh wood. It seemed this place was newly-built. He wondered where on earth they were, because from what he remembered, the last time they were on the outskirt of Danafor, heading to the ruins of Danafor Kingdom. There were no inns around the last time he woke up. How long he had been unconscious, he wondered?

Turning his head to the side, he sighed in relief. Arthuria looked better, sleeping peacefully. He wondered why did she not wake up yet. Even wondering if her soul were still in her body.

Wait.

He remembered from the books he had borrowed from Lady Merlin, there were cases where the dying people's soul could leave their bodies. Bedivere clasped his hands and leaned his chin on his intertwined hands "...in that case, there's only one place where I can ask for help".

"even if I were to die, even if you hated and despised me, I would...".

When he felt her stirred in her dream, he hopefully called her to no avail. She didn't wake up. Not yet. Instead, he heard she murmured "...Avalon...".

Mordred cried indignantly "Daddy! Gawain stole my meatloaf bread!".

Settling Mash on his lap, Lancelot threw a fork to Gawain's direction (which obviously could be dodged easily by Gawain and embedded on the wall instead) "stop messing around and let us have the peaceful breakfast just for today".

Meliodas snickered and poured ale into his mug "he's right. Listen to the young Daddy".

Mash split her bread into two and offered the half other to Mordred "here, you can have mine".

Mordred brightened and accepted it, she was quite getting along well with Mash lately "thank you, Mash!".

Diane (in a human size, after drinking the shrinking pill from Merlin) cooed and ruffled Mash's head "oh, my! Such a good girl you are~".

Elizabeth tilted her head "I am curious, though. Why do you always put the raisins to your meal, Lady Merlin?".

"because it's good for health and beauty", Merlin stirred her breakfast in the bowl "also, I don't always mix my food with the raisins. Only when I eat the oatmeals or bread as my breakfast. From who did you hear it?".

When Elizabeth pointed Meliodas who whistled innocently, Merlin narrowed her eyes sternly to him before she put down her mug "now, I think it's only fair for us to discuss our plans".

Elizabeth glanced up worriedly "shouldn't we wait for Oliver and Alexa?".

Mash pointed out "but they haven't woken up yet".

Lancelot nodded "unfortunately, but considering how cooperative they are, I am sure they'd like to help you willingly".

Meliodas clasped his hands "okay, it's settled, then! This is also a good chance to reconcile after we've cleared all misunderstanding between us before we decided our next steps".

King growled, slamming his mug "misunderstanding? It's the fact!".

Elizabeth and Mash flinched at his outburst. Truthfully, King didn't even want to have breakfast together at the same time and place as Ban. He only tried his best to behave because of the innocent kids such as Elizabeth, Mash, Tristan, and Mordred here. Not to mention Meliodas, Lancelot, Gawain, and Merlin looked ready to do anything to stop their fight. So yeah, actually, this is not the perfect time and place to fight. Scratch that, to kill your ex-comrade, to be more precise.

Escanor stuttered "K-King? Calm down, please? You scared these kids".

Merlin suggested that perhaps, they could ask Gowther since this was something related to mental and psychological stuff. However, again, both Ban and King refused to allow Gowther to use his ability on them.

"now, it's annoying", Mordred suddenly had an idea, turning to Mash and Lancelot, "you think you two can cooperate to show us how to clear the misunderstanding between us and reconcile? Like combine Mash's Clairvoyance with the past vision that the Druids usually use, Mash?".

Lancelot pulled Mash into his lap "maybe it can work, but don't you think it will burden her body too much?".

"say, I do not understand", Tristan sighed heavily and put his glass on the table "why do you all keep avoiding the real matters here?".

When all eyes turned to Tristan, he continued "do you not aware of how risky our condition right now? We have been considered as the criminals, still under suspicion for the crimes of killing the Great Holy Knight Zaratras and planning the coup d'etat against the Liones Kingdom. As if it is not enough, some members of this group even have held grudges or problems against each other. We can't afford to be divided or clash against each other at this risky time".

Looking at how serious the things his son had spoken with his usual flat expression despite his calm and menacing tone, Meliodas patted his head "son, I always know you are far too mature compared to your age, but you have a point this time and I'm proud of you".

Lancelot, as his best friend, agreed "not to mention, our group must be listed into the wanted posters sooner or later. We have dragged the third princess of Liones with us when we ran away from Liones, after all".

Gawain chuckled humorously "I can even feel my ears so hot. Wonder if one of Liones' Royal Family members, probably princess Veronica, cursed us a lot...".

When Elizabeth tried to apologize, Tristan stopped her and waved it off, even if he added the dry jokes that what Gawain and Lancelot said was the truth.

"way to go for ruining the mood, brother", Mordred frowned. Deep down in her head, she hated this situation. Fairly, she always hated such complicated things and their situation right now was included in it. However, what had been putting her such on the edge, was nothing other than the fact that how similar their situation right now with the ones she had to go through in her past life. The betrayal, mad and upset people fought against each other amongst comrades. Ha! How ironic. She could have laughed it off dryly. Perhaps, this was a Karma for her. She could accept the fact that she was betrayed by someone she knew and trusted. After all, she had done the worst thing for Arthuria. However, her family in this lifetime of hers did not deserve it!

Tristan closed his ears "Woah, that's so complex... I know you are upset, sister. However, I am afraid you can turn me deaf just because of how loud you are thinking".

Mordred blinked and fumed "YOU JERK! DON'T READ MY MIND THAT EASILY!".

Holding back his flailed daughter, Meliodas suggested "now, now, who wants to start first?".

Tristan added, "you wouldn't know until you tried to resolve it, you know?".

Gowther nodded "Tristan, Merlin, and the Captain have the point".

Surprisingly, Ban raised his hand first "okay, why use the fake name 'Elaine', anyway?".

King flinched, gritting his teeth and clenching his teeth in anger, but he held himself back.

Mash lifted her chin up, looking up "Father, I think it's fine to tell them all. About your origin. Also for your question, uncle Ban, I once heard from my mom that my grandmother's name is Elaine".

Lancelot then told them all, mixing the fact from his past life with his life right now into the story "well, actually... I and Gawain are not truly brothers. We are half-brothers".

"WHAT!?".

They shouted in shock but all eyes turned into Gawain who shouted as well. Did he not know about it?

Gawain clutched his collar "now, now, I never heard such a thing beforehand and if it's a joke, it's not funny at all".

Lancelot raised his hand "calm down. This is why I never told you after I overheard it from our parents. You are such a hot-blooded blockhead".

Lancelot recited what he had heard from their parents that Lancelot and Gawain (in this lifetime) were half-siblings, in which Gawain was a child of their father with his official first wife, meanwhile Lancelot was a child of their father with his Mistress.

"My biological mother passed away when she gave birth of me, and her name is Elaine", Lancelot glanced sideways to King and Ban before contemplating to continue or not. Looking at Gawain, though, he decided to continue "I don't know it was a coincidence or Fate. We were born on the same day. Not to mention, I look a lot like our father while Gawain looks like his mother. That's why, both your mother and our father decided to adopt me and told everyone that we are non-identical twin brothers. You can say that your biological mother pitied me, thus she accepted it when our father wanted to take me in".

Gawain narrowed his eyes "so when you always said that you would not be father's successor and told me to do so instead...".

Lancelot nodded "I am his illegitimate child. You are his legitimate child. It's only fair that you should be his successor".

"first off...", Gawain carried Mash and handed her to Merlin "take care of her for a while".

They already knew what happened next second. Gawain and Lancelot fought again.

"you idiot older brother! You should have told me sooner!".

Oh, well. They would be fine in the end. It was just their style to let out their emotions to each other, to trade their fist and reconcile afterward. That was how the brothers always interacted with each other.

Mash chewed her croissant bread "I guess I should get used to this".

Next, King and Ban. The problem was, both King and Ban refused to tell what was the problem. So, Meliodas told Gowther to just clarify what was the problem and Gowther blurted out "King concludes that Ban is the one responsible to destroy the Fairy King's Forest, to steal the Fountain of Youth and to kill Holy Maiden who guarded the Fountain of Youth".

Sitting on the chair, Ban averted his eyes and sighed in defeat "...yeah, that is my Sin".

King growled, accused him "see? I don't want to believe it at first, but he killed my sister! It's only fair if I kill him for my sister--".

Lancelot cut him off, challenging "where were you, then?".

King was baffled "what?".

Lancelot stood in between Ban and King, ignoring the fact that King still directed his Chastiefol to Ban's direction "you accused Sir Ban of the crimes you've mentioned. However, when it happened, where were you? From what I learned, the Fairy King is supposed to stay in the Fairy King's Forest, to protect the Forest. Where were you? Why did you leave in the first place? You blamed Sir Ban, but I think it's partly your fault, for not being there. Had you been there, perhaps you would not have lost your sister. Care to tell me that I am wrong!".

King gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, lowering his head further in shame.

Lancelot knew that perhaps, it was not King's fault. King must have had his reason. However, Lancelot could not let him be. Lancelot believed his father's counterpart, Ban would never kill Elaine, his mother's counterpart. He believed that much. He trusted him.

Ban tapped Lancelot's shoulder "move aside, kid. This is not your problem. Why should you be angry in the first place?".

"I trust you", Lancelot turned his back against King, face-to-face against Ban "I can tell that you are innocent. After all, you were not going to kill Lady Elaine, this Holy Maiden who guarded the Fountain of Youth".

Ban didn't mean it, but he gruffly said "why and how? What do you know?".

"what I know", Lancelot pushed Ban and pulled his collar "you are in love with her".

Ban felt his breath stuck in his throat. He froze and he felt like he stopped breathing.

Lancelot narrowed his eyes solemnly and leaned his forehead on his "Sir Ban, you could be rude and merciless sometimes, but the 'you' I knew, would not bring harm to the people you cared. Especially not the woman you love. If the things I said earlier were not true, then why would you not even try to deny it?".

Ban laughed severely, covering his eyes. If you watched carefully, you even could tell how watery his eyes, but they said nothing. Plopping on the chair, Ban sighed in defeat "...before I told the truth, how could you know about it, kid?".

"...I and Sir Meliodas once overheard your rambling when you were too drunk. You probably don't remember it, because you were too drunk. You said that if you would gladly trade hers with your life. I didn' understand the expression you have made back then, but--", lowering his head in shame, Lancelot clenched his fist "--now I understand... It's the expression of a pathetic man who failed to protect the woman he loved, could do nothing but to blame himself, thinking for countless times that it would have been better if--".

Lancelot stopped his words when he felt someone tugging his hand. It was Mash.

Mash squeezed his hand and tearily said, leaning her forehead on the back of Lancelot's hand "mother would not blame you... She trusted you, which is why... She asked you of all people... And trusted me to your hands with her life. Don't blame yourself for my mom's death... Don't say such nonsense that it would have been better if it had been you who died instead of my mom!".

Carrying her, Lancelot wiped her tears "Mash--".

Mash pouted and smacked Lancelot's face "you are my father! If you leave me, I will be mad and I will not forgive you!".

Lancelot chuckled bitterly. He leaned his forehead on hers and his lips pulled into a thin smile "...you are right. I apologize. I didn't mean to make you cry".

Gawain cracked his knuckles with a sweet smile on his face "of course! If you make her cry intentionally, I will beat you! And Mash, if your father does something bad to you, just call me so I can pay it off".

Mash giggled "I will consider it".

A vein popped on Lancelot's head "I will not make her cry intentionally".

In the end, after Ban cleared everything (with promises from Meliodas who knew about their Sins), the misunderstanding between them was clear. Everyone felt relieved. At least, the misunderstanding between each other was clear already.

Well, not for a long time, probably. After all, they still had a ton of jobs to do.

Elizabeth declared her resolve to figure out what happened in her Kingdom "first of all, to clean your names, we should find the main culprit who framed the Sins for killing uncle Zaratras. I hope Alexa will wake up sooner. She probably witnessed what happened, including the one responsible for killing uncle Zaratras, from how she tried to drag me outside abruptly that day".

Mordred leaned her head on her palm and lamented "at a time like this, I hope I can see through my sister's head".

Meliodas patted Mordred's head reassuringly "your sister is gonna wake up soon. Trust her".

Elizabeth smiled as she saw the father-daughter interaction in front of her before she somberly thought of her father and sisters. They were not related by blood with her, so it should have been fine.

Hawk realized how sour Elizabeth's mood and asked in concern "nee, Elizabeth. Why did you look so sad? You should just tell us if there's something you want to ask".

Elizabeth smiled reassuringly "nothing, Hawk! Just worried about Alexa and Oliver, that's all!".

Gowther blurted out, as usual, lifting his shining finger "lie. It's only one part of so many things you've concerned about, princess. You do feel bad leaving your family and missed them, which is usually also known as the 'homesick', but at the same time, you do not want to go home until you can prove that we, the Sins, are innocent".

Diane cooed and swiftly hugged Elizabeth "aw~ it's so thoughtful of you, princess! You're so kind!".

Gowther continued "not only that. You also have a list of your goals, like to figure out and punish the main culprit who framed us and killed Lady Gwen".

"do not worry about it", Lancelot looked three seconds away before killing whoever responsible for Gwen's death "because I will make sure to give the most painful death to him".

They shuddered to look at such murderous intention coming from Lancelot, but luckily, they were distracted by Gowther's next statement "oh, and the princess also wants to visit Danafor".

Meliodas stiffened, just the same with Merlin, but both could mask their expression perfectly.

Mordred perked at that "you want to? What for, Ellie? I mean, nothing you can find there".

Elizabeth fidgeted with her fingers "I know, right? But still, I am curious. I heard from my father once, that I was born in Danafor. Even if the kingdom is gone, I want to know and I wish I can see how the Danafor Kingdom looked like".

"you can".

All of them turned to Gowther and Ban asked skeptically "care to tell us, how, Gowther?".

Gowther explained that it was one of his ability "it's kind of the opposite with my Invasion. If I can sneak into someone's head using Invasion, then I can show people's memory using Reflection, similar with how the Druids show the vision".

Diane chirped "nee, nee, while we are nearby, why not just go camping there? Perhaps, we can find something there!".

King agreed "other than to show the princess how the Danafor Kingdom looked like, maybe we also can investigate what happened in the Danafor. Who knows? Perhaps, we can find the ones responsible for the destruction of Danafor".

"I disagree".

They were baffled and shocked at Meliodas' disagreement, and Diane was the one who whined "why, Captain?".

Meliodas sighed, his bangs masking his expression "if you want to show how Danafor looked like to Elizabeth, it's fine. However, other than that? What did you say? We are not going to do anything in Danafor other than that. Understood?".

Diane protested "no way, Captain! Did you not see how destructed this Kingdom? At least, tell us that the ones responsible for Danafor's destruction have been captured!".

Elizabeth bewildered "wait, why is everyone talking as if there's someone responsible for the destruction of Danafor? That Kingdom's downfall was caused by the catastrophe, right?".

"well, that's what we told people", Mordred shrugged "truthfully, we also have no idea about what happened in Danafor that day".

"what do you mean, Mordred?".

Mordred smiled ruefully "what? So, you haven't heard it from the people around you, or my father never told you?".

Tristan put down the glass on the table "well, to be perfectly honest, if there's someone who knew about what happened in the Danafor Kingdom, it would be our father, Meliodas. After all, our father was the Great Holy Knight of Danafor Kingdom".

Lancelot raised his hand "wait, don't tell me... Princess, you never heard from King Baltra or Sir Zaratras? The first time those two met with Sir Meliodas, was when Sir Meliodas came out of the Danafor Kingdom carrying you who was still an infant".

All eyes turned to Meliodas who shifted nervously. He might not show it, but they could tell from how tense his body.

Elizabeth stared at him with hopeful eyes "Meliodas, so you... Do you know my parents?".

"...Cedric and Evergreen. They were Druids, one of the most kind-hearted people in Danafor. When I found you with your mother, I didn't see your father", Meliodas sighed heavily, looking so distressed "I thought Baltra would tell you when you were bigger. I'm sorry".

"what for? You did nothing wrong", Elizabeth tapped his cheek and smiled "thank you, for telling me, and to save me".

Elizabeth didn't know how meaningful those words for him.

Hawk asked out of curiosity "still, what happened in Danafor 6 years ago? What I knew, this Kingdom was a powerful one, just like Liones, right?".

"It was the Captain's doing".

All eyes turned to Gowther as Meliodas and Merlin cursed inwardly. Damn him.

Escanor stuttered "Gowther, what are you... It's a lie, right? Lady Merlin? Captain?".

Merlin facepalmed "Gowther, there are things you should and should not blurt out".

"so, it's true", Ban said in disbelief "Cap'n, why did you not say anything? To deny it or to defend yourself, at least".

Next second, it was the maelstrom of emotions. Again, they argued against each other. Only this time, the majority of the Sins (except Ban and Merlin who sided with Meliodas) against Meliodas who said nothing. Escanor doubted and questioned what their Captain had been going through and why would he do such things in the first place. Gowther only watched in silence with interest. Diane and King demanded to know what happened, but when there was nothing they could get from their Captain, they started accusing him as 'monster', 'heartless', 'Demon'.

"ENOUGH!", surprisingly, Merlin slammed her hands on the table before sending her heated glares to Diane, King, and Escanor (who agreed with the two former and started to join them), fulfilled with murderous intention gleaming dangerously on her eyes "what do you know? You know nothing of what he's been going through!".

They were awestruck, even Escanor wondered "usually, her emotion is hard to read, but we can read her like an opened book this time".

Diane scoffed "ha! So, the rumor that you've been in love with the Captain is true?".

Merlin's face turned sour, the corner of her mouth twitched up and down in a strained smile "...I am appalled you bring it up here and now. Do you think I am the type of a woman who needs a man to protect me in my life?".

Ban also wondered what's gotten into Diane's head "well, no".

"I have a question, too", Mordred smiled too innocently and lifted her Clarent "how would you like to die?".

When Mordred sent the blast of the thunderbolt, powerful wind, and dark fire to Diane, King, and Escanor (which was strong enough to send them away to outside the tavern), Gawain facepalmed "ah, here we go again...".

Tristan lifted his Sacred Treasure "allow me to assist you".

Lancelot and Mash grabbed Tristan by his shoulders "wait, wait, wait".

Outside the tavern, Mordred mercilessly attacked them "why? Why? Why? Why wouldn't you at least listen to my Dad's explanation?".

King used his second form Chastiefol Guardian to defend themselves "we asked him to tell us and he said nothing!".

"and what exactly you would want to hear from him? That the Demons killed Danafor's people? That my father failed to protect his Kingdom, the people of Danafor? That he couldn't even protect his wife, my mother who was killed by a Demon? Is that exactly what you want to hear!?", panting, Mordred angrily wiped her tears "my older sister witnessed it... The purple giant Demon killed our mother... My father and my sister witnessed it in front of their eyes... Nothing we could do when those Demons killed the people of Danafor... Then why... Why should you blame my father and accuse him of a Demon? If my father is a Demon or a monster like you said, then I am a Demon, a Monster as well!".

Mordred felt terrible. Yeah, she was a monster and a Demon. After all, what kind of a child who killed her father in her previous life? Even if her beloved 'father', Arthuria forgave her and blamed herself instead, Mordred still could not forgive herself who had been so selfish.

"Everyone, please stop!", Elizabeth cried. Why were they so mean and upset? Could they not just talk over it? When she tried to get closer and stop them, the gust of strong wind sent her flying instead "KYAH!".

"Elizabeth!", Meliodas jumped and grabbed Elizabeth's wrist. Looking down, Meliodas gritted his teeth and threw Elizabeth to Ban "Ban, catch her!".

"gotcha!", Ban wrapped his arms around Elizabeth's tiny body and collapsed on the grassy ground. Sitting up, Ban called out "oi, Cap'n? Are you okay there?".

No answer. Ban felt the dread on his heart before looking down to the cliff below and...

Ban gasped and frantically screamed "Merlin!".

"what's wrong?", Merlin frowned. Something was off. Looking down to the cliff, she gasped, flying down "Meliodas!".

When Elizabeth wanted to see what happened, Hawk who had seen it, immediately covered Elizabeth's eyes with his front hooves. Escanor, Diane, and King were shocked and turned deadly pale looking at their Captain's state when Merlin brought him back. Gowther still observed the situation calmly.

Gawain ran to the tavern "I will try to get Oliver if he's awake! Or trying to find the medicine!".

Lancelot covered Mash's eyes and gulped "don't look, Mash".

Tristan and Modred screamed in unison, horrified "father! / Daddy!".

Looking down to the cliff, Tristan confirmed that when Meliodas fell, he landed on the protruding rock which pierced through his torso, creating a large gap of a hole on Meliodas' torso. Mordred cried harder when she saw the light of life started to dim from his emerald eyes which void of emotions.

Meliodas choked his blood. Oh, well. Even if he died this time, he would come back eventually. He just needed to explain his curse to his daughters. Feeling the pool of blood fulfilled his mouth, Meliodas coughed. He scrunched shut his eyes in pain before puking the blood as someone rested his head on their lap, slightly tilting his head to the side. Meliodas vaguely heard Merlin or his children's voice. Though, he wasn't sure anymore. Glanced sideways, Meliodas reached out his hand. A pair of transparent hands grabbed him, along a sweet smile adorned her face.

"Father, don't forget what mother said, that she regrets nothing and she always loves you".

Meliodas told her hoarsely "there you are... Alexa... Liz... I love you...".

In his mind, he saw Arthuria smiled "I love you too. We are your daughters. To elsewhere we should go if not to your side?".

In his mind, he remembered how Liz pouted cutely "Meliodas, you moron. Should you take this long detour to come to us?".

"Sorry... I will come... right away...", Meliodas mumbled weakly "for now... just let me sleep...".

Tristan tapped Meliodas' cheek "no, wait, don't sleep!".

Mordred shook his body "that's right! Where'd you go, Dad? I will not forgive you if you die, you moron!".

They brought Meliodas back to the tavern, they were distraught because not only Meliodas was in a critical condition, but also Bedivere and Arthuria disappeared. His wound was severe. When he fell, Meliodas lost six of seven hearts. Even his last heart sustained injury. If only Bedivere or Arthuria were there to heal him, or Elizabeth could use her sealed healing magic power, it would be a great help.

Merlin closed the door behind her, kneeling on the ground. Leaning her intertwined forearms on her knees, she buried her face on it "it's fine... It's alright... He's not dead yet...".

"Lady Merlin! Are you okay?".

Looking up, she saw Elizabeth carrying the basin of clean water and some dry rags, Hawk and Escanor in tow. Merlin simply patted her head, telling them to go rest while she was going to watch over him but Elizabeth persisted, so Merlin let her doing the chores to nurse Meliodas who sporting a high fever, helped by Hawk, Mash, Lancelot, and Tristan.

Walking downstairs, Merlin saw Ban pushing Gowther to the wall.

Pulling his collar, Ban growled, "what's nonsense you blurted out mindlessly?".

"it's the truth. Demons attacked the Danafor Kingdom and killed the people of Danafor, but it was our Captain who wiped out the entire Danafor Kingdom using his power. It seemed like he lost control of his power due to the shock of losing his wife".

King groaned in frustration "in that case, you could have told us sooner! Why could you not consider how do we feel--?".

Gowther said flatly "technically speaking, I am a doll. I do not have a heart, so I do not know how to feel".

Silence.

"enough. It's no use blaming each other now".

As she walked to the counter, Merlin deliberately ignored her comrades' (which was natural) constant questions about how their Captain was doing.

"still care about him? Funny, I thought you don't care whether he'd die or survive...", Merlin curtly retorted before turning to her comrades, Merlin said, "...If you ask me, I will stay. However, I need to go back to the Camelot Kingdom sometimes. What about you? If you can't believe him, don't bother to stay. You can leave. I still can babysit them".

Thinking of what happened this day, they were conflicted. Escanor decided to stay, though. For Merlin. He wanted to help her as long as she needed it. King was still skeptical, about whether they could believe their Captain or not. Ban would want to stay, of course, especially with those kids in need of protection of the adult. He would not mind being their caretaker. Diane felt the guilt crushing her heart, but still...

"...it doesn't mean what the Captain has done, was not wrong, right? Why did he not tell us?".

Ban scoffed, slamming his fist on the wall at the end of his statement "what the hell, Diane? Answer your question. Can you freely talk about your Sin? Especially in front of your children!".

"I know! But it's hard to believe him when he doesn't even acknowledge and trust us!", King snapped, his fists trembling "I know it's not fully our Captain's fault... Well, probably, but I wish he could tell us and trust us more...".

The teary-eyed Mash came downstairs, frantically calling "Lady Merlin!".

Lancelot begged, "go upstairs, now!".

Several minutes ago...

Meliodas stirred, croaked hoarsely "...I am...alive?".

Tristan frowned disapprovingly "yes, you are. Do not say it as if you regret it".

Meliodas could tell Tristan was upset. Vaguely, he heard Lancelot and Mash running outside to call Merlin. Mordred pursed her lips, trying hard to not cry. Meliodas' pale, ashen skin and blue lips, was something she would not want to see, ever, again.

When Merlin and the other Sins were in the doorway, Lancelot halted them, carrying Mash on his arms "wait".

"Just listen to me and don't interfere", Meliodas closed his eyes briefly so they wouldn't see the grief and despair on his eyes "...for countless times, I've considered to just follow after your mother".

Tristan clenched his fists and leaned his head further "...I knew".

Mordred and Elizabeth snapped in unison "WHAT!".

"but does it important now?", Tristan looked up with bleary eyes "after all, you always come back for us".

"right... What I'm trying to say is... You all, my children with her, have been the reason for me to live. I know it's so selfish and weak of me. I want nothing other than to see your mother, but... I can't leave your side either... when I lost her in Danafor, unable to save her and allow her to die in front of my eyes, being killed by that Demon... I lost control of my power and just like that... He was the one who killed the people of Danafor, including your mother, but... I was the one who destroyed Danafor due to my power's outburst... Sorry...", Meliodas blinked away a single tear "sorry... That you have a weakling like me as your father... But know this... my children, you have been the best blessing gifted to our life...".

"don't say that! Don't call yourself as a weakling!", Mordred leaned her forehead on his palm and cried harder "traitor or hero, demon or human, monster or whatever they call you, you are our father! You are, always have been, and will always be our father!".

Tristan squeezed his other hand and said with his own trembling voice "she's right. After we lost mom, we only have you. We are your children. To elsewhere we should go but to your side?".

"I am so proud of you all, my children. I mean it", Meliodas gently squeezed their hands and smiled weakly. He trailed off "...thank you, for everything. Also... Tell Merlin, I rely on her to take care of--".

"...Dad?", Mordred turned deadly pale when Meliodas closed his eyes and his hand fell to the side limply "Dad? Dad!".

Tristan snapped "Lady Merlin!".

Merlin rushed inside and asked Gowther to help her "all of you, get out of here!".

They heard the screams along with the sound of a body thrashing violently before it turned to silence. Then, Gowther came out of the room, telling them about something related to 'shock', 'heart-attack', and they hoped that he told them a lie. When they barged in and demanded Merlin to say something, Merlin only told them to check him themselves, that she and Gowther didn't lie when they said his heartbeat had stopped.

Elizabeth grabbed his arm and cried out, turning her teary face to Merlin over her shoulder "NO! Do not leave us, Meliodas! Lady Merlin, you can fix what's wrong and heal him, right?".

Merlin hugged Elizabeth from behind, kneeling defeatedly on the floor "forgive me, princess... But... There's no cure for death".

After making sure the kids were sleeping, the Sins went downstairs. Hawk promised them that the kind-hearted pink pig would watch over the kids.

Gulping down five bottles of the strongest ales they had, Merlin swatted away Escanor's hands, telling him that she needed it. Turning to her comrades, she slurred with flushed cheeks "so~ as I suggested before, we should disperse. Don't get me wrong. Sooner or later, we will be captured if this goes on. We can get easily captured because they can detect our presence when we gather like this. It will be far easier if we divide into teams and move separately while keeping in contact. Unless you want to just disband the Seven Deadly Sins and cut off all tie you have... Before that, I'd like to know... Whether you will stay or not, after listening to my story".

Merlin recited a little about her childhood, how she met with Meliodas and his lover when she was running away from her home, how she was in love with him but ended up in unrequited love, because their Captain only loved one woman "heck, not that I mind. I consider her as my big sister, even. They married, having three cute children. One adopted, though. Then, that tragedy happened... She died, with a promise that someday, we will meet again. I helped him to raise their children... It was because I promised her... Their mother, which I consider as my big sister... I never told those kids out loud, but just like them... I missed her...".

After Merlin fell asleep, Escanor covered her with a blanket before turning to his friends, trying to ignore the trail of tears on her cheeks "what should we do now?".

"maybe you can decide it after witnessing this", Mash lifted her bangs which usually covering her eye, revealing the triskelion of goddess clan member on it "see it yourself if you want to know it badly. Dorukimoto Hekatokobe Omunorea Kieto ".

Meanwhile, at the Magic Lake of Salisbury...

Carrying unconscious Arthuria on his arms, Bedivere sighed a white breath "finally, we're here... so, this is the Avalon in this world...".

"I've been waiting for you, the Goddess of Chaos and the Guardian of Chaos", the Lady of The Lake invited them to her house, "welcome to the Avalon".