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Chapter 17 – Can You Hold Me?

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"I believe you have fully aware of what we're going to ask you, but first of all...", King twitched his eyebrow in exasperation "what's wrong with this arrangement?".

Meliodas perked "what's the matter?".

Hawk shook his head, he had gotten used to this ever since Elizabeth's arrival to the Boar Hat "give it up, King. There's no use speaking to these lovey-dovey couples".

Yep, as they sat down on the side of the lake, the couples in their group were... long story short, being lovey-dovey. Almost all of them, except King and Diane, because those two were still shy. Gelda who did not have her lover nearby, sat on the ground, leaning her back on Hawk's body.

Meliodas sat on Elizabeth's lap, leaning his head on her breasts comfortably, just the same with Merlin who sat on Escanor's lap, leaning her body on his muscled torso. Both Ban and Elaine didn't even try to hide their feelings as they entangled each other's body in each other's arms, with Elaine sitting on his lap. Even Iseult, who was busy cooking, could not let it down as her husband wrapped his arms around her waist.

Stirring the soup in the pot, Iseult ruffled his hair "honey, I know you're hungry. Be patient. I'll finish this soon. Just wait there".

Instead of letting her go, Tristan purred, leaning his head on the crook of her neck "don't wanna~".

Iseult moaned "oh, Dear! Seriously...".

King narrowed his eyes (deep down in his heart, actually, he just disliked how clingy Ban and Elaine were towards each other. Not to mention, he was too shy to admit it out loud, that he wanted to do the same thing with Diane) to Tristan and Iseult "...like father like son, huh?".

Meliodas boldly beamed "of course!".

"I was not praising you, Captain!", King tried to focus "okay, we have a lot of things to sort. Now, to whom we can hear the full explanation about what happened?".

Usually, it was Merlin's role, so their eyes automatically turned to the Boar Sin of Gluttony who sat on the Lion Sin of Pride's lap.

Merlin raised her thumb to where her parents were "well, I figured out that you guys have a lot of questions in your head right now, but I'm not the best option. Since my mother is here, you better ask her. She can answer all kind of questions which people ask to her using her innate magic power, All Knowledge Of The World. Well, almost all of it".

There, under the tree, Faust sat with a lovely smile etched on her face, leaning her back on the bark of a tree. Her hand gently caressed Lucifer's head on her lap. Both eyes closed, Lucifer slept peacefully. He was lying on his side, due to the large-sized of the three pairs of golden wings on his back. Faust and Elizabeth told them because Lucifer's wings just reattached, his body still tried to get used to it back. He would need to sleep for several hours, or days, even. Not to mention, he also needed to recover his strength which he had lost from the latest battle, due to the heavy exertion.

Diane could not help but comment "...when you looked at her like this, she truly looks like the spitting image of an Angel. No wonder Lucifer fell in love with her".

No one disagreed on it.

Looking up, Faust smiled at them "ah, don't worry. I guess Lucifer will need to sleep until the next morning, so you don't need to spare the food for him. You don't need to spare the food for me, either. I don't quite... have the appetite today".

Iseult snapped her head "mom, I cooked this soup because I hope you will eat, even if just a little".

Merlin chided "she's right. You need to eat, even if just a little. Anyway, when was the last time you eat?".

At that, Faust smiled innocently, tilting her head "...I lost count".

Gelda helpfully answered, "last time you ate, it was your supper three days ago, perhaps?".

Merlin and Iseult instantly said in unison "eat!".

Ban couldn't help but ask "Is she having a strict diet or... Ah, or it has something to do with what Lucifer said about her complicated condition?".

Merlin turned to Ban "my Dad told you?".

"you should not be surprised, Sis. They get along pretty well", Iseult raised her hand and shrugged "perhaps, similar with how father and father-in-law get along well".

"oh, right. Should not be surprised...", Merlin sipped her tea, thinking of how close their Captain with Ban "maybe it's the case".

King asked back "come to think of it, what is your mother's innate magic power, Merlin? What do you mean that she can answer all kind of questions with her innate magic power? I never heard such magic does exist".

Wait a minute...

After they explained Faust's innate magic power, All Knowledge Of The World, they were shocked. Of course, they were.

King was awestruck "so, such a magic power does exist".

"of course, for example...", Faust turned to Diane "Lady Diane, you have a friend named Matrona. Correct?".

Diane tensed before she narrowed her eyes "...yes. Why did you bring it up?".

"no need to be wary. I just tried to explain how my magic power works. For example, Lady Diane. You are a giantess, and from what we know, Giant Clan members rarely leave their homeland, unless they are under the special circumstances, like working as the fighter for his Clan, or your cause... well... you tried to repent your Sin because you thought that you lost your friend. In fact, you do not", Faust smiled thinly, which looked so similar to Merlin's smile, but her eyes held such honesty, or sincerity, without any ulterior motives like Iseult's eyes "your best friend is still alive".

Diane gasped and she looked so shaken "what? How... No way! She's... right in front of my eyes, she has...".

King demanded, floating down "Lady, you would better not mess up with her further and why do you not just explain to us, how your magic power works?".

Both daughters didn't like it and the overprotectiveness arose from both Merlin and Iseult who glared at King.

Faust raised her hand, gestured her daughters to calm down before she continued "my magic power works simply to answer the questions I have asked. It is not the prophecy, but the actual knowledge that it has been gathering thoroughly from the entire world. I just need to ask something in my head, then I will get the answer. Just now, I asked a question 'what happened to Lady Diane's friend named Matrona?', and my magic answered it in my head 'Matrona is still alive. She survived because there was a human who saved her life. That's how my magic power works. Any question?".

"if... if she's truly alive, where is she and why did I never hear anything about her?".

"It seems like she tried to find you as well, but she could not find you, especially after you hid your presence since 10 years ago", Faust hummed "Merlin, if you may?".

Merlin raised a magic crystal "is this her?".

In the magic crystal, Diane saw Matrona was alive, safe and sound. She cried hard because she was too relieved, thanking Faust multiple times "but wait... what is she doing with that human and those two kids?".

"oh, she's married to that man who saved her life, even if he already has two kids. Those two kids are that man's children with his deceased wife before he married with your friend".

"t-t-that Matrona married with a human? She always disliked and despised them! Well, I guess there's no helping it, since that man is her life-saver", Diane stuttered with a red face and wiped her tears "but still, thank God...".

King knew how it felt, losing your precious friend. Patting Diane's head, King teared up a little, too. Turning his head down, King gave his sincerest gratitude to Faust and bowed his head apologetically. Faust only smiled and shook her head when he apologized for his crude remarks previously.

"Also, you don't have to worry about Lady Elaine, Sir King and Sir Ban", Faust smiled to the three persons who focused their attention on her "because Lady Elaine is not going to die. She only will die when Sir Ban dies, which is impossible, considering he's an immortal".

Faust patiently explained what happened to Elaine. With Iseult and Elizabeth's help, they created a bond to revive Elaine. Right now, her soul was tied to Ban's soul. Since King was her older brother and Ban was her lover, her soul would undoubtedly 'mate' with Ban's soul. Through the bond between their soul, Ban and Elaine could share everything, be it their feelings, memories, etc.

"of course, the life-span is included. As long as Sir Ban, who takes the role of her anchor to the living realm, is still alive, she is not going to die. You can share your memories, your feelings, your mind, or your emotions to each other using telepathy, even".

Hence, as an Immortal, Ban's life-span was literally limitless. It meant she was indirectly an Immortal as well.

Gelda raised her hand "I have a question, though. I feel like the Fairy princess is stronger compared to her brother, even. Considering how strong she was when she fought against that Holy Knight. Does it because of their shared bond or what?".

"oh, about it", Faust winked to Elaine "you can say that it's because all limits for the potentials of her magic power have opened up after she died once and revived. Not to mention, she was so angry and tried to protect her lover, which triggering her power. Is it understandable this far?".

King, Elaine, and Ban discussed whether Elaine should go back to the Fairy King's Forest or not, but Faust suggested they not get separated too far for a long time, at least until their bond was strong enough.

"when the bond between Lady Elaine with the anchor of her life, Sir Ban and Sir King, is strong enough, it's safe to get separated for a quite long time. Though, I doubt you would want to do it".

Yep, Merlin's Mom was incredibly clever. Now, one of Merlin's mystery was solved. No wonder the Greatest Sorceress of Britannia was so genius, considering how genius her mother was.

Next, Merlin and Escanor.

"what's up with their conversation in the Necropolis? Have they been together ever since their past-life or something?", Ban meant it as a joke, but looking at how both Merlin and Escanor didn't deny it, he gawked "seriously!".

Diane's eyes sparkled "wow! This must be fate!".

"it's not quite... right, I guess?", Merlin shrugged with those sad looks on her eyes "but it's true, that I've been desperately looking for him, waiting for him".

Iseult put her clenched fists on her chest "older sister...".

Looking at her daughters, Faust gently ushered them away "alright, my daughters. Why don't you take a stroll with your lover... a husband, for Iseult, as long as I explain it to them? I'd prefer not to see my daughters have a panic attack or hyperventilation due to your great trauma. Now, get lost".

Merlin pouted "I do not—".

"even if you can cope with it, Merlin", Faust rolled her eyes "how about Iseult?".

"that...", Iseult turned deadly pale before she choked, covering her mouth "kh".

Tristan quickly carried her "we will come back here immediately once I've calmed her down".

Meliodas and Elizabeth waved their hand "take care, son".

Faust turned to Merlin "I think you and Escanor need privacy time?".

It was not a question, yeah. After Escanor left with Merlin, Faust tried to find a sign from Meliodas and Elizabeth, before she recited "well, this story will be a quite long story".

After Faust explained about the metropolitan city, Belialuin, she focused her story mainly on Merlin and Escanor, when those two were only children from Belialuin.

After Merlin's last attempt to run away from home (where she met with Meliodas and Elizabeth which she ended up having a broken heart), she was under the strict supervision of her father, The Great Sage Of Belialuin. Even without her father's strict supervision, she would not try to run away again because she was too tired of running away. But still, sometimes, it seriously grated her nerve. One of those times was because of a certain someone.

His name was Helios. He was the first and the closest friend who took the role of her caretaker. In the Belialuin Metropolitan where everyone called her 'Myriddian Emrys', Helios was the only one who called her 'Merlin', after Merlin told him that it was her name which she earned from her mother. At first, Merlin turned him down and told him to get lost. However, Helios never gave up. She simply did not want to get a broken heart, to put her faith, fidelity, and love for someone else. He simply wanted to stay by her side and see her bright, sincere smile, after he heard about how hard her life had been. Even if the people in the world despised her and hated her, he promised himself, that he would stay by her side no matter what.

Until one day, that tragedy happened...

Holding her hand, Helios put the barrier around them "put the magic spell to cloak your magic power and turn yourself into transparent, Mer! After that, leave me and never look back!".

Merlin looked up with a horrific gasp "but how about you, Hel? Your body...".

Due to the anger from two Gods of the Demon Clan and the Goddess Clan, the Belialuin Metropolitan deteriorated. Its occupant was unable to avoid the curses of the enraged Gods. The once glorious Belialuin Metropolitan had turned into a living hell. The famine, the diseases, and the death were unavoidable.

Merlin could survive thanks to the blessings she had accepted from the Supreme Deity and the Demon King, but Helios could not survive. In his dying state, thankfully, Helios could trust Merlin to Lucifer who came to save her.

"Forgive me... for leaving your side... but I promise, I will come back to your side" before his body turned into the dust, Helios smiled fondly to her "see you again, Merlin".

Merlin reached out her hand, crying hysterically "HELIOS!".

When Meliodas and Elizabeth arrived there, they did not say something, neither they dd something, as long as Lucifer carried the crying Merlin in his arms. When they knew what caused the two Gods were enraged, they were shocked, but they could not judge her or punish her for causing such a calamity to her homeland.

Lucifer did not scold her or was angry with her. Instead, he squeezed her shoulders, gently asking "Merlin, why did you do it? Why did you trick the Demon King and Supreme Deity?".

He did not want to call that certain particular God as his mother in front of Merlin, especially not when Merlin was grieving greatly for her loss and was in a crying mess.

Hiccupping, Merlin admitted her Sin tearfully "because... father was dying... after returning... from the Purgatory... no one of the Sages could save... so, I thought... I could save him... if I earned powers... from them...".

Even if he was a bad father (scratch that, the worst) for her, but he was the only family member she had after she lost her mother. Thus, she wanted to save him. However, not only she failed saving him, but she also caused this tragedy. She lost her homeland and the only person who cared about her. It was too late now. When she realized that she had fallen into him, he had gone.

Lucifer reached out his hand "if your blood-related family can't make you happy, then I will. I will be your father. Will you be my daughter, Merlin?".

Merlin cried harder as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She promised to herself, to get stronger and to wait faithfully. Until the day when they could meet again, she promised to herself to never stop walking forward.

"I never regretted it, to choose Lucifer over everything and to have my daughters. When I chose Lucifer over everything, I was fully aware of what would happen to my daughters, in case my former husband ever had his hands in my daughters because of my treacherous action. However, I did regret it, because I couldn't live longer and stay to raise my daughters", Faust smiled bitterly "It was so painful to me, to think my daughter suffer because of my selfish action...".

Diane shook her head "it's not your fault!".

King nodded his head furiously "Merlin wouldn't blame you, Lady!".

Ban drawled playfully "that's right, it's not your fault that you had such a bastard as your first husband, but you're lucky~ because you and Lucifer found each other, and you can start over everything from now on. From what I've known, he never blamed you, neither he hated you".

Meliodas poked Lucifer's cheek "That's right. This idiot is madly in love with you. Just reconcile with him and your daughters. They will forgive you. It's not like they can hate you from the first place, especially not when you're so lovely like this, sister-in-law".

Faust blushed and timidly nodded her head "...yes, I will try".

Ban blurted out, pointing to Faust and Lucifer "oh, I get it now. Merlin may look like her biological father, the sage, but her personality somehow follows after Lucifer. Meanwhile, Iseult is totally the duplicate of her mother".

Meliodas smacked Ban's forehead "now, now, it's so mean of you, to say it out loud to my sister-in-law".

"ah! I just remember it", Elizabeth tapped her fist on her palm "we still have a problem here".

Meliodas turned his head to her "what is it? Do you want to know about your sisters and Baltra?".

Elizabeth scratched her cheek "well, that too, but... there's something else...".

Before Elizabeth finished her words, though, Faust interrupted by asking the couple "Sir Ban, Sir King, Lady Diane, Lady Elaine, could you call back my daughters and their husbands, please? There's something we need to discuss further".

After the four left them, Faust turned to Meliodas and Elizabeth "now, for your questions. First, I did release Gelda and freed her out of the seal because we will need her help. Second, unfortunately, we can't avoid the upcoming second Holy War, because sooner or later, the seal will break. It is not meant to last long forever, after all. Third, King Baltra Liones and two princesses, Margaret and Veronica, are alright. The Great Holy Knights keep them under strict supervision. I can even tell where they are if you want to".

Elizabeth thoughtfully caressed her chin before she shook her head "no, given my condition now, we can save them whenever we want it. We just need to gather the Sins-".

"-and recollect the Sacred Treasure of everyone here before we invade the Capital of Liones", Merlin came back with Escanor, King, and Diane in tow "because from what I learned, not all of you have your Sacred Treasure, correct?".

King, Diane, and Escanor had their face turned bright red, meanwhile, Merlin only showed the amused grin. It was more than enough to make Meliodas smirk suggestively, Elizabeth giggled sheepishly, and Hawk blinked cluelessly.

Gelda boldly asked, "what's wrong with your face? You just caught them red-handed when they're making love or what?".

Contrary to Escanor who cleared his throat awkwardly, Merlin wrapped her arm around his bicep and grinned broadly, shamelessly "no, just a session of our light make-out, with my shirt barely ripped when he slipped his hand into my shirt".

Meliodas boldly replied, "didn't you always wear the swimming-suit-like clothes? Not to mention, Escanor does not even wear his shirt".

Elizabeth pinched his cheek "Mel!".

Ever so gentleman, Escanor bowed apologetically to Faust "no, in fact, I was grateful that they came because I barely lost it. Forgive me for my indecent action to your daughter, Madam".

Faust giggled at that "no, I think I am the one who should apologize here. In fact, I know what you're doing and asking them to pick you. I just didn't expect you to pick these two. I think it would be Sir Ban and Lady Elaine".

Merlin crossed her arms over her chest "Mom, I lost my faith in you if you kept this on. I mean, you should be fully aware of how strict Daddy was when it comes to our love life. No premarital sexual intercourse. I do make out with him, but we're not making love yet".

King stuttered with a red face "w-w-we didn't mean to interrupt...".

Diane blushed furiously "...please, we tried to forget it".

"oh, so you busted them, too", Ban walked with a too-broad derisive grin "don't worry, pure couple~ you are not the only one~".

Elaine smacked Ban's head "stop being horny, Ban! Look at how embarrassed they are!".

Just like what Elaine said, both Iseult and Tristan had their face turned bright red.

Hawk could not help but comment "oh, I see. Thank god, Tristan isn't a pervert like his father".

"Yeah, I know right. He's a shameless bastard beyond the salvation", Gelda agreed with the talking pig this once before she brought it up "oh, speaking of which… where is your Sacred Treasure?".

Ban drawled playfully "mine got stolen~".

Meliodas chirped "sold it!".

Diane winked her eye "lost it".

King indignantly shouted "SERIOUSLY!".

Diane winched and hid her lower face with her pigtail hair, sniffling "…am I a bad girl now?".

Lucifer groaned "so noisy… what's the deal?".

Faust blinked "Dear, I think you should sleep until tomorrow?".

"forgot my pillow", burying his face on her breast, Lucifer wrapped his arms around her waist before they both toppled into the ground "good night".

King narrowed his eyes, like, seriously? "but it is still afternoon, Sir".

Merlin poked his cheek "Dad, let mom eat first, please".

"oh, it's been a while since the last time we see it", Iseult pulled Lucifer's hand "but Older Sister is right! Father~ you should eat a little, too!".

Lucifer didn't budge "don't wanna".

Merlin rolled her eyes and shook her head "which one the kids and the father now?".

And the serious conversation would be delayed for a while because they needed to rest.

In the morning, when Lucifer woke up, he asked Faust if she wanted to join him to fly to the sky.

Faust smiled broadly "can you hold me?".

Lucifer grinned and accepted her hand "of course, My Lady".

In Elizabeth and Meliodas' shared room, with both arms intertwined each other's body, Meliodas and Elizabeth (plus the entire occupants of the Boar Hat) woke up because they heard the delightful squeak from the attic, followed by the happy laughter.

"KYA~ Ahahaha!".

Meliodas and Elizabeth went to the balcony of their shared room and found out, it was only Lucifer and Faust, holding each other's body as Lucifer carried her, flying to the sky.

"it's good, right?", Meliodas smiled brightly, flopping to sit on the ledge "they look so happy".

"yeah, it is", Elizabeth barely teared up, because it had been a long time, ever since her brother could fly to the sky like that "I'm happy for them".

"We also can find our happy ending", Meliodas squeezed her hand "as long as we're together".

"yes, together", Elizabeth gave a light peck on his cheek before asking "can you hold me?".

Meliodas smirked, but before he touched her, he felt backwards and Elizabeth gasped.

Elizabeth reached out her hand, screeching in fear "MELIODAS!".

Just in time, Tristan came flying from downstairs before he caught Meliodas in his hands.

Elizabeth went down flying, landing beside him "nice timing, son!".

The Sins, Hawk, Gelda, Iseult, Lucifer, and Faust gathered nearby. Escanor and Merlin exchanged glances before Escanor mumbled "could it be… again?".

Ban furrowed his eyebrow "what do you mean 'again'? Is this not the first time?".

Merlin nodded her head "yes, and this is what we want to discuss with my mother, too".

"this…", Faust thoughtfully mumbled, "for now, let's bring him back to his room and let us check his condition. Iseult, Merlin, you two have to help me".

They rushed back to the second floor, where Elizabeth and Meliodas shared their bedroom.

A/N:

If you still confused about how Faust's magic works, think about it similar to 'The Archives' belongs to Hibiki (if I don't wrong?) from The Fairy Tail. Iseult's magic is similar to Elsa Scarlet from Fairy Tail as well. I believe you MUST know it.