Monroe let out a yawn as she sat around with the others trying to enjoy lunch and booze after a hard day. She wanted to have a good time, but she really just wanted to go back inside the tavern to get some sleep. As she tried not to doze off, Diane was trying to get Meliodas to eat a large fish she had made for him. Meliodas declined her offer while ignoring her even when she insisted.

"Uh, Diane, are your injuries really healed now?" King asked looking concerned.

Diane stopped trying to feed Meliodas as she looked away blushing slightly while holding the fish towards her mouth.

"Um, sure, I feel fine." Diane said.

"Dumbass, she was only pretending to be hurt, so she could suck face with the Captain." Ban, who was already pretty hammered, said as he pointed at Diane.

"Diane's not that kind of girl, okay?!" King snapped.

Said girl looked off to the side with a guilty expression on her face as Monroe slightly shook her head.

"Come on," Meliodas said. "Would you two just take it easy?"

He was trying to enjoy his ale, but it was hard with Ban and King bickering as always.

"Speaking of which," King began as he floated over to Meliodas. "I haven't asked yet. So, you and this girl…just what is your relationship?"

Meliodas didn't waste a second in getting handsy as he went around Elizabeth to reach around her body to grope her breast.

"The lover's kind." Meliodas said.

"No, it's not!" Elizabeth cried while blushing like mad.

Meliodas then switched things up by having Elizabeth grope him in return as King watched looking appalled.

"The grope and get groped kind." Meliodas claimed.

"Sir Meliodas." Elizabeth whined looking like she couldn't get more embarrassed. "Oh, please, don't."

Monroe, who picked up a bottle, frowned while wondering why Meliodas just had to embarrass the poor girl like that. As Monroe sat up, she threw the empty bottle of ale at Meliodas's head. He barely had time to dodge and seemed to get the message loud and clear. Meliodas finally stopped his harassment as he sat back down.

"Let's just say what she is a princess of the realm." Meliodas said. "You're the third one, right?"

Elizabeth nodded her head as the blush from earlier remained on her face and seemed to grow even redder.

"What?!" King asked. "You're a princess?! You should have told me!"

He said this last part to Meliodas while seeming ashamed of himself for not knowing sooner.

"If I had known, I would have made myself more presentable." King said.

He looked as if he was really stressing over this, and as Elizabeth went to console him, King suddenly returned to his larger human form. Ban spit out his drink in shock as Monroe blinked. She hasn't seen that form in a while.

"Whoa, you changed your clothes." Meliodas said.

"Look closer!" Ban demanded.

Meliodas ignored Ban's shout as the Sin of Greed looked at the blonde in disbelief. How the captain didn't notice the rest of King changing was a mystery.

"You know it takes a great deal of mental effort to change into this form." King explained to the group.

"What a pig." Hawk said.

Ban and Monroe gave said pig a look as he was currently enjoying some scrapes.

"Hello, I am King the Grizzly Sin of the Seven Deadly Sins." King introduced himself formally. "Glad to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure." Elizabeth said looking slightly uncomfortable.

King didn't help matters as he leaned into Elizabeth's personal space with a look of apology on his face.

"I didn't know you were royalty." King said. "Please, forgive my poor manners here in the Necropolis!"

"Think nothing of it." Elizabeth said as she leaned away. "Also, please don't let yourself become stressed out. Feel free to relax and just be comfortable."

"If you insist." King said. "Your majesty."

He then returned to his original form while falling back into his Chastiefol that was in its pillow form.

"That really took a lot out of me." King said.

He certainly did look tuckered out that was for sure. Poor guy must have used a lot of power.

"Whoa, his clothes changed back." Meliodas said in awe.

"Look closer, dammit!" Ban said.

Monroe hushed him as she stroked his hair in a consoling manner. Ban still had a frown on his face though he did lean into her touch. She smiled at the action before looking away. Elaine's words still fresh on her mind making her feel shy in showing her affection, which had her dropping her hand to her lap.

"You know, I must say, Sir King, you are one powerful individual, truly." Elizabeth said. "On your own you took down an opponent that Sir Meliodas and the others had trouble with together."

Monroe frowned because she had done just fine against Guila and Gustaf. She could have finished Guila herself if Diane hadn't interfered.

"Yeah, I guess I'm pretty powerful, but any of you could have defeated that Holy Knight if you unleashed your true strength." King said. "Now fess up, where are you sacred treasures?"

Monroe looked towards the group since she wanted to know as well. She's been wondering that every time she's found one of them and they were without their sacred treasure. Though logically she knew Ban's had to have been taken from him the second he was arrested.

"I lost mine." Diane confessed sheepishly.

"Sold mine." Meliodas said.

"Mine got stolen." Ban said without shame.

King, who returned to his human form for a moment, looked at the three in disbelief and seeming appalled.

"Shame on you." King said to them.

He returned back to his original form as Monroe shook her head and gave a sigh.

"Hey, wait a second, King, I want to know more about those Holy Knights that attacked us," Meliodas said. "That Guila girl seemed—I don't know—different."

"That's because she's part of the New Generation," King explained.

"New Generation?" Meliodas asked. "Monroe told me about them."

Elizabeth tilted her head because this was the first, she had heard about this New Generation. She wondered why Monroe never mentioned it to her before.

"Yeah, apparently there have been a few failed apprentices who have found a way to gain the full power of a Holy Knight in the space of only one day." King said. "Guila for instance. She's the latest apprentice who's grown stronger overnight. Doesn't really seem right, does it?"

Monroe knew it wasn't right, and how Hendrickson was giving them this power was even worse. The New Generation is bad news.

"She was?" Meliodas asked.

"Yes, Guila wasn't that successful as a Holy Knight Apprentice." Monroe spoke up. "I trained with her from time to time and while she had near flawless technique—she didn't have the power. That seems to have changed now…I thought…I thought that girl had more sense."

Meliodas turned towards Monroe, who had a troubled expression on her face.

"Like I told Melly, as of right now, Hendrickson—my old master—is heading the New Generation." Monroe said. "As King said, he's taking in failures. Failures who yearn for power and want to prove themselves. He takes their wants and desires—telling them he can give them what they wish. He's amassing numbers at an alarming rate."

Elizabeth frowned because that was very worrying indeed. It was bad enough the Holy Knights wished to start a war.

"What gives them this power is demon blood," Monroe continued.

Ban shifted from beside her. His eyes hardened at this news as he sobered up a bit.

"His experimentations have cost us a lot of apprentices, but it's like no one has noticed," Monroe said.

"Why would Hendrickson do such a thing?" Elizabeth asked. "He was always such a kind man. Someone my father held in high regard."

"I wish I knew," Monroe said. "He is my old master after all. He taught me everything I know about sword fighting. Helped me find the best fighting method to compliment my natural ability. He gifted me my first sword."

Not to mention he took her on as his apprentice when many wouldn't. It was hard sometimes for female knights to find mentors. Many didn't want to take the time to train them since they automatically assumed a woman couldn't fight like a man could. Or there was the old fashion belief that women were meant to take care of the homestead and the children and had no place fighting. But Hendrickson hadn't hesitated to take Monroe under his wing.

He was always so kind and pushed her forward when needed. He'd take care of her injuries and treat her to some sweets after lessons if she did really well. He took care of her and always seemed so proud whenever she accomplished anything. Which made his current state of mind and predicament all the more complicated. She knew he was being manipulated by the demon possessing her uncle. Though she hadn't found that out until a couple of years after her death. But even if her uncle and her mentor were being forced to do these vile actions, she'd end them if that was what it took.

"Let's back up a minute." King said tactfully changed subject and brought Monroe out of her thoughts. "You took the sacred that was bestowed upon you by King Liones himself and sold it?!"

"I needed seed money for the tavern." Meliodas said grinning.

Monroe hung her head thinking he could at least try to look apologetic or something. King turned his eyes on Ban who was laying on top of Hawk with a happy smile on his face.

"Yours was stolen?!" King demanded.

"When they threw my butt into that prison." Ban explained uncaring.

King turned his stern glare onto Diane next as the giant girl was partially hiding behind her pigtails as she looked at King with wide, violet eyes. So obviously…King crumbled.

"Am I a bad girl?" Diane asked worriedly.

"If it got misplaced it's not your fault." King assured her.

"Yes, it is." Monroe deadpanned.

King turned his eyes on Monroe next, and she wondered why she was getting the stern look.

"You're weaponless too now," King pointed out.

Monroe just shrugged uncaringly, which had King giving a sigh. He seemed to be the only one who cared around here.

"Hey, what's up with sacred treasures anyway?" Hawk asked. "Are they really that great? I mean, these guys are pretty strong already."

"Well, let's put it this way," Monroe began. "These guys are limited to how much power they can use at a time because when they dip into their magic it's like someone trying to scoop out all this lake's water with their bare hands, which isn't effective at all."

"But say if you have a sacred treasure," King cut in while lifting his hand to draw large amounts of water out of the lake. "You can draw out incredible amounts of magic."

Monroe nodded along to what he was saying while Hawk was starting to understand.

"Sacred treasures are pretty awesome." Meliodas said.

"That makes a lot of sense." Hawk said calmly before suddenly flipping out and thrashing Meliodas. "Why the hell did you give yours up, Ham Head?"

Meliodas took the thrashing while just laughing it off as if it wasn't a big deal.

"In any case, we're going to have to get your sacred treasures back." King said.

Monroe hummed in agreement while knowing the road to come was going to become more difficult and they all would have to be ready for it.

"Why am I in this room?!" King demanded.

Monroe sweat-dropped as King was floating beside the bed in her and Ban's room with the pouting face of a child. She was standing on the other side of the bed while wearing some spare night clothes that Meliodas gave her. Apparently, he had all sorts of women's clothing just stored away, which more than just a little disturbing. He had offered her a few outfits to try, but she wasn't sure just what outfits came out of his perverted fantasies…probably all of them, which is why she declined.

"Cause there's nowhere else to put you!" Hawk said.

"Then I'll go outside and rough it out there." King said. "At least I'll be with Diane."

King quickly floated away as Ban continued snoring loudly while sleeping on the bed.

"Gees, try to show some courtesy, and people just throw it back at ya." Hawk huffed.

"Sorry, Hawk." Monroe said smiling at the pig. "But there really isn't enough room for three people to use this space comfortably."

Hawk huffed supposing that was true. He said his goodnights before going off to find his own place to sleep. Once the door was shut behind him, Monroe glanced down at Ban.

"You could at least not sleep on top of the blanket," Monroe said.

She then let out a sigh since she didn't feet that tired yet. She was still a bit wound up.

'They sent Gustaf and Guila this time,' Monroe thought as she moved away from the bed.

She grabbed the chair in the room to place it by the window. She sat down and stared out at the dark knight. She leaned back in the seat placing her hands in her lap.

'They're getting more serious,' Monroe thought. 'Not only sending more experienced knights but people I've trained and fought alongside.'

Monroe's right hand clasped her left tightly with her nails daggering into her flesh. It brought some pain, but not enough for her to notice. She made this decision. She knew leaving the kingdom like she did and going on her journey to find the Sins would brand her as a traitor. Which meant she knew she'd have to face those she once called friends and even her own family.

'Even if I'm pitted against Gilthunder or Griamore, I can't falter,' Monroe told herself.

She might have shown some bravado in front of Gilthunder before and acted as if fighting him wouldn't be hard. But if she actually had to really fight her cousin, it'd kill her inside to hurt him or Griamore.

'But to save them and the kingdom, I have to stick to my resolve.' Monroe reminded herself. 'Everything I've done, the secrets I've kept, the sins I've committed have all been for the sake of the kingdom and my loved ones. I just have to hold on a bit longer and it will all be worth it.'

Monroe then gasped when a large hand was placed over her two smaller ones. She looked up with wide eyes to see Ban knelt in front of her with a somber look. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed him get up or even walk over to her.

"Monroe, what's wrong?" Ban asked her. "You're crying."

Monroe's eyes widened even more as she gently pulled one of her hands away from Ban to touch her cheek. She was surprised to find liquid there.

"It…it's nothing." Monroe tried to brush it off as she wiped the tears away. "Just a long day I suppose."

Ban gave her a look, which said he didn't believe her. However, so not to upset her more, he didn't press as he picked her up. An action that caused her to let out a startled noise.

"Let's go to bed," he said as he cradled her against his chest. "Like you said it's been a long day and I'm sure you're tired."

Monroe didn't argue as she allowed Ban to take her over to the bed. He sat her down and put her underneath the blanket before joining her. She was going to turn over and sleep with her back to him, but he had other plans as he pulled her practically on top of him, which caused her to blush.

"Night, Mo~" Ban hummed as he stroked her hair back.

He then placed a gentle kiss on her brow, and she was surprised he didn't feel out hot her face was as her blush worsened.

'Could Elaine have been right?' She wondered. 'Does Ban truly see me in the same way that I do him?'

Monroe scratched the back of her head as she stood with the others outside the tavern. Hawk's Mom had already burrowed underground, so to hide away.

"That town there on the side of the mountain is called Vaizel." Meliodas said. "It's a merchant town."

"Do you think Diane's weapon is really here?" Hawk asked.

"Might be." Meliodas said. "Guess we'll find out."

And if it was, they were going to take it, and then they'd only have two more sacred treasures to find.

"To hell with that." Ban, who has been shirtless for some time, said. "We've got to do something about my clothes."

And he was literally pouting as he said this, which had Monroe chuckling in amusement. He threw her a glare next though it wasn't very intimidating with the pout added to it.

"Just cover your six pack with an apron." Meliodas said.

He honestly didn't care if Ban went shirtless or not. He didn't see the big deal about it. Monroe and the others then gasped in shock as Diane hit the ground hard enough to send them all flying.

"That's not important now!" Diane shouted.

Monroe and the others hit the ground with Monroe landing right on top of Ban with her legs spread out to rest on either said of his torso. She blushed like mad as Ban looked up at her with a devilish smirk.

"I had no idea you felt this way about me, little Mo~" Ban said in a soft singsong voice, so the others wouldn't hear.

Monroe's blush only became redder before she hurried to get off of Ban and onto the ground.

"That isn't funny," Monroe whined.

She turned her back to him as she stood up on the ground. Ban flipped back onto his feet with the smirk still on his face. She was so cute when she was blushing.

"Why do I have to stay and mind the bar?!" Diane asked getting Monroe and Ban to look her way as did the others.

Monroe, who was slowly managing her flustered emotions, looked at the giantess in sympathy. She knew Diane couldn't be happy with being stuck here.

"Look, Diane, ever since a giant went wild at the festival a few years ago, they've all been banned from town." Meliodas said. "But we'll come right back as soon as we see what's up."

Which could actually take hours depending on how long they have to investigate.

"It's going to be boring!" Diane said as she shook her head back and forth.

"You know, I think I'll stay behind too." Elizabeth said to Meliodas.

Diane looked at Elizabeth in shock as the platinum blonde looked back at her with a smile.

"What?" Diane asked. "Really?"

"Sure, it'll be nice to have just a little girl time for a change." Elizabeth said then looked to the silverette. "Would you like to join us, Monroe?"

Diane's lit up even more before turning to Monroe in hopes the younger girl would agree to stay behind.

"I suppose." Monroe said. "I don't really like girlie activities, but I can't risk being seen by people who might know me. And an old friend of mine mentioned coming here to Vaizel for their annual festival."

Diane cheered as she scooped both Monroe and Elizabeth up into her large embrace.

"Okay then, now that that's settled, let's get going." Meliodas said. "We need to get Diane's Gideon back."

"So, we're out here looking for ingredients, huh?" Monroe questioned as she tilted her head.

"Yep," Diane said with a nod. "Collect anything that looks edible! We can sort through them later."

Monroe nodded her head as Elizabeth gave a small cheer in understanding. The three women then split up. Monroe hummed to herself as she searched. She wondered if she should catch some sort of meat for their dinner while Elizabeth and Diane worked on the other ingredients they'd need. Not that they'd be cooking considering none of them really knew how. Though before she could worry about that, she heard a scream from Elizabeth.

"Princess?" Monroe called in worry as she hurried in the direction the scream came from.

Before she arrived, she heard Diane call out as well, which worried her even more. She quickened her pace before arriving just as some pink dust was clearing out of the area. She coughed and fanned the dust away from her so not to breath anymore in. She then blinked when feeling an odd sensation like the world was suddenly seeming bigger. She gasped looking down to see she was shrinking. As her clothes started to fall off of her, she tried to hold tightly to them. She stopped shrinking when she was about the size of a child.

"What in the world is going on?" She demanded.

She then looked up in surprise to see a very human-size Diane who was butt-naked as her clothes laid under the former giant.

"Wait, where's the Princess?" Monroe asked looking around.

Her eyes landed on where Elizabeth's clothes were to see Elizabeth, who was the size of a doll, holding onto her earring and looking confused. The three women then looked at each other before letting out screams of confusion and surprise.

"That little thing made us all shrink!" Diane said as she pointed at the upset mushroom hopping away.

"You mean you hit a magical mushroom?!" Monroe demanded as she tried to hold her pants up. "Depending on what kind they are, their spores can cause a lot of damage. It seemed this one's spores causing shrinking."

And she's sure if she had gotten the same dose of spores as Diane and Elizabeth, she would probably be the same size as the princess by now. However, the spores were clearing up at her arrival, so she only shrunk a bit.

"Monroe, what are we going to do?" Diane cried as she sat on the ground with her arms wrapped around herself.

Monroe, who carefully picked up Elizabeth, sighed as she looked to the tiny giantess.

"First off, put some clothes on," Monroe said. "Elizabeth's will have to do."

Diane nodded while doing as she was told as Monroe frowned wondering how long the effects would last.

"Maybe we'll have to go into town and see if the boys can help." Monroe muttered to herself. "King might know something."

"That's a great idea!" Diane, who was now dressed, said. "Now that I'm not a giant, I can go into town without freaking everyone out. I'm sure we can work an outfit out for you too, Roe! We can say you're my kid sister and anyone you might know probably won't recognize you at this size!"

Monroe frowned since it seemed Diane just wanted to run around and have fun while she was human size.

"And what of Elizabeth?" Monroe asked. "We don't have any clothes to fit her."

Diane thought about it for a second before making an 'ah-ha!' noise. As she unbuttoned one of the straps to her shirt, Monroe frowned as she knew she wasn't going to like this idea at all.