The Kingdom of Liones.

One of the major kingdoms in the land of Britannia, its military power was second to none- with only the Kingdom of Danafor equaling it, before its downfall and destruction. Ruled by the royal family of Liones, its people remained protected by the Kingdom's Holy Knights, all of which possessed a wide vestige of power. Each Holy Knight, had the capacity to destroy an entire country, having the power of an entire normal army at the least. Revered and feared by most, it was no wonder that no one could contest.

Formerly within the kingdom, was a notorious group of knightly criminals, each convicted of a particular sin. These beings, were greater than the rest, widely known for their strength and power. However, they were victims of a grave conspiracy, beginning with the death of the Great Holy Knight, Zaratras. With the pre-holy war having long ended, no more are they treated as objects of fear and suspicion, instead being heralded as heroes of the battle. Now engaged within a new fight, these individuals put their lives on the line, protecting the people from an ancient danger, to which several lands have already fallen at its hands.

This is a world in which humans and other beings have not yet been divided. This is a story of ancient times. The war between the Kingdom of Liones and the Ten Commandments has temporarily ceased. However, the vanguard continues to renew itself and the ashes of a new war are heating up. But now our heroes are here...

...The Seven Deadly Sins are here!

***

https://youtu.be/xwOl8yU1jfE

***

Chapter IX
The Kingdom of Liones

The castle itself was grand.

Standing tall above the rest of the kingdom, was the royal palace, a place in which the royal family and several other servants dwelled. Glancing about the place, Victoria could hear the whispers of several civilians as the group approached the location. Murmurs of how she was the girl from the wanted posters, individuals wondering how the bearer of such a grave sin looked so young. Parents shielded their children, blocking their awestruck young ones from getting any closer. Crowds gathered tentatively along the sides of the roads, enough distance to flee if necessary.

Persons wondered what she had done to wear such a title. Others speculated that she had been caught by the sins to be brought back to the King for execution. Though this was true to a degree, none even considered that she was ever asked to join the group. Flinching slightly, a stone intercepted with her lowered head, glancing up at the spectators in grim dismay. Shaking her head, she turned away from the furious onlookers, clenching her hands in shame.

"How could you do something so cruel?" a mother shrieked in fury, hugging her daughter tensely out of view. She didn't even know what she did.

"You filthy traitor, get outta here!" a man yelled threateningly in anger, raising his fist.

"Go ahead and die!" another screamed from within the crowd.

Victoria didn't dare look up at any of them. It was to be expected after all. Though the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins themselves were seen as legendary heroes, she was just a disgusting criminal who had committed an even graver sin. A death-row criminal, no less. They had a right to hate her. She had been against this from the start.

It actually wasn't this that had made her flinch away from the idea of returning to the castle as it was discussed. It was the thought of her new friends being with her- witnessing the scenario take place. If it wasn't for that, she would have gladly gone back and probably gotten stabbed in the face.

"You dare show your face around here?" a member of the crowd yelled next.

It wasn't the insults that hurt her- she had gotten millions of those- it was the thought of them pitying her that bothered her.

"Victoria..." Elizabeth trailed off in sorrow, watching the taller girl lead the way. She didn't know what she should do. Meliodas glanced straightfaced at the princess, his thoughts unreadable.

"Oi," Ban finally spoke up, noticing the crowd surrounding them, "We really just gonna do nothing about this?" It kind of irritated him.

"Just let them be," Victoria replied emotionlessly, "They've done nothing wrong," a stone clattered on her face.

"So she says," Merlin agreed slightly, "It wouldn't be a hard matter to just put up a shield, you know."

"Leave it be, I said."

"Are you sure about this, Miss Victoria? You should think about yourself," King inputted, floating on his pillow behind the brunette.

"I'm fine," the fairy shared a worried glance with Diane.

A rock hit her next to her eye, "Okay, this is starting to go too far," Diane glared at the person who threw it before stopping and raising her hand. Quickly, the goddess halted her by grabbing it. "But-" Victoria shook her head. Sighing, Diane lowered it, walking once more as Victoria sped up again.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky above, glancing pitifully at the unfortunate parade. Staring upwards, a particularly large stone sailed into the air, aimed calculatingly at her right eye. Not moving her head an inch, the goddess watched as it approached, slightly turned away. Swiftly, the rock bounced off of a shield, standing in its way. Surprised, Victoria glanced at the individual forming a barrier between the projectiles and herself.

"Meliodas?" she asked questioningly, confused at the sudden change.

Frowning slightly, the blonde glanced back at her, turning back to the stunned array. "You know, Victor... I've always hated this quality about you," he stated, drawing his sword as the crowd flinched away. They ceased their aim.

"Oi Cap'n," Ban started, "You aren't seriously gonna fight them, are ya?"

"He couldn't..." King trailed off. 

Meliodas didn't answer.

A brave onlooker yelled out, "S- Sir Meliodas, why do you protect the traitor?" he questioned in confusion.

"Hmm..." he tilted his head, thinking, "I dunno," he finally answered, pokerfaced.

Confusion burst within the air. "Then why are you-?"

"-What I do know... is that I won't let you guys have your way," he continued, grinning.

"You tell 'em, Meliodas!" Hawk cheered.

"Lord Meliodas..." Elizabeth was also surprised.

"There you have it," Merlin spoke, walking forwards, "Just as our captain says, we won't let you have your way," she smiled suspiciously.

"Merlin?" Meliodas questioned. Why had she interfered? He glanced in suspicion at her secretive gaze. "What are you...?" he trailed off.

Smirking, she turned to him, "Why, I merely wish to help, after all. You aren't the only one who is here, you know," she deflected the question. Turning back to their audience, she continued, "We shall be taking Miss Samael here back to the castle. If any of you have any problems with this, feel free to interfere. However, your safety cannot be guaranteed afterwards," she explained, smiling.

The crowd backed away slightly, "If that is all, we shall be on our way," she stated, continuing their travel. Slowly, the crowd petered out, losing interest. Rain dripped from the sky, quickly turning into a swift downpour as Merlin put up a shield.

Victoria stopped, "...Why?" she spat, finding the ground interesting.

"Hm? Why?" Meliodas glanced at her as the others walked ahead. Elizabeth looked back.

"Why did you stop them?"

"Why wouldn't we?" Hawk spoke up defiantly, "I couldn't just let this slide now, could I?" he boasted.

"Where were you up till now?" Meliodas asked dryly, glancing at the pig.

"Nowhere special," he evaded his question.

"Quit hiding from danger, you swine," he remarked.

"I said I wasn't, you oblivious bastard," he spoke evenly.

"Just wait for the fire."

"You're ignoring Victoria, ya moron."

"Ah," he realized, turning to her, "What did you ask again?"

"...Never mind," the goddess stated, walking off to catch up with the others.

Meliodas frowned, watching her walk off in confusion. "Was it something I said?" he wondered.

"Jeez what an idiot," the boar snorted.

"Don't say that Hawk-chan," Elizabeth reprimanded, pitying the two. It had been stupid of him to ignore Victoria like that, but she was sure he had his reasons behind it. Or perhaps he didn't notice at all.

"Oi Elizabeth, you coming?" Meliodas yelled from afar, the gang looking back at the duo.

When did he-? Nodding she ran to catch up, "Yes!"

"What about me?!" Hawk shrieked, trotting after her.

***

Standing before the large door were two guards, swiftly moving to intercept them. "State your name and business," the one on the left spoke.

Merlin stepped forwards, "Perhaps you don't recognize me, but I am Merlin of the Seven Deadly Sins. With me, are the rest of the sins along with Princess Elizabeth, all here to see His Majesty."

"You forgot the most important one of all," Hawk muttered.

"Ah, Lady Merlin!" the right guard spoke up, rushing forwards, "Our apologies, we'll open the door right away!" he saluted.

Turning he yelled back to the knights behind him, "Open the doors and let them in!" he ordered.

"Yes sir!" they swiftly opened the door, saluting.

"Much appreciated," Merlin thanked, walking through the now open door as the others followed.

Stepping towards the gate, Victoria was halted by the sudden movement of two spears crossed under her head. Meliodas stopped instantly, "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, gripping his sword.

The guard glanced back at him, "Sorry but no animals allowed."

"Animal?" Meliodas asked in confusion.

"Hey! I'm not just an animal!" Hawk protested from the ground, blocked, "I'm the Knight of Scraps Disposal!"

"...Oh, its just you," he noticed dryly.

"...WHAT'S WITH THAT UNENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE?!" Hawk shrieked in rage.

"...What about the other one?" Meliodas ignored his outburst.

"Hey!"

The guard glanced at the brunette, "We'll be taking this one to the dungeons. She's an escaped convict."

"What?" the captain turned slightly.

Victoria shook her head barely, enough that it wouldn't be cut by the spears, "Meliodas, it's fine."

"But-"

"I'll go with them," she continued, "You go talk to the king."

"There you have it, Cap'n," Ban rested a hand on his shoulder, "Looks like your girlfriend can handle the situation."

"Yeah..." Meliodas trailed off, ignoring the first part.

He lowered his voice, whispering in his ear, "Look... if all goes over well, you'll probably be able to feel both her and the princess up later nicely," Ban suggested to get his mind off of it.

"Alright, I'll see you later Victor," Meliodas called as she nodded in confusion. What had Ban said to cause him to change his mind so quickly? She wondered as she was led away by the guards. Hawk ran behind her in fear. The door shut swiftly, blocking the duo from view. Turning around hesitantly, they walked along the halls, lead by a knight before them.

"So Captain... I'm certain I'm not the only one thinking this," Merlin started, interrupting the silence, "but was it truly an accident that Victoria was able to leave the castle without resistance?"

"I doubt it," he commented blankly.

"Then you'll agree with me if I state that the king has most likely seen another prophecy."

"The king had one?" Diane asked in surprise.

"Yes," Merlin nodded, "It was him who prophesied that the Seven Deadly Sins would reunite once again."

"So you're saying..." King realized.

"It wouldn't be surprising for him to have prophesied our meeting with Miss Samael," she stated as they stopped before the door to the throne room. "So... What are your thoughts on this, Captain?" the mage asked once more.

***

A question hangs in the air!

Taken away back to the dungeon, Victoria awaits to hear her fate! However, was it really an accident that allowed the Devil's Sin to see light once more?

~Nia