At sunset, you were training with Caliburn, while Merlin was using her magic to toss rocks at them for targets.

She noticed a huge improvement in your skills before lifting a boulder with her magic and throwing it at you. You sliced through it and panted but still kept your determination.

"Let's keep going."

Merlin: "We're taking a break."

"I can still keep-"

You nearly fell, but you used Caliburn to keep your balance. Merlin came over and helped you sit down on a log.

Merlin: "You can't fight if you don't take care of yourself. We'll get to the point where you can use Excalibur without severe damage. Until then, just take it easy."

"Okay," you sighed.

Merlin: "Hey, why don't I teleport us to a nearby town?"

"Are we good on funds?"

Merlin: "I collected a lot of gold and silver coins over the years and stored them in a pocket dimension, so we should be good."

"Okay then."

Merlin snapped her fingers, and you teleported outside a town. You went to an inn and rented a room before ordering your food.

Suddenly, a woman with a bob hairstyle and red-purple eyes while sporting a short-tempered look on her appeared in front of you.

Merlin: "Oh, great."

"Who's that?"

Merlin: "Vivian. A former pupil of mine. I got fed up with her obsessions and scheming's, so I placed a curse on her, but her bad luck with men did more damage than I ever did. I still find it hard to believe she looked this thin."

"What happened to her?"

Merlin: "Let's just say she turned to stress eating."

After your food arrived, you and Merlin took it to your room without drawing attention to yourselves. You and Merlin eat your food as your mask showed a picture of Maximilian.

Merlin: "What is it?"

Your mask suddenly formed a projection of him.

Max: "Y/N, are you there?"

"Dad?"

Max: "Thank God. I was very skeptical of this lake lady's claim that I could communicate with you guys."

"Seriously?"

Nimue: "Your mask contains a small part of me, so I can connect with you in the new timeline you're creating."

"Okay. So how's it going in the Ark?"

Max: "Same as usual. Rayonne and Chaos activity has dropped greatly, but your actions have caused ADF recruitment to rise, and Nimue is creating a barrier around the Ark. I know it's already surrounded by walls, by extra protection will help."

Merlin: "Glad to hear things have been going smoothly for you. We have made a lot of progress in stopping Chaos. We will be heading to Liones tomorrow. I have an artifact that could help us stop Chaos."

Max: "Okay. See you both soon."

The projection vanished.

Caliburn: "Am I just here for decoration?"

"You'll have your moment soon enough."

Merlin: "Rest up. We're going to Liones first thing in the morning. Then, we'll head to the Fairy King's forest."

"Why there?"

Merlin: "So we can convince Drole and Gloxinia to hand over their commandments. As long as we keep our cover, we can do this without coming in contact with the other me."

"Okay."

After going to bed and lying down, Merlin watched you as you slept, and she smiled at your determination.

"I told you the truth, and you choose to still help me," she thought. "I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

The next day, you and Merlin are at a building outside Liones.

"This place was your lab?" you asked upon entering.

Merlin: "Yep. I have something there that could mimic my Sacred Treasure."

"Sacred treasure?"

Merlin: "Special weapons that can bring out the true power of the Sins. And I now know fully replicate my Sacred Treasure."

You and Merlin went to her studies where she revealed a hidden safe. She opens it and saw that it's empty.

Merlin checked around until she heard a voice ask "Looking for this?". You and Merlin turned around to see Meliodas sitting and holding an orb with a casing that seems to be constantly shifting.

Merlin: "Yes, Meliodas. I do appreciate you finding that for me. Know if you could please hand it to me."

Meliodas: "Of course. After you explain what's going on."

Merlin: "What are you talking about?"

Escanor, the Lion sin of Pride, appears past Merlin, who looks in shock.

Meliodas: "Him."

"Oh."

Merlin: "Shit."