Chapter 11. I Resign!
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The concept of a guardian has a precondition: the person being guarded must trust the guardians. So, guardians are often individuals who appear trustworthy at first glance.
The idea of making people with grave sins the guardians is something Bartra found hard to believe, but that's what the vision stated.
"Your Majesty, even if this is true, it's one thing to say we can find seven people bearing great sins, but even if we do, the people won't trust them. Redemption is only possible when the sin isn't worthy of death, but if the crime is..."
Zaratras trailed off, but Bartra understood his meaning.
Not every crime can be considered a great sin. These people must have done something so heinous that even the uninvolved would agree it was evil. How could the people trust these criminals to protect them?
"Cyd, do you remember what I told you when we first met?"
"The Strongest Knight Order? You're not suggesting I vouch for those seven sinners, are you?" Cyd's eye twitched. He had enough trouble being the guardian for one; now, it might be seven.
"If the Pure White Hero, who has never killed an enemy and has accomplished the feat of having no casualties during invasions, were to vouch for them, I believe the people would at least put aside their prejudice."
The Kingdom of Liones had two legends: one was the Holy Knight Commander Zaratras, unbeatable on the battlefield, and the other was the Pure White Hero Cyd, who guarded the royal city. The former, both as a Great Holy Knight and leader, was renowned among the kingdoms, but the latter was a legend in song.
[A guardian with no casualties.]
This man had achieved it. In his presence, no one would die. His noble will caused the enemies to retreat voluntarily—or at least, that's how the people's songs portrayed it.
"Fine. If their true nature isn't too bad, I'll vouch for them. But before that…"
Cyd gripped the [Reforged Pandora], and black dragon scales covered his right arm, his gaze sharp.
"Shouldn't the uninvited sorceress introduce herself?"
"Oh~ I was just looking for Meliodas, but I didn't expect to find so many interesting... experiments."
A mature woman with a tear mole beneath her left eye appeared in the hall. This was a place protected by the Holy Knights and a barrier, but this woman had easily infiltrated.
"This immeasurable magical power... Who are you?" Zaratras stood in front of Bartra, one hand gripping his sword. Although his strength was at its peak, the pressure from this mysterious woman was overwhelming.
"Ah! Don't get so worked up, she's an old acquaintance of mine." Meliodas waved his arms, positioning himself between Zaratras and Cyd.
"That's exactly why we should be more cautious." Cyd tapped the smooth surface of the [Reforged Pandora]. He could feel the woman's intense gaze on him—not the gaze between a man and a woman, but more like a researcher observing an unknown specimen.
"Oh~ armor made from some creature's scales, and inside, the creature's entire nervous system is intact."
The woman abruptly disappeared, reappearing beside Cyd, her right hand reaching out to touch him. But as she neared, the scales rose up defensively, as if to warn her off.
"Oh~ it's still alive! Such exquisite craftsmanship. I must find whoever forged this and seek their advice."
Cyd's eye twitched again. Despite being met with suspicion, this woman acted entirely at ease, even flaunting her space-jumping abilities. She was either deliberately provocative or simply this way by nature.
Cyd hoped it was the former.
"By the way, your power seems to be rising with the passage of time. I'm quite curious. Would you let me…"
"Merlin!" Meliodas shouted as he saw the scales on Cyd's right arm take on an aggressive posture.
"Hmm~ fine, let's get to business first. There will be plenty of time for this later."
"Wait, wait, wait, I just heard something troubling. Are you planning to stick around me, or are you... one of the seven people from Bartra's prophecy?"
"That's right. I've already investigated His Majesty Bartra's prophecy and the chosen candidates. I have to commend His Majesty's foresight; without this prophecy, finding the other five would be impossible."
The woman, whom Meliodas called Merlin, smiled mischievously, placing a strange wand against Cyd's chest.
"I'm looking forward to seeing whether the Pure White Hero who can save everyone can also handle these seven problem children."
"Your Majesty, I resign!"
"Hahaha… Cyd, you're joking again." Bartra scratched the back of his head with a silly grin, though he was fully aware of the situation. If Cyd truly resigned, he would be so stressed he'd spit blood. One Meliodas was already more than Liones could handle; adding six more would be a disaster.
"Well~ Cyd, I'll help you." Meliodas, wiping his nose, pushed Merlin away as she tried to experiment further on Cyd, clapping his hand on Cyd's shoulder with sincerity. "So, when I kidnap the kingdom's princess, you better help me too."
"Hey!" Bartra suddenly shot up, serious for once when it concerned his daughter.
"Sigh… I'll be grateful if you don't make more trouble for me," Cyd said, pressing down on Meliodas' head before turning to Merlin. "What kind of people are the other five?"
"They're of different races and personalities, but all of them are quite capable."
"So, a bunch of powerful troublemakers, huh?"
"Don't be so gloomy. As our guardian... no, our guarantor, Cyd, you should hold your head high."
Meliodas patted Cyd's waist with a spirited smile.
"The time has come to atone for our sins."
"But before that, let's celebrate!" Meliodas immediately reverted to his carefree, boyish self.
"Celebrate what? The first step of this knight order made entirely of troublemakers?"
"No, it's Elizabeth's birthday! She's one year older, and I only have thirteen years left before I can get my hands on her."
"Sixteen is still illegal. At least wait until she's an adult."
"Hey!" Bartra roared once more, "Holy Knight Cyd, arrest this man who plans to defile my precious daughter in thirteen years. I'll charge him with the sin of [Lust]!"
"No, Your Majesty." Meliodas smiled lightly. "My sin is [Wrath]."
"Meliodas, the Sin of Wrath."