Chapter 67: Issues

Chapter 67: Issues

~Mash B. POV~

Status.

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Name: Mash Bastion

Class: The Gamer

Race: Human

Title: Spirit User

Level: 25 Exp: 1/35%

HP: 1070/1070-> 1120/1120

MP: 1140/1140-> 1190/1190

STR: 37 (+15)

AGI: 38 (+15)

VIT: 33

INT: 40

SEN: 39 (+15)

LUCK: 100

Stat Points: 18-> 28

Cash: 3,000

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I couldn't help but smirk seeing the level increase by two killing that Goddess Clan member. I was oh so tempted to test out my new skills [Ark] for practice.

But I managed to reframe myself from attempting the idea. Not when Mister Demon Prince is nearby, I couldn't alert him.

How the heck would I explain to them that I have the [Ark] skill when I'm not from the Goddess clan… simple.

I blinked a bit before realizing I could simply [Disguise] my body to have two shaved-off wing marks on my back. Not like they could confirm – wait I forgot we have King. Doesn't his race can read people's hearts or minds?

Uh-oh. Back to the drawing board for that one. But before I could ponder the idea some more Diane was tugging on my hand in her human size in a happy tone, "Come on Mash! We have to hurry along to help the Captain gather some info!"

I nodded understanding as were busy collecting info away from Meliodas, Elizabeth, and King's group. Since Ban is house-sitting the tavern while I'm with Diane collecting info and food storage.

With my ability to store items in my [Sub-Space] Meliodas took the opportunity to abuse my skill for me to collect food, ale, and info in the process which led to Diane partnering up with me in her human size.

Bounty on her is looking for a giant, not a human-sized girl to which the Bossman quoted I can miraculously get away with. King was a bit disappointed, but I could see the tension happening with Diane gazing at King in a different light.

Probably doesn't help I unlocked Diane's memories when we first met as she mistook them as dreams. But with him here and a few days of traveling I wonder how she's dealing with them.

I even noticed how distant she was blushing at him with King being too chicken to back out causing me to groan out loud, "Sigh… I wonder how long those two will notice?"

But I slipped up as Diane soon asked carrying a bag with her hands together in a curious tone, "Who will notice two now?"

I blinked seeing Diane as I quickly divert the topic mentioning Meliodas and Elizabeth in an obvious tone, "With the Captain and Princess of course. You can literally see how they love each other!! It's honestly becoming diabetic seeing them so flirty with each other."

Diane seemed to have her eyes cast down in a defeated tone as we tried to gather information, "Yeah… even becoming small the Captain only has his attention towards her. I spent the longest with him and yet… he doesn't look that way to me."

Sensing some trouble, I asked genuinely concerned about her in a soft tone getting her attention walking beside her, "Wanna talk about it? I may not be much but I'm a good listener and can provide some advice."

She paused lightly before she asked me to be blunt almost accusing me of even looking forward ahead, "Say, Mash… I know you have magic that can go into a person's mind… Did you look through mine when we first met? I've been having these weird visions of me and King when I was young but those never occurred till I met you. Please be honest with me will you?"

Well… let's try with honesty first.

I considered her answer as I replied in an honest tone showing her my Gamer Ring and explaining myself in a calm tone, "I do. But I didn't check your mind I used a different spell that allows me to check a person's bio and short history. It said something about you having memories erased. With my ring can just repair lost memories and have mental protection. I was curious and decided to help I apologize for intruding as I did."

Diane gazed at me intently before finally sighing forgiving me much to my shock till she mentioned another member could do that in a casual tone, "Alright then! All is forgiven! At the very least you can admit to it unlike one of our members like Gowther. He intrudes all the time… just don't go peeking anymore without permission next time. Got it?"

Showing her threat, she lifted her fist to prove her point as I admitted to her choices of violence relenting, "Definitely noted! But returning to your issues… you, okay?"

Diane took a moment to gather herself before sighing out loud explaining to me her situation with a flushed face, "Well… no not really. It's kind of a weird situation… Uhm, you don't mind if I explain in detail?"

I curtly nodded letting her have someone to vent. But in a place away from here considering people are eavesdropping much to my annoyance.

Eventually, we found a nice spot to talk. She told me all she could about her childhood having a good time around King listening to and giving her advice.

She was hurt that much I could tell. But I also know from King's perspective after the trauma he experienced and failure to hold his responsibility. He a complete failure in my eyes as a person and character.

He got back up and decided to end Helbram's rage toward humans, killing him in the end. King then went back to Diane to erase her memories of him, fearing that he would be unable to protect anyone anymore.

This led to his capture from the Holy Knights for being unaware of Helbram's mass murder of humans and turning a blind eye.

Additionally, due to his imprisonment, King was unable to return to the Fairy King's Forest and was absent during the events that led to the Destruction of the Forest and the death of his sister, Elaine. Because of his absence, his people began to resent and eventually hate him, overall ending his reign as their king.

The issue with him… is he gives up too easily to despair.

And then there is their… bond/relationship. I'm not disrespecting it honestly; I'm impressed really by how Diane explains the past. It's just how the situation ended up making me a little more than a bit miffed on the subject.

In the past, King looked after the young Diane for five hundred years after she saved and took care of him until he was fully healed. When they meet up again ten years later, he still loves her and finds her just as adorable as she was a decade ago…

That's what bothers me. Those are signs of being a pedophile to me or a groomer considering their time together.

But that was when Diane in canon had her memories awakened shortly by his appearance. This time, however, I threw a wretch at that scenario happening because Diane remembers her past for the last few days.

And she's no dumb lass either. She knows what she wants and is open about it. However, with my assistance even becoming small sooner Meliodas never gave the proper attention she was starving for.

Despite what some say about characters or people in general they have weakness at times and simply need a lending hand or ears to help. Despite her brave and strong appearance, Diane is a somewhat emotionally fragile person as shown by her hatred of loneliness.

This was portrayed when she was a child and insisted that King stay by her side when she was sick instead of getting herbs to heal her and when she waited in tears for him to return to her… which he never did.

Listening to her story she put up a brave face as she replied feeling a bit better about discussing this with me in a happier tone, "Thanks for listening. It feels nice to have someone lend an ear for me. I know I could've asked King but… you know?"

I nodded my head understanding her dilemma of having someone to open up with this kind of sensitive information for her replying with a grin on my face, "I understand. I'm glad I can lend you some advice being your friend. However, I think you should ask King himself why he erased your memories as did. He must have had a reason, right?"

Diane looked down on her hands twirling together with a conflicted expression on her face being blunt to me in a hurt tone, "But… but what if he didn't like me? I know I said I loved him in the past but after some time and thoughts to myself… if he loved me why did he erase our memories together…"

I paused listening to her words as I couldn't help but mutter her question with an answer in a defeated tone, "I don't know… you could ask the man himself. At the very least you deserve to know the truth."

I could only offer her comfort in the form of a pat on the back. Diane remained silent for a little while before standing up and giving me an answer in a hesitant tone, "I'm not sure if I even want to know… I'll check around the area a bit more to see if I can gather any info of what's going on."

Just like that, she left to contemplate our conversation. Soon enough I responded out loud in a neutral tone with King appearing with a saddened expression, "So then King… how much did you hear from our little conversation."

I sensed that King was peeking and spying on me. Considering how obsessed he was with Diane there was no way another man would steal his woman, or I guess daughter in this case. But that just proves what I thought about the Fairy King.

He's a coward afraid of handling the consequences of his actions. He looks down in a defeated tone saying out loud, "More than enough. You are a nosy kind of guy for a human, aren't you?"

Opening my eyes and leaning back on the bench I responded in a neutral tone with a shrug off my shoulders, "I've been called that yes. I simply thought she would be happy if she regained her full memories. What I didn't expect was you to be… sorry if I'm rude but being a pedophile."

King glared at me curtly responding holding in his anger I could sense offended by my words in a stern tone, "Sure… coming from a Human that doesn't know when his minding in others' business. You don't know what happened 500 years ago… and, to me, you are hurting Diane."

I got a bit heated up when he said that. I didn't realize but I let my emotions get the best of me speaking out loud as I shot a glare back at King shocking him with my words curtly responding in a neutral tone mocking him at the end, "I don't want to hear that from a coward who is only capable of making excuses. If you feel that frightened to speak up or explain yourself to her why the hell bother me? If you were perhaps a bit braver, she wouldn't have been hurt. At the very least she deserves an answer as to why you erased her memories oh so wise Fairy King."

King shot at me a glare before his eyes looked down in a defeated tone gritting his teeth. It seems like my words are getting to him as he can't make any excuses before finally responding leaving me alone, "This isn't over human."

Sure King… sure. Well… seems like I made one potential enemy of the Seven Deadly Sins.

I – sigh… just great. Just great Mash. I let my emotions dictate my actions damn it…