I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc5] - 65. Departure

---

The desire for what one lacks is instinctual. The idea of a doll longing for a [heart] as a symbol of life feels like a preordained development.

However, great individuals rarely follow such conventions. They are proud and often obsessively perfectionist, appearing calm and disinterested in fame on the surface but secretly far more vain than they let on.

If a great magician could create a doll with self-awareness, why not give it a [heart]? Are they incapable, unwilling, or simply afraid? This kind of self-doubt often plagues the great.

As the greatest magician of Britannia (certified by Merlin), it was unthinkable for his creation not to embody the concept of a [heart]. Yet, to prevent the doll from questioning whether it possessed one, he symbolically placed a decorative piece inside it.

Out of love, the doll sought to save her using his heart. But the heart of a doll cannot save humans. Believing he lacked a true heart, the doll erased everything.

[Seduced the princess and cruelly killed her.]

No one was willing to believe that the figure standing in a pool of blood had sought to save the princess. What he did was incomprehensible—he placed the heart-shaped decoration into the princess's chest.

It was a form of [love] no one could understand.

Perhaps only Bartra, with his farsighted "Vision", could comprehend the doll's actions in that moment. And so...

Strictly speaking, the heart-shaped trinket, now turned into a necklace and swung around by Gowther, was practically useless.

Whether Gowther had regained his [heart] and why he had fled—only Cyd and Bartra knew. As usual, Gowther caused chaos, gave insincere apologies, and threw in a few unintentional insults.

Still, Gowther had changed. His power had increased dramatically. His magic, tied to his psyche, had weakened when he erased his past memories, but now that they had returned, so had his magic.

Besides magic, his attitude had shifted as well. Like a child eager to play with a new toy, Gowther enthusiastically conversed with everyone, savoring his newfound [heart].

...

"Captain, I've remembered many things, including the most important one—our odds of defeating the Ten Commandments," Gowther adjusted his glasses, his tone rising despite its usual flatness.

"Our chances are now at 80%, and if we manage to separate the Ten Commandments, the odds rise to 90%."

Gowther eagerly anticipated Meliodas's delighted reaction, but he was disappointed. Meliodas only smiled faintly.

"There won't be a battle with the Ten Commandments. The seal will remain intact, and we'll avoid the Holy War."

"Why? The odds have improved so much," Gowther tilted his head, still struggling to grasp Meliodas's complicated smile due to his limited time with a [heart].

...

"Captain seems a bit lost, but not sad. Why is that?"

"Sorry, Gowther. Even with your memories restored, there's no use for them." Meliodas patted Gowther on the back, his hands resting behind his head, exuding a relaxed yet unreadable demeanor.

Gowther raised his hand towards Meliodas, intending to use magic, but then tilted his head and lowered it.

"Men have secrets they don't want others to know. I won't look."

...

"Elizabeth, it's time for us to part ways," Meliodas said seriously, arms crossed, as he stood before her. "The kingdom's crisis has been resolved, the Holy Knight Commander has been returned, and we've received our reward. It's time for us to leave."

"Why? Everyone's suspicions about you have been cleared. Why leave?" Elizabeth felt a pang of anxiety at Meliodas's smile, sensing that once he left, she might never see him again.

"Hmm... because we have something very important to do."

"Then I'll—"

"No, Elizabeth," Meliodas interrupted before she could finish. Smiling, he retreated step by step back to the [Seven Deadly Sins].

"Elizabeth, you can't follow us anymore. We've fulfilled your wish and saved the kingdom, so you have no reason to stay with us. Besides, it's not fitting for a princess to be a waitress. So..." Meliodas rubbed his face and flashed his usual brilliant smile.

"Be a great princess."

...

The [Seven Deadly Sins] saved the kingdom, just as they had ten years ago. But like before, they were not accepted by anyone. While people reminisced about the legendary "Dance of the Tyrant Dragon" and the "White-Haired Fairy and the Fat Pig Companion", the [Seven Deadly Sins] prepared to leave silently.

Meliodas and Ban sat on the roof of the [Boar Hat] Tavern, legs swinging as they drank.

"Captain, your smile just now was disgusting."

"I always smile like that. Does that mean I've always looked disgusting?" Meliodas touched his face, thinking of how his boyish face had allowed him to tease Elizabeth for millennia, always earning her forgiveness.

"No, just when you're brushing off the princess. You clearly don't want to leave her, yet you're pushing her away." Ban leaned back, looking at the sky. "I get that you're worried about the curse, but there's no need to be so hasty. What's wrong with staying a little longer?"

"No choice," Meliodas reclined nonchalantly. "Brushing her off or making her hate me, I can't cling to 'maybe' or 'possibly' anymore. I've had enough. If I can't obtain the Commandments, I'll just find another way."

"Tch, why do you have to be so frank?" Ban scratched his head in frustration. When they headed to the kingdom, Meliodas was probably the only one among the [Seven Deadly Sins who never entertained the thought, 'What if the key gets stolen?'

Now their only solution was to seize the Commandments, granting Meliodas power equal to the Demon King to break the seal. Perhaps, as the next Demon King, Meliodas would one day achieve the same power. But how many times would he have to watch his lover die before that day came?

"Ban, don't even think about stealing the key to break the seal," Meliodas said, opening one eye, only to see Ban looking at him like he was an idiot.

"The one most motivated to do that didn't, so why would I risk you beating me up? Still, I won't deny I support breaking the seal." Ban shrugged. "But I'll follow you, Captain. If you don't want to, we won't."

"Wow, Ban, you gave up so easily. Not even a bit of persuasion?"

"We have plenty of time," Cyd climbed up the roof with a barrel of wine. Hearing the conversation below, he figured Meliodas might be in a bad mood, so he brought the most expensive wine from the [Boar Hat].

"Meliodas, I'll help find a solution too."

"Then, oh mighty Vice-Captain Cyd, please help me get Elizabeth's panties."

"...I'm going back down." Cyd realized he'd been naïve to think Meliodas needed some comfort.

===

Read upto [Chapter 99] in advance! - patreon.com/kurato6180