[Arc5] - 72. The So-Called Men
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This world is full of strange things—immortals, demons, goddesses—but don't think that seeing these means you understand everything about it. Some things are unbelievable even if you witness them, like a massive pig as big as a small island smashing demons like toys.
This remains one of the world's mysteries. As one of the instigators among the [Seven Deadly Sins], Merlin once tried to analyze the pig serving as the foundation of the [Boar Hat] tavern. Unfortunately, she couldn't even damage its moss-like skin.
Escanor could destroy it, but he unusually refused Merlin's request. Without pushing further, Merlin let the matter drop.
Meanwhile, Meliodas and Cyd were clearing out demons around various kingdoms. Without Merlin's teleportation, their speed should have slowed, but... Hawk Mama ran unbelievably fast.
"Oh, Mama, you truly are the strongest in the world!"
Watching the bouncing, pink, sliceable Hawk prancing around the tavern, Cyd calmly sipped his tea, basking in the sunlight and enjoying life.
This world holds many mysteries: why can a pig talk? How can a pig the size of a mountain give birth to a normal-sized pig? These puzzles are left for those with too much time on their hands.
Cyd, however, was busy. Behind him, a disaster rivaling the apocalypse was brewing.
Clink—!
Cyd placed his teacup on the table. Though his gaze remained on the demon fragments flying outside the window, his attention was fully on Meliodas.
"Meliodas, put down the knife. That's the [Boar Hat]'s last ingredient, and I won't allow you to turn it into leftovers."
"Don't be so heartless, Vice-Captain! Elizabeth is hungry!" Meliodas cheerfully twirled the kitchedn knife in his hand. Spread before him were prime cuts of magical beasts sourced from deep within various forests—ingredients even Ban hesitated to use.
"Every time you call me Vice-Captain, I know it's nothing good." Cyd slowly turned, pointing sternly at the slightly embarrassed Elizabeth. "How could you let a princess eat leftovers?"
"That's insulting, Vice-Captain. I've undergone rigorous training!"
"The only thing you've improved over the past ten years is making your cooking appear edible, lulling people into eagerly devouring it without suspicion. In some sense, your dishes could be classified as fraud or intentional harm."
"I'm a man who values presentation," Meliodas declared proudly, puffing out his chest, as if creating aesthetically pleasing but fundamentally unchanged food was a grand accomplishment.
"Um, Lord Cyd, I don't mind," Elizabeth interjected with a warm, understanding smile. "As long as it's edible, it's fine. Lord Meliodas is making progress."
The moment Cyd disappeared from sight, Meliodas chopped down with his knife, using his [Lostvayne] clone ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.
Bang—!
Using ingredients Ban cherished, Meliodas produced visually stunning dishes that seemed worthy of their components.
"What a pitiful waste. Turned into leftovers just like that," Cyd sighed. Cooking by Meliodas inevitably resulted in leftovers—a fact the [Seven Deadly Sins] had all learned the hard way.
"Oh, is it time for me, the Captain of the Leftover Knights, to step up again?" Hawk appeared by the table, shoving his snout into his bowl. He was the only being capable of eating Meliodas' cooking—and even relishing it. His incredible resilience earned him Ban's respect as a master.
Even Escanor begrudgingly acknowledged Hawk's strength, solely based on his ability to endure Meliodas' cooking.
"No, Hawk! This is for Elizabeth!"
"She's just going to spit it out anyway," Hawk snorted, scraping the ground with his hoof in defiance. Meliodas, smiling mischievously, pulled out a fruit knife.
"Then I'll cook you next."
"Even if I have to be cooked, I won't let a flavorless hack like you touch me! Not only would I die, but I'd become leftovers!" Hawk fearlessly hid behind Cyd. His confidence stemmed from knowing dinner time was near, and Cyd was the strongest man before meals!
"Then I'll... huh!" Meliodas suddenly turned toward the window. Far beyond the limits of human vision, a massive bird of black flame was hurtling straight toward them, its intense heat melting everything in its path.
"Looks like Hawk Mama made too much commotion, attracting the [Ten Commandments]. Hawk, protect Elizabeth."
Wiping his blade, [Lostvayne], Meliodas charged out of the tavern. Cyd hefted his [Reforged Pandora] and called toward the shadows, "Medusa, you stay here too."
"Understood." Medusa emerged from the shadows, chains unfurling from her sleeves to the floor.
With just two people and one pig left in the room, Elizabeth knelt before Medusa, greeting her politely. "Um, hello?"
"Hello. I'll protect you, so don't leave this room," Medusa replied, pulling her hood tighter. "Anything Cyd entrusts to me, I will fulfill."
"Am I... just a burden?" Elizabeth's smile turned bitter. Even this seemingly small girl could help Meliodas and the others, while she could do nothing.
Medusa hesitated before her petite body transformed into a tall, voluptuous figure, stunning Elizabeth.
"This form is more practical," Medusa explained, stretching briefly before placing a gentle hand on Elizabeth's head.
"You are definitely not a burden. To that golden-haired idiot, you are his reason for living."
"But... we've only just..." Elizabeth suddenly saw a vision of Meliodas smiling warmly at her. "Lord Meliodas?"
"What's wrong?"
The vision faded, leaving Medusa standing before her. It was as if what she'd seen had been an illusion.
"Oh, nothing. I suppose Lord Meliodas will tell me everything when he's ready. Until then, I won't get anything out of him." Elizabeth smiled lightly, clasping her hands behind her back. "Men are like that, aren't they?"
"They are. After solving everything, they come back battered and smiling foolishly," Medusa said, glancing at Cyd, who was stretching outside the window. Her violet eyes gleamed faintly. "They never let us have peace of mind."
"Hah! Meliodas and Cyd don't understand women at all. Even if you complain to their faces, they'll just keep doing what they want," Hawk chimed in while devouring Meliodas' food.
"You should just slap them or tell them, 'Don't even think about saving me this way!'"
"That's tough. Lord Meliodas is very powerful," Elizabeth replied, scratching her cheek awkwardly. "And Hawk, why are you eating Lord Meliodas' cooking?"
"Elizabeth, this is to protect you." Hawk solemnly cleaned his plate, declaring earnestly, "I'm safeguarding your mind, tongue, stomach, and intestines from the harm of Meliodas' leftovers."
...Fair enough.