The day had passed in peace and smiles. After sharing precious moments with Elizabeth and their son, Meliodas had left the palace courtyard to return to his kingly duties. Meetings, petitions, diplomatic talks… Peace came at a price.
The moon slowly rose above Liones, casting a silvery glow over the city. A thick fog had descended upon the streets, muffling sound and cloaking the capital in an eerie stillness.
Meliodas walked alone through the empty streets, hands in his pockets. His footsteps echoed faintly against the damp stone.
"Hah… If I'd known being king would be this much work… maybe I should've said no," he muttered, glancing up at the fog-drenched rooftops.
He stopped before a modest building, worn with time but overflowing with memories. The sign still hung above the door, its faded lettering unmistakable:
Boar Hat.
"Well now… nothing like a good Vania ale to forget this nightmare of a day."
As he reached for the door, a ripple of magic stirred the air.
Meliodas froze, his senses sharpening.
A figure emerged from the mist, approaching slowly.
A dark cloak… a familiar presence… and an aura he could never mistake.
A smile crept across his lips.
"Well, well… It's been a while. What brings you back to the land of the living—and to Liones, no less… dear Zeldris?"
The figure stopped, lifting his hood just slightly. The wind tugged at his cloak, revealing red leather clothing and a sword at his hip.
"Hello, Meliodas. We need to talk. Just the two of us."
Meliodas raised an eyebrow, still calm as ever.
"Talk, huh? Fine by me. As long as there's beer involved, I'm in."
He pushed open the door of the Boar Hat and stepped aside to let his younger brother in. Zeldris gave a rare, faint smile.
"I'd like that."
As the tavern door closed behind them, the mist lingered in the streets, like a silent curtain veiling a secret only Zeldris seemed ready to reveal.
What could drive the new Demon King to come here… and why now?