Homelander felt deeply wronged.
How the hell am I a psycho?
So what if I drink some fresh milk now and then, casually fire off a Getsuga Tenshō, and accidentally wipe out a few civilians who don't support me?
…Alright.
Fine.
I am a psycho.
But do you really have to say it out loud—
in front of this many people?!
That hurts a man's self-esteem, you know?
If this weren't the tavern, I'd have already ripped your kidneys out!
Before Homelander could explode—
Escanor's arrogant voice rang out.
"Old man, you should apologize for what you just said."
"To compare me with a degenerate like him—
that itself is a sin."
Homelander: "!!!"
Enough already!
This is straight-up bullying!
Just as he was about to drag Silvers Rayleigh and Escanor outside for a three-way duel—
Suddenly.
The dark clouds in the sky dispersed.
The noon sun poured through the windows, bathing the tavern in a faint golden glow.
In the next instant—
Escanor's body expanded once more.
His aura surged violently.
If the previous Escanor was a youth—
then now,
he was a man standing at the very peak of his prime.
Muscles like a sculpted war god, each one brimming with terrifying power.
Homelander, however, snorted dismissively and stepped right up to him.
"If there's sin here—
then it's me judging sin, not you!"
"I am Homelander!"
"Look at me, you bastard!"
Escanor slowly raised his eyes, his tone calm and absolute.
"Only those weak at heart rely on loud words to make themselves appear strong."
"And in your eyes—
I see weakness."
Those words hit like a hammer.
Homelander froze.
A memory surged up from days ago—
His so-called father, Soldier Boy, resting a hand on his shoulder and sneering:
"If I had raised you myself, you'd be better than this."
"Not some weak little bitch who cries all day, desperate for attention…"
Weak.
So weak that even his own father despised him.
And Escanor's words—
ripped apart the last layer of Homelander's disguise and threw it into the street to be laughed at.
Anger.
Humiliation.
Pain.
All of it erupted inside him.
"No… fuck!"
His low roar echoed through the tavern as his oppressive aura locked tightly onto Escanor—
as if he'd attack at any second.
Escanor remained expressionless.
He stood up slowly, looking down at Homelander from above.
Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point—
The instigator, Rayleigh, performed a clean side-flip and landed beside Ron.
So fast.
So smooth.
You'd never guess he was nearly seventy years old.
The others watched with interest, curious whether a fight would actually break out.
Then—
Homelander unconsciously took a step back.
The man before him was unbearably arrogant—
yet his gaze held no killing intent.
Only pity.
Pity for the weak.
In that instant, Homelander's thoughts spiraled, a sense of helplessness creeping in.
Was it true?
Was he really just a hopeless, irredeemable weakling…
too afraid to face it?
Suddenly—
Smack!
A pale, slender hand slapped Homelander square on the head—
so hard it slammed him into the floor.
"Fuck's sake, Homelander, you're trash!"
"I seriously regret taking you in!"
"Why the hell didn't you dare fight him?!"
"Even if you lost, I'd have your back—what are you afraid of?!"
Liang Bing stood with her hands on her hips, furious beyond belief.
At that moment—
in Homelander's eyes—
she didn't look like a demon at all.
She looked like a radiant angel, pulling him out of an endless abyss.
Queen… you're amazing. I'm crying.
...
Facing Liang Bing's provocation, Escanor lifted his chin.
"A meaningless battle only wastes time."
"I don't wish to expend my strength here—
nor do I wish to destroy such a beautiful tavern."
"Of course…"
"If you insist, I have no objection."
Everyone present twitched slightly.
Too damn smug.
Nearby, Tu Shan Yaya was itching to jump in—
if not for Tohru, Rem, and Ram holding her back, she'd have already rolled up her sleeves.
"Tch." Liang Bing curled her lips.
"Fine. Tavern rules apply—for now."
"When Ron's duel arena is finished,
I expect a friendly match."
Her subordinate had been bullied.
As his queen, she'd reclaim that dignity sooner or later.
Damn these rules.
Otherwise, she'd have started swinging already.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—
she shot Ron a resentful glance.
Escanor smiled proudly.
"I look forward to that day."
Liang Bing ignored him, turned around, grabbed Homelander by the hair, and yanked him up.
"Absolutely embarrassing."
"I really want to kill you."
Homelander knew it was just anger talking and hurriedly replied,
"Queen, if there's a next time—
you won't need to lift a finger. I'll kill myself."
She ignored him and returned to her seat, excitedly watching her sister verbally demolish the Underworld Lord.
Suddenly—
A figure slid across the floor on his knees and stopped in front of Liang Bing.
It was The Deep.
He knew this was his only chance to survive.
If he returned to his world—
Homelander would kill him in the cruelest way imaginable.
"Queen… I want to follow you too."
The Deep prostrated himself at her feet, his voice trembling.
"You just want to live, don't you?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Hmm… you're a pervert, but decadence and freedom don't judge that."
"Fine. I'll allow you to join."
She stroked her sharp chin and smiled.
"Homelander—teach him what decadence and freedom really mean."
"Anything goes… except killing each other."
"Thank you, Queen!" The Deep breathed in relief.
Sure, he'd still have to deal with sexy octopus ladies and lobster sisters…
But survival came first.
"You're clever."
Homelander ground his teeth.
"This way, it's really hard for me to kill you."
The Deep didn't answer.
He leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the tavern ceiling—
fully embracing the I've given up, just let me live mentality.
Seeing no resistance, Homelander lost interest and calmly explained the philosophy of decadence and freedom.
Strangely—
the more The Deep listened, the more excited he became.
When Homelander finished—
The Deep suddenly jumped up.
"Freedom—yes!"
"If I believe in this ideology, then me playing with octopuses and getting intimate with lobster girls is also my freedom!"
"Anyone who criticizes me is clearly discriminating against animal-protection enthusiasts!"
Liang Bing spat her drink straight onto Kaisha's face.
"Fuck—"
"I really should've killed him earlier."
"That disgusting pervert!"
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