Night had fallen over Liones.
In the royal chamber, only the soft crackling of the fireplace broke the silence.
Lying on his back, arms folded behind his head, Meliodas stared up at the ceiling.
Zeldris's words still echoed in his mind.
"What if our bloodline… was a lie?"
He closed his eyes.
"…What are you trying to tell me, Zel? What did you find?" he whispered to himself.
A shadow moved softly in the room.
The door creaked open without a sound.
A small figure leapt onto the bed.
"Dad! Are you asleep?!"
Meliodas opened his eyes and turned his head.
Tristan's mischievous gaze — one blue eye, one green — gleamed in the dark.
His silver hair fell in soft strands across his forehead.
"No, I was just thinking," Meliodas answered with a gentle smile.
Tristan curled up against him, snuggling at his side.
"You're acting weird tonight," he said innocently.
Elizabeth entered quietly after him.
She sat beside them, her tender gaze resting on her husband.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly, placing her hand over his.
Meliodas smiled at her.
But deep down, the doubt gnawed at him.
If there really was a hidden truth behind their clan's origins…
If their bloodline had been manipulated from the beginning…
"I don't know what your brother discovered," Elizabeth said calmly, "but I know you'll make the right choice. You're Meliodas… and you're strong, even when you doubt."
She gently pressed her fingers against his.
Tristan looked up.
"Are you going away?" he asked, voice tinged with worry.
Meliodas placed a reassuring hand on his son's head.
"There's something important I need to check out. But I'll be back. I promise."
That familiar fire burned in his eyes again.
Just sitting here asking questions won't get me anywhere.
If there's a truth hidden behind all of this… then I have to uncover it myself.
He sat up slowly, gazing at Elizabeth and Tristan.
"Get ready. I'm leaving with Zeldris… to the Demon Realm."