The throne room, woven from vines and roots, was cloaked in heavy silence.
All eyes were fixed on Meliodas and Zeldris.
The shock of the revelation was beginning to fade—but something else was replacing it: doubt.
Ban, arms crossed, stepped forward.
"Hold up… You guys are really sure about this?"
"That Kaelis guy… He could've tampered with your artifact. Told you exactly what you wanted to hear."
Gowther followed with his usual calm and calculated tone.
"What Ban says is plausible. An illusion. Magical manipulation. The artifact may simply have been enchanted to simulate Zephyr's presence… and toy with your emotions."
Diane furrowed her brows, clearly troubled.
"What about you, captain? What do you think?"
Meliodas looked around, eyes momentarily lowered.
For a brief second, he looked like the ancient demon he truly was—worn, scarred by centuries of wandering.
"You might be right…" he whispered.
"Maybe I'm chasing shadows. Maybe Kaelis told us what we wanted to believe. Maybe it's all just an elaborate lie."
But he raised his head, and his emerald eyes burned with renewed conviction.
He turned toward Zeldris, who had remained silent in the corner.
"But… we've come too far to stop now. If this 'Zephyr' doesn't exist—so be it. We'll accept it.
But if he is real… then I want to know why his name was erased. Why no one remembers him. Why our own clan turned him into a ghost."
His fists clenched, and his voice quivered—not with fear, but with purpose.
"I want the truth. No matter the cost."
There was a pause—then a few smiles.
Diane nodded silently.
Gowther looked on, thoughtful.
Ban let out a light laugh.
"Now that's the captain I know."
Even Zeldris cracked a rare, subtle grin of pride.
Meliodas's eyes dropped to the artifact hanging from his belt.
The crystal still shimmered… faintly.
"Still… I don't get it. Why did it lead us here? Why hasn't the light gotten stronger?"
King stepped closer, his expression serious.
"Maybe he's not here. But nearby. There's an old port to the south of the forest. Maybe the artifact's reacting to how close he is… Maybe that's where you'll find what you're looking for."
Meliodas turned to him, a bit surprised.
"Thanks for the tip, King."
He glanced back at the others, eyes warm and grateful.
"Swing by the tavern later… Drinks are on the house."
Ban raised a fist, grinning.
"Don't worry, we'll drink to your health!"
Laughter broke out across the room.
Diane waved, Elaine smiled, and Gowther simply nodded.
Meliodas and Zeldris spread their wings once more—and took to the skies.
Toward the port…
Where perhaps…
a forgotten brother awaited.