"Let's go! There's no time to waste!" Zephir shouted, his eyes burning with resolve even as his body trembled from exhaustion.
The residual resonance spell had drained much of his strength, but in his gaze burned the unyielding fire of a father desperate to save his family.
"Zephir, wait!" Meliodas called out, stepping in front of him.
"I get how you feel… But if you leave in that condition, you'll only put your family in even more danger!"
Elizabeth nodded, concern shadowing her features.
"He's right. You're completely spent. If you collapse out there, you'll be powerless to help them."
But Zephir clenched his teeth, ignoring their pleas.
"Don't worry about me. Even drained, I can still fight… I'll find them. Even if I have to go alone!"
He turned, storming toward the grand doors—
But Meliodas was already blocking his path, standing firm.
Zephir narrowed his eyes, his voice low and sharp.
"Meliodas… move."
"No. I'm sorry… but I can't let you go like this."
The room fell silent. Hendrickson and Elizabeth stood by, holding their breath.
"This is about my family!" Zephir shouted. "You helped me locate them, fine. But the rest—I'll handle it!"
Meliodas slowly reached for the hilt of his sword.
"Then you'll have to force your way through me."
A dark glint sparked in Zephir's eyes. He unsheathed his blade in a flash.
"Fine! Then GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Their blades clashed with a violent crash. Steel rang through the throne room, echoing like thunder.
"I don't want to fight you!" Meliodas cried, deflecting another blow.
"Then MOVE!!"
Zephir's strikes came wild and furious—rage burning through his fatigue. Meliodas ducked and parried, refusing to retaliate. But then… his expression hardened.
"…Enough."
His demon mark flared across his forehead.
In a blur, Meliodas struck. A clean, precise blow—not lethal, but devastating. Zephir's body slammed into the stone wall with explosive force, shattering the surface as he crashed through it.
"ZEPHIR!!" Elizabeth cried out in horror.
Lying in the rubble, Zephir coughed, dazed—but grinned weakly.
"Heh… you're stronger than I thought…"
He tried to rise, staggered—and dropped to his knees.
"If I hadn't been drained by that damned spell… I'd have knocked you flat…"
Then he collapsed, unconscious.
Meliodas deactivated his demon mark, stepping forward with a heavy expression.
"…I'm sorry, little brother. But I couldn't let you throw your life away."
Hendrickson rushed to his side.
"I'll tend to him. He needs rest. We'll place him in a secure chamber."
Guards, drawn by the sounds of battle, hurried in to assist.
Elizabeth joined Meliodas, her eyes worried.
"…Do you think he'll hate you for this?"
Meliodas exhaled quietly.
"Probably. But if it keeps him alive—and gives him a chance to save his family—then it was worth it."
She took his hand, her voice soft but firm.
"You did the right thing. Tomorrow… we'll head to Camelot together. And maybe… this time, he'll be ready to listen."
---
The Next Morning
A loud knock echoed against the royal doors. Meliodas groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"…Now what?"
A knight stood at the door, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty… Sir Zephir is gone. He's not in his room. We've searched the entire castle. There's no sign of him."
Elizabeth, still in her nightgown, rushed in.
"Do you think he…?"
Meliodas clenched his fists, his eyes darkening.
"He's gone. Headed for Camelot."